25Days

Upper Dolpo Trek - 25 Days

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Duration
25 Days
Trip Grade
Strenuous
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
5125m
Group Size
02 - 16

Upper Dolpo is the most isolated areas to choose trekking in Nepal. Dolpo sits between the Tibetan plateau and Dhaulagiri Himalaya rain shadow in western Nepal. It is a remote region famous for rarely found snow leopard and blue sheep.

The first trekking route in the Upper Dolpo started only after 1990 by the British Tour operator. The tradition and lifestyles of people remain untouched in the Dolpo region. The region remains a restricted area in Nepal and requires special trekking permits for Upper Dolpo Trek.

The Caravan is the first English subtitled movie on Dolpo region of Nepal. The movie was nominated for an Oscar award for the best foreign language film category.

Most of the villages in the Upper Dolpo sits above the height of 4300 meters. The trekking route passes through some of the spectacular mountains such as Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanjiroba, etc.

The trail passes through the wild remoteness of the Lower Dolpo region towards the Upper Dolpo.

Upper Dolpo is the only place where people still follow the pre- Buddhist Bon Po religion. The custom and tradition of the region are quite similar to those of Tibet.

The Upper Dolpo Trek lies within the boundaries of the Shey Phoksundo National Park. The mystical beauty and remoteness of the region attract visitors from all around the world.

The high pass trails, fascinating valleys, local settlements, gigantic mountains, centuries-old monasteries, etc are some of the major attractions of the Upper Dolpo Trek.

Upper Dolpo Trek starts from a flight from Kathmandu to Nepaljung and then towards Juphal. Your classic trek officially starts from Juphal towards Dunai along the Bheri river.

You will have two nights to enjoy the beauty of Shey Phoksundo Lake and the snowy peak of Kanjirova Himalayan range. The classic journey will take you to the isolated village of Ringmo, Shey Gompa, and the fascinating wildlife of western Nepal.

So, if Upper Dolpo fascinates you, you should definitely plan your trek to this isolated region of Nepal. You can book your trip at Index Adventure. We promise to make your trip to the Upper Dolpo unforgettable.

Highlights of Upper Dolpo Trek

  • Exploring the amazing views of Mount Kanchenjunga, Crystal mountain and many more.

  • Visiting some of the ancient monasteries and villages of the Dolpo region.

  • Witnessing the unique traditional Buddhist culture.

  • Walking within the Phoksundo National park.

  • Exploring the beautiful Phoksundo Lake and Shey Gompa.

When to go the Upper Dolpo Trek

Are you concerned about the best time for Upper Dolpo Trek? Have you been planning your trip to the Dolpo region and confused about the time you should be trekking? Today I will provide you with some of the best times for Upper Dolpo Trek.

Autumn

The best time for Upper Dolpo Trek would be in Autumn ( the beginning of September to the end of October). In Autumn months, there are lesser chances of rainfall and snow.

The temperature is ideal during this time of the year. You will walk under good weather and climatic during the autumn season.

So, don’t you want to enjoy the beauty of Upper Dolpo with the favorable weather of Autumn? Of course, you do.

But, remember to book for your accommodation and meals as early as possible. As autumn is the peak season, most of the teahouses might get crowded.

The turquoise blue lake of Shey Phoksundo looks amazing during the autumn season. Along with this, you will have clear visibility of the snowy mountains.

Spring

Spring (March, April, May) can also be a perfect time for Upper Dolpo Trek. It is the pre-monsoon season in Nepal so you can expect minimum rainfall during the spring season.  

However, Upper Dolpo expects light rainfall during late May. So, make sure to carry your rain gear when trekking to the Upper Dolpo in May.

Heading towards the higher elevation during spring might be tricky. It is because you can find snowy trails along the high passes in Spring season.

Overall, spring is the most beautiful time of the year for Upper Dolpo trek. The dense forest of Dolpo blooms with its colorful flowers throughout the trails.

The natural beauty of Upper Dolpo remains high during the spring season. Spring takes away the harsh weather and temperature of the winter season.

So the weather and temperature are usually warm and stable in the Upper Dolpo during Spring. Although the temperature might lower in the higher areas, it is bearable.

Offseason Trek

Winter (June, July, August) and monsoon (March, April, May) are usually the off-season time for Upper Dolpo Trek in Nepal.

Winter in the Upper Dolpo region might become harsh. Many trekkers fear from the fact that they might have to face unfavorable weather conditions during winter.

You will have to climb through different high passes during your Upper Dolpo Trek. So, most of the trails seem covered in thick layers of snow during winter.

During mid-winter, crossing the pass becomes tougher than ever. The weather also changes constantly.

Similarly, monsoon (June, July, August) may not be a decent option for Upper Dolpo Trek. Most of the trails to Upper Dolpo becomes muddy and slippery because of the monsoon rain.

So, overall Upper Dolpo Trek becomes quite challenging during monsoon and winter season. It may not be a decent time for trekking to the Upper Dolpo.

However, if you want a challenging and thrilling trekking experience, winter and monsoon can be an ideal option.

Difficulties during Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo is a camp trekking. You can see very few or no teahouses along the route to the Upper Dolpo for night stay.

Searching for the campsites and arranging your own meals and tent houses might be difficult for some trekkers.

Upper Dolpo Trek involves various high altitude passes. During your 25 days Upper Dolpo Trek, you will have to cross three high passes which are above the height of 5000 meters.

Crossing the pass involves walking through steep and narrow ridges and taking several ascends and descends. Crossing the passes are quite tough and challenging but at the same time thrilling as well.

Altitude Sickness is very common during Upper Dolpo Trek. The highest point of the trek is at Sal Dang La that sits at an altitude of 5010 meters. The amount of oxygen is very low at such height.

As you walk, the temperature and oxygen level decreases gradually. You will have difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of altitude sickness are diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, nausea, etc. If you face any such difficulty, descend to a lower height immediately.

Upper Dolpo Trek might be quite demanding especially for a beginner trekker. It is a long trek and involves 6-7 hours of walking on average.

Physical fitness plays a vital role during Upper Dolpo Trek. The trek does not require any special training but, previous high altitude trekking experience will help you a lot. It will make your trekking experience less challenging and comfortable.

Upper Dolpo Trekking Permits

As Upper Dolpo is a restricted region in Nepal, you will need special trekking permits in order to trek. The different permits that you will require when trekking to the Upper Dolpo are:

  • TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System)

  • Lower Dolpo Trek Permit

  • Upper Dolpo Trek Permit

  • Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit.

The cost of Upper Dolpo Trek Permit is 500 dollars per person for the first 10 days. If you are willing to stay more days in the region, you will have to pay 50 dollars for each additional day.  

You can collect the trekking permit from the Department of Immigration Nepal.

You will also require Lower Dolpo Trekking permit for Upper Dolpo Trek. The cost of Lower Dolpo trekking permit is USD 10 per week.

You will collect the Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit at the entrance of Shey Phoksundo National Park. The cost of Shey Phoksundo National park permit is USD 30 PLUS 13% VAT for foreign trekkers.

You will have to pay Rs.1000 plus 13% VAT if you are from a SAARC nation.

The cost of Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit is only Rs. 25 for the crew members.

Is Upper Dolpo Trek Possible without a Guide?

Upper Dolpo is a restricted and isolated region in Nepal. It is a challenging trekking destination in Nepal. So, the Government of Nepal does not allow individual trek to the Upper Dolpo.

Hiring a guide during the Upper Dolpo Trek is compulsory. The guide assures your safety and security during the trek.

It is always better to trek with the help of a guide. Index Adventure can arrange you with an experienced guide who will assist you throughout the trek. He/ she will always act as a source of inspiration during your trek.

As the Upper Dolpo is a camp trek, the guide will help you to find the perfect camping site.

Hiring a porter can also be a better option during your Upper Dolpo Trek. They will help you to carry your bags up to 10 kgs.

Both the guide and the porter will make your trek to the Upper Dolpo as comfortable as possible. The guide will charge you around 20- 25 dollars a day and the porter will charge you around 15-20 dollars per day.

Upper Dolpo Trek - 25 Days Itinerary

Altitude: 3,620 meters

Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

From the Namduna Gaon, you will take an uphill climb towards a steep slope. The route involves walking on a dusty and barren trail towards the Salang village.

After 2-3 hours of difficult climb, you will have the first view of Saldang village. The village sits on a plateau which is high above the Namga Khola stream.

Saldang is one of the biggest settlements in the inner Dolpo region. It is a prosperous village that acts as a trade route between Upper Dolpo and Tibet.

Overnight in Saldang. 

Your incredible trip to Upper Dolpo Trek ends here. In the morning you will take a flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. On reaching the airport at Nepalgunj, you will take another flight to Kathmandu.

It will take you around 30-45 minutes to reach Kathmandu airport from Nepaljung. You will have ariel views of the beautiful landscapes, mountains, hills, etc as you fly to Kathmandu.  

Altitude: 2,404 meters

Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

Today is the last day of your trekking journey. You will along the riverbed of the Bheri river through beautiful landscapes of the region. You will pass through many villages such as Dhupichaur and Rugged.

You will continue walking towards Kalagaonda village which will take you to Motipur village. From here, you will walk towards Jhuphal.

Overnight in Jhuphal

Altitude: 2,140 meter

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

From Tarakot, you will walk alongside the Bheri river. You will cross a bridge and reach a village called Lawan village.

You will continue walking alongside the Bheri river and ascend towards Byas Gadi. From here the route will take you towards the westward direction. The trail is comparatively easy from here.

On crossing the river, you will reach to Lochakhola Gaon. From here, you will ascend towards Dunai for night stay.  

Altitude: 2,537 meters

Trekking duration: 4-5 hours

You will leave Khanigaun and head towards the village of Lambert today. The trail descends towards another river.

The route involves walking along the bank of the river which will lead you towards a lush forest. After walking for some time, you will reach Tarakot.

You will visit the Sandul Gompa at Tarakot. It is 8 kilometers away from the village and sits at the confluence of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu.

You will set your camp 15 kilometers below Tarakot beside the Tarap Chu river. 

Altitude: 3,150 meters

Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

From Tarap Khola, you will head down towards the george of the river. You will pass through many local settlements and meet local people along the way.

You will have an exciting trip today. The trail becomes narrower as you walk towards a deep George. You will walk along with the stone slabs that acts as a bridge.

In some of the places, the bridge may be damaged due to which you will have to cross the icy torrent by yourself. Finally, on walking further, you will reach to the settlement of Khanigaon. You will set your camp in Khanigaon beside the Tarap river

Altitude: 3,800 meters

Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

Today you will leave Dho Tarap and head towards Tarap Khola. You will trek downhill towards a wide valley which eventually becomes narrower into a George.

You will walk along the forest of juniper and wild bushes which sits above the treeline. You will get to witness many yaks, blue sheep, marmots, goats, etc along the way to Tarap Khola.

By the afternoon, you will reach the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola. The stream joins with Tarap Khola from further east. On walking further, you will reach to a meadow, Kamakharka where you will set up your camp.

Overnight at a tented camp in Tarap Khola.  

Today is the third day of acclimatization. On this day, you will spend your time by strolling around the village of Dho Tarap.

An irregular stone wall surrounds the village. Exploring the village will give you a chance to interact with the local people. You will also get to know about the culture and lifestyles of the people living in the village.

The local settlements are mostly inhabited by Magars, Tibetans, Bonpo, and Buddhists. You will explore the harvesting fields and Buddhist Gompa in the village. The Gompa is closest to your campsite. You will also visit the Bon Po gompa. 

Altitude: 4,040 meters

Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

The trail today involves downhill walk on a plain valley. The journey today becomes quite easier than the usual trek.

You will walk through a grassy land along the river bank. So, the trail is completely different than the other parts of the inner Dolpo.

After walking for some time, you will finally reach a village of Dho Tarap. You can see the majority of Magar inhabitants in the village. Some few Tibetans also live in the Dho Tarap village.  

Altitude: 4,209 meters

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

You will start your trek early in the morning today. After walking for about two hours from the Jeng La Phedi, you will reach the top of Jeng La pass. Reaching the top will reward you with the remarkable view of the north face of Dhaulagiri massif.

From here, you will take a downhill rough trail towards the Tarap valley. Tarap is a beautiful valley with the view of high mountains and vast plains.

You will then ascend towards the green valley of Tarap Chu that expands 20 kilometers along the Tarap Chu river.

After a short walk, you will reach the monastery of Tokyu. You set your camp close to the monastery for overnight stay. 

Altitude: 4,900 meters

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

You will leave Sibu today. You will start walking along the bank of Nam Khong Khola for a while. Later, you will walk towards the Tibetan border after passing the caravan.

The route will then take you towards the eastward direction at the confluence of two tiny streams. You will cross the stream and reach to a side valley.

The trail becomes a bit steeper from here. You will take an uphill climb towards the grazing area below Jeng La Pass. The pass is an amazing meadow where you will set up your camp.

Overnight in a tented camp at Jeng La Phedi.  

Altitude: 4,560 meters

Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

You will have to option to reach Sibu. So, you will follow the easier and simple route towards Sibu. choosing the way back to Saldang village will definitely save your precious time.

So, you will head back to Saldang village. As you reach Saldang, you will walk alongside the river bank.

You will through terraced fields, chortens, stupas, Mani Stone walls, and Chaiba monastery. From here, you will walk towards the Namdo village.

Namdo is a prosperous village that consists of about sixty houses and 400 inhabitants. You will also visit the Namdo monastery that sits in the bank of a river.

You will continue walking further alongside the bank of the river for about two hours to reach the small village of Sibu.    

Altitude: 4,960 meters

Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

From Saldang, you will trek towards the northern direction today. You will walk in a barren terrain along the bank of Nagon Khola.

With few uphill and downhill turns, the rest of the path is quite gradual. Along the way, you will pass through Marang and Ki villages.

On walking further, you will have to cross a tributary of Panzang river. The trail will then take you towards the eastward direction. On crossing a river, you will finally reach Yangze Gompa.

Yangze Gompa is an ancient Bon Po monastery that holds significance among Tibetan Buddhist of the Upper Dolpo region. 

If you trek through Index Adventure, our representative will welcome you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. He/ she will greet you and drive you to your hotel for overnight stay.

You will hold a brief meeting regarding your trip to the Upper Dolpo. Later in the evening, you can go for a short walk around the alleys of Thamel and Ason. 

Altitude: 4,800 meters

Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

After exploring the Shey Gompa, you will head towards Namduna Gaun today. You will start by taking a pleasant walk towards the juniper forest.

You will descend towards a stony canyon from where the zigzag paths begin. From here, you will take an uphill climb towards the eroded soil until you reach the top of Saldang La.

The top of Saldang La Pass offers some of the best views of yak pastures and the unique landscape and vegetation of the Dolpo region. After exploring the beautiful views from the top of the pass, you will now descend towards Namduna Gaun.

You will pass through the grazing fields of yaks and sheep towards the north. On reaching Namduna Gaun, you will visit the famous monastery of the village, Namduna monastery.

Amduna monastery is a red stone monastery that sits in the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a George. The monastery holds significant among Tibetan Buddhists.

Overnight in Namduna Gaun. 

Today is the second day for acclimatization. You will spend the day exploring the Shey village and Shey Gompa.  

Altitude: 4,500 meters

Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

The trail today might be physically demanding especially when you walk on the loose slate screed. After walking for about 3 hours, you will each at the top of Kang La Pass. The pass sits at the height of 5360 meters from where the views look incredible.

After exploring the Kang La pass you will descend towards the valley floor. You will walk alongside the bank of the river for about 45 minutes.

You will pass through meadows, yak grazing fields, and ancient Mani Walls. You will see a Red Chorten that marks the entrance to Shey. Crossing a wooden bridge will lead you to Shey Gompa.

Overnight in a tented camp at Shey Gompa.  

Altitude: 4,402 meters

Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

Today you will cross several streams along the way to Phoksundo Bhajyang. You will walk through the glacier valley with the stunning views of Chammlang Peak.

The amazing landscapes of the Upper Dolpo region will fascinate you as you walk towards the Phoksundo Bhanjyang. The path becomes narrower and steeper as you walk towards the vertical cliffs.

You will cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and mountain stream. From here, you will follow the northeast direction.

You will ascend towards a sheep meadow which will lead you steep ravine. You will then have to take a hard uphill climb which will take you to another valley.

Kang La Pass looks beautiful from the top of the valley. A few walks from the valley will take you to Phoksundo Bhanjyang. You will set your camp near the Peter Matthiessen christened ‘Snowfields Camp.

Overnight in a tented camp at Phoksundo Bhanjyang. 

Altitude: 3,507 meters

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

The final destination for today is Phoksundo Khola. You walk ahead along the western edge of breathtaking Phoksundo lake. The trail is quite unsteady and you can feel the remoteness of the Upper Dolpo region.

As you walk towards the western edge of the lake, you will come across a lush meadow that will lead you to the floodplain of Phoksundo Khola.

On reaching the Phoksundo Khola, you will set your camp in the bank of the river.

Overnight at a tented camp in Phoksundo Khola. 

Today is the first day of acclimatization during your Upper Dolpo Trek. For the purpose of acclimatization, you will go for a short hike towards the village of Ringmo.

You will visit the Buddhist monastery in the Ringmo village. You will also get to explore the local culture and tradition of the village.

Exploring Tshowa monastery will give you a chance to learn about the art, Artcraft, and culture of the Tibetan Buddhists.

You will explore the spectacular Phoksundo lake. Phoksundo is a culturally significant lake. Many people have a sacred belief towards the lake.

Overnight at a tented camp in Phoksundo lake.   

Altitude: 3,611 meters

Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

From Sulighat, you will continue walking towards the confluence of Phoksundo lake and Pungmo river. You will walk alongside the west bank of Pungmo Khola after crossing a bridge.

From here, the route will take you to Phalam Village through Cedar forest. You will ascend up to a ridge that sits at the height of 3350 meters.

From the top of the ridge, you will have a distant view of the beautiful turquoise blue lake of Phoksundo along with the highest waterfall in Nepal.

The trail will then descend towards the birch forest towards the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola. You will walk through the chortens and Mani walls towards the Ringmo Village.

Ringmo is a Tibetan Buddhist settlement which sits next to the Phoksundo Lake. You will walk along the shore of Phoksundo lake and set up the campsite.

Overnight at a tented camp in Phoksundo lake.  

Altitude: 3,104 meters

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

Today, you will take several uphill and downhill trail throughout the trek. You will walk along the bank of the river and climb uphill through a dense forest.

During your journey, you can find several water streams that will add to the pleasantness your trek. You will walk through a grassy slope that sits high above the river after you cross the forest.

You will take a downhill walk towards the stone staircase via the lush forest. You will walk along the riverbed and cross a bridge which will lead you to Sulighat.

Overnight at a tented camp in Sulighat. 

Altitude: 2,896 meters

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

From Dunai, you will turn to the westward direction and cross a suspension bridge. You will follow the route to a new hospital.

From the junction of Thuli Bheri and Suti Gad river, you will turn towards the north and follow the trail to Suli Gad. The trail is quite smooth with few uphills and downhills climb.

You will walk along the ridge at the height of 2499 meters that offers you with the majestic view of Kagmara Peak. You will walk towards Dhera via walnut groves.

Dhera is a winter settlement where the villagers keep livestock such as cows and goats. From here, you will take an ascent towards Rahagaon. It is a Thukari village at the height of 2,900 meters.

You will walk towards the canyon and pass through dense forest. After crossing a large stream, you will finally reach Anke.

Overnight at a tented camp in Ankhe. 

Altitude: 2,896 meters

Flight Duration: 45 minutes

Trek Duration: 2-3 hours

You will fly to Juphal from Nepalgunj early in the morning today. You will have breathtaking views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range as you fly over the amazing landscape.

Juphal airport lies in Dolpo region. It is the only airport in the region that connects Dolpo people to the other parts of the country.

On reaching Juphal, you will take a short hike towards Dunai. Dunai is a small town and district headquarter of Dolpo. It sits 2,000 meters at the bank of Thuli Bheri river.

Overnight at a teahouse in Dunai.

You will head towards the domestic airport after having your breakfast in the morning. Nepalgunj sits in the western Terai region of Nepal in Nepal-Tibet border.

It will take you around one hour to reach Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. On reaching Nepalgunj, you will transfer to your hotel room. Later in the evening, you will have some time to explore the town and taste the local street food in the city.

You can also spend your time shopping in the local market of Nepalgunj, buying trekking gear if you want to.

Overnight at a hotel in Nepalgunj. 

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Cost Details

Includes

  • Airport pickup and drop by private vehicle.
  • Three nights Kathmandu hotel with Breakfast.
  • Trekking lodge (Tea House) and homestay accommodations during the trek.
  • Three meals a day during the trek.
  • Special Trekking upper Dolpo permit and other required paper documents.
  • Round trip flight fare Kathmandu-Nepalgunj- Juphal -Kathmandu) with airport tax and pick up and drop.
  • A high experience, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, English speaking well trained, Government license holder guide with all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport and insurance.
  • Strong, helpful porters with proper equipment (one porter for two people).
  • Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
  • Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service which will be paid by your Travel Insurance Company.
  • Sleeping bag & Duffel Bag (if you do not have your own, to be returned after trip completion).
  • Guided city tour as per above itinerary with private vehicle.
  • Farewell & Trekking Achievement Certificate.
  • Government taxes and official expenses.

Excludes

  • while you are in Kathmandu Lunch and Dinner.
  • Nepal entry visa fees (you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at International Airport – Kathmandu). You need 2 passport size photos and $40 dollar.
  • Your Travel insurance.
  • International airfare.
  • Your personal expenses.
  • All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks.
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver.
  • All sightseeing tour entrance fees.
  • Any other expenses which are in mentioned on include section
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