Nepal · Dolpo Region
Upper Dolpo Trek
Trip Overview
Overview
Dolpo region is the most remote and least developed district in Nepal. Although a few anthropologists and geographers had explored the region, the entire district was closed to trekkers until 1989 when the southern part of Dolpo was opened to organized trekking groups. Peter Matheson's book - The Snow Leopard and Snell grove - Himalayan pilgrimage have contributed to the mystique and attraction of Dolpo.
Dolpo region situated between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range is the highest inhabited land of Dolpo. Geographically a southern extension of Tibet, it lies within the borders of the state of Nepal, since 1984 has been the country's largest national park and conservation, the park sustains an abundance of wild life including Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep and the legendary elusive Snow Leopard, as well as being home to a fascinating race of Tibetan speaking people. The hardy highlanders of Dolpo are traders, exchanging barley for Tibetan rock salt and they take their yaks onto the Tibetan plateau during the summer for grazing.
Nepal's first English subtitled movie on Dolpo -The Caravan- or -The Himalaya- was a huge success and was nominated for the Oscar Award in the best foreign-language film category. Boundaries of the park include within 3,500 square kilometres of land, mostly above 4,000 meters. Before 1989, when the southern regions were opened to trekking groups, very few explorers had visited the area. Two notable visits were the first mountaineering expedition by Dr Herbert Tichy in 1953 based in Saigon and the other visit by John Tyson in the early sixties. Dolpo is one of the most beautiful treks in the remote areas of Nepal, very rarely visited by an outsider.
Journey to the Upper Dolpo Region
First on the plains and then in the district of Dolpo, we go to Nepalgúnj.
Most people fly from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Nepalgunj. We ride to Juphal from Nepalgunj. (The most organized tours of the region are flying from Kathmandu. (It is not possible to fly directly from Kathmandu to Juphal, although expensive charter flights are available from Pokhara.) Remember that the Juphal airport is just a small mountain airfield, which often may cause bad weather to disrupt flights. Nepalgunj can be reached by lane, but from Kathmandu or Pokhara it is a long journey. Roads in Western Nepal develop, but Juphal is still on the nearest road for several days.
Highlights of Upper Dolpo Trek
- The Dolpo region's main attraction is the captivating Shey Phoksundo Lake
- Experience Nepal's extremly unusual cultural culture
- Take the opportunity to see Snow Leopard in Shey Phoksundo National Park
- Read about the 800 years old, Shey Gompa at Crystal Mountain Base
- Starting with the legendary Yarsagumba hunt. Look at the Hunt for Yarsa.
- Nepal 's largest lake, Rara Lake
- It is worth skiing at a peak like the Mt. Putha.
- The Tibetian Culture ethnic society has preserved in its primeval stage.
Trip Grade: Strenuous
From an altitude of 4000m to 5550m is considered a strenuous trek or grade 3. Most of the trekking of Nepal is in grade 3. You need some previous trekking experiences and have decent physical fitness. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes, however, the pace of the trek will vary in compensation. If you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have strong determination, you will complete a moderate trek successfully. Exercising, particularly jogging and climbing stairs regularly for some weeks prior to your arrival is recommended to enhance your strength and fitness. Past hiking experience would be an asset, but no technical skill is required. Climbing and descending are very usual experiences for these types of trekking and you may have to cross small glaciers as well. This kind of trekking gives you an experience of a lifetime, has very beautiful walking surrounded by spectacular mountains. Above 4000m, there are many settlements in Nepal with a very different landscape. Yaks typically graze at this altitude.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Upon your arrival, representative will be picked up from airport then you will be transferred to a hotel for check in. Overnight stay at Himalayan Suite hotel. (B)
Accommodation: Himalayan Suite Hotel
Meal: Dinner
Activity: Orientation Program
After breakfast, our guide will take you to different attractions of Kathmandu Valley. Today, you will visit, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Patan Durbar Square. (B) Overnight at Himalayan Suite Hotel. (B)
Accommodation: Himalayan Suite Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Activity: Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour
We transport to the southwest region of Nepal to Nepalgunj. It is a long flight of around an hour and we arrive late afternoon or midday there. The weather is very hot in the south of Nepal. We will spend the remainder of the evening exploring the area, including the Bageshwori temple, one of Nepalese 's largest Hindu temples.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: fly -1 Hour
Altitude: 150m
From Nepalgunj it is about 35 minute Flight to Juphal then we begin to trek towards Dunai which is around 3 and a half hours away.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: 35 min flight and 3.5 hours trek
Altitude: 2090m
At Thuli Bheriand Suli Ghad's intersection we walk on the North Road. We wander along the river bank and corsican fields of buckwheat and potatoes and enter Hanke Village. We walk over a new suspension bridge to the west after a road past the recently constructed hospital. We visit Parela, Rahatgaon, and Ankhe, eventually. Overnight at camp
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 4-5 Hours
Altitude: 2660m
We walk along the west side of the Pungmo Khola across a bridge. We cross the cedar forests and enter the village of Palam. Instead we hike to the ridges of the Phoksundo Lake and 300 m high waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal, from which one can enjoy stunning views. When we rest for a look, we descend to the upper reaches of Phoksundo Khola through birch trees, then the picturesque Ringmo village with its mud-plastered chortens and manic walls.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 5-6 Hours
Altitude: 3600m
Manda la is a quite and nice place to have the campsite at. Manda la lies just a downward of Mt, Kanjirowa (6883M) so in the morning time we wake up with the clear view of Mt. Kanjirowa.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 5-6 Hours
Altitude: 4570m
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Rest Day
Altitude: 4570m
We begin by climbing on dusty way up to Kang La Pass (5350 m), which is also known as Nadra La. We get excellent views of the great valley, separated by the gushing water, from the peak of Kang-la Pass. After about 3 hours on foot you descend through the snow-covered steep pass to Shey Gompa, a small town only a few houses and Gompa also called the Dolpo Spiritual Centre. The Gompa is situated at the intersection of two rivers just under the crystal top.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 5-6 Hours
Altitude: 5240m at Kang la pass and 4280 at Shey Gompa
The day starts by taking a wonderful path through a dark and steep gulch in the center of the juniper. The path then continues to cross bare rocks and terrain before you reach the highest point of Saldang-la (5200 m). So we go down north, which is very long and tiresome. But, we will enjoy the sight of mixed yaks and sheep and yak-haired tents. We proceed to Namduna Gaun 4 800 m. We are on foot. As Shey's, the Karma-pa sec is the Namgung Gompa. The red-stone monastery is founded at the north side of a gorge on the backdrop of a cliff.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 5-6 Hours
Altitude: Saldang Pass 5010m to Namgung 4380m
For much of the trek, we travel across Panzang River to the east and cross the river, and enter Yangze Gompa which has the old Bon-Po Monastery. We travel to the most explored area through hikers and trekkers.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 6-8 Hours
Altitude: 3890m
It's the quick way to trek down the Yangze Gompa to Musi Gaon and it'll just be a 4 hours camp for lunch and it isn't long. And we're taking break, because tomorrow we've got to cross the "Lang La cross" big peak. And the Musigaon is the Northmost village of the frontier with Tibet and we will travel about 1 hour to see Tibet and Nepal border.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 4-6 Hours
Altitude: 4270m
Shimen Gaun is the large village of Shimen Gaun from Musi Gaun Via Lang La (5,002 m) and Shimen Gaun, 7 hours walk away, and we camp at the local primary school.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 6-7 Hours
Altitude: 3950m
7/8 hours walk from Simen Gaun to Tinje. Shimengaun to Tinje is the flat surface down, through Pinyan Khola we walk and there is small vegetation along the way.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 4150m
We have traveled for approx. 3 hours to reach our destination from Tinje ViA Nawal (4,550 m) to Kheng Khola, 7/8 hour walk from Nawal, and it is like a clear, windy desert.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 4550m
Charka Bhote is a spot where you can find all the simple necessities, the major village and the population of this area is a little more civilized so that night at Charka Bhote is the memorable site for hiking to the Upper Dolpo, and the region's inhabitants are a little more civilized. (Kheng Khola Through Charka pass)
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 7-8 Hours
Altitude: Chharka Pass 5036m to Chharka 4365m
Yak Kharka is a large, green area, named Yak Kharka because it is named Yak Kharka, because people who came with their Yak for the business that they used to live.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 1780m
Thujeng La Pass is one of Hardest Pass because it's near Mt. Tashiang (6,383 m), Tongu peak (6,197 m), Hongdae peak (6,556 m) and many more mountains near planing the surfaces of this mountain, which make us feel so difficult while we are on Thujeng La Pass.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 7-8 Hours
Altitude: Sangda Pass 5490m to Sangda Phedi 5110m
Sangdak Gaun is the last Tibetan vegetation and the last day of our Dolpo circuit.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 3909m
We climb the hill behind Sangda and spent most of the day making a high traverse, crossing nine ridges to a final crest at 4280m.We climb to a ridge at 3360m and make a final descent on a challenging trail of loose rocks to Jomsom at 2670m.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: Trek 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 2670m
We take an early flight from Jomsom to Pokhara and fly right along the Kali Gandaki Gorge between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. If weather permits, we will take flight back to Kathmandu or drive back to Kathmandu same day if it is not cancelled.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: 40min Flight
This is an extra day in the case the flight is cancelled the day prior. On this day, we will drive back to Kathmandu by private vehicle and for those who would rather take the flight, can take plane to Kathmandu instead of 7-8 hours long bus ride.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Activity: 40min Flight// 6-8 hours drive
Today is your final day in Nepal. Our representative will come to pick you up for your transfer to the Airport.
Meal: Breakfast
What's Included
Recommended Equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
The Upper Dolpa trek is one of Nepal 's longest treks, as it takes 32 days to complete. The highest elevation during this trek is 4,530 metres. Around 5,115 metres. And is one of Nepal's toughest treks.Therefore some degree of physical fitness is required. Good fitness should be enough for completing this trek.
We ensure plenty of rest periods and good speed to prevent excessive strains. In the event that you suffer from some pre-existing medical condition, we recommend that you consult your doctor before you pick this trek. Likewise, we commend being physically involved in the months preceding this trek. This can be done in the form of activities such as biking, running, hiking, swimming etc.
Despite the absence of sufficient facilities and very few buildings. Only a few houses will provide the amenities for food and lodging. So most trekking groups will take full catering services to deliver food to them.
Still, the Dolpo region has to be considered to be limited to food. There are also several houses and tea shops about the accommodation services which will provide you with the accommodation facility. It is highly advised, however, that you don't rely on them and take your own tents and sleeping bags. HSJ will arrange for the tents and sleeping bags for its customers.
Just a few places in the Dolpo area have a mobile phone signal. However, some villages do have a satellite emergency telephone. Some lodges in the Dolpo region offer wireless Internet access only at Dunai at an additional fee. If you wish to bring a 4 G sim card with an Internet pack, we recommend Ncell. In Kathmandu, you can buy an internet package which is less than USD 10. Make sure you have one of these before departure.
Since this is not a common trek, all the villages aren't equipped with the amenities you may need. You 'd better bring your cameras and phones along with the solar charging.
This being entirely camping trek, sufficient amount of water would be needed to carried all the way. Filling up water is quick. Taps in, out or in guesthouses mean that there are plenty of places to fill your bottles and/or your water bladders.This could be where you stay, a lunch stop, or a shared public tap used by locals whereever possible. Use an efficient sterilization method to make sure your water is safe and not contaminated in anyway.
| Upper Dolpo Trekking Permit Cost | |
| Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit Cost | NPR 3000 |
| Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit | US$ 20 Per Person/week |
| Minimum required for two weeks permit | US$ 20×2 =40 Per Person |
| Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit | US$ 500/Per Person for 10 days |
| Total Upper Dolpo Trek Permits Cost | US$ 570 Per Person |
Travel insurance & rescue when travelling to a remote destination like Nepal is strongly advised. It should provide adequate protection for the full duration of the tour. Your insurance policy must cover all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as helicopter rescue, cancellation, air ambulance, injury, death, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment, and cover repatriation and personal expenses. If a client becomes ill, all hospital expenses, doctors’ fees, and repatriation costs are the client’s responsibility. For the reliable travel insurance, we have the suggestion of some of the best insurance companies: Cover more or Europe assistance or Travel Direct- TID . We have an agreement with Helicopter Company to do the payment of Helicopter evacuation after we collect the payment with you once you have been rescued. And the reimbursement responsibility from your insurance company will go up to you. Be sure your policy specifically covers helicopter evacuation and does not exclude mountaineering or alpinism.
Often this depends on the trek and the maximum altitude gain. Each porter carries between 15 and 30 kg on average in the mountain region for trekking. There is up to 40 kg of a camping pack. We usually assign one porter to our two trekkers. 15 kg of luggage is allowed per person on the trek. The health of our porter crew is strictly guaranteed.
With an annual rainfall of less than 50 mm, Dolpo is the only trekking destination in Nepal which can be trekked from May until the end of October. Unlike Nepal's other Trekking Regions, which are not recommended for trekking from May to October, Dolpo has this benefit. June, July and August, the monsoon moths in Nepal, being in the rain-shadow of Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba, the area receives either no or very little rainfall, while the rest of the country experiences significant rainfall.
Treks in Dolpo are closed from November to January because of the heavy snowfall in the region. The snowfall could happen until April and hence treks in Dolpo are recommended during this time of the year as well.
Clothing
· Trekking boots
· Short-sleeved Trekking shirts
· Trekking pants and jackets
· Thermals underwear
· Long-sleeved Trekking shirts
· Insulating down jackets
· Woolen cap
· Trekking Gloves
· Raincoats
First Aid
· Diamox tablets
· Sanitary pads / Tampons
· Anti-nausea Medicines
· Band-aids
· Mosquito and insect repellents
Toiletries
· Soap
· Toilet Paper
· Shampoo
· Sunscreen
· Moisturizer
· Hand sanitizer
Accessories
· Sunglasses
· Sleeping bag
· Cameras
· Batteries
· Water Bottle
· Solar Chargers
· Hot water Thermos
Important Documents
· Passport
· Travel Permits
HSJ provides Duffel bags, Sleeping Bags, and tents for this trek. You will have to get trekking poles yourselves or our guide will assist you to buy them in Kathmandu.
Traveler Reviews
"Best way to experience Nepal"
We did the 14 days Nepal budget tour and we could not be more happy with our choice. In only 2 weeks we visited Kathmandu, Chitwan national park, Pokhara and did a 5 day trek in the Annapurna region. The organization was flawless (like a swiss clock). We felt safe and welcomed in every place. Our guides Harka (Chitwan) and Ganesh (Pokhara and trek) + Bishal (our porter) did an outstanding job. We recommend them and the whole trip 100%. It was much better than we could have imagined. In the end, we recommand everyone to visit the beautiful places from Nepal and meet its warm and welcoming people.
"💯"
It was an wonderful experience with himalayan social journey,mingmar and Rupesh are our guide and they did so well. Everyday it was on time ,well planned and executed trek👍
"Amazing Everest Base Camp Trek!!"
Had an absolute amazing time. The Himalayas were beautiful, had blue skies and views everyday. Himalayan Social Journey and our guides Mingmar Sherpa and Rupesh went beyond our expectations. Definety helped us reach Everest Base Camp without any issues. Would definitely do another trek with them and would not use anyone else.
"Awesome Experience!!!"
Mingmar sherpa dai was our trek lead along-with Tenzing dai, Janak and Siddharth. All of them really helped us during entire the trek. Whether it is stay, food or assistance for any additional request. I would highly recommend them as trek leads if you are planning for the trek in and around Nepal. Specially EBC.
"Best Experience"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Amazing Trishuli rafting experience! I did this rafting in October 2024. Himalayan Social Journey made it safe, fun, and unforgettable. Thrilling rapids and stunning scenery combined for the perfect adventure. Highly recommend!
"Best Experience Of My Life!"
It was my first trekking experience in Nepal and Himalayan Social Journey made the entire experience memorable. They are very professional and will help you at every point. A special word of thanks to Sushma, who helped a lot throughout and was my go-to person. My guide Dinesh was a gem and so was the porter, Ramkrishna. Dinesh saved my life a few times (literally) and he is so efficient and helpful that it is hard to put in words. Want togo back to Nepal through HSJ, there is a lot more to do. If you are planning any activity in Nepal you may blindly book with HSJ and be assured of an experience of a lifetime. These guys are more than a tour planner, they are your friend. philosopher, guide all in one!
