Upper Dolpo Trek

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

In Nepal, Dolpo Trek is a well-known hiking path that passes through the remote and isolated districts of Dolpo. This journey is a way to discover the high Himalayan culture and lifestyle, as well as the region's spectacular natural beauty and historic monasteries, caves, and gompas. Dolpo is situated in the far western region of Nepal, after exploring the Mustang region. Dolpo has largely escaped modernisation due to its isolation and difficulty in access, and the locals still live a traditional way of life. You will go to Shey Phoksundo Lake, one of Nepal's most stunning lakes, and explore the nearby rivers, valleys, and woods. Given that you will be trekking for lengthy stretches of time each day and crossing high-altitude passes, this journey is regarded as difficult. For lovers of isolated and challenging treks, the area is a must-visit location because of its breathtaking natural beauty, distinctive culture, and rich history.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu — Upon your arrival, you will be picked from the airport and will be taken to the hotel. You will meet your guide, discuss the trek program, and make final preparations for the trek by acquiring all restricted area permits. If time permits, we will take you for a sightseeing trip in the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu and later, in the evening, you’ll have dinner in the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu. Day Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, Nepalgunj to Jhupal and trek to Dunai — Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Jhupal - Dunai In the early morning, you’ll take a 1 hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and fly to Jhupal from Nepalgunj. After having lunch, you’ll start your trek to Dunai. You go through terraced fields until you reach Bheri River gorge. If you have time then you can explore the small village and stay overnight in the hotel. Trekking Distance: 25 km/15.5 mi Trekking Time: 6 hours Total Ascend: 800 m/2,624.6ft Total descend: 0 Day Day 3: Trek from Dunai to Chhepka(2687 m/ 8,815.61ft ) — Dunai - Kageni - Jutung - Shangta - Chhepka You start the trek along the route of Dolpa which is not too difficult. You will reach to Silughar check-post from where you’ll be inside Shey Phoksundo National Park. Following the trail of Phoksundo River, you’ll pass Kageni, Jutung and Shangta. Then, you’ll cross over Phoksundo Lake heading north to reach Chhepka. Overnight stay at Chhepka. Trekking Distance: 15 km/9.3 mi Trekking Time: 7 hours Total Ascend: 500 m/1,640.42ft Total descend: 300m/984.25ft Day Day 4: Trek Chhepka to Chunuwar / Amchi Hospital (3000 m/9,842.5ft ) — Chhepka - Rechi - Chunuwar/ Amchi Hospital You now trek along Lower Dolpa Circuit Trek and reach Rechi for lunch. Following the main trail, you’ll cross a bridge over the confluence of Phoksundo and Yulung river to reach Amchi Hospital where you will be staying for the night. Amchi means the traditional doctors who use medicinal herbs to cure infections and diseases found around Dolpo. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 6 hour Total Ascend: 400m/1,312.33ft Total descend: 200m/656.16ft Day Day 5: Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3600m/ 11,811.02ft) — Amchi Hospital - Palam - Phoksundo Lake The trails heads directly towards the deepest lake of Nepal which is Shey Phoksundo ascending the cedars forest to reach Palam and descend at 3,300m elevation. You’ll climb up about 3,875m and have the mesmerizing view of the waterfall and Phoksundo Lake. You then descend to Ringmo village and short walk to Phoksundo lake to stay overnight. Trekking Distance: 5km/3.1 mi Trekking Time: 4-5 hours Total Ascend: 300m/984.25ft Total descend: 0 Day Day 6: Rest day at Phoksundo Lake — Today will be spent exploring the area around Phoksundo Lake and the Ringmo community. You will first have a tour of the Ringmo village. The Tibetan village of Ringmo has a distinctive culture and heritage and is a typical Tibetan village. Next, proceed to Tshowa, a Bon monastery beside the lake. It was constructed somewhere in the 900s. You'll go inside the monastery to investigate, which will be an amazing experience. Then, you'll make our way down to Phoksundo Lake. On this day, you will also pay a few additional monasteries and Bon-po shrines a visit. Day Day 7: Trek Phoksundo to Sallaghari (3630m/ 11,909.45ft) — Phoksundo - Sallaghari One of the nicest trekking days of the Dolpo trek will be this day. You'll ascent the steep routes that run along the cliffs above Phoksundo Lake and descend to other side of Phoksundo Khola camp. Finally, you’ll ascend to reach Sallaghari. Overnight at Sallaghari. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 5-6 hours Total Ascend: 200m/656.16ft Total descend: 200m/656.16ft Day Day 8: Trek to Kang La /Nangdala High Camp (4717m/ 15,475ft) — Sallaghari - Nangdala High Camp After having lunch, the trek begins with an ascend of Tuk Kyaksa river and walk along the canyon. You’ll reach to Nangdala High Camp and overnight stay. Trekking Distance: 15km/9.3 mi Trekking Time: 7 hours Total Ascend: 1,000m/3,280.84ft Total descend: 600m/1,968.5ft Day Day 9: Trek Nangdala H.C. to Shey Gompa (4,343m/ 14,248.69ft) via Nangda LA pass (5,350m/ 17,552.49ft) — Nangdala High Camp - Shey Gompa This day you will trek to Shey Gompa and the Crystal Mountain, the most sacred peak of Dolpo region. You have to cross the Nangda LA pass and will be rewarded with spectacular views of Crystal mountain, Tibetan territory and beautiful landscape from the top. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 6 hours Total Ascend: 600m/1,968.5ft Total descend: 500m/1,640.42ft Day Day 10: Trek Shey Gompa to Namgung Gompa (4,360m/ 14,304.46ft) via Shey La Pass (5100m/ 16732.28ft) — Shey Gompa - Namgung Gompa First of all, you’ll explore around Shey Gompa and begin our trek along Sephu Khola. Magnificent view of Mustang, Tibet, Kanjirowa, Kagmara and the crystal mountain can be admired during the trek. You’ll reach Namgung Gompa and set a campsite for the night. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 6-7 hours Total Ascend: 500m/1,640.42ft Total descend: 500m/1,640.42ft Day Day 11: Trek Namgong Gompa to Saldang (3770m/12,368.77ft) — Namgong Gompa - Saldang After exploring Namgung monastery, you start your trek to Saldang. The route follows Namga Khola. You’ll see a beautiful village including a lot of dry land surrounded by amazing hills when you reach Saldang. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 6-7 hours Total Ascend: 400m/1,312.33ft Total descend: 0 Day Day 12: Rest day at Saldang; hike to Yangjer Gumba (4590m/ 15,059.06ft) — You will hike to Yanjer after a leisurely breakfast. During our exploration of the monastery, we will have our lunch that we brought along. Then, we'll head back to the Saldang campground. Day Day 13: Trek to Komash Village (4060m/ 13,320.21ft) — Saldang - Komash Village After having breakfast, you’ll head to Komash village along Rapyha Khola. This village is similar to most of the Tibetan villages. We will set up our camp at Komash village. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 6-7 hours Total Ascend: 500m/1,640.42ft Total descend: 100m/328.08ft Day Day 14: Trek Komash Village to Shimen (3850m/ 12,631.23ft) — Komash Village - ShimenAfter having breakfast, you’ll head to Shimen. On the way, you might encounter soe rare species like Blue sheep and snow leopard. The highland deserts with shrub-like plants that make up this section of the walk are numerous. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 5 hours Total Ascend: 300m/984.25ft Total descend: 200m/656.16ft Day Day 15: Trek to Tinje village (4110m/ 13,484.25ft) — Shimen - Tinje Village The trail continues along the Panjyang Khola and passes beautiful villages and monasteries. Lunch will be on the way to Tinje Village. Overnight stay at Tinje. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 5 hours Total Ascend: 400m/1,312.33ft Total descend: 200m/656.16ft Day Day 16: Trek Tinje Village to Yak Kharka — Tinje Village - Chhamdang - Yak Kharka The trek still continues Panjyan River and cross Chhamdang as well as the confluence of Chholtam and Panjyan river. You will cross a bridge over Thalum khola and then reach an open grazing ground for yaks and sheep. This open ground is known as Yak Kharka. Trekking Distance: 5km/3.1 mi Trekking Time: 5-6 hours Total Ascend: 200m/656.16ft Total descend: 0 Day Day 17: Trek to Tokyu (4240m/ 13,910.76ft) — Yak Kharka - Tokyu You will trek from Yak Kharka to Tokyu towards Choila pass to the north. From the top of Choila pass, you will see the beautiful sight of Tokyu camp. Then, you descend down to reach Tokyu. Trekking Distance: 10km/ mi Trekking Time: 5 hours Total Ascend: 500m/1,640.42ft Total descend: 0 Day Day 18: Tokyo to Dho Tarap (3944m/ 12,939.63ft) and Rest day — Tokyu - Dho Tarap This is very short trek of one and half hour and the rest of the day will be spent exploring Dho Tarap. People here resemble the Khampas of Tibet. This refer to men with ponytail and red tassel coiled around their head. Women wear musk deer’s teeth necklaces. You will have choice to explore some monasteries around Dho Tarap which are Ribo Bumpa Monastery, Drakmar Dewa Monastery, Mekhyim Monastery & Dhoro Monastery. Day Day 19: Dho Tarap to Naworpani (3475m/11400.92ft) — Dho Tarap - Naworpani You'll continue to follow the Tarap Khola's pathways. During this section of the journey, one can enjoy stunning views of the lovely terrain. We will pass several lovely Sisaul, Gyamghar, and Toltol towns. After that, we will arrive at Naworpani, where we will set up camp. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 5-6 hours Total Ascend: 300m/984.25ft Total descend: 300m/984.25ft Day Day 20: Naworpani to Lashicap (2775m/ 9,104.3ft) — Naworpani - Lahini Odar - Chhedhul - Lashicap During this trek to Lashicap, you’ll see changes in landscape as green forests starts to emerge.You will then ascend to Lamchaur high over Tarap Khola. After crossing Lahini Odar, we will descend down and reach Chhedhul Gompa. Following the main trail, you reach Lashicap and stay overnight. Trekking Distance: 10km/6.2 mi Trekking Time: 6-7 hours Total Ascend: 200m/656.16ft Total descend: 300m/984.25ft Day Day 21: Trek Lashicap to Dunai — Lashicap - Tarakot - Dunai You will trek above Thuli Bheri river reaching Tarakot and pass Lawan and Byasgad. During trek, you can observe greenery and forested region. After reaching Dunai, overnight stay at hotel. Trekking Distance: 15 km/9.3 mi Trekking Time: 6 hours Total Ascend: 0 Total descend: 700m/2,296.5ft Day Day 22: Trek to Juphal — Dunai - Kalagawda - Juphal This day is the last day of the trek and we will reach Juphal. Lunch will be on the way and overnight stay at a hotel at Juphal. Trekking Distance: 25 km/15.5 mi Trekking Time: 9 hours Total Ascend: 0 Total descend: 600m/1,968.5ft Day Day 23: Fly Juphal to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu — Early morning flight to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu. At Kathmandu, our office representative will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore and enjoy the nightlife of Thamel. Day Day 24: Final Departure — You are free to shop and explore around city until your final departure depending on your flight schedule. Our private vehicle will drop you to Tribhuwan International Airport for your final departure.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Kathmandu — Upon your arrival, you will be picked from the airport and will be taken to the hotel. You will meet your guide, discuss the trek program, and make final preparations for the trek by acquiring all restricted area permits. If time permits, we will take you for a sightseeing trip in the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu and later, in the evening, you’ll have dinner in the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.+