Upper Dolpo Trek

Maximum Altitude: 1350m

Flight duration: 45 mins

After breakfast, our representative will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to the airport. You can take the Kathmandu to Nepalgunj flight early in the morning. The scenic flight takes you over the terraced hills to arrive at the Mahendra Airport in Nepalgunj.

Nepalgunj is the southern city of Nepal close to India. It is also a junction from where you can take many flights and buses into various parts of the country. Nepalgunj is also the gateway to Simikot, Humla and has a diverse culture.

You can visit the local market, nearby villages, and the mini-zoo while in the city. The hot and tropical climate of the region is quite different from the hills. Our staff will brief you about the Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary in the evening. We will stay overnight at a hotel in Nepalgunj.

Maximum Altitude: 2850m

Flight duration: 45 mins flight

Trek duration: 2-3 hours

After breakfast, we take an early morning flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal, which takes around forty-five minutes. The high winds in the Thulo Bheri Valley after 10 AM makes the Upper Dolpo flights almost impossible.

The incredible views of the green ridges, terraced farmed hills, and the snow-capped mountains will enchant you. The flight lands at the Juphal airport of the Dolpo region. The adventurous landing takes place on a small landing strip over a small ridge. After arriving at Juphal (2500 m), we start our trek to Dunai.

Moreover, we pass through several Hindu and Buddhist villages alongside the Thuli Bheri River. You can observe the Shamanist culture in the middle hills of Nepal. Women in the region wear traditional Nepali dress with nose-rings and colourful glass beads. You can observe the Himalayan foothills with the views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain peaks.

Furthermore, the trails pass through the terraced fields along the Bheri River and its narrow gorge. Finally, after a trek of a few hours, we arrive at Dunai, the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. We explore the little hill town in the evening and stay at a camp in the afternoon.

Maximum Altitude: 2896m

Trek duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Dunai to Ankhe through a suspension bridge and turn west past a hospital. We then climb up the barren Thulo Bheri valley before entering the spectacular Phoksundo river valley. We later arrive at a ridge at 2,499m from where we observe the incredible Kagmara Peak up the valley.

The trail then leads us to the walnut groves at Dhera (2,810m) which is a winter settlement for cows and goats. We then climb up the path to Rahagaon (2,900m). You can find a Gompa dedicated to the local god, Mastha, the guardian of this village. The trek then leads us to a canyon, and we then descend into the deep dark forests to arrive at a large stream before arriving at Ankhe. We stay overnight at Ankhe.

Maximum Altitude: 3104m

Trek duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Ankhe to Renje along a trail that ascends and descends a lot. The trail passes through the wooded river bank and climbs the steep path through the forested riverbed. You can also observe the several streams along the trail.

Moreover, the trail leaves the forest and turns into a grassy slope above the river. The downhill trek then leads us to the lush forests towards a cliff from where we descend towards the riverbank on a dangerous stone staircase.

You can find a collection of rocks and sticks that form a dyke along the river bank. We then trek towards the bridge near Sulighat before arriving at the settlement after a trek of a few hours. We spend the night at a camp in Sunlight.

Maximum Altitude: 3350m

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Renje to Phoksundo Lake. The trail then takes us to the valley floor that leads us on the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers. We then cross the bridge over the rivers and continue along the western bank of Pungmo Khola.

We then pass through the beautiful cedar forest towards the Palam village. The trail then arrives at a ridge with an altitude of 3,350m and observes the spectacular view of the Phoksundo Lake and one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal. We stop here to have our lunch and then continue our trail through birch forests to arrive at the Phoksundo Khola and then the Ringmo village.

You can find mud-plastered Chortens and mani walls in a beautiful town. The Phoksundo Lake looks incredibly beautiful from the town. We can observe the Shey Phoksundo National Park at the south end of the village. We get our entrance tickets checked at the gate. We will stay overnight at camp in Phoksundo Lake premises.

Maximum Altitude: 3611m

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek to the western bank of the Phoksundo Lake. The trail is up and down along the forested path as we pass through the rocky crevasses in the remote area.

We trail ahead of the westernmost path along the lush meadow and plains of Phoksundo Khola. The trail then arrives at the valley, where we cross the river and the boggy marsh underfoot. We later arrive at our camp at the bank of the river where we will stay overnight.

Maximum Altitude: 4126m

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang. The trail then follows along a glacial valley towards the north to arrive at the junction of the Phoksundo Khola and other water streams. We walk towards the north-east, and a climb leads us to a sheep meadow.

Furthermore, the trail passes through the stunning Kang-La pass to arrive at a campsite called the ‘Snowfields Camp’. We can also observe the snow-capped mountains, including Chhamlang peak 6 (6739m) and peak 7 (6105m). We will stay overnight at a campsite in Phoksundo Bhanjyang.

Maximum Altitude: 5010 m

Trek duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa. You can visit the famous Shey Gompa and the ‘Crystal Mountain’. The Crystal Mountain is a sacred peak in Dolpo where locals circumambulate before the yearly grain harvest during the full moon in July or August.

It is also known as the Kailash of Dolpo. According to mythology, the Tibetan Buddhist lama battled the fierce local mountain spirit on a snow-lion and also built the Shey Gompa. The trail then leads us to the steep trail on a difficult path littered with slate towards the pass.

The trail then leads us to the Kang-la pass from where we observe the snow-capped mountains of Shey Shikkar and Kang Chunnel. We then descend to a wide floor valley and then ascend further to a crest at 5010 m and 4860 m. The trail then descends to the Tar valley.

We arrive at a grassy slope on a trail that leads us to the 800 years Tsakang Gompa perched dangerously on the side of a cliff. The trail moves along the banks of the river and also crosses several times. You can observe the mud caves overlooking the river. There is also a vast meadow where you can find yaks, sheep and goats (Chyangra) grazing freely.

We pass through the long, ancient mani wall and arrive at the famous Shey Gompa. The village of Shey is a tiny settlement covered in Red Chortens. We stay overnight at a camp in Shey.

After breakfast, we start our exploration and acclimatization tour of the famous Shey Gompa. We hike around the Shey village and observe the ancient Buddhist culture of Bon Po. You can observe the Tibetan settlement with flat-roofed stone houses, mani walls and Chortens.

There are juniper and larch forests around the forests as well. The incredible Shey Gompa built-in 1655 has a giant copper (gilded with gold) statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. The lama of the Gompa resides in the Tsakang gompa nearby. Tsakang is a meditation centre for lamas from Tibet.

You can find the Crystal Mountain towards the east which is a series of contorted cliffs embedded in quartz and other marine fossils. The 800 years old building has wall painting done in the 1970s. You can find the statues of Guru Rinpoche, Milarepa, and Sakyamuni and in the monastery. The ancient Tibetan scroll in the monastery details the myth of the Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa.

The scroll states that there is a holy lake in a crater among the mountains around Shey. After making nine circumambulations of this lake, the water turns milky. When the pilgrims take the sip of this milk, they can observe Mt. Kailash in the distance. You can observe the ancient Tibetan way of life influenced by the teachings of Lord Buddha. We will stay overnight at a camp in Shey Gompa.

Maximum Altitude: 5220m

Trek duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaon via the Saldang La Pass. The trek from Shey Gompa begins on a pleasant trail alongside the juniper trees. We move through the winding paths over bare rocks and soil eroded regions to arrive at the Saldang-la Pass.

Furthermore, the trail then descends the Northside where we can find yaks and sheep grazing and nomadic tents made from yak hair. We also visit the famous Namdung monastery in the Namdung Gaun. The beautiful monastery made of red stone sits atop a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. We will stay overnight at a camp in the Namuda Gaun.

Maximum Altitude: 3620m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Namduna Gaon to Saldang. The trail passes through a steep slope along the barren mountains. We ascended for 3-4 hours to arrive at the Saldang Village on a plateau above the Namga Khola stream.

Saldang is a large settlement in the inner Dolpo area. The two kilometres distant village situated in a slope consists of at least six hundred people and eighty households. It also falls under the trade route to Tibet. We stay overnight at a camp in Saldang.

Maximum Altitude: 3942m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Saldang to Sibu. The trek passes through the settlement of Yangtze to arrive at the junction of two trails that lead to Sibu. We will take the route that is relatively easier and shorter. We then pass through a river, terraced fields, mani stones, stupas, chortens, Chaiba monastery, to arrive at the Namdo village.

Moreover, the village is beautiful and stretches around 5 km on the cliffs next to the pristine Nam Khong Khola. You can also visit the beautiful Namdo monastery near the river bed. We trek for two hours to arrive at the small settlement of Sibu where we camp overnight.

Maximum Altitude: 4,900m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Sibu to the foot of Jeng La Pass. We start our trek along the Nam Khong Khola and pass the caravans of yaks towards the Tibetan border. We walk towards the east towards the confluence of two small streams.

Furthermore, the trail passes through the cliffs ascending to a meadow where yaks graze and pass through the Jeng La pass (4,900m). We will set our camp at the Jeng La pass and stay overnight.

Maximum Altitude: 4,900m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Jeng La Pass to Tokyu Gaon. We walk for two long hours to arrive at the top of the majestic Jeng La pass. We can observe the outstanding views of the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif.

Moreover, we descend on a rough trail to arrive at the Tarap Valley. It is a fascinating valley with plains along the twenty kilometres Tarap Chu river. We arrive at the Tokyu gaon after a trek of a few hours and stay overnight at a camp.

Maximum Altitude: 4240m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap. The trail then takes us downhill on a plain valley. We pass through the lush grass on the riverside that is quite different from other parts of the Dolpo region.

Moreover, we pass through the marsh in the Desert Mountains. There we observe the Bon Po and Buddhist sects of the region. We will reach Dho Tarap after a trek of a few hours. We stay overnight at a camp in Dho Tarap.

Maximum Altitude: 4040m

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Dho Tarap to Serkam. We leave the village of Tarap as we descend towards a wide valley and then into a beautiful gorge. The trail then leads us to the juniper and wild rose bushes above the treeline.

Moreover, we can observe sheep and yaks grazing in the meadows before arriving at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola. We camp and stay overnight at the Serkam.

Maximum Altitude: 3150m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Serkam to Khani Gaon. The trail moves down the gorge of the Tarap River. We pass through the lower pastures where locals come down during the winter.

Furthermore, the narrow trails pass through the deep gorge and walk across stone slabs in woods that act as a makeshift bridge. We may have to cross the bridge on an icy torrent as well. After a trek of a few hours, we arrive at the camp where we stay overnight.

Maximum Altitude: 2537m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Khani Gaon to Tarakot. The trail passes through Khanigaon as we continue towards the village of Lalberi. We then descend into another gorge and pass through the lush forested trails.

We arrive at Tarakot where we can visit the Sandul Gompa located at a hill to the south of Bheri River. The Gompa is around 8 km east towards the confluence of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. We camp around the Tarap Chu river about 150 meters below Tarakot and stay overnight.

Maximum Altitude: 2140m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we will start our trek from Tarakot to Dunai. The trail passes through the Tarakot behind the Bheri River before leading to the Lawan village. We continue our path towards the Bheri River and ascend towards the Byas Gadi.

Moreover, the trail then leads us to the relatively easy path towards the Lochakhola Gaon and then ascends to Dunai. The trek then passes through the gorge along the pine-forested trail. We stay overnight at a camp in Dunai.

Maximum Altitude: 2449m

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek alongside the Bheri River, observing the beautiful landscape of the region. We then pass through the Dhupichaur, Rupgad village and also a temple. The trails also pass through the Kalakonda village and Motipur village before arriving at a small airstrip. We stay overnight at Juphal.

Maximum Altitude: 2449m

Flight duration: 15 minutes (Juphal to Nepalgunj)

Flight duration: 45 minutes (Nepalgunj to Kathmandu)

After breakfast, we start our journey from Juphal to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj. We then take an early morning flight to Nepalgunj from Juphal. After arriving at Nepalgunj, we will take a scenic flight to Kathmandu. Our Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary comes to an official end. We stay overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.