Upper Dolpo Trek

Start your sightseeing excursion by meeting your guide and climbing into your private vehicle. Your first stop will be Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will walk among centuries-old royal palaces, intricate carvings on countless temples, and traditional courtyard-style buildings indicative of the venerable history of ancient Kathmandu.

Your next destination on your journey is Swayambhunath, commonly referred to as the Monkey Temple. Swayambhunath is a sacred stupa located atop a hill that contains both Buddhist and Hindu cultural influences, and provides fabulous views of the Kathmandu Valley and the distant peaks of the Himalayas.

The next stop on your tour is Pashupatinath Temple, one of the premier Hindu pilgrimage destinations in Southeast Asia. Pashupatinath Temple is built on the banks of the Bagmati River, where you will get a glimpse of the open-air cremation ceremonies and experience the spiritual practices surrounding the temple complex.

The last stop of the day is the incredible Boudhanath Stupa (another UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is one of the largest stupas in the world. The stupa dates back to approximately 600 A.D. and represents the center of Tibetan Buddhist culture, surrounded by local life, monasteries, and prayer wheels.

After completing our sightseeing, you can get back to the hotel, and our representative will facilitate and discuss your travel itinerary regarding your Upper Dolpo Trek. There will be time to stroll through the streets of Thamel.

Today, we will have a one-hour flight from the Kathmandu Airport to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is one of the most fascinating places near the Nepal-India Border, located in the West Terai region of Nepal. As we reach, you will check in at the respective hotel for a short rest. In the meantime, you will explore the local market and villages, meet the locals, and experience their way of life. You can even visit the Mahendra Park and the mini-zoo for some fun.

Includes: Breakfast, Private Transport, an English-speaking guide, Airfare, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Nepalgunj.

After breakfast, we will take a flight to Juphal. Our trekking team will meet us there, and we shall begin our journey. The first part of our journey is easy and comfortable to walk. It shall take only 45 minutes to reach Kalagauda, and then 2 to 3 hours of walking through the beautiful terraced farm of the Thulo Bheri River to reach Dunai.

Dunai is the administrative headquarters of the Dolpa district, where there are governmental and private schools, colleges, and a police checkpost. Upon arrival, we will camp there and take some rest. If time allows, then we can climb up to Bon Gumba Monastery, where there is a breathtaking view of Dunai and the surrounding settlements.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Private Transport, an English-speaking guide, Airfare, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Dunai.

Beginning from Dunai, we cross a suspension bridge and proceed towards the Thulo Bheri Valley, and eventually enter the Phoksundo River Valley. The magnificent Kagmara Peak trail accompanies us along the trail. We trek through the small village of Hanke, which is also known as the gateway to Shey Phoksundo National Park. Trekking ahead, we move past Parela, Rahagaon, and eventually arrive at today’s final destination, Ankhe. What is interesting is that the names of these villages literally translate to eyebrows, eyelashes, and eyes in Nepali, respectively.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Ankhe.

Today’s trekking includes many ascents and descents, but it can be very exhausting for you, and you will enjoy streams and scenic views of the Himalayas from time to time to revitalize your body and spirit. We will trek through forests, mountain passes, and meadows along the river and then descend towards Ryajik. Here, at the Silughar checkpoint, we will show our trekking permit to enter Shey Phoksundo National Park and the Dolpo region.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Sulighat.

Our trek will begin early in the morning and head for the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo Rivers. After that, we will trek along the western side of the Pungmo River and reach the village named Palam after passing through a cedar forest. A hike up to the top will offer us views of the Phoksundo Lake and the majestic Phoksundo Jharana Waterfall, the highest waterfall of Nepal.

The route then follows a descent into birch forests towards the upper Phoksundo Khola and then into the picturesque Ringmo Village. Here, the skillful use of local resources is evident in the chortens and mani walls made of mud. The group then takes a short walk towards the edge of Phoksundo Lake. Camp is established for the night.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge/ tented camp in Phoksundo Lake.

Since we have attained a higher altitude where acclimatization is a necessity, today is dedicated to relaxation and exploration of the surroundings after several days of trekking. Start your day with a healthy breakfast and relax in the soothing surroundings of Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo Village, a Tibetan settlement with its own culture and customs.

We will trek to Ringmo Village and visit Tshowa Monastery, situated on the edge of the lake, which is believed to be more than 900 years old. Further, we will return to Phoksundo Lake to discover its spectacular surroundings. Shey Phoksundo Lake is famous for being Nepal’s deepest lake, and it presents breathtaking views of nature.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge/ tented camp in Phoksundo Lake.

Today is one of the most scenic trekking days on the Dolpo Trek. After breakfast, we follow the narrow trail carved on a rocky ledge above Phoksundo Lake, then wind through lush meadows which open into the flood plain of the Phoksundo River. We continue up the valley, cross the river, descend to the bank of Shey-Phoksundo Khola, and make our final ascent of the day to Sallaghari.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge/ tented camp in Sallaghari.

After breakfast, we will start our day’s short trekking to Phoksundo Bhanjyang, also known as Nangdala Base Camp or Kang La Base Camp. It will take approximately 3 hours to reach today at a slow and easy pace. We start our day by following the gentle ascent along the narrow track of the Tuk Kyaksa River. Gradually, we move into a glacial valley, and at the confluence of Phoksundo Khola with a mountain stream, we cross an old wooden bridge.

Starting from northeast of the bridge, a long ascent leads us to a carpet of green grass, followed by another exhausting climb into a valley presenting breathtaking scenery of Kang-La Pass. We follow the canyon for another two and a half hours before we set camp overnight at Nangdala Base Camp, put up on an enormous slab of rock with magnificent views of Kang-La Pass, Chhamlang Peak 6 standing at 6739 meters altitude, and Peak 7 standing tall at 6105 meters.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Phoksundo Bhanjyang. 

In the morning, we ascend to Kang-La Pass, 5151m, also known as Nangdala, where we can revel in the awesome views of the very long valley, Crystal Mountain, as well as the U-shaped canyon that has been carved out by the river leading to Shey Gompa. After absorbing the view, we descend a very narrow trail down to the canyon floor and continue along the riverbank and across the river a few times. The route passes across grazing yaks, sheep, and mountain goats.

Approaching Shey Village, a small settlement with fewer than a dozen houses, the red-colored Buddhist shrine welcomes you to the entrance of Shey Gompa. Largely believed to be the spiritual heart of Dolpo, the monastery is located at the juncture of Kangju Nala and Yeju Nala, less than a kilometer below Crystal Peak. The estimated 800-year-old Shey Gompa promises to provide great insight into the religious and cultural aspects of the region.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Shey Gompa. 

We bid farewell to the people of Shey Gompa Village and follow the trail through a juniper forest, then ascend to a grey stone gorge, followed by a zig-zag path of rocky terrain, and finally reach the top of the Salang-La Pass (4785m), treating us to spectacular views of the Mustang area and the Tibetan peaks in the distance.

We then make our descend through the area, taking in the views, locating grazing cattle and some nomad camps along the way, marking our proximity to the Saldang Village, nestled in stone buildings and large agricultural fields extending to the banks of the Nam Khong Khola. We will visit the interesting red stone monastery of Namgung, at Namduna Gaon, and then spend the day exploring the area.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Namduna Gaun. 

Today, we will trek along the old trade route to Tibet. After breakfast, we begin our trekking journey from Namduna Gaon to climb up a hill, which will take us through steep hills and rocky zones. After a couple of hours, the village of Saldang will appear in sight.

The village of Saldang is the largest village inside Dolpo, situated on a plateau with majestic hills all around it on the bank of the Nam Khong Nala River. We can take a walk in this village to meet the villagers, shake hands with them, and taste their local drinks like SuCha (Salted Butter Tea) or Chhyang (Barley Beer). This village benefits from the ancient Buddhist and Amchi cultures of Dolpo.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge at Saldang Village.

After our breakfast, we depart from Saldang Village and head to the river bed via a trek. As we proceed on our journey, we come across Mani walls, chortens, prayer flags, and prayer wheels. All of which further enhances the spiritual journey that we are experiencing on our trek. Soon we head to Chaiba Monastery and Namdo Village to pay our visit to Namdo Monastery. After that, we trek further for some hours to Sibu Village to rest for the night.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Sibu.

We begin the day’s trekking by having a heavy breakfast, then tracing the route along the edge of the Nam Khong Khola and a small creek. We proceed until the trail engulfs us in dense forests of juniper, pine, and birch trees. Later, we ascend along the side valley, where the trail seems more difficult. We continue ascending until the trail branches, then ascend along the bottom of the Jenga La, accompanied by yak herds on the route.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Jeng-la Phedi. 

We start very early in the morning and proceed to Jeng La Pass. It takes us about two hours of trekking. We reach the top of Jeng La Pass and get a breathtaking glimpse of the Dhaulagiri Massif. Eventually, after enjoying the stunning spot, we trek through a tough route that leads us to the breathtaking Tarap Valley. During the trek, we enjoy impressive sights of large high-altitude plains extending for 20 km in length of the Tarap Chu River. Further ahead, we explore the Gompas and Chortens of Tokyu Gaon.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Tokyu Gaun. 

Our day starts earlier than usual since we intend to visit Tokyu Monastery before we leave. Our trail passes through a valley, which is a gentle descent for most of the time. Along the trail, we see meadows, mani walls, and Chortens. We have an option to stop and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Chaiba Gompa.

Moving on with the trail, with more Mani walls and Chortens guiding along, we arrive at Tarap village. It is here that Magars and some Tibetan people live, following both Bon Po and Buddhist religions. Camps will be established here, and after resting, we will move along to explore the village, meet the people, and visit the gompas.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Dho Tarap.

Making its way down from Dho Tarap to a broad valley, our route passes through bushes of junipers and wild rose bushes. We could be lucky enough to see flocks of blue sheep roaming about in the meadows dotted along our route. Come afternoon, we would arrive at the area where Tarap Chu and Lang Khola meet to become the Tarap River and flow east.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Tarap Khola.

Today’s trek offers a thrilling adventure as you move into a narrower valley with challenging jumps from one side of the valley to another. Additionally, you will cross stone slabs erected between the valley sides.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Khanigaon. 

After an early breakfast, we set out from Khanigaon, and the trek will take us through a dense forest, then downhill to another village, following the river until we finally reach Tarakot. It is at this place that the Sandul Gompa, situated atop a hill, meets at the junction of the Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu rivers. Tonight, we will encamp in the vicinity of the police post along the Tarap Chu River.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Tarakot. 

This marks the final day of your trek during the Upper Dolpo Trek. The journey takes us along with Bheri River to the final destination of Dunai, thereby bringing an end to this amazing journey. We also pass by Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages during this journey and then go towards Kalagauda and Motipur before reaching Juphal and its airstrip. After reaching this village, you can take a refreshing bath and spend an evening filled with fun while having local beverages.

Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available lodge in Dunai. 

We will board the first flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and then a connecting flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. Once we arrive in Kathmandu, you will be able to explore Thamel or other traditional markets where you may purchase special souvenirs for your family and loved ones. The rest of the day will be free for you.

Includes: Breakfast, Private Transport, an English-speaking guide, Domestic airfare, and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.

Today is the last day of your journey. Three hours before your scheduled departure back to your home or another location, our representative will pick you up in a private vehicle after breakfast and drop you off at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.

We hope you travel safely and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Includes: Breakfast and private Transport.