Upper Dolpa Trek

Trip Duration

23

Trip Grade

Moderate

Highest Altitude

5,360m

Accommodation

Tea Houses

Transportation

Flight

Group Size

1-20

Best Season

Sept, Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, May

Upper Dolpa Trek Introduction

Upper Dolpo is a high-altitude upper part of the Dolpa district of Western Nepal. This place is culturally Tibet region and is bordered in the North by China. Trekking in Upper Dolpo is regarded as an arduous task. It is a long trek that you cannot trip independently. This area was opened for trekkers only in the late eighties. This place is still remote, where you will have to live in the camp, carry your food, and survive most of your journey like that. Upper Dolpo is still a small area that is underdeveloped and poor.

Besides this, Trek in Upper Dolpo gives you a chance to explore the grandeur of Nepal and its mystical beauty. The remoteness of this place adds a thrilling and exciting experience for the tourists. This place is one of the restricted regions of Nepal for the trekkers. Special Permits are charged where individual trekkers cannot trek in this region alone from the trekking permit immigration. They will require a special trekking guide who holds a Government trekking license.

The most beautiful district, Upper Dolpa, offers you the mesmerizing natural beauty of flora and fauna, beautiful forests full of flowers and birds, wildlife, beautiful valleys, local settlements, and gigantic mountains.

You can explore and visit several monasteries, villages, and gumbos. The main attractions of these places are their splendid landscapes, topography, spectacular view of Shey Phoksundo Lake, isolated villages of Ringmo, etc.

Upper Dolpo Trek is a strenuous trek that you cannot trek easily if it’s your first time in Nepal. But if you are regular and used to this kind of trek, you will have a wonderful and worthwhile experience throughout your journey. Normally this trek is wiped off between 22-25 days.

Highlights

Turquoise Shey-Phoksundo Lake
Immune booster Yarshagumba- a medicinal herb
Witness the wilderness of Shey-Phoksundo National Park
Culturally rich Tibetan Buddhism and Bon people
Exceptional Blue Sheep, Musk deer, Monkeys
The nomadic lifestyle of locals without much infrastructure.
The alluring panorama of Kanjirowa and Crystal Mountain
Extraordinary Caravans of yaks, mules, horses, and sheep
Hospitable Village dwellers above 3500 meters
High passes of Kang-La, Shey-la, and Choi-La which are above 5000 meter
Religious and authentic Shey Gompa, Yangze Gompa, and Bon Gompa

 

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu(1400m)
  • Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj- (492m) -1 hour
  • Day 3: Fly to Jhupal-Dunai (45 minutes) (2475m)
  • Day 4: Jupal to Chhepak- ( 2838m) -6 hours
  • Day 5: Chhepak to Palam- (3820)- 6-7 hours
  • Day 6: Palam to Shey Phoksundo Lake- (3589m) -5 hours
  • Day 7: Day off
  • Day 8: Phoksundo lake to Salla Ghari- (3640)-5-6 hours
  • Day 9: Salla Ghari to Lars ha- (4320m)-6-7 hours
  • Day 10: Larsha to Shey Gompa - (4320m) 7-8 hours
  • Day 11: Rest Day
  • Day 12: Shey Gompa to Namgung - (4430m) - 6 hours
  • Day 13: Namgung to Saldang - (4046m) - 3 hours
  • Day 14: Sakdang to Sibu - (4000m) - 6 hours
  • Day 15: Sibu to Jengla - (4480m) - 4-5 hours
  • Day 16: Jengla to Tokyu Gaon - (4240m) - 6-7 hours
  • Day 17: Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap - (4200m) – 2 hours
  • Day 18: Dho Tarap to Serkam - (3623m.) - 7 hours
  • Day 19: Serkam to Tarakot - (2280m) 5 hours
  • Day 20: Tarakot to to Dunai - (2109m) - 5 hours
  • Day 21: Dunai to Juphal - (2404m) - 3 hours
  • Day 22: Flight to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj
  • Day 23: Depart Kathmandu
  • Day 24: Trek from Tarakot into Dunai.
  • Day 25: Walk from Dunai towards Juphal.
  • Day 26: Flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and to Kathmandu.
  • Day 27: Leisure day in Kathmandu for exploring and shopping.
  • Day 28: Departure at an International airport.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu(1400m)

With access to air transport or bus transport, you can arrive in Kathmandu and spend a day traveling and exploring the city or prepare yourself by buying all the necessary items needed for the trek. You can have your breakfast or brunch at some famous cafes around the city and try authentic Nepali cuisine as a dinner at night.

Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj- (492m) -1 hour

After having breakfast early in the morning, our guide will help you with the air flights and accompany you throughout your journey. It will take approximately 45mins to reach Nepalgunj from Kathmandu, and after landing, you will be accommodated in a nice hotel where you will be staying overnight. You can also roam around Nepalgunj if you like.

Day 3: Fly to Jhupal-Dunai (45 minutes) (2475m)

After having morning breakfast in Nepalgunj, we will fly over to Jupal, which will take 35minutes. Jhulpal is a small village surrounded by snow-capped mountains. We will feel the difference in the weather as we breathe cold and fresh air in this place. We will stay overnight in Jupal.

Day 4: Jupal to Chhepak- ( 2838m) -6 hours

Today is our first day of the hike where we will take to Chhepak for around 6hours. After having breakfast in Jhpal village, we will descend through fields of vegetables and wheat to reach the Thuli Bheri River, which has a long suspension bridge. After crossing that bridge, we will get to the Shey Phoksundo National park. You will trek through the most beautiful Forest of bamboo along with the Forest of pine tree line spruce, firs, junipers, and Cyprus. Upon our reach to Chhepak, we will tent a camp and stay overnight there.

Day 5: Chhepak to Palam- (3820)- 6-7 hours

After having breakfast, we will hike towards Palam, and a river and a beautiful forest will accompany us. We will have to go up and down hills today. We will see a lot of local people with their yaks and cows grazing in the greenery fields. After a hike for 3-4 hours, we will reach Reechi Village. We will have some snacks and rest there for some time. We will again hike up to 2hours to reach Chumuwar. We will witness a small hospital named Amchi there. After we get to Palam, we will stay overnight in camp.

Day 6: Palam to Shey Phoksundo Lake- (3589m) -5 hours

After having morning breakfast, we will fold our camp, gather all our belongings, and ascend towards Shey Phoksundo Lake. We will have to walk a perpendicular\steep trail for 2hours. After 2 hours of the hike, we will reach Ringmo Village. On our way to the Village, we will witness the highest waterfall in Nepal, Phoksundo Waterfall, also known as Sunlight waterfall, which is 107m high. On reaching the destination, we see the small charming village of Ringmo where very few people live who practice the Bonpo religion. This religion is somewhat related to Buddhism but is way older than that. Just like the night before, we will set a camp, cook our dinner and stay overnight there.

Day 7: Day off

Today we take a day off from our hiking tour and explore Shey Phoksundo Lake. We will take pictures and videos as a part of our memories. We will also exploit nearby villages and interact with the local inhabitants. After spending a day exploring and admiring the beauty of this place, we will set a tent and spend an overnight in this place.

Day 8: Phoksundo lake to Salla Ghari- (3640)-5-6 hours

We will have our breakfast and leave Phoksundo Lake behind. Today we will be entering the restricted area of Dolpo. We will follow a famous trail, the trail used by local people of Dolpo and Tibet to trade things with each other. We will have to ascend and descend throughout our journey today to reach our destination. After 5-6 hours of the walk, we will get a fantastic view of Lane Ringmo, the dark green pine forests, and the snow-capped mountain to the South when we reach the top. We will set up a camp and stay overnight in Salla Ghari.

Day 9: Salla Ghari to Lars ha- (4320m)-6-7 hours

We will leave this place behind and march forwards to our next destination, which is Lars Ha. To reach here, we will take little steps and be careful not to have altitude sickness. We will cross along some streams and walk through high rock walls. After arriving at our destination, we will stay overnight in the tent.

Day 10: Larsha to Shey Gompa - (4320m) 7-8 hours

Shey Gompa is a small, beautiful village with few people and houses. It is located at the confluence of two rivers believed to have been built by Tibetan Buddhists. We will walk through Knag La pass’s long and difficult climb (5350m) to reach Shey Gompa. We will stay overnight in this place by camping.

Day 11: Rest Day

We have walked a lot through the past days, so today we will have a rest day which we will use to explore the Gompas located around these areas. We will explore Tsakang Gompa, which is at about 457m. We will also witness Crystal Mountain, located in the west of Shey Gompa. We will stay overnight in our tented camps.

Day 12: Shey Gompa to Namgung - (4430m) - 6 hours

To get to Namgung, we will have to cross through Glen La (5000m) pass. Along our journey, we will get the opportunity to view the largest Tibetan Plateau, which is the highest Plateau in the world. We can also see Mustang to the east. After descending through the pass for 6hours, we will reach Namgung. We will stay overnight in this place.

Day 13: Namgung to Saldang - (4046m) - 3 hours

We will have breakfast and leave Namgung, pack our belongings, and move towards our next destination. After walking for 3 hours through up hills and down hills, we will reach the most beautiful Upper Dolpo Nam Khong Nala Village. We will stay overnight at the camp.

Day 14: Sakdang to Sibu - (4000m) - 6 hours

Today we will have to walk through terrace fields, different kinds of Monasteries, and stupas. After 2 hours of the hike, we will reach a village named Namdo. This Village consists of sixty households with 300 local settlements of humankind. We will set our camp right on the side of the riverbank and spend a night here.

Day 15: Sibu to Jengla - (4480m) - 4-5 hours

Today our hike will get much easier as we follow the trail of the River. After 4-5 hours of walking, we will reach the foot of Jengla. We will set up our camp and stay overnight there.

Day 16: Jengla to Tokyu Gaon - (4240m) - 6-7 hours

It will take 2 hours of a hard climb to reach Jeng La, about 4850m. After crossing this pass, we will get closer to our destination. From the top, we will view the mesmerizing view of Dhaulagiri. Upon our reach, we will set a camp and stay overnight here.

Day 17: Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap - (4200m) – 2 hours

We will travel along an easy trail today. After walking towards east downward, we will cross Tarap Chu. When we reach Dho Tarap, we will notice irregular stone walls. We will have a long day exploring this area, visiting the Gompas where Lama lives. We will stay overnight in the tent here.

Day 18: Dho Tarap to Serkam - (3623m.) - 7 hours

The next destination, Serkam, is a beautiful place that consists of beautiful people with its settlements. After trekking downhill for 2 hours, you will reach Tarap Khola. There is a high chance of seeing blue sheep, yaks, cows, and goats in local habitats. We will cross along streams and see a long bridge where people and animals can be seen. After reaching Serkam, we will set up our tent and stay overnight there.

Day 19: Serkam to Tarakot - (2280m) 5 hours

We will depart early from Serkam and move forward to our next destination, which is Tarakot. As we move along this place, you will notice landscapes filled with various types of crops like millet, sweet corn, barley, buckwheat, green beans, chilies, and marijuana. We will find a few lodges or tea houses, so you can set up a camp or stay a night comfortably in the club at Tarakot.

Day 20: Tarakot to to Dunai - (2109m) - 5 hours

Today after having early morning breakfast, we will move forward to a place named Dunai. We will walk beside the Bheri River. After 5hours of the walk, when you reach Dunai, you can say that you have successfully finished your trek. You can set a camp or stay overnight at the lodges.

Day 21: Dunai to Juphal - (2404m) - 3 hours

Today your walk will be in a balanced way and easier than before. For some trails, you will have to walk steeper. After 3 hours of the hike, you will reach Jhphal. You can have lunch and explore or rest in the Jhphal area. We will stay overnight here.

Day 22: Flight to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj

You will depart early in the morning after having breakfast to catch a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. You will see a splendid Mountain View of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the North. After 35minutes, you will reach Nepalgunj, and from there, we will again catch another flight to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, our guide will help you stay in a nice hotel where you can have a rest and stay overnight.

Day 23: Depart Kathmandu

Enjoy your last day in Kathmandu by getting to places like Thamel(Tourist hub of Kathmandu), Temples, Monuments, durbar square, and shop for souvenirs. Realize about Nepal’s rich art and cultural history by visiting Museums and obtain an understanding of this country. Our guide will take you up to the airport and help you with your luggage.

Day 24: Trek from Tarakot into Dunai.

After morning energizing breakfast, you follow the Bheri River crossing through several gorges, villages, and bridges to arrive in Dunai. You cross by Lawan village, Byas Gadi, and Lochakhola Gaon to eventually reach Dunai, capital of Dolpa. Overnight at Dunai.

Day 25: Walk from Dunai towards Juphal.

The path following the Thuli Bheri continues. You pass through Dhupichaur, Rupgad, Kalagaonda, and Motipur to ultimately arrive in Juphal. The long and arduous trek finally terminates at Juphal. The walk lasts for 2-3hrs. Overnight in Juphal.

Day 26: Flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and to Kathmandu.

You will catch the first flight accessible from Juphal to Nepalgunj. Then, you will board the flight to Kathmandu on the same day. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 27: Leisure day in Kathmandu for exploring and shopping.

Enjoy your day in Kathmandu. Book some spa or sauna to freshen yourself up before returning back to your home country. Shop the beautiful indigenous goods from Kathmandu like Pashmina. wonderful time day in Nepal.

Day 28: Departure at an International airport.

You’ll be heading back to your home by bidding farewell to Nepal and its amazing hospitable people. Make sure you open the suitcase of beautiful memories you cratered in Nepal.

Includes

  • Airport picks up and drops service.
  • Transportation assistance and its prices. 
  • Airfare for domestic flights.
  • A skilled and licensed guide.
  • Porter as per the necessity.
  • Trekking authorization fee.
  • Trek maps and navigation tools.
  • Accommodation while staying in Kathmandu.
  • Governmental charges and other applicable prices.
  • Wage and accommodation of guide and porter.
  • Complete board-based meal during the trek.
  • Assistance for the team during the trek
  • Medical supplies and first aid equipment.
  • Trekking supplies and camping gears

 

Excludes

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (excluding breakfast).
  • International flight checks and airfares.
  • Alcoholic/ non-alcoholic liquors.
  • Additional porter fees.
  • Electronic gadgets like chargers, and headphones.
  • Individual costs like a hot shower, phone calls, laundry, and souvenirs.
  • Travel coverage and emergency evacuations.
  • Tips for porters or drivers.

 

Reviews

  • star rating  Everest Base Camp trek was an amazing experience for me thanks in large part to the trek organizers, Nepal Hiking Team. Our guide Pawan, assistant guide Shree Krishna and porters... read more

    prasad2
    May 21, 2022

    star rating  I had a wonderful time. I enjoyed every minute of my trek. Everything was very well organised. I felt safe. At some point I got sick and thought I would... read more

    Sogur123
    November 14, 2022

    star rating  We did the EBC trek with Nepal Hiking Team and it was a super smooth experience. It was great support from the very first email I've sent them until they... read more

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    September 27, 2022
  • star rating  We did the EBC Base Camp Trek in October 2022, and it was the trip of a lifetime!! Very glad to have chosen Nepal Hiking Team, they offered super professional... read more

    JKretz
    November 10, 2022

    star rating  I have a great experience with the Nepal Hiking Team, from the clear communication at the beginning, the smooth booking process to the amazing trekking tour

    I tried to... read more

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    January 16, 2023

    star rating  From the initial inquiry stage to the trip home this company were always quick to respond, professional and a pleasure to deal with. All staff from drivers and porters through... read more

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    October 22, 2022