Upper Dolpo Trek

Duration: 31 Days
Map Upper Dolpo Trek map     

About Upper Dolpo Trek

The Upper Dolpo Trek takes you to one of the most remote and hidden regions of mid-western Nepal which border the Tibetan Plateau. Part of the trek lies in the amazing Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest national park in Nepal. It is one of the best remote treks in Nepal with only a handful of visitors and was opened to foreigners only in 1989. The  Oscar award-nominated movie ‘Caravan’ by Éric Valli was shot in this region.

The Upper Dolpo Trek trek offers a great adventure experience on the off-the-beaten path of the mystical Trans-Himalayan region with the opportunity to explore the unique culture and traditions of the people that have remained unchanged and unaffected by modern society. The people of the Upper Dolpo practice Bon (A pre-Tibetan Buddhism religion) and Tibetan Buddhism. It is an ideal trek to uncover and explore the mysteries of Bon and Tibetan Buddhism. The trek passes through the beautiful and peaceful villages situated at high altitudes accompanied by the warm hospitality of the people. Buddhist monasteries, chortens, gompas, prayer flags, mules, and Yak caravans can be seen throughout the trek along with amazing landscapes, and mountain sceneries. The Upper Dolpo region is home to a diverse range of wildlife and vegetation including some rare animals like the Snow Leopard. Yarsagumba or caterpillar fungus which is of high medicinal value is also found in this region. 

Our 31-day Upper Dolpo Trek starts from Juphal and ends at Jomsom which includes 24 days of full-on camping trek in the remote wilderness of the Dolpa district. The trek is physically challenging because it includes lots of high passes. However, it is completely worth the difficulty and challenge. The experience one gets on this trek can't be described in words.   

Highlights

  • A trek that takes you to one of the most remote and rugged regions in Nepal that receive very few tourists
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest and only trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal 
  • Unspoiled and unchanged culture and tradition hugely influenced by Tibetan culture
  • Opportunity to experience the Bon practices (A pre-Tibetan Buddhist religion)
  • Visit Shey Phoksundo Lake, a peaceful and beautiful alpine freshwater lake
  • Home of rare wildlife and vegetation like Snow Leopard and Yarsagumba
  • Centuries-old monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion

Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350 M) and transfer to hotel
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M
  • B&B
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M
  • B&B
  • Hotel
  • Nepalgunj
  • 150 M
  • 50 minutes
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Dunai
  • 2140 M
  • 3 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Chhepka
  • 2838 M
  • 6-7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camping
  • Samduwa
  • 2960 M
  • 7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Phoksundo Lake
  • 3600 M
  • 4:30 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Phoksundo Lake
  • 3600 M
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Salla ghari, North Camp
  • 3650 M
  • 6 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Kangla high camp
  • 4650 M
  • 7 -8 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Syey Gompa
  • 4160 M
  • 7-8 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Shey Gompa
  • 4160 M
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Namgung
  • 5060 M
  • 6-7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Saldang
  • 3770 M
  • 4-5 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Nisal village
  • 3860 M
  • 6 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Mussi Gaun village
  • 5030 M
  • 6-7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Shimengaun
  • 3850 M
  • 7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Tinjegaun
  • 4110 M
  • 6-7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Rapka Campsite
  • 4810 M
  • 7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Chharka Village
  • 4310 M
  • 8 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Chharka Village
  • 4310 M
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Norbulung
  • 4750 M
  • 6-7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Mulom sonda
  • 5100 M
  • 6-7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Ghaldan Ghuldun Khola
  • 4247 M
  • 8 hours

upper 5100m, there are two campsite

  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Sangda village
  • 3800 m
  • 4-5 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Camp
  • Phalyak village
  • 2960 M
  • 8 hours
  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Jomsom
  • 2720 M
  • 4-5 hours
  • B,B
  • 3 star category Hotel
  • Pokhara
  • 825 M
  • 25 mins
  • B&B
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M
  • 7 hours
  • B,L&D
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M
  • B&B

What’s Included

  • 4 nights’ accommodation in a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu,1 night in Pokhara, and 1 night in Nepalgunj on a BB basis.
  • All the necessary permits including a special permit for the restricted area and paperwork.
  • Mules and all the needed staff and equipment depending on group size for the trek.
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) and hot drinks during the trek.
  • Rescue and evacuation arrangements in case of emergency. 
  • Flight Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal and Jomsom–Pokhara. 
  • All the staff’s salary, meals, accommodation, and insurance.
  • Kathmandu valley tour with a tour guide in a private vehicle.
  • Government taxes, service charges, and official expenses.
  • Tented camp accommodations during the trek.
  • Pokhara-Kathmandu by private vehicle.
  • Professional English-speaking guide.
  • All airport and hotel transfers.
  • Tips for the guide, assistant guide, porter, and driver (Tipping is expected).
  • Excess baggage charges during domestic flights (only 15kg altogether).
  • Meals while you are in Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, and Pokhara. 
  • Medical evacuation cost (In case of emergency).
  • Sightseeing and Monument entrance fees.
  • Your Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
  • Your personal expenses.
  • International airfare.
  • Nepal entry visa fee.