Upper Dolpo Trek
Trip at a Glance
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Country: Nepal
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Trip grade: Strenuous
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Destination: Western Nepal
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Activities: Camp trek
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Accommodation: Hotels/Tented camps
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Meals: Full-board on trek
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Transportation: Private vehicle/Plane
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Maximum altitude: Kang-La pass (5360m)
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Group size: 2 pax min
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Best Season: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Upper Dolpo trek is the journey to the remotest western region of Nepal. It’s a challenging trek that takes you to the rugged and isolated landscapes of Dolpo which provide spectacular Himalayan views, visit age-old monasteries and witness traditional culture and traditions similar to Tibet.
The region of Dolpo falls under a less-traveled trekking route making it one of the most exclusive trekking in Nepal. Dolpo region is located in the northwestern part of Nepal sharing it’s border with Tibet (China) to the north and the Dhaulagiri massif standing high with all it’s glory to the south.
The trek reaches it’s climax as you reach Phoksundo Lake located at 3600 meters. Phoksundo Lake is an alpine freshwater lake situated high up in the Himalayas. The sight of Phoksundo Lake in it’s turquoise color is a sight to behold. To top it, all the snow-capped mountains surrounding the lake are like a cherry on the cake.
Trekking in Upper Dolpo requires a good level of fitness owing to it’s challenging terrain and remote location. Since the Upper Dolpo region is declared a restricted trekking area of Nepal, a special permit is required to enter and trek in the region. Trek to Upper Dolpo was opened for trekking for outsiders only in 1989 to preserve the region's cultural diversity and it’s fragile ecosystem.
Upper Dolpo trek itinerary is to follow enchanting valleys, multicultural villages, rhododendron, pines and oaks forests witnessing a glorious panorama of mountains like Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanjiroba and many more. It’s a real Himalayas adventure at rugged and remote far western Nepal.
The prime features of the trek is experiencing Tibetan Buddhist culture, sightings of rare wildlife like snow leopards, visiting the Shey Gompa ‘Monastery’ established 800 years ago and of course Phoksundo Lake.
Upper Dolpo trek is an unforgettable experience for anyone up for off-the-beaten-path trek in the Himalayas alongside exploring astounding landscapes and the rich cultural heritage of the Dolpo region.
Upper Dolpo Trek Highlights
- Discover hidden gems of Nepal less frequented by tourists.
- Trek through the Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest national park.
- Visit the magnificent turquoise Phoksundo Lake (3600m)
- Shey Gompa, an ancient monastery nestled at the foot of Crystal Mountain.
- Discover unique culture & traditions.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m/1 hr)
Day 03: Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2490m/35 min) and trek from Juphal to Dunai (2850m/3 hrs)
Day 04: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe (2896m/ 5-6 hrs)
Day 05: Trek from Ankhe to Sulighat (2282m/ 5-6 hrs)
Day 06: Trek from Sulighat to Phoksundo Lake (3600m/ 4-5 hrs)
Day 07: Rest and excursion day at Phoksundo Lake (3600m)
Day 08: Trek from Phoksumdo Lake to Phoksundo Khola (river), (3600m/ 4-5 hrs)
Day 09: Trek from Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (3600m/ 6-7 hrs)
Day 10: Trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4160m) via Kang-La pass (5360m)/ 5-6 hrs
Day 11: Rest and excursion day at Shey Gompa
Day 12: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaun (4430m) via Saldang La (5200m)/ 6-7 hrs
Day 13: Trek from Namduna Gaun to Saldang (3770m)/ 4 – 5 hours
Day 14: Trek from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (3750m / 4-5 hrs)
Day 15: Trek from Yangze Gompa to Sibu (3840m/ 6-7 hrs)
Day 16: Trek from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi (4900m / 5-6 hrs)
Day 17: Trek from Jengla Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4290m) via Jeng La pass (5090m)/ 5-6 hrs
Day 18: Trek from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap (4040m/ 4-5 hrs)
Day 19: Rest cum exploration day at Dho Tarap (4040m)
Day 20: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) (4400m/ 6-7 hrs)
Day 21: Trek from Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) to Khanigaon (2950m/ 4-5 hrs)
Day 22: Trek from Khanigaon to Tarakot (2537m/ 4-5 hrs)
Day 23: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai (2850m/ 5-6 hrs)
Day 24: Trek from Dunai to Juphal (2490m/ 2-3 hrs)
Day 25: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj (150m/35 min) & flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu (1400m/1hr)
Day 26: A free day in Kathmandu
Day 27: Final Departure
Upon arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you need to accomplish your entry/visa formalities. You will then be received by a representative from Marron Treks and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Welcome drinks will be served at the hotel and then we will have a quick pre-trip meeting. You can then spend the remaining time resting or as you please. In the evening you can stroll around the vicinity of your hotel just to get the feel of this wonderful city.
After breakfast, you will be driven to the domestic wing of the Kathmandu Airport. About an hour’s flight would take you to Nepalgunj, the western region hub of Nepal, which borders the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to the South. As we don’t have a connecting flight to Juphal, from where our trek commences, it gives us the opportunity to explore this hot and humid town. The city center, Dhamboji, happens to be the business hub with plethora of hotels and shops. Hindu as well as Muslim culture influence the town. Bageshwori temple and Muslim market are also worth visiting.
We take an early morning flight to Juphal. Dolpo flights are always scheduled early in the morning. This is because the swift winds in the Thulo Bheri Valley begin to swirl by 10 a.m., which could pose serious problems for the flights scheduled later. Once we arrive at Juphal, we meet our trekking crew and after a short sojourn, we commence our trek towards Dunai. We walk downhill through the meadow, pass by few houses and arrive at a small hotel at Kala Gaura (2090m). From here, the trail goes slightly up towards the Bheri river and then to a narrow gorge. Advancing ahead, we finally arrive at Dunai, the administrative center of Dolpo region. We set up our camp here and then explore this bustling little hill town for the rest of the afternoon.
We take a diversion from the King Mahendra statue to cross the new suspension bridge and proceed towards the west, following the trail past the hospital. The path soon begins to climb up the side of the treeless Thulo Bheri valley to the crest of a ridge and then enters the Phoksumdo river valley, reaching another ridge, which is marked by cairns at 2,499m. We can relish the excellent views of the Kagmara Peak up the valley. Moving ahead, we approach a large canyon and descend gently along a long downhill slope through the scattered houses and walnut groves to a stream at 2,810. The trail below the stream leads to Dhera, a winter settlement of the people living in the higher villages. We embark on the upper trail and arrive at Rahagaon (2900m), a Thakuri village, where there is a Gompa dedicated to the local god, Mastha, reckoned as the custodian of the village. The trail now stretches through the lower part of Rahagaon and then descends to Phoksumdo river. We pass through yet another canyon and make a descent through the dense forests to a large stream, eventually emerging at the entrance to the Shey Phoksundo National Park at Ankhe (2,896m).
Today our trail takes us through trivial ups and downs along the forested riverbed. We then ascend steeply to about 2,900m. The ups and downs are too frequent, yet some beautiful streams along the way break the monotony. We make our way out of the forest and then walk up a grassy slope, high above the river. From here, the route descends steeply towards the foot of a cliff. We now make our way up the challenging and wobbly stone staircase to a river bank at 2950m. From here, the trail becomes a collection of rocks and sticks that form a dyke along the river bank. We continue upstream to a bridge and then eventually arrive at Sulighat (3500m).
We begin our trek, walking along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo Rivers. After crossing to the western side of the Phoksundo River on a wooden bridge, we follow the west bank of the Pungmo River. The path passes through a cedar forest to Palam, a winter settlement used by the people of Ringmo village. The houses here are almost buried in the sandy soil. Advancing further, we head up to open country and then to a ridge at an altitude of around 3,350m. From the ridge, one can see the distant views of Phoksundo Lake and a spectacular 200m high waterfall, the highest in Nepal. After this scenic stoppage, we descend through the birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo River, and then to the picturesque settlement of Ringmo, with its mud plastered chortens and mani walls. From here, it is a short and pleasant walk to the picturesque shores of Phoksundo Lake (3600m).
A well deserved sojourn in the most fascinating milieu of the trek. We are at one of the most scenic locations of the trek, so an excursion is always on the cards. We can take a soothing stroll around Phoksundo Lake. Phoksundo Lake could stimulate the poetic flair within anybody…it’s indeed so beautiful! We will then hike through the juniper trees to an old dilapidated Bon-po gompa, known as Pal Sentan Thasoon Chholing. This monastery was built some 60 generations ago. There are five other private gompas in some houses of the small monastic community at vicinity of the lake. The insides of the gompas contain dusty Buddhist paintings and statues. We can also witness the trappings which reflect the animistic elements of the Bon-po religion as well as the ancient witch’s cavern. A donation to monks will gain us entrance to the gompas. We will certainly be fascinated by the strange iconography and practice of the Bon-po religion.
Let’s resume our trek skirting the shore of the lake as it contours on a rocky ledge along the western bank. This unsteady trail suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs driven into crevasses in the rocks signals the remoteness of the area we are about to enter. At the westernmost edge of the lake, the path leads through a lush meadow that opens up into the flood plain of the Phoksundo River. We then walk through the valley, crossing the river and avoiding the occasional boggy marsh underfoot until we arrive at the bank of the river.
The trek begins with a walk along the level path through a glacial valley and then heading north. At the confluence of the Phoksundo Khola and another mountain stream, there is an old wooden bridge. Taking the indistinct path to the north-east of the valley, we climb over the rocks and boulders and cross a stream. A long climb brings us to a sheep meadow where the trail veers up a steep ravine. Further, a tough climb to the top brings us to yet another valley. From here, we get our first glimpse of the Kang-La pass. Trailing ahead, we finally arrive at Phosumdo Bhanjyang. Overnight camp will be just before the pass at Phoksundo Bhanjyang, in a place that Peter Matthiessen christened ‘Snowfields Camp’.
All geared up to conquer the Kang La, we begin our trek with a steep climb. This climb along the slate screed is nerve- racking. Once we reach the top of Kang La (5360m), sight of the scenic valley being bisected by a gushing river, seems really mesmerizing. Enjoying this seemingly satellite view from the pass for a short while, we begin a steep descent to the valley floor. From here, we head on for a long walk crossing the river several times through different bridges. There are mud caves lining the hills overlooking the river. As we pass through the meadows, we can see the hirsute yaks, sheep and mountain goats (Chyangra) near the rustic nomadic huts of the herders. A red chorten heralds our arrival at Shey Gompa (4,160m).
We’ve allotted an extra day at Shey Gompa so that we get an opportunity to explore this antique monastery. Let’s gear up to explore this much talked about monastery. The gompa is not very large, and there are no artifacts or paintings inside. Although the building is said to be 800years old, the wall paintings are relatively recent, probably done in the 1970s. The statues on the altar are of Guru Rinpoche, Sakyamuni and Milarepa. The gompa also houses an ancient Tibetan scroll that describes the myth of Crystal Mountain and Shey gompa. According to the inscription, there is a holy lake in a crater among the mountains that surrounds Shey. If a pilgrim makes nine circumambulations of this lake, the water turns milky. A sip of this milk and the pilgrim gets a distant glimpse of Mt. Kailash! The ones, who don’t need much rest, can try discovering this lake. This is certainly going to be an explorative and interesting day at Shey Gompa. After this indulgence, we get back to our campsite.
We begin with an easy trek amidst the clusters of junipers and descend into a grey, stony canyon. The trail gets curvy and steeply climbs over the bare rocks until we reach the top of Sangda La (5200m). We now proceed with a long and fatiguing descent towards the north, pass by a yak pasture and eventually arrive at the village, called Namduna Gaun (4430m), consisting of mere six stone houses. Like Shey, the Namgung monastery in this village reveals the “Karma-pa” sect of Buddhism. The monastery, a red stone structure, is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. The red and white colors of the gimpy and its Stupas are the only color in this dissolute landscape. There are terraced fields on both sides of the tributary, which flow down to the Nam Khong valley. The village relies on agricultural, the produce mainly being barley. People also practice animal husbandry and trading.
Kissing goodbye to the Namduna Gaun, we head up a scree slope and begin a long traverse along the dusty barren mountains. After 3-4 hours of hard climb, we approach the settlement of Saldang 3,770m, poised on a plateau high above the settlement of Nam Khongmala. This scenic village is the largest in the inner Dolpo region. Saldang belongs to the arid zone of the Trans-Himalayan Tibetan plateau. The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope. It cuddles five small villages having about eighty well built houses and a population of approximately six hundred people. Being located on the trade route to Tibet, this village has a significant business advantage. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, trade with Tibet was virtually stopped. It has been restored to some extent through the barter system by which Tibetan salt reaches mid-Nepal. The Drokpa people on the western plains of Tibet collect salt from the dried lakes north of Tsangpo.
We are now at the verge of exploring the least explored region. We head far towards the north. The trail follows the Nang Chu river most of the way on this wild barren windswept terrain. We walk through the trivial ups and downs and pass by the settlements of Tiling and Lurigaon until we finally arrive at the village of Yangze (3750m) also known as Yangtsher. As we cross the Panzang River and head on further for a short while, we get ourselves to one of the least explored regions of Nepal. There is also an old Bon Po monastery- Yangze Gompa here, worth exploring.
Sibu can be reached embarking on a longer trail that stretches to the north- west, passing by the isolated villages of Nishalgaon and Shimengaon. But it’s better that we take an easier and shorter trail, which retraces back to Saldang. From Saldang, we move ahead following the river bed and walk past the terraced fields, stupas, chortens, heaps of mani stones and a Chaiba monastery. The trail now passes through the fairly populated village called Namdo. It stretches for more than 5 kms on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong River. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Two hours of downhill walk alongside the river will bring us to the settlement of Sibu (3840m), where we halt overnight.
We start off our trek following the trail alongside the Nam Khong River for a while. We then divert towards the east till we arrive at the confluence of two small rivers. From here, our walk leads to a steep climb to the Jengla Phedi (4,900m), or the bottom of daunting Jeng La.
After breakfast, we begin the enthusiastic climb to Jeng La and reach its top after a fatiguing ascent for about two hours. A flurry of snow clad peaks greets us towards the south. Indulging ourselves in the mountainous vista for a while, we begin our descent from the pass on a rugged route, towards Tarap valley. We now embark on a pleasant trail down towards Tarap Chu, a lush green valley with vast plains. It extends twenty kilometers along the river. There are ten different villages in Tarap Chu, all characterized by cultivated fields, chortens and gompas of both the sects of Buddhism. Our halting destination today is at one of the most beautiful villages in Tarap, the Tokyu Gaon (4290m).
We head towards the east along the downhill route of Tarap Chu. This plain valley, with patches of lush verdant grass on both sides of the river, contrasts the other parts of inner Dolpo. There is also a marsh which is a common feature in the desert mountains of Tibet and the Ladhakh Himalayas. In this valley, both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together in harmony. After a short trek through this beautiful valley, we arrive at Dho Tarap (3,944m). We have enough time to stroll around the village. This village is fortressed by an irregular stone wall. At Dho, about 40 houses are divided into three clusters. These houses are built in an unorganized way and inhabited mostly by Magars and few Tibetans.
We have a good opportunity to explore the locality of Dho Tarap today. We go for a short hike to a Buddhist gompa which is at the proximity of our campsite. After that we take a walk for about 45 minutes to get to another Bon Po gompa. Interacting with the local people can also be a great fun. These people have special self-spun costume and a Tibetan style boots called “somba”. They mainly belong to Bon Po and Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. This is indeed going to be an informative and exciting day.
We begin with a decent towards a wide valley. Today’s trek isn’t that tough but it’s indeed lengthy. As we move ahead, the valley narrows down to a gorge and then we continue walking alongside the clusters of junipers and wild roses up the tree line. Chances are that you could just spot the herds of blue sheep. We now arrive at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang river, a stream that joins with Tarap river from further east. We then walk up to a beautiful meadow at Tarap Khola (3800m)
Today the trail takes us down the gorge of the Tarap river. We continue alongside the river and then make our way above the river on a trail that winds up a steep slope. There are many possible campsites by the river. As we advance further, we might just get bewildered to see the valley so drastically narrowing down in a deep gorge that we could almost jump from one side of the gorge to another. The paths at times are almost untraceable and we have to walk across the stone slabs attested on logs to form a bridge. At some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away and we might have to reluctantly cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, we arrive at our campsite beside the Tarap khola at Khanigaon (2,950m).
Today the trail takes us down the gorge of the Tarap river. We continue alongside the river and then make our way above the river on a trail that winds up a steep slope. There are many possible campsites by the river. As we advance further, we might just get bewildered to see the valley so drastically narrowing down in a deep gorge that we could almost jump from one side of the gorge to another. The paths at times are almost untraceable and we have to walk across the stone slabs attested on logs to form a bridge. At some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away and we might have to reluctantly cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, we arrive at our campsite beside the Tarap khola at Khanigaon (2,950m).
We resume our trek walking on a path with pine trees, above the Bheri River in a deep gorge until we arrive at Dunai (2,140m).
We resume our trek walking on a path with pine trees, above the Bheri River in a deep gorge until we arrive at Dunai (2,140m).
We board on a short and scenic flight over the Himalayan foothills overlooking the jaw-dropping mountainous vistas of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the north. We land at Nepalgunj in about 35 minutes. From Nepalgunj, we take a connecting flight to Kathmandu. Our plane touches down the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport in about an hour. A representative from Marron Treks will receive and transfer you to your designated hotel in Kathmandu. You have gotten back from a long tiring trip, so you would probably want to flex your muscles a bit and get groomed. You have an extra day at Kathmandu tomorrow.
This is a free day in Kathmandu to fulfill anything that you missed out spotting in this energetic capital of Nepal. In the event that the flight to Kathmandu is delayed, it is also a spare day. You can indulge yourself in shopping or strolling around some of the cultural and historical landmarks of Kathmandu. Thamel is your hot spot for shopping where you can haul all the souvenirs representing Nepal and its culture. May be that in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes, you would also want to take back some stuff for your friends and relatives. In the evening, a farewell dinner with a range of traditional Nepali cuisines, will be hosted by Marron Treks. Enjoy the dinner, pack/prepare yourself for a flight back home and have a beauty sleep.
Time to part and say good bye! A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the Tribhuwan International Airport, three hours prior to your filght schedule. Hope you enjoyed every bit of the moment being with us as much as we did being with you. Have a safe journey and we look forward to being your adventure companion in Nepal again. Trips can always be extended to try out some of our other adventurous packages like – Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
What is included?
- Airport pick-up and drop services.
- Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu round airfares.
- Hotel accommodations in Nepalgunj.
- All trekking accommodation (in tented camps) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
- Personal insurance for crew members.
- Guide, porters, kitchen staff and helpers' wages for the trekking period.
- Four seasonal sleeping bags (to be returned after trip completion) & Marron duffel bags.
- A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide).
- Upper Dolpo Special Permit (US$ 500 per person).
- Farewell dinner with a live Nepalese cultural program.
- All government and local taxes.
What is not included?
- International airfare.
- Lunch & dinner In Kathmandu.
- Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (USD30 for 15 days)
- Personal travel insurance.
- Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance).
- Excess baggage charges (luggage allowance for domestic airlines in Nepal is 15 kgs.).
- Other expenses of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc.)
- Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
- Tips for guides, porters & crew (Tipping is expected).
Route Map
Trip Info
Accommodation
While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 4- or 5-star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (4-star), Hotel Manaslu (4-star), Radisson (5-star), Yak & Yeti (5-star), or similar. During the trek, your primary accommodation will be tents. These are typically high-altitude, double-walled tents for better insulation and weather protection. You'll camp in designated campsites along the route. These are chosen for scenic beauty, flat ground, and access to water sources. Your trekking crew will set up tents that include your own personal tent, dining tent, toilet tent and staff tent.
Meals
We never compromise the quality of food or the health of the trekkers as well as the crew members. Expect meals packed with carbohydrates and protein prepared by our trained cook to provide sustained energy for long trekking days. Think along the lines of porridge, pasta, noodles, spaghetti, French fries, soups, and dehydrated meals.
Acclimatization
Altitude sickness is a serious risk while trekking in the Himalayas. It's important to acclimatize properly by spending a few days at lower altitudes before heading higher. By spending time at lower altitudes before pushing higher, your body has time to adjust. Our trekking packages have enough acclimatization days planned where you'll be spending a day or two at lower altitudes, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.
Drinking water
You can fill your bottle with boiling water. To make water drinkable, you can use water purification tablets too. But, due to hygienic issues, you should avoid drinking water from taps, rivers, or wells in trekking areas.
Communication
Our office in Kathmandu is in constant communication with your trek guide. In Kathmandu, you can purchase a local sim card for communication purposes. At high elevations, the mobile signal might not be as strong, though.
Luggage
Our porters are paired with one trekker for every two hikers, and one porter can safely carry 30 kg maximum weight. Therefore, we advise you to fill your duffle bag not more than 15 kg with your belongings. You may carry a small backpack with your valuables and informational documents. The things you are not taking along on the trek can be stored in a hotel in Kathmandu free of cost.
Typical Trek Day
Mostly your trek day starts with breakfast at 7-8 am, followed by a 3-4 hour morning trek. Lunch break is around an hour, then you continue trekking to your destination for the day. After reaching the teahouse lodge, you can relax, explore nearby areas, and enjoy dinner at 6-7 pm. Evenings involve socializing, a trek briefing, and leisure activities before bed.
Travel Insurance
It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both- medical and evacuation costs. Having travel insurance with you makes your trip secure and hassle-free.
Our Guides
Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you can actually connect with nature, culture and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides who are very well-versed in the culture, life patterns and every single detail pertaining to the trek region you are traveling in. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining but also equally informative.
Porter and Staff Care
When it comes to high-altitude trekking, porters and staff members make up a pivot. Marron Treks ensures that all the porters and staff members going to high altitudes are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. All our field staff are covered by insurance.
