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28-Day Upper Dolpo Trek From Kathmandu
  • Tour Category

    Private Tour

  • Tour Types

    Nature, Trekking, Culture

  • Duration

    28 Days

  • Activity Level

    Hard

  • Language

    English

Description

Embark on a 28-day Upper Dolpo Trek, starting from Kathmandu, to explore Nepal's remote and restricted Dolpo region. Discover the breathtaking Phoksundo Lake, sacred Shey Gompa, and Crystal Mountain. Traverse high-altitude passes and immerse yourself in ancient Tibetan-Buddhist culture while visiting remote villages. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the captivating Himalayan landscape.

Highlights
  • Enjoy breathtaking Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo Village Exploration
  • Visit the sacred Shey Gompa and Crystal Mountain pilgrimage
  • Cross Kang La and Saldang La high-altitude passes
  • Discover ancient Tibetan-Buddhist culture in remote villages
  • Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu expand_more
    • We pick you up and transfer you to your hotel by a private vehicle. 

    Overnight at Hotel.

  • Day 2: Preparation Day expand_more
    • This day is for issuing the needed permits to show your original passport to immigration to get a special permit from Dolpo.
  • Day 3: Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj expand_more
    • Fly to Nepalgunj for about 45 minutes. 

    Overnight at Hotel.

  • Day 4: Fly to Jhuphal – Trek to Sulighat expand_more
    • It is the first day walking off the Dolpo trek. After you fly to Juphal, start the trek along with the villages and the bank of the Thuli Bheri river valley with awesome scenery around—Trek for 4 hours. 

    Overnight camping tented.

  • Day 5: Trek to Chepka expand_more
    • After breakfast, your trek starts to Chepka. Of course, you will walk through villages and follow the river. It is the day you enter the Shey Phoksundo National Park. On the way, you will be taking a break for lunch. It is 6 hour trek. 

    Overnight camping tented.

  • Day 6: Trek to Amchi Hospital expand_more
    • It is the same as the previous day: start trekking after breakfast with enough drinking water from the camping kitchen. Do not be afraid of climbing steeply up through somewhere narrow cliff facing. It offers you a scenic and panoramic view which makes you feel happy even if you get pain from walking. It takes about 6 to 7 hours. 

    Overnight camping tented.

  • Day 7: Trek to Ringmo Goan (Phokshundo lake) expand_more
    • It is a special day for the Dolpo Trek because you are heading to Phoksundo Lake. The lake is a fresh alpine Himalaya lake, one of Nepal's deepest (145m) lakes. It is located nearby the beautiful Himalayan villages of remote Nepal. The name of the village is Ringmo. It takes about 7 hours to walk. 

    Overnight at camping tented.

  • Day 8: Rest day expand_more
    • It is a rest day; you may take a bath/shower and washing clothing. You explore rest time in Ringmo villages. It is a picturesque village. You will visit the monastery, Chorten, and mane walls inside the village. According to the history of the village or monastery, there has been built entrance gate, and it is believed three hundred to five hundred old histories of the place. 

    Overnight at camp tented.

  • Day 9: Trek to Forest Camp/Salle Khola/Thulo Dhunga expand_more
    • It is another special day because you will enter Upper Dolpo, which is a restricted or controlled region by the Nepal government. The trail leads you to the bank of Phoksundo Lake. The campsite will be a bit further than the forest camp. The walking time will be of the day for approximately 7 hours. 

    Overnight at camping tented.

  • Day 10: Trek to Kang La High Camp expand_more
    • It is already in the high Himalayan region, and the day will be short for the walking duration. The trail follows the Yaksa River. It is a place where you will take lunch and sleep in the same place. The campsite is Kang La high camp (also known as Kang La Base Camp). Walking time 5 hours. 

    Overnight at camping tented.

  • Day 11: Trek to Kang La Pass – Shey Gumba expand_more
    • Be prepared with good fitness, some dry food, and enough drinking water. It is no doubt about the landscape of the region to see images. You get packed lunch for this day. It is another fabulous day to see Shey monastery and a crystal mountain. It is a sacred peak in Dolpo. In that peak, pilgrims circumambulate each July or August, a period of the full moon. The walking time is approximately 7 hours. 

    Overnight at camping tented.

  • Day 12: Rest Day expand_more
    • It is a day to visit the most impressive and beautiful village and monastery. It is a colourful monastery and a monastery aged 11 to 13 centuries. The Shey monastery is a Bonpo monastery decorated with old statues. Shey is famous for its ancient Buddhist culture. In Dolpo, an ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teachings of Buddha. Introduced Buddhism in the Dolpo Valley by Drutup Yeshe. Many years ago, he came into Dolpo and came across a wild. The Crystal Mountain distorted cliffs are laced with quartz and embedded with various marine fossils. Shey Monastery stands above the confluence of Kangju Nala and Yeju Nala. There is a group of prayer wheels that runs by water inside the Gompa. 

    Overnight at Camping Tented.

  • Day 13: Trek to Saldang La Pass – Namdung Gaon expand_more
    • It is the same or more spectacular scenery day of the trip. By leaving Shey campsite, head east along the Sephu Khola towards the Saldang La. Along the valley can be seen as a seasonal settlement and mani walls. Approximately hiking up about 3 hours, pass Saldang inhabitants en route. The trail gradually follows a small river (stream) and soon reaches the last steep climb to the prayer-flag festooned summit of the pass and after they pass to reach Namdung. 

    Overnight at camping tented.

  • Day 14: Trek to Saldang expand_more
    • Today is a short but spectacular scenery along the high Himalayan trail that leads to Saldang. It may see a large group of birds of prey, and it is migrating Demoiselle Cranes soaring above your head sky and walking through several doksas and villagers en route. It is about 3 hour's walk. 

    Overnight at camping tented.

  • Day 15: Saldang Village Tour expand_more
    • It is another rest or free day. You could have imagined it before, but you see it the wonderful scenery of Saldang village. It is the largest village in the Nankang region of the Dolpo district. This place has several more exploration options. The first is to make the sidewalk a loop through some villages north of Saldang. You can follow the Nagaon Khola north to Karang and Marang villages for the living life of the village. 

    Overnight at Camping Tented.

  • Day 16: Trek to Rakyo (4000m) 5/6 hours expand_more
    • After leaving Saldang, the trail leads down to the river bed, passes through terraced fields, stupas, shortens, heaps of Mani stones and a Chaiba monastery. The next village is Namdo, also settled with sixty houses having about four hundred inhabitants. It does stretch for more than 5km on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. The monastery of Namdo is located near the river bed. There is also another monastery on top of a high cliff.  Normally the camp is near the small settlement of Sibu, right on the river bank. 

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals.

  • Day 17: Trek to Kharka Camp /Jeng La Phedi (4480m) 3/4 hours expand_more
    • The trail follows a river valley which is primarily fairly easy-going. About bout two hours walk, there is another stream before turning into a side valley where the climb becomes sharp. After a maximum of five hours walking, you reach lunch place and night stop. This is a lovely meadow with rocks, yak and other animal droppings. 

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals.

  • Day 18: Cross Jeng La (5110m), then Tokyu Gaon (4240m) 6-7 hours expand_more
    • Reaching the top of the Jeng La takes about three hours. The trail is usually well-compacted, making the going easier, but it is steep. You can pleasant good views of the massif Dhaulagiri, impressive in the morning light from the top of Jeng La. A rough trail descends towards the next village called Tarap Valley. Around the afternoon, find a green valley it leads you on an enjoyable track down towards the Tarap Chu. Tarap is a valley with vast plains in high mountains extending along the river Tarap Chu. There are ten villages with cultivated fields, many monasteries and Buddhism of both sects. Normally stop for the night at Tokyu Monastery.  

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals.

  • Day 19: Trek to Dho Tarap (4100m) 2 hours expand_more
    • The path follows along the downhill of Tarap Chu in a plain valley with lush patches on both sides of the river – it is different from the previous parts of inner Dolpo. Before Tokyu, a short visit can be made to the Chaiba Gompa if you are interested. There are many Mani walls, and some of the short ones are in a state of repair. There is a ‘French School' just outside the village of Dho Tarap. Dho is surrounded by an irregular stone wall and consists of about thirty-four houses, divided into three clusters and built in a random way. Tarap is inhabited mostly by a cast of Magars, who have lived here for generations and sure also by a few Tibetans as well. 
    • The people here wear home-spun clothing that is sometimes dyed maroon and they favour Tibetan style Somba (boots with upturned toes) for foot gear.  Local people often wear here, both religious amulets and strings of coral and turquoise. Visiting the Buddhist Gompa is very worthwhile. Visit to Bon Gompa is about half an hour's walk. So, Dho Tarap is one of the interesting places for Dolpo trekking. 

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals.

  • Day 20: Explore Dho Tarap expand_more
    • Spend entire day exploring Dho Tarap.
  • Day 21: Trek to Sim Odar expand_more
    • The trekking route leads you to the Tarap Khola, gradually descending downhill. You will be walking through narrow gorges with the river rushing. On the way, you may see blue sheep, marmots, sheep, yaks and goats and meet people from Dolpo, their flocks of sheep and goats to lower pastures for the winter. Around the afternoon brings you more waves in the path when it leaves the immediate visit of the river. Afterwards, an improvements trail is where some parts of the rock have been blasted out. You will also see steel-made suspension bridges. It was built to facilitate the movement of people and animals after built the bridge. The trail track is narrow at this place. 

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals

  • Day 22: Trek to Laini expand_more
    • The trail goes continue down to the gorge of the Tarap River path sometimes following high above with narrow by steep slopes. Today is an exciting day with a deep and breathtaking gorge view. Tonight's campsite is a pleasant meadow in the gloom of the trees. 

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals.

  • Day 23: Trek to Satar expand_more
    • Crossing by the suspension bridges and then walking alongside the riverside. The trail leads you by going high before reaching down the river. The day brings you into a valley of the Barbung, and you trek amongst the various crops of millet, sweet corn, barley, buckwheat, marijuana,  green beans, and hot chillies. 

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals.

  • Day 24: Trek to Dunai expand_more
    • Tarakot is called by the local people as Dzong; Tarakot is also known as an old fortress. Earlier than the Gorkha dynasty Tarakot was the capital and had a Dzong. There is a famous Sandul Gompa, which lies 8km east of Tarakot. At the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu stands on a knoll to the south of the Bheri River. At one time supervised the trading caravans traversing a region called Tichu Rong. There is another alternative to camping at Tarakot, and the camp can be down by the river as there are good cooking facilities with clean.
    • The trail gradually descends. Trekking path beside the Bheri River you use the original path built twenty feet above the river. All the way lower comparing previous days and feeling going back home. After reaching the village of Dunai, the campsite is probably the same as you used before. The time is completed the Upper Dolpo circuit trek! 

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

  • Day 25: Trek to Juphal (2404m) 3 hours expand_more
    • The trail which you have done already at the day of beginning. It is a celebration time by ending the dream trip of life. It is a celebration time to end the dream trip of life.

    Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meals.

  • Day 26: Fly to Nepalgunj - Kathmandu expand_more
    • Mostly, an early morning flight to Nepalganj. This is a wonderful scenic adventure about 35 minutes' flight over the Himalayan—the views of the main mountains, including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the north. After Kae off the flight at Nepalgunj,  connect with the flight back to Kathmandu. 

    Overnight at hotel, inclusive breakfast.

  • Day 27: Leisure Day in Kathmandu expand_more
    • It is a free day for shopping. Evening farewell dinner with cultural program. 

    Overnight at hotel, inclusive breakfast.

  • Day 28: Departure expand_more
    • One of our representatives will transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.
What's Included
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off by private coach/van

  • Accommodation in Kathmandu in a 4-star hotel or similar for 3 nights with breakfast

  • Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) sightseeing with city guide and all entrance fees

  • Nepalgunj airport transfers

  • Nepalgunj Hotel for one night with full board meal

  • Kathmandu-Nepalgunj flight with required tax (return as well)

  • Nepalgunj-Juphal flight with required tax (return as well)

  • Guide airfare to Nepalgunj (from Kathmandu) – return as well

  • Guide and cook flight to Juphal (from Nepalgunj) – return as well

  • Kathmandu to Nepalgunj transfer expenses for trekking food and necessary camping utensils

  • Cargo

  • Required mules

  • Meals from own camping kitchen by a highly experienced trekking cook (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tea/coffee/hot water)

  • Kitchen, dining, toilet, and sleeping tent, mattress, and cooking utensils

  • Lower Dolpo, Upper Dolpo special permit, Phoksundo National Park fee, and TIMS card fee

  • Camping charge made by the local community

  • Rain protection duffel bag for luggage

  • Accommodation as mentioned in the program

  • First Aid kit (better to have your own)

  • All staff salaries, insurance, food, and accommodation

  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at the end of the trip

What's Excluded
  • International airfare
  • Nepal visa
  • Helicopter charter to/from Juphal in case of flight cancellation due to bad weather
  • Extra nights at a hotel in Nepalgunj due to flight cancellation caused by bad weather
  • Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled mineral water
  • Meals in Kathmandu (lunch and dinner)
  • Restaurant food bills during camping if not included in the plan
  • Any personal medical or evacuation expenses; we strongly recommend international travel insurance
  • Excess baggage (15 kg allowed free of cost, including handbag)
  • Additional porter for a personal day backpack
  • Horse riding during the trek
  • Expenses related to political disturbances or blockades
  • Extra costs arising from natural disasters
  • Any other expenses not mentioned in the included costs
  • Tips for staff and drivers
Know before you go
  • Sometimes flights may face hassle to/from Juphal.
Meeting Point

Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), International Terminal, Kathmandu, Nepal

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price Details
Adult
1 To 5 USD 4800 Per Person
6 To 10 USD 4500 Per Person
11 To 15 USD 4200 Per Person
Child
1 To 2 USD 3800 Per Person

This is a private tour

Starting From

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USD 4800 / person