Upper Dolpo
Trek is located behind the Dhaulagiri Mountains. It is an adventure trek in a
remote landscape that resembles the mysterious and spiritual trip in the hidden
valleys of Western Nepal. The region is famous for the rare animals such as the
snow leopard and the blue sheep. The walk in the Dolpo region precedes several
technical passages and the steep path through the forest with the landscapes of
the waterfalls.
Main Highlights
·Shey
Phoksundo Lake
·Upper Dolpo
Community
·Shey Gompa
Buddhist monasteries
·Discover the
various cultures of Nepal
·The altitudes
of Kang La pass of 5350 m
·Fantastic
Himalayan Mountain ranges of Nepal
·Virgin
mountains, flora and fauna, unique culture
·Discover the
three regions of Nepal; plains, hills, and Himalaya
·Home of
rarer animals such as the snow leopard and the blue sheep
Itinerary Highlights
Upper Dolpo
Trek itinerary can
be customized according to your choice. Please write to us for the individual
travel Itinerary. The price varies depending on hotel category, transportation,
private vehicle, and flight service.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu International
Airport
Day 02: Guided tour of Kathmandu valley and
preparation for the trek
Day 03: Flight Kathmandu to Nepalgunj:
Duration 1 hour
Day 04: Flight from Nepalgunj to Jhuphal and
hike to Dunai.
Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe: Walking
Distance 5-6 hours
Day 06: Trekking from Ankhe to Sulighat:
walking distance 5-6 hours.
Day 07: Trekking from Sulighat to Phoksundo
Lake: Walking Distance 4-5 hours
Day 08: Acclimatization day at Phoksundo
lake
Day 09: Trek to Phoksundo Khola: Walking
distance 4-5 hours.
Day 10: Trek from Phoksunds Khola to
Phoksundo Bhanjyang: Walking 6-7 hours
Day 11: Trek Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey
Gompa via Kang-La pass.
Day 12: Acclimatization day in the Shey
Gompa
Day 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaun
via Saldang La: 6-7 hours
Day 14: Trek Namduna Gaun to Saldang:
Walking distance 4-5 hours
Day 15: Trekking from Saldang to Yangze
Gompa: walking distance 4-5 hours
Day 16: Trek from Yangze Gompa to Sibu:
Walking distance 6-7 hours
Day 17: Trek from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi:
Walking distance 5-6 hours
Day 18: Trek Jeng-la Phedi to Tokyu Gaon via
the Jeng La Pass: Walking 5-6 hours
Day 19: Trek from Tokyu to Dho Tarap:
Walking Distance 4-5 hours
Day 20: Another acclimatization Day in Dho
Tarap
Day 21: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola:
walking distance 6-7 hours
Day 22: Trek from Tarap Khola to Khanigaon:
Walking distance 4-5 hours
Day 23: Trek from Khanigaon to Tarakot:
Walking distance 4-5 hours
Day 24: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai: Walking
Distance 5-6 hours
Day 25: Trek from Dunai to Jhuphal: Walking
Distance 2-3 hours
Day 26: Flight from Jhuphal to Nepalgunj
then to Kathmandu
Day 27: rest day in Kathmandu
Day 28: Final departure
Overview of Upper Dolpo Trek
Upper Dolpo
Trekking is a beautiful trek in Nepal, a region between the Dhaulagiri Range in Nepal
and the Tibetan Plateau in Tibet. The part is one of the most remote and
isolated areas of Nepal. The trail to Dolpo is technical, as travelers have to
cross high passes and steep paths through the forests along beautiful
waterfalls in Nepal. Dolpo region is also rich in flora and fauna. Almost 32 species
of mammals and 197 species of birds live in this region. During the trip to
Dolpo, you can find some beautiful Himalayan wildlife, which also includes some
of the rarest animals on earth, such as the Himalayan blue sheep, the musk deer,
and the most unique of all, the snow leopard.
This
fantastic trekking destination in Nepal has also been the focus of attention
through some films. In the Dolpo region, Two films were shot In 1999, titled
Himalaya was nominated for an Oscar award, and another film The Caravan was
also nominated for an Oscar for best category of foreign films. These two films
will give you a picture of what this place is and a glimpse of the fantastic
beauty and the isolated but unique colonization and culture of the inhabitants
of the Dolpo region. Your trek to the Upper Dolpo begins from Jhupal, and
during your trek in the Dolpo region, you will cross several beautiful
landscapes and a high mountain pass. The trip also takes you across the
beautiful lake of Shey Phoksundo Lake. The Shey Phuksundo trek is also part of your
journey as a deep blue lake in the desert, although the scenery makes your trip
heavenly. Shey Phoksundo camping and trekking are very popular, but lately,
Shey Phoksundo mountain biking is gaining popularity and is a form of adventure
activity in this region. Dolpo region is not only about its natural splendor,
but the unique cultural and social aspect of this region is also fascinating.
The Himalayan community is deeply rooted in the Buddhist religion of Bon Po. Dolpo
region trekking allows travelers to discover the prohibited kingdom of Nepal,
which is still primal in many ways. However, Dolpo is a restricted area in
Nepal, and travelers need a special permit to trek in the Dolpo region.
Important note
Your safety
is of extreme importance when traveling with us. Please note that your guide
has the power to modify or cancel any part of the route if it is deemed
necessary for safety reasons. Every effort will be made to maintain the above
itinerary; however, as this adventure involves traveling to remote mountain
regions, we cannot guarantee that you will not stray from it. Weather
conditions, the health of a member of the group, unforeseen natural disasters,
etc., can contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to make
sure the trip goes according to plan, but be prepared to be flexible if
necessary.
Depending on your arrival time, a representative of our company will pick you up at the airport. Then, they will take you to your pre-reserved hotel. After a short break, you will meet the manager of our company in your hotel and receive a brief introduction to your trip. Do not hesitate to ask all your questions about the trip. After that, you can walk down Thamel Street and even do last-minute shopping.
Today, after having breakfast, you start a journey of some of the most Spiritual and historical site inside Kathmandu. These attractions are considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including historical Kathmandu Durbar Square, the holy Hindu temple Pashupatinath, the famous Swayambhunath (monkey temple) and the Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath) considered one of the largest stupas in Asia.
After our short trip to Kathmandu, we flew from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in the western part of Nepal for an hour. Nepalgunj, a city near the border between Nepal and India, is also the gateway to Simikot, Humla. The town itself is a pretty town in Terai that highlights the cultural diversity of Nepal. In Nepalgunj, you visit the local market, the mini zoo, and the neighboring villages. Spend the night in Nepalgunj.
After breakfast, you fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal Airport. It is at the foot of the Himalayas, and you can see beautiful views of Mount Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The flight takes about 45 minutes, and after landing, you walk approximately 2-3 hours and reach to Dunai. Dunai is the headquarter of the Dolpo area. In the afternoon, you explore the small town and camp there at night.
You leave Dunai, cross a suspension bridge, and turn west following a path in front of a hospital. The road climbs along the treeless valley of the Thulo Bheri valley and flows into the valley of the Phoksundo River. During your trek, you have a view of the Kagmara peak in the valley. You cross the walnut grove, the villages of Dhera and Rahagaun, cross dense jungles, and finally arrive in Ankhe. Spend the night in Ankhe.
You will walk up and down when you go up a wooded bank and go up a steep route. The up-down can be a bit boring, but there are several streams along the way that offer a chance to cool off. Its path gradually leaves the forest and crosses the grassy hill above the river. Then it descends through the green forests and continues towards Sulighat, where it spends the night.
Today, you will continue your trip along the valley flooring to the joining together of the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers. After crossing a bridge, you walked along the west bank of Pungmo Khola. The path leads through a cedar forest before it reaches the city of Palam. From there, you go to a ridge and enjoy a comprehensive view of Lake Phoksundo. On the way, you can see a fantastic waterfall with a height of 167 meters, also known as one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal. Finally, we reach Phoksundo Lake, where we spend the night.
Today is a well-deserved day of rest to acclimatize to Phoksundo Lake. During the day, you can take a short walk to the village of Ringmo and the Tibetan Buddhist monastery. During your short walks, you also have the opportunity to get acquainted with the local culture. The Dolpo wear homemade clothes, which are sometimes reddish, and prefer the Somba or Dhocha in the Tibetan style for shoes. Men and women often wear amulets and religious cords in coral, amber, and turquoise. You will spend the night at Phoksundo Lake.
Your route takes you around the upper west end of Phoksundo Lake today. On this day, you begin to enter the real desert of the Dolpo region. The path leads you through a lush meadow that opens up to the Phoksundo floodplain. You continue straight through the valley and then camp overnight when you reach the riverbank.
For about an hour, you walked along a path that leads you on a flat route through a glacial valley that leads precisely north. At the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and another stream, there is wooden bridge. From there, you go northeast. A long climb leads you to a meadow of sheep, where your path leads to a steep gorge. A problematic climb leads you to another valley where you can see the Kang-La pass. You set up a camp near the intersection at a place that Peter Matthiessen called Camp Snowfields. During your hike today, you can also admire the view of Chhamlang Peak 6 and Peak 7.
Today's walking could be exhausting if you cross the Kang La pass. There is snow on the north side of the pass, which always makes the descent a little tricky. The slope of the pass has been quite steep for some time. After that, you gradually walked a few hours until you reached Shey Gompa Monastery. Shey Gompa is a small village with few houses and a monastery dates back to the 11th century and sits below the glass top on a grassy plain. It is also known as the spiritual heart of Dolpa. After crossing a picturesque wooden bridge, you arrive at Shey Gompa Park, where you will spend the night.
The Shey Gompa Monastery was built in 1655, and It is known for its vast copper with the golden gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. To the east of the gompa is the Crystal Mountain, one of the strangest mountains, because its deformed cliffs are covered in quartz and embedded with a variety of marine fossils. Today is another well-deserved acclimatization rest day. You spend the day walking in the village of Shey, famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist culture, Bon Po. In Dolpo, the old Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teaching of the Buddha.
You start the day with a pleasant journey through the junipers that descend into a grey and stony canyon. Then, the route begins to zigzag over bare rocks and eroded earth until it finally leads you to the top of Saldang-La pass. The subsequent northward descent is long and strenuous, but yaks and sheep grazing, and nomadic tents made from yak hair are a relaxing sight. In Namduna Gaun, you visit the Namgung monastery. The red stone monster was built at the bottom of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. Night stay at Namuda Gaun.
You left the village, climbed a hill, and took a long walk along the dusty and dry mountains. After 3-4 hours of steep ascent, you see the community of Saldang below you on a plateau above the Namga Khola stream. It has a striking look. Saldang is the largest city in the interior of the Dolpo region. The community stretches for almost two kilometers on an open slope and consists of five villages with about eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred inhabitants. Saldang is a prosperous city, not only because of its agriculture, but also because of its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. You will spend the night in Saldang.
From Saldang, you walk north along the Nagaon Khola in wild and dry terrain. You start your trek on a relatively gradual path with few ups and downs. On the way, you cross the villages of Marang and Ki. Then you passed a tributary of the Panzang and went east and crossed the river again before you reached the Yangze Gompa, where a former Bon Po Monastery is located. Night Stay in Yangze Gompa.
Today you return to the village of Saldang, from where you walk along a river and cross the terraced fields. You will also pass the village of Namdo, which is a prosperous village in the region. The city is quite significant because it stretches for about 5 kilometers. Your walking continues a few hours down the river to camp near a small colony of Sibu.
You walk along Nam Khong Khola for a while and cross caravans with yaks to the border Tibet. After turning to the east and walking for a while, you arrive at the confluence of two small streams. The steep path then climbs to a pasture below the Jeng La pass. You will set up camp on this beautiful meadow. Stay overnight at Jeng the Phedi.
You get up early in the morning and start walking. It will take you two hours to reach the top of the Jeng La Pass, from where you have a breathtaking view of the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif. From there, you descend a steep path into the Tarap Valley, a fascinating valley with extensive plains of high mountains that extend over twenty kilometers along the Tarap Chu River. You camp near the Tokyu monastery.
Today, you walk in a flat valley with lush grassy areas on both sides of the river, which is entirely different from other parts of the Dolpo interior. There is also a swamp that is common in the Desert Mountains of Tibet and the Himalayas of Ladakh. Bon Po and the Buddhist religion are practiced in the valley. After a short walk, you arrived in Dho Tarap.
Today, you rest and go for a walk in the town of Dho Tarap, which is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. Your walks help you to get to know the local culture of the region. In Dho, about forty houses are divided into three groups and are built in a relaxed manner and inhabited by some Tibetans and mainly Magars, who are a hill tribe in Nepal. While you are here, you can visit a Buddhist gompa near your camp, or you can visit a Bon Po Gompa.
From Tarap, you descend into a wide valley that finally narrows in the gorge. You walk junipers and wild roses just above the tree line. During your walk, you can see flocks of blue sheep and, in the afternoon, yo arrive at the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, a stream that flows into the Tarap River further east. You will camp in a beautiful meadow, also known as Kamakharka, and spend the night.
Today, you descend the gorges of the Tarap River. You pass local shepherds who bring their flocks to the plains for the winter. Your walk today is as exciting as the valley narrows. This path offers incredible sensations of adventure. After arriving in Khanigaon, you will build your camp here.
From the camp, you follow a route that leads you to the village of Lalberi. Your road then leads through a lush forest, descends to another gorge, and continues to follow the river. After your arrival in Tarakot you can visit Sandul Gompa, which is located about 8 km east of the village at the junction of Tarap Chu and Barbung Khola. The monastery is located on a hill south of the Bheri River. Today you are camping on the Tarap Chu River below Tarakot, near the police station. Overnight in Tarakot
You start your trek on a path behind the Bheri River before crossing a bridge near the village of Lawan. Your walk continues along the great Bheri River to Byas Gadi. From there, the path heads west on a relatively smooth road. You cross the river again near the Gaon of Lochakhola and climb Dunai for one night. Today's hike takes place mainly in a magnificent canyon with pine trees—night stay in Dunai.
From Dunai, you walk along the Bheri River and enjoy the magnificent scenery. On the way, you pass the Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages, as well as a temple. You continue walking through the village of Kalagaonda and Motipur before reaching the small airstrip. Spend the night in Jhuphal.
You fly to Nepalgunj early in the morning. The beautiful flight also gives you a fantastic aerial view of the Himalayas. Upon arrival in Nepalgunj, you took the next available flight to Kathmandu. After you arrive in Kathmandu, we return to our hotel and rest for the day.
It's an extra day to explore Kathmandu city on your own. You can spend the day preparing for the next day's flight, buying souvenirs, or if there is a place in Kathmandu that you want to visit, we are happy to arrange that.
All our
published fixed departure dates are guaranteed. If the date does not suit your
travel plans, the cost and duration of the trip, please contact us for your
individual private trip, itinerary and price. Since we are a local travel and
trekking company based in Kathmandu, we try to find a small private group that
fits your travel needs. Let us know what kind of trip you are looking for and
our travel experts will help you plan your customized trip to your dream
destination. Thank you and Namaste!
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Upper Dolpo Trek Accommodation
Accommodation
is included in the price of the trip, and we have booked the best luxury
accommodation in a three-star hotel for three nights in Kathmandu, two nights
in a hostel in Nepalgunj / Jupal, and the other nights rested comfortably in a
tent. We will provide a 4-season sleeping bag and a foam mattress. We maintain
standard comfort in every material, depending on the conditions required, such
as Weather disasters. All hotel and camp accommodations are offered in a
multi-bedroom and offer you a specific surcharge if a different gender is
available at no additional cost. If you prefer a single room, you can request
and purchase a single room paying an additional $ 400.
We serve
Breakfast in Kathmandu, and all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are during
the trip. You can enjoy freshly prepared, hygienic, and nutritious full board
meals prepared by our trained and experienced chef during the walk. There are
authentic Nepalese and Tibetan dishes, as well as the most popular
international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.).
Upper Dolpo Trek Route Map
Upper Dolpo Trek Video
Essential Information
Trekking guides and other staff
arrangements
The most
important thing that makes this trip pleasant and unforgettable is the
experienced, polite, and helpful cooks and the crew. Your journey is led only
by the best and most professional leaders. All guides are carefully selected
based on their experience, leadership skills, and personal skills. To support
the local communities, we only employ local staff who have sufficient knowledge
of the culture, ecosystem, flora, fauna, geography, and history of their
regions locally.
Physical condition and experience
requirements
Upper Dolpo
Trek is classified as a challenging trek. During such a trek, you will likely
walk for 6-7 hours through steep and mountainous terrain and sometimes over
high passes up to 5500 m. You will be in a remote area with extreme weather
conditions on certain days. It will also be exposed to high altitude air with
low oxygen levels. Therefore previous hiking experience, physical fitness and a
positive attitude are essential. Regular training and jogging for a few weeks
before the trip is a good idea to improve your strength and stability. Past
hiking experiences are essential, but technical knowledge is not necessary for
this trip. We recommend you to let us know about your health before booking the
trek.
Travel insurance
Travel
insurance for every itinerary of our company is a condition for booking a
vacation. You must have at least repatriation and emergency insurance, which
must include the cost of any rescue. We suggest you read the general terms and
conditions of your insurers carefully. In particular, you need to make sure
that the following is covered: 1) Activity (i.e., sightseeing, hiking, or
mountain climbing) 2) Maximum altitude reached during the hike 3) Helicopter
evacuation in an emergency. You should understand that you are ultimately
responsible for all costs associated with evacuation and repatriation
procedures and that you are responsible for the costs associated with evacuation
or medical treatment. You must be fully aware of the implications of taking out
your travel insurance and understand the limitations and exclusions of your
policy. Please note that under certain circumstances, our company leader can
initiate helicopter or other necessary rescue operations in medical emergencies
without first asking your insurance company for approval.
The best time to trek
in Dolpo
Autumn
(October to November) and spring (April to May) are the best times for the
upper Dolpo trek Like the Upper Mustang. The Upper Dolpo is one of the areas
where the monsoon is a good time to travel, as it remains dry as it is in the
shadow of the rain behind the Mustang Mountains in the west and Jumla to the
south. Monsoon rain can make access to Dolpo difficult. You can also make this
trip during the monsoon season You have clear perspectives. The entire region
has also flourished with many wildflowers, and the air also emits a cool
Himalayan freshness.
Upper Dolpo is the most remote and less developed area of
Nepal, which makes it clear that Upper Dolpo is difficult to explore. Although
expert trekking knowledge is no longer required, good physical condition with
average walking endurance and strong mental dedication is sufficient to
complete the trek. However, enough, cycling, hard climbing, outdoors, muscle
stretching, and vigorous exercise can reduce stress and pain during trekking.
On rare occasions, direct trekking issues can catch up at this time due to a
disruptive atmosphere, and common issues spreading when acclimatization is
ignored and additional altitudes are included can be additional reasons.
Upper Dolpo Trek Reviews
Total Reviews: 1
2020-08-23
by Ganesh
Excellent service and Beautiful View : - Upper Dolpo Trek Review
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