Upper Dolpo Trek

Home of Tibetan Buddhism
  • Duration27 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Activity Trekking/Hiking
  • Max. Altitude 5309 meters/ 17418 feet.
  • Starts Dunai
  • Ends Juphal
  • Group Size 2-20
  • Best Season March to May and September to November
Group Discount Prices
  
2 paxUS$4490
3 - 6 paxUS$4290
7 - 10 paxUS$4090
11 - 15 paxUS$3990
16 - 20 paxUS$3890
Upper Dolpo Trek Highlights
  • Hike to the off-the-beaten-path virgin land
  • A less traveled trekking trail and the greatest place to experience the raw splendor of the dryland
  • Exploring a well-preserved Tibetan culture and its monasteries
  • High-altitude trekking and camping, including three 5000-meter passes
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park and its extraordinary range of flora and fauna
  • Observing the turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake and its magnificent setting

Upper Dolpo Trek Overview

The Upper Dolpo Trek courses through a mystical land of Buddhist monasteries and a Tibetan culture largely untouched by the world outside the region's borders. A hike to the area presents a considerable logistical exercise in light of the almost non-existent infrastructure for dealing with trekking parties, but the benefits of such splendid isolation are many for the intrepid visitor willing to deal with the route's numerous challenges.

The austere landscapes and villages strike a unique chord of rustic authenticity that speaks to a timelessness enveloping Dolpo like a protective blanket, with ancient Buddhist and Bon Po traditions delicately interwoven with shamanistic influences to create a local culture unlike any other in Nepal. To journey through the region is to be touched by experiences and sights that will live long in the memory of the few who are fortunate enough to pass through the area.

The Upper Dolpo Trek to Shey Gompa encompasses an extraordinary journey to one of the most rugged and remote parts of the country, with landscapes that hark to the sparse Tibetan plateau to the north. Built in 1655 and situated at the base of the sacred Crystal Mountain (also known as Ribo Drugta), the monastery of Shey Gompa constitutes a pilgrimage site of some significance to the people of western Nepal. En route, the trail leads through some of the most consistently high trekking territory to be found, with three passes stretching up over 5000 meters in height Nagdalo La (5350m), Shey La (5010m), and Jeng La (5220m)—together with long stretches lingering at altitudes over 4000 meters, guaranteeing many a cold night during the trek. Such challenges of environment and terrain are made for the hardy trekker willing to meet them head-on in the full knowledge that the ultimate and highly unique rewards on offer far outweigh the considerable effort.

If that isn't enough, the Upper Dolpo also offers another of Nepal's crown jewels, Shey Phoksundo National Park, and the spectacularly beautiful Phoksundo Lake, a serene body of water ringed by precipitous mountains and forests that are home to some of the Himalaya's rarest animal species, including the fabled snow leopard.

Upper Dolpo Trekking Permit Cost

Upper Dolpo is a restricted area where the required permits can be obtained with a minimum of two trekkers. The relatively high permit fee limits the number of trekkers in the area and thus contributes to Upper Dolpo's preeminence as one of Nepal's most exclusive and memorable experiences. Trekkers need three different trekking permits for the Upper Dolpo Trek, such as:

  • Lower Dolpo Special Trekking Permit: It costs 20 dollars per week and 5 dollars per additional day thereafter per person.
  • Upper Dolpo Special Trekking Permit: It costs 500 dollars for a minimum of 10 days and 50 dollars per additional day per person.
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit: It costs 3000 rupees (23 dollars) per person.

How Can I Book the Upper Dolpo Trek?

To confirm your journey with us, please send us an email with a copy of your passport, a passport-size photo, and travel details (if available), as well as a 10% deposit using our online payment gateway. The balance of the payment can be paid when you arrive. Please contact our local specialists now for additional information. 

In addition, you can also check out our Upper Mustang Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Tsum Valley Manaslu Circuit Trek, Nar Phu Valley Treketc.

Useful Information

Trekking gear Checklist

Clothing

  • Raincoat, poncho, or combination jacket/trousers
  • One down jacket/Gore-Tex Jacket
  • Windproof trousers
  • Two pairs of hiking pants (depending on the duration of the trek)
  • One pair of shorts
  • Three to four T-shirts (depending on the duration of the trek)
  • One fleece jacket
  • Two pairs of base layers
  • Three pairs of hiking socks and a couple of pairs of thicker socks (merino wool)
  • Two pairs of gloves—one pair light fleece, the other waterproof/windproof
  • Undergarments

Footwear

  • Trekking boots (water resistance, ankle supportive)
  • Flip-flops for leisure time around camp or one pair of sneakers

Other Equipment

  • Sunglass, sunscreen, lip balm, sun hat, woolen/fleece hat, first aid kit, Swiss army knife(optional), luggage cover, headlamp, trekking poles, gaiter (optional), micro crampons (optional), water purification tablets or steripen, extra batteries, adapter, power bank, water bottles/camel bag/Thermos, washing powder/multi-purpose soap, shampoo, a small towel, antiseptic hand wash, toiletries, female hygiene products, wet wipes, mosquito spray (optional), whistle, earplugs, reading books, playing cards/chess
  • Sleeping bag rated to minus 15/20 degrees Celsius (extreme temperature) depending on trekking route and season
  • Backpack (60 liters)
  • Daypack (25 to 30 liter)
Itinerary
  • Max. Altitude:1400m/4593ft.
  • Accommodation:3 star hotel

Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel. An introduction to your trekking program then the rest of the day at your leisure to enjoy the sights, sounds, and culture of Kathmandu.

  • Max. Altitude:158m/518ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:3 star hotel

After having a meeting with a guide and preparing trekking permits and trekking gear, we take an afternoon flight to Nepalgunj and stay overnight.

  • Max. Altitude:2140m/7021ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

Early in the morning, take another flight to Juphal and then start our trek in the region with a short hike to Dunai along the Thuli Bheri River. If time permits, there is plenty to see within the town, including a stupa and monastery.

  • Max. Altitude:2678m/8786ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The day begins with a leisurely hike to Sulighat, the checkpoint for entering Shey Phoksundo National Park.  From Sulighat the trail leads towards the village of Kageni and on through a temperate region of dense forest, passing through numerous small hamlets en route until we reach Shangta, where we cross over the confluence of Phoksundo Khola (river) and Maiaba Khola and head upstream to Chhepka, our rest stop for the night.

  • Max. Altitude:3130m/10269ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

A day of gradual climbing along the tree-lined trail, with occasional glimpses of the visual smorgasbord to come of the Himalayan ranges. Our day finally concludes with the arrival at Chunuwar.

  • Max. Altitude:3641m/11946ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The trek leads away on a steady climb to the alpine regions of the trail and the densely forested slopes and mountains that make up the stunning amphitheater enclosing the turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake (3600m). The setting is so impossibly beautiful that it looks as if it sprang from the canvas of an over-imaginative artist — yet it's as real as the mountain air you breathe in while looking down on the sublime scene. Our day finishes at the village of Ringmogaun, where we spend the night close to the lake.

  • Max. Altitude:3641m/11946ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

A full day to explore the surroundings of the glorious lake waters. The medieval  Bon monastery of Tshowa, built over 900 years ago, stands by the shoreline and offers up further opportunities to explore.

  • Max. Altitude:3750m/12303ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The day starts with a steady climb along the path carved into the Cliffside overlooking the lake, looking to all intents and purposes like some precipitous trail straight from the fertile imagination of Tolkien, winding ever onward and up to an amazing eagle's eye view of Phoksundo down below.   After pausing at a rocky overlook to farewell the glorious view we head away through a forest trail to Phoksundo Khola Camp, our rest stop for the night.

  • Max. Altitude:4700m/15420ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

We climb steadily on a trail hugging the meandering path of the Tuk Kyaksa River, alternating sides as we hike along to the steady accompaniment of the turbid waters rushing by.  A gorge opens up before us as we keep ascending, ushering us gradually to our high altitude eerie, Nagdalo High camp.

  • Max. Altitude:5350m/17552ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

Our eighth day on the trail is one of the trip's highlights as we make our way to legendary Shey Gompa.  The region is barren and semi-arid, yet no less scenic for its uninterrupted views and broad landscapes. The path leads on and upwards to the pass of Nagdalo La, an achievement in itself as we pause to celebrate the moment amidst the streaming prayer flags and gorgeous outlook towards the sacred mountain of Mt. Kailash lying on the border between India and Tibet. A steep descent leads to a sweeping valley where the mystical monastery of 800-year-old Shey Gompa sits atop a gentle grass-green slope overlooking an alluvial plain, the vivid red paint of its structures standing out as clearly as the numerous pairs of eyes painted in white on the sides. Here we stay for the night.

  • Max. Altitude:5350m/17552ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

A day to relax, explore, and indulge in the peaceful scenery and harmonious surroundings of the remote monastery.

  • Max. Altitude:5094m/16713ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

A two-hour hike leads us away from Shey Gompa and over the pass of Shey La, a further achievement to chalk up during our Dolpo adventure, with incredible vistas towards Mustang, Tibet, and Mt. Kailash as a bonus. From there the trail drops markedly until it reaches the day's destination of Namgung Gumpa, yet another scenically sited monastery that welcomes us with the same warmth and grace as Shey Gompa.

  • Max. Altitude:3770m/12369ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The trail descends even further as we follow the Namga Khola downstream through Yak pastures and serene mountain views until we reach the picturesque village of Saldang and its monasteries.

  • Max. Altitude:3770m/12369ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The feature of the day's effort is a memorable day hike to 1000-year-old Yangjer Gumpa, the region's most elaborate monastery, with numerous chortens of various sizes adding to its striking appearance. After exploring the monastery and pausing to pay our respects we return to Saldang.

  • Max. Altitude:4210m/13812ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The trail leads out towards Saldang Lek along the banks of the Rapyha Khola and through the undulating and arid hills leading to Khoma La pass. From there it's a fairly steady descent to the village of Khomagaun.

  • Max. Altitude:3885m/12746ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The trail heads out over Simen La, then heads steadily downhill through a broad valley dotted sporadically with trees and isolated hamlets, with small rock walls carving out the arid region here and there for sporadic agricultural use. Our day comes to an end upon arrival at Shimengaun, where we set up camp for the evening.

  • Max. Altitude:4110m/13484ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

Another day follows the natural path of a waterway, trailing along the banks of the Panjyang Khola.  The journey is a scenically and culturally rewarding one with numerous small villages and monasteries dotting a peaceful landscape set amidst the local hills and mountains.

  • Max. Altitude:4210m/13812ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The trail heads out again by following Panjyang Khola once more towards Chhamdang, then on through arid shrublands to Thalum Khola and the village of Yak Kharka.

  • Max. Altitude:4240m/13911ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

A bridge over Sulun Khola leads us away to the morning's march upstream to Choila La (5040m), the last of the 5000-meter passes on our itinerary and one that's arguably the toughest of the trek due to the steep ascent. We pause at the top to regain our breath and take in the scenery before dropping down markedly to Tokyu.

  • Max. Altitude:3944m/12940ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The trail from Tokyu leads gently downhill through terraced fields and green pastures to Dho Tarap, with plenty of time left over in the afternoon to explore its many charms, as well as to observe the traditional Tibetan lifestyles of its friendly inhabitants, who still trade with their ancient homeland to the north via their Yak caravans. Throw in a visit to the Gompa, the maze of fascinating laneways, and the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and Dho Tarap is the kind of place you could easily spend the better part of a week exploring.

  • Max. Altitude:3755m/12320ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

A series of small villages greet us on our journey through the Tarap Valley, with numerous chortens and the occasional Gompa marking the trail through the scenic landscape. The Tarap Khola guides our passage for much of the way as the trail passes backward and forwards across the river, leading us onward into a narrow gorge and our campsite at Ghyamgar.

  • Max. Altitude:3440m/11280ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent2540

The precipitous trail continues through the looming walls of the gorge while alternating from one side of the river to the other, eventually belling out into a wide expanse that takes us to Chhyugar for our next camp.

  • Max. Altitude:2540m/8333ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

Today we begin our day by crossing a bridge and following the Tarap Khola as it merges with the larger Thuli Bheri, flowing away into the unsurpassed white waters that many kayaking aficionados consider among the best and most beautiful stretches in the world — with any luck we might even see some kayakers braving the powerful and relentless rapids. At the end of an exhilarating day, we call into the stunning village of Tarakot and its multilayered construction and external ladders connecting each floor.

  • Max. Altitude:2140m/7021ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

The penultimate day on the trail takes us further along the banks of the Thuli Bheri River through woodlands and terraced fields to the familiar village of Dunai.

  • Max. Altitude:2475m/8120ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent

A short day of trekking takes us back to Juphal on an easy and relaxed stretch that lets us ease out the kinks before pulling in to celebrate the end of the journey and toast the achievement of completing one of Nepal's most demanding and rewarding treks.

  • Max. Altitude:1400m/4593ft.
  • Meals:Breakfast

Local transport returns us to Nepalgunj, where we catch a flight back to Kathmandu.

    Farewell and drop-off at the airport, or the opportunity to join another of our programs.

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    Note

    The above itinerary is a guideline. If you're not satisfied or have an alternative plan please feel free to discuss it with us.

    What's Included
    Cost Includes
    • Complimentary airport picks-up and drops-off
    • Complimentary welcome dinner
    • Two-night stay in Kathmandu, including breakfast.
    • All necessary trekking permits, such as those for Shey Phoksundo National Park, the Upper Dolpo special permit, the TIMS card, and so on, are required
    • Connecting flights to and from Kathmandu, Juphal, and Nepalgunj
    • All accommodation during the trek
    • Three meals a day during the trek
    • A cup of tea or coffee with the meal
    • If and when available, fresh fruit should be provided every day.
    • Complimentary duffel bag, agency T-shirt, trekking map, sleeping bag
    • Professional English-speaking government-registered and first-aid trained local guide
    • First-aid kit
    • Staff insurance, meals, accommodations, equipment, transportation, etc.
    • Rescue arrangements, if necessary
    • Agency service charge and government tax or VAT
    • Certificate of Achievement
    Cost Excludes
    • International airfare and Nepal visa fee
    • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
    • Personal insurance, personal expenses, loss of property, theft, etc.
    • Sightseeing costs in the city (temples, monasteries, etc.)
    • All beverages, snacks, and additional expenses such as laundry, hot showers, battery charging, wifi, etc.
    • Tips for staff
    Dates & Availability
    Start:SundayDec 15, 2024
    End:FridayJan 10, 2025
    PriceUS$4490
    StatusGuaranteed
    Start:WednesdayDec 25, 2024
    End:MondayJan 20, 2025
    PriceUS$4490
    StatusGuaranteed

    Note

    Are you satisfied with the fixed departure dates? If not, do not worry! We are more than happy to organize private vs. group joining on any dates you prefer. Let's contact the local experts now.

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