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Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo Trek

Facts About Trip

Days 20
Grade Hard to Hard
Best month May/June/July/August & September
Maxi Elevation Nangdalo La pass (5,350 m)/Jyanta-La Pass (5,220m)
Group size 2 people
Accommodation Camping services
Meal Full board meal
Starts From Flight: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj & Dolpo
End at Flight: - Dolpo to Nepalgunj & Kathmandu

Overview And Highlights

Welcome to the Enchanting Upper Dolpo Trek: A Remote Himalayan Adventure!

Discover the hidden gem of Upper Dolpo Trek, nestled in the Far West of Nepal. This awe-inspiring region is guarded by the pristine Shey Phoksundo National Park and bordered by the majestic Dhaulagiri Range and the vast Tibetan plateau. Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Upper Dolpo, where time seems to stand still.

Embark on a journey like no other, where ancient traditions and untouched landscapes come together to create an unforgettable experience. Upper Dolpo Trekking offers a rare opportunity to witness the timeless lifestyle of the region's inhabitants, who still trade the precious Tibetan salt, preserving their age-old customs.

Unlike heavily frequented tourist destinations, Upper Dolpo remains a well-kept secret, allowing you to connect with nature and culture in its purest form. Since its opening to tourists in 1980, this trail has been attracting intrepid adventurers seeking an authentic and off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Join us on this less-trodden path and witness the breathtaking beauty of Upper Dolpo. Get ready to leave a piece of your heart in this remote Himalayan paradise.

Book your Upper Dolpo Trek today and unlock the door to a truly exceptional experience.

Embark on the Mesmerizing Upper Dolpo Trekking Routes!

Begin your extraordinary journey with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by another exhilarating flight to Dolpo's Juphal airport. On the fourth day, be captivated by the iconic Shey Phoksundo Lake, an alpine gem steeped in Tibetan cultural significance. The lake is adorned with stupas and a Gompa, adding to its sacred charm.

From Phoksundo, venture further to Shey Gompa, where the renowned Crystal Monastery awaits your exploration. This spiritual sanctuary holds deep religious importance for the people of Dolpo, with the Crystal Mountain often referred to as the sibling of Tibet's revered Mount Kailash.

Prepare for high adventure as you navigate through breathtaking mountain passes, culminating in a triumphant return to the trek's starting point, Juphal.

Embark on this unforgettable trekking experience, where every step reveals a world of natural beauty and cultural wonders. Join us on the Upper Dolpo Trekking Routes and create memories that will last a lifetime. Book your adventure now!

Special permit for Upper Dolpo Trekking

Explore Upper Dolpo Trek, a restricted and mesmerizing region that demands a special permit from the Department of Immigration in Nepal. The permit fees amount to USD $500 for the initial 10 days and USD $50 per person for each additional day beyond that. A minimum group size of two people is required to obtain the permit. Additionally, there is a Shey Phoksundo National Park fee of USD $30 per person. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime, but don't forget to secure your special permits before embarking on this extraordinary journey.

Best Season for Upper Dolpo Trek

The ideal trekking seasons for Upper Dolpo are Spring (March/April/May) and Autumn (September/October/November). These months offer the best weather conditions for a memorable adventure. However, trekkers should be aware of heavy snowfall in early Spring and late Autumn, making high passes above 5,000m challenging.

Situated north of Dhaulagiri Himal and bordering the Tibetan plateau desert, Upper Dolpo receives minimal rainfall during the monsoon season (June/July/August) compared to other regions in Nepal. The recommended time to visit Dolpo is from the end of July to starting of August until the middle of November.

Upper Dolpo Trek: A Challenging Adventure

Undoubtedly, Upper Dolpo Trek ranks among the most demanding treks in Nepal, spanning over 20 days in the remote and rugged regions of the country. This thrilling journey entails crossing three high passes, each exceeding 5,000 meters in altitude. Additionally, you'll spend multiple nights camping at elevations above 3,500 meters.

To undertake this epic trek, it is essential to possess strong physical fitness and stamina. Be prepared for daily walks of 7-8 hours, navigating through diverse terrains and unpredictable weather conditions. Prior trekking experiences will be beneficial in ensuring a successful and rewarding expedition to Upper Dolpo. Brace yourself for an extraordinary challenge and an unforgettable adventure in this unparalleled Himalayan region.

Frequently Asked Questions for Upper Dolpo Trek

Can we pre-book camping sites before starting the trek?

Absolutely! We offer a fully organized camping service for the entire trek. You won't face any issues finding camping stays along the route, unlike tea house services.

How do we ensure clean and safe drinking water throughout the trek?

You need not worry about drinking water as you can easily refill your bottles during our camping trek. Our dedicated kitchen staff provides boiled water twice daily. However, for extra precaution, we recommend bringing water purification pills.

Is the Upper Dolpo trek safe?

Indeed, the Upper Dolpo trek is surprisingly safe, despite its remote location. The local villagers are welcoming and supportive. While camping, we advise you to take personal care of your belongings for added security. Rest assured, your safety is our top priority throughout the entire journey.

Day to Day Itinerary

Expand All Close All
Day 1 : Arrival at the Tribhuvan International airport and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu, overnight stay in hotel.
Food
Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1350

After your arrival in Kathmandu, our representatives at the airport will help you transfer to your hotel check-in.

Day 2 : Official work issuing the special permit and preparation for the trek, overnight stay in Kathmandu hotel.
Food
Breakfast
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1350

As the trek takes around 24 days, more or less, a whole day might not be enough for preparation. To make sure that you have all the essential requirements including clothes, gadgets, food, etc, this day is all about trek preparation.

Day 3 : Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
165

Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (165m) 1 hour, Overnight stay in Nepalgunj Hotel accommodation.

Day 4 : Flight from Nepalgunj to Jhuphal (2,475m) and walk to Dunai (2,140m) 2-3 hours
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
2140

The second day of the trek starts with a flight to Nepalgunj for about an hour from Kathmandu. Nepalgunj lies at the west of Nepal and closer to the Indian border with a warmer temperature than Kathmandu.

Day 5 : Trek Dunai to Ankhe 5-6 hours, Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
2750

The third day starts with a morning flight towards Juphal which takes around 45 minutes of an amazing flight to the foothill of Himalayan. During the flight, you can experience the breathtaking morning view of mount Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri mastiff.

Similarly, after reaching Juphal airport, the trekking begins towards Dunai.

Day 6 : Trek Ankhe to Ringmo Phoksundo Lake 5-6 hours, Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3641

The fifth day is pretty tough as the trek goes uphill for the first three hours in a dry and desert landscape. However, this is the day to reach the unbelievable natural lake, Phoksundo Lake.

Day 7 : Acclimatization and resting at Phoksundo Lake , Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3641

This is the day to admire the beauty and acclimatize yourself nearby Phoksundo Lake and explore the villages of Ringo and Tibetan monasteries.

Day 8 : Trek Phoksundo Lake to Campsite camp 7-8 hours, Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3750

Ringmo village separates the boundary for lower and upper Dolpo. So, it is the day to finally begin the trek for Upper Dolpo entering the restricted area. This trail was an ancient salt trade route between Nepal and Tibet.

The trek ends with beautiful camping at an elevation of 6612 meters with a spectacular view of Kanjirowa Himal.

Day 9 : Trek Campsite camp to Nangdalo La Base Camp 6-7 hours,Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4717

We trek through a unique trail crossing a high rock wall on both sides. The trail is uphill with the stony ground and thorny juniper bushes throughout the trek to reach the Base Camp.

Day 10 : Trek Nangdalo La Base Camp – Nangdalo La pass (5,350 m) to Shey Gumpa 6-7 hours,Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4160

Another difficult day to trek as the trail goes inclined for two and half hours to reach Nangdalo La pass at the elevation of 5350 meters. After reaching the highest pass of the trek, the downhill starts for four hours to reach Shey Gompa.

Day 11 : Trek Shey Gompa Resting day, Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4160

We explore the Shey Gompa village and monastery throughout the day recharging the body for the next day’s trek. Throughout the day, we explore Tsakang Gompa monastery a meditation center of great lamas from Tibet.

Day 12 : Trek Shey Gompa – Sela (Gelu) La (5,094m) – Namgung 5 to 6 hours, Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4606

The trek today is quite hard as it leads along with the steep climbing and downhill to the picturesque village.

Day 13 : Trek Namgung to Saldang 3-4 hours, Overnight stay in CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3770

Saldang is one of the largest villages in the region.

Day 14 : Trek Saldang to Sibu Overnight stay in Sibu, CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4000

The trek continues across the terraced fields, stupas, monasteries, Chhortens, mani wall, villages, etc. Similarly, the trek also passes along the green field of local barley.

Day 15 : Trek Sibu to Jyanta-La Base Camp . Overnight stay in Base Camp, CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4480

Jeng-La Base Camp is the last pass of the Upper Dolpo Trek and the hardest trek of the journey. We need to cross the river twice and walk on barren hills, steep roads, and silent valleys.

Day 16 : Trek Jengla Base Camp to Jyanta-La Pass (5,220m)( to Dho-Tarap, Overnight stay in Dho Tarap, CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4200

We cross the last pass of the journey walking uphill for hours. Reaching Jyanta-La Pass, you can see the majestic view of mount Dhaulagiri and the barren lands of Inner Dolpo. Similarly, the day ends after reaching down towards Dho-Tarap.

Day 17 : Trek Dho-Tarap to Serkam, Overnight stay in Serkam, CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3630

We walk downhill along the river Tarap to reach Serkam village where the movement of people and animals increases.

Day 18 : Trek Serkam to Shahar Tara Overnight stay in Shahar Tara, CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
2280

Same as the day before, walking alongside the river and the dense forest. Several ups and downs appear throughout the day including stony and slippery roads.

Day 19 : Trek Shahar Tara to Dunai , Overnight stay in Dunai, CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
2109

The trek today is quite simple than the day before to reach Dunai. The trek includes climbing the hill and walking aside the river.

Day 20 : Trek Dunai to Juphal, Overnight stay in Juphal, CAMPING SERVICES ACCOMMODATION.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
2404

Back to the starting point of the trek walking along the motorable roads and through the cultivated rice fields.

Day 21 : Flight: Jupjal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu, Overnight stay in Kathmandu Hotel.
Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1350

The final day starts with a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and another flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.

Day 22 : Rest day in Kathmandu
Food
Breakfast
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1350

After getting back to Kathmandu you can also explore Kathmandu city visiting several heritage sites.

Note: Above holiday itinerary can be customized as our guest specific requirements and can make shorter and longer. We design your holidays accordingly.

What Is Included ?

  • Transportation: return transfers from the International airport to your hotel
  • Hotel stay: one-night hotel accommodation stay in Kathmandu
  • Entry fees: All government taxes and Dolpo National Park entry fees
  • Entry fees: Upper Dolpo special permit fees
  • TIMS CARD: (Trekking Information Management System)
  • Guide & porter for camping trek services: Required number of experienced English-speaking guides and support staff (we pay for their daily wages, insurance, trekking equipment, food, and accommodation).
  • Accommodation services: 20 nights TENT CAMPING accommodation during the trek on camping services.
  • Wages: 25 days for camping crews (to carry your luggage) wages including insurance/meals/accommodation/equipment
  • Wages: 24 days guide wages including his insurance/meals/accommodation/insurance/equipment
  • Flight: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Dolpo
  • Flight: Jomsom to Pokhara
  • Transportation: Necessary ground transportation depends on your services requested via tourist bus or private transport
  • Trekking equipment: trekking poles, sleeping bag/duffle bag/down jacket (we provide these if necessary), to be returned after the trek completed
  • Water purification tablets: unlimited Chlorine treated Safe Drinking water
  • Supplementary snacks: energy bars and cookies at base camp
  • Fruits: Seasonal fresh fruits where is possible
  • Local SIM CARD (NCELL), to be returned after the trek completed
  • Rescue arrangements: in emergency situation & worst weather condition
  • Diamox: Additional medication for altitude sickness (Acetazolamide etc)
  • Light for a night by Battery or “generator” as a group size
  • Digital pulse Oximeters for high altitude check
  • Map: Dolpo trekking map
  • Rubbish disposal
  • government taxes & PNT official service charge

Medical support in Upper Dolpo Trekking:  Emergency first aid kit carried by the support staff

Camping equipment for trekking: We always provide every guest on a holiday trek with high qualities equipment: good qualities tent, a Gas stove for food preparation, a toilets tent and papers, a kitchen tent with necessary utensils, a Dining tent (for eating), table and chairs as a group, hand clean up towel and soap with tap water, Ice ax, and sable.

Accommodation and meals Upper Dolpo Trekking: During camping treks, an expert cook accompanies us and serves the best local dishes with different items on our plates. Both food and accommodation during camping treks are our responsibilities. We serve three meals on camping treks.

Breakfast Verities: Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, milk, boil water/different kinds of Tibetan bread, toast, omelet fried or scrambled, boil egg, porridge, muesli, cornflake, chapatti, jam, honey, pinner butter, rice pudding, pancake, butter, salami, sinoman role.

Lunch: Juice, tea (black/lemon/coffee), boil water/ sandwich, potato cheaps, different items of bread, vegetable, macaroni, chaumin, fried/boil potatoes, plan chapatti, black beans.

Dinner: Different items Soup, popcorn, prawn, cookies, papad/ local Nepali verities food (Daal/rice/vegetables/meat/pickle), pizza (vegetable/mushroom/chicken), burger, pasta, chicken meat, can meat, veg/non-veg momo, spagity, noodles, tuna fish, sasit, spring role.

Desert: tea, coffee, milk, chocolate, boil water, cake, pie, seasonal fruits, tin fruit, mango, apple, and banana.

Water: we serve with boil water drinks along the trek either you can make tea or coffee for a day trip. It should be better to bring a good quality water bottle for the trek.

What Is Excluded?

  • Meals: All meals (lunch/dinner/breakfast) in Kathmandu 
  • Snacks: chocolate/aerated drinks/mineral water/alcoholic drinks/nutria bars
  • Hotel stays: extra night hotel stay in Kathmandu
  • Tipping: end of the trek tips to guides and support staff
  • Rescue services: additional costs in case of emergency (You must have adequate medical & travel insurance to cover any kind of emergencies), including helicopter evacuation & hospitalization (medical test, medicine) if required
  • extra expenses: personal expenses and any other unforeseen expenses, such as bottled water/coca-cola/WIFI on trek/hot shower/electric device recharge
  • City visit: sightseeing in Pokhara and Kathmandu entrance fees/transportation/hire guide
  • Flight ticket: Your International flight ticket airfare & Nepal entry visa fees which travel visa can get up on your arrival at Kathmandu airport, On Arrival Visa Fees are 15 Days – 30 USD, 30 Days – 50 USD, 90 Days – 125 USD
  • Services not mentioned herein
  • Personal trekking equipment

Travel Insurances: –

Travel Insurances are compulsory for clients trekking or climbing with us. The insurance should cover you in case of emergencies like accidents, altitude sickness, and ambulance and helicopter rescue charges if required. Please carry a copy of your insurance papers while traveling in Nepal and do send us a copy as well. This will help us in making all the necessary arrangements in case of any sort of emergency.

 

Altitude Graph

Additional Information

Nepal: A Year-Round Wonderland

Nepal, with its diverse climatic seasons, offers enchanting experiences throughout the year.

Spring: March-May

Experience the magic of the Himalayas during the spring season, where clear and sunny skies welcome you. Daytime temperatures range from 20 to 25 degrees up to 3,500m, while higher altitudes are colder. Witness the vibrant bloom of our national flower, the rhododendron, and immerse yourself in the beauty of natural flora and fauna. Spring is the perfect time for trekking, peak climbing, and expeditions.

Summer: June-August

Monsoon showers grace Nepal from June to August, making trekking in the mountains challenging due to heavy rainfall. However, select dry regions like Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo offer ideal trekking opportunities during this season, providing an escape from the rain.

Autumn: September-November

Welcome the splendid autumn season from September to December, characterized by clear skies and moderate temperatures. This festive time sees major celebrations like Dashain and Tihar, offering a wonderful cultural experience. Popular trekking regions like Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang might be busy, but lesser-known gems like Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley, Mustang, Naar Phu, and Upper Dolpo offer quieter alternatives.

Winter: December-February

Embrace the winter wonderland of Nepal from December to February. Though high-altitude treks might be challenging due to snowfall, short and easy treks around Kathmandu, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Nagarkot, Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, and Pokhara are perfect options. Experience the breathtaking sunrise and sunset vistas during this serene season.

Regardless of the season, Nepal beckons with its diverse attractions and adventures. Feel free to inquire about any trekking itinerary, and we'll guide you on the best time to embark on your dream expedition. Nepal welcomes you throughout the year!

Check-list of personal equipment:

This equipment for holidays is a guideline to make it easier for your holidays in Nepal. You can choose and take the equipment as your holiday’s timing frame is longer holidays or shorter holidays. It’s Depending on the higher elevation of the mountain region, the challenging walking treks harder or more moderate. And the peak climbing or in Expedition. However, the guideline will help you to carry and bring the right equipment for your holidays. We always suggest bringing your most important equipment from your country and also can buy in Kathmandu many different brands of products or Nepali products get in cheaper than other popular brand. We say, not too worried about the trekking gear if you left or did a mistake bringing it with you which can buy in Kathmandu easily. This equipment listed is prepared by our long experiences in trekking. During the trekking, our porter carries 20kg in total between two members and one person makes about 10 to 12kg trekking luggage where you will be carrying your small day pack with your important camera and drinking water during the daytime.

  • Good standard trekking boots
  • Camping shoes/thongs
  • Socks-polypropylene
  • Down Jacket
  • Fleece
  • T-shirts
  • Trekking trousers
  • Shorts (both casual and for treks)
  • Swimwear
  • Sun Hat
  • Woolen Hat
  • Nylon Windbreaker
  • Gloves
  • Gaters
  • Strong Rucksack
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Water Bottle
  • Torch/headlamp (with spare batteries)
  • Toiletries/soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Sunblock
  • Travel Towel
  • Wet-wipes
  • Medication (cough medicine, throat soothers, water purification tablets)
  • Sunglasses
  • Binoculars
  • Camera & lenses
  • Memory cards
  • GPS Tracking Units may be helpful
  • Altimeter
  • Compass
  • Book/music player/pack of cards
  • Padlock
  • A plastic bag for waste
  • Energy/snack bars

 

CHOOSE A PRIVATE DATE

If you’d prefer to share this Peace Nepal holiday trip with your own group of friends, we’ve got good news, it’s also available as a Private Adventure!, Our Private Adventure specialists are on hand to give you a quote or talk through some different options.

Feel free to give them a call on 977-1-4266467 or Email us at info@peacenepaltreks.com

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

22 Days
USD 3900 Per Person
Enquiry Whatsapp 9779851014405

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