Upper Dolpo Trek

Remote Journey to the Upper Dolpo of Western Nepal
Upper Dolpo Trek
Dolpo trek
trek to Upper Dole
Trip Photos
At a Glance
Duration26 Days
Trip GradeStrenuous
i
Maximum Altitude5115 m
Best TimeApril - October

Upper Dolpo Adventure: Explore Nepal's Remote Himalayan Gem

The Upper Dolpo Trek is a remote, restricted region journey into the rugged, unexplored wilderness corners of Nepal. It offers a rare chance to traverse one of the most remote trekking routes. Tucked away in the far-western corner of Nepal, Upper Dolpa remains largely untouched, with only a few adventurers having set foot on its stunning landscapes.

This Dolpo Trek unveils the dramatic beauty of snow-capped mountains and tranquil, hidden villages, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. Among the adventure major highlights are the pristine Phoksundo Lake, a mesmerizing alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake, and the stunning landscapes of Shey Phoksundo National Park, a true paradise for nature lovers and those seeking the allure of untouched beauty.

Shey Phoksunda and Caravan Trail

The Upper Dolpo Trek begins with a scenic flight to Nepalgunj, followed by a short yet captivating flight to Juphal, the gateway to your adventure. From Juphal, the trek begins in earnest, leading you through lush landscapes to the stunning Shey Phoksundo Lake at 3,612 meters. As you continue through the Shey Phoksundo National Park, you will ascend towards the challenging Nangdala Pass, where the breathtaking vistas of Mount Kanjirowaawait. This awe-inspiring sight will stay with you long after the Dolpo trek ends.

This isolated region is no stranger to fame. It inspired Peter Matthiessens literary masterpiece, Snow Leopard, and served as the backdrop for the Oscar-nominated film Caravan (also known as Himalaya), which captured the spirit of rugged beauty in the Dolpo region.

Remote High Pass Journey in Western Nepal.

The Upper Dolpo trek takes you over the Sela Pass, followed by several other remote high passes in western Nepal, offering outstanding views of the Mustang and the snow-capped peaks of Tibet. From here, you will continue along a rugged Himalayan route, trekking toward Saldang, a picturesque settlement inhabited by the Tibetan people, where the culture and traditions feel timeless.

As you journey through Upper Dolpo, you will cross numerous mystical peaks and experience the spiritual allure of Shey Gompa, a monastery that has stood since the 11th century. Little has changed here, preserving the ancient, serene atmosphere that has captivated pilgrims and trekkers alike for centuries. The Dolpo trek continues with a challenging ascent to Jyanta Pass, passing through the scenic Tokyu village, where the views of Mount Dhaulagiri are truly magnificent.

On the return leg, you will hike through some of Dolpo most beautiful villages, including Dho, Tarap, Gyyamger, and Dunai, offering glimpses into the daily life of the remote communities. Finally, we make our way back to Juphal before flying to Nepalgunj and then back to Kathmandu, bringing an end to this unforgettable journey to Dolpo Valley in Nepal.

Upper Dolpa Trek - Permit, Best Time, Fitness

The Upper Dolpo Trek is one of Nepal's most challenging and rewarding treks. With limited accommodation options along the route, trekkers must be self-sufficient and adapt to the remote environment. The trail is rugged, with tough ascents and descents, especially as you approach Nangdala Pass, where the altitude reaches an impressive 5,350 meters. Due to the demanding terrain and high altitudes, physical and mental preparation are essential for this 26-day trek through Dolpo isolated landscapes.

The region, situated in the rain shadow, makes the early monsoon months of April, May, June, September, and October the ideal time for trekking. For this restricted area, trekkers are required to obtain a special trekking permit to explore the wonders of Dolpo Valley.

Why Mountain Monarch on Your Journey to Upper Dolpo

At Mountain Monarch, we are committed to providing reliable, top-tier services to ensure your trekking experience is both safe and unforgettable. Safety is our foremost priority, and we go above and beyond to ensure you feel at ease throughout your journey.

We equip our team with essential resources for the challenging Upper Dolpo Trek, including oxygen cylinders and a comprehensive medical kit to handle unforeseen situations. During the upper Dolpo trek, you will enjoy three meals daily, with our team of skilled porters and guides supporting you every step. With our experienced crew and meticulous planning, you can fully immerse yourself in the adventure, knowing you are in capable hands.

Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary
Expand all
Day 01

Our staff will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. You can freshen up and rest for a while before dinner. Enjoy the delicious welcome dinner and enjoy the cultural program. Discuss the details of the trek with the guides and staff.

Day 02

After the early breakfast in Kathmandu, we drive to the airport and board a plane to Nepalgunj. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the markets and observing the business hub. You can also visit the Indo-Nepal border. Overnight in Nepalgunj.

Day 03

After a short and scenic flight from Nepalgunj, we reach Juphal, the starting point of our trek. After landing in Juphal, our walk starts. We meet the trekking staff and crew in Juphal. After we meet everyone, we start our trek to Dunai, one of the most important villages in this region. We trek along the Bheri River to reach Dunai.

Day 4-6

After breakfast in Dunai, we start our hike to Shey Phoksundo Lake, one of the highlights of our Dolpo trek. On the first day, we trek through the riverbed of the Bheri River. We then trek through small remote settlements, beautiful meadows, and terraced wheat fields. The trail leads us through several settlements, like Hanke and Parela. From Hanke, we enter the Shey Phoksundo National Park. We camp at Ankhe.

On the fifth day, we left Ankhe and started trekking to Renje. On the way to Renje, we walked through the riverbed through narrow trails. The trails got tricky as you passed several ups and downs. Finally, we crossed the suspension bridge to the riverbed and then towards the rocky hills. We got a beautiful view of the hills around us. We stayed at Renje.

After breakfast at Renje, we prepare to trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake. Today’s walk is probably one of the most important days. As we trek, we get a beautiful view of the Phoksundo Lake from the way. The trail then leads us to the dense forests and Phoksundo Khola. Finally, we trek through beautiful villages like Ringmo, where we can see beautiful Mani walls.

Day 7-10

We enjoy the beautiful sunrise and view of the Shey Phoksundo Lake. We trek through the far western part of the lake, which gradually leads us to the riverbank. Then, we walk down through the rocky trails towards more remote areas to reach the bank of the river.

The next day, we start our trek through the valley and head north. As we gain altitude, the hills become barren, and the snow-capped mountains start coming into view. Next, we cross a small stream and then climb a steep hill. After reaching the top of the hill, we get a beautiful view of mountains like Kanjirowa and the Nangdala Pass. Finally, we camp at Nangdala Pass High Camp.

We will trek through the highest point of the trek, Nangdala, passing at 5350 meters. After breakfast in Phoksundo Bhanjyang, we prepare to walk to Shey Gompa. On the way to Shey Gompa, we climb a steep hill and trek to Nangdala Pass (5350m). From the pass, we can see beautiful views of mountains like Kanjirowa Himal and other Tibetan peaks. We also get a picture of Mustang. After enjoying the idea for some time, we trek to Shey Gompa.

Day 11-12

After breakfast in Shey Gompa, we prepare to trek to Namgung. First, you journey through the barren and rocky lands with very little vegetation. We ascend steeply toward the Sela Pass during the first part of the trek. After two hours of trekking, the pass provides a beautiful panoramic view of Kanjirowa Himal and Mustang. After resting for a while, we descend to Namgung. Camp at Namgung.

On the next day, we hike around Namgung. On the cliff edge is a famous Gompa known as Namgung Gompa. We explore the area, enjoy the beautiful landscapes, interact with the locals, and spend the night at the camp.

Day 13-14

After breakfast in Namgung, we leave for Saldang. We first make a steep hike to the top of the hill, where we can see the beautiful view of Saldang village. Then, you will start descending towards Saldang. After trekking for about 2 hours, you will arrive at your destination. In the evening, we can try local food and wine. We camp at Saldang.

The next day, we explored the village and hiked to the nearby hills and mountains. We then trekked to one of the most important Gompas in this region, Yangre Gompa, which is also one of the most visited gompas in this region. We then returned to Saldang.

Day 15-17

After breakfast, we prepare for our trek and leave Saldang for Sibu on the first day. The trail takes us through the small settlements with terraced fields that grow wheat, buckwheat, and potatoes. We can also observe the Tibetan-influenced culture and local houses. We also trek through several monasteries and temples to arrive at Sibu.

The next day, we prepare to trek to the base camp of Jyanta Pass. This pass is the final pass of this trek. We hit the road early in the morning. We climb steeply for about two hours through the rugged rocky hills and then trek through the dunes to reach Dachun Khola. From here, we walk through pasture land, where we can see yaks and sheep. Finally, we camp at Jyanta Pass Base Camp.

On the 17th day, we had an early breakfast and prepared to trek through the Jyanta Pass. We made a steep climb for about three hours to reach the pass. From the pass, we got a spectacular view of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and other snow-capped mountains. We rested for a while at the pass, took photographs, and then descended to Tokyu village.

Day 18-23

From Tokyu, we prepare to descend to Juphal. The trek to Juphal from Tokyu involves six days of trekking. On the first day, we trek from Tokyu to Dho Tarap. The walk includes a trail that takes through the bank of Thakchiu Khola. The trek to Dho Tarap is short but beautiful. Dho Tarap is one of the biggest villages in this area.

We trek from Dho Tarap to Shim Ora the next day. The trek is a straightforward descent along the Tarap Khola. After descending for a while, we cross the river by a suspension bridge and continue trekking. We then cross many other small streams before reaching Shim Ora. Finally, we camp at Shim Ora.

As we descend rapidly, the vegetation changes and sub-tropical forests appear. We start the trek through the gorge of Tarap Khola. We trek through some beautiful roads and easy trails after many days. The trail then takes us down to Khanigaon through different beautiful villages like Toltol, Nawarpani, Chhyugar, Laina Odar, and Chhedhul Gompa. We camp at Khanigaon.

From Khanigaon, we descend to Tarakot. The trek is relatively shorter, and the trails are also accessible. From Khanigaon, we cross a suspension bridge over the Tarap Khola and continue trekking. After a few hours of trekking, we reach the bank of the Thuli Bheri and walk along the river to Tarakot. We camp at Tarakot.

As we descend, we gradually reach the more populated and developed regions. The vegetation becomes pleasant, and the trek becomes more accessible. We trek through the dense forest along the Thuli Bheri River. We come across many small settlements with beautiful houses and different ethnic groups. The trek is short. After trekking for about five hours, we reach Dunai and spend the night.

From Juphal, we will catch our flight to Nepalgunj and, finally, Kathmandu. The trek from Dunai to Juphal is fascinating as we walk alongside the bank of the Bheri River through beautiful forests. We walked through the western lands of Nepal for one last time. A trek of about six hours brings us to Juphal.

Day 24-25

After breakfast in Juphal, we rushed to the airport and flew to Nepalgunj. The flight is very short but full of beautiful scenes. The 25-minute flight provides a stunning view of different mountains. After you land in Nepalgunj, our staff will transfer you to the hotel. You will have lunch and spend the rest of the day strolling around the city. Overnight in Nepalgunj.

The next day, after breakfast, we again head to the airport in Nepalgunj and catch a one-hour flight to Kathmandu. After you land in Kathmandu, our staff will transfer you to the hotel. In the evening, we celebrate the successful completion of the trek and have a farewell dinner with the team.

Day 26

On the final day of your exhilarating journey to the Upper Dolpo Trek in the Himalayas. We are ready to drop you at the international airport. We bid farewell, hoping to see you again.

Upper Dolpo Itinerary:

Are you planning a Dolpo adventure? Here are the details of the Dolpo Trek itinerary. So join us for a safe, curated experience of remote and restricted trekking in the Himalayas.

Cost Details
Included
  • Airport transfer on both domestic and international flights.
  • Welcome group Dinner and Culture tour in Kathmandu
  • Standard hotel on twin share as on the itinerary
  • Tea House and tented camping while on Dolpo trek
  • Full board meals on the trek: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Reliable and medical trek guide with a support crew
  • Responsible Travel 1 Trekker: 1 Porter with proper insurance
  • Proper safety: Oxygen Cylinder and First Aid medical kit
  • Warm Trek gear for the use: a sleeping bag and warm jacket
  • All required camping gear, including member and staff tents
  • Complementary trek gear: trek duffle bag, Tshirt
  • Special upper Dolpo trek permit fees
  • Tims and National Park entrance fees
Excluded
  • Nepal visa fees and your travel insurance of any kind
  • International Airfare and Airport Tax
  • Main meals in Kathmandu
  • Tips to the trek crew
  • Personal expenses like battery charge, telephone, beverage drinks, etc.