Upper Dolpo Trekking

Upper Dolpo Trekking
Overview

Upper Dolpo trek is one of the most adventurous trekkings in Nepal which goes through remote and beautiful places. Upper Dolpo stands as one of the most isolated and remote region of the Himalayan country Nepal. However the magnificence of this region is the hidden gem.

Situated between the Tibetan plateau and Dhaulagiri Himalaya Chain, it is the Shangri-La of dream. This region was restricted to trekkers until 1989. The Upper Dolpo Trekking explores the most isolated and unscathed parts of the Mid-West region of Nepal. Dolpo, the land past Himalayas summons the beautiful and up-close view of regal mounts, oldest monasteries and frosty turquoise lakes. Upper Dolpo Trekking is a once in a lifetime experience.

The region is very much secluded due to lack of road access until now. That is why Dolpo is unhurt by the tribulations of the modern world. Its beauty and exotic culture is very much intact. Nepal’s first English subtitled movie on Dolpo,The Caravan, was also a huge success and was also nominated for the Oscar Award in the best foreign language film category.

This region has been exceptionally blessed by the nature. The Shey Phoksundo National Park, behind Mount Dhaulagiri towards the Tibetan Plateau is one of the major attractions of the Dolpo Region. Shey Phoksundo Lake, one of the high altitude lakes, Shey Gompa, anthropologically and religiously very important monastery of the region, Kanjirowa Himalayan range, isolated village of Ringmo, monasteries, stupas and gompas in this region hold great importance in promoting local as well as global tourism.

The clustered settlement of the Dolpo region makes its people some of the “world’s highest dwellers” The ancient villages in Upper Dolpo are 4,300 meters and above.People here practice pre Buddhist religion, the Bon Po. Even after extensive spreading of Buddhism in 9th century Tibet, this region has preserved its very ancient religion. It is also a shelter to some endangered wildlife like such as Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, Ghoral, Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer and medicinal herbs as Silvery Fil.

This trek into the wilderness, with high ups and lows is suitable for high altitude trekkers, those who seek for camping adventure. It is also for those who do not want to trek along tourist-packed mainstream trek routes.

These natural prosperities of the Dolpo Region along with the culture and tradition of the local inhabitants allure the visitors from all around the world.

So, it is the best adventurous trekking package to experience firsthand living in the youngest mounts of the world, wilderness and a warm and innocent smile of mountain people, who are completely oblivious about the life elsewhere the mountains. Create a pocketful of memories to cherish for lifetime with the Upper Dolpo Trekking.

Upper Dolpo Trekking Itinerary
Itinerary

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, meet and greet at Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to hotel. Check in to hotel. Short briefing of trip and rest for refreshment.Overnight at hotel, Kathmandu.

After breakfast, pick up from hotel and head towards the sightseeing tour in Kathmandu especially UNESCO world heritage sites which includes Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square for the experience of beautiful fusion of religion, culture and history. These heritage monuments reflect centuries old culture, arts and architecture of Nepal which are unique in world. After tour, drop off to hotel and make a preparation for Upper Dolpo trek, including all trekking permits and equipment. Overnight at hotel, Kathmandu.

After breakfast, transfer to domestic airport terminal for the flight to Nepalgunj which is about 40 minutes long. After landing in Nepalgunj, transfer to hotel. Check in to hotel and explore the city. Overnight at hotel,Nepalgunj.

After breakfast, transfer to Nepalgunj Airport for the flight to Juphal which is about 35 minutes long. After landing in Juphal, meet and greet with the rest of trekking crew members and start the trek to Dunai.The trail goes through green terraced fields alongside the Bheri River and the narrow canyon to reach a large village of Dunai.Overnight at Hotel, Dunai.

After breakfast, start the trek to Ankhe along with the trekking crew.The trek Crosses the suspension bridge and moves westward. At the meeting point of the Thuli Bheri and Suli Gad rivers, the trek follows the latter one and moves north. Hike up gradually, with the sound of the river thriving in the backdrop,the trek continues along the river and reaches a small settlement called Hanke. It is the gateway to Shey Phoksundo National Park.Trek through Parela and Rahagaon to reach Ankhe. Set up the camp for tonight. Overnight at Camp, Ankhe.

After breakfast, start the trek to Renje.The trek starts with a little challenging from this point. After crossing a dwindling river in well-built bridges, hike uphill on a steep and narrow trails. From there,the trek descends for some time along the river and then ascends,relishing the beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. After trekking for about seven hours, set up the camp on the side of Suligad River in Renje. Overnight at the camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to Phoksundo Lake early in the morning. The trek will be fairly easy for the first few hours. From Sumdo,the trek descend down steeply then  ascend up to a ridge at 3,875m from where the amazing view of the 300m waterfall, biggest in Nepal and the Phoksundo Lake can be viewed and enjoyed. Then After, drop away through beautiful Birch forests to reach the Phoksundo Khola and beautiful settlement of Ringmo, decorated with mud plastered Chortens and Mani walls. It is a lively and vibrant village. From here, trek a short distance to reach the shores of Phoksundo Lake and set the campsite for tonight. Overnight at the camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to Phoksundo Khola.Trek goes on the adventurous trail that is suspended on a footway of wood supported on pegs, driven into gaps in the rocks.Then,the trek ascends steeply up to 4,040m and then drop down to the bottom of the valley to enter the bank of Shey Phoksundo Khola. Set up the camp on the bank of Shey Phoksundo Khola.Overnight at the camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang.Trek crosses the glacial valley and head towards north. As the trail goes on to become narrower and narrower, crosses impressive vertical cliffs and crooked rock formations. As the trek continues crossing an old wooden bridge at the meeting point of Phoksundo river and another unnamed river. A long, tiring climb will lead to sheep grazing land from where the trail turns up a still gorge. After a long and tiring climb to the top,the trek reaches another valley from where the adventurous Kang La Pass can be witnessed. Set up the camp for tonight. Overnight at the camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to Shey Gompa.The trek today is especially tiring and demanding. It will take around 3 hours to reach the top of the Kang La Pass at an altitude of 5,151m.The view from the top compensates more than all the hard work.The trek descends steep down to the valley floor taking an extra careful. It will take only around 45 minutes. A beautiful red Chorten will mark the arrival in Shey Gompa. An old-fashioned log bridge will lead to the Shey Gompa compound.Set up the camp for tonight. Overnight at the camp.

This is a rest day for exploration of Shey Gompa.Shey” literally means crystal in the Tibetan language. This monastery is also called the crystal mountain. Visit the Shey Gompa and take blessings from the Lama and also visit the Tsakang Gompa, west of Shey. It has been a meditation hub for lamas since medieval times. The monastery was built in the 11th century.

Here, it is the great opportunity to witness the perfect blend and harmony of Tibetan Buddhism and ancient Pre-Buddhist religion Bon Po.Go around the area and explore the vicinity.

After breakfast, start the trek to Namduna Gaon.The trekking goes along a pleasant trail covered with juniper shrub.The trek ascend up to a stony gray canyon. It begins with a zigzag trail of rocks and eroded soil until reaching to the flat spot, suitable for a little picnic. After 20 minutes of some steep climbing,the trek reaches the top of the Saldand La Pass enjoying the great view of the barren, and the coppery red landscape of Mustang from here. Then descend down to the north which might get a long and tiring. The view of grazing yaks and the nomadic tents made from yak hair which signals that it’s the gateway to the Namduna Gaon. Visit the Namgung Monastery which is set against a backdrop of the cliff.  The village only has six houses and terraced fields on both the sides. There is also the stretched out Barley fields, the main crop of the district. Visit the recently built beautiful monastery in the periphery. Set up the camp for tonight. Overnight at camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to Saldang.leaving the Namjung Valley, start hiking uphill. It begins with a long and exciting traverse along the Rocky Mountains. At the bottom of the valley, the trail goes through the terraced fields of ripening crops. After that ascent for some time before going downhill to the beautiful village of Saldang, located on a plateau high above the Nam Khong Nala River. It is the biggest village of the district. It is an arid village of the Trans Himalayan Tibetan plateau. Set up the camp for tonight.Overnight at Saldang.

After breakfast, start the trek to Sibu leaving Saldang early in the morning.The trek descend down the river bank  through terraced fields, beautiful stupas and Chortens.Visit the Chaiba Monastery on the way. After that, the trail passes through the village of Namdo, a prosperous village of 60 houses and about 400 people. Short visit to the Namdo monastery and another monastery on the top of cliff. Set up the camp for tonight, near the settlement called Sibu, along the river bank. Overnight at the camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to foot of Jeng La Pass. Following the dwindling river, the first few hours of the trek is fairly easy. After two hours, the trail crosses another stream and turns to a valley side. Then, the trek ascends steep up and reaches a pleasant meadow, but it is bestrewn with rocks. Set up the camp for tonight. Overnight at camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to Tokyu Gaon.The trail today is compact which makes the trek easier. But at times it gets very steep. It will only take 2 hours to reach the top of Jeng La. From here,the view of the Dhaulagiri Massif is truly mesmerizing. After having a trek on rough downhill trail towards the Tarap Valley, the trail passes through lush green valley for a few hours leading to Tarap Chu. Tarap is truly a majestic valley, vast plains on the lap of snowy mountains extending 20 km to the Tarap Chu. On reaching Tokyu Gaon, visit Gompas and Chortens.Spend the night in the Tokyu Monastery compound. The monastery belongs to Chaiba sect.

After breakfast, start the trek to Dho Tarap.The trail today is broad and fairly easy. The trek goes along the farm fields where the men and women are busy for harvesting the crops. Mani Walls and Chortens can be seen, many of which need to be done reconstruction now. The village of Dho Tarap is mainly populated by Magars and few Tibetans. The people here follow Bon Po or Buddhism. Make a visit to the Gompa and receive blessings from the resident Lama. Overnight at camp.

After the breakfast, start the trek to Serkam.Following the trail of the Tarap Khola, the trek descends downhill and crosses narrow gorges on the route. There might be seen Blue Sheep, Yaks and people taking their yaks and goats for grazing. The trek will go along a more heaved trail as it goes away from the river. After crossing one of the modern suspension bridges, the trail gets very narrow in places. Overnight at camp.

After breakfast, start the trek to Khani Gaon.The trek descends down the canyon of the Tarap River. Today the trek goes on trail from broad and silky to very narrow and steep. Mount the flights of man-made staircases which needs to be tackled with some care. Set up the camp at pleasant and beautiful meadow in the shade of big trees. Overnight at camp,Khani Gaon.

After breakfast, start the trek to Tarakot. Leaving Khani Gaon and the mountains in the backdrop in a newly built suspension bridge the trek goes along the river, sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill and sometimes more challenging trails. Then the trek crosses one of the rivers on wet stepping stones and set up the camp for tonight. Overnight at Camp

After breakfast, start the trek to Dunai.Leaving the wild adventures of the treks back up there, climb down and walk beside the resonating Bheri River, which leads to the village of Dunai. Now the trek comes to complete the circuit of the beautiful Dolpo. Take a rest and later explore the city. Overnight at Lodge, Dunai.

After breakfast, start the trek back to the small town of Juphal. At first, the trek goes on flat and broad trails but as the trek descends down, the trail will become more and steeper. Overnight at Hotel, Juphal.

After breakfast, fly back to Nepalgunj for about 35 minutes and then to Kathmandu for about 40 minutes. After arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel. Check in to Hotel and rest for refreshment. In the evening Farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with cultural dance performance. Overnight at hotel, Kathmandu.

This is a Leisure day. So, enjoy the free time by shopping at souvenir shops or hanging around Thamel(tourist hub city) to buy some souvenirs.

Leisure until departure. Transfer to international airport to board the flight.

Upper Dolpo Trekking Cost
Cost

Cost Includes

  • Airport pickup and drop by private vehicle.
  • Welcome drinks (non-alcoholic) and farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with a cultural dance show.
  • All accommodation in 3-star category hotels on bed and breakfast basis in Kathmandu whilst Tent Camp accommodation on full board basis (all meals) during the trek.
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu with private vehicle and Tour guide.
  • All sightseeing monuments entrance fees.
  • Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu air transportation by flight.
  • All the necessary permit charges for trekking (Lower Dolpo Trekking permit + National Park + Phoksundo Lake + Shey Gompa), official service charges, government and local taxes.
  • Highly experienced, friendly, government license holder guide and porter with salary, accommodation, food, transportation and insurance.
  • Sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag and trekking poles (To be returned after the completion of trekking).
  • Medical supplies (First aid kit carried by trekking leader).
  • Arrangement of helicopter service (for the rescue of emergency situation), which will be paid by your travel insurance company.

Cost Excludes

  • Nepalese visa fee.
  • International airfare.
  • Trekking, medical and travel insurance (Compulsory).
  • Lunches and Dinners not mentioned above.
  • All personal expenses (phone calls,laundry,bar bills,battery recharge,extra porters,bottle or boiled water,shower etc.)
  • All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu, early arrival or late departure,early return or late return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
  • Tips for the guide, porter and driver (tips is expected).

Upper Dolpo Trekking Trip Map
Trip Map

Upper Dolpo Trekking
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