Source of image: Google
Duration
26 Days
Difficulty Level
Strenuous
Best Season
Aug - Nov / Mar - July
Max. Altitude
5220 M
The Dolpo Trek is a breathtakingly beautiful but rugged and remote trekking route located in Nepal. The trek offers a stunning view of snow-capped mountains, small villages, and alpine freshwater oligotrophic lakes. Upper Dolpa, lying on the far-western side of Nepal, is a hidden gem that only a few people have explored. The trek covers a vast area of the mighty Himalayas, offering an unforgettable experience of the Himalayan wilderness.
The Upper Dolpo trek starts with a flight to Nepalgunj. From there, we take a short but beautiful flight to Juphal and begin the trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake, situated at an altitude of 3612 meters. The trek continues through the Shey Phoksundo National Park and Nangdala Pass, offering a stunning view of Mount Kanjirowa. The alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake of Phoksundo and the beautiful Shey Phoksundo National Park are the major highlights of this trek.
The trek also includes crossing the Sela Pass, a few remote high passes in western Nepal, and witnessing the spiritual charms of the remote monastery of Shey Gompa. This monastery was established in the eleventh century, and little has changed here since then. We then climb the Jyanta pass via Tokyu village, offering magnificent views of Mount Dhaulagiri.
The Upper Dolpo trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal, covering a distance of 26 days. The trail is remote and rugged, with few hotels and lodges along the way. Trekkers must be physically and mentally prepared to reach a height of up to 5350 m at Nangdala Pass.
The Dolpo region falls under the rain shadow area of Nepal, making early monsoon times of May, June, and July the best time for trekking. A special trekking permit is required for the restricted region of Dolpo Valley.
Deepak Adventure Travel & Tours provides reliable services, with safety as a top priority. Well-trained guides are available to ensure that trekkers feel at ease. Oxygen cylinders with medical kits are provided during the trek, along with three meals daily, porters, and guides.
This unexplored trekking route offers a chance to explore the remote and unexplored western part of Nepal, see one of Nepal’s most beautiful lakes, Phoksundo Lake, cross Nangdala Pass, Sela Pass, and Jyanta Pass, and witness the wildlife sanctum for musk deer, blue sheep, Himalayan black bear, and grey wolf. Teahouse and tented camping options are also available for accommodation.
Trip Gallery
Source of image: Google
DETAIL ITIONERARY OF UPPER DOLPO TREK
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and check-in to the hotel. Our staff will meet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. After freshening up, you can relax for a while before having dinner. In the evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner and a cultural program. You can also discuss the trek’s details with the guides and staff.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Altitude: 1340 m
Day 2: Fly to Nepalgunj
Fly to Nepalgunj and check-in to the hotel. After an early breakfast in Kathmandu, we will drive you to the airport to board a plane to Nepalgunj. Once you arrive, you can spend the day exploring the markets and observing the business hub. You can also visit the Indo-Nepal border. Overnight in Nepalgunj.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 500 m
Day 3: Meet all Dolpo Trip crew and start trek after fly to Juphal
Flight to Juphal, meet the Dolpo Trip crew and start walking. After a short and scenic flight from Nepalgunj, we will arrive in Juphal, which is the starting point of our trek. You will meet the trekking staff and the crew in Juphal. After the introduction, we will start our trek to Dunai, one of the most important villages in this region. We will trek along the Bheri River to reach Dunai.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Altitude: 2000 m
Day 4-6: Trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake
Hiking to Shey Phoksundo Lake. After breakfast in Dunai, we will start our hike to Shey Phoksundo Lake, which is one of the highlights of our Dolpo trek. On the first day, we will trek through the riverbed of the Bheri River and small remote settlements, beautiful meadows, and terraced wheat fields. We will camp at Ankhe. On the fifth day, we will leave Ankhe and start trekking to Renje. We will camp at Renje. After breakfast at Renje, we will prepare to trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake. We will trek through dense forests and Phoksundo Khola and beautiful villages like Ringmo.
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Altitude: 3610 m
Day 7-10: After crossing Nangdola pass, explore Shey Gompa and trek.
Hike/visit Shey Gompa after crossing the Nangdola pass. After enjoying the beautiful sunrise and the view of Shey Phoksundo Lake, we will trek through the western part of the lake to the riverbank. Then, we will walk down through the rocky trails to reach the bank of the river. The next day, we will trek through the valley and head north. We will cross a small stream and climb a steep hill to reach Nangdala Pass High Camp. After breakfast in Phoksundo Bhanjyang, we will trek to Shey Gompa, passing through one of the highest passes of western Nepal, Nangdala Pass, at 5350 meters. We will enjoy the view of Kanjirowa Himal and other Tibetan peaks.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Altitude: 3415 m
Day 11-12: Trek to Namgung
Hike to Namgung, cross the Sela pass and enjoy the great view of Mustang and Tibetan snow peaks. After breakfast in Shey Gompa, we will prepare to trek to Namgung. We will trek through the barren and rocky lands with very little vegetation and ascend steeply toward the Sela Pass. After resting for a while, we will descend to Namgung. On the next day, we will hike around Namgung and explore the area, enjoy the beautiful landscapes, and interact with the locals.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Altitude: 4430 m
Day 13-14: climb up to Saldang
Climb to Saldang and explore the Trans Himalayan settlement. After breakfast in Namgung, we leave for Saldang. We make a steep hike to the top of the hill, where we can see the beautiful view of Saldang village. Then, we start descending towards Saldang. After trekking for about 2 hours, we reach our destination. In the evening, we can try the local food and local wine. We will camp at Saldang. The next day, we will explore the village and hike to the nearby hills and mountains. We will trek to one of the most important Gompas of this region, Yangre Gompa, which is one of the most visited gompas in this area. We will return to Saldang.
Trek through the barren lands of western Nepal. Observe the culture of the people living in Saldang. Try local food and traditional dresses. Visit Yangre Gompa, one of the most famous monasteries in the Dolpo region.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 3619 m
Day 15-17: Cross the Jyanta pass and trek to Tokyu village.
Hike to Tokyu village, cross the Jyanta pass and enjoy stunning views of massif Dhaulagiri. After breakfast, we prepare for our trek and leave Saldang towards Sibu on the first day. The trail takes us through the small settlements with terraced fields that grow wheat, buckwheat, and potato. We can also observe the Tibetan-influenced culture and local houses. We also trek through several monasteries and temples to arrive at Sibu. On the next day, we prepare to trek to the base camp of Jyanta Pass, which 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 pastureland, where we can see yaks and sheep. Finally, we camp at Jyanta Pass Base Camp. On the 17th day, we have an early breakfast and prepare to trek through the Jyanta Pass. We make a steep ascent for about three hours to reach the pass. We get a spectacular view of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and other snow-capped mountains from the pass. We rest for a while at the pass, take photographs, and descend to Tokyu village.
Trek through beautiful villages with terraced fields. Observe the beautiful yak pastures and rocky hills. Trek to Jyanta Pass at the stunning height of 5220 meters. This is also the final pass in this trek.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18-23: Hike to Juphal Via himalayan settlements
Hike to Juphal via Himalayan settlements of Dho Tarap, Ghyamgar, Tarakot, Dunai. 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 us 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. On the next day, we trek from Dho Tarap to Shim Ora. 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 starts changing, 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. Descending 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 continue descending, we gradually come towards 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 5 hours, we reach Dunai and spend a night.
From Juphal, we will catch our flight to Nepalgunj and then finally to Kathmandu. The trek from Dunai to Juphal is fascinating as we trek alongside the bank of the Bheri River through the beautiful forests. We walked through the western lands of Nepal for one last time. A trek of about 6 hours brings us to Juphal.
Trek alongside the gorgeous Thuli Bheri River. Observe the gradual change in the vegetation as you trek down.
Accommodation: Camping/Tea house
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 24–25: Fly back to Kathmandu and Nepalgung.
We head straight to the airport and take off for Nepalgunj after breakfast in Juphal. Although the flight is brief, it is full with breathtaking scenery. The 25-minute flight offers stunning views of several mountains. Our personnel will transport you to the hotel as soon as you arrive in Nepalgunj. After lunch, you’ll meander around the city for the remainder of the day. Spend the night in Nepalgunj.
After breakfast the following day, we once more make our way to Nepalgunj airport to board a flight to Kathmandu. The flight lasts for an hour. Our team will arrange for a transfer for you to the hotel once you arrive in Kathmandu. We celebrate the trek’s triumphant conclusion in the evening. We also say goodbye. Accommodations Hotel Meals Breakfast 1340 meters altitude
Day 26: End of the Dolpo Circuit Trip / Airport Transfer.
On the last day of your thrilling trip to the Himalayan Upper Dolpo Trek. We’re prepared to drop you off at the foreign airport. We hope to meet you again and bid you farewell.
Meals: Breakfast
Route of the Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek:
Here are the specifics of the Dolpo Trek itinerary for those who are planning their expedition. Come along with us for a well-curated, safe, and amazing experience of isolated, restricted trekking in the Himalayas.
Cost Includes:
- Airport transfer on both domestic and international flights.
- Welcome group dinner and Culture tour in Kathmandu.
- Stay in standard hotel on a twin-share basis as per the itinerary, tea house, and tented camping while on Dolpo trek.
- Full board meals on the trek, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Reliable and medical trek guide with a support crew.
- Responsible Travel 1 Trekker: 1 Porter with proper insurance.
- Proper safety with oxygen cylinder and first aid medical kit.
- Warm trek gear for use, including a sleeping bag and warm jacket.
- All required camping gear, including member and staff tents.
- Complementary trek gear, including a trek duffle bag and T-shirt.
- Special upper Dolpo trek permit fees.
- TIMS and Permit for Dolpo trek entrance fees.
Cost Excludes:
- Nepal visa fees and any kind of travel insurance.
- International airfare and airport tax.
- Main meals in Kathmandu.
- Tips for the trek crew.
- Personal expenses such as battery charge, telephone, beverage drinks, etc.
WHAT IS THE BASIC NEED FOR DOLPO TREK?
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hiking boots
- Sandals/Crocs
- Several sets of undergarments
- Good quality down jacket and pants
- Fleece jacket
- Thermal wear
- T-shirts and pants
- Warm woolen clothes for the night
- Trekking stick
- One set of gloves
- Woolen hat
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle with purifying tablets
- Toiletries
- A medium-sized towel
- Energy bars
- Basic medications
- Rain Gears.
WHY IS THE DOLPO TREK BENEFITS OF BOOKING WITH US?
- Best Price Guarantee
- 100% Safe Money
- Local Knowledge and On-Ground Attendance
- Customizable Trips
- Guaranteed Departure
- Flexible Departure Dates
- Budget-Friendly Trips
- Based in Nepal
- Quick Response
- Special Care and Consideration