Upper Dolpo Trek

On your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will greet you outside the arrival gate.  You will then be taken to your hotel where you can finish the check-in formalities. Once you settle in, our staff will brief you on the outline for the trek. In the evening, you will be joining the rest of the group for an introductory welcome dinner. The first night is all about bonding and resting up.

Highlights

• Hassle-free airport pick-up.
• A detailed explanation of the itinerary.
• Bonding welcome dinner with the full group.

In the morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will be heading to the domestic airport. From here, we will be taking a flight to Nepalgunj. This flight will only take about an hour. Make sure you’ve packed your summer shirts as Nepalgunj is one of the hottest places in Nepal. The scenic view from the flight will offer amazing views of the tall mountains that stand guard to the rolling, lush hills. Once you land, you can enjoy the sunny beauty of the plains.

Highlights

• One-hour scenic flight to Nepalgunj.
• Beautiful green meadows and warm, sunny weather.

The next morning we will be catching a flight to Jhupal. The flight will only take about 45-minutes. We will be landing on a small hilltop airport. As you get off the plane, you will immediately feel the high cool breeze that will get you ready to get set and begin your trek.

You will be walking for around 3 hours. We will cover about 6 km and trudge through local villages. You will get to see terraced fields that lead you to the swiftly flowing Bheri river. The trail has the perfect countryside feel to it as you pass by water mills to reach the Dunai village. If we have time left over, we can take a stroll around town and visit a stupa and a monastery.

Highlights

• Short scenic flight to Jhupal.
• Only three hours of trekking through plains and terraced fields.
• Strolling around the town and visiting a nearby stupa and monastery.

On this day, we will be hiking up to Sulighat. The trail we will be following leads you to the village of Kageni. You will be walking through dense forests and passing numerous settlements. Trudging through lush greenery full of shade and immediately being transported through a busy village, your day is bound to be power-packed.

Once we reach Shangta, we will be crossing over a river junction. This junction is of two rivers Phoksundo Khola and Maiaba Khola. From here, we will be walking against the flow and ascending to Chhepka. On this day’s trek, you will be walking for 5-6 hours.

Highlights

• Navigating dense, green forests full of diverse flora and fauna.
• Walking through different villages and getting a glimpse of the everyday lifestyle.

After breakfast, we will be heading out and following a gradual incline. The trail will be dotted with trees, and you should begin to see the Himalayan ranges high above. As you approach Amchi Hospital, you will notice the hills have gotten taller and taller. The fresh air is evident as you weave in and out of a greenery-filled trail. You will be walking for about 6 hours on this day.

Highlights

• Walking along inclines dotted with greenery.
• Surrounded by towering hills and majestic views of the mountains.

On this day, we will be making our way to Phoksundo Lake. You will be following a steady climb that leads you through densely forested slopes.  This day’s trek will take you about 5-6 hours of walking. As you trudge over these inclines, the elevations will not be the only thing rising, as the excitement builds for the magnificent Phoksundo Lake.

This day’s trek will take you 5-6 hours of walking. However, any strain from this trek will wash away immediately at the sight of the pristine Phoksundo Lake. This turquoise blue beauty fills in between high rocky hills to create a stunning view. We will be spending our night closeby, but don’t worry, you will have plenty of time the next day to explore and snap pictures.

Highlights

• Taking on densely forested slopes and traversing alpine terrains.
• Witnessing the pristine beauty of the turquoise blue Phoksundo Lake.

Special Note

Since the Phoksundo Lake is at 3612m, there is a risk of breathing difficulty. You will want to make sure you are properly hydrated and maintain a slow pace. If you feel some strain at any time, then you need to notify our guide immediately as we will have our medical kit handy. Rest assured, we will plan the hike with your utmost comfort in mind.

On this day, we will be exploring the beauty of Phoksundo. There is also a Tibetan monastery nearby called Tshowa Gompa. Tshowa Gompa is a 900-year-old Bon monastery that sits above the lake on a small ridge. You can witness this cultural monument or learn more about the religious importance of the Phoksundo Lake for the Buddhist community. You can use the day for rest, and sit lakeside snapping pictures and replenishing your energy.

Highlights

• Rest day from successive days of walking.
• Option to visit the Tshowa Gompa, a 900-year-old Bon Monastery.
• Learning about the cultural significance of the sacred Phoksundo Lake.

On this day, we will be entering the more restricted area of the Upper Dolpo region. The trail you will be following is popular among locals and is a trade-route with Tibetans. You will be walking through lush pine forests providing natural shade. You will also see breathtaking views of the snowy mountain peaks at a distance.

Highlights

• Trekking on trade-routes followed by Tibetans and locals.
• Walking through lush, dark green pine forests.
• Majestic views of the snowy peaks as you trek.

On this day, you can look forward to a steady climb alongside the windy Tuk Kyaksa river. The trail constantly switches sides before you arrive at a place where the rapids calm down considerably. After crossing a very old wooden bridge, you have about half an hour of walking before we come across a wide sheep-grazing valley.

Your eyes are in for a treat with this vast greenery. It will mark the start of our 2-hour trek alongside a canyon, which leads to our campsite for the night. As you walk further from this point, you will reach an enormous rock slab, i.e., Kang-La/ Nagdalo Base camp. We will be camping at the basecamp for the night.

Highlights

• Following an adventurous river-side trail along the Tuk Kyaksa river.
• Navigating old wooden bridges and canyon trails for an authentic trekking experience.
• Walking by an actual sheep-grazing valley for a true countryside feel.

Early morning, you will start the trek with a long and strenuous climb along a steep trail full of jagged slate towards the Kang-La Pass (5350m), also referred to as Nagdalo-La Pass. You will be rewarded for this climb the moment you reach the top of Kang-La Pass.

You might need to take a moment to catch your breath and stop to admire the vast terrain before you. You will get a chance to catch glimpses of the crystal mountain, the mountains in Tibetan territory, among a sea of prayer flags in the barren yet unobstructed semi-arid landscape of the Dolpo region.

After carefully descending the steep valley for about 45 minutes, a beautiful red Chorten will mark your arrival at Shey Gompa (4280m). ‘Shey’ literally translates to the crystal in Standard Tibetan. Shey gompa is an 800-year-old monastery filled with murals and ancient scrolls describing the mythology behind Crystal Mountain.

Every year many pilgrims visit this monastery to make Kora (clockwise circuit) around the crystal peak. A grand festival is hosted here every 12 years on the Year of the Dragon. We will pitch our tents on the compounds of this beautiful monastery for the night.

Highlights

• Challenging steep trail with a rewarding view from Kang-La Pass (5350m).
• Immersing yourself in the cultural beauty of prayer flags, murals, and so on.
• Visiting an 800-year-old monastery called the Shey Gompa.
• Learning about the rich history behind this place of holy pilgrimage.

Special Note

The elevation on this day crosses 5000m. Even though altitude sickness depends on the person, there is some risk of breathing difficulty. Make sure you are properly hydrated throughout the day and maintain a slow pace. If you feel some strain at any time, then you need to notify our guide immediately as we will have our medical kit handy. We have planned the itinerary with your utmost comfort in mind.

On this day, we follow the trail dotted with Juniper shrubs alongside the Sephu Khola for a few hours before we begin the ascent over Shey-La Pass (5094m). As the water softly dances over the rocks to cheer us on, the views above are no less majestic. The summit to this pass will reward you with outstanding views of Mustang to the East, Tibet to the North, and mountains like Kanjiroba, Kagmara, and Crystal Mountain to the west.

After overcoming this pass, you will be welcomed with yet another scenically situated monastery called Namgung Gompa (4360m). This monastery sits right in the lap of towering hills that create a stunning visual.

The village where the monastery is located is called Namgung Village and has only six houses and terraced fields covering its sides. The openness will give you the true feeling of escaping the busy city life. Namgung will be our resting place for the night.

Highlights

• Walking along the soft-flowing Sephu Khola.
• Brilliant views of Mustang to the East, Tibet to the North, and mountains like Kanjiroba, Kagmara, and Crystal Mountain to the West.
• Visiting the scenically situated Namgung Gompa.
• Overnight at the remote village of Namgung.

As we head away from Namgung, the trail leads us downstream from the Namgung Khola. After passing through the Yak pastures and tranquil mountain views, you will arrive at a quaint village called Saldang (3770m). Here, we will be enjoying a hearty lunch with the locals. Then, we will start making our way towards the 1000-year-old Yangjer Gumba (3890m).

Due to its ideal placement on the old route to Tibet, it is one of the wealthiest monasteries of this region. Yangjer Gumba is known for its nine major Chortens dotted around by twenty smaller ones with an imposing massive Chorten standing separate. As you follow the 4-hour trail from Saldang to the Yangjer Gumba, you will be wading through steep gorges that add an excellent change of pace to the otherwise dreary landscape. We will stop and rest for the night at this Gumba.

Highlights

• Following a trail dotted with Yak pastures and mountain views.
• Visiting a 1000-year-old Yangjer Gumba and appreciating its tremendous historical and cultural significance.
• Witnessing the vast dreary landscape full of uneven trails and steep gorges.

On this day, we start our 6-hour trek to reach the village of Komash. Initially, the trail follows through the Saldan Lek alongside the banks of the Raphya Khola. You will be following this route that rewards you with the views of barren rolling hills.

This trail will then lead to Khoma La Pass at an altitude of almost 4500m. You will then be descending to Komash village (4060m), which resembles the architecture followed by most Tibetan Villages. We will set up our camp in the village for the night.

Highlights

Walking alongside the banks of Raphya Khola.
Views of cascading, barren hills as far as your eyes can see.
Reaching Khoma La Pass at an elevation of 4500m.
Immersing in the Tibetan influence in these remote villages by appreciating the similarity in architecture.

Once you have recharged yourself with some healthy breakfast, you are ready to continue your trek to Tinze Village (4110m). You might even get to encounter some rare species of animals like the Blue Sheep or Snow Leopard during this portion of the trek.

You will be passing through various small villages and enjoying beautiful views of the highland desert with shrub-like vegetation. The trek should take us no more than 6-7 hours. Tinze is a beautiful village set up around a valley amidst a peaceful landscape. We will camp here and rest our weary bones for the night.

Highlights

• Finding yourself surrounded by desert lands and spotty vegetation for an otherworldly experience.
• A chance to encounter rare species like the Blue Sheep or Snow Leopard in their natural habitat.

After taking in the beautiful views of the Tinze valley, we will make our way towards Yak Kharka (4780m). Yak Kharka is a vast open grazing ground for yaks and sheep around that area. This day’s trek will take you about 5-6 hours. You will be following the trail along Panjyan Khola and eventually passing the settlement of Chhamdang. The grassy yet arid shrubland of Yak Kharka lies just over Thalum Khola makes for an excellent campsite.

Highlights

• Trekking to Yak Kharka and viewing yaks and sheep, grazing away in their natural habitat.
• Navigating grassy and barren landscapes alongside Thalum and Panjyan Khola.

Crossing a bridge over the Sulun Khola will set us on our path to Tokyu Gaon (4240m). What follows the bridge is a grueling 2-hour steep ascent to reach the top of Cho-La Pass (5420m). This ascent will arguably be the most challenging part of the trek. You can take a moment to catch your breath at the top from where you will be able to see the charming sights of Tarap Valley.

After you have finished descending towards Tokyu Gaon, we will be setting up our campsite for the night. Once we reach the village, you are free to roam around the Gompas and Chortens.

Highlights

• Trekking through rivers, bridges, and steep inclines.
• Rewarding views from Cho-La Pass of the beautiful Tarap Valley below. 

The trail from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap is an easy and well-traversed one. The road follows a gentle downhill descent through terraced fields and green meadows. This short hike will take us only around one and a half hours, leaving you with plenty of time to discover and wander around the village of Dho Tarap (3944m).

The people of Dho Tarap mostly follow Bon Po or Buddhism. It will be an excellent chance for you to observe the traditional Tibetan lifestyle inhabited by some of the most friendly people that you will find anywhere in the world. The people here are still very much involved in trading with their original homeland via Yak caravans.

There are plenty of things to explore and do around the village. You can explore the monasteries around Dho Tarap and get blessed by the resident Lama or opt to take some natural and cultural tours. After you have spent the better part of the day exploring the many charms of this scenic village, we will spend the night at a campsite nearby.

Highlights

• Short hike to Dho Tarap through pleasant meadows and terraced fields.
• Immersing yourself in the Buddhist culture of the locals.
• Observing the Tibetan influence on the everyday lifestyle of these villages.
• Option to explore the scenic, cultural, and scenic of Dho Tarap.

After a day of rested exploration, we have to pick up our pace for today. On this day’s trek, you will be passing through some quaint villages and chortens that mark the area around this picturesque landscape. You will be following the path laid out by Tarap Khola for most of the way. The trail switches across the river at various points, leading us through a narrow gorge and on to Ghyamgar (3755m).

We cross several villages throughout this day’s hike like Sisaul, Tottol, Nwarpani, etc. The path will continue onward and lead you through the gorge’s imminent walls, eventually revealing a vast expanse that will take us to Chhegur (3440m) for our next campsite.

Highlights

• Walking through quaint villages and chortens.
• Navigating narrow gorges, rivers, and narrow trails.
• Following narrow trails to vast expanses of land for a power-packed day.

On this day, you will be following another trail that runs beside the Tarap Khola to its junction with the larger Thuli Bheri River. We might even get a chance to catch glimpses of kayaking enthusiasts brave the gushing white waters. This region is considered to be one of the finest and most beautiful stretches in the world.

The further you move on the trail, the landscape around you will change drastically to reveal the lush green forests of the area. After a long zigzag that takes you through ascending and descending paths alongside narrow and precarious cliffs, you will reach the fortified village of Tarakot. We will get to spend our night at this stunning village with its unique construction style.

Highlights

• Trekking near the Thuli Bheri River and witnessing its white rapids with kayaking enthusiasts.
• Taking on challenging terrains that include inclines, declines, and cliff-side zigzags.

After breakfast, we will be heading out to trek alongside the green lands above the Thuli Bheri River, passing Lawan and Byasgad. You will travel through woodlands and terraced fields to reach the familiar landscape of Dunai village. After a couple of hours’ worth of trekking, you will reach Juphal.

This day is the end of your trekking journey through the Dolpo region. So before your flight back to Kathmandu, take a moment to celebrate and toast to your success of having completed this challenging but gratifying trek flaunting the raw beauty of Nepal.

Highlights

• Trekking through woodlands and terraced fields.
• Reaching Juphal village with a sense of accomplishment and a camera full of pictures.

Early morning we will be heading to take a short, scenic flight to Kathmandu. This flight will take about 1 hour, treating you with marvelous views of the land below. From here, we will be transferring you to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to catch up on some sightseeing or simply rest in your hotel and go through your camera roll.

Highlights

• Short scenic flight to Kathmandu.
• Free day for resting or strolling through the city.

And just like that, we’ve reached the end of your trip. Our representative will be taking you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure. Bidding you a safe journey, a suitcase full of memories, and hoping to see you again.