Budget
USD 4699/ Per Person
Rating
No review has been posted yet
Duration
25 Days
Trip Overview
The Upper Dolpo Trek is an epic journey into one of the last genuinely remote bastions of traditional Tibetan culture, immortalized in Peter Matthiessen's The Snow Leopard and Eric Valli's film Himalaya. This is not a teahouse trek; it is a full- scale camping expedition requiring complete self-sufficiency. The trek traverses the vast, arid landscapes of the Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to the stunning turquoise Phoksundo Lake—Nepal's deepest and most spectacular.Beyond it lies Upper Dolpo, a restricted area where time seems to have stood still.Here, ancient Bon Po (the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet) and Tibetan Buddhism coexist. Villages like Ringmo and Shey Gompa (at the foot of the sacred Crystal Mountain) are highlights, accessible only by crossing multiple high passes over 5,000m. This trek demands excellent fitness, resilience, and a spirit of adventure, rewarding trekkers with unparalleled isolation, stark beauty, and profound cultural encounters.
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Trip Information
Start : Kathmandu
Finish : Kathmandu
Difficulty :
Strenous
Max Altitude : 5,151m
Group Size : 10 People 
Season : May to October
Trip Gallery
Trip Itinerary
• Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Transfer to hotel.
• Evening briefing and gear check. Overnight in Kathmandu.
• Finalize Restricted Area Permits for Upper Dolpo.
• Optional cultural sightseeing. Overnight in Kathmandu.
• 1-hour flight to the lowland plains of Nepalgunj (hot and humid).
• Rest and prepare for the next day's flight. Overnight in Nepalgunj.
• Spectacular mountain flight to Juphal, the aerial gateway to Dolpo.
• Meet the full expedition crew (cook, kitchen staff, porters/mules).
• Short descent to Dunai, the administrative headquarters of Dolpo. Overnight in
Camp.
• Follow the Thuli Bheri River, entering Shey Phoksundo National Park.
• Trail climbs through forests to the small settlement of Ankhe. Overnight in Camp.
• Steep climb through lush forests of pine, oak, and rhododendron.
• Cross several bridges with views of cascading waterfalls. Overnight in Camp.
• A breathtaking day. Descend to the Phoksundo River and climb to a ridge.
• Witness the first stunning view of the turquoise Phoksundo Lake.
• Descend to the village of Ringmo by the lake shore. Overnight in Camp.
• Rest day to explore the stunning Phoksundo Lake, a UNESCO Natural Heritage
Site.
• Visit the ancient Bon Po monastery of Ringmo and the impressive Phoksundo
Waterfall.
• Crucial for acclimatization before heading higher. Overnight in Camp.
• Begin the journey into Upper Dolpo (Restricted Area).
• Trek along the lake's eastern shore, then north along the Phoksundo Khola river.
• Camp in a remote, wild valley. Overnight in Camp.
• A demanding day of steady climbing through juniper forests.
• Reach a high camp below the Kang La pass. Overnight in Camp.
• One of the trek's major challenges. Early start to cross the snow-prone Kang La pass.
• Spectacular panoramic views from the top. Long descent into the remote Shey Valley.
• Arrive at Shey Gompa, situated below the sacred Crystal Mountain (Kang Ta- ju). Overnight in Camp.
• A vital rest day in this spiritual heart of Dolpo.
• Explore the ancient Shey Gompa (11th century) and the surrounding area.
• Observe the unique culture and possibly spot wildlife like blue sheep. Overnight in
Camp.
• Cross the second major pass, Saldang La.
• Descend into another valley and reach the village of Namgung with its cliff-side monastery. Overnight in Camp.
• Short trek to Saldang, one of the largest and most prosperous villages in Upper Dolpo.
• Explore the village, its monastery, and fields of barley. Overnight in Camp.
• Hike up the Nang Chu River valley to the ancient Yangze Gompa, a major Bon Po monastery.
• A step back into a timeless world. Overnight in Camp.
• Cross the Mola/Mustang Bhanjyang Pass.
• Trek through a stark, beautiful landscape to the camp at Sibu. Overnight in Camp.
• A steady climb towards the base of the final major pass.
• Prepare for the next day's crossing. Overnight in Camp.
• Cross the Jeng La pass, offering final views back into Dolpo.
• Long descent to the village of Tokyu, with its impressive monastery. Overnight in Camp.
• An easier day walking down the Tarap Chu valley.
• Arrive at Dho Tarap, a large village inhabited by both Bon Po and Buddhist communities. Overnight in Camp.
• Begin the long descent out of the restricted area.
• Follow the river through a dramatic canyon. Overnight in Camp.
• Continue descending, with the vegetation becoming gradually thicker.
• Camp near the village of Khanigaon. Overnight in Camp.
• Final trekking day, returning to Dunai.
• Celebrate the completion of the expedition with your crew. Overnight in Camp/Lodge.
• Short climb back to Juphal airstrip.
• Fly to Nepalgunj and connect with a flight to Kathmandu (may require overnight in Nepalgunj depending on schedule).
• Overnight in Kathmandu.
• Buffer day for possible flight delays from Juphal, which are common.
• Free day for rest and exploration. Overnight in Kathmandu.
• Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.
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