Upper Dolpo Trek

After arriving at Kathmandu International Airport, our office representative welcomes you with Garland and takes you to hotel in Kathmandu. In the evening, we will have briefing on trek and equipment check by our Trek Manager and Trek Guide. Then, we will take you for dinner to make you introduced with Nepalese food habits and Culture.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

After breakfast, we will take you for guided tour of Kathmandu city. We will begin with Pashupatinath Temple which is famous Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva at the bank of holy Bagmati River. After this, we continue to Boudhanath Stupa, which is giant Stupa in Asia and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu. Then, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square where Nepalese Kings used to get Throne. Interesting places to see here are Taleju Temple, Statue of Kal Bhairabh and Hanuman, Temple of Jagannath (Erotic Temple) and Kastamandap Temple from which Kathmandu got its name. We visit Kumari Temple and pay homage to the living goddess, Kumari and also walk around the Freak streets which was famous during Hippie Era in 60's and 70's.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to domestic airport for 50 minutes flight to Nepalgunj. This is one of the biggest towns in western Terai and business hub of the area. Upon arrival at Nepalgunj, transfer to hotel. Later on, roam around Nepalgunj town and to Bageshwori Temple, a very famous Hindu temple of Goddess Bageshwori, Durga and also another famous temple of Lord Shiva with mustache next to her.

Accomodation: Overnight at Soaltee Hotel in Nepaljung.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

After breakfast at hotel, we drive to airport for 35 minutes scenic flight to Juphal passing Mahabharata Range and beautiful landscape. Upon arrival at Juphal, we prepare for the trek and commence our trek to Dunai which is the administrative capital of Dolpo. We walk descend passing by beautiful villages alongside of the Bheri River. In the evening, walk around Dunai town.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge in Dunai.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

After breakfast, we start our trek to Chhepka via straight walk upto Sulighad where Phoksundo River and Bheri River confluence. After few minutes of walk, we get to Shey Phoksundo National Park Check Post. After entry, we continue our ascend trek passing by rocky trail until we reach Kageni for lunch. Via passing by views of lush greenery, we reach to Chhepka village through the tropical forest. Before Chhepka, we pass Shyanta where there is small hydro power in Ankhe Khola. From here, we enter Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Chhepka.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

After early breakfast, we start our trek to Jharana Hotel. Our trail ascends through the big forest of cedar, big hemp farm and the winter settlement of people of Ringmo Village. We continue to Reychi for lunch. Before crossing the bride to Jharana Hotel, we pass by Tapriza Secondary Boarding School at Saijal.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Jharana Hotel.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

After breakfast, we continue our easy trek to another winter settlement for the people of Upper Dolpo and Ringmo. Immediately, we follow narrow and steep with confusing way of muddy path and rocks passing by highest point of the trek at 3800 meters. Just below the highest point, there is a rest point from where you can see the highest waterfall of 167 meters which falls from Phoksundo Lake. Spend few times here at the rest point to witness the beautiful waterfall and prepare for another beauty, the first view of Phoksundo Lake. When we walk 5 minutes up from the rest point, we get the first view of magical Phoksundo Lake. Then we gradually descend down to the wide meadows located up of George of Phoksundo River to our camp at Ringmo Village for lunch. Evening, go to the Thasung Choling Gompa; a Bon Monastery, at the bank of lake. We will arrange chat with the monk on Bon Religion.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp at the bank of Phoksundo Lake.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Today, we climb narrow cut trail standing on cliff just vertical straight to the lake. There is the point where Yak fell into the lake in Caravan Movie. This is one of the best parts of the trek as we see the whole portion of the lake and both sides of landscapes from the view point. Then our trail leads downwards to another side of the lake and further walking around 90 minutes take us to our Sallaghari Camp in Pine forests.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Sallaghari.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Our first legs walk on the glacial valley and ascend up the narrow path of Small River. The trail switches to opposite side of the river several times and it takes around 3 hours to get to Kangla/ Nangdala Base Camp. After crossing the bridge and walking for 30 minutes, we come across the wide valley followed by 2 hours of walk along the canyon bring us to the High Camp for overnight. From the top, we see the Kangla Pass.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Kangla/Nangdalla High Camp/ Phoksundo Bhanjyang.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Today, we trek to the top of the Kangla Pass through steep ascend for around 3 hours. Climbing to the top of pass is strenuous. But the view from the pass of Crystal Mountain and the mesmerizing landscapes of Dolpo make it worth. We also see the views of Shey Shikkar Peak and Kang Chunne, both above 6000 meters. Then we descend down to the valley floor along with the river. Before getting to Shey Gompa, a Red Chorten marks the entrance of Shey Gompa after walking through open meadow with grazing yaks, sheep and mountain goats (Chhyangra).

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Shey Gompa.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Shey Gompa Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries built in 1,655 AD and is famous for big copper and gilded gold statue of Seated Shakyamuni Buddha. To the east of the Gompa, Crystal Mountain stands which is the most sacred peak in Dolpo which Dolpo pilgrims circumambulate each summer before the harvest. Shey Festival, the summer festival observed by the people of Dolpo with huge enthusiasm is hosted at Shey Gompa. Peter Mattheissen wrote quite a lot about his stay in Shey in 'The Snow Leopard', and it was shown in Eric Vally’s movie ‘Caravan' as Thinley's son's Gompa. Rest of the day, we walk around the village which is famous for Bonpo Religion.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Shey Gompa.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

After breakfast, we begin our trek following beside Sephu Khola for almost couple of hours. The landscapes during this part of the trek are typical Dolpo landscapes- barren and enchanting. Then we begin to climb up towards the top of Shey La Pass, which is almost two hours of hike. The acme of Shey La Pass west of Shey, rewards us with the magnificent views of Mustang to the East, Tibet to the North and Kanjiroba, Kagmara and Riu Dhukta or the Crystal Mountain to the West. The final push downhill from the pass, which is almost 2 hours of hike, brings us to Namduna, a local nomadic herding settlement. In Namduna Gaun we visit Namgung monastery. The red stone monstery is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Namduna Village.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Our trail climbs up the slope and begin a long walk along the dusty barren mountains. We follow Namga Khola and after crossing summer herding spots, we see the Saldang Village.Saldang is the largest village of the inner Dolpo area. The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope and consists of five villages having about eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred people. It is a prosperous village not only agriculturally but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. Amchi tradition and Buddhism in Dolpo thrives here at Saldang.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Saldhang.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

From Saldang, we walk further north along the Nagon Khola (river) on a wild and barren terrain. We begin our walk on a fairly gradual path with few ups and downs. On the way, we pass through Marang and Ki villages. Next, we cross a tributary of Panzang River and walk towards the east and cross the river again before reaching Yangze Gompa which houses an old Bon-Po Monastery.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Yangze Gompa.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

From Yangze, there are two trails that connect to Sibu. To save time we will retrace the path back towards Saldang village, which will be much easier and shorter than the other route. From Saldang we walk along a river and pass through terraced fields, stupas, chortens, heaps of mani stones and a Chaiba monastery, then pass through the Namdo village, which is also prosperous, with about sixty houses having nearly 400 inhabitants. It stretches for more than 5 km on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Our journey continues further down the river for another two hours to camp near a small settlement of Sibu.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Yangze Gompa.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

We walk along the Nam Khong Khola for a while and pass by caravans with yaks that are moving towards the Tibetan border. After turning east and walking for a while, we arrive at a confluence of two small streams. Next, the steep trail Pass. Our camp will be set up in this beautiful meadow.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Jeng-La Phedi.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

We get up early in the morning and set forth on today’s trek. It will take us two long hours to reach the top of the Jeng La pass from where we get remarkable views of the north face of the Dhaualgiri massif. From here we descend on a rough trail to the Tarap Valley, a fascinating valley with vast plains in high mountains that extends twenty kilometers along Tarap Chu river.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Tokyu Goan.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

We trek downhill on a plain valley with patches of lush grass on both sides of the river which is completely different from other parts of inner Dolpo. There is also a marsh which is a common feature in the Desert Mountains of Tibet and the Ladakh Himalaya. Both the Bon Po and Buddhist sects are practiced in the valley. After a short trek, we reach Dho Tarap.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Dho Tarap.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

We spend today resting and strolling in the village of Dho Tarap which is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. Our walks will help us get acquainted with the local culture of the area. At Dho, about 40 houses are divided into three clusters and built in a haphazard way inhabited by few Tibetans and mostly Magars who are a hill tribe of Nepal. While here, we can visit a Buddhist Gompa which is closest to our campsite or we could embark upon a 40-minute walk and visit a Bon Po Gompa .

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Dho Tarap.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

From Tarap we descend towards a wide valley which eventually narrows into a gorge. We walk along juniper and wild rose bushes just above the tree line. On our trek we see herds of blue sheep and by the afternoon, we reach the confluence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola, a stream that joins with Tarap River from further east. We will make our camp on a nice meadow also known as Kamakharka and spend the night.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Tarap Khola.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

We continue walking down the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it. During our walk we pass by the local people who will be taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. This will be one of the most exciting days of this trip as the valley becomes so narrow in a deep gorge that in some places we can jump from one side to another. Sometimes there is no trace of a path and we may have to walk across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. The gorge also provides unexpected adventure and thrills. At some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away and we may be forced to cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, we reach our camping spot beside the Tarap Khola at Khanigaon where we spend the night.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Khanigaon.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

From the camp we follow a trail that takes us to the village of Lalberi. Our trail then passes through a lush forest, descends into another gorge and continues to follow the river again. After reaching Tarakot, we can visit Sandul Gompa which lies about 8 km east of the village at a juncture of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. The monastery stands on a hill to the south of Bheri River. Today we camp by the Tarap Chu river about 150 meters below Tarakot, near the police post.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Tarakot.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

We begin our trek on a trail behind the Bheri River before crossing a bridge near the Lawan village. Our trail will continue alongside the big Bheri Rriver ascending until the Byas Gadi. From here the trail moves towards the west on a relatively easy trail. We cross the river again near the Lochakhola Gaon and ascend to Dunai for an overnight stay. Today’s trek will mostly be on a wonderful gorge with pine trees.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge in Dunai.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

From Dunai, we trek along the Bheri River enjoying the beautiful landscape. On the way, we pass through Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages as well as a temple. We continue trekking via Kalagaonda village and Motipur village before reaching the small airstrip.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge in Juphal.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

In the morning, we fly to Nepalgunj and connect to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, we will host farewell dinner to mark the great success of your Trek.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B D

Activity Duration:

After breakfast, we will transfer you to Kathmandu International Airport before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration: