Upper Dolpo Trek - 24 Days

Arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport, where one of our team delegates will welcome you. He will take you to the hotel. Rese for a few hours, and later, explore the vibrant streets of Thamel. In the evening, have a welcome dinner with the team members.

After having a delicious breakfast, you fly to Nepalgunj. The flight will offer beautiful landscape views. Upon landing at Nepalgunj airport, you move to the hotel. The evening is free to explore the local market.

Taking an early morning 35 minutes flight, you reach Juphal, the beginning point of the trek. From here, the trail descends through terraced fields to Thuli River. Crossing a big suspension bridge, you reach Shey Phoksundo National Park. Further, following the Suli Khola, you pass by lush pine, juniper, Cyprus, spruce, etc forest. The trail offers striking views of the Dhaulagiri range.

Continue trekking to the north of the valley and reach Saldang. The trail passes by many small settlement areas and enters Dolpo Valley. You will soon reach Amchi Hospital, where you spend the night.

From Amchi Hospital, you continue trekking deep into the valley. Further, following the Phoksundo River, you reach Ringmo, the last big settlement area. From here, the trail gets wild and remote. A short walk from Ringmo will take you to stunning Phoksundo Lake.

You spend the day strolling around the gorgeous Phoksundo Lake. It is a turquoise color freshwater lake. Phoksundo lake is also the deepest lake in Nepal. From here, you get to see wonderful views of Kanjirowa Himal (6,612 m). Likewise, you also visit many BonPo monasteries.

The trail follows the famous Demons Trail from the movie Himalaya (Caravan). The trail will get narrow at some parts. You ascend to a ridge from where you get to see superb landscape along with snow-capped Norbung Kang (6,085 m) in the south. Further, you drop down to the northern shore of the lake. From here, you ascend through a wide valley, crossing some streams and juniper forests to reach Chunemba.

The trail gets very quiet and narrow with huge rocks from here onward. Crossing a couple of streams, you will leave the main valley and pass by a narrow gorge. Further, a long steep climb will take you to Snowfields Camp for night stay. This name is given by Peter Matthiessen in his famous book called "The Snow Leopard".

From Snowfields Camp, the trail ascends from two and a half hours along a dusty path to Nagdalo La Pass, also known as Kang La Pass. From here, the trail drops down towards Shey Gompa. You pass by mani walls and chortens before reaching Shey Gompa.

Today, you visit Tsakang Gompa, which is more like a retreat than a monastery. Later, you visit Shey Gompa that belongs to the Chaiba community and built in the 11th century. Here, you get to see ancient Buddhists culture. Likewise, in the west of this monastery, you can see the Crystal mountain. It is a unique mountain with contorted cliffs laced with quartz and numerous types of marine fossils.

The day begins with crossing the Shey La Pass, which is also known as Glen La. The trail to the top of the pass will be steep and rugged. Upon reaching the top of the pass, you get to see fantastic views of the northern part of Tibetan plateau and Mustang in the east. From here, the trail descends to Namgung, where you get welcomed by friendly locals.

Overnight in the camp

Meals: 

The trail ascends steeply towards a ridge (4,700 m). From here, the trail descends on a steep slope and takes you to a beautiful Saldang village. This is the biggest village in the lower Dolpo.

From Saldang, the trail moves to Sibu. Trekking through terraced fields, stupas, chortens, mani wall, and monastery, you reach Namdo. Further, you walk to Sibu, where you will camp for the night.

Today, after having breakfast, you begin trekking towards Lagmo Che. The trail gradually ascends through forested paths with a few scattered settlements. You get to see wonderful landscape views on the way.

The trail ascends to Jeng La Pass from where you get to see stunning views of the Dhaulagiri range. From here, the trail descends to Tarap Valley. you reach Tarap Chu and move towards Tokyu for a night stay.

The trail moves east along the Tarap Chu. On the way, you come across many mani walls and chhortens. You can see a French School just outside the Dho Tarap village. Dho Tarap is a fine village with 34 houses and surrounded by irregular stones. Here, locals follow both Bonpo and Buddhists.

Leaving Dho Tarap behind, the trail passes by mani walls and chortens. You walk following the Tarap Khola and observe a gradual change in the landscape. Further, you ascend to a small pass and a descend to reach Sisaul.

From Sisaul, the trail ascends to a small pass. The trail moves along a river valley with high rocks. Enjoying the barren landscape, you move towards Nawarpani. On the way, you might get to see sheep and snow leopards. From Nawarpani, the trail descends and passes by beautiful pine forests and takes you to Laina Odar.

Following a steep descent, the trail passes through pine forests and takes you to Laisicap (2,772 m). From here, you cross Thuli Bheri River on a large suspension bridge. Further, the trail steeply drops down. You then walk enjoying the beautiful landscape and pass by dense forests, where you might get to see grey monkeys.

From Lingdo, the trail is pretty easy. After a few hours of walk, you reach a small village of Bazaar (2,427 m). From here onwards, you get to see landscapes similar to European Alps. Further, the trail descends and ascends to Dunai.

After having a warm breakfast, you move towards Juphal. The trail follows the same path. crossing an iron suspension bridge, you reach the Shey Phoksundo National Park. From here, you walk for two to three hours to reach Juphal.

You take a back to back flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu. Both flights will be short and offer breath-taking aerial views. Upon landing at Kathmandu airport, you move to the hotel.

It is an extra day in Kathmandu. As the day is not planned, you are free to do anything. If you want, we can arrange a guided sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the local market and do shopping. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner with the team members.

Today, you fly back to your home. You will have breakfast and pack all your stuff. Later, as per your flight departure time, one of our team delegates will drop you at the airport.