Upper Dolpo Trek – 28 Days

You will be greeted by your guide and transferred to the hotel from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. It’s a rest day to help you recover from the flight and also get adapted to the time zone. Take it easy and get ready for the journey that follows.

Today, you’ll explore Kathmandu’s rich culture and history. You’ll visit important landmarks like the Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. After sightseeing, you’ll meet your guide to finalize your trekking arrangements, ensuring that all permits are in place and that your gear is ready for the adventure ahead.

Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, the southwest part of Nepal. You have a hotel where you will be checked in. You might have some free time today to visit the town and get a glimpse into the local’s lifestyle.

In the morning, you’ll take a flight from Nepalgunj to Jhuphal, the gateway to the Dolpo region. Upon arrival, you’ll start your trek towards Dunai, a charming village that serves as the district headquarters of Dolpo. The trek to Dunai will take about 3 hours, offering beautiful views of the surrounding hills and rivers.

Today, you will trek about 6 hours from Dunai to Ankhe. The way to this trail follows the Bheri River and it further goes through the small villages and forests, which are really romantic to view while crossing the bridges. As the altitude gains, the rugged beauty of the terrain offers a nice view of surrounding mountains.

In day 6 we are Continue for 6 hours on a trek to Sulighat. The trail goes through dense forests and above small streams. As you go higher, the altitude rises, giving you the peculiar mountain zone of Dolpo.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a 5-hour trek to Phoksundo Lake, one of the highlights of your trek. The lake, known for its deep turquoise color, is surrounded by towering cliffs and dense forests, making it a truly magical place to explore.

Acclimatization being at a high altitude is also highly essential. You rest all day, giving your body time to get adjusted with the height. You can walk around a little in the surroundings of the lake, enjoy its tranquility and the scenic view that the place offers.

Today, you’ll trek for about 5 hours to Phoksundo Khola, a small village located near the river. The path is scenic, with views of waterfalls, high cliffs, and the dense forests that define this part of Dolpo.

Your trek continues upwards for about 7 hours to Phoksundo Bhanjyang. The trek is slightly more challenging than the previous one as one has to ascend upwards through forests and rocky trails gradually. However, the views along the way are rewarding, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks.

Today, you’ll trek for 6 hours, crossing the Kang-La Pass at 4,500 meters, one of the highest points of the trek. The pass offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the remote Dolpo valley below. After the pass, you’ll descend to Shey Gompa, a sacred monastery located in the heart of Dolpo.

You will be resting and acclimatizing in Shey Gompa throughout the day. It is a spiritual point in the area, and a day here exploring the monastery could give you enough knowledge about the local culture and Buddhism. You rest today to avoid altitude sickness as you proceed with your trek.

On this day, you’ll trek for 7 hours, crossing the Saldang La Pass, which stands at 4,800 meters. From the pass, you’ll have breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. After the pass, you’ll descend to Namduna Gaun, a small village nestled in the Dolpo valley.

Today’s trek will take about 5 hours. You’ll gradually go down to Saldang-a village renowned for its Tibetan culture. You will go through the valley, villages with typical culture and people working in farmland or herding their animals.

Your trek today is for 5 hours from Saldang to Yangze Gompa. Yangze Gompa’s monastery sits atop a very high perch and offers tremendous views of the peaks around it. This area is really beautiful and little known, with much of Tibetan influence.

Trek alpine 7 hours, crossing over small ridges and dropping into the valley. The route follows the high peaks on each side, with the peace and solitude of the Dolpo region.

Today is a 6-hour trek to Jeng-La Phedi, and the hike is mostly uphill as it gets you closer to the Jeng-La Pass that you will be crossing the next day.

Today is a 6-hour trek to Tokyu Gaon, crossing the Jeng-La Pass at 4,209 meters. The pass offers an awe-inspiring view of the surrounding region, and after crossing the pass, you descend down into the valley to reach Tokyu Gaon.

Today, you’ll trek for about 5 hours to Dho Tarap, one of the largest villages in Dolpo. The village is known for its Tibetan culture and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You’ll also get a chance to observe traditional Tibetan farming practices.

Dho Tarap is a tranquil village, and this acclimatization day is essential. You are free to walk around the village, interact with locals, and learn more about their way of life.

Today is a 7-hour trek into isolated villages on the way to the Tarap River. Scenery changes with the descent into a beautiful valley with great views of the hills surrounding you.

Tarap Khola to Khanigaon is quite a short trek. It takes about 5 hours to arrive, and the route is almost all downhill as one winds his way through the lower parts of Dolpo, passing dense forests and smaller villages.

Today is a 5-hour trek to Tarakot, a historic village famous for its ancient fortress and Tibetan Buddhist culture. It lies at the confluence of the Barbung and Tarap rivers.

Trek from the start part of your trekking towards Dunai on day 24, tracing back; you’ll cover beautiful scenery within a 6-hour trek in the heart of reflection time, keeping the ongoing trekking pace.

Only a short trek for today of just 3 hours, which again leads you towards Jhuphal. One could easily savor this downhill, easy-walking trail on his/her return towards the bottom line of elevation.

Morning flight to Nepalgunj followed by a connecting flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, check-in at the hotel and rest after the long journey.

Free day at leisure for rest and recuperation. You can also use this time to further explore Kathmandu and go for some shopping, in case you might have missed anything before your departure.

Drive to the airport depending on your flight time for your final departure for homebound, bringing the marvelous Upper Dolpo Trek to an end.