Trek through Nepal’s Far West Himalaya, the land of snow leopards and ancient Bon culture
Overview
Mode of Trekking: Hotels, lodges, and camping along the route
Trekking Grade: Moderate to adventurous, with high-altitude sections
Highest Elevation: Kang-la Pass – 5,350 m; Jyanta-La – 5,221 m
Activities: Scenic trekking, cultural tours, and flights
Region: Far North-West Nepal, beyond Dhaulagiri Himalaya
Culture: Inhabited by Dolpo people practicing Bon and Buddhism
Trekking Duration: 19 Nights / 20 Days (Jhupal → Jhupal, flights both ways)
Total Trip: 24 Nights / 25 Days (Kathmandu → Kathmandu)
Best Seasons: April–October (including July–August, as Upper Dolpo lies in a rain shadow)
Introduction
The Upper Dolpo Trek is one of Nepal’s most remote and wild trekking destinations, located in the Far North-West Himalaya. This region offers a fascinating journey through isolated villages of the Dolpo people, whose customs and heritage resemble those of Tibet across the northern border.
Trekkers explore Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest, spanning 3,555 km² across Dolpo and parts of Mugu districts. The trek passes through alpine forests of blue pine, spruce, cypress, fir, deodar, birch, and Quercus species, gradually entering trans-Himalayan desert-like areas with dwarf juniper and caragana shrubs.
Highlights of the trek include:
Phoksundo Lake, a stunning turquoise lake near Ringo village
High passes such as Kang-la Pass (5,350 m), offering panoramic views of the Dolpo region
Shey Gompa (Crystal Monastery), home to ancient Buddhist scriptures, paintings, and idols
Remote villages like Tokyo-Gaon, Dho-Tarap, and the historical Tarakot
The trek begins with a flight to Jhupal via Nepalgunj, moving through serene valleys, rugged mountains, and alpine pastures. After crossing high passes and exploring ancient villages, the journey concludes back in Jhupal, from where trekkers fly to Kathmandu, leaving with unforgettable memories of the Upper Dolpo wilderness.
Highlights
- Breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and scenic landscapes throughout Upper Dolpo
- Explore the remote Far North-West Himalaya, home of elusive snow leopards and blue sheep
- Visit traditional Dolpo villages rich in Bon and Buddhist heritage
- Trek to Shey Gompa (Crystal Monastery) via the scenic Kang-la Pass
- Discover Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest, with pristine wildlife habitats
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,345 m and transfer to respective Hotels
Day 02: In Kathmandu morning tour and fly to Nepalgunj for Upper Dolpo trek.
Day 03: Fly to Jhupal 2,475 m then drive to Dunai 2,140 m - 02 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Chhepka 2,838 m - 06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Sandua village 2,960m -06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Phoksundo 3,733 m - 06 hours.
Day 07: Rest day at Phoksumdo for local excursion lake 3600m.
Day 08: Trek to Phokshundo-Khola or forest camp 3,750 m- 06 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Phoksumdo Bhanjyang or Lar Tsa 4120 m - 05 hrs.
Day 10: Cross Nangdalo -La 5,360 m and trek to Shey Gompa 4,160 m -06 hrs.
Day 11: Rest day at Shey Gompa the crystal monastery.
Day 12: Trek to Namgung 4,430 m via Sela (Gela) La 5,010m.
Day 13: Trek to Saldang 3,770 m - 05 hours.
Day 14: Trek to Chagaon 4,747 m - 05 hrs.
Day 15: Trek to Dachu Kholor Darsumna Dhobhan at 4,310 m - 06 hrs.
Day 16: Trek and cross Jyanta-La at 5,221 m and walk to Phedi 4,965 m - 06 hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Tokyu Gaon 4,209 m - 06 hrs.
Day 18: Trek to Dho Tarap 3, 944 m- 05 hrs.
Day 19: Trek to Ghyamgar 3,756 m - 07 hrs.
Day 20: Trek to Tarap Khola or Camp site 3,652 via Chhyugar 3,441 m - 06 hours.
Day 21: Trek to Tarakot 2,537 m - 06 hrs.
Day 22: Trek to Dunai - 05 hrs then drive to Jhupal - 02 hr jeep ride.
Day 23: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj and transfer to hotel.
Day 24: In Kathmandu free day for individual activities and shopping.
Day 25: International departure for homeward bound or to respective countries.
For more information and trek details please contact us:
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel in central Kathmandu. After check-in, meet your trekking guide for a briefing on safety, culture, and the Upper Dolpo Trek. The day ends with a welcome dinner featuring traditional Nepali cuisine and folk-cultural performances.
After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s heritage sites: Durbar Square, Kumari Temple, and Swayambhunath Stupa. Return to the hotel for refreshment and lunch, then transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for a flight to Nepalgunj in the Terai region. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and explore the local markets, experiencing the culture near the Indian border.
Distance: ~10 km walking | Difficulty: Easy | Highlights: Durbar Square, Kumari Temple, Swayambhunath, Nepalgunj local culture
Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal and then drive to Dunai, the district headquarters of Dolpo. This town is the gateway to the Upper Dolpo region, surrounded by terraced fields and river valleys. Overnight at a local lodge.
Distance: N/A | Difficulty: Easy | Highlights: Scenic flight, Dolpo landscapes, Dunai town
From Dunai, trek past local markets and cross the Thulo Bheri River, then climb to the Phoksumdo River valley. Descend past farm villages with walnut trees and cattle herders, climb slightly to Rahagaon village, then descend through forest to reach Chhepka. Enjoy the serene village setting for the night.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Thulo Bheri River, Kagmara Peak views, Thakuri villages
Leave Chhepka, trekking through forested areas and river banks. Cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, then continue to Sandua, near the entrance to Phoksumdo National Park. This area offers scenic highland valleys and forested terrain.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Phoksumdo National Park, forested valleys, small Tibetan-influenced villages
Trek along Pungmo Khola valley through pine and birch forests. Reach Ringmo village, a traditional Tibetan-style village with chortens and mani walls. Continue a short distance to the turquoise Phoksundo Lake, one of Nepal’s most beautiful alpine lakes.
Distance: ~14 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Phoksundo Lake, Ringmo village, Kagmara Peak views
Spend a day relaxing and exploring the area around Phoksundo Lake. Optional walks to Ringmo village and along the lakeshore, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Distance: Optional 5 km | Difficulty: Easy | Highlights: Phoksundo Lake, surrounding peaks, Tibetan village culture
Ascend to the upper Dolpo region, following a contour trail along rocky ledges. Camp near Phoksundo Khola in a wide pasture, surrounded by alpine landscapes.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Upper Dolpo pastures, river views, alpine scenery
Climb steeply to a ridge offering panoramic views of wide green valleys and Kang-La pass. Set camp on a grassy summer pasture with dramatic high-altitude surroundings.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging | Highlights: Kang-La Pass views, high-altitude pastures, snow-capped peaks
Ascend to Nangdalo-La Pass, the trek’s highest point, with spectacular views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and surrounding peaks. Descend to Shey Gompa, a historic Tibetan Buddhist monastery below Crystal Mountain.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Challenging | Highlights: Kang-La / Nangdalo-la, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Shey Gompa, Crystal Mountain
Rest and acclimatize at Shey Gompa. Explore the monastery and enjoy the peaceful high-altitude environment. This area is featured in Peter Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard.
Distance: Optional 3–5 km | Difficulty: Easy | Highlights: Shey Monastery, Crystal Mountain, Tibetan Buddhist culture
Climb Sela/Gela La for panoramic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and surrounding landscapes. Descend to Namgung Gaon for an overnight stop in a remote highland village.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Challenging | Highlights: Sela/Gela La Pass, Dhaulagiri range, alpine pastures
Trek through windswept, dusty terrain with steep sections to reach Saldang, one of Upper Dolpo’s largest villages. Explore local culture and village life.
Distance: ~10 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Saldang village, high-altitude plateau, Tibetan culture
Follow the Nang Chu River valley, passing Sugugaon and Dechen Lapran, reaching Chagaon, a historic village with a Rapa Gompa reflecting Bon-Pa and pre-Buddhist culture.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Chagaon village, Rapa Gompa, river valleys
Trek south along the Tarap valley through villages and yak pastures, reaching Dachu Khola camp. Experience the traditional lifestyle of local shepherds.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Tarap Valley, yak pastures, rural Dolpo villages
Ascend Jyanta-La pass, offering incredible views of the Dhaulagiri range. Descend to Phedi through alpine pastures, encountering yak caravans along historic trade routes with Tibet.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Challenging | Highlights: Jyanta-La pass, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Tibetan trade route
Cross Jeng La pass, then descend to Tokyu Gaon, a cluster of over ten villages with traditional farm fields and old monasteries. Overnight in this culturally rich village.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Challenging | Highlights: Jeng La pass, Tokyu Gaon villages, monasteries
Descend into the broad Tarap Valley, passing shepherd camps and Tibetan/Magar settlements, reaching Dho Tarap, a large village with well-maintained terraced fields.
Distance: ~10 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Tarap Valley, Tibetan and Magar settlements, yak pastures
Follow the Tarap Chu River through waterfalls and remote villages like Langa and Sisaul, reaching Ghyamgar, a scenic campsite in the valley.
Distance: ~15 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Tarap Valley, waterfalls, remote highland villages
Trek along a narrow gorge with juniper and wild rose bushes. Cross the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola rivers to camp by the river. Wildlife such as blue sheep may be spotted.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: River gorges, juniper pastures, wildlife
Descend into Tarakot village, a historically significant settlement with terraced fields and an old fortress (Dzong). Overnight near the Sandul Gompa monastery at the confluence of rivers.
Distance: ~12 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Highlights: Tarakot village, fortress, Sandul Gompa, terraced farms
Walk through scattered villages to reach Dunai. After lunch, drive to Jhupal to catch the flight back to Nepalgunj.
Distance: ~10 km | Difficulty: Easy | Highlights: Tarap valley villages, rivers, rural landscapes
Fly back to Kathmandu with a short transit in Nepalgunj. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Distance: N/A | Difficulty: Easy | Highlights: Scenic flight, Nepalgunj, Kathmandu
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international flight home, concluding a spectacular journey through Upper Dolpo with towering peaks, high passes, remote villages, turquoise lakes, and Buddhist monasteries.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Meals
- • Standard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner/one main course) as per the local teahouse menu during the trek
- • Seasonal fruits served every evening during the trek
- • Water purification tablets or drops for safe drinking water on the hike
- Transportation
- • Private airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
- • Airfare Juphal,Nepalgunj and KTM
- Guide, Assistant & Porter
- • Friendly, experienced, first-aid-trained, government-licensed, English-speaking MWT guide
- • One assistant guide for groups larger than 6 people
- • One porter for every two trekkers (maximum 20 kg per porter; 10 kg per trekker)
- • All guides’ and porters’ wages, meals, accommodation, insurance, and required equipment
- Trekking Permits & Fees
- • national park fee
- • Special permit for Upper dolpo
- • All local and government taxes and official fees
- Accommodation
- • Three nights at a best available 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (Two night before and One night after the trek), including breakfast
- • Teahouse/lodge accommodation during the trek (twin-sharing basis)
- Luggage Storage
- • Free and secure storage of non-essential luggage at MWT’s office or hotel in Kathmandu
- Farewell & Certification
- • Certificate of Appreciation upon completion of the trek
Cost Excludes
- • Nepal entry visa (available on arrival at Kathmandu Airport:
- o USD 30 for 15 days
- o USD 50 for 30 days
- o USD 125 for 90 days)
- • Extra accommodation and meals due to delays or changes from the planned itinerary
- • All beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), including tea, coffee, and soft drinks
- • Personal expenses such as shopping, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging batteries, bottled water, and additional helpers
- • Travel insurance (must cover emergency rescue and evacuation up to 6,000 meters)
- • Personal trekking/hiking gear and equipment
- • Tips for trekking staff and drivers