Upper Dolpo Trek – 24 Days

Upper Dolpo Trek by Overland where you have time to enjoy most parts of Nepal that cover from mid hills to flat Terai belt land within the south-west of the country and heading towards high hills, and into Tibetan landscapes plateau on higher areas of Dolpo.

An interesting drive on Upper Dolpo Trek by Overland journey to witness various traditional villages and towns to reach the low warmer city of Nepalgunj close to the Indian border of UP (Utter Pradesh), where a short scenic flight in a smaller aircraft takes you to Dolpo region within Nepal Far North West around the wildest region of the Himalaya.

Upper Dolpo Trek by Overland begins walks from Jhupal town to reach Dunai a major administrative town of the whole Dolpo region, walk first leads to the beautiful and stunning Phoksundo Lake visiting its scenic surrounding with Ringmo village enriched with Buddhism and ancient Bonpa sect culture of pre-Buddhism which is slowly fading around high Himalayan countries. The Himalayan Life that can be seen by this trekking is also the same as that of the Annapurna Circuit Short Trek.

On this Upper Dolpo Trek by Overland an opportunity to visit near-extinct Bon traditions that are still active in this remote and wildest country with Nepal’s largest national park of Shey-Phoksundo enriched with exotic flora and fauna that are rarely found on this planet.

From turquoise Phoksundo Lake walk leads higher to cross Nangdo-la also known as Kang-la Pass the highest point of the adventure offers striking views of surrounding landscapes with high snow-capped peaks, as the walk leads to our major highlight at Shey Gompa or Crystal Monastery located beneath amazing Crystal Mountain.

Explore the pristine areas where seldom western travelers ventures around this magic and mystical land a great place to be with super views and a tour of its impressive monastery treasured with ancient idols and religious books of both Bonpa and Buddhism.

After a grand glorious moment head down towards Inner Dolpo with a climb over a few passes of Sele-la and Jeng-la to reach the wonderful Tokyu settlement large spread-out villages an interesting place to explore its timeless traditions and colorful culture and then heading towards the longest valley of Dolpo around Dho-Tarap following Tarap River to reach at nice historical Tarakot village, where in early days was once a tax or toll collecting place on this old flourishing  Trans Himalayan Salt and Caravan route of Nepal and Tibet.

Slowly our great journey comes to an end walking back into Dunai and at Jhupal for the scenic flight to Nepalgunj and an exciting drive to Kathmandu, after a most memorable experience and magnificent adventure on Upper Dolpo Trekking by Overland.

Upper Dolpo Trek Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu (1350 m/4428 ft)to Nepalgunj(150 m/492 ft)- 10 hrs
Day 02: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhuphal (2475 m/8118 ft) after Trek to Dunai (2140 m/8003 ft) – 4/5 hrs
Day 03: Trek to Chhekpa(2678 m/8783 ft)- 4/5 hrs
Day 04: Trek to Samduwa (3038 m/9964 ft)- 5/6 hrs
Day 05: Trek to PhoksundoLake(3600 m/11808 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 06: Trek to Chill out around Phoksundo Lake.
Day 07: Trek to Phoksundo Khola Camp(3750 m/12300 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 08: Trek to Low Camp(4500 m/14760 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 09: Trek to SheyGumpa(4343 m/14245 ft) via Nagdalo-La pass (5350 m/17548 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 10: Acclimatization day at Shey Gompa.
Day 11: Trek to Namgung (4360 m/14300 ft) via sela-la pass(5094 m/16708ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 12: Trek to Saldang (3770 m/12365 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 13: Trek to YangtsherGompa (4960 m/16268 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 14: Trek to Sibu (4560 m/14956 ft)- 4/5 hrs
Day 15: Trek to Jeng La Phedi (4900 m/16072 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 16: Trek to Tokyu (4240 m/13907 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 17: Trek to DhoTarap(3944 m/12936 ft) -/6 hrs
Day 18: Rest day at DhoTarap.
Day 19: Trek to TarapKhola(3800 m/12464 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 20:Trek to KhaniGaun(3150 m/10332 ft)-5/6 hrs
Day 21:Trek to Tarakot (2540 m/8331 ft) -5/6 hrs
Day 22:Trek to Dunai(2140 m/7019)-5/6 hrs
Day 23:Trek to Jhuphal (2475 m/8118 ft)- 3/4 hrs
Day 24: Fly from Jhuphal to Nepalgunj and Afternoon Drive back to Kathmandu.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01:  Drive from Kathmandu1 350 m/ 4,428 ft to Nepalgunj 150m /492 ft and transfer to hotel with ten hours journey by overland.
From Kathmandu take a long overland journey to reach the Far South-Western region of Nepal where the drive leads on the country’s main busy highway, with grand views of peaks and rolling hills, as the ride leads lower towards warm areas heading due west to reach eventually at Nepalgunj city, an interesting place influenced with much Indian culture due to its close border with India.

Day 02: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhuphal 2,475 m / 8,118 ft trek to Dunai 2,140m/8,003 ft - 4/5 hrs.
Starts early morning transfer to Nepalgunj airport for scenic sweeping flight to Jhupal within Dolpo area, on-air catch views of Dhaulagiri with Api and Shaipal mountains includes more of western Himalaya range, before landing in Jhupal after 35-40 minutes air journey.

From Jhupal, get ready for first day walks to reach Dunai for an overnight stop in the headquarters and administrative town of the whole Dolpa district, an afternoon with time to observe the local interesting culture as well its exciting traditions.

Day 03: Trek to Chhekpa 2,678 m/8,783 ft -4/5 hrs.
After overnight in Dunai, the morning leads through the market area to cross over a Thulo Bheri River on a bridge, and then the climb starts to reach a high scenic ridge to head into Phoksumdo River valley facing views of Kagmara peak.

On reaching a hilltop descend past farm villages an interesting area with farm fields and terraces to reach near a stream of Dhera, a small cattle herder settlement, and then a short climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri a Hindu local tribe.

A walk leads to a downhill path into the forested area to reach our overnight stops at Chhepka a small farm village.

Day 04: Trek to Samduwa 3,038 m/9,964 ft -5/6 hrs.
The village of Chhepka lies close to Ankhe village, where the morning trek heads with a short climb to descend back into the forest reaching a river bank, and again climb on leaving the forest area.

After reaching the hilltop descend into the forest that leads you to a small bridge reaching Ryajik village, as the walk heads to Samduwa for an overnight stop near the entrance of Phoksumdo National Park.

Day 05: Trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake 3,600 m/11,808 ft - 5/6 hrs.
Today reaching  Shey Phoksundo Lake is one of the highlights as the morning leads to Phoksundo Lake after walking past Pungmo Kholas Valley and crossing a few icy streams, as the trail follows to Pungmo Khola on downhill within alpine woodland of pine, oaks, and birch trees to reach the higher side of Phoksumdo Khola.

After a short refreshing break as the walk continues towards Ringmo village, an interesting Tibetan-origin village adorned with mud-plastered Chorten and Mani (prayer) walls.

From here a short walk leads to Phoksundo Lake for overnight by the shore of the beautiful turquoise Lake of Phoksundo.

Day 06: Trek and Chill out around Phoksundo Lake.
A great grand place for a rest day and to get chilled within scenic surroundings with enough to enjoy and marvel surrounding beautiful landscapes with peaks of Kagmara, as well explore the interesting village of Ringmo with its age-old heritage and custom.

Day 07: Trek to Phoksundo Khola Camp 3,750 m/12,300 ft -05/6 hrs.
From here walk leads towards the high Upper Dolpo area to our major destination of the adventure, as the walk follows contouring around a rocky ledge high over a river bank in between unsteady paths.

A walk leads further towards the far end of the lake past summer pasture which opens up into a wide valley at Phoksundo Khola (stream) for the overnight stop and camping by the bank of stream.

Day 08: Trek to Low Camp 4,500 m/14,760 ft -05/6 hrs.
The morning walk starts on the fairly nice path heading north past Phoksundo Khola and then walking up on hilly slopes after a climb reaching a ridge top with grand views of the green wide valley as far towards Nagdalo-la or Kang-La pass on-route Shey Gompa, overnight camp pitched on a nice green summer pasture at Low Camp.

Day 09: Trek to Shey Gompa 4,343 m/14245 ft via Nagdalo-La pass 5,350 m/17,548 ft -5/6 hrs.
The morning starts with a steep climb to reach our major destination at Shey Gompa also known as Crystal Monastery, as it is close to Crystal Mountain at a mere distance.

From Low Camp, the walk leads to a climb on a stone and rocky path to reach Nangdo-la also known as Kang-la Pass at above 5,350 m high, the highest spot of the adventure.

The high spot rewards you with great views of landscapes with snow peaks that include as far as Mt. Dhaulagiri.  From the top of the pass descend to reach the bottom of a hill which leads to a river, and then across heading towards cattle herder camps, after a short break continue walking approaching the Buddhist prayer monument with Chorten and Mani.

From this nice spot, a short walk to reach Shey Gompa situated at the bottom of Crystal Mountain regarded as Holy Mountain with an old monastery close by.

Day 10:  Acclimatization day at Shey Gompa.
A perfect and great place for a rest day around this high mountain area, where you can enjoy the harmony of nature and the chant of monks, visit Shey Monastery also known as Crystal Monastery, this area is well described in the novel Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen.

Day 11:  Trek to Namgung 4,360 m/14300 ft via Sela-la Pass 5,094 m/16,708 ft - 5/6 hrs.
From Shey Gompa journey continuous heading into a walled canyon, as the walk meanders atop Sela or Gela-la at 5,094 m offering grand views of landscapes and of Mt. Dhaulagiri peaks, downhill on the grazing area with a pleasant walk to Namgung Gaon for an overnight stop.

Day 12: Trek to Saldang 3,770 m/12,365 ft - 5/ 6 hrs.
After Namgung walk leads on dusty windswept country heading to a steep uphill to reach our overnight stop at Saldang, another interesting large village of the region, situated on the high side of a plateau.

Day 13: Trek to Yangtsher Gompa 4,960 m/16,268 ft -5/6 hrs.
From here, the morning walk follows river Nang Chu all the way with short ups and down and then passes Sugugaon and Dechen Lapran a cattle herders settlement, and then heading to our overnight at Yangtsher Gompa near Chagoan village an interesting old Gompa of pre-Buddhist and ancient Bon-Pa culture.

Day 14: Trek to Sibu 4,560 m/14,956 ft -4/5 hrs.
The morning walk heads south to Tarap Valley around Tokyu and Dho Tarap village, then taking the southern direction to reach the bank of Dachu Khola, after crossing on the same trail following the river through farm fields, and then walk into Yak herder areas for overnight at Sibu.

Day 15: Trek to Jeng La Phedi 4,900 m/16,072 ft -5/6 hrs.
Having a nice pleasant stop in the summer pasture area walk follows the river for a short while, and then encountering yaks and mules laden caravan on route Tibet, trade with Tibet exists for hundreds of years, and this walking route lies on the old Trans Himalayan Caravan Route at the base of Jeng-la.

Day 16: Trek to Tokyu 4,240 m/13,907 ft -05/6 hrs.
Heading to crossing Jeng-la pass with a steep climb to reach the top of the pass with views of the massive Mt. Dhaulagiri range, from here a long descent to the base of the pass on route Tokyu village.

After the steep climb of the previous day, today is an easy walk to reach Tokyu Gaon overnight, this is one of the most impressive and interesting villages of the Dolpo area, consisting of more than ten villages and nicely tended farm fields with old monasteries.

Day 17: Trek to DhoTarap 3,944 m/12,936 ft -5/6 hrs.
After Tokyu Gaon, the morning starts downhill to Tarap Chu on a wide green valley, one of the scenic broader valleys of the area, here you will notice many Sheppard’s settlements of Yaks and Sheep, as the walk continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, another interesting village of mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribe people.

Day 18: Rest day at DhoTarap.
Explore this marvelous country with fascinating views, a great spot for a rest day where you can enjoy visiting the village of Dolpo people with other mix tribes Magar the hill people of Nepal enriched with interesting culture and customs.

Day 19: Trek to Tarap Khola 3,800 m/12,464 ft -5/6 hrs.
From here a long descent to Tarap Valley, one of the largest and longest valleys of the Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. and stretches following Tarap Chu River most of the way to join with Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village, walk leads past Langa with beautiful cascading waterfalls heading due south following the trail after Sisaul and small place of Kesila around Yak herders temporary camps to reach our overnight at Tarap Khola around a small place as walk progress reaching a confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, overnight camp by the river after a long day walk of about six hours.

Day 20: Trek to Khani Gaun 3,150 m/10,332 ft -5/6 hrs.

Walking onward towards the scenic valley of Tarap River to enter a narrow river gorge covered with some green vegetation juniper, wild rose bushes, and shrubs. Our route leads to a nice place of Tol-Tol and notices a large overhanging cave on the side of the trail, with chances of spotting wild animals Naur or Blue Sheep, and other mountain animals.

Finally, the trek ends at a confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola at KhaniGaun for overnight camp by the side of a raging fast flowing river.

Day 21: Trek to Tarakot 2,540 m/ 8,331 ft - 5/ 6 hrs.
The journey today leads to the nice village at Tarakot the walk starts past smaller villages and then enters into a small forest area, following a river all the way to Tarakot, which is one of the important and large villages of Dolpo with interesting history houses an old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) to guard the village from outsiders in early days.

Tarakot village with the famous old Sandul Gomba is located at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu Rivers.

Day 22: Trek to Dunai 2,140 m/ 7,019 ft -05/6 hrs.
From Tarakot with interesting time here where our last day trek leads towards Dunai,  as the morning walk leads past scattered farm villages and fields yielding millets, barley, and wheat, walking on a wide trail with a short climb and then following a downhill path to reach a Thuli Bheri River and then valley to reach Dunai for an overnight stop.

Day 23: Trek to Jhuphal 2,475 m / 8,118 ft - 3/4 hrs.
Enjoy great times at Dunai one of the interesting places around Nepal's Far West where you can witness local people of mixed tribes both Hindu and Buddhist as well Bonpa religions.

Morning heading on nice wide winding trails heading through many farm villages and forested section area to reach last and final overnight stop at Jhupal, before taking a scenic flight back to Kathmandu.

Day 24: Flight from Jhuphal to Nepalgunj and drive to Kathmandu.
At Jhupal flight starts early morning, after walking to its small airstrip then board in smaller aircraft for a scenic short flight to reach Nepalgunj airport, with enough time to get refreshed where an interesting and most exciting overland journey takes you back to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu transfer to your respective hotels with free afternoon for individual activities.

Cost Information

Equipment

FOR HEAD

1. Sun hat / Scarf
2. Sun glasses and Head lightFor Upper Body
3. Water Proof Jacket
4. Down Jacket / Warm Jacket
5. Light Weight T-shirt (At least 1 pair)

FOR LOWER BODY

1. Water Proof Pants
2. Running tights
3. Light Weight Pant
4. For Hand
5. Gloves

FOR FEET

1. Thin Inner socks (At least 2 pairs)
2. Woolen socks
3. Trekking boots (preferred comfortable boots)

OTHER ACCESSORIES

1. Sleeping bag
2. Water bottle etc
3. Suncream
4. Water purification tablets
5. Toiletries (Toiletpaperetc)
6. Warm hat
7. Trekking Bag Etc.

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