Upper Dolpo Trek

  •   Destination: Nepal
  •   Trip Grade: Moderate
  •  Group size: 2-3
  •  Best Seasons: spring
  •   Meals: (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  •   Accomodation: Hotel
  •   Transportation: included

Overview

The Upper Dolpo trek in Nepal is a newly opened, less trodden trekking location suitable for thrill seekers wishing to seek solitude and solace in the mystical lands of Nepal. This unforgettable experience takes you into the hearts of the mystical land where old age Bonpo and Buddhist traditions along with shamanistic influences showcase the cultural and religious diversity of Nepal.

 

The Dolpo region is situated on the Tibetan plateau and the Dhauliaigr ranges. It was newly opened to trekkers on 1989. This less trodden area offers solace and solitude, along with eh opportunity to witness the beauty of the topographically varied mystical Dolpo. The carefully formulated itinerary made by the Alpine Paradise Treks and Expedition takes you off the popular trails into the depths, nooks, and crannies of this region, to experience its true beauty.

 

Culturally influenced by Tibet, the Upper Dolpo region requires a permit to the trekked upon. Shey Gompa is one of the major areas of religious significance in this region. Other attractions are the high passes of the Himalayas and the tranquil and azure blue Phoksundo Lake. The ancient Trans-Himalayan trade route follows the route through this least developed district in Nepal.

 

The beautiful experience starts off with Nepalgunj and passes through ancient villages of Jhuphal, Anke, Sulighat, Phoksundo Lake, Shey Gompa, Namduna Gaun, Saldang, Dho Tarapo, Tarakot and comes to an end in Dunai. Stunning mountain scenery of the Annaprunba, Dhaulaigir and Mount Kailash amalgamated with the passage through the rugged landscape makes this experience one in a million.

The landscapes are desolate, isolated and pure. Camping is an important part of the trek and proper acclimatization is the key to success.  Varied landscapes from tree line to dry, arid areas of this region call trekkers from all around the world to experience heaven in Nepal. Come experience this wonderful journey with Alpine Paradise Treks and Expedition and return home satisfied.

 

Best Season:

The best time to trek in Upper Dolpo is during the summer months, from June to September. The region is located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and receives very little rain, making it a great destination for trekking during these months.

 

Permits:

  1. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  2. Shey-Phoksundo National Park Permit
  3. Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit

Regulations:

  1. The Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit can be obtained through a registered trekking agency in Nepal, and a minimum of two trekkers is required.
  2. The trek must be accompanied by a licensed guide.
  3. Trekkers must follow the designated route and camping is required throughout the trek.
  4. Trekkers are not allowed to deviate from the designated route, and must obtain permission from the authorities to visit any villages or areas outside the designated route.
  5. Trekkers must respect local customs and traditions, and avoid causing damage to the natural environment.
  6. The consumption of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.

 

 

Outline Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival at kathmandu valley. overnight at Hotel

Day 02 : Sightseeing at kathmandu valley. overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Fly to Nepalganj, overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Fly to Juphal and start trek to Dunai,overnight at tented camp.

Day 05 : Trek to Hanke Check Post,overnight at tented camp.

Day 06 : Trek to Sumdo,overnight at tented camp.

Day 07 : Trek to Ringmo (Shey – Phoksundo Lake),overnight at tented camp.

Day 08 : Rest and explore around Shey – Phoksundo Lake and villages inhabited by Bon and Buddhist settlers,overnight at tented camp.

Day 09 : Trek to Silver Forest,overnight at tented camp.

Day 10 : Trek to Ngondala (Seula Bhanjyang Base Camp),overnight at tented camp.

Day 11 : Trek to Shey Gompa,overnight at tented camp.

Day 12 : Rest at Shey Gompa,overnight at tented camp.

Day 13 : Trek to Saldang, overnight at tented camp.

Day 14 : Rest at Sandang,overnight at tented camp.

Day 15 : Trek to Sibu,overnight at tented camp.

Day 16 : Trek to Jenjala Base Camp,overnight at tented camp.

Day 17 : Trek to Se La Base Camp,overnight at tented camp.

Day 18 : Trek to Dho Tarap,overnight at tented camp.

Day 19 : Rest at Dho Tarap,overnight at tented camp.

Day 20 : Trek to Big Cave,overnight at tented camp.

Day 21 : Trek to Lahini,overnight at tented camp.

Day 22 : Trek to Tarakot,overnight at tented camp.

Day 23 : Trek to Heute Ghar,overnight at tented camp.

Day 24 : Trek to Dunai,overnight at tented camp.

Day 25 : Trek to Juphal,overnight at tented camp.

Day 26 : Fly to Nepalganj & continuous to Kathmandu,overnight at hotel.

Day 27 : Explore to kathmandu. overnight at hotel.

Day 28 : Departure to yours own destination.

 

Request a Custom Itinerary:

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Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu valley.

After you arrive at the airport, you will be greeted by a representative who will take you to your hotel. You will have some free time to explore the area, relax, and acclimate to the local time zone. Kathmandu is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage, and you may want to visit some of the local restaurants, markets, and shops.

Day 02: Sightseeing at Kathmandu valley.

Kathmandu valley is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and on this day you will visit some of them. Pashupatinath is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, while Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world and an important center of Tibetan Buddhism. Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, is a Buddhist temple that offers stunning views of the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a complex of palaces, temples, and courtyards that was once the seat of the Nepalese monarchy.

Day 03: Fly to Nepalganj.

After breakfast, you will take a domestic flight to Nepalganj, which is located in the southwestern part of Nepal near the border with India. Nepalganj is an important transportation hub and commercial center, and you may want to explore some of the local markets and restaurants.

Day 04: Fly to Juphal and start trek to Dunai.

After an early morning flight to Juphal, you will start your trek to Dunai. The trek will take you through beautiful landscapes, including forests, rivers, and mountains. You will also pass through some local villages where you can interact with the locals and learn about their way of life.

Day 05: Trek to Hanke Check Post.

This is a relatively short trek, and you will arrive at Hanke Check Post, where your permits will be checked by the authorities. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Day 06: Trek to Sumdo.

Today’s trek takes you to Sumdo, a small village located at the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers. You will pass through forests of pine, birch, and juniper, and may also see some wildlife such as deer and snow leopards.

Day 07: Trek to Ringmo (Shey-Phoksundo Lake).

This is one of the most beautiful days of the trek, as you will arrive at Shey-Phoksundo Lake, which is renowned for its crystal-clear water and stunning mountain backdrop. You will also pass through some ancient villages and monasteries along the way.

Day 08: Rest and explore around Shey-Phoksundo Lake and villages inhabited by Bon and Buddhist settlers.

This is a rest day, and you can spend it exploring the area around Shey-Phoksundo Lake, visiting some of the nearby villages, or simply relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The area is home to both Bon and Buddhist settlements, and you can learn about the local customs and traditions.

Day 09: Trek to Silver Forest.

Today’s trek takes you to the Silver Forest, which is known for its abundance of silver birch trees. You will pass through some remote villages and may encounter some wildlife along the way.

Day 10: Trek to Ngondala (Seula Bhanjyang Base Camp).

This is a challenging day, as you will trek to the base camp for Seula Bhanjyang Pass. The pass offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and you will have a chance to acclimate to the altitude before attempting the pass.

Day 11: Trek to Shey Gompa

After breakfast, the trek continues towards Shey Gompa, which is also known as Crystal Mountain. The route passes through beautiful valleys and high mountain passes. Along the way, you’ll see the beautiful landscapes and traditional Tibetan-style homes of the people living in the area. As you approach Shey Gompa, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Overnight stay will be in a tented camp.

Day 12: Rest day at Shey Gompa

Today, you’ll take a rest day to explore the area around Shey Gompa. You can visit the ancient Shey Gompa monastery and learn about the history and culture of the local people. You can also take a walk around the beautiful landscapes and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight stay will be in a tented camp.

Day 13: Trek to Saldang

After a day of rest, you will continue trekking towards the remote village of Saldang. The trek will take you through rugged terrain and high mountain passes. You will pass through several small villages and cross the Namgung La Pass (5350m). The pass offers a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You will finally reach Saldang, a traditional village located at an altitude of 3,620m. Here, you will get to experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of the people living in this remote part of Nepal. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 14: Rest day at Saldang

Take a rest day to explore the village of Saldang and its surrounding areas. You can visit the local monastery and interact with the local people to learn about their unique way of life. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 15: Trek to Sibu Leaving Saldang,

you will trek towards Sibu, a small village located at an altitude of 4,560m. The trek is a long and challenging one, as you will cross two high mountain passes, the Jeng La Pass (5,090m) and the Mola La Pass (5,030m). The views from the top of the passes are breathtaking, with the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas stretching out in all directions. You will finally reach Sibu, where you will set up camp for the night. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 16: Trek to Jenjala Base Camp Leaving Sibu,

you will trek towards Jenjala Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,900m. The trek will take you through high mountain passes, rugged terrain, and steep cliffs. You will get to see some of the most stunning landscapes in the Himalayas, with snow-capped peaks, deep gorges, and lush forests. You will finally reach Jenjala Base Camp, where you will set up camp for the night. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 17: Trek to Se La Base Camp Today,

you will trek towards Se La Base Camp, located at an altitude of 5,010m. The trek is a challenging one, as you will cross the Se La Pass (5,160m), one of the highest mountain passes in the Himalayas. From the top of the pass, you will get to see stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You will finally reach Se La Base Camp, where you will set up camp for the night. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 18: Trek to Dho Tarap Leaving Se La Base Camp,

you will trek towards Dho Tarap, a traditional village located at an altitude of 4,090m. The trek will take you through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the Himalayas, with steep cliffs, deep gorges, and rocky outcrops. You will finally reach Dho Tarap, where you will get to experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the people living in this remote part of Nepal. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 19: Rest day at Dho Tarap

Take a rest day to explore the village of Dho Tarap and its surrounding areas. You can visit the local monastery and interact with the local people to learn about their unique way of life. Overnight at tented camp.

Day 20: Trek to Big Cave, overnight at tented camp.

Today, we’ll trek to Big Cave. The trail takes us through beautiful landscapes, including forests and rivers. We’ll pass several small villages along the way and get a chance to observe the daily life of the local people. After about 6 hours of walking, we’ll reach Big Cave, where we’ll set up camp for the night.

Day 21: Trek to Lahini, overnight at tented camp.

After breakfast, we’ll continue our trek to Lahini. The trail today is quite challenging, with steep ascents and descents. We’ll pass through several beautiful villages and forests before reaching Lahini, where we’ll set up camp for the night.

Day 22: Trek to Tarakot, overnight at tented camp.

Today, we’ll trek to Tarakot, a beautiful village located on the banks of the Bheri River. The trail takes us through beautiful landscapes, including forests and rivers. We’ll also pass through several small villages along the way, where we can interact with the locals and learn about their way of life. After about 6 hours of walking, we’ll reach Tarakot, where we’ll set up camp for the night.

Day 23: Trek to Heute Ghar, overnight at tented camp.

After breakfast, we’ll continue our trek to Heute Ghar. The trail today is relatively easy, with several ups and downs. We’ll pass through several beautiful villages and forests before reaching Heute Ghar, where we’ll set up camp for the night.

Day 24: Trek to Dunai, overnight at tented camp.

Today, we’ll trek back to Dunai, where our trek started. The trail takes us through beautiful landscapes, including forests and rivers. We’ll pass through several small villages along the way, where we can interact with the locals and learn about their way of life. After about 6 hours of walking, we’ll reach Dunai, where we’ll set up camp for the night.

Day 25: Trek to Juphal, overnight at tented camp.

Today, we’ll trek to Juphal, where we’ll catch our flight back to Nepalgunj. The trail takes us through beautiful landscapes, including forests and rivers. We’ll pass through several small villages along the way, where we can interact with the locals and learn about their way of life. After about 3 hours of walking, we’ll reach Juphal, where we’ll set up camp for the night.

Day 26: Fly to Nepalganj & continuous to Kathmandu, overnight at hotel.

Today, we’ll catch our flight back to Nepalgunj, where we’ll connect our flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we’ll check into our hotel and have some time to rest and freshen up. In the evening, we’ll have a farewell dinner, where we can share our experiences of the trek with each other.

Day 27: Explore to kathmandu, overnight at hotel.

Today is a free day in Kathmandu. You can spend the day exploring the city, shopping for souvenirs, or simply relaxing at the hotel. In the evening, we’ll have a cultural show, where we can enjoy traditional Nepali music and dance.

Day 28: Departure to yours own destination.

Today is the last day of our trip. We’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination. We hope you had an amazing time trekking in Dolpo and that you’ll visit Nepal again soon

Inclusions:

  • Accommodation (tea house or camping)
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Local transportation (airport transfer, trekking transportation)
  • Trekking guide and porter services
  • Necessary permits and fees

 

Exclusions:

  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (alcohol, snacks, souvenirs, etc.)
  • Tips for guide and porter
  • Emergency evacuation expenses
  • Any other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions list.

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Equipment for Upper Dolpo Trek:

  1. Backpack
  2. Warm clothing (fleece jacket, thermal wear, hat, gloves, etc.)
  3. Rain gear (waterproof jacket and pants)
  4. Hiking shoes/boots
  5. Headlamp/flashlight
  6. Water bottle
  7. Sunscreen and sunglasses
  8. Sleeping bag
  9. Tent
  10. First aid kit

 

FAQs for Upper Dolpo Trek:

  • How difficult is the Upper Dolpo Trek?

The Upper Dolpo Trek is considered challenging due to its high altitude and remote location.

  • What is the best time to go on Upper Dolpo Trek?

The best time to go on the Upper Dolpo Trek is from June to September when the weather is favorable for trekking.

  • How long does it take to complete the Upper Dolpo Trek?

The Upper Dolpo Trek typically takes around 20-25 days to complete.

  • Do I need a permit for Upper Dolpo Trek?

Yes, you need to obtain a special permit to enter the Upper Dolpo region.

  • How much does it cost to do the Upper Dolpo Trek?

The cost of the Upper Dolpo Trek can vary depending on various factors such as group size, itinerary, and service provider.

  • How high is Upper Dolpo Trek?

The maximum elevation on the Upper Dolpo Trek is around 5,200 meters (17,000 ft).

  • Is the Upper Dolpo Trek suitable for solo trekkers?

The Upper Dolpo Trek is not recommended for solo trekkers due to its remote location and potential safety concerns.