Upper Dolpo Trek

Duration: 25 Days   |   Based on 1 Review
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: By Air
  • Food: Full Board Plan
  • Accommodation: Hotel, Guest House & Tented Camp
  • Group Size: 2-16
  • Max Elevation: 5,550 m

Upper Dolpo Trekking lies in the trans-Himalayan region of mid-west Nepal, a land remote and isolated from the rest of the country. Since Upper Dolpo was part of Tibet once, Dolpo’s culture, landscape, and ethnicity are the same as Tibet and Tibetans. The Tibetan culture in the Upper part of Dolpo is the only one well-preserved on this side of the Himalayas.

Upper Dolpa Trek focuses on the journey to Shey Gompa Monastery located deep into the heart of Dolpo valley. The 11th-century Shey Gompa belongs to the Kagyupa sect (the first Kagyupa monastery) and was founded by Lama Ten-Szin-Ra-Pa. Shey in the Tibetan language means vivid, crystal, and pure. Today the monastery is in the care of the Chiba community.

The Upper Dolpo trekking route from Juphal, which is connected by Nepalgunj and two days walk from Juphal will reach Shey Phoksundo Lake (3600m), a high altitude lake, which is a Ramsar site lying within Shey Phoksundo National Park. The Lake is breathtakingly beautiful with turquoise water and natural serenity. Along the trek, you will have the constant backdrop of snowy Himalayan peaks from Dhaulagiri in the north to Wedge peak, Kang peak, and Mt. Api in the west.

Upper Dolpo trek difficulty: The Kangla Pass at 5,151m is one of the highest passes in the Dolpo region and crossing this is mandatory to get to Shey Gompa (4200m). The Gompa offers splendid views of crystal mountains and lacks mountains. After spending time in the Gompa you will drop down to Tarakot via Lahini by passing two other passes: Saldang La pass (4785m) and Jenjela Pass (4845m).

Explore the Upper Dolpo trekking with Global Adventure Trekking and live your dream! The cost of the trek is very comprehensive and doing a camping trek and the flight connectivity. The Trek is fully into the wild nature where you experience being above the clouds.

Highlights

  • Trek through trans Himalayan region of Dolpo
  • Observe Tibetan culture, and lifestyle and learn about Tibetan Buddhism
  • Visit Shey Gompa and Shey Phoksundo National Park
  • Cross Kangala Pass, Saldang La pass and Janje La pass
  • Capture amazing views of Kanjiroba, Kagamara, Api, Matathumba, Ghyutumba, etc.

Outline Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days
Day 01: Arrival and transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu (1,350 m)

Upon scheduled arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by Global Adventure Trekking Company (GAT) personnel and transferred to the hotel. Checking in and if time consent visit GAT’s office for pre-trip briefing and meet the Guide. Then free to wander around Thamel.

  • None
  • Hotel

We are having about 45 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in the afternoon. The flight offers beautiful landscapes and mountain views. It is an interesting western Terai town of Nepal nearby Indian border. We visit the local market, explore the diverse culture of locality, mini-zoo and nearby villages.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

We take half an hour morning flight to Juphal, the starting point for the trek to Phoksundo Lake. From here, we begin our trek ascending to southeast over Thulo Bheri Valley then stroll over pretty fields to the village of Kalagaunda. We follow the Bheri River and pass Roop Ghar and finally get the Dunai village.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

We depart Dunai after breakfast, trekking down to Bheri River, cross a suspension bridge, follow the river bank to Sulighat, head north and pass through Shey Phoksundo National Park check-post. The rough trail climbs up to the windy Suli Ghad River and walks through a tropical walnut and maple forest. We enjoy the flapping prayer flags, pleasant waterfalls, verdant flora to enter Shyanta village then climb final hour uphill along the narrow trail to reach the Chhepka village.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Today we walk through cedar forest crossing Rechi and Samduwa to get Jharana literally means waterfall, where we enjoy in front of the fantastic 303 m Waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal and a distant view of Phoksundo Lake.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Today we have a short walk through the birch forest, crossing a suspension bridge and pastureland to a Bon Village Ringmo on the southern end of the Phoksundo Lake.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Walking through the crevices filled up with wooden logs with great backdrop views of Kanjerawa and Sonam Kang. The trail finally enters through thorn bush and scrub trees.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Until Kang, Gopa path is flat and easy but afterwards, it steeps up through the grassy ridge.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Today is an easy and short day even though it is an uphill walk. You might encounter with Blue Sheep along the path.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

You are trekking into the wilderness area. Many goats, sheep, yak and other animals are around the jungle.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

The challenge of the day is the crossing of Shey La (5010m) and descend to Nmarung. Namrung is famous for ancient monasteries and caves. Overnight at Camp.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Today we planned the itinerary through the upper route. If it is difficult to you can choose lower path to Seldang which is nice and beautiful village. Overnight at Camp.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Cross a small river and climb to Yangtser Gompa at 3750m. This Gompa is known as oldest Monastery in this region. Overnight at Camp.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

You will continue uphill to Mushi La (5030m) and descend to Shimen village.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Your trek is bit long today too.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

You are trekking along the river bank lead you in no time to Rakpa.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

You leave Rakpa to get to Chharka La pass at 4920m. After this descend all the way to the picturesque walled village of Chharka.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

From Chherka, descend to river where our campsite is.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

Trek up to Molum Sumna at 5130m and descend to river campsite.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

It is your longest day of the entire trek as you climb to Sengda La (4,990 m) and get to Sangda Ghunsa at (4,190 m).

  • Full Board
  • Tent

The trail from Sengda to Dhagarjun is abounded with ridges. En route, you will cherish the finest view of mountain and landscape of Mustang valley.

  • Full Board
  • Tent

The downhill trail to Jomsom is easy and short.

  • Full Board
  • Lodge

Take an early morning flight to Pokhara and then a connecting flight to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel


This is a free and Leasure day in Kathmandu. You are free to walk around Thamel or we can arrange the Kathmandu city tour includes UNESCO world heritage sights - Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupati Nath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

Depending on your flight schedule, our staffs will take you to the Kathmandu international airport. 

  • Breakfast

What's included

  • Airport picks up and drops off by private vehicle
  • Three Night twin sharing stander Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast
  • One Night twin sharing stander Hotel in Nepalgunj with breakfast
  • Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu regular flight ticket with departure tax
  • Nepalgunj-Juphal-Nepalgunj regular flight ticket with departure tax
  • 15 kg luggage plus 5 kg hand bag allowance with all domestic flight 
  • An Experienced English Speaking Trekking Guide with equipment
  • One porter per two trekkers
  • Food, accommodation, Insurance, Transportation and salary of Guide and Porter
  • Rara National park Entry Permit
  • 20 Nights mountain (Tent / Teahouse) accommodation with full board meals
  • TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System)
  • All Government and Local Tax and VAT
  • Nepalese visa fee, Visa can be obtained on your upon arrival in Kathmandu Airport. Visa cost 25 USD, 40 USD, 100 USD for 15, 30 and 90 days respectively
  • Excess baggage charge(s)
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
  • International flights Tickets
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s)
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s)
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