Upper Dolpo Trekking

Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,345 m and then transfer to respective Hotels

On reaching at Kathmandu international airport received by our representative and guide, then transfer for short drive in the heart of Kathmandu city and to your hotels.

After checking into your pleasant rooms then join in for group briefing regarding Upper Dolpo Trekking with other useful information to make your stay in Nepal with us more enjoyable and worth-while.

Evening includes group dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurant with cultural programs as entertainment.

Day 02: In Kathmandu sightseeing tour and preparations for treks.

Morning after breakfast in the hotel, our tour guide will take you in the heart of Kathmandu city, for exciting historical and heritage tour of old Durbar (royal palace and courtyard) square of great importance.

Tour includes Temple of Kumari (Living young virgin Goddess) Kastamandap Temple where Kathmandu name derived from, a temple built with the wood of a single tree, tour of old palace during the reign of Malla and late Shah kings.

As tour continues towards famed landmark of Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,500 years old a Buddhist Chaitya or Stupa, facing all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha, as tour continues towards famed landmark of Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,500 years old a Buddhist Chaitya or Stupa, facing all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.

Afternoon tour of famous Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath and visit Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the largest dome shaped monument in Asia of Buddhist religion and culture, after an exciting tour back to hotel preparation for Upper Dolpo Trekking.

Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj city around Far Western Nepal - 50 mins on air.

Morning preparation and getting ready for sweeping scenic flight towards Nepal Far West at Nepalgunj, located on low areas known as Terai belt, the flat land of Nepal with sub-tropical temperature.

As per the time for air journey transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for 50 minutes flight

Nepalgunj city, which is close to border of UP, a state India, during flight excellent views of Mountains, at Nepalgunj in a nice hotel for overnight halt.    

Day 04: Fly to Jhupal 2,320 m then trek to Dunai 2,850m – 03 hrs.

After early breakfast then connect with flight to Jhupal in Dolpo, on reaching Jhupal meet our trekking / camping staff, and then a short drive to Dunai for overnight stop.

Dunai an interesting and major town of Dolpo districts with time to explore its markets of shops and stores.

Day 05: Trek to Chhepka 2,838 m - 06 hrs.

After overnight in Dunai, morning walk past market crossing a bridge over Thulo Bheri River and then climb over a ridge to Phoksumdo River valley with views of Kagmara peak, from here trek leads downhill passing farm villages with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera, a small cattle herders settlements, from here a short climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri a Hindu local tribe, then downhill walk into forested area to reach overnight camp at Chhepka a small farm village.

Day 06: Trek to Samdua village 2,960m -06 hrs.

From Chhepka near Ankhe area, morning walk with short climb and descend through forest reaching a river bank, from here climb on leaving the forest, from the top walk downhill to forested area leading upstream to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, trek  further to Samdua for overnight stop near the entrance of Phoksumdo National Park.

Day 07: Trek to Phoksumdo Lake 3,500 m - 05 hours.

Morning leads towards our first destination at Phoksumdo Lake after crossing streams, following Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch trees to reach upper side of Phoksumdo Khola, after short stops continue walk to Ringmo village.

An interesting and attractive Tibetan like village with mud plastered chhorten and Mani (prayer) walls.

From here short walk to Phoksumdo Lake for overnight camp by the turquoise Phoksumdo Lake.

Day 08: Rest day at Phoksumdo Lake for local excursion.

A wonderful spot for free and rest day, relax and enjoy beautiful views of surrounding landscapes and peaks of Kagmara, explore interesting Ringmo village and walk around lake side.

Day 09: Trek to Phoksumdo-Khola 3,640 m- 05 hrs.

From this scenic place starts morning walk towards higher upper Dolpo area to our next highlight and destination, walk contours around rocky ledge above the river bank on unsteady path, then approaching western side of the lake into a summer pasture which opens up into a wide plain of Phoksumdo Khola to stop for overnight by the river.

Day 10: Trek to Phoksumdo Bhanjyang - 07 hrs.

Morning walk on pleasant trail within north of Phoksumdo Khola, then climb up to reach a ridge top, offering incredible views of wide green valley overlooking at Kang-La pass which leads to Shey Gompa, here overnight stop on nice green pasture.

Day 11: Trek to Shey Gompa 4,500m via Kang-La 5,361 m -06 hrs.

Starting walk to reach our destination at Shey Gompa leads to a climb on stone and rocky path over Kang-la pass at 5,361 meters, the highest point of the adventure with fantastic views of snow peaks includes Dhaulagiri mountain range.

From the top descend to the base of the hill by the river then across cattle herder camps, then continue towards Buddhist prayer monument Chorten and Mani on reaching at Shey Gompa located below Crystal Mountain, regarded as Holy Mountain with an old monastery.

Day 12: Rest day at Shey Gompa the crystal monastery.

A fascinating place for rest day around high mountainous area, in complete harmony of nature and monks chanting, tour of Shey Monastery also known as Crystal Monastery, this area is well described by Peter Matthiessen in his classic novel “The Snow Leopard”.

Day 13: Trek to Namduna Gaon 4,800m via Saldang La 5,200m.

From here journey continues through a wall canyon, as the trail meanders atop Saldang-la, offering views of Dhaulagiri peaks, then downhill to grazing area and end the walk at Namduna Gaon for overnight stop.

Day 14: Trek to Saldang 3,620 m -05 hours.

After this village walking on dusty and dry terrain, leading to steep climb to reach overnight camp at Saldang, another impressive and large village of Dolpo area, situated higher side of the windswept plateau.

Day 15: Trek to Chagaon 4,910 m - 05 hrs.

From here, morning walk following river Nang chu all the way with short ups and down and then passing Sugu-Gaon and Dechen Lapran a cattle herders settlement, and then heading to our overnight camp at Cha-Goan village with an old Rapa Gompa of pre Buddhist and ancient Bon-Pa culture.

Day 16: Trek to Dachu Khola camp at 4,700 m - 06 hrs.

Morning walk southern to Tarap valley around Tokyu and Dho Tarap village, then taking southern direction to reach Dachu Khola and beyond, after crossing the same trail following river through farm fields, and then walk into Yak herder areas for overnight camp.

Day 17: Trek and cross Jyanta-La at 5,219 m and walk to Phedi 4,900 m - 06 hrs.

After nice stop in this summer pasture area walk follows the river for short while, and then encountering yaks and mules laden caravan on route Tibet, trade with Tibet exists since hundreds of years, and this walking route lies on the old Trans Himalayan Caravan Route.

From the base of Jyanta-la, morning starts with steep climb to reach top of the pass with views of massive Mt. Dhaulagiri range, from here a long descend to the base of the pass on route Tokyu village.

Day 18: Trek to Tokyu Gaon 4,200m via Jyang la 5,091 m-06 hrs.

From the camp of Jeng-la pehdi, morning starts with a steep climb to reach atop Jeng-la pass, with fantastic views of Dhaulagiri mountain range, from here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo areas which is about 20 k.m. which stretches all the way to Tarap Chu River. After a good walk for hours reaching at Tokyogaon for overnight stop. This is one of the most-lovely and interesting villages of inner Dolpo; consist of more than ten villages with nice tended farm fields and old monasteries.

Day 19: Trek to Dho Tarap 4,040m- 05 hrs.

After Tokyu-gaon, morning walk starts with downhill towards Tarap Chu on wider green valley, this is one of the scenic valleys with many Sheppard’s settlements tending and grazing Yaks and Sheep. Walk continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, this is another interesting village with mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribe people.

Day 20: Trek to Ghyamgar 3,759 m - 07 hrs.

From here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. which stretches following Tarap Chu River most of the way to joins 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 camp at Ghyamgar.

Day 21: Trek to Tarap Khola 3,652 via Chhyugar 3,440 m - 06 hours.

Today walks on Tarap nice valley, as the trail enter into a narrow gorge with some vegetation of bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Toltol with a large overhanging cave, around this area might see some wild life like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals.

As the walk progress reaching a confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, overnight camp by the river after a long day walk of about 6 hours.

Day 22: Trek to Tarakot 2,540 m - 06 hrs.

Start morning walk passing smaller villages and then into a small wooded area, following river all the way at Tarakot, a large and interesting village with old history and well maintained terraced farm fields, Tarakot with an old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) guarding the village.

Tarakot village houses famous old Sandul Gomba located at junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where overnight camp situated.

Day 23: Trek to Dunai – 04 hrs then drive to Jhupal - 01 hr jeep ride.

After a great time at Tarakot, our last day walk takes to Dunai and then with short drive to Jhupal for the flight back to Kathmandu.

Morning starts following spread out villages a, walking on much wider trail with few short uphill into a valley and downhill towards Thulo Bheri River valley to reach at Dunai town.

From here time permitting with lunch stop then a jeep drive to Jhupal to make the day shorter.

Last night in Dolpo celebrate the night among fellow staff and porters.

Day 24: Fly back to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj and transfer to respective hotels.

Morning an early flight back to Kathmandu from Jhupal with transit stop at Nepalgunj city where you can enjoy refreshing moment before catching flight to Kathmandu.

As per the flight time for Kathmandu on large plane facing panorama of snow-capped peaks all the way to Kathmandu, and then transfer to your respective hotels.

Day 25: Free day at leisure with options for extra sightseeing tour.

Reserved as free and or contingency day,in case of flight delay and cancellationat Jhupal can happen sometimes due to Himalayan unfavorable and unpredictable bad weather.

To be safe and secure having an extra day in Kathmandu, if all goes well as per our itinerary days, enjoy this free day for individual activities or join in for another exciting sightseeing tour around places of great interest visiting Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur.

Day 26: Depart for International flights homeward bound.

Final and last day in Nepal, country of high Himalaya and varied culture, after a memorable experience and great scenic adventure on Upper Dolpo Trekking, and with your time for international flight our staff transfer you to the airport for  homeward bound or to your next port of call and respective destinations.