Trekking Grade
Trekking Category
Upper Dolpo is a high-altitude Himalayan region, lies in the hidden valley of the mid-western between Tibet and Mount Dhaulagiri bordered by China to the north. It is a rain shadow area of Nepal, so we can see very few green hills.
Trekking to Upper Dolpo is one of the most exciting and adventurous; perfect for those who can spend a two-week or more time to explore Nepal’s mountain lifestyle and the Himalayan landscape. This remote part of Nepal is indisputably one of the best trekking destinations due to the natural sceneries, unique culture and traditional lifestyle of the people. Upper Dolpo is categorized as restricted areas for trekking by the government to control the tourist flow and to minimize the environmental and foreign cultural influences. Dolpo is well known for being a semi-arid topography with rolling semi-desert, deep narrow hidden valleys and habitat to some of the rare animals of the world.
The trekking route is a bit narrow but not crowded like Everest or Annapurna’s trails in Nepal. We will walk through a variety of landscape and interesting villages exploring the ancient culture and lifestyle while interacting with the few local inhabitants of Dolpo region. While trekking we will stay in tents and local villages along the way being closer to nature and the Buddhist community of Tibetan origin. The ancient Buddhist and Bon Po tradition is delicately interwoven with shamanistic influences to create a local culture in Dolpo. The people of Upper Dolpo travel up north with the caravan of yaks for trading and bringing in the essentials. Most villagers travel to get salts and food from Tibet and Yarsha-gumba (caterpillar fungus) from mountains. Yarsha-gumba is the combination of fungus and plant which is very valuable for medicinal purpose. Several villagers go on a group to hunt for Yarsha-gumba during the rainy season and Hunting Yarsha-gumba has become an integral part of the life of Dolpo people.
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Upon your arrival at Kathmandu, you will be greeted at the airport by our Nepal Fair Step Trekking who will assist you with immigration formalities and baggage collection. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast in Kathmandu, take a short 1-hour flight to Nepalgunj. Transfer to your hotel in Nepalgunj. Explore the local markets, taste Terai cuisine, and visit attractions like Bageshwari Temple. Attend a briefing session with your guide to discuss the trek details. Prepare your gear for the trek. Overnight in Nepaljung.
Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal. Meet the trekking crew and start trekking to Dunai. The trek takes around 3-4 hours, passing through villages and forests. Arrive in Dunai and explore the town. Overnight in Dunai.
Trek from Dunai to Chhekpa, which takes approximately 5-6 hours. Enjoy scenic views, cross suspension bridges, and pass through charming villages. Arrive in Chhekpa and relax. Overnight in Chhekpa.
Trek from Chhekpa to Rechi, approximately 5-6 hours. Experience varied landscapes, including forests and valleys. Enjoy the peacefulness of Rechi and interact with the locals. Overnight in Rechi.
Trek from Rechi to Ringmo, approximately 5-6 hours. Pass through beautiful landscapes and enjoy the tranquility of Dolpo. Arrive in Ringmo, near Shey Phoksundo Lake. Overnight in Ringmo.
Spend the day at Phoksundo Lake for acclimatization. Enjoy the stunning beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains. Visit the Tshowa Gompa monastery for cultural exploration.
Trek from Phoksundo Lake to the River Bed Camp, approximately 6-7 hours. Experience diverse landscapes and enjoy scenic views. Set up camp at the River Bed Camp for the night. Overnight at the River Bed Camp.
Trek from the River Bed Camp to Nando-La High Camp, approximately 6-7 hours. Encounter challenging terrain and enjoy panoramic mountain views. Set up camp at the high camp for the night. Overnight at Nando-La High Camp.
Trek from Nando-La High Camp to Shey Gompa, crossing Kang-La Pass. The trek takes approximately 7-8 hours. Enjoy stunning views from the pass and explore the sacred Shey Gompa. Overnight near Shey Gompa.
Spend the day acclimatizing at Shey Gompa. Explore the monastery and interact with the monks. Enjoy the surrounding views and take time to rest. Overnight near Shey Gompa.
Trek from Shey Gompa to Numagung, crossing Shey-La Pass. The trek takes approximately 7-8 hours. Enjoy panoramic views from the pass and experience the cultural richness of Numagung. Overnight in Numagung.
Trek from Numagung to Saldang, approximately 6-7 hours. Pass through rugged landscapes and interact with local villagers. Explore the ancient village of Saldang and immerse yourself in its unique culture. Overnight in Saldang.
rek from Saldang to Yangtser Gompa, approximately 5-6 hours. Enjoy scenic landscapes and visit ancient monasteries. Experience the peacefulness of Yangtser Gompa. Overnight in Yangtser Gompa.
Trek from Yangtser Gompa to Rapa Gaon, approximately 5-6 hours. Enjoy scenic views and encounter local villagers. Explore the cultural richness of Rapa Gaon. Overnight in Rapa Gaon.
Trek from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi, approximately 6-7 hours. Experience diverse landscapes and prepare for the upcoming Jeng-la Pass. Overnight at Jeng-la Phedi
Trek from Jeng-la Phedi to Tokyu, approximately 7-8 hours. Cross the challenging Jeng-La Pass, enjoy panoramic views, and explore the cultural richness of Tokyu. Overnight in Tokyu.
Trek from Tokyu to Dho Tarap, approximately 6-7 hours. Explore the cultural richness of Dho Tarap and enjoy the serene atmosphere. Overnight in Dho Tarap.
Rest day in Dho Tarap. Explore the village, visit monasteries, and enjoy the tranquility of the Tarap Valley. Overnight in Dho Tarap.
Trek from Dho Tarap to Serkam, approximately 6-7 hours. Enjoy the scenic landscapes and immerse yourself in the peacefulness of Serkam. Overnight in Serkam.
Trek from Serkam to Shahar Tara. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the surroundings. Overnight in Shahar Tara.
Trek from Shahar Tara to Dunai. Experience the final leg of the trek and enjoy the last views of the Dolpo region. Overnight in Dunai.
Trek from Dunai to Juphal, approximately 3-4 hours. Enjoy the final descent and conclude the trek in Juphal. Overnight in Juphal.
On day 24, you will board a domestic flight from Juphal to Kathmandu. The flight duration is approximately 1-2 hours, depending on weather conditions. As you soar above the majestic Himalayas, take in the awe-inspiring views one last time before landing in Kathmandu. Once you arrive, you can relax, reflect on your incredible adventure in the Upper Dolpo region, and savor the memories you’ve made. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Depart from Kathmandu. Conclude your Upper Dolpo trek and return home with unforgettable memories.
Safe travels!
