Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo Trek also known by Inner Dolpo one of the remote trekking destination in Nepal mandatory to Camping arrangements with supporters staffs. Upper Dolpo Trek includes combination of Landscapes, unspoiled typical Buddhist culture, traditional local lifestyle, old Buddhist monasteries that includes high passes with fine trip itinerary.  

Upper Dolpo Trek is a fascinating “Off The Beaten Path” trek in Nepal in the tranquil, pristine and mysterious regions of Upper Dolpo. Upper Dolpo Trek also treks around the majestic glacial lake, Shey Phoksundo and visits Shey Gomba, one of the most famous monastery of Nepal. Despite being one of the harder and longer treks with several camps above 4500 meters and several passes, the arid trans Himalayan landscape and daily hardships of locals, leaves the travelers in awe of Dolpo. It is also a spiritual trek as shamanistic Bon religion and Tibetan Buddhism dominates the entire region.
Upper Dolpo Trek through tough mountainous region of fortified villages, ‘dzongs’, turquoise lakes, sacred mountains and high passes, susceptible to heavy snows which have isolated it from the rest of Nepal for much of the year. Isolated and unproductive lands has forced the locals to rely mostly on trade with Tibetans and the tradition still lives on today. Upper Dolpo Trek passes through these very villages that still serves as trade hub of these ancient trade routes. Centuries old monasteries, including, the famous Shey Gomba (referred as Crystal Monastery in the book Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen), unexplored and hidden valleys of Dolpo makes the trek worth every minute of the hard trek in this wild part of Himalaya of Nepal.

The most interesting  part of the Upper (Inner) Dolpo Trek is that we get to witness the culture difference of the people of different regions, had centuries ago.  Dolpo the high mountainous settlement holds the nomads that migrated to the region ages ago. Similarly the people of Mustang also called Lopas also migrated from Tibet almost during the same time. Still the contrast between the people of these two regions in the past and in the recent times is so huge in terms of civilization; it is an interesting discovery.

Upper (Inner) Dolpo trek is extreme trek require excellent level of personal experience at high altitude and outstanding fitness level. For more trip detail Dhorpatan to Dolpo – Lower Dolpo – Upper Dolpo and Great Himalayan trail of Jumla Rara Lake to Dolpo trip details written by our clients Dr. Howard and Sue Dengate. Please follow the link. http://fedup.com.au/information/nepal/nepal-dolpo-tracknotes

Upper Dolpo Trek short itinerary,
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1350 meters).
Day 02: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj. (130 meters).
Day 04: Fly to Juphal (2490 meters) & Trek to Raktang (2421 meters)
Day 05: Trek to Amchi Hospital. (3110 meters).
Day 06: Trek to Phoksundo Lake. (3733 meters).
Day 07: Acclimatization day.
Day 08: Trek to Phoksundo Khola. (3690 meters).
Day 09: Trek to Snowfield Camp. (4625 meters).
Day 10: Cross Kang La (5345 meters) and trek to Shey Gompa. (4375 meters).
Day 11: Acclimatization day.
Day 12: Cross Sela Bhanjyang (5075 meters) and trek to Namgung. (4430 meters).
Day 13: Trek to Saldang. (3980 meters).
Day 14: Extra Days.
Day 15: Extra Days. 2nd extra day.
Day 16: Trek to Khoma Gaon. (4100 meters).
Day 17: Trek to Mendo. (4000 meters).
Day 18: Trek to Tinje Gaon. (4110 meters).
Day 19: Trek to Rapka. (4535 meters).
Day 20: Cross Chharka La (5030 meters) and trek to Chharka. (4110 meters).
Day 21: Acclimatization day.
Day 22: Trek to Norbulung. (4750 meters).
Day 23: Trek to bottom of Sangda La. (4800 meters).
Day 24: Cross Niwar Pass (5130 meters) and Sangda La (5300 meters), and trek to Sangda.
Day 25: Trek to Lower Sangda. (3710 meters).
Day 26: Trek to Dhagarjun. (3210 meters).
Day 27: Trek to Jomsom. (2720 meters).
Day 28: Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara.
Day 29: Free day at Kathmandu.
Day 30: Departure.

Detail Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1350 meters).

  A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. trekking with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. (Overnight at Hotel)

• Day 02: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.

  A half day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

• Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj. (130 meters).

  The mornings can be used to carry out some last minute re-checks as we have an half an hour afternoon flight to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is very hot and humid compared to Kathmandu and it is better to have some insect repellent creams nearby. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

• Day 04: Fly to Juphal (2490 meters) & Trek to Raktang (2421 meters)

  An early morning 45 minutes flight lands us on Juphal and after a brief sorting and introduction of our crew, the trek finally starts. The trek heads toward Dunai, administrative headquarter of Dolpo, and then start to follow Phoksundo River towards North in the valley and stops at Raktang for the first night in camps. (5 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 05: Trek to Amchi Hospital. (3110 meters).

  The trek continues to head north of the valley and will keep doing so for most of the trek till Saldang. After passing many small settlements of lower Dolpo, the trek slowly enters Dolpo Valley and reaches Amchi Hospital. Amchi are the traditional doctors of the region. (6 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 06: Trek to Phoksundo Lake. (3733 meters).

  The trek still continues to move forward in the valley and also follows the Phoksundo River all the way to Ringmo. Ringo is the last big settlement before the trek enters the more wildly and remote aresas of Dolpo. The lake is only a few minute walk away from Ringmo. (4 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 07: Acclimatization day.

  The day can be used to explore around the Phoksundo Lake. (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 08: Trek to Phoksundo Khola. (3690 meters).

  The trek moves to the other side of the Phoksundo Lake and then starts to follow Phoksundo Khola for the rest of the day. This day also marks the treks entry into the upper valley of Dolpo and provides a brief look into the wilderness and remoteness that awaits in the valley ahead. The campsite is also by the banks of the river. (7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 09: Trek to Snowfield Camp. (4625 meters).

  Slowly and gradually, the elevation increases throughout the day and reaches the bottom of Kang La, first of the many passes of the trek. The camp has been mentioned in the bestselling book of Peter Mathiesson, ‘The Snow Leopard’. The name Snowfield Camp to the campsite comes from the same book. (7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 10: Cross Kang La (5345 meters) and trek to Shey Gompa. (4375 meters).

  An early start is followed by a long uphill to the top of Kang La. Equally tiring downhill leads to the bottom of the river and rest of the day is spent following the river. The day ends at Shey Gompa, also famous by the name Crystal Monastery. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 11: Acclimatization day.

  The day is spent exploring around the village and can also be use to visit a nearby monastery on a top of cliff. The visit to the monastery would take couple of hours for the round trip. (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 12: Cross Sela Bhanjyang (5075 meters) and trek to Namgung. (4430 meters).

  Another early start and a long steep climb to the top of Sela Bhanjyang is rewarded with views of Mustang Valley and mountains of Tibet and the Kanjiroba Range. A drop again leads to a river and a more easy terrain in afternoon finally leads to Namgung. (5-6 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 13: Trek to Saldang. (3980 meters).

  A steep climb for the most of morning ends at Saldang. Saldang is one of biggest settlements of the region. Ironically, this one of the most remote village of country is home to one of the biggest star of the country. Saldang is home of Thinle, the main character of the academy award nominated movie ‘Himalaya’. (5-6 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 14: Extra Days.

  There are many internal flights during the trek and these extra days are in case of flight cancellations or delays. If on schedule, these days can be used to explore around the many valley of Dolpo that are very remote and almost unexplored by trekkers. These days can be very useful for return flights from Jomsom as well.

• Day 15: Extra Days.

  2nd extra day.

• Day 16: Trek to Khoma Gaon. (4100 meters).

  The day starts with a climb and changes into a descent later in the morning as the trail drops once again to a river. Afternoon walk is similar as the trek first climbs to Khoma La (4565 meters) and then drops down to Khoma Gaon. Gaon in Nepali means village. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 17: Trek to Mendo. (4000 meters).

  The trail drops to the river and follows the river for most part of the day. Yet another drop follows a climb to a top of a ridge and ends at a green valley of Shimen. A brief walk after Shimen leads to Mendo. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 18: Trek to Tinje Gaon. (4110 meters).

  The trek continues to follow the river towards south and passes through small villages, chortens and mane walls before reaching Tinje Gaon. The village was also one of the major points of ancient Tibetan trade route. (6 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 19: Trek to Rapka. (4535 meters).

  An easy trail in the morning starts the trek and continues to head south of the valley. Later in the day, the trail starts to undulate and passes through narrow gulleys before reaching the wide valleys of Rapka. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 20: Cross Chharka La (5030 meters) and trek to Chharka. (4110 meters).

  Another early start and yet another pass makes the day one of the longer days of trek. After crossing Chharkha La, a long descent finally ends at Chharka. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 21: Acclimatization day.

  The day can be used as rest day to prepare for the final few passes of the trek. (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 22: Trek to Norbulung. (4750 meters).

  The trail undulates and many rivers are crossed on suspension bridges throughout the day towards the south of the valley. The trek keeps heading south of valley for most of the latter stages of trek. A final climb leads to Norbulung ending the day. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 23: Trek to bottom of Sangda La. (4800 meters).

  Once again the trek starts to gain elevation as the trek now enters the final stages. Few passes separates Dolpo region from Kali Gandaki Valley and Sangda La is one of them. The day’s trek ends at the bottom of Sangda La. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 24: Cross Niwar Pass (5130 meters) and Sangda La (5300 meters), and trek to Sang.

  The day to Sangda Phedi includes crossing of two passes and is one of the hardest day of the trek. The trail climbs up Niwar Pass and then crosses Sangda La and offers stunning views of the valleys in front for all the hard work. Long descent finally ends at Sangda Phedi. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 25: Trek to Lower Sangda. (3710 meters).

  The trek enters into descent mode and passes several small rivers throughout the day. More mountains of Kali Gandaki Valley starts to open up near Lower Sangda and the region also have huge number of Blue Sheeps.(6 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 26: Trek to Dhagarjun. (3210 meters).

  A small ascent in the morning soon turns into gradual drop and turns steeper with the day. This final descent also provides the view of Kali Gandaki Valley as the day ends at Dhagarjun. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 27: Trek to Jomsom. (2720 meters).

  The downhill continues as the trek enters Kali Gandaki Valley and drops all the way down to river. The trek now continues on the dusty secondary roads following the river south towards Jomsom. Jomsom is administrative headquarters of Mustand and is a busy town and marks the end of adventure. (4 hours) (Overnight at Camp)

• Day 28: Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara.

  An early morning flight to Pokhara is followed by another flight to Kathmandu and a whole day to explore the capital. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

• Day 29: Free day at Kathmandu.

  A leisure day in Kathmandu which can used for an early morning mountain flights to Everest or can extended into further more tours to Nagarkot, Dhulikhel etc. Further adventure activities like rock climbing, hiking, biking around the Kathmandu valley with bungee jumping, rafting near the valleys can be done on this free day. (This is also spare day in case of cancellation of flights) (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

• Day 30: Departure.

  A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)

• Note:

  ALL ITINERARIES CAN BE CUSTOMIZED AT YOUR REQUESTS ACCORDING TO YOUR CONVENIENCE.

Includes

• Airport arrival and departure service.
• Accommodation in (2 in sharing room) in Kathmandu on 3 star standard levels Hotel with breakfast,
• Kathmandu – Nepalgunj - Juphal and Jomsom – Pokhara – Kathmandu domestic airfare.
• Shey-Phoksundo national park permits and Trekkers information management system (TIMS)
• Dolpo special permits (Upper dolpo special permits cost $500 for 10 days valid and after 10 days $50 per day which is includes on cost)
• Experience Government license holder trekking guide, cook and supporter porters.
• All necessary land transport for Cook staffs and porters.
• Tented Accommodation during the trek, breakfast, lunch, dinner, including tea coffee while on trek, serve by our trekking cook staffs.
• Dining tent, Table, chairs, toilet tent, and sleeping mattress.
• Accommodation, food, salary, and insurance, for Guide cook, staffs and Porters.
• All necessary cooking gear, cooking fuel, (we use kerosene for cook food on trek)
• If need down jacket, sleeping bag, walking pole, duffel bag, we will provide without cost.
• Medicine kit (first aid kit)
• Government taxes and service charge.

Excludes

• Nepal entry Visa Fee.
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
• Mineral water, beer, coca cola, personal expenses as like telephone, laundry, bar bills, personal tips, etc.

Gear List

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG.

Hiking boots
Socks
Trekking trousers / pants
Waterproof overt rousers / rainpants
Baselayer shirts
Casual shirt and/or T-shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Waterproof jacket
Sunhat
Warm hat
Sunglasses
Thermal gloves
Warm and waterproof over gloves or mittens
Headtorch/Headlamp with spare bulb and batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 L.
Antibacterial handwash
Small towel
Daypack, 25/30Litres
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag 4 or 5 season * (rated down to – 20ºC)
Warm jacket (down)*

Medical
Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
1 skin-blister repair kit
Anti-diarrhea pills
Anti-headache pills
Cough and/or cold medicine
Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
Water purification tablets or water filter
1 set of earplugs
Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies.

Note: Walking pole, down jacket, sleeping bag, etc available on hire in Kathmandu or request we will provide it.

Faqs