Upper Dolpo Trek 

Your Upper Dolpo adventure begins the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. After completing customs and immigration, our representative will greet you with a warm Nepali “Namaste” and a traditional garland. From the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. The drive offers you a first glimpse of Nepal’s street life: food stalls lining the roads and small temples beside the road.

Once you settle into the hotel, the day is yours to rest or explore nearby streets. You might visit a café or stalls to enjoy your first taste of Nepali cuisine-perhaps dal bhat or momo dumplings. The day concludes with a welcome dinner, often featuring traditional Nepali cuisine, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Your second day in Kathmandu begins with a warm breakfast. Today, you’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu that showcase history and architecture. The journey begins at Swayambhunath Stupa (the Monkey Temple) situated on the top of the hill. From the top, you can see the entire Kathmandu Valley. Then you’ll move to the Pasupatinath Temple, which is the most sacred Hindu site located on the banks of the Bagmati River.

After a local lunch, you’ll head to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the ancient royal palace area that once served as the seat of the Malla Kings. The wooden carvings, old courtyards, and the residence of the living goddess Kumari reflect the traditional Nepali culture.

Later in the afternoon, your focus shifts toward preparation. Our agency member will finalize all necessary paperwork, as individuals cannot obtain these alone. Your guide will review your packed equipment. If you need to buy or rent anything, you can do so in the nearby shops. A final, detailed briefing will confirm the itinerary for the coming days, review safety procedures, and confirm last-minute arrangements.

Today, you’ll leave the capital city and fly west to Nepalgunj. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport for your short flight to Nepalgunj, a town near the Indian border. The flight takes about 50 minutes, giving you an aerial view of the middle hills of Nepal and the Terai plains. As you land, the sudden changes in climate are hard to miss; the cool air of Kathmandu turns into the warm, humid breeze of Nepalgunj.

Nepalgunj is the main gateway to western Nepal and the Dolpo region. After checking into your hotel, you’ll have time to rest and explore the local area. You can visit Mini Zoo, Bageshwori Temple, or simply walk on the streets. In the evening, your guide will give you a short briefing about tomorrow’s flight to Juphal mountain airstrip, which opens the door to Upper Dolpo.

This morning begins with an early breakfast and a short flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal. This flight is the key part of the experience because it offers beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges as you transition from the flat Terai region into the Himalayas. It has a gravel airstrip, and flights are often scheduled in the morning due to the wind conditions. Here, you’ll meet the rest of your trekking crew.

The first leg of the trek begins from Juphal. The trail passes terraced fields and local villages where you can observe the daily lives of the locals. You’ll follow a small path leading to the Thulo Bheri River. The walk is relatively easy and serves as a good warm-up and acclimatization to the area.

By afternoon, you’ll arrive at Dunai, the administrative headquarters of the Dolpo district. Dunai is the largest town in the region, which consists of government offices, a police checkpoint, and small shops. You’ll set up camp and conclude your first day of trekking in Dolpo region.

Your first full trekking day begins with fresh morning air. After breakfast in Dunai, you’ll start walking north on the bank of the Phoksundo River (Suligad River). After a short trek, you’ll reach Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is the largest national park in Nepal. Here, your permits will be checked at the park office before the trail heads deeper into the forest.

The route climbs toward Magar and Thakuri villages, where houses are built from stone and wood, and people still live traditional lifestyles. By afternoon, you’ll reach Chhepka village, which is surrounded by forest and terraced fields. You can explore fields or chat with locals who are known for their warm hospitality and stories about the upper valleys.

After spending a night in Chhepka, you’ll continue following the Phoksundo River into more remote territory today. The trek becomes noticeably steeper in sections, with more challenging upward climbs compared to the previous day. You’ll trek dense forests of cedar, fir, and pine trees, and the scenery becomes wilder and adventurous with rock formations and waterfalls along the way.

You’ll pass small trail junctions and teahouses at Rechi, which is a common rest stop. The destination is near a traditional local healthcare clinic (Amchi Hospital), which is how the location sometimes gets its name. By afternoon, you’ll arrive at Chunuwar, a resting stop near the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo Khola rivers. You’ll spend your night here.

The route initially climbs through the forest of birch and cedar, with views opening up as you gain elevation. The final part offers your first glimpse of Phoksundo Lake. You’ll pass the highest waterfall of Nepal, the Jharana (or Suligad) Waterfall, which cascades over 167 m into the river below.

The trail then descends through a birch forest to the traditional Bon village of Ringmo, situated on a landslide dam at the southern end of the lake. From here, a short walk takes you to the shores of Phoksundo Lake. You’ll set up the camp and rest while admiring the serene beauty of lake.

Today is an acclimatization and rest day at Phoksundo Lake. A necessary pause before you venture into the higher and more remote sections of Upper Dolpo. But it’s far from a lazy day. The first thing you can do is to visit the traditional Tibetan Bon village of Ringmo. You can observe the local lifestyle, traditional houses, and terraced fields there.

You can also hike to the ancient Bon Tshowa Monastery, located on the ridge overlooking the lake. This 900-year-old monastery offers an insight into the Bon-Po culture, a pre-Buddhist Tibetan religion, and panoramic views of the area and Kanjirowa Himal.

Use this day to capture the scenery, meditate, or simply rest at the campsite. It’s a perfect day to recover, reflect, and ready yourself for the next leg of your trek.

The altitude change today is minimal in the net gain (only 8-9 m higher than the lake), but the trail involves significant ups and downs. This section is considered one of the most exciting and challenging parts of the trek as it contours the western bank of Phoksundo Lake. It requires a careful footing as you traverse several cliff sections. Our team will also be there to assist you during the more challenging sections.

After about an hour of trekking, you’ll reach Sallaghari, which literally translates to “Pine Forest”. This campsite is a small, flat area located in a forest of pine of juniper trees at the far northern end of the lake. You’ll rest in the camp of Sallaghari, ready to continue into the upper Dolpo region the next day.

The trek leaves the general lake area and heads into a narrow glacial valley. The path follows the course of the Tuk Kyaksa Khola (river), passing through a few forested sections along the way. The landscape starts to change from lush pine forests to more sparse, dry, and rocky terrain with bushes as you gain elevation.

With 6-7 hours of trekking in a day, you’ll reach Phoksundo Bhanjyang, also referred to as Nagdalo La High Camp or Kang La Base Camp. Our team will set up the camp soon after they arrive there. This strategically located campsite is a crucial staging point situated just below the challenging Kang La (Nagdalo La) pass you will cross on Day 11.

You’ll undertake one of the most challenging segments of the trek today: crossing the high Nagdalo La Pass (5,360 m). The day begins early to navigate the rugged and potentially snowy trail. Starting from the high camp at Phoksundo Bhanjyang, you’ll climb for several hours to reach the pass.

The pass is also known as Kang La. From its summit, you can see the entire Dolpo region, including the Crystal Mountain (Shey Shikhar), and the Tibetan plateau. The trail on the other side of the pass is equally challenging. You’ll make a long descent on a slope before reaching grassy meadows. The final leg of the trek leads you into the area of Shey Gompa, also known as the Crystal Monastery. This monastery holds a deep connection to both Bon and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

Another high and inspiring day begins as you leave Shey Gompa behind. The trek begins by following the Sephu Khola (stream) for a couple of hours before you begin the long ascent to the pass. From the summit of Sela La towards the north, you can see the landscapes of the Tibetan plateau, to the east, the Mustang region is visible along with Kanjirowa, Kagmara, and Crystal Mountain peaks.

After enjoying the views, you’ll make a long descent down into the next valley that reveals scattered stone huts and yak caravans. From there, you’ll reach Namgung Gompa, which is built from red stone. It is one of the isolated religious sites of Dolpo, which is home to monks who live simple lives dedicated to meditation and prayer.

Today’s trek involves a slight net loss in elevation, from Namgung Gompa down to Namduna Gaun. The path follows the course of a small stream, but it is not a flat walk. You’ll walk on dusty, bare, and arid landscapes that resemble the Tibetan plateau. The landscape has barren hills and sparse vegetation, showing that Upper Dolpo is in a dry, rain-shadow region.

As you walk, you’ll pass several chortens and mani walls, which indicate the presence of Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon culture. The open landscapes provide opportunities to spot local wildlife, such as blue sheep, marmots, and various high-altitude birds of prey.

The destination is a small, traditional village with flat-roofed stone houses clustered together. The highlight of the village is the Namduna Monastery, an ancient gompa that is a cultural landmark in the region. You’ll set up camp near the village and take some time to explore the ancient monastery to release the stress.

Today’s trek involves an uphill climb followed by a descent into the Namga Khola River. After leaving Namduna Gaun, the path climbs a barren slope for several hours. As you reach the high point, you’ll see the Saldang Village spread out on a plateau below. The final part of the trek is the descent to the village.

Saldang is the largest village in the inner Dolpo area, with approximately 80 well-built households and a population of around 600 people. The village is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture, from the architecture to the language and dress of the locals. Situated on a trade route to Tibet, Saldang has been a prosperous agricultural and trading hub for centuries.

On this day, you’ll you’ll trek further into the high, barren landscapes of Upper Dolpo, moving north from Saldang to reach Yangze Gompa. The path follows the Nagon Khola (river) in a northern direction. You’ll pass the smaller, more isolated settlements of Marang and Ki villages on the way. The trek also involves crossing a tributary of the Panzang River before you finally arrive at Yangze Gompa.

The area is named after the old Bon monastery located there. You’ll get a chance to explore one of the least-visited regions of Nepal and the traditional Bon culture. The evening is peaceful here, offering a chance to rest and prepare mentally and physically for the next stage of your trek toward the high passes and more remote villages.

After your stay at the remote Yangze Gompa, this day of the Upper Dolpo trek requires a change of direction to continue towards the next stop of the journey. Instead of pushing forward north, you’ll retrace your steps south before heading east towards Namdo Village. From there, the path leads alongside the Nam Khola (river) through terraced fields, chortens, and mani walls, before reaching Namdo Village.

It is also one of the largest permanent settlements in Upper Dolpo. It has a small monastery, a few teahouses, and stone houses built in the traditional style. The village is a hub of cultural and religious activity, with local families engaged in barley farming, yak herding, and trading wool or salt. Here, you’ll rest, acclimatize, and prepare for further journeys.

On this day, you won’t cross the Jeng La Pass itself but rather trek from Sibu to the high-altitude base camp below the pass, known as Jeng La Phedi. The day begins by following the Nam Khong Khola (river) for a while, so you head eastward. The trail eventually leaves the main river valley and starts an uphill climb towards a grazing pasture area below the pass. The path can be rocky and rugged.

It’s common in this section to encounter yak caravans transporting goods on the ancient trade routes that connect to the Tibetan border. Your destination is Jeng La Phedi (meaning “foot of the pass”). This campsite is a high, exposed pasture area. The high altitude of the camp is important for acclimatization before tackling the pass tomorrow morning.

You’ll start the day early to tackle the approximately two-hour climb to the top of the Jeng La Pass. The trail is rough and rocky, but the altitude gain is manageable starting from the high camp. From the summit of the pass, you can see the north face of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m).

After the pass, you’ll walk downward into the Tarap Valley. The landscape below opens up into plains and marshy grasslands located beside the Tarap Chu River. After a short trek, you’ll arrive at Tokyu Gaon, which is one of the highest human settlements in the Himalayas and a large village with several monasteries, including a Bon-Po monastery.

Today you’ll trek from Tokyu to Dho Tarap, one of the most remote villages of Upper Dolpo. After breakfast, the trail begins with a climb on rocky terrain and narrow ridges. You’ll pass chortens and mani walls, highlighting the strong Buddhist/Bon culture that is prevalent here.

You’ll reach Tarap village at noon due to the very short duration of the trek. It is one of the permanent settlements in the Dolpo region, which is inhabited all year round. It is a culturally rich village located at the confluence of two streams. This village serves as a trading post and administrative center for the surrounding region.

You can spend the afternoon exploring the village, visiting small monasteries, and interacting with the locals, known as the Dolpopa people. The area is rich in history and traditional practices.

The primary goal of this day is rest and active acclimatization to help your body recover and adjust to the altitude. Tarap is a cultural hub. You can spend time strolling the village, observing the daily lives of the Dolpopa people, who have preserved their Tibetan-influenced culture for centuries. The traditional architecture of the houses is a highlight.

The area around Dho Tarap is home to several important monasteries, such as Ribo Bhumpa Gompa and Shiwar Shartshang Gompa. You can visit them too. This is an excellent opportunity to interact with local families, perhaps sharing a cup of su-cha (Tibetan butter tea), and learning about their unique high-altitude way of life, including yak herding and trade with Tibet.

For those who feel energetic, a short hike up to the surrounding hills can aid acclimatization (“climb high, sleep low”) and offer beautiful views of the entire Tarap Valley.

Your day starts by following the Tarap Chu River downstream, which enters a narrow canyon. The path passes dense juniper and wild rose bushes as you head forward. You’ll reach the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola rivers from where you’ll descend.

As you trek downhill, the arid, high-altitude landscapes will start to give way to thicker vegetation. The open terrain provides a good opportunity to spot blue sheep. Your destination is the meadow of Kamakharka, a scenic spot near the Tarap Khola, where you’ll set up your camp for the night.

You’ll continue to descend from the high-altitude region towards lower, more forested areas. The path follows the Tarap Khola (river) valley as it begins to narrow from a broad valley into a deeper gorge. The trail can be adventurous and rugged, with stone slabs, log bridges, and potentially even crossing the river on foot if bridges are washed away or damaged.

The landscape changes noticeably as you descend into warmer climates and more vegetation. You may encounter local shepherds bringing their flocks to lower pastures for the winter. Your destination is the small village area of Khanigaon, a peaceful spot near the river where you will set up camp for the night.

The trek primarily follows the course of the Tarap Khola (river), where you may need to navigate steep slopes and narrow paths. As you go down the dry, rocky landscape of Upper Dolpo turns into greener valleys filled with pine and juniper trees. On the way, you’ll encounter various chortens and mani walls, indicating a Buddhist and Bon-Po religious influence.

After hours, you’ll reach the Tarakot Village. The village was once the capital of the ancient independent Tichorung Kingdom. Its name, “Tarakot,” literally means “fortress” or “castle,” and is built on a small hillock above the river for protection from other kingdoms.

You’ll camp in the pasture below the main Tarakot village, near the river banks, where you’ll spend your night.

The trail retraces a portion of the route you took on Days 4 and 5, but this time you’ll be trekking downstream the Bheri River System. The path is well-marked and relatively easier than the high-altitude trails of Upper Dolpo. As you move further downstream, the landscape becomes warmer, greener, and more populated with farming villages and terraced fields.

You’ll pass several small villages and hamlets, which offer the final opportunity to observe the traditional lifestyle of the mid-hill people of the region before reaching Dunai. Dunai is the largest village and administrative center of the Dolpo district. You’ll find slightly better amenities here than in the remote Upper Dolpo villages.

The trek is relatively short and easy, where you’ll walk through the lower Bheri River Valley. You’ll pass several small settlements and terraced fields, including villages like Dhupichaur, Rupgad, Kalagaonda, and Motipur. The final step involves a somewhat steep climb up to the airstrip area of Juphal.

Upon arrival, you’ll check into a local teahouse and freshen up for the evening. This evening is a time for rest, reflection, and celebration of the successful completion of the Upper Dolpo circuit trek with your guide and porter team.

It is time to begin our journey back to Kathmandu and take two short flights – from Juphal to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu. Flights from Juphal (Dolpo Airport) are usually scheduled early in the morning because wind conditions in the mountain gorges can become unpredictable later in the day. You’ll board a small unpressurized aircraft (typically a Twin Otter or Dornier) for this journey. You can see the final aerial view of the Himalayan ranges you have just traversed.

After landing at Nepalgunj, you’ll change aircraft for the larger domestic flight to Kathmandu after a short layover. The second flight takes you across the different regions of Nepal, moving from the hot, flat Terai plain of Nepalgunj back to the Kathmandu Valley.

It’s time to fly home! Say goodbye to Nepal and your fellow trekkers! A representative from our trekking company will transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). You’ll proceed through check-in, customs, and immigration for your flight home.