Duration
28 Days
Meals
Accommodation
Activities
Dolpa is one of Nepal’s most exciting trekking destinations for many reasons. First of all, with an area of 7,889 sq. kilometers, it is the largest district of Nepal and yet one of the most sparsely populated. Its topography is fascinating. It contains the deepest lake in Nepal, Lake Phoksundo, the deepest lake of high altitudes worldwide. Dolpa is one of the few Nepali districts that are behind the Himalayan mountains, due to which it gets very little rain. Upper Dolpo Trek is one of Nepal’s best and less visited trekking regions. A restricted area only recently opened for travelers in 1988. Travel through beautiful National Park areas and isolated trails to reach remote Shey Gompa Monastery. Pass mythical Crystal Mountain. Enjoy wild mountain scenery and splendid Himalayan views.
Hence, most of the hills are bare, with little vegetation. The Harsh weather combined with high hills makes the Upper Dolpo Trekking area one of the most inhospitable in Nepal. Yet, the barren and majestic hills lend it a rare beauty that is mesmerizing. Due to the harsh living conditions, few people live or travel in these areas. As a result, the people of Dolpa are part of a very isolated culture found in specific pockets of northern Nepal.
This is a land where life still revolves around horses, mules, and yaks, people still wear traditional attire and jewelry, waters are still divided based on a dice game, and the remains of the dead are given to wild vultures. Even today, much of Dolpa is a restricted area for tourists, contributing to the preservation of the unique culture of Dolpa.
Some of the attractions of the Upper Dolpo Trek route are Dho Tarap, a human settlement at the highest altitude in the world, Shey Gumba, religiously the most important Gumba in Nepal, and Lake Phoksundo, the deepest lake of high altitude in the world.
Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, a Peregrine Treks and Expedition representative will pick us up from the airport and take us to our hotel. In the afternoon, we may take a rest or visit Peregrine Trek’s office. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be hosted by Peregrine Treks. For dinner, you will be served excellent authentic Nepalese cuisine. Overnight in Kathmandu
Included meals: Dinner
Today after breakfast, we start a guided tour to several of Kathmandu’s most historical and spiritual attractions. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites, including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath), and the Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is one of the largest stupas in the world.
At noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Peregrine Treks will brief us regarding our trek and provide us with an opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast
After our short excursion in Kathmandu, we took an hour-long flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, located in Western Nepal. Nepalgunj, a town near the Nepal-India border, is also the gateway to Simikot, Humla. The town itself is an attractive Terai town that showcases the diverse culture of Nepal. We visit the local market, mini-zoo, and nearby villages in Nepalgunj. Overnight in Nepalgunj
Included meals: Breakfast
We fly to Jhupal after breakfast. The town is beautifully located over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks north. Here, we meet our trekking staff and begin the adventure. We walk through terraced fields to the Bheri River and its narrow gorge. We continue walking to Dunai, the Dolpo region’s administrative headquarters. We explore the small town in the evening and camp there for the night.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We leave Dunai, cross a suspension bridge, and turn to the west, following a trail past a hospital. The trail ascends the side of the treeless Thulo Bheri valley before entering Phoksundo river valley. During the walk, we get to the view of Kagmara Peak up the valley. We pass through walnut groves, Dhera, and Rahagaun villages, walk down dense jungles and finally reach Ankhe. Overnight in Ankhe.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Our trail ascends and descends along a wooded riverbank and climbs on a steep trail. The ups and downs can be monotonous, but several streams along the way offer a chance to cool off. The trail eventually leaves the forests and passes through a grassy slope above the river. We trek downhill on a trail surrounded by lush forests before reaching a cliff, followed by a dizzying drop on a wobbly stone staircase to the river bank. We continue trekking until we reach Sulighat, where we spend the night.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We continue our journey along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers. After crossing a bridge, we walk on the western bank of the Pungmo Khola. The trail passes through a cedar forest before reaching Palam village. From here, we trek up to a ridge and enjoy distant views of Phoksundo Lake and a spectacular waterfall, one of the highest in Nepal.
Next, our trail descends through birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola and then to the picturesque Ringmo village with its mud-plastered chortens and mani walls. From here, it is a short walk to the shores of Phoksundo Lake. Overnight at Phoksundo Lake
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Today will be a well-deserved rest day for acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake. During the day, we can take a short hike to the village of Ringmo and its Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. During our short walks, we also get a chance to get acquainted with the local culture. The Dolpo people wear homespun clothing that is sometimes dyed a maroon color, and they favor Tibetan-style samba or dacha (boots with upturned toes) for footwear. Men and women often wear religious amulets and coral, amber, and turquoise strings. Overnight at Phoksundo Lake.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Our trail moves around the top western end of Phoksundo Lake as it contours on a rocky ledge along the lake’s western bank. This rocky trail suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs driven into crevasse in the rocks signals the remoteness of the area we are about to enter. At the westernmost edge of the lake, the path leads through a lush meadow that opens up into the flood plain of the Phoksundo Khola. Then we walk through the valley, crossing the river, avoiding the occasional boggy marsh underfoot, and coming on the bank of the river to the overnight camp.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
For an hour or so, we walk on a trail that leads us along the level path through a glacial valley that heads due north. There is an old wooden bridge at the confluence of the Phoksundo Khola and another mountain stream. From here, we walk towards the northeast. A long climb brings us to a sheep meadow, where our trail veers up a steep ravine.
A challenging climb to the top brings us to yet another valley where we can see the Kang-La pass. We set up our camp near the pass in a place Peter Matthiessen christened ‘Snowfields Camp.’ During our trek today, we also admire the views of Chhamlang peak 6 (6739m) and peak 7 (6105m).
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
In the morning, we ascend on a steep trail littered with slate towards the pass. The climb to the top of the pass is quite strenuous. From the top of Kang-la pass, we get excellent views of the large valley dissected by a gushing river. We descend to the valley floor on a steep trail. Next, we walk on a meandering trail along the banks of a river, crossing and re-crossing it several times.
There are mud caves lining the hills overlooking the river. We also pass through meadows where we see grazing yaks, hundreds of sheep, and domestic mountain goats (Chyangra). After crossing a quaint log bridge, we reach the Shey Gompa compound, where we will spend the night.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Shey Gompa was built in 1655, and the monastery is noted for its giant copper with a gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. To the east of the gompa is Crystal Mountain, one of the strangest mountains, as its contorted cliffs are laced with quartz and embedded with a wide variety of marine fossils. Today is another well-earned rest day for acclimatization.
We spend the day hiking around Shey village, which is famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist culture, the Bon Po. In Dolpo, the ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teaching of Buddha. Overnight in Shey Gompa.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We begin the day by following a pleasant trail amidst juniper trees which descends into a grey, stony canyon. Then the path begins to zigzag over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil until it eventually brings us to the top of Saldang-la pass.
The subsequent descent towards the north is long and tiring, but grazing yaks and sheep and nomadic tents made from yak hair is a comforting sight. In Namduna Gaun we visit Namgung monastery. The red stone monstery is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge—overnight in Namuda Gaun.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We leave the village, climb up a slope, and begin a long walk along dusty barren mountains. After 3-4 hours of hard climb, we see Saldang Village below us on a plateau high above the Namga Khola stream. It has a picturesque appearance. Saldang is the largest village in the inner Dolpo area.
The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope and consists of five villages having about eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred people. It is a prosperous village not only agriculturally but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. Overnight in Saldang.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
From Saldang, we walk further north along the Nagaon Khola (river) on a wild and barren terrain. We begin our walk on a relatively gradual path with a few ups and downs. On the way, we pass through Marang and Ki villages. Next, we cross a tributary of the Panzang River, walk towards the east, and cross the river again before reaching Yangze gompa, which houses an old Bon-Po Monastery. Overnight in Yangze Gompa.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
From Yangze, two trails connect to Sibu. To save time, we will retrace the path back towards Saldang village, which will be much easier and shorter than the other route. From Saldang, we walk along a river and pass through terraced fields, stupas, chortens, heaps of mani stones, and a Chaiba monastery, then pass through the Namdo village, which is also prosperous, with about sixty houses having nearly 400 inhabitants.
It stretches for more than 5 km on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Our journey continues further down the river for another two hours to camp near a small settlement of Sibu.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We walk along the Nam Khong Khola for a while and pass by caravans with yaks moving towards the Tibetan border. After turning east and walking for a while, we arrive at a confluence of two small streams. Next, the steep trail ascends to a grazing area below the Jeng La pass (4,900m/16,072ft). Our camp will be set up in this beautiful meadow. Overngiht in Jeng la Phedi.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We get up early and set forth on today’s trek. It will take us two hours to reach the top of the Jeng La pass, from where we get remarkable views of the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif. From here, we descend on a rough trail to the Tarap Valley, a fascinating valley with vast plains in high mountains that extends twenty kilometers along the Tarap Chu river. We camp close to the monastery at Tokyu.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We trek downhill on a plain valley with patches of lush grass on both sides of the river, completely different from other parts of inner Dolpo. A marsh is also common in the Desert Mountains of Tibet and the Ladakh Himalayas. Both the Bon Po and Buddhist sects are practiced in the valley. After a short trek, we reach Dho Tarap). Overnight in Dho Tarap.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We spent today resting and strolling in the village of Dho Tarap, surrounded by an irregular stone wall. Our walks will help us get acquainted with the area’s local culture. At Dho, about 40 houses are divided into three clusters and built haphazardly, inhabited by a few Tibetans and mostly Magars, a hill tribe of Nepal. While here, we can visit a Buddhist Gompa, which is closest to our campsite, or we could take a 40-minute walk and visit a Bon Po Gompa. Overnight in Dho Tarap.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
From Tarap, we descend towards a wide valley which eventually narrows into a gorge. We walk along juniper and wild rose bushes just above the tree line. On our trek, we see herds of blue sheep, and by the afternoon, we reach the confluence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola, a stream that joins with the Tarap River from further east. We will make our camp on a lovely meadow known as Kamakharka and spend the night.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We continue walking down the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it. During our walk, we pass by the local people taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. This will be one of the most exciting days of this trip as the valley becomes so narrow in a deep gorge that, in some places, we can jump from one side to another.
Sometimes there is no trace of a path, and we may have to walk across stone slabs fitted on logs between the walls, which act as a bridge. The gorge also provides unexpected adventure and thrills. In some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away, and we may be forced to cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, we reach our camping spot beside the Tarap Khola at Khanigaon, where we spend the night.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
From the camp, we follow a trail that takes us to the village of Lalberi. Our trail then passes through a lush forest, descends into another gorge, and continues to follow the river again. After reaching Tarakot, we can visit Sandul Gompa, which lies about 8 km east of the village at the juncture of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. The monastery stands on a hill to the south of the Bheri River. Today we camp by the Tarap Chu river about 150 meters below Tarakot, near the police post. Overnight in Tarakot
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We begin our trek on a trail behind the Bheri River before crossing a bridge near the Lawan village. Our trail will continue alongside the big Bheri River, ascending until the Byas Gadi. The trail moves towards the west on a relatively easy trail. We cross the river again near the Lochakhola Gaon and ascend to Dunai for an overnight stay. Today’s trek will mostly be on a beautiful gorge with pine trees—overnight in Dunai.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
From Dunai, we trek along the Bheri River, enjoying the beautiful landscape. We pass through Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages and a temple on the way. We continue trekking via Kalagaonda village and Motipur village before reaching the small airstrip. Overnight in Jhuphal.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We take the earliest flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. Upon reaching Nepalgunj, we return to Kathmandu on the next available flight. After arriving in Kathmandu, we will be transferred to our hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner hosted by Peregrine Treks. Overnight in Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast
This is an extra day set aside for you to explore Kathmandu on your own. You can spend the day getting ready for your next day’s flight, do some souvenir shopping, or if there is a place in Kathmandu that you want to visit, then Peregrine Treks can arrange that too. In the evening, a farewell dinner will be hosted by Peregrine Treks to celebrate the successful completion of your journey in the Dolpo region of western Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Our adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! A representative from Peregrine Treks will take us to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight.
The Upper Dolpa region is full of rare herbs and wild animals. Lucky tourists can sight blue sheep, choral, even cheetahs, and many other species of wild animals. Also, the forests of Upper Dolpo are home to rare plants like Yarsagumba, Jatamasi, Panchaunle, Chimailo, and many others.
Upper Dolpa is one of the few remaining sources of Yarsa Gumba, an exotic half plant, the half-animal considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Every year, in May-June, the Shey Phoksundo National Park opens its doors to the seekers of yarsagumba. Local villagers travel in droves to great heights to seek this elusive plant found only in high altitudes under specific weather conditions. At a small six inches, the Yarsagumba is hard to spot on the ground for anyone but local experts.
Even the locals have to endure challenging hardships of high altitude, cold, and harsh topography to reap the Yarsagumba in its prime condition. They then sell it to local dealers at up to Rs. 1,200 per piece. The economy of Dolpa leans heavily on Yarsagumba, called “the insect” by locals and “Himalayan Viagra” by its enthusiasts. In July-August, droves of local traders can collect yarsagumba from villagers and take it over to China or Kathmandu for sale. At the end of the chain, Yarsagumba sells for more than Rs. 5,000 per piece in retail.
Accommodations are included in the trip cost. Peregrine Treks and Expedition has chosen the best deluxe accommodation for three nights in Kathmandu in a 3-star hotel, two nights in a lodge in Nepalgunj/Jupal, and the other nights in a comfortable two-person camping tent. To sleep in a tent, 4 season sleeping bag, and a foam mattress will be provided. We maintain standard comfort in every matter based on enforceable conditions such as weather calamities. All hotel and camping accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis and will provide you with a single supplement if there is different sex without extra charge. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference and get a single room/tent on request by paying a single supplement of USD 350.
Breakfast (only) will be available in Kathmandu, whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be available during the trek. We can enjoy freshly-cooked, hygienic, and nutritious meals on a full-board basis prepared by our trained and experienced cook during the trek. Authentic Nepalese, Tibetan dishes, and the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.) will be available. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Upper Dolpo Trek is categorized as an arduous trek. In such a trek, you will likely walk for 6-7 hours, cross steep, hilly terrain, and occasional high passes of up to 5500 m. You are likely to be in a remote environment with extreme weather on some days. You will also be facing high-altitude air with low levels of oxygen. Therefore, previous trekking experience, physical fitness, and a positive attitude are essential. You are exercising and jogging regularly for weeks before the trip is an excellent idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience is fundamental, but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip. Before booking the trek, you should also inform Peregrine Treks about your medical condition.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to October) are the best months for this trip. Since the Dolpo region lies in the rain shadow area formed by Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, you can also take this trip during the Monsoon season (June to August).
Important Note
The safety of all travelers is our main concern. Your team leader/guide has fully authorized and responsible for amending or changing an itinerary because of the safety concern. We will try our best to provide all services per an original itinerary. Still, the condition of weather, the worst health conditions for the traveler, and natural disasters like heavy rain, landslides, earthquake,s, etc. might change your trekking schedule.
