Upper Dolpo Trek

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, our representative will welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel for rest. Then you will have a meeting with the trekking guides and staff at the office.

For the welcome dinner, we visit an authentic Nepali restaurant. In case the flight arrives early, you can visit the holy Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple and witness spiritual ceremonies.

We start the day with breakfast, followed by a guided sightseeing tour of the most renowned areas in Kathmandu Valley. We explore Swoyambhunath, commonly known as the Monkey Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square, with its history and Newari architecture.

Assuming we ended Day 1 visiting Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, today we’ll be visiting Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares. Lastly, you will have a trek briefing, and you can shop for any remaining trekking gear you might need.

Today we fly to the lively town of Nepalgunj. Stay overnight at a hotel on arrival. In the afternoon, you can spend time exploring the local market, nearby villages, Mahendra Park, and the mini-zoo.

Early morning, fly short to Juphal, where your trekking journey starts officially. Today you will have an easy trek down along terraced fields to Kakeni

The route now ascends and descends along small paths carved out of the hilltops, passing through dense woodlands and rugged ridges. The hike consists of a series of steep ups and downs, interspersed with glimpses of the Phoksundo River far beneath. After some canyon scrambling and wooden bridge crossings, you'll reach the small village of Renje, situated alongside the river. Overnight camp in a serene forest setting.

Trek along rivers and through forests of cedar and birch to traditional Tibetan Ringmo Village and the stunning shorelines of Phoksundo Lake, Nepal's deepest lake, where you will camp overnight.

A rest day to adjust to the altitude. Explore the turquoise Phoksundo Lake, visit the nearby Ringmo Village, or take a short hike to a viewpoint. Enjoy the tranquil setting and prepare for higher elevations ahead.

Begin with a gentle trek to high camp via narrow glacial valleys and wooden bridges. We will spend the night here.

Climb to the summit of Kang-La Pass (5151 m) with extensive views of the valley and mountains. Descend steeply to Shey Village, where lies the old Shey Gompa monastery, a revered site in Dolpo.

Full rest and acclimatization day at Shey Village. Visit the ancient Buddhist history of Shey Gompa and nearby Tsakang Gompa, and discover the Bon Po traditions of the Chaiba people.

Walk through juniper woodlands and stone tracks to the summit of Shey-La Pass, which offers scenery of Tibetan hills. Descend to Namduna Gaon and explore the red-stone Namgung Monastery.

Traverse an old trade route to Tibet over stony paths to the largest village in Upper Dolpo, Saldang. Explore the village, people-watch, and try local drinks like salt butter tea.

Take time to rest and explore Saldang, the largest village in Upper Dolpo. Visit monasteries, observe local life, and experience the rich Bon and Tibetan Buddhist culture in this highland settlement.

Follow trails along the Nam Khong Khola river, entering dense forests before climbing to a pleasant meadow at Jeng-La Phedi for camp.

Early morning trek to Jeng-La Pass, with spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri massif. Drop down to the broad Tarap Valley and arrive at Tokyu Gaon for visits to gompas and chortens.

Visit the ancient Tokyo Monastery prior to a downhill trek through valleys lined with mani walls and chortens to Dho Tarap village. Visit the village and its monasteries.

Make a slow descent from Dho Tarap, following the Tarap Khola under steep gorges and riverside valleys. The trail is often narrow and carved into sheer cliffs, requiring careful footing. You'll see yak caravans and maybe blue sheep grazing. Scenery shifts dramatically from barren plateaus to lusher terrain as you arrive at Serkam, a riverside campsite secluded by cliffs.

Walk along a narrowing valley, cautiously crossing riverbanks and slabs of stone. Camp on Tarap Khola in a beautiful shaded spot.

Continue walking along villages and forests to the town of Tarakot, reaching Sandul Gompa situated at the top of the hill. Camp along the Tarap Chu River.

Backtrack to Dunai via the Bheri River, ending the trek of Upper Dolpo. Relax and enjoy local drinks after the long journey.

Trek from Dunai to Juphal via villages and scenery, reaching the small airstrip.

Fly from Juphal to Kathmandu with a connecting flight from Nepalgunj.

Today is free for exploring markets like Thamel and shopping for souvenirs, and concluding the day with a farewell dinner and cultural events of the local culture.

After breakfast in the morning, we will take you to the airport for your return flight or next destination, concluding your fantastic tour in Nepal.