Upper Dolpo Trek

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International airport at Kathmandu, we offer you pick up facility. Our representative from the company will be there to pick you up from the airport. We will then escort you to the finest tourist standard hotel in the city and make sure of your comfort. You get to meet our company’s team and other team members who you will go on the trek together with. We might as well stroll around the city and get freshened up. In the evening we offer you lavish welcome dinner at the finest restaurant in the city along with cultural entertainment program. We then get back to the hotel for the night.   

Today we will take a short tour around the Kathmandu valley and visit some notable places. We will be visiting Pashupatinath, Swoyambhunath (Monkey Temple) Bouddhanath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. These religious and historical sites are rich in art and architecture. The stone works and wooden carvings on the temples and around the temple area are creative and artistic. These places hold religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. A huge number of devotees throng to these sites during major religious festivals in Hindu and Buddhist religion. We explore around, take snaps and buy some souvenirs. Then we return to the hotel and get our bags and trekking equipment packed and we get ready to go on the trek tomorrow. 

We will get ready to set out on the journey. We will get to the airport for our flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. The one hour long flight will offer you the nice and beautiful scenic views. After landing at the Nepalgunj airport you will be escorted to the hotel. You will get to take rest for some then. Then we will go for some exploration around. We will be walking through Tharu villages and local market area. We might as well visit the mini zoo there. We will spend the day exploring around and get back to the hotel in the evening. 

We will get on an early flight from Nepalgunj to Jhupal which is the district headquarter to Dolpa district. The flight offers the grand and exceptional view of Himalayas. From Jhupal we will get prepared to start our trek on foot. We will start with the walk along the village areas and vast farmland and then along the bank of Thuli Bheri river. We will then cross the bridge over the river and walk uphill for some time. We will then finally reach Sulighat and get prepared for our night’s stay there. 

The walk for the day starts with the walk along the bank of the river. Then we will continue our walk ahead and walk past the deserted human settlement areas at Raktang. We will then cross the river and will have to go through few uphill and downhill walk before reaching the grassland area by the side of the river. We will then reach the crossroad where the trail separates. We will catch the trail leading to Phoksundo and continue our walk up through the rugged trail and will bring us to Chepka. We will then have to pass few ups and down before we reach Renje. We will prepare for the night stay at the camp. 

We will begin the day with the uphill walk. Further, ahead more uphill and downhill walk continues. We will then reach a point where two rivers, Pungma and Phoksundo meet. We will then take the walk alongside the Phoksundo river and the river. We will then reach the crossroad where the trail separates. We will catch the trail ahead towards the forest area. We will then have to walk up through the steep ridge. After we reach the top we will get the distant view of Phoksundo Lake. Enjoying the grand view of Phoksundo river and the woods around, we will walk up utill Ringmo village. Once at the village we will take a hike to Phoksundo lake and spend the night at the camp there. 

We will give a day for taking a break and enjoying the day with soothing our eyes with splendid beauty around. This day will also provide us the better chance for enough acclimatization so that it will prevent any possible Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and adjust our bodies to the higher altitude and changed environmental condition. We will spend the day in the cool and soothing company of Phoksundo Lake. We will also walk to the nearby village of Ringmo. We will explore the Tibetan influenced village and later get back to the night. The night, like yesterday, will be spent at the camp near the lake. 

We will begin the day with the walk around the lake preparing for our walk further ahead in our trek. We will walk along the rugged trail that will take us to the plain area of Phoksundo river. The walk then continues through the valley and further ahead. We will walk past the river and then along the bank of the Phoksundo river. The sight of the river with the marshland around makes it quite unique sight. The sight is sure to get us engaged for quite a while. We will then get prepared to spend the night in a camp nearby the bank of the river. 

The trek for the day starts with the walk ahead from the Phoksundo khola. We will follow the trail along the glacial valley that will lead us to the place where the two rivers, Phoksundo and Ghyampo Kapuwa, meet.  We will cross the wooden bridge over the river and follow the narrow trail along the valley. The path ahead is tough, rugged, rocky and steep and moves along the Shey Gompa trekking trail. The climb up will require quite strength and might leave us tired. But once we reach at the top the green grassland, the view of valley down below and the sight of Kang La Pass will make us forest our pains. We will then get prepared for our night stay at the camp in Phoksundo Bhanjyang. 

We will leave Phoksundo Bhanjyang early in the morning and head towards Shey Gompa as the destination for the day. The trek for the day begins with the walk towards Kang La Pass. The steep climb might be relatively tougher. We will walk up utill the top. The view seen from the top is amazing to look at. The wide view of valley, and the river in a single picture is a pleasing sight. We will then walk down the pass and then along the bank of the river. We will then reach a vast grassland area where we might spot the animals like yaks and sheep grazing. There are also some old style huts of the herders scattered around. The walk along the trail ahead will bring us across a red Chorten and then walk past the bridge and finally arrive at Shey Gompa. Night at a camp in Shey Gompa. 

We will give a day for taking rest as well as for acclimatization purpose and Shey Gompa is the best place for this. We will be spending the exploring around Shey Gompa. The Gompa holds religious and historical significance. The monastery is majorly revered by traditional Chaiba community and was built around 11th century. It is also rich is artistic beauty and has made use of traditional architectural designs. After spending enough time around the Gompa we will walk up till the crystal mountain. We will enjoy the view around and then return back to the Gompa and get prepared for the night’s stay. 

We will leave the Shey Gompa early in the morning and continue with our trek. We begin the day by walking along the flat and narrow trail passing through the woods. The trail then takes downward turn and we will walk through the rocky trail. We will then ,Saldang La in a short while. From here we will have to go further downhill through the steep trail. During the walk we can get the nice view of vast grassland. The trail will eventually bring us to Namgung village. We also get to see the deserted Namgung monastery. We will spend some time exploring the village and then spend the night at the tent. 

We will leave the small settlement area of Namgung village and head ahead towards Saldang, the largest village in inner Dolpo) as the destination for the day. We will have to take the steep uphill climb through the rugged and rocky path. The climb might get tough for some time. But after the tiresome climb, we will reach the top from where the picture of Saldang village down below on a huge plateau becomes a pleasing sight to observe. We will then walk down to the village. We will spend the night at the camp. 

Today we will be trekking as far as Yangjze Gompa, starting from Saladang village. We will begin the walk early through the village. In a short while, we cross the village and begin walking through the uphill and downhill trail for some time. Then we arrive at small settlement areas of Tiling, Lurigaon and, Kigaon. We will cross them and follow the trail leading to Panjyang river. We will cross the river and continue the walk through the remotest area of Dolpa. We will then finally reach Yangjze Gompa. We will explore the Gompa and then set up the camp for the night. 

Our destination for today is Sibu. We do not walk ahead from Yangjze Gompa but walk back to Saldang and then from there, catch the trail leading to Sibu. We walk through the settlement areas with small huts, grasslands, fields and, Chhortens before we reach Saldang village. From Saldang, we take the trail leading to Sibu. After walking for the couple of hours we will finally reach the destination. We will be spending the night in a tent. 

We begin the day by leaving behind Sibu and heading towards Jeng La Phedi. We will be walking alongside the Nam Khong river and walk further ahead. We will continue walking until we come across the point where two rivers meet. From here we will then take slightly uphill walk which will eventually bring us to Jeng La Phedi. We will take in the beauty around. We might as well spot yak caravans along the way if we get lucky. We will spend our night in a tent at Jeng La Phedi. 

We will leave Jeng La Phedi early in the morning and head ahead with the trek for the day. We will begin with the uphill climb for couple of hours. The climb will bring us to the top at Jeng La Pass. We get the splendid view if Dhaulagiri from this nice height. We will spend some time at the pass and then head down through the rough trail. The walk will then take us towards Tarap valley. We will then reach the valley and from there we will walk towards Tarap Chu and also visit Tokyu monastery on the way. We will then take the walk down towards the river and then finally reach Dho Tarap. Night in a tent. 

We will set aside a day for the purpose of acclimatization to prevent any possible symptom of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). This day will also provide us ample opportunities to relax and explore around. We will go for leisure, walk around the village and visit some gompas there. We will also enjoy the view of the valley with the villages. We will then return back to our camping spot and spend the night there

 We will leave Dho Tarap and begin the day with the downhill walk. The trail will bring us to the valley and further ahead we will walk past the gorge. The trail then passes through some bushy areas. We will continue our walk further and then reach the meeting point of Tarap Chu and Lang river. Walking ahead, we will then reach the vast pastureland at Karmakharka. The green sight around is quite pleasing to look at. We will then get prepared for the night’s stay in a camp there. 

We will walk ahead from Tarap Khola and then head towards the gorge of Tarap river. We will be walking alongside the river for a while. We will have to cross the makeshift bridge made of logs. Walking through these remote and rugged parts will give you the most thrilling and adventurous feeling. We will then continue with the walk until we finally reach Khanigaon. We will then set up the camp by the side of Tarap river and spend the night there. 

We will begin the day with the walk along the trail passing through the forest area. After passing the forest the trail will take us to gorge and then walk downhill towards the river. The walk will then bring us to Tarakot. The sight of farmland around gives the pleasing feeling. We walk further ahead towards the bridge and crossing it continue walking along the bank of Thuli Bheri river. In a short while, we finally reach Dunai. Night at a lodge in Dunai. 

The day begins with the walk alongside the bank of Thuli Bheri river. We will then follow the trail running across the farmland and villages. Further ahead, we walk for some more hours before the trail finally brings us to Jhupal. Our long trek on foot finally comes to an end here. We will soothe our bodies and spend the night at one of the lodges there. We will be flying back to Kathmandu tomorrow. 

Today we will first fly to Nepalgunj from Jhupal. From Nepalgunj, we will take a flight to Kathmandu. We will enjoy the last view of the landscapes, hills and, mountains from the flight. After the scenic flight, you will be escorted to the hotel. You will have time to get relaxed and take a good rest after the long trek. You may spend the evening strolling around the city. Night at the hotel. 

Here ends our memorable journey together. Today is your last day at Kathmandu. We offer to drop you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. If your flight is scheduled in the evening, you can visit some places around Kathmandu. We exchange final greetings at the airport and hope for meeting next time as well. We share best wishes and depart. Instead of the departure, you might also choose to go on our next trip if time permits.