Upper Dolpo is a kaleidoscope of colours and textures, sculpted gorges and ochre gompas, yak herders and villages blended prefectly into the landscape. Our comprehensive, complete trek route is simply glorious trekking, and vying for the most scenic trek in Nepal. An adventurous trekking journey.
One of the highest inhabited areas on the planet, Dolpo is
also still a stronghold of the pre-Buddhist, shamanistic Bon-po religion as well
as Tibetan Buddhism. It is a rugged, mountainous region of fortified villages, some with their own dzong or fort, turquoise lakes, sacred mountains and high passes.
Our trek begins with a
spectacular flight along the Himalayan range to Juphal. We head up the Suligad
River gorge to Phoksundo Lake and cross our first 5000 meter pass leading to
sacred Shey Gompa and Shelri, or Crystal Mountain. The panoramic trekking continues to Saldang, the largest village of the region, with its glinting gompas, and a real cultural experience. slowly leaving villages behind, we cross some wilderness passes to the ancient villages of Tokyu and Dho-Tarap. With another wilderness gorge section we reach Dunai, the bustling district headquarters, and with our last short walk (and hill) we are back at Juphal for flights out.
2/3 star hotel in Kathmandu, single with breakfast
1 night Nepalgunj hotel, twinshare
domestic flights as per the itinerary
group transportation by private vehicle
entrance fees and permits as needed
Kathmandu group dinner
Expedition-style trek includes
all meals, afternoon tea and hot drinks
roomy single tent / large double for couples
thin mat to protect your air mattress
our special comfy dining tent
and more Project Himalaya comforts
porter and horse porterage
very experienced crew
we care for our porters providing:
warm jacket, pants, hat, gloves & sunglasses
warm duvets, mattresses and sleeping tents
Nice touches included
fresh filtered coffee for breakfast
solar charging for cameras, USB devices
filtered drinking water at camp
Our service excludes
insurance, Nepal visa, other meals in Kathmandu
additional hotel nights due to delays
satellite phone however available for rent
international flights, equipment rental, alcohol, bottled water and soft drinks, laundry,
tipping and other items of a personal nature
Tips & extra cash
allow approx $50 per day for Kathmandu meals
allow more if you are a shopaholic
we suggest 5% of the trip cost per trekker for the crew tips pool
Day 0 - early arrival
Arrive early to recover from long flights, and to do some sightseeing in the city.
Day 1 - arrive Kathmandu 1350m (permits/)
2 - fly Nepalgunj 150m
We arrange permits in the morning ready for an afternoon flight.
3 - fly Juphal 2490m, trek to good camp before Suligad 2280m
4 - trek to Chepka 2675m
Trek the low or the high route, your choice.
5 - trek to Amchi clinic ~3100m near Sumdowa
6 - trek to Phoksundo Lake 3725m
7 - Phoksundo Lake 3725m
Rest, explore and acclimatize.
8 - trek to Forest Camp 3725m via 4000m passes
9 - trek to Two Rivers Camp ~3800m
This is a "lunch camp"; we reach camp for lunch, so a partial rest day.
10 - trek to High Camp ~4900m
11 - trek to Shey Gompa 4375m via Shyurik La ~5150m
Our less used route treks around the back of Crystal Mountain.
12 - Shey Gompa (Shelri Sumdo) 4375m
Rest, wash clothes, explore to the other gompa, or even do a kora of Crystal Mountain.
13 - trek Namgung or Saldang
14-15-16-17 - trek Dho-Tarap
After a short day we leave villages behind for delightful wilderness trekking to Dho Tarap. There are two routes and we are familiar with both.
18-19-20-21 - trek Dunai
22 - trek Juphal
23 - fly Juphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu
Day 24 - trip ends
25 - optional departure
We recommend either an evening departure on Day 24 or allowing an extra day post-trek in Kathmandu in case of flight delays out of Jomsom. Alternatively we can arrange an overnight stay in Pokhara to slightly extend your trip.
David admires Phoksundo Lake - Jamie
Shimen village in the Panzang valley - Jamie
Saving data; use your phone in landscape to see the detailed itinerary and more photos.
Inspiration
Here are a few inspiring photos.
Trekking up the Suli Gad (river) - Jamie
Nice smile from a Dolpo woman collecting fire wood - Jamie
Our horse team climbing up the ridge to our special Crystal Mountain pass - Jamie
A yak shepherds a nak (female yak) amid the autumn colours near Namgung - Jamie
Traditional chuba-clad girls of Dolpo - Jamie
Don't believe "It never rains in Dolpo" - it might be in a rain shadow region but it can still rain! - Jamie