Upper Dolpo Trek

The Upper Dolpa Trek is one of Nepal’s most remote and mystical high-altitude trekking experiences, offering travelers a journey into the heart of the Dolpo region, often referred to as the last Shangri-La of Nepal. Located in northwestern Nepal, the region is part of the Trans-Himalayan landscape, bordering Tibet, and is renowned for its rugged mountains, stark landscapes, high passes, and Tibetan-influenced culture. Upper Dolpa encompasses several iconic destinations, including Shey Gompa, Phoksundo Lake, Chharka, Saldang, and Dunai, giving trekkers a rare opportunity to experience untouched Himalayan wilderness.

The trek is characterized by dramatic high-altitude valleys, barren landscapes, and alpine meadows, contrasting sharply with the lush greenery of lower Nepal. The region is sparsely populated, and the trails wind through remote villages inhabited by ethnic Tibetan and Bon-influenced communities, offering an immersive cultural experience. Monasteries, prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens dot the landscape, reflecting centuries-old Buddhist traditions. Local communities sustain themselves through subsistence farming, yak herding, and barley cultivation, preserving traditional lifestyles with minimal influence from modern tourism.

Upper Dolpa lies within Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest national park, and is home to rare wildlife such as snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, red pandas, and golden eagles. Trekkers are also treated to the spectacular sight of Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest and most pristine lake, with its turquoise waters framed by cliffs and pine forests. High passes such as Kang La Pass (5,310 m) and remote valleys like Namrung and Saldang make the trek moderate to strenuous, requiring trekkers to have good fitness, acclimatization awareness, and preparation for isolated high-altitude conditions.

The Upper Dolpa Trek is ideal for adventurers seeking solitude, pristine landscapes, and cultural immersion. The remoteness of the region means that tourism infrastructure is minimal, providing an authentic Himalayan experience with unspoiled natural beauty, traditional villages, and spiritual ambiance. Trekkers are rewarded with panoramic mountain views, untouched wilderness, and encounters with ancient Tibetan-Buddhist culture, making this trek a unique and unforgettable adventure in Nepal.

Highlights

Explore remote Dolpo villages with Tibetan-influenced architecture
Visit Phoksundo Lake – turquoise high-altitude lake
Ancient monasteries: Tshowa Gompa, Shey Gompa, Yangze Gompa
High mountain passes: Phoksundo Bhanjyang, Jeng La Pass
Rugged alpine terrain, glaciers, and panoramic mountain vistas
Shey Phoksundo National Park wildlife: Blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, snow leopard habitat
Authentic cultural immersion with local Dolpo traditions
Acclimatization days included to ensure safe altitude gain

Basic Information

Destination
Duration
Start / End Location
Accommodation Type
Difficulty Level
Max Altitude
Age Limit
Transportation Mode

Upper Dolpa
24 Days
Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Lodges/Guest Houses/Tented Camps on trek, Hotels in KTM & Nepalgunj
Strenuous
4960m
-
-

Best Season

Spring (Mar–May), Autumn (Sep–Nov)

Inclusions

Domestic flights: Kathmandu ↔ Nepalgunj, Nepalgunj ↔ Juphal
3 meals/day during trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Lodges/Guest House/Tented Camp during trek
Hotels in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj
Licensed English-speaking guide & porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
Salaries, insurance, meals, and equipment for staff
Trekking permits: Shey Phoksundo National Park & TIMS card
First-aid kit & oximeter

Tour Plan

Wake-up and breakfast at hotel in Kathmandu
Fly Kathmandu → Nepalgunj
Explore the lowland city or rest after flight
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel in Nepalgunj

Wake-up and breakfast
Fly Nepalgunj → Juphal (mountain flight)
Trek Juphal → Dunai (approx. 3 hrs)
Highlights: Entering Dolpo region, scenic valley views
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: in Dunai

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek through forests and terraced fields to Ankhe
Lunch en route
Highlights: Dolpo villages, local culture, Himalayan foothills
Dinner
Overnight: in Ankhe

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek along rivers, passes, and forested trails
Lunch en route
Highlights: Alpine landscapes, Dolpo village life
Dinner
Overnight: Camping in Sulighat

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek through Shey Phoksundo National Park
🍴 Lunch en route
🌄 Highlights: Turquoise Phoksundo Lake, cliffs, wildlife sightings
🍽 Dinner
🏠 Overnight: near Phoksundo Lake

Wake-up and breakfast
Short hike around lake and nearby villages
Highlights: Tshowa Gompa visit, photography, relaxation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: near Phoksundo Lake

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek along river and forested trails
Lunch en route
Highlights: Alpine valley scenery, river crossings
Dinner at camp
Overnight: Tented Camp at Phoksundo Khola

Wake-up and breakfast
Ascend to Phoksundo Bhanjyang pass
Lunch en route
Highlights: Panoramic Dolpo mountains, high-altitude terrain
Dinner at tent
Overnight: Tented Camp at Phoksundo Bhanjyang

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek to Shey Gompa, a remote monastery
Lunch en route
Highlights: Shey Gompa monastery, panoramic Himalayan views
Dinner at tent
Overnight: Tented Camp at Shey Gompa

Wake-up and breakfast
Short hikes around Shey Gompa (2–3 hrs)
Highlights: Photography, exploring the monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Tented Camp at Shey Gompa

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek to Namduna Gaon Gompa
Lunch en route
Highlights: High-altitude village, panoramic Dolpo views
Dinner at lodge/tent
Overnight: Tented Camp at Namduna Gaon

Wake-up and breakfast
Descend and trek to Saldang village
Lunch en route
Highlights: Saldang village, Tibetan-influenced architecture
Dinner
Overnight: Camp / Guest House in Saldang

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek to Yangze Gompa, a remote monastery
Lunch en route
Highlights: Monastery views, high passes, alpine meadows
Dinner at camp
Overnight: Tented Camp at Yangze Gompa

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek along alpine ridges to Sibu
Lunch en route
Highlights: Mountain vistas, remote settlement life
Dinner at camp
Overnight: Tented Camp at Sibu

Wake-up and breakfast
Ascend to Jeng La Phedi pass
Lunch en route
Highlights: Panoramic high pass views, glacier valleys
Dinner at tent/camp
Overnight: Tented Camp at Jeng La Phedi

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek over Jeng La Pass and descend to Tokyu Gaon
Lunch en route
Highlights: High mountain pass, alpine scenery
Dinner at tent
Overnight: Tented Camp at Tokyu Gaon

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek along ridges and valleys to Dho Tarap
Lunch en route
Highlights: Remote Dolpo villages, Himalayan panorama
Dinner
Overnight: in Dho Tarap

Wake-up and breakfast
Short hikes for acclimatization and local exploration
Highlights: Village life, photography, monastery visit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: in Dho Tarap

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek down to Tarap Khola through alpine meadows
Lunch en route
Highlights: Forest trails, river valleys
Dinner at tent
Overnight:Tented Camp at Tarap Khola

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek along trails descending into Dolpo valley
Lunch en route
Highlights: Local communities, river crossings, terraced fields
Dinner
Overnight: in Khani Gaon

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek along river valley to Tarakot
Lunch en route
Highlights: Lower Dolpo villages, historic sites
Dinner
Overnight: in Tarakot

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek along hills and forested trails back to Dunai
Lunch en route
Highlights: River valleys, last glimpses of Dolpo villages
Dinner
Overnight: in Dunai

Wake-up and breakfast
Trek to Juphal airstrip
Lunch en route
Highlights: Scenic mountain flight prep, local culture
Dinner
Overnight: in Juphal

Wake-up and breakfast
Fly Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu
Lunch in Nepalgunj or Kathmandu
Highlights: Final mountain views, lowland flight
Farewell in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu or departure