Upper Dolpo Trek
(ETNNP086)  Nepal

Overview

Upper Dolpo Trekking route is a remote and unspoiled area near the Tibetan border of Nepal. Only in the late eighties, it opened for trekkers. Until then the area was closed for foreigners. In book The Snow Leopard, Peter Mathesons describes his journey through the beautiful land of Dolpo. Nepal’s first English subtitle movie and Oscar nominated Himalaya or Caravan were also shot in this region. Upper Dolpo is a region of mystical beauty. And its remoteness adds to the sense of adventure among its visitors. The customs and traditions here are quite similar to those of Tibet. It is one of the restricted trekking regions of Nepal.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu - (1360m)

You will be warmly welcomed at the airport by our office representative and then you will transfer to hotel. Our staff will give a brief explanation about the program. This day you can stay within the hotel or enjoy the night at Thamel, Kingsway especially famous for clubs and bars.

Day 2: Sightseeing Around Kathmandu Valley

This day, you will visit many cultural heritages, which includes some of the famous world’s heritages like Pashupatinath, Swyambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath stupa and many more. You can do the shopping for various Nepalese cultural stuff in this day. And Back to the hotel overnight.

Day 3: Flight to Nepalgunj - (150m)

Generally we go via Nepalgunj to get to Dolpo so, firstly we will fly to Nepalgunj and spent food time in Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is situated in the southwestern part of Nepal a steaming hot city. It is a plain land hesitated by different people from different parts of the country and which in culture and heritage. It does include Bageshowri temple, Nepal’s one of the important Hindu temples.

Day 4: Flight to Juphal - 2475m

We will reach Juphal just in a 35-minute flight from Nepalgunj with beautiful views of a snowcapped mountain. Juphal is a small mountain village, where we can breathe cold and fresh air than that of Nepalgunj. We will stay here because we have to arrange porters and other remaining equipment.

Day 5: Trek to Chhepka - (2838m) - 6 hrs Walk 

From Juphal, we have to descend through the wheat and vegetables field to reach Thuli Bheri River. A big suspension bridge will lead us to the entrance of Shey Phoksando National Park (SPNP), Nepal?s largest National Park with an area of 3,555km/sq. It is comprising the Trans Himalayan easy stem and the Tibetan type of floras and faunas. You have to pay 1000NPR, except tourists from SAARC countries. We will follow Suli Khola viewing a part of the Dhaulagiri Range. We have tea while we pass through the village as can stay there. We can enjoy the tea with honey, pure and fresh honey. Then we will trek through the trail surrounded by pine tree line spruce, fir, Juniper and Cyprus and bamboo forest. A beautiful time to get close to nature. At the end of the day, we will reach Cheep Ka, a small village surrounded by millet and wheat field. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal…

Day 6: Trek to Palam - (3820m) - 6-7 hrs Walk 

To reach to Palma, we have to pass through beautiful forest, following a river. We have to ascend sometimes and descend sometimes. On the way we can see the local people with their mules as Dzopas (cross bread of Yak and Cow). Loaded with thongs to sell. After 4 hrs we will reach Reechi village, leaving behind Reechi we will reach Chumuwar after 2 hrs. There is an Amchi Hospital, an Amchi is a doctor who is educated in traditional Tibetan medicine. You can have treatment from herbs and numerals. Interested person can donate for this Hospital. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 7: Trek to Phoksundo Lake - (3620m) 4 hrs Walk 

It takes about 4 hrs to reach Phoksundo Lake. We have to climb steep about 2hrs. before reaching the top, we can have the new of Nepal’s highest waterfall, a spectacular waterfall of 107m high knows Phoksundo waterfall as known as sunlight waterfall. Then we will descend from the top to get Ringmo village a small charming village. People residing here practice Bonpo religion, religion-related to Buddhism but it is older than Buddhism. The religion was founded by Buddha Lonpa Shanrab Miwo, 18000 years ago. It is believed that Dolpa used to be the center of Bon Kindom called Zhang. It a big and powerful kingdom in present western and northwestern Tibet. It is believed that in the century Zhang was defeated by the Buddhist kingdom of Tibet and Bonpo disappeared completely, but still some people practice it. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 8: Exploring Day 

Walking for many days, it is most that we should have rest at least for one day to admire the beauty of Phoksundo Lake and visited nearby villages inhabited by Bon and Buddhist religion. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 9: Trek to Salla Ghari - (3640m) - 5-6 hrs Walk

This day, we will enter the restricted area of Upper Dolpo. We will follow the famous trail where the famous movie called CARAVAN of Eric Valli was cast. This trail is used by peoples of Dolpo and other trade with Tibetans. It is adventurous to pass through the trail. When we reach the top we will have a beautiful view of Lane Ringmo, the dark green pine forests and snow-capped mountain to the South. We will have to descend first and ascend through a wide valley which will let us have a spectacular view of Kanjirowa Himal (66612m) then we will reach an alpine area with junipers called Thaneba or Lakeside camp, a beautiful place of camping. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 10: Trek to Lar Tsa - (4120m) 6 hrs Walk

This day we will have Salla Ghari, trekking through between high rock walls on both sides and crossing a couple of streams. We will enter a narrow gorge where will set our camp. We can continue trek but there is a possibility of altitude sickness problem. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 11: Trek to Shey Gompa - (4320m) - 7-8 hrs Walk

We will start the trek by a long and strenuous climb of about 2 and a half hrs over a dusty path to Kang La (5350m), also called as Ngadra La. We have to descend through pass covered with snow which is very steeply and after about 3 hrs we will reach Shey Gompa, a very small village with a couple of houses and the Gompa. It is an 11th-century gompa, situated beneath the crystal peak on a small grassy plain, at the confluence of two rivers people believed that it was constructed by a Tibetan Buddhist, who arrived here on the back of flying snow lion. It is also called the spiritual heart of Dolpo. Every year many pilgrims visit his gompa to make Kora (clockwise circuit) of crystal peak. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 12: Rest Day - Shey Gompa

You can explore around Tsakang Gompa which is at about 457m. It is not a monastery but a retreat. Tsakang had been a meditation center of many famous lamas from Tibet. Shey Gompa belongs to the Chaiba community, followers of the Padmasambhava and Kagyu sects. It was the first Kagyupa monastery and its founder was the lama Ten-skin-Ra-Pa. The monastery was built during the 11th century. Shey is famous for its ancient Buddhist culture. In Dolpo, the ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teachings of Buddha. Drutup Yeshe introduced Buddhism in the Dolpo valley. Many years ago he came to Dolpo and came across a wild people whose supreme God was a ‘fierce mountain spirit’. Crystal Mountain is to the west of the Shey monastery. It is a very strange mountain indeed. Its contorted cliffs are laced with quartz and embedded with a rich variety of marine fossils. Shey Gompa stands above the confluence of Kangju Nala and Yeju Nala. Near the confluence, there is a group of prayer mills turned by water wheels. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 13: Trek to Namgung - (4430m) - 6 hrs Walk 

To get to Namgung, we have to cross the pass Sheyla which is also called Glen La is about 5000m. While we are through the Glen pass, we can see a beautiful view of the northern part of Tibetan plateau, which is the highest plateau in the world. To the east, we can see Mustang. After through pass, we have to descend to the pastures of Namgung. Peoples of Namgung heartily welcome us. It is a beautiful place with a friendly environment. Overnight at tented camp inclusive all board of meals.

Day 14: Trek to Saldang - (4046m) - 3 hrs Walk

Our Trek to Saldang starts with climbing a tree slope. We have to ascend to 4700m before going down steep slopes to the picturesque village of Saldang, situated on a plateau high above the Nam Khong Nala and the biggest villages of the lower Dolpo area. The village is prosperous, not only agriculturally but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. Overnight at tented camp inclusive of full board meals.

Day 15: Trek to Sibu - (4000m) - 6 hrs Walk 

We will leave Saldang village and on way to Sibu we have to pass through terraced fields, Stupas, Chortens mani, and a Chaiba monastery. Namdo, the next village contains sixty houses having nearly four hundred inhabitants. It stretches 5km on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. We will set camp near the small settlement of Sibu, right on the river bank. Overnight at tented camp inclusive of full board meals.

Day 16: Trek to the foot of the Jengla - (4480m) - 4-5 hrs Walk

We will follow the line of the river valley and the trail is easy going initially. But after two hours, we must make another stream before turning into the side valley where the rise becomes very sharp. Overnight at tented camp with the full board of meals.

Day 17: Trek to Tokyo Gaon - (4240m) - 6-7 hrs Walk 

To reach to Tokyo Gaon we have to cross the Jeng La which is about 4850m. It will take about 2 hrs to climb to reach the top of Jeng La. Form the top of the peak we can have good views of Dhaulagiri, beautiful goldy views in the morning then we will descend towards Tarap valley. By the after we will see green valley which leads us by a beautiful trail down. Towards Tarap Chu. Tarap is a spectacular valley with vast plants in high mountains extending to twenty kilometers along the Tarap Chu River. It consists of ten villages with cultivated fields, many Gompas, and Chhortens. Overnight at tented camp with the full board of meals.

Day 18: Trek to Dho Tarap - (4200m) - 2 hrs Walk 

To reach to Dho Tarap we will walk east along the downward lower of Tarap Chu. The trail is easy as it is well-traveled. There are many mani walls, we can see but some of the Chhortens are in a bad situation. The French School is just outside the village of Dho Tarap. Dho is surrounded by an irregular stone wall and consists of thirty-four houses. Both Bonpo and Buddhist is inhabitant here. We will visit a Buddhist Gompa where Lama lives. He is very happy to show his monastery and might even let you see his private Gompa and the Thankas which he has made himself. Overnight at tented camp with a full board of meals.

Day 19: Trek to Serkam - (3623m.) - 7 hrs Walk

The next two days are longish with a choice of several different campsites so the itinerary can be flexible. Your route follows the course of the Tarap Khola, generally downhill. You go through narrow gorges with the river rushing through. One may see blue sheep, marmots, yaks, sheep, and goats and perhaps meet people from Dolpo taking their flocks of sheep and goats to lower pastures for the winter. The afternoon brings more undulations in the path when it leaves the immediate course of the river. There is evidence of improvements to the trail where parts of the rock have been blasted out. You will also see the first of the modern steel suspension bridges which have been built to facilitate the movement of people and animals. The track is very narrow in places. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 20: Trek to Tarakot - (2280m) 5 hrs Walk 

You leave Khanigoan by the new suspension bridge and then walk alongside the river, sometimes going very high before reaching down to the water again. Some of the going are quite demanding and one bridge, said to have unusable for six years, necessitates crossing on wet stepping-stones. Coming into the broad fertile valley of the Barbung Chu, you walk amongst the various crops of millet, sweet corn, barley, buckwheat, green beans, chilies, and marijuana. Your lunch and night stop is high above the river but there is a standpipe for water. Tarakot is an old fortress town known by the local people as Dzong, meaning ‘fort’. Before the Gorkha dynasty, Tarakot was the capital and had a dzong. The famous Sandul Gompa, which lies 8km east of Tarakot and at the junction of Barbing Khola and Tarap Chu, stands on a knoll to the south of Bheri River and at one time supervised collections of tolls for the trading caravans traversing an area called Tichu Rong. As an alternative to camping at Tarakot, you may camp down by the river as there are good cooking facilities there and a clean, locked toilet for trekkers’ use. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 21: Trek to Dunai - (2109m) - 5 hrs Walk

The trail is mostly down and fairly firm underfoot. Walking beside the Bheri River you use the ingenious path built twenty feet above the river. All too soon you have reached the village of Dunai and the campsite you used before. You will now have completed the circuit and can mark the occasion with a celebration party! Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 22: Trek to Juphal - (2404m) - 3 hrs Walk

You now retrace your steps to Juphal. Initially, the way is flat but the final hour up to your destination seems steeper than you remember on Day One! Camp overnight on the grounds of one of the lodges. Overnight at tented camp, inclusive of full board meal.

Day 23: Flight to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj 

Early morning flight to Nepalganj. This is a wonderful 35- minute flight over the Himalayan foothills, with fine views of the main peaks including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the north. You then connect with the flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel, inclusive of breakfast.

Day 24: Departure to your Destination 

Today is your departure day, we will drop you to the International airport to catch your flight back to your home and pray for your Safe journey.

Tour Cost & Schedule in 2022 & 2023

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Value Added

We are ready to welcome you with all the necessary safety measures (Post -19 Pandemic Halt). Hence we assure you of safety and security by following the optimal precautions.

Safety Assurance from Us (Tour/Trekking Operator)

• Vehicles fully cleaned and disinfected
• Foot bath mat available at entrance
• Extra masks available (if required)
• Safe distancing
• We carry limited number of passengers
• Our crew wear full PPE while disinfecting the vehicle
• Temperature screening available
• Our crew tested fit to travel
• Sanitizers available
• We carry additional deep wipe down cleaning of high touched areas
• Hygiene kit available for sale
• Our crew wear face mask and face shield

Safety Rules for Travelers (You)

• Namaste over handshake
• Do not travel if unwell
• Wear face mask all the time
• Maintain safe distancing
• Use foot mat while boarding
• Undertake temperature screening
• Ventilators over air conditioning
• Avoid unnecessary surface touching
• Wash/Sanitize hands regularly
• Follow sneeze etiquette
• Follow safety instructions (from local authority)
• Carry your personal hygiene all the time

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