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Upper Dolpo Trek

  • Duration 24
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Grade Moderate to Adventure
  • Starts at Kathmandu
  • Ends at Kathmandu
  • Meals B,L & D.
  • Accommodation 3*** Hotel & Guest House
  • Max. Altitude 5155 m
  • Activity Trekking, Exploring
  • Group Type +4
  • Group Size 2-16
  • Best Season Spring & Autumn
Highlights
  • A country of complete wilderness an old Trans Himalayan Caravan trail of Nepal and Tibet.
  • Fascinating and beautiful landscapes where Snow-Leopard and herd of Blue Sheep dwell.
  • In the land of ancient Bon religion of pre-Buddhism with amazing impressive cultures.
  • Trekking within Nepal’s largest Shey-Phoksundo National Park and its scenic Ringmo Lake.
  • Explore high Shey Monastery within awesome crystal mountain in sheer tranquil surroundings.
  • Crossing high passes over Kang-la to reach the magnificent and impressive Upper Dolpo area.

Upper Dolpo Trek Overview

Upper Dolpo Trek takes you out of this world beyond your imagination a beautiful country to experience an adventure of a lifetime around the wildest and remote parts of the Far North-Western Himalayas of Nepal. Few worldwide people might have heard or read a book about Upper Dolpo Trekking; the famous classic novel ‘Snow-Leopard’ by Peter Mathessian an American author published a novel in mid-1980’ after he explored this wonderful area of Upper and Inner Dolpo.

The other medium where the Dolpo Region of Nepal was famously exposed was the movie ‘Himalaya’; a French and Nepalese venture which was nominated for Oscar for best foreign Film in 1998. Since then, a smaller number of trekkers and explorers often visited Upper Dolpo to experience the great wilderness.

Upper Dolpo falls within Nepal’s largest National Park, Shey-Phoksundo National Park. The region covers an area of 3,555 sq. km and extends towards Dhaulagiri to the Mugu region of Nepal Western region.

Dolpo trek is a scenic country with serene woodland of blue pines, spruce, cypress, poplar, fir and birch. Higher areas have caragana shrubs. Wild animals like Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Thar habitats and exotic bird-life like Impeyan Pheasant or Danphe (national bird of Nepal), blood pheasant, cheer pheasants, red and yellow-billed cough, raven, jungle crow, snow partridge are found in Upper Dolpo Nepal.

The walk leads you to scenic emerald-coloured Phoksundo which is also called Ringmo Lake. A nice village of Ringmo is located nearby. Our adventure leads you towards a high Kang-la pass of above 5,357 m which offers a glorious panorama of beautiful landscapes and snow-capped peaks as the walk leads you to Shey Gompa the Crystal Monastery.

Upper Dolpo Trekking Nepal is an amazing place to visit. Its wild arid and barren landscapes are yet beautiful with charming views. Its monastery and nearby sacred Crystal Mountain embedded with raw semi-precious stones add more to the beauty of cultures and tradition.

After an enjoyable and interesting time, the walk leads towards an alternative route via some high passes to reach a wide and marvellous green valley around Tokyu and Dho-Tarap villages. These are impressive places to explore their fascinating colourful culture and age-old heritage life similar to Tibetans across the near border.

The journey continues heading into the deep valley around Yak grazing country to reach the historical Tarakot village. Then, our Upper Dolpo trek takes us back to Jhupal for a flight back to Kathmandu, after a great adventure and experience on Upper Dolpo Trek.
upper Dolpo Trekking takes you out of this world beyond your imagination a beautiful country to experience an adventure of a lifetime around the wildest and remote parts of the Far North-Western Himalayas of Nepal.

Few worldwide people might have heard or read a book about Upper Dolpo Trekking; the famous classic novel ‘Snow-Leopard’ by Peter Mathessian an American author published a novel in the mid-1980’ after he explored this wonderful area of Upper and Inner Dolpo.

 

Day to Day Itinerary
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On arrival at Kathmandu airport received by our guide and staff with transportation to your respective hotels in the hub of Kathmandu at Thamel, an exciting place in Kathmandu, after checking in your rooms join with the group for Upper Dolpo Trekking briefing provided by our guides or leaders.

 

  • Tea 3***Hotel
  • -
  • 3hrs
  • 4km

Morning sightseeing tour around interesting places of Kathmandu visiting world heritage sites of great wonders, where Hindu and Buddhism religions blends in perfect harmony. After an interesting tour with time to refresh and transfer to Kathmandu domestic air-terminal for scenic sweeping flight to land at Nepalgunj airport, during air grand views of Himalayan range of mountains. At Nepalgunj transfer to its city hotels, with time to explore this interesting city similar to Indian Hindu culture with some Muslim people as this areas situated close to India border within Nepal Far South West of sub-tropical climate.

 

  • Tea 3***Hotel
  • B & D
  • 4-5hrs
  • 14km

Morning another connecting flight of short hours in a smaller aircraft to land at Jhupal in Dolpo region airstrip, here meet our other trekking and camping staff and porters where few hour drive takes you to Duani, headquarter and administrative town of Dolpo region here with time in the afternoon to roam around its bazaar of great interest to witness local people of Far Western Nepal.

 

With interesting overnight stop at Dunai, where morning starts crossing over a bridge above Thulo Bheri River, as walk leads to a climb on a high hill and ridge towards Phuksumdo River valley facing views of Kagmara peaks, from here on downhill past farm villages within walnut groves getting close to a stream at Dhera, a small farm settlements, and taking short climb to reach Raha-Gaon village within Hindu populated with Thakuri people (indigenous tribe of Nepal), from here on downhill into forested area then reaching our overnight camp in small farm village called as Chhepka.

 

After Chhepka which is close to another village of Ankhe, as morning walk leads to a short climb with descend into woodland of tall pine and spruce tree lines reaching at a river bank, where here climb leads after leaving the tree lines behind and then back into forest after downhill to cross a small bridge reaching at Ryajik village, as walk leads beyond to our overnight camp close to the entrance of Phuksumdo National Park.

 

With lovely pleasant morning as our route takes you to at beautiful Phoksundo Lake after walking past Pungmo Khola (stream) and its valley, where walk follows Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch trees to reach upper areas of Phoksundo Khola, after a short rest continue walk to Ringmo village, an interesting village of Tibetan origin where houses are built with mud and religious Buddhist chhorten or Mani (prayer) walls. From here a short walk leads at the bank of Phoksumdo Lake for overnight camp facing turquoise colored Phoksumdo Lake.

 

A perfect spot for rest day at this scenic spot, with ample time for short walks and hike with views of Kagmara peaks, and visit its interesting village of Ringmo village located close to the lake.

 

After a great lovely enjoyable moment at beautiful lake of Phoksumdo where morning walk start towards higher region of Upper Dolpo our main highlight and major destination, as our route contours around rocky ledges above a river bank on unsteady trail, then reaching west side of the lake towards green pasture field, as the valley opens into a wide areas within Phoksumdo Khola (stream) where will have our overnight camp within tranquil and isolated areas of upper side of the lake.

 

Morning starts heading north of Phoksumdo stream with climb to reach a ridge top, rewards you with grand scenery of beautiful valley with views of Kang-La pass towards Shey Gompa, stopping on this lovely spot for here overnight camp within nice green pasture field of Yaks.

A marvelous spot out of this world in complete ambiance of wild terrain and landscapes within high mountains and in close harmony with the nature with chanting of monks and priest of Shey Gompa, an impressive tour of the monastery which is also known as ‘Crystal Monastery’, which is described on famous classic novel ‘Snow Leopard’ by American author Peter Mathiesen.

After a pleasant and exciting time at Shey Gompa, where our return journey leads towards inner Dolpo areas, as walk begins entering wall canyon, as walk meanders with climb on top Saldang-la facing views of Dhaulagiri mountains, and then downhill towards grazing area and ending the day walk with overnight stop in Namduna Gaon.

From here on walk on dry and arid terrain, as our route leads to a steep climb to Saldang, one of the major villagess of the area situated higher side of the windswept plateau, where we will stop for overnight with time to immerse within its interesting culture of both Bon and Buddhism religion and ancient heritage way of life.

Our journey from here diverts further far north to the least unexplored area by westerners or by any other commercial adventure trekking companies. The trail follows the Nang Chu river most of the way on this wild barren windswept terrain. The walk begins along the fairly gradual path with a few ups and downs slope and then passes through the small settlement of Tiling and Lurigaon till we reach to our overnight camp at Yangze also known as Yangtsher, just before Yangze near Gurgaon. Here we cross the tributary Panzang river, a short walk from here brings us to an unexplored region of Yangze 4,960m/16,267ft and its very old Bon-Po Monastery for the overnight halt with time for exploration around the villages and the Monastery.

 

Morning walk takes you to nice Tarap valley within Tokyu and Dho-Tarap village, as our route heads south direction to reach Dachau Khola and beyond, on crossing the same trail for few hourss, then follow a river towards farm fields, and then reaching a Yak herders camp for overnight stop and camping around yak grazing country.

 

After a wonderful overnight on nice summer pasture a morning walk leads to a river for short time and then encountering many yaks and mules laden caravan heading towards Tibet, where between Tibet and Dolpo trade and bartering still exists since past hundreds of years history, as this route leads on Old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade and Caravan Route.

From the Jiang-la base, morning leads to a steep climb to reach on top of Jiang-la pass with views of the massive Mt. Dhaulagiri range, from here a long descend to the base of the pass on route Tokyu village.

From the other base of Jiang-la, the morning starts heading for a steep uphill to reach on a top small ridge that rewards you with an excellent panorama of Mt. Dhaulagiri range of peaks, and then a long descent takes you at Modo valley, time permitting visit the monastery, from here where the trail from Upper and Lower Dolpo joins. After visiting Modo and Khanger areas a good walk of a few hours reaches you to interesting and most impressive villages around Tokyu-Gaon for an overnight stop, one of the largest villages within the Dolpa area, as its consists of more than ten villages with nice tended farm fields having its old monasteries.

 

Enjoying lovely moment at Tokyu Gaon, the morning starts downhill heading toward Tarap Chu within a broad and wide green valley, this is one of the most beautiful valleys with lots of Yak herders temporary settlements. From here continue to walk to reach our overnight camp at Dho-Tarap, another interesting village with mix tribes of Tibetan origin and Magar hill tribe people.

 

From Do-Tarap and its interesting village where morning leads to a long descent reaching Tarap valley, the largest and longest valley of Dolpo which is about 20 k.m distance stretches from Tarap Chu River to Thuli Bheri River near at Tarakot village.

The walk leads past Langa with wonderful views of cascading waterfalls where our route heads due south following a trail past Sisaul with smaller areas of Kesila around Yak herder’s temporary camps to reach our overnight camp at Ghyamgar.

Today our journey leads towards the scenic valley of Tarap area, as the walk enters into a narrow gorge with some vegetation of bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Tol-Tol within the large overhanging cave, around this area chances of spotting some wild-life like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals. As the walk progress reaching a confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola Rivers, an overnight camp is made by the bank of the river after a long day walk of nearly six hours or more.

 

Morning walk begins by passing smaller rural farm villages and into the smaller woodland area, where the route follows Tarap Chu all the way to reach Tarakot, one of the most interesting and largest villages with a heritage of ancient history, where in early days was a fort village taking toll and taxes from the trade between Nepal and Tibet on this Old Trans Himalayan Salt-Trade Route. Tarakot with well managed terraced farm fields with an old historical fortress known as Dzong or Kot in local and Nepalese languages which guarded the village against outside invaders. Tarakot village houses the famous old Sandul Gomba situated on the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where the overnight camp is set.

 

After a marvellous and interesting time at Tarakot, our last day walk leads to Dunai the main town of Dolpo, where our treks completed by taking a short drive back to Jhupal for the last overnight around Dolpo before flying to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.

 

As per flight time for Nepalgunj city, morning with final moment within Dolpo at Jhupal walk to its small airstrip, where short scenic flight drops you at Nepalgunj airport, here with time for refreshment before connecting flight in a larger plane to Kathmandu taking approx: 50 minutes to reach Kathmandu, after an exciting flight with mountain views on reaching at the airport transfer for a short ride to your hotel, after a most remarkable adventure on Upper Dolpo afternoon with ample time for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

Reserve this extra free day in Kathmandu in case of flight delay and cancellation in Jhupal-Dolpo which might occur sometimes due to bad and unfavourable weather conditions, this day allows you with free for individual activities if all goes well as per our standard itinerary days. Today, your last day in amazing Nepal with great experience and fond memories of excellent adventure on Upper Dolpo trekking, as per your time for an international flight, our guide and staff transfer you to the airport for your final departure homeward bound or to your next destinations.

 

Heaven Nepal Adventure our team guides, porters and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.

Cost Includes
  • All airport transfers
  • Tourist Standard Hotel in Kathmandu for 3 nights with breakfast
  • Tourist Standard Hotel in Nepalgunj for 2 nights with breakfast
  • All domestic flight as per itinerary
  • Welcome and Farewell dinner
  • Guided city tour in Kathmandu covering 4 UNESCO heritage sites
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (Restricted Area permit and TIMS)
  • An experienced English-speaking Govt. registered trekking guide trekking cook, assistant trekking guide, kitchen boy and Sherpa porters to carry luggage, food and camping equipment (1 trekker: 3 porters) Guide, cook and support staffs salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging
  • Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) followed by a cup of Tea/Coffee during the trek
  • Iodine/Chlorine treated Safe Drinking water
  • All mountain accommodation
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • All government and local taxes
  • Trekking equipment such as down-filled sleeping bag and duffel bag
  • Souvenir: Upper Dolpo Route map and Heaven Nepal T-Shirt
Cost Excludes
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu except for welcome and farewell dinner
  • Monument entrance fees in Kathmandu
  • Bottled drinks
  • Mineral water and Hot shower
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance and evacuation insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Tipping to driver and trekking crew
Departure Dates
Useful Info

Meals and Accommodations:

In major cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu and other places, Heaven Nepal Adventure says you will get multiple options to choose from, from cheap lodges to extravagant 5 stars hotels. Likewise, you will also get to choose from a wide range of cuisines while in the major cities. However, once you move away from the cities, the options for meals and accommodations in Nepal will become limited. During the treks, the best accommodations available are lodges and teahouses. They provide basic facilities for dining and lodging. These places mostly serve traditional Nepali food “Daal Bhat Tarkari” (rice, pulses, and vegetables). Similarly, there are several other food varieties like Momo, Thukpa, and Thakali food available across Nepal.

Banking, ATMs, and Money in Nepal:

Nepalese Rupees are the official currency of Nepal. The banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 whereas coins of 1 and 2 are available in Nepal.
While travelling to Nepal, banking and money exchange are not a huge deal in big cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu. When you head to rural areas, the availability of banks, ATMs, and money exchange booths becomes fairly scarce. So, it is best to withdraw enough cash and exchange the currency in major cities.

You can also exchange foreign currencies for Nepali Rupees at the Tribhuvan International Airport. You need to be updated about the exchange rates which are available at the official website of Neal Rastra Bank at https://www.nrb.org.np/fxmexchangerate.php.

Sightseeing Tour:

We will brief you about your sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and trekking and we will be giving you an information files, and importantly introduced your tour/trekking guide.

Trekking Crews:

You will provide government registered, well-trained English Speaking guide, who has to acknowledge responsible tourism flew of areas and eco-friendly tourism
We also provide an assistant guide (call is Sherpa) if you’re in a group of 4-5 people, who are ready to help you with every situation. Also provide one porter is every two members of the group, and he will be carrying a bag pack not more than 25kg. We get our crews’ life get insured.

Documentation:

After your trip is over, we will provide you (HNA) adventure certificate =region.

Size of Group:

Trekking Group Size of minimum 2-10 people. In case you want to travel alone, please do not hesitate to write back to us. We will plan consequently. In the case in your group more than ten people, please let us know so that we can make advance requirements and improvise plans and itinerary.

Acclimatization:

Trekking on the Everest Region is much more difficult as it is even more technical. We give you special priority to its technical sides as well. For this, we have planned an itinerary to allow you to get acclimatize naturally. We know a particular location where you need to stay for rest to acclimatize, and the particular distance you need to walk slowly pace study and so on. In case you get AMS, we have to crews who know how to deal with, it effectively and smartly.

Altitude Sickness:

While trekking in Nepal is extremely satisfying, altitude sickness might get a better hold of you at times. The air pressure and oxygen concentration decrease the higher you travel. As such, altitude sickness is an illness that the human body suffers from due to these reasons. The symptoms of the sickness include lack of appetite, nausea, weakness, lightheartedness, sleep disturbance, tiredness, and headache. These symptoms generally appear when moving upwards of the height of 2,400 meters from sea level.

You can adopt different measures to avoid altitude sickness like a walk with a slow and steady pace, avoiding smoking, and stopping at different stations to acclimatize. Before beginning your trek, make sure you have a first aid kit with ibuprofen or paracetamol and Diamox. If anyone falls victim to altitude sickness, it is necessary to inform the trip leader and descend to a lower altitude. In extreme cases, it might also be necessary to perform Heli rescue and emergency evacuations.

Travel Insurance:

Accidents can happen anywhere so, it is recommended for all the tourists to get travel insurance before visiting Nepal. Depending upon the insurance policy and the company, the insurance will look after tragic like theft, loss or accidental damage of gears and other belongings, baggage, and medical emergencies. Likewise, the insurance should also include helicopter evacuation and any kinds of mishaps that might occur during adventure sporting like bungee jumping, rafting, and zip-lining. No one is capable of foreseeing the accidents, but each individual can by themselves an insurance policy to lessen the effects of the accident.

Internet and Communication:

It is quite easy to access the Internet in Nepal. Using Wi-Fi is a widely used way to communicate and use the Internet. Wi-Fi is easily available in major cities and even in some remote destinations. When trekking to remote locations, Wi-Fi might not always be available; so, using cellular data is the best way to communicate over the Internet. You can buy a Sim-card in Nepal at a reasonable price which allows you to make an international call. Also, you can use mobile data while you are in the areas without Wi-Fi. Telephone, Fax, and newspapers are a few other forms of communication in Nepal.

Pre-respond to Altitude Sickness?

Please consult your physician Please keep on informing our crews if you feel uneasy
• Please do walk in the group so that you can help each other
• Please do carry Diamox (Acetazolamide

Popular Destinations to Visit:
There are numerous travel destinations in Nepal; each with a unique identity and story of its own. Kathmandu is one of such destinations, with dozens of sightseeing to do, eateries to try out, and handicrafts to shop. Next up is Pokhara which enchants its visitors with its serene lakes and the enthralling views of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Fishtail ranges. Similarly, Lumbini, Chitwan, Bandipur, and Palpa are a few other destinations which are ripe for tours and leisurely vacations. Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park are two of the most popular destinations for jungle safari and wildlife exploration.

As for adventure sports, Kathmandu and Pokhara offer plenty of choices including rafting, bungee jumping, zip-lining, and paragliding. Likewise, the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang regions stand out as prominent destinations for treks, peak climbing trips, and expeditions.

Things to do in Nepal:
The nation is considered to be a paradise for trekkers and grants an exciting number of choices. On these treks, you will witness the grand views of the Himalayas and the cultural prosperity of the ethnic communities along the trails. Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek are two of the most popular treks in Nepal.

For those who are not satisfied with just gazing up at the mountains, you can go for a mountaineering expedition and peak climbing. While expeditions take you to mountains above the height of 6,500 meters, the destinations of peak climbing trips are low-lying peaks which can be summited even by amateurs. Everest (8848m), Annapurna (8091m), and Ama Dablam (6856m) are popular expedition sites whereas Island Peak (6189m), Mera Peak (6476m), and Pisang Peak (6091m) are the notable peak climbing destinations.

Short tours and sightseeing in Nepal are also quite popular among travellers in Nepal. Likewise, adventure sports like rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding, canyoning, rock climbing, zip-lining, and mountain biking are also among the things that can be done in Nepal.

Trekking Seasons in Nepal:
The country lies in the temperate zone and has four distinct climates: spring, summer (with monsoon), autumn, and winter. Normally, the best time to trek in Nepal is in March-May (spring) when the skies are clear, trails are filled with blooming flora, and the temperature is just right.

Another appropriate season is mid-September to November (autumn), during which the temperature is moderate, skies are clear, and mountain views are stunning. The summer season (June – August) is occupied by heavy rainfall increasing the chances of landslides in the hills, while the winter season brings in harsh weather conditions and extreme cold. However, there are treks which can be done during winter and monsoon as well.

Upper Dolpo and Upper Mustang regions lie in the rain-shadow area so, they are ideal trek destinations during monsoon. Likewise, easy and low-altitude treks like Ghorepani Poonhill and Tamang Heritage Trek are perfect during the winter season.

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