Upper Dolpo Trek, 25 Days

Your Upper Dolpo Trek begins with your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Later that day, you will meet the office staff and the guides who will accompany you for the duration of the trek, covering what to expect over the coming three and a half weeks. Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.

In the morning, you will explore the famous Swayambhunath stupa, which is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists and provides you with some magnificent views of the valley. Next, you will make your way to the important Hindu temple, Pashupatinath, and then to Kathmandu Durbar Square. You will end the day with views of the sunset from the Boudhanath. Over-night stay in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.

An early flight takes you west to the Terai town of Nepalgunj, a journey offering a genuinely diverse set of landscapes from the air. Once you land, you will have time to explore the local market and surrounding areas, getting a first taste of the region’s distinct culture before heading deeper into the mountains. Overnight at a tourist standard hotel in Nepalgunj.

With an early morning flight, you will reach the hilly town of Juphal, where there are impressive sights of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya ranges from the sky. After a brief stopover, you will commence trekking amid vegetable farms to the banks of the Thuli Bheri river, further trekking along Suli Khola in the company of Dhaulagiri Himalaya range. Accommodation for the night will be at a simple tea house at Suligad Ghat.

The trail continues through lush green forest in genuine solitude, opening gradually into wider valley terrain. You will experience the trans-Himalayan ecosystem that governs this entire region firsthand, with the trail alternating between ascents and descents through thinning forest before reaching Renje village. Overnight at a basic teahouse in Renje.

On this day, you get a chance to experience proximity to the deepest lake in Nepal. The hike out of Renje repeats itself again with its ascents and descents through the forest and with views of the majestic Himalayas opening up on the other side of the hills that disappear behind you as you approach Ringmo village. After Ringmo, you will go on to Phoksundo Lake. Overnight stay in a teahouse in Phoksundo.

An early start rewards you with one of the most stunning views of the entire trek, the golden Himalayas reflected in the sparkling waters of Phoksundo Lake at sunrise. You will also have time to explore Ringmo village, offering a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with local Dolpo culture. Overnight at Ringmo Village.

The trail heads through a steep Himalayan section, leaving behind the comfort of lush forest and hilly landscapes as you approach the top western frontier of Phoksundo Lake. In places, the trail is supported by logs of wood tied together, a genuine reminder of just how remote this journey has become. Overnight camping near Phoksundo Khola.

The trip moves on in a northward direction along a trail that is parallel to the valley of glaciers. This takes you to a wooden bridge, where you can see the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and other mountain streams. You will get to witness Chamlang Peak which is 6,739m high and Peak 7 at 6,105m. After which, you will climb up the hills and set up your camp near Kang La Pass.

Today marks the highest point of the entire trek. Carefully picking your way through a snowy Himalayan trail, you reach the summit of Kang La Pass, rewarded with stunning views of the Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range bordering the mountains toward Tibet. Descending via the mountain pass and crossing the opening valley several times, you reach Shey Gompa. Overnight at a basic teahouse in Shey Gompa.

This is your second rest day, dedicated to exploring one of the oldest monasteries in the region, built in 1655 and dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha. The monastery holds ancient art and artifacts, some dating back thousands of years, and the region is known for its practice of Bonpo religion. Nearby, Crystal Mountain draws pilgrims who circumambulate it as part of their spiritual practice. Overnight near Shey Gompa.

Today marks the second mountain pass of the trek. This pass is not only breathtakingly beautiful but also physically exhausting, offering incredible views of the valley that opens up below the pass upon completing your hike. Passing through a descent into yak pastures, we make our way to Namgung village and the Namgung monastery, popularly known as the red stone monastery. Stay for the night at the teahouse in Namgung.

Nearly at the midpoint of the journey, today’s trail heads down through diverse, barren mountain landscapes on a strenuous descent that ends with views of Saldang hamlet perched high above the Nagma Khola stream. Overnight at a basic teahouse in Saldang.

Following the same northern route, you will have an easy journey to Yangze Gompa as there are no major elevation gains in this section of the route. The path passes through Marang and Ki villages to finally arrive at the tributary of the Panzang River from where the path goes to the gompa. Stay at the teahouse nearby.

Heading back through Saldang village, the trail descends through terraced fields accompanied by chortens and seas of prayer flags. Passing Chaiba Monastery and a short stop at Namde Monastery along the riverbank, you follow the sandy banks all the way to Sibu. Overnight at a basic teahouse in Sibu.

A relatively pleasant day, the trail continues along the banks of the Nam Khong River heading east, often alongside caravans traveling toward Tibet for trade. After reaching the convergence point of two Himalayan streams, the trail climbs steeply toward pasture land where you set up camp for the night. Overnight camping at Jeng La Phedi.

The final of the three mountain passes, Jeng La, requires careful navigation through an icy, snow covered trail. You will take in views of the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif at 8,167m before reaching the summit, beyond which the Tarap valley gradually opens up. A rocky descent brings you to Dho Tarap. Overnight at a basic teahouse in Dho Tarap.

Your final scheduled rest day is spent exploring this enchanting valley, surrounded by irregular stone walls and home to small settlements of Magar and Dolpo people. Nearby, you can visit both a Buddhist monastery and a Bonpo monastery on the outskirts of the hamlet. Overnight at Dho Tarap.

The journey gradually descends toward Tarap Khola through a narrow valley trail. The alpine vegetation gives way once again to lush green forest as the trail descends through the tree line, reaching the convergence point of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola before following the sandy riverbanks to Karma Kharka. Overnight camping at Karma Kharka.

Continuing the descent out of the Dolpo region, the trail follows the gorge of the Tarap River, with sections offering no clearly visible path, a genuine reminder of how remote this route remains even on the way out. You will take in views of the Himalayan rural landscape before reaching Khanigaon beside the Tarap River. Overnight camping at Khanigaon.

Early start leads you to the descent to Tarakot and then to Dunai along the way to Lalberi followed by a riverside trail. There is also a monastery known as Sandul Gompa on the way and then the trek leads you further along the Bheri River to Dunai. Night halt at a simple tea house in Dunai.

The final trekking day begins with a lovely Himalayan breakfast before you make your way down to Juphal alongside the Bheri River, passing through several vibrant hamlets including Dhupi Chaur, Rupagad, Kalagauda, and Motipur along the way. Overnight at a basic teahouse in Juphal.

This day is built in specifically as a buffer in case your flight out of Juphal gets delayed, which can happen due to mountain weather conditions. If your flight departs on schedule the following morning as planned, you can use this day to rest or explore the local area at your own pace. Overnight at a basic teahouse in Juphal.

An early morning flight takes you out of Juphal to Nepalgunj, followed by a brief rest before a second flight brings you back to Kathmandu. Once you arrive, you will head directly to your hotel for refreshments, with time permitting to explore local markets for souvenirs. Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.

Your Upper Dolpo Trek comes to a close today. A representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your flight home, bringing an end to a genuinely remote and unforgettable three and a half week journey through one of the most isolated regions in the