Upper Dolpo Trek – 28 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a representative from Alpine Club of Himalaya (ACOH) will pick you up and send you to our hotel. At noon, take a rest or visit ACOH’s office. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by ACOH where you will be served delicious authentic Nepalese cuisine. Overnight in Kathmandu.
(Included Meals: Dinner)

After breakfast will start a guided tour to several historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath), and the Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where you will meet our trek leader and other team members. ACOH will give a briefing on the trek and provide you the opportunity to ask any questions related to your upcoming adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
(Included Meals: Breakfast)

After a short excursion in Kathmandu, take an hour-long flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, located in Western Nepal. Nepalgunj, a town near the Nepal-India border, is also the gateway to Simikot, Humla. The town itself is an interesting Terai town that showcases the diverse culture of Nepal. In Nepalgunj, will visit the local market, mini-zoo, and nearby villages. Overnight in Nepalgunj.
(Included Meals: Breakfast)

After breakfast, fly to Jhupal, a beautiful town located over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to its north. Here, you will meet your trek staff and begin the adventure. Walkthrough terraced fields to the Bheri River and its narrow gorge. Continue walking to Dunai, which is the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. Then explore the small town in the evening and camp there for a night.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Leave Dunai and cross a suspension bridge and turn to the west following a trail past a hospital. Ascends up the side of the treeless, Thulo Bheri valley before entering Phoksundo river valley. During the walk will get to the view of Kagmara Peak up the valley. Pass through walnut groves, Dhera and Rahagaun villages, walk down dense jungles, and finally reach Ankhe. Overnight in Ankhe.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Our trail ascends and descends along a wooded riverbank and climbs on a steep trail. The ups and downs can be a bit monotonous, but there are several streams along the way that offer a chance to cool off. The trail eventually leaves the forests and passes through a grassy slope high above the river. Trek downhill on a trail surrounded by lush forests before reaching a cliff followed by a dizzying drop on a wobbly stone staircase to the river bank. Continue trekking until we reach Sulighat and spend a night.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The journey continues as we trek along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers. After crossing a bridge, walk on the western bank of the Pungmo Khola. The trail passes through a cedar forest before reaching Palam village. From here trek up to a ridge and enjoy distant views of Phoksundo Lake and a spectacular waterfall, one of the highest in Nepal. Next descends through birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola, and then to the picturesque Ringmo village with its mud-plastered chortens and mani walls. From here take a short walk to the shores of Phoksundo Lake. Overnight at Phoksundo Lake.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is the rest day for acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake. During the day you can embark on a short hike to the village of Ringmo and the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. During the short walks, you will have a chance to get in touch with the local culture. The Dolpo people wear homespun clothing that is sometimes dyed a maroon color and they favor Tibetan-style somba or dhocha (boots with upturned toes) for footwear. Both men and women often wear religious amulets and strings of coral, amber, and turquoise. Overnight at Phoksundo Lake.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The journey continues as the trail moves around the top western end of the Phoksundo Lake where it contours on a rocky ledge along the lake’s western bank. This unsteady trail suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs driven into crevasse in the rocks, signals the remoteness of the area we are about to enter. At the westernmost edge of the lake, the path leads through a lush meadow that opens up into the flood plain of the Phoksundo Khola. Then walk through the valley, crossing the river and avoiding the occasional boggy marsh underfoot, and then coming on the bank of the river to the overnight camp.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

For an hour or so, walk on a trail that leads us along the level path through a glacial valley that heads due north. At the confluence of the Phoksundo Khola and another mountain stream, there is an old wooden bridge. From here, walk towards the north-east. A long climb brings us to a sheep meadow where the trail veers up a steep ravine. A hard climb to the top brings to yet another valley where you can see the Kang-La pass. Set up camp near the pass in a place that Peter Matthiessen christened ‘Snowfields Camp’. Our trek today will also get to admire the views of Chhamlang peak 6 (6739m) and peak 7 (6105m).
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

In the morning, ascend on a steep trail littered with slate towards the pass. The climb to the top of the pass is quite strenuous. From the top of Kang-la Pass, you can experience excellent views of the large valley dissected by a gushing river. Descend to the valley floor on a steep trail. Next walk on a meandering trail along the banks of a river, crossing and re-crossing it several times. There are mud caves lining the hills overlooking the river. Will also pass through meadows where we see grazing yaks, hundreds of sheep and domestic mountain goat (Chyangra). After crossing a quaint log bridge, will reach the Shey Gompa compound to spend a night.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Shey Gompa was built in 1655 and the monastery is noted for its giant copper with a gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. To the east of the Gompa is Crystal Mountain which is one of the strangest mountains, as its contorted cliffs are laced with quartz and embedded with a rich variety of marine fossils. Today we will get a good rest for better acclimatization. Spend the day hiking around Shey village which is famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist culture, the Bon Po. In Dolpo, the ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teaching of Buddha. Overnight in Shey Gompa.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Start our day with a pleasant trail amidst juniper trees that descends into a grey, stony canyon. Then the path begins to zigzag over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil until it eventually brings us to the top of the Saldang-La pass. The subsequent descent towards the north is long and tiring but grazing yaks and sheep, and nomadic tents made from yak hair is a comforting sight. In Namduna Gaun, will visit Namgung monastery. The red stone monstery is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. Overnight in Namuda Gaun.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Leave the village and climb up a slope and begin a long walk along dusty barren mountains. After 3-4 hours of hard climb, will begin to see Saldang Village below us on a plateau high above the Namga Khola stream. It has a picturesque appearance. Saldang is the largest village in the inner Dolpo area. The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope and consists of five villages having about eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred people. It is a prosperous village not only agriculturally but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. Overnight in Saldang.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Saldang, walk further north along the Nagon Khola (river) on a wild and barren terrain. Begin our walk on a fairly gradual path with a few ups and downs. On the way, pass through Marang and Ki villages. Next will cross a tributary of the Panzang River and walk towards the east and cross the river again before reaching Yangze gompa which houses an old Bon-Po Monastery. Overnight in Yangze Gompa.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Yangze, there are two trails that connect to Sibu. To save time, we will retrace the path back towards Saldang village, which will be much easier and shorter than the other route. From Saldang, walk along a river and pass through terraced fields, stupas, chortens, heaps of mani stones, and a Chaiba monastery, then pass through the Namdo village, which is also prosperous, with about sixty houses having nearly 400 inhabitants. It stretches for over 5-kilometer on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Continues further down the river for another two hours to camp near a small settlement of Sibu.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Walk along the Nam Khong Khola for a while and pass by caravans with yaks that are moving towards the Tibetan border. After turning east and walking for a while, will arrive at a confluence of two small streams. Next, the steep trail ascends to a grazing area below the Jeng La pass (4,900m/16,072ft). Set up camp in this beautiful meadow. Overnight in Jeng la Phedi.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Wake up early morning and set forth on today’s trek. It will take two long hours to reach the top of the Jeng La pass from where we get remarkable views of the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif. From here, descend on a rough trail to the Tarap Valley, a fascinating valley with vast plains in high mountains that extends twenty kilometers along the Tarap Chu river. Will set up camp close to the monastery at Tokyu and spend a night.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Trek downhill on a plain valley with patches of lush grass on both sides of the river which is completely different from other parts of inner Dolpo. There is also a marsh which is a common feature in the Desert Mountains of Tibet and the Ladakh Himalaya. Both Bon Po and Buddhist sects are practiced in the valley. After a short trek will reach Dho Tarap. Overnight in Dho Tarap.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is the rest day and do a stroll around the village of Dho Tarap which is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. The walks will help you get acquainted with the local culture of the area. At Dho, about 40 houses are divided into three clusters and built in a haphazard way inhabited by few Tibetans and mostly Magars who are a hill tribe of Nepal. While here, you can either visit a Buddhist Gompa which is closest to our campsite, or embark upon a 40-minute walk and visit a Bon Po Gompa.Overnight in Dho Tarap.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Tarap, descend towards a wide valley which eventually narrows into a gorge. Walk along with juniper and wild rose bushes just above the tree line. Along the trek, will see herds of blue sheep and by the afternoon, will reach the confluence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola, a stream that joins with Tarap River from further east. Set up camp on a nice meadow also known as Kamakharka and spend a night.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Continue walking down the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it. During that, will pass by the local people who will be taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. This will be one of the most exciting days of this trip as the valley becomes so narrow in a deep gorge that in some places we can jump from one side to another. Sometimes there is no trace of a path and you may have to walk across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. The gorge also provides unexpected adventure and thrills. At some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away and may be forced to cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, reach our camping spot beside the Tarap Khola at Khanigaon to spend a night.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From the camp, follow a trail that takes us to the village of Lalberi. Then passes through a lush forest, descends into another gorge, and continues to follow the river again. After reaching Tarakot, you can visit Sandul Gompa which lies about 8-kilometer east of the village at a juncture of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. The monastery stands on a hill to the south of the Bheri River. Today will camp by the Tarap Chu River about 150 meters below Tarakot, near the police post. Overnight in Tarakot.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The journey continues where trek on a trail behind the Bheri River before crossing a bridge near the Lawan village. Our trail will continue alongside the big Bheri River ascending until the Byas Gadi. From here, moves towards the west on a relatively easy trail. Cross the river again near the Lochakhola Gaon and ascend to Dunai for an overnight stay. Today’s trek will mostly be on a wonderful gorge with pine trees. Overnight in Dunai.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Dunai, trek along the Bheri River enjoying the beautiful landscape. On the way, pass through Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages as well as a temple. Continue trekking via Kalagaonda village and Motipur village before reaching the small airstrip. Overnight in Jhuphal.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today will take the earliest flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. Upon reaching Nepalgunj, return to Kathmandu on the next available flight and then you will be transferred to our hotel. There is nothing to do but remember to exchange contacts and emails with travel companions to organize and share the photos. Overnight in Kathmandu.
(Included Meals: Breakfast)

This is an extra day set aside for you to either rest or explore Kathmandu on your own. You can do some souvenir shopping or if there is a place in Kathmandu that you wish to visit, then ACOH can arrange for you. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner hosted by ACOH to celebrate the successful completion of your adventure in the Dolpo region of western Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.
(Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

Our adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! A representative from ACOH will send you to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight. Have a safe journey home and do come back for more adventures in Nepal.