Upper Dolpo Trek – 27 Days
Upper Dolpo is a high-altitude region located at western Nepal. A rain-shadow area, Upper Dolpo receives least rainfall; therefore, most of the terrain resembles a desert like landscape and can be trekked throughout the year. It lays close to Tibet in the North, therefore, the inhabitants, local culture, dialect and architecture resembles its northern counterpart.
The Dolpo people have practiced trading salt through caravans for ages. Eric Valli, a renowned French filmmaker made a movie based on the life of the people of Dolpo, named “Caravan.” It was nominated for Oscars in 1997.
The Upper Dolpo trek initiates at the north-west region behind the Dhaulagiri massif, towards the Tibetan plateau. Most of the trail is located inside Phoksundo National Park. The trek begins from Juphal village and passes through numerous gigantic mountain ranges, Numa La pass (5,190 meters) and Phoksundo Lake. The trip concedes at Jumla. The abundance of Himalayan wildlife, including; Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep and rare Snow Leopard, makes it a unique destination as well.
Upper Dolpo has been mentioned by David Snelgrove in his book titled “Himalayan Pilgrimage,” more recently by Peter Matthiessen in “The Snow Leopard” and in “Stones of Silence” by George Schaller.
Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
Poses difficulty as the terrain, temperature and altitude may differ along the trail. Max. altitude may reach over 5000 m and the hike requires over 6 hours a day.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport. Star Standard meals at Kathmandu!
| Day 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu / Transfer to Hotel | – |
| Day 2 | Kathmandu sightseeing & Trek preparation | – |
| Day 3 | Fly to Nepalgunj & Transfer to Hotel | – |
| Day 4 | Fly to Juphal & Trek to Dunai 2,850 m (9,348 ft) | – |
| Day 5 | Trek to Tarakot 2,850 m (9,348 ft) | 5-6 hours |
| Day 6 | Trek to Khani Gaon 2,543 m (8,341 ft) | 3-4 hours |
| Day 7 | Trek to Tarap Khola 3,450 m (11,316 ft) | 4-5 hours |
| Day 8 | Trek to Yak Kharka 3,800 m (12,464 ft) | 4-5 hours |
| Day 9 | Trek to Dho Tarap 4,090 m (13,415 ft) | 5-6 hours |
| Day 10 | Rest Day at Dho Tarap | – |
| Day 11 | Trek to Tokyu Gaun 4,200 m (13,776 ft) | 5-6 hours |
| Day 12 | Trek below Numa La Pass 4,664 m (15,301 ft) | 4-5 hours |
| Day 13 | Cross Numa La Pass & Camp at Phedi | 6-7 hours |
| Day 14 | Trek Baga La 5,070 m (16,630 ft) | 5-6 hours |
| Day 15 | Trek to Ringmo 3,600 m (11,808 ft) | 6-7 hours |
| Day 16 | Rest Day/Hike to Phoksundo Lake | – |
| Day 17 | Trek to Pungo village 3,170 m (10,397 ft) | 4-5 hours |
| Day 18 | Trek below Kagmara La 5,115 m (16,777 ft) | 4-5 hours |
| Day 19 | Cross Kagmara La | 4-5 hours |
| Day 20 | Trek to Hurikot village 3,600 m (11,806 ft) | 5-6 hours |
| Day 21 | Trek to Chaurikot 3,060 m (10,036 ft) | 5-6 hours |
| Day 22 | Trek to Chorte Gompa 3,200 m (10,496 ft) | 5-6 hours |
| Day 23 | Trek to Gothi Chaur 2,700 m (8,856 ft) | 4-5 hours |
| Day 24 | Trek to Jumla | 6-7 hours |
| Day 25 | Fly from Jumla to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj | – |
| Day 26 | Rest Day at Kathmandu | – |
| Day 27 | Depart from Kathmandu | – |
Includes
- Arrival airport pick and drop.
- Dinner in one of the finest diners in Kathmandu before and after the trek
- 4 Nights at ★★★ hotel in Kathmandu
- Domestic flight, airport transfer and tax
- All land commute.
- Standard Tea-house/ Lodge during the trek.
- All meals during the trek.
- 1 Certified Guide (Licensed & First Aid Trained)/1 Porter (For two)
- TIMS Card/ National Park entry fee/Other Permits
- All the Gov. and Local taxes as per applicable
- 1 Duffel Bag and Company T-shirt
- Trekking Map and Group medical kit box (Diamox and First Aid Medicine)
- Trip Completion Certificate
- Arrangement of Rescue/Medical Helicopter service; covered by your Insurance agency.
Excludes
- Visa & Processing Fee
- International flight fares
- Meals other than during the trek and before/after complimentary dinner
- Mineral water and refreshments during the trek
- Travel insurance (Cover Helicopter evacuation and Trip Cancellation charges)
- Guide/Porter Tipping
Testimonials
Annapurna is the best place on Earth. The route and scenery are breath-taking. The way leading from Machhapuchhre to Annapurna base camp is the best.
I had fun with my friends. The guide is the best! He helped us throughout the trip. I’d suggest you to take Diamox to help prevent altitude sickness. It’s really hard to breath when you reach at the top. All in all a great experience. ~Jessica Mahut (Florida, USA)
Additional information
The above information is a guide and standard template of what we provide. Our trip can be customized at your request to accommodate your specific requirements.
Responsible Tourism
Currently, we help raise fund and donate it to help build schools and shelters at the Earthquake stricken regions of Central Nepal province. You can join the cause help donate or volunteer to teach at the primary level schools. Visit Community Center for more information.
- Arrival in Kathmandu At your arrival in Kathmandu, a member of our team will greet and receive you at the airport. You will be transferred to your hotel. Our representative will brief on your arrival about the trip. The rest of the day is yours. The evening we be spent enjoying complimentary local dinner one of the finest local diner with cultural program
- Kathmandu Sightseeing & trek preparation Kathmandu is the main cultural hub of Nepal and the historical city. The sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with the best tourist guide of the town will offer you a chance to visit Pashupatinath- the largest Hindu Temple of Nepal. After the exploration of Pashupatinath you will walk along the busy streets of Kathmandu to Boudhanath. A large domed shaped Buddhist stupa, Boudhanath holds huge religious significance among the Tibetan Buddhists of Nepal.After the lunch, the tour will advance to the Patan Durbar Square. The exemplary wooden and stone craftsmanship at the site makes a place the prominent attraction for tourists and shows the historical side of the Malla kingdom and Newari lifestyle. The tour will end with a serene trip to Swayambhunath, the most important landmark of Buddhism in Nepal.
- Fly to Nepalgunj & Transfer to Hotel The trip starts with one and half hour scenic flight to far-western region of Nepalgung. Once landed, you will get look around the bazaar, local monuments and lifestyle. You spend a night at Nepalggunj and fly out at first tomorrow morning.
- Fly to Juphal & Trek to Dunai It takes another 45 minutes to fly from Neaplgunj to Juphal. You’d be making your way from the plain lands of Terai to the Mountains. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks are clearly seen from inside the plane. Once reached, we take a short break and start trekking towards Dunai for the overnight stay.The first day adventure begins with an hour downhill walk through the village below the airstrip, leading through the terraced fields to the Bheri River and the narrow gorge towards Dunai.
- Trek to Tarakot Today, the trek passes through many small streams and follows the Bheri and Barbung rivers. Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the locals. Tjhey call it Dzong. The famed Sandul Gompa lies farther east from Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung khola and Tarup chu river. A short walk from here will take you to Chortens and Gompas at the edge of grassy plateau.
- Trek to Khani Gaon The route follows through Tarap chu river. The path leads through the terraced fields and rural villages of Sahartera and winds gradually towards a small settlement of Kola. From here, the route descends towards the Khani Gaon.
- Trek to Tarap Khola The trail continues through the gorge of the Tarap River. You might encounter locals herding their flocks of sheep and goats to the pasture lands. In some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away by the monsoon flood, and you may have to cross the river bare foot.
- Trek to Yak Kharka Today is a pleasant walk towards Yak Kharka. You walk through the semi-arid landscape. A night is spend at Yak Kharka.
- Trek to Dho Tarap The trek being with a gradual ascent up the Kamattarka at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola. After few hours, the path leads through the juniper bushes and wild rose garden,. Another 3 hours or more of walking will bring you to the village of Dho Tarap. In this region, both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together. Tarap is also inhabited by few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations.
- rest Day/Acclimatization Day Today, you can spend time resting or acclimatizing. The best way to beat the time is to take a short hike around the place. There is a Buddhist Gompa nearby the camp; while the Bon Gompa (pre Buddhist) is situated about half an hour’s walk.
- Trek to Tokyu Gaon The trek continues towards Upper Tarap valley. The trail leads up the Tarap Chu. It consisits of ten villages dedicated in farming and producing barley, buck wheat, grains and potato. After few hours of walk, you will reach the village of Tokyu or Tokyu Gaon. After a short break, the last hike for the day continues farther up the valley towards the campsite.
- Trek below Numa La Pass Today, you will encounter a short yet difficult hike. Crossing Numa La Pass can be an ordeal. Located above 4,500 meters, the trail encounters a steep climb. Today, you trek below the Pass and camp overnight, while preparing for the ascent for the next day.
- Cross Numa La Pass & Trek to Phedi Today, you will cross the highest pass in the region. The ascent may take over 6 hours. Immediately after the ascent, you start walking towards Phedi for the overnight camp.
- Cross Baga La Pass From Phedi, the trail leads to the top ridge of Numa la. It offers some great views of the surrounding landscapes and mountains, including the north face of Dhaulagiri massif. Almost three hours of downhill walk takes to Palungtang or farther for the overnight camp just before Baga La Pass.
- Trek to Ringmo The trek starts with a steep climb of the ridge at Baga La Pass. From here, the Kanjirowa Himalayan range is fairly visible. After descending for 2 hours through the pine forest you will reach Ringmo and the Phoksundo lake.
- Rest Day Today is a rest day. You can walk around the place and explore the natural landscape. Phoksundo lake is near ringo, therefore, you can consider visiting the lake or visit the nearby Tibetan Buddhist monastery.
- Trek to Pungmo Village Today, you retrace your step back towards the Sumlo village, from where you can follow the trail north west up the Pungmo Nala to the small village of Pungmo.
- Trek below Kagmara La Pass The view of the Kangchunne and Kanjeilarwa peaks are seen vividly during the trek. The valley is covered with the juniper and birch forests. Many wild animals, including musk deer and Himalayan Tahr inhabits the area. Further up the valley, you might encounter the famous blue sheep.
- Cross the Kagmara La Pass An early start of the day will take you uphill towards the pass. You can catch some of the most amazing views from here. The trail descends steeply towards the west and a long downhill hike will bring you to the peak of Kagmara Valley. The river you have been following is called the Garpung River.
- Trek to Hurkikot village The trek following the Garpung river turns north above the confluence with the Jagdulla Khola to descend down to the Army Check Post. After crossing the Jadulla khola to the right bank, the trail follows scarcely forested areas towards the Hurikot village.
- Trek to Chaurikot Today crossing the stream coming off the Jagdull Lekh, the trail goes up along the ridge to the northwest towrads Barbarey Lekh Pass. Descending into a dense forest of pine, spruce, fir and oak camp is made in a forest cleaning beside of the river flowing down the valley.
- Trek to Chorte Gompa Today the trek begins from the camp below Barbarey Lekh and follows the trail down stream through oak and pine forest to the village of Chorte.
- Trek to Gothi Chaur Following the Tila stream, the trail runs below the villages of Munigaun and the Kurigaun to climb up a side stream coming down from the left just short of Guthigaun climbing steadily the sheep farm at Gothi Chaur.
- Trek to Jumla The last day of trek begins slowly. The trail gradually drops down towards a beautiful valley. You may find pretty villages. On reaching Jumla rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the busy market town.
- Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj It is an early morning flight to Nepalgunj and after a short layover you can fly to Kathmandu.
- Rest Day You can go and look around the places inside Kathmandu.
- Departure from Kathmandu You will be transferred to the Airport to catch your flight back home.
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Package Price Date
Upper Dolpo Trek – 27 Days
Get this trip at $ 3,499USDTrips Details
| Trip Length | 27 days | |
| Trek Length | 21 days | |
| Activities | Trekking, Sightseeing | |
| Max. Altitude | 5,115 meters (16,777 ft) | |
| Trek Style | Tea-house (Lodges) | |
| Meal | Full board on trek | |
| Accommodation |
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| Transportation | Private Vehicle, Tourist Bus | |
| Best Month | Throughout the Year | |
| Required | Min. 2 pax |
- Guaranteed Departure
- Bigger Group, Bigger Discount
- Customizable Trips
- All Inclusive/GAP Trip Available
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