Upper Dolpo Trek
- Duration
- 25 days
- Max altitude
- 5,306 m
- Difficulty
-
Very strenuous
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $4,390.00
Overview
Trans-Himalayan Nepal at its most remote. Shey Phoksundo, the deepest lake in the country, the Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa, Bon and Buddhist villages on the old salt routes, and three high passes led by the Kang La at 5,306 m, with full camping support because for most of the way there is nothing else out there.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- Shey Phoksundo, the deepest lake in Nepal
- Shey Gompa and the Crystal Mountain
- Kang La (5,306 m), Saldang La and Jeng La
- Full camping support, with a few teahouse nights
Day by day
The itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m Hotel
Our representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and takes you to your hotel. After check-in, rest or explore Thamel. In the afternoon or evening, the pre-trip briefing for Upper Dolpo.
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Day 2: Fly to Nepalgunj (150 m) 150 m Hotel B
A one-hour flight to Nepalgunj on the western Terai, close to the Indian border, hot and flat and a trade town with a very different feel from the hills. The evening is free to walk around town or rest before the morning flight to Dolpo.
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Day 3: Fly to Juphal (2,475 m), trek to Dunai (2,140 m) 2,140 m 3-4 hrs Camp B/L/D
A 35-minute flight with Dhaulagiri in view to the hillside airstrip at Juphal, then three to four hours down through terraced fields and small villages to Dunai, the district headquarters beside the Thuli Bheri river.
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Day 4: Buffer day: Nepalgunj if the flight is delayed, otherwise Dunai 2,140 m Camp B/L/D
Juphal flights are often delayed by weather, so this day is held in reserve. If the flight was delayed, this is the day you fly in. If it ran on time, it is a rest and acclimatisation day around Dunai, with short walks in the valley.
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Day 5: Trek to Ankhe (2,660 m) 2,660 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steady climb along the river through forest, over suspension bridges and past small settlements, to Ankhe at the entrance to Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to blue sheep and the rarely seen snow leopard.
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Day 6: Trek to Renje (3,104 m) 3,104 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
Ups and downs on a steep, scenic trail through forest, small villages and terraced fields to Renje, a tiny settlement under high cliffs.
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Day 7: Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3,600 m) 3,600 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steep climb with wide views, past the Phoksundo waterfall, to Ringmo, a Bon village of chortens and mani walls, and the turquoise lake beyond it, sacred to Bon and Buddhist communities alike.
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Day 8: Trek to Phoksundo Khola (3,507 m) 3,507 m 5-6 hrs Camp B/L/D
Along the western shore of the lake on the trail cut into the cliff, then into a narrow gorge following the Phoksundo Khola, past waterfalls and sheer rock walls into increasingly barren country.
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Day 9: Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,402 m) 4,402 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steep climb with many switchbacks into high alpine terrain of rock and scattered scrub, to the camp at the foot of the Kang La. A big gain in altitude: go slowly and drink plenty.
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Day 10: Cross the Kang La (5,306 m) to Shey Gompa (4,126 m) 5,306 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
The hardest day of the trek. A steep climb in thin air to the Kang La, the highest point, with the stark Dolpo landscape spread out below, then a descent to Shey Gompa, the Crystal Mountain monastery, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Dolpo for both Buddhists and Bonpo.
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Day 11: Rest and exploration day at Shey Gompa (4,126 m) 4,126 m Camp B/L/D
A rest day to visit the monastery and walk part of the kora around the base of the Crystal Mountain, and to see something of daily life in this remote corner of Nepal.
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Day 12: Cross the Saldang La (4,785 m) to Namgung (4,400 m) 4,785 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steep climb to the Saldang La with huge views over Dolpo, then a long, tiring descent north to yak pastures and nomad tents of yak hair, and the village of Namgung, six stone houses and a red Karma Kagyu monastery against the cliff of a gorge. The old cliff temple collapsed and the villagers have built a new monastery in the village.
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Day 13: Trek to Saldang (3,903 m) 3,903 m 4-5 hrs Camp B/L/D
Down across the dusty high plateau to Saldang, one of the largest and most prosperous villages in Dolpo, on the old trade route between Tibet and Nepal, with terraced barley fields around it.
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Day 14: Trek to Sibu (3,942 m) 3,942 m 5-6 hrs Camp B/L/D
Down to the riverbed past terraced fields, stupas, chortens and mani walls to Namdo, a village of around 60 houses with a monastery by the river and another on the cliff above, then along the river to camp at Sibu.
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Day 15: Trek to the foot of the Jeng La (4,369 m) 4,369 m 5-6 hrs Camp B/L/D
An easy start through meadows along the river, a stream crossing after about two hours, then a harder climb up a side valley to a quiet pasture at the base of the Jeng La.
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Day 16: Cross the Jeng La (4,845 m) to Tokyu (4,240 m) 4,845 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steep, tiring climb to the Jeng La for views of the Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba ranges, then down into the Tarap valley to Tokyu, a large village with several monasteries and strong Tibetan influence.
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Day 17: Trek to Dho Tarap (4,090 m) 4,090 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse or camp B/L/D
An easier day through the wide Tarap valley to Dho Tarap, where Bon and Buddhist communities live side by side among stone houses, prayer flags and old gompas.
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Day 18: Trek to Serkam (3,630 m) 3,630 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
Down the Tarap Khola from the high plateau, past terraced fields, small villages and monasteries, with blue sheep on the slopes, as the valley narrows and the cliffs close in.
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Day 19: Trek to Khani Gaon (2,550 m) 2,550 m 6-7 hrs Camp B/L/D
Through the Tarap gorge, narrow in places and needing care, into pine and rhododendron forest and warmer air, to the village of Khani Gaon.
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Day 20: Trek to Tarakot (2,281 m) 2,281 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse or camp B/L/D
An easy descent along the river to Tarakot, an old fortress town that once guarded the trade route to Tibet, with a Bon monastery to visit.
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Day 21: Trek to Dunai (2,140 m) 2,140 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse or camp B/L/D
Down through forest, rivers and villages to Dunai, closing the loop, with teahouses and basic shops again.
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Day 22: Trek to Juphal (2,475 m) 2,475 m 3-4 hrs Camp B/L/D
The last walking day, back up through terraced fields to the airstrip at Juphal, ready for the morning flight.
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Day 23: Fly to Kathmandu (1,400 m) via Nepalgunj 1,400 m Hotel B/D
A morning flight to Nepalgunj and a connection on to Kathmandu, about an hour and 35 minutes in the air in total. Transfer to your hotel, and a farewell dinner with your guide in the evening.
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Day 24: Spare day for flight delays 1,400 m Hotel B
Held in reserve in case the Juphal flight is delayed by weather. If you are already in Kathmandu, the day is yours to rest or explore the city.
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Day 25: Departure 1,400 m B
After breakfast, our representative takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $5,270.00 | Comfortfrom $6,218.60 | Luxuryfrom $7,641.50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Hotel nights with breakfast: three in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu and one in a two to three-star hotel in Nepalgunj (single rooms at extra cost)
- Included: Tented camp accommodation for 17 nights on the trek, with two-person tents, dining tent, kitchen equipment, table, chairs, toilet tent and shower tent
- Included: Twin-sharing teahouse rooms for 3 nights where available, with meals still served by our camp crew (if the few teahouses are full, you stay in camp)
- Included: All meals on the trek, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seasonal fruit
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- Included: Purified drinking water on the trek, by filter or purification tablets
- Included: All international and domestic airport transfers in a tourist vehicle
- Included: Flights Kathmandu to Nepalgunj to Juphal and back, with airport taxes
- Included: Upper Dolpo restricted area permit, Lower Dolpo permit, Shey Phoksundo National Park fee and all local conservation fees
- Included: Experienced, wilderness first-aid trained, government-licensed, English-speaking local guide (two guides for groups of more than seven)
- Included: Porters to carry your luggage, one porter for every two travellers
- Included: Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance and medication for all staff
- Included: Duffel bag, trekking map, sun hat and neck gaiter
- Included: First aid kit with an oximeter to check pulse and oxygen levels daily
- Included: Trip completion certificate
- Included: All administrative expenses and government taxes
Not included
- Not included: Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, apart from the farewell dinner
- Not included: Travel insurance, which is compulsory and must cover helicopter evacuation from a remote area
- Not included: International airfare
- Not included: Nepal entry visa
- Not included: All cold drinks, including alcohol, bottled water and soft drinks
- Not included: Personal shopping, laundry, phone and internet
- Not included: Personal trekking equipment
- Not included: Tips for the trekking crew
- Not included: Extra nights and costs caused by the Juphal flight being delayed beyond the spare days in the plan
Know before you go
Suitability & requirements
Upper Dolpo is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is mandatory and the permit, the main reason this trek costs more than most, is applied for through a registered agency. We do that for you. Since March 2026 the permit is issued to solo travellers too, so you no longer need a second person to go.
The climb from Phoksundo Khola (3,507 m) to the Kang La base at Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,402 m) is a big jump in sleeping altitude, the night before the highest pass of the trek. Your guide watches everyone closely here and will hold the party a day if anyone is not acclimatising well.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $5,270.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $4,390.00 | $880.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $4,125.00 | $1,145.00 |
| 7 or more | $3,865.00 | $1,405.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Why book with us
Every trail, one licensed team
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