Dolpo · Treks
24 days · Strenuous · up to 5,360 m
A camping expedition into Nepal's remote trans-Himalaya: Phoksundo Lake, the Kang La, Shey Gompa and the ancient Bon and Buddhist villages of Upper Dolpo.
Upper Dolpo, made famous by Peter Matthiessen's 'The Snow Leopard', is one of the last strongholds of Tibetan culture. The trek starts with the turquoise Phoksundo Lake and crosses high passes to Shey Gompa, the Crystal Mountain and the villages of Saldang and Dho Tarap.
It is a fully supported camping trek with a cook and crew, best in the monsoon and post-monsoon months when Dolpo lies in the rain shadow.
Strenuous: three weeks of camping, several 5,000-metre passes and no easy way out. Previous high-altitude trekking required.
Our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. In the evening we brief you on the trek, check your gear and sort out any last purchases.
Afternoon flight to Nepalgunj on the Indian border.
Morning flight into the mountains and a short walk to Dunai.
Up the Suli Gad into Shey Phoksundo National Park.
Through forest along the river.
Past Nepal's highest waterfall to Ringmo and the turquoise Phoksundo Lake.
Explore the lake and Tshowa Bon monastery.
Along the lake's western shore on a dramatic cliff trail.
Up a glacial valley to camp below the pass.
Over the Kang La and down to Shey Gompa.
Visit the monastery and walk towards the Crystal Mountain.
Over the Saldang La to the village of Namduna.
To Saldang, the largest village of Upper Dolpo.
Through barley fields and chortens.
Up to camp below the Jeng La.
Over the Jeng La with views of Dhaulagiri, down to Tokyu.
To Dho Tarap, a village of Bon and Buddhist monasteries.
Explore the village and its gompas.
Down the Tarap Khola gorge.
Continue down the gorge.
Through Tarakot's old fort back to Dunai.
Back to the airstrip at Juphal.
Fly out to Nepalgunj and connect to Kathmandu.
Free time for souvenir shopping before we drop you at the airport three hours before your flight home.
Prefer your own dates? Ask for a private trip.
Choose your own datePermits we arrange: Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit
You don't need technical skills, but you should be comfortable walking 5 to 7 hours a day with a light daypack. Regular hiking, running, cycling or stair-climbing for 6 to 8 weeks before the trip makes a big difference.
Upper Dolpo lies in the Himalayan rain shadow, so it is one of the few treks best done from May to October, including the monsoon months.
Our itineraries climb gradually and include acclimatisation days. Your guide checks your oxygen saturation each evening. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol, and tell your guide about any headache, nausea or dizziness straight away.
Travel insurance covering emergency helicopter evacuation up to the highest altitude of your trek is required. Please send us a copy before departure.
Carry Nepali rupees for the trail: ATMs are only in towns. Most teahouses sell Wi-Fi and charging; a local SIM (Ncell or NTC) works on much of the route.
Teahouses are simple, family-run lodges with twin rooms and shared bathrooms. Menus run from dal bhat to pasta and pancakes; dal bhat is the best value and comes with refills.
It is a restricted area with a permit of US$500 per person for ten days, flights via Nepalgunj, and a full camping crew carrying food for three weeks.
Yes. Every trip runs as a private trek on the dates you choose, as well as on our fixed group departures. Private trips cost the same per person for two or more travellers.
Our own government-licensed guides from the Annapurna and Everest regions. Most have more than ten years on the trails and speak good English.
Your guide carries a first-aid kit and an oximeter and is trained to recognise altitude sickness. If you need to descend, we arrange it immediately, including a helicopter evacuation through your insurance if necessary.
Send an enquiry with your dates. We confirm availability, then take a 20% deposit to secure your place; the balance is paid on arrival in Nepal by card, bank transfer or cash.
Refunds are a share of the total trip price. Permit and flight costs already paid to third parties can't be refunded. You can transfer your booking to another date or person free of charge up to 30 days before departure.
Upper Dolpo Trek
From US$4,228 per person