Upper Dolpa Trekking detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival to Kathmandu

  Once you land on Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), our representative will be there to receive you. You will be taken to your standard hotel. You can take some rest to overcome your jet lag and tiredness. During the evening, we will have a detailed discussion about the entire trek. Briefings regarding Dolpo Region Trekking will be explained in brief. In the meantime, you can enjoy the nightlife of Thamel. Or, you have an alternative to research about Dolpo Trek on your own.

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• Day 2 : Fly to Nepalgunj

  After breakfast, we will make a small Kathmandu trip. Visiting around Pashupatinath, the holy place of Hindu and Boudha Stupa, a holy place for Buddhists will make you feel that you are really in an amazing place. We then set aside for lunch, and then move towards the airport to fly to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj will be the first place to travel towards Dolpo. 

  This will be a scenic flight of around an hour to western Nepal. Nepalgunj is located near the border of India and is a sub-metropolitan city located in the Banke district of Nepal. During the evening, we walk around to visit the local market there. Overnight at the hotel of Nepalgunj.

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• Day 3 : Fly to Jhupal and trek up to Dunai

  We take the first flight from Nepalgunj to Jhupal of Dolpo. This 45 minutes of flight will be filled with scenic beauty as we get to see Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range through the window time and again. Once we land in Jhupal, we interact with people around – manage our luggage and fill the food supply that is required during the trek. 

  We then begin our Dolpo trekking formally walking above the Bheri River. This day of Upper Dolpo trek of around 3 hours would be easy and interesting. We continue walking till we reach Dunai, the district center. Overnight will be spent at tented camp.

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• Day 4 : Dunai to Ankhe

  On this fourth day of Dolpo Trek, you begin your trip walking from Dunai, crossing a new suspension bridge turning towards west. You pass the newly built hospital and then start following Suli Gad. The trail would be undulating heading towards up. You keep your Dolpo Trekking hearing the river that flows somewhere near. 

  And then, you come across the region where you see villagers farm where crops like millet, potatoes, chilies, sweet corn, pumpkins are grown. You will then continue walking till you settle Ankhe – entrance to Phoksundo National Park. Overnight at tented camp.

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• Day 5 : Ankhe to Sulighat

  The next morning, when you wake up, you take your breakfast and start your Dolpo Trekking adventure. The trail will first ascend and then descend along with a wooden riverbank. These ups and downs can be monotonous, but various streams will be on the way that will make you cool. 

  The trail will take you to steep ascent which would require frequent stops to watch the panorama of landscapes. We walk on the trail that gets surrounded by lush forest. Once we reach Renje, we can decide to camp on the side of Sulighat River.

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• Day 6 : Sulighat to Phoksundo Lake

  This probably will be the best day of Upper Dolpo Trek, because this day we set up our target to reach Phoksundo Lake. Phoksundo Lake is a gem and one important reason why people opt for Dolpo Region Trekking. So, we start the journey from floor to confluence of Pungmo and Phoksundo rivers. We cross the bridge, and then walk on the western bank of Pungmo river, Follow the trail that passes through the cedar forest and reach Palam village. We then continue Dolpo trek up to the ridge and then enjoy the distant view of Phoksundo Lake along with an amazing waterfall. 

  Then, the trail descends through the birch forest until we make it to the Phoksundo river. We reach Ringmo village, and then a short walk will take to Phoksundo Lake. It’s okay if we decide to spend overnight at the large platform on the face of the lake itself.

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• Day 7 : Trek to Phoksundo Khola

  After spending some morning time at Phoksundo Lake, we continue our Dolpo Trekking following the trail which moves around the top western end of Phoksundo Lake contouring rocky ledge along the lake’s western bank. We walk along with the trail that is suspended on the gangway of wood and supported on pegs. 

  The trail then goes steeply up reaching 4040 meters and then we get down to the valley bottom reaching plain of Phoksundo River. We finally trek to our ultimate destination of the day and stop alongside the river where we set up the camp for overnight.

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• Day 8 : Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang

  We gradually start taking height from this day of Dolpo Trekking. This day we will be crossing a few streams too. We begin the day continuing along the level path through a glacial valley that heads towards the north. When it gets narrower, there appears vertical cliffs and contorted rock formations. We cross an old wooden bridge and walk towards the northeast. 

  We then make a difficult climb towards the top that will bring us to the next valley from where we can see Kang La Pass. We set up the camp here where Peter Matthiessen christened his creation ‘Snowfields Camp’. Phoksundo Bhanjyang is located at a height of 4402 meters.

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• Day 9 : Trek to Shey Gompa

  This would be an adventure-filled and breathtaking day of Dolpo Trekking, as we get to the height up to 5360 meters. We start this day of Dolpo Trek ascending steep trail towards the pass and then climb to the top. We continue the trek for the next two and a half hours to three hours till we reach the height of Kang La Pass. We observe mesmerizing and magnificent views from the top – something worth of hard Dolpo Trek. After spending some time here, we then descend steeply towards the valley. This would be a short walk of less than an hour until we reach the banks of the river. After crossing it, we then reach Shey Gompa. Overnight at tent in Shey Gompa.

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• Day 10 : Rest day at Shey Gompa

  We take rest this day. There are old monasteries to be around, or we can hike around Shey village which is famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist culture, Bon Po. A book worm can stay at camp and experience reading at an amazing place, or you can spend the day sleeping – killing all your tiredness. Our body certainly needs rest – so this day of Dolpo Trekking is all about relaxing our body, mind, and soul.

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• Day 11 : Trek to Namduna Gaun

  Getting refreshed, re-energized we begin the next day of Upper Dolpo Trek following the pleasant and simple trail in between juniper trees. It keeps on descending until it makes it into the grey and stony canyon. The mixed path then heads over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil. Dolpo Trek of the day would then gift us to Saldang La Pass at the height of 5200 meters. 

  We then descend towards north observing yaks and sheep around. There we see nomadic tents which are made out of yak hair. After around 6 to 7 hours of trek, we then reach Namduna Gaun. Taking small rest we manage our time to visit the Namgung monastery made out of red stone, against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of the gorge. Overnight at camp in Namuda Gaun.

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• Day 12 : Namduna Gaun to Saldang

  Starting this day of Dolpo Region Trekking, we leave Nduna Gaun and start climbing up towards the slope and walk along dusty barren mountains. You get to see neatly terraced fields with green crops around. After climbing steeply for 3 to 4 hours we start seeing Saldang Village below us over the plateau above Namga River stream. 

  This amazing panoramic view might appear in your dream time and again. Saldang is the largest village in the inner Dolpo region stretching nearly two kilometers on an open slope. It is regarded to be a strategic point on the trade route to Tibet. You get to experience a different lifestyle of people here – which you will find unique and impressive. Overnight at Tent Camp in Saldang.

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• Day 13 : Saldang to Sibu

  We depart from Saldang and continue our Dolpo Trekking adventure walking further towards the north of Nagaon River. We follow wild and barren terrain and continue to walk towards a fairly gradual path having few ups and downs. We then pass through terraced fields, heaps of Mani stones, Chaiba monastery, Stupas, Chortens and reach next village Namdo. 

  Crossing across the village, we decline towards the slope of the Nam Khong River. Ultimately, we find our place to set our camp near the tiny settlement of Sibu, on the river bank. This would be a blissful night in Dolpo Trekking days as we sleep with the sound of natural river flow.

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• Day 14 : Sibu to Jeng La Phedi

  On this day of Dolpo Trekking, we follow the line of the river valley which is relatively easy going. We pass by caravans and yaks. Further walking, we turn east and after walking for a couple of hours we meet two small streams. We walk along with rocks there. And then there arrives steep trail ascending to grazing area right below Jeng La Pass. We manage to set up our camp there and then spend overnight at Jeng La Phedi.

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• Day 15 : Jeng La Phedi to Tokyu Gaun

  On this day of Dolpo Trek, we follow the trail which is well compacted making the going underfoot easy. Although steep, it is only around climb of a couple of hours till Jeng La, at an altitude of 48485 meters. The effort you make to climb up would make sense once you get to see Dhaulagiri massif, morning light glittering around. There would lie a rough track descending towards Tarap valley and then. 

  Walking further, we come across a green valley which will be followed by easy track towards Tarap Chu. There are ten villages with cultivated fields. Tokyu Gaun has a Tokyu monastery where we can tent and spend overnight.

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• Day 16 : Trek to Dho Tarap

  On this day of Upper Dolpo trekking, we initially make a short visit to Chiba Gompa. After breakfast, we then begin our Dolpo trek further following the trail which is broad and well-traveled. This will be downhill trek on a plain valley where patches of lush grass on both sides of the river will be noticed. We observe various Mani walls – in the good and bad state thereby. Observing Bon Po culture here, we get to interact with inhabitants of the village at places. Overnight at Dho Tarap.

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• Day 17 : Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola

  After getting ourselves refreshed, we then continue our trekking. We initially descend heading downwards to the wide valley which narrows down up to the gorge. Then, we walk along with juniper and wild rose bushes right above the tree line. So, on the trek, we get to see blue sheep around. Walking further on this Dolpo trek we reach Tarap Chu and Lang Khola which will ultimately join up with Tarap Khola from the east. That is the ultimate destination of the day – we set our camp there itself and spend overnight.

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• Day 18 : Trek up to Khani Gaun

  This day, we walk down the gorge of Tarap River which is sometimes high above and sometimes narrow indeed. Although the quality of the path varies – we get to experience an entirely different set of experiences. This would be an impressive trekking day in deep and inspiring gorges. We reach Khani Gaun after around six hours of the trek this day.

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• Day 19 : Trek to Tarakot

  We leave Khani Gaun through the new suspension bridge and then start the trek walking alongside the river. The trail would be ups and downs regarding the river flow. We walk further coming through various crops like millet, corn, buckwheat, beans, marijuana, barley, etc till we reach Barbung Chu valley. We hold down for lunch there and rest for a while. Further, we walk till Tarakot. Reaching Tarakot we can visit Sandul Gompa which lies about 8 km east of the village. Overnight at Tarakot.

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• Day 20 : Tarakot to Dunai

  We start Upper Dolpo Trekking this day walking the trail right behind the Bheri River before crossing the bridge located near Lawan village. The trail will further continue alongside the bigger portion of Bheri River ascending to Byas Gadi. From there, the trail moves towards the western side towards the relatively easy trail. 

  Then, the trail will cross the river again located near Lochakhola Gaun and then we walk steeply upwards till we reach Dunai for overnight stay. So, with this, we have almost completed the Dolpo Region Trekking adventure. But not yet, we have a day yet.

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• Day 21 : Walking up to Jhupal

  As the airport is located in Jhupal, we walk up to Jhupal which would be around 2-3 hours of trek. We pass through Dhupichaur thereby. If we decide to walk early we might catch a flight to Nepalgunj; or if we have enough time, it’s okay to spend overnight at Jhupal and wait for the flight the next day.

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• Day 22 : Fly to Kathmandu through Nepalgunj

  We fly to Nepalgunj on the very first flight and then switch the plane to Kathmandu gathering all the memories that we gained during Lower Dolpo circuit trek. Once we reach Kathmandu, we take a long rest – till the flight back.

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