Upper Dolpo Trek

Dolpo region is the most remote and least developed district in Nepal. Although a few anthropologists and geographers had explored the region, the entire district was closed to trekkers until 1989 when the southern part of Dolpo was opened for trekking groups. Dolpo region situated between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range. The hardy highlanders of Dolpo are traders, exchanging barley for Tibetan rock salt and they take their Yaks onto the Tibetan plateau during the summer for grazing.

Upper Dolpo Trek is a fascinating "off the beaten path" trek in Nepal in the tranquil, pristine and mysterious regions of upper Dolpo. This Trek also treks around the majestic glacial lake, Shey Phoksundo and visits Shey Gomba, one of the most famous monasteries of Nepal. Despite being one of the harder and longer treks with several camps above 4500m and several passes, the arid Trans Himalayan landscape and daily hardships of locals, leaves the travelers in awe of Dolpo. This is also a spiritual trek as shamanistic Bon religion and Tibetan Buddhism dominates the entire region. The Trek treks through tough mountainous region of fortified villages, dzongs, turquoise lakes, sacred mountains and high passes. Isolated and unproductive lands have forced to rely mostly on trade with Tibetans and the tradition still lives on today. Upper Dolpo Trek passes through these villages that still serve as trade hub of these ancient trade routes. Centuries old monasteries, unexplored and hidden valleys of Dolpo makes the trek worth every minute of the hard trek in this wild part of Himalaya of Nepal.

Trip Facts:

Duration: 25 days

Type of the Trek: Camping

Activities: Trekking, Culture Tours

Best Months: May to October

Maximum Altitude: 5353m (Nangda / Kang La)

Grade: Medium to hard

Trip Highlights:

• Opportunity to see Nepal's highest waterfall and deepest Lake Phoksundo.
• Ancient monasteries including Bon monastery and rich Tibetan culture.  
• Trek through lowland villages to the high remote village of Shey and many other villages.
• Magnificent views of many famous mountains.
• Cross high passes from Phoksundo Lake to the legendary Crystal Mountain, Shey Gompa and others.