Upper Dolpo Trek

Detail Itinerary              

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350m)

Our representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or She will brief you on the immediate arrangements and escort you to your hotel. The trip leader will hold a short briefing in the hotel regarding trek arrangements and general orientation to Kathmandu.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley

Today, we visit the most historical and Spiritual attractions in Kathmandu which are also listed in world heritage sites. We visit Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey temple), Bouddhanath, which is one of the largest Stupa in the world and the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.

Day 3: Fly to Nepalgunj (130m), transfer hotel

From Kathmandu it is 55 minutes scenic flight to Nepalgunj. From airport you will transfer to your hotel. In Nepalgunj, we will have time in the afternoon or evening to look around in the town which is situated on the southern Nepal border with India.

Day 4: Fly to Juphal (2500m / 45 min), trek to Dunai (2140m / 3 hrs walk)

From Nepalgunj we fly early in the morning. During the flight we have beautiful views of green rolling hills and some snowy peaks. It is very interesting, some time we fly through hill crest and just above the hills. The airport of Juphal is very small. Juphal is very big village here are several hotels, shops and higher secondary school. Some snow capped peaks are standing just in front of Juphal.

From Juphal airport we gently descend down and drop to another big village and then walk through terraces fields and arrive in Paranga. From this village we walk down hill to Kalagauda where we join with wide new constructing road. Kalagauda is small place with some tea shops. From here we walk along the road to Sulighat. The Sulighat is river confluence of Thulo Bheri and Suli Khola. This is nice place here is a very long suspension bridge and army check post but don’t need to show permit. There is also very old Chhortens on the small top.  The path for Phoksundo and Dunai is separate from here. We don’t cross river and follow the new small road to Dunai. Dunai is district headquarter of Dolpo and it is also a business centre of this area.  Here are many government offices, shops and hotels. The camping ground is in the last part. We walk through middle of the town. The camping ground is very good and green with clean water.

Day 5:  Trek to Chhepka (2620m / 6 hrs)

From middle of the market we cross Thulo Bheri River by long suspension bridge and walk along the river side to Sulighat and then follow Suli Khola. 20 minutes later we reach in Shey Phoksundo National Park check post here we should entry all the permits. Here are some houses close to check post. From here it is gentle ascend, small ups and downs along the narrow valley. We pass some Hindu shrines and old huts on the way and then arrive in small village, Khalarupi. Here are some houses, small farming land, local tea shop and small water fall in the other side. Here, we climb small up and then easy flat route to Raha Kagani village. This is small village here is a small primary school and some local tea shops. Few minutes later we cross Suli Khola by wooden bridge and walk through old huts. From old huts it starts Pine and Wall Nut forest. About 40-50 min walk from old hut we cross Suli Khola again and gently ascend to Shangta. There is a hotel and camping ground in Shangta. It is surrounded by Pine and Wall Nut trees. We cross small stream by wooden bridge and gradually ascend, little climb and descend to Chhepka village. Chhepka is situated in the bank of River Phoksundo. It is in deep place and narrow valley. Here are some local hotels, few houses and one camping ground. The camping ground is clean with good kitchen room.

Day 6: Trek to Chunuwar (3138m / 6 hrs)

Leaving Chhepka, we walk along the River through beautiful forest of Pine and Wall Nut. About 35-40 min later we cross the Phoksundo River by wooden bridge. After bridge we climb small up and arrive in small flat ground and then gently ascend and flat route to another bridge. Few minutes later we cross river again. There are growing lots of Bamboo groves. From here the valley becomes narrow and path is ups and down but mostly flat. About 30-40 min later, we cross river by wooden bridge and gets higher from the river bed. We walk through huge green slope, here are growing lots of Himalayan Roses. From small old hut we descend for a while and climb steep up for 15-20 min. From top we descend for a while and ascend for few minutes then walk along the River side. The path is gently ascends, small up and down to wooden bridge. After the river crossing, we arrive in small village (2 houses / tea shop) with small farming land. From here it is flat route to another new bridge and easy walk to River junction of Pugma and Phoksundo. Here is a bridge and path separate for Kagmara pass. The left side path along the Pugma River leads to Kagmara pass and right side path continue towards Phoksundo Lake. About 15 min walk from river junction we arrive in the beginning of Saijal village. There is a hotel and huge open ground, the main Saijal village is 15 minutes further from here. Here is a monastery and school in Saijal village. The paths for Phoksundo and Numala-Bagala separate from here. The right side path continues towards Numala-Bagala and left side path leads to Phoksundo Lake. Few minutes later we cross Phoksundo River and gently ascend to Chunuwar. There is a local Amchi hospital and Jharna hotel in Chunuwar. The camping ground is very good and close to Jharna hotel. National telephone call is available here. This place is more open and higher above from the river.

Day 7:  Trek to Phoksundo (3646m / 4 hrs)

From Chunuwar, we gently ascend in the beginning and climb steep up. We walk through Palam the winter village, here are many old huts. Few minutes later from Palam, it starts very steep climb up to the small ridge. From here, we climb very steep up to the small top, there is a very nice rest place. It is wonderful views of the valley, several snow capped peaks, huge water fall of Phoksundo Khola and Phoksundo area from here. From here, we climb little up and then gradually descend towards Phoksundo. We walk along the river for a while and then through Ringmo Gaon (Phoksundo village) to the camp. Phoksundo is not big village here are some shops, local hotels and telephone facility. The camping ground is little further from the village near Phoksundo Lake. This is wonderful place surrounded by green, rocky hills and some snowy peaks. Huge Phoksundo Lake is just in front of the camp. There is a military camp in other side of Phoksundo Khola on the way to Monastery. We should entry our permit here. We can reach in Phoksundo for hot lunch very easily.

After lunch we visit the Monastery. The Monastery (Tsova Gumba) is in last corner of the Lake which is belonging to the Bon Buddhist. Here are not many monks like in other monastery. Here are also many old Stupas and Mane walls. This is beautiful place surrounded by Juniper and Pine forest with wonderful views of Kanji Rowa peak -6612m.  

Day 8:  Trek to upper Salla Ghari (3700m / 6 hrs)

From camp, we walk by left side of the Lake. Few minutes later, we walk through rocky cliff just above the Lake. We cross small stream (jumpable) and climb up for little bit more than one hr to the small top. There are some payer flags and cairns. It offers wonderful views of snowy peaks, surrounding hills, Ringmo Gaon and the Lake. The second top (4080m) is about 15-20 min further from here but not any steep climb, this point is also marked by some prayer flags. From here we gradually descend for a while and then steeply drop down for 10-15 min. After then it is very easy gentle descend through Pine and Paper birch tree to end part of the Lake. Here is a very nice green ground near by the Lake. From here we walk along the valley floor and follow Phoksundo Khola to upper Salla Ghari camp. We walk through dense Pine forest and cross small stream (jumpable). In the end of big Pine forest there is a dry camping ground (lower Salla Ghari camp). The upper camp is about 50-60 min further from here. We cross 2 small stream by bridge before cross the Phoksundo Khola. After cross the Phoksundo Khola it is 15 min easy gentle ascend to the camp. This is very nice place. Here is green ground, one Mane stone on big rock and surrounding by green forest and beautiful snow capped peaks- Kanji Rowa range. This is wonderful walk and beautiful scenery along the way. The Kanji Rowa range is standing just to the left side.

Day 9:  Trek to base camp / Phool Bari (4265m / 5 hrs)

Leaving Salla Ghari camp, we walk along the valley floor. There are growing lots of Paper birch trees. The valley becomes narrow and standing very sharp hills in the both side.  About 40 -50 min later, we arrive in Small River. In the morning it is jumpable. Along this river there is also a small path, the local people and some tourist use this path to go Shey when there is no snow on the top of the pass. This is little short cut way to Shey. The main path is continues towards main valley.  After river crossing we follow the main valley for 40 – 50 min and arrive in beautiful small green ground, there is a cairn and prayer flags above the ground. The path is very good, we cross Small River by wooden bridge just before this ground. This river is coming down from base camp. From this ground it starts very steep climb. After 10 -15 min the path split for base camp and the valley. We continue to climb up and walk through Juniper bushes and Paper birch tree along the small ridge line. From here it starts alpine grass and bushes. We can see lots of beautiful flowers around here. And the scenery is also wonderful along the way, Shey Shikhar peak is standing just in front. We can see many snow capped peaks very close. From end of the climb, middle of the hill slope we turn to the right side and gently descend and ascend to the river. From here it is very easy gentle ascend to lower base camp / Phool Bari. The path is very god along the river side. If we stay at lower camp the camping ground is nearby old wooden bridge. The short cut way for upper base camp is separate from here. In the last corner during the May, June and July it will be full of local people and tents. They come here to collect Cater Pillar (Yarsha Gumba). This place is surrounded by many rocky and snow capped peaks. The Shey Shikhar peak is standing just back side.

The higher base camp is about 2 hrs further from here. It is best idea to go in higher camp. It makes big different to cross pass.  There are 2 different way to go in high camp. If short cut path is cover by snow we should use little longer path which is through last corner and climb up then comes towards Right Side River. The short cut way is straight climb up from the old bridge and then turn towards left side then cross Small River. There are several good green camping grounds in higher base camp. The last camping ground is in the river juction. 

Day 10: Cross Nangda La / Kang La (5353m), camp at Shey Gompa (4350m / 5-6 hrs)              

From last camping ground of high camp, we follow the right small valley and walk along the stream. The small stream is coming down from the pass. (When there is snow on the pass horses use another longer route – straight up towards low point of the ridge line). We gradually ascend to the bottom of the pass, end of the valley. The views along the way is wonderful. From bottom we climb steeply up by zigzaging path for 30 - 40 min to the top. The Nangdala (5353m) is marked by some prayer flags and Cairns. It offers wonderful views of many snowy peaks, rocky hills and valleys. From the pass, we steeply descend down to bottom of the valley. The short cut path join here. From here we walk along the river side and gradually descend to Shey.  Shey is wide and open place, here are some local hotels, prayer wheels which is running by water, shepherd’s huts and camping ground. Here, we can see many Yaks, Sheep and goats. The best camping ground is near by the Monastery after river crosing. We cross the main river (Sephu Khola) and gently ascend to the last camping ground. This is very nice green ground belonging to the Monastery. Here is a small kitchen room and suplying clean water by pipe. It is surrounded by nice hills and Christal Mountain is just infront. There are many old Mane walls and Chortens close to the camp and Monastery. We visit Shey Gomba in the late afternoon

Day 11: Extra day in Shey

Toady we can visit old small monastery and Christal Mountain or relax in camp.

Day 12: Cross Shey La (5115m) and camp at Namgung (4417m / 5-6 hrs)

Leaving the camp, we walk through left side of the Monastery and then continuesly gradually ascend along the valley. Here are lots of green bushes and alpine grass in the hill slope and several Mane walls along the way. We can see also some shepherds hut in the other side. About 1 hr later, we turn more left side, here is a Mane wall. Few minutes later the path is small steep climb and then flat route. We leave main valley and river then join with small stream. We have wonderful views along the way. We walk along this small valley and stream for 40-50 minutes and reach in 2 small valley junction. There is a small climb before this point because of old Ice but it melt by end of June. From this valley and river junction we climb straight up through hill slope for 10-15 min and then gradually ascend to Shey pass (5116m). There is a long Mane wall and many prayer flags on the top of the pass. The views of many snowy peaks and surrounding colorful hills are superb. After pass, we gently descend through nice hill slope for 15-20 min and then steeply drop down to small stream. From here it is very easy flat route and desend down through very nice grassy slope to Namgung. We can see many different alpine flowers, Sheep, Goats and some Vultures on the way. Namgung village (4417m) is situated in the bottom of rocky cliff in deep place. This is not a big village, here is very old monastery, some houses and few farming land. The old part of monastery is in the cliff. The camping ground is 5 minutes before the village near old Stupas and Mane wall. It is not green but flat and close to the small river.

Day 13:  Trek to Saldang (4060m / 3 hrs)

From Namgung, we gradually climb up and gets higher above the village then arrive in Mane wall. After then it is flat route and gentle ascend to another small top. There is small Cairn with some prayer flags on the top. From this point some snow capped peaks and small part of Saldang village can be seen. From this top, we steeply drop down to Saldang village. Salding is biggest village of upper Dolpa. Here are some hotels, shops, telephone facility (Hello Nepal Mobile Network), big monastery in the midle of the village and very good school, (lower secondary) on the top of the village. Here are many old Stupas and Mane walls. The local people grow lots of green vegetables and keep many cattles ( Shep, goats and Yaks). This is more civilized village then other village.

Day 14:  Trek to Khoma Gaon (4201m / 5 hrs)

Leaving the camp we walk through middle of the village, fields, Manastery and then drop down to the valley floor. We follow the river for a while and then cross Nagon Khola by wooden bridge. There are also some shops before bridge. After river crossing the path starts climb up through old Stupas. Mostly part is gentle ascend and some parts are flat. About 2 hrs walk from camp, we arrive in dry stream. The path is along the stream for a while and then steep climb through green slope to the top (Khoma La-4610m). We pass some nice grounds but no water. We can see lots of flowers and some wild animals around here. There are some Cairns and prayer flags on the top. From little behind the pass, we can see Khoma gaon. After the pass the we descend down to Khoma village. There are not any water between Nagon Khola and Khoma Gaon. So, we take pack lunch with us. Khoma Gaon is big village. Here is a huge green ground at the middle of the village near by school. This is very good place for camp.

Day 15: Trek to Tinje (4155m / 8-9 hrs)

From camp, we  continue through side of the houses and gently descend to small river. There are some Mane walls on the way. We cross this river by small wooden bridge and climb up to the small. There is a Mane wall and prayer flags on the top. From here it is easy gentle ascend through beautiful green slope to Shimen La (4375m). It is marked by Cairn and prayer falgs. It offers beautiful views of Shimen village, some snowy peaks and surronding rocky hills. From here, we descend down to Panjyar Khola. We cross this river by good wooden bridge and climb little bit to beginning of fields and walk through end part of the Shimen village (3880m). We pass many old Stupas and Mane walls on the way. About 50–60 min later, we cross small river by small bridge and short climb to very nice ground. Local people called this place Mendo. Here is a Mane wall. Leaving this ground, the trail is descend for a while and then flat and gentle ascend to beginning of Phalwa village. There is a small Monastery (Pu Monastery) in other side of the river after Mendo. All the time, we continue along the river side and follow narrow valley and pass several old Mane walls and Stupas. Phalwa is big village situated at an altitude of 4170m. Here, we cross small river by bridge. Beyond the bridge, there are many old Stupas and Chhortens. From here it is very easy flat route to Tinje. Tinje is also large village here are some shops and a Manastery. We walk through village and turn to  the right from middle of the village. We follow the smal trail through fields and descend down to camp. We cross small river by beautiful old bridege just before the camp. Here is a very good green ground near by the river bellow old air strip. This is surrounded by colorful hills.

Day 16: Trek to base of Mola La (4693 m / 7-8 hrs)

Leaving camp, we climb little bit to old air strip and then gradualy ascend along the beautiful green valley. About 2 hrs later, we arrive in Chhorten Marko. Here are several old Stupas, Mane walls, Nomad’s camp and some small valleys join in other side of the river. Here, we can see many Yaks, Sheep and Goats. There are many ruined walls in the othere side of the river. We don’t cross river and follow the main river (Kehein Khola). The valley floor and hill slope become more green. There are growing lots of small trees in the valley floor. About 2 hrs later from Chhorten Marko, we leave river bank and walk by corner side of green flat ground. After 50 -60 min walk from beginning of green ground we arrive in Rakpa, here is a green ground and clean water. Later we cross small river (jumpable) and follow right side small valley. About 15 min beyond the river crossing point there is a nice green camping ground. This is lower camp. We walk about another 40 minuter further to base camp.  All the time, we walk by right side of the small river and cross it just before the camp. There are several different grounds but last ground is best one. This ground is huge and very green. We use water from small stream (Myantoku Khola). It is surrounde by colorful hill

Day 17: Cross Mola La (5021m), camp at Chharka, (4316m / 5 hrs)

From camp, we walk along the Myantoku Khola for 35-40 min and gently climb up throuh middle of 2 streams, pass a small pond and we cross very small stream and join with main small valley. We continue along this valley for a while and then climb up to Mola La. This is not difficult climb. There is a Cairn and some prayer flags on the top. It offers very nice views of some snow capped peaks, colorful hills and valleys. From the Pass, we gradually descend down through green bushes by middle of hill slope. We can see many snowy peaks in the right side. From middle of the hill slope, it is gentle ascend, small up and down and then flat route to Chharka village. We walk through middle of the village and set up camp in the last part. Charka is also a big village. There are several Mane walls and Stupas before village. The Monastery is in the beginning of the village bellow the path. Chharka is divided in to two parts by small river. There are several shops, local hotels and camping ground in this village.        

Day 18:  Trek to Yak Kharka / Molum Sumna (4980m / 7-8 hrs)

From Chharka, we walk follow the river for 20 minutes and cross Thasang Khola by bridge and then again follow the river for another 20 min. We get little higher from the river bank and gently ascend and little descend long suspension bridge. After the bridge there is short steep climb and then flat, ascend and descend path through nice ground. Somewhere is rocky part. After little bit more than 1 hr, we arrive in huge ground.  The view along the way is wonderful. If we are lucky, we can see many Ibex and mountain goats around here. From this ground the valley becomes narrow and path is along the river side. About 1 hr later, we arrive in wide, green grounds and beautiful green valley. From here, it is very easy and enjoyable walk along the valley. All the time we follow the main small river and pass several grounds. 1 hr 40-50 min later, the valley becomes narrow again. We continue along the main valley and arrive in Yak Kharka / Molum Sumna. Yak Kharka is very wide and open place. This is junction of 2 valleys. Here are some shepherds tents, many Yaks, Goats and Sheep. The ground is very green and really beautiful. It is surrounded by nice colorful hills.

Day 19:  Trek to Sangda Phedi / Dhupi Ghari (4255m / 6 hrs)

Leaving the camp, we follow left side small valley for 15-20 min then turn to the right side. Few minutes later, we get little higher from the valley floor and arrive on small top (5133m), here is a Cairn and some prayer flags. From here, we gradually ascend through beautiful slope ground to bottom of Tuche La and then gentle climb up to the Tuche La (5553m). There is a Cairn and many prayer flags. This is the border of Dolpo and Mustang district. We have magnificent views of some snowy peaks, many surrounding colorful hills and landscapes from here. After pass, we steeply drop down to the small river (Bheri Khola). There are some small grounds in both side of the river for camp. Leaving this river it is flat route for 25- 30 min and then 5 minutes climb to small pass. Here is also a Cairn and some prayer flags. From top Sangda village and surrounding area are visible. After this top, we steeply descend to Sangda Phedi camp. There are growing lots of Juniper trees, Himalayan Roses and other bushes in Sangda Phedi. The ground is very dusty. It is in bottom of the rocky hill and about 60 min before the last bottom. Ghok village is not far from here but we don’t go there. Here is small stream nearby camp. We can see many mountain goats including Ibex around here. Some beautiful snow capped peaks are standing just in the front. This is only one camp between Sangda village and after small top. Although it is little dusty, it is good place and nice view.

Day 20:  Trek to Sangda Lek (4260m / 6 hrs)

Leaving the camp, we descend for a while and small climb to the Cairn and then steeply drop down to the Kyalunpa Khola. It is very dusty zigzagging path through Juniper trees. We cross river by new suspension bridge and climb up to small ground. The views of several snowy peaks and surrounding hills are beautiful. From this ground path is gentle ascends and flat route to the small top, here is a big cairn. After few minutes from this top, we steeply drop down to small stream, it is jumpable. There are growing lots of Juniper and Himalayan Roses around here. It is possible to see some Antelopes and Vultures around here. It is gradual descend for a while, flat and gently ascend to another small stream. From this stream, we climb small up and gently ascend to Sangda village. Sangda (3800m) is not big village, here is a school on top of the village. The old Sangda village is in other side of the valley but now it has been abandoned because of water problem. We can arrive in Sangda for lunch. From here, we climb steep up to the small top. The views of surrounding mountains and snowy peaks are superb. From this top, the path is flat and gradual ascend to corner and then gentle climb to camp. Here is a small ground and it is enough for medium group. It is in the bottom of rocky and snowy capped peaks. Some time here is very strong windy.

Day 21:  Trek to Kagbeni or Jomsom, (2840m / 5 hrs)

Leaving the camp, we gently descend down to stream and then flat route to the small ridge line. After 1 hr 15-20 min, we arrive in beautiful small top. This is marked by huge Cairn and prayer flags. The path is flat, gentle ascend and small climb through beautiful hill slope. Around this top, there are very nice green grounds, this is pasture are. Here, we can see many Yaks, Sheep and Goats. Little below down, there are growing lots of Juniper and Paper birch trees. From this top, we gently descend through grassy slope to another top. Here are many prayer flags. From here we can see panoramic views of Nilgiri, Tilicho peak, Thorong peak, Bhrikuti peak, Kali Gandaki valley, Kagbeni village, Muktinath, Tangbe village and surrounding hills. Few minutes beyond this pass the path split for Kagbeni and Jomsom. The main path leads to Jomsom and small down side path take us to Kagbeni.

We leave main path and steeply descend down to Yak Kharka. There are some huts and growing lots of Paper birch and Juniper trees. From Yak Kharka, we steeply descend for a while and gradual descend through ruined huts and then drop down to Kali Gandaki River bank. Yak Kharka is joined with rough road but not any vehicle. We walk along the rough road for a while and cross Kali Gandaki River by suspension bridge and then arrive in Kagbeni. Kagbeni (2840m) is big village. Here are many hotels, shops and restaurants. This village is connected with motor able road and main entrance of upper Mustang and Muktinath.

Day 22: Trek to Jomsom (2720m / 4 hrs)

We now head south through a wide, windswept and barren section of the Kali Gandaki valley. In the morning we follow the road and small trail on the left bank along the floor of the Kali Gandaki River. A little further south we pass through Eklebhatti and still further south we reach dusty and windswept town of the Jomsom in full view of Nilgiri Himal. Jomsom is the administrative headquarter of Mustang district. Jomsom is the gate way to the Mustang valley and Muktinath for pilgrims. Follow the main path past several hotels to the school after then, we cross the Kali Gandaki River by nice bridge. Here are 2 bridges. North of the airport, on the west side of the river, are shops, bhattis, shoe repair shops and a large army camp after then we inter into the main market area. There are many nice hotels, restaurants, shops and several airline branch offices. Here is an airstrip in the last part. Many daily flights operate from Pokhara to Jomsom. In this area mostly people are Thakalis. In the afternoon we can visit Jomsom market and cultural museum. From Jomsom to Kagbeni and Muktinath there is rough road but most of the time we use trekking trail and use road in few places.

Day 23: Fly to Pokhara (823m / 20 min)

From Jomsom to Pokhara is short flight. During our flight we can see very nice views of the mountains. We will fly along the Kali Gandaki valley and then through the middle of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. During the day we can visit many interesting places in Pokhara. Pokhara is the most beautiful town of Nepal and it is surrounded by Annapurna range and nice hills. There are many famous lakes and viewpoints.

Day 24: Fly back to Kathmandu

You fly back to Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon we visit the Thamel market for shopping and then have farewell dinner at traditional Nepali restaurant with pure Nepali cultural program.

Day 25: Departure to your home

We will transfer you in international airport from your hotel.