Upper Dolpa Trek  |  26 Days

Itinerary

• 1 Arrive in Kathmandu via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.On arrival at Kathmandu international airport, you will be well received by Reasonable Treks & Tour staff and guide and then transfer you to your hotels within the hub of Kathmandu city around the most happening and exciting place around Thamel. The evening after checking into your rooms with refreshment our guides will brief regarding Upper Dolpa Trek with welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant with culture show.
• 2 In Kathmandu sightseeing tour at places of interest and trek preparation.The morning after breakfast leave for our exciting cultural and historical tour around Nepal’s best World Heritage Sites which includes old Durbar Square (Palace Courtyard), Old Swayambhunath Stupa and other places of interest with time for trip preparations.
• 3Fly to Nepalgunj on Nepal Far South West and transfer to hotel.As per the flight time for Nepalgunj for Upper Dolpo trekking, depart from the hotel a scenic and panoramic flight of 50 minutes takes you to Nepal Far South West at Nepalgunj, a city of great Indian influence and with warm temperatures as it touches with Indian state of UP (Utter Pradesh), an interesting city to explore in the afternoon time before flight to Jhupal in Dolpo next early morning.
• 4 Fly to Jhupal 2,475 m then drive to Dunai 2,140 m - 02 hrs.Early breakfast for another short connecting flight to Jhupal in Dolpo, on reaching Jhupal after 40 minutes on air, received by our trekking staff that has traveled here taking a long overland drive and walks, from Jhupal at present a motor road has been constructed connecting Dunai the main headquarter town of Dolpa area. from Jhupal a short drive of more than an hour rides to Dunai for the overnight stop, in the comfort of the nice local lodge, afternoon walk around Dunai town an interesting place to observe its culture and way of daily life.
• 5Trek to Chhepka 2,838 m - 06 hrs.After overnight in Dunai, morning walk past market crossing a bridge over Thulo Bheri River and then climb over a ridge to Phoksumdo River valley with views of Kagmara peak, from here trek leads downhill passing farm villages with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera, a small cattle herders settlements, from here a short climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri a Hindu local tribe, then downhill walk into forested area to reach overnight camp at Chhepka a small farm village.
• 6 Trek to Samdua village 2,960m -06 hrs.From Chhepka near Ankhe area, morning walk with short climb and descend through forest reaching a river bank, from here climb on leaving the forest, from the top walk downhill to forested area leading upstream to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, trek further to Samdua for overnight stop near the entrance of Phoksumdo National Park.
• 7 Trek to Phoksumdo Lake 3,630 m - 06 hours.Morning walk leads to our first destination at Phoksumdo Lake after Pungmo Kholas valley and crossing streams, following Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch trees to reach at upper side of Phoksumdo Khola, after a short break continue to walk to Ringmo village, an interesting village of Tibetan origin with mud plastered chortens and Mani (prayer) walls. from here a short walk to Phoksumdo Lake for overnight camp by the shore of beautiful turquoise Phoksumdo Lake.
• 8Rest day at Phoksumdo Lake for local excursion.An ideal spot for the rest day, marvel at the beautiful views of surrounding landscapes and peaks of Kagmara, or visit interesting Ringmo village and walk by the lakeside.
• 9 Trek to Phokshumdo-Khola 3,750 m- 05 hrs.From this lovely place morning walk starts to higher area of upper Dolpo region to our another highlight and final destination of this awesome journey walk follows to contour around rocky ledge over the river bank on the unsteady path, then approaching at the western side the lake through a summer pasture which opens into a wide plain of Phuksumdo Khola for the overnight camp by the river shore.
• 10 Trek to Phuksumdo Bhanjyang 4,717 m - 04 hrs.After a nice walk of previous day, today’s morning trek begins on a good path leading northern area of Phuksumdo Khola and then walking up on the hill slopes, after a steep uphill to reach at a ridge top with impressive scenery of wide green valley and looking over Kang-La pass that leads to Shey Gompa, setting the camp for the night stop on this nice green summer pasture.
• 11 Cross Kang-la (Nangdalo-la) 5,350 m trek to Shey Gompa 4,160 m via -06 hrs.Morning walk starts to our main destination at Shey Gompa which the high lights of this adventure after Phuksumdo Lake, the trek continues with a climb on stone and rocky path to cross Nangdalo-la pass at 5,350 meters, the highest point of this adventure. The top offers super views of landscapes with snow clad peaks including Mt. Dhaulagiri. after reaching the top ridge, descend to the bottom of the hill leading by the river then across cattle herder camps, after a short stop continue towards Buddhist prayer monument Chortens and Mani, from here a nice walk to Shey Gompa located beneath Crystal Mountain regarded as a Holy Mountain with an old monastery nearby.
• 12 Rest day at Shey Gompa the crystal monastery.A perfect place for Rest day in this high mountain area, in the harmony of nature and chanting of monks, visit Shey Monastery also known Crystal Monastery, this area is well described in the novel Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen.
• 13Trek to Namgung 4,608 m via Sela (Gela) La 5,094m.From this wonderful place, our journey continues into a walled canyon, the trail meanders atop Sela or Gela-la at 5,094 m offering great views of landscapes and of Mt. Dhaulagiri peaks, downhill on the grazing area with the pleasant walk to Namgung Gaon for the overnight stop.
• 14Trek to Saldang 3,770 m - 05 hours.After a stop in this village walk on dusty windswept terrain, leading to steep uphill to reach our overnight camp at Saldang, another impressive large village of the region situated higher side of the plateau.
• 15 Trek to Chagaon 4,910 m - 05 hrs.From here, morning walk following river Nang chu all the way with short ups and down and then passing Sugugaon and Dechen Lapran a cattle herders settlement, and then heading to our overnight camp at Chicagoan village with an old Rapa Gompa of pre-Buddhist and ancient Bon-Pa culture.
• 16Trek to Dachu Khola camp at 4,700 m - 06 hrs.Morning walk south towards Tarap valley around Tokyu and Dho Tarap village, then taking southern direction to reach Dachu Khola and beyond, after crossing the same trail following river through farm fields, and then walk into Yak herder areas for overnight camp.
• 17 Trek and cross Jyanta-La at 5,220 m and walk to Phedi 4,900 m - 06 hrs.After nice stop in this summer pasture area walk follows the river for short while, and then encountering yaks and mules laden caravan on route Tibet, trade with Tibet exists since hundreds of years, and this walking route lies on the old Trans Himalayan Caravan Route. from the base of Jyanta-la, morning starts with steep climb to reach top of the pass with views of massive Mt. Dhaulagiri range, from here a long descend to the base of the pass on route Tokyu village.
• 18 Trek to Tokyu Gaon 4,209 m via Jeng la 5,090m-06 hrs.After a steep climb an easy walk today for hours reaching at Tokyu gaon for overnight, this is one of the most impressive and interesting villages of Dolpo area, consist of more than ten villages and nice tended farm fields with old monasteries.
• 19 Trek to Dho Tarap 3, 944 m- 05 hrs.After Tokyu Gaon, morning starts with downhill walk towards Tarap Chu on broader green valley, this is one of the scenic wide valleys with lots of Sheppard’s settlements of Yaks and Sheep, and walk continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, this is another interesting village with mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribe people.
• 20Trek to Ghyamgar 3,759 m - 07 hrs.From here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. which stretches following Tarap Chu River most of the way to joins with Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village, walk leads past Langa with beautiful cascading waterfalls heading due south following the trail after Sisaul and small place of Kesila around Yak herders temporary camps to reach our overnight camp at Ghyamgar.
• 21Trek to Tarap Khola 3,652 via Chhyugar 3,440 m - 06 hours.Today walks on Tarap nice valley, as the trail enters into a narrow gorge with some vegetation of bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Toltol with a large overhanging cave, around this area might see some wildlife like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals. as the walking progress reaching a confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, overnight camp by the river after a long day walk of about 6 hours.
• 22Trek to Tarakot 2,540 m - 06 hrs.Start morning walk passing smaller villages and then into a small wooded area, following river all the way at Tarakot, a large and interesting village with old history and well maintained terraced farm fields, Tarakot with an old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) guarding the village. Tarakot village houses famous old Sandul Gomba located at junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where the overnight camp is placed.
• 23Trek to Dunai - 05 hrs then drive to Jhupal - 02 hr jeep ride.After a great time at Tarakot, our last day walk leads to Dunai for short while and then taking a short drive to Jhupal for the flight back to Kathmandu. The morning starts following many spreads out villages and farmers huts, walking on the wider trail with some short uphill and downhill towards Thuli Bheri River valley to reach at Dunai, on reaching Dunai time permitting having lunch. From here jeeps drive to Jhupal to catch our next morning flight to Nepalgunj.
• 24Fly Nepalgunj to kathmandu and transfer to hotel.Farwell to most of our staff and porters and then taking a smaller airplane for short flight to Nepalgunj, at Nepalgunj transfer to another flight back to Kathmandu with super views of Himalayan mountains during on this 50 mins flight, reaching Kathmandu transfer to your hotels.
• 25 In Kathmandu free day with optional sightseeing tour.Reasonable Treks and Tour reserves this free day in Kathmandu in case of the flight delay from Dolpo due to bad weather on Upper Dolpo trekking, if all goes well as per the itinerary you can enjoy as the free day for individual activities and shopping souvenirs or join in for another interesting sight-seeing tour around Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur.
• 26 International Departure for Homeward bound.As per your international flight time transfer towards Tribhuvan International Airport for the journey back home or to respective destinations after a super and amazing time in Nepal Himalaya on high hills around Upper Dolpo Trek.