| Destination | Nepal |
|---|---|
| Activity | Dolpo Treks |
| Duration | 27 Days |
| Max. Altitude | 5353m |
| Group size | MIN - 2 |
| Best Season | AUTUMN & SPRING |
| Grade | Challenging |
About the Trip
Upper Dolpo trek rakes you into some of the most remote areas within the Himalayas. The tourism infrastructure in this trek region is insufficient, allowing you to enjoy untouched natural beauty, rare wildlife, and real wilderness. You will walk along the ancient salt trade route, passing several high passes, majestic mountains, and the glorious Shey Phoksundo. In fact, this is the place where the French movie director Valli filmed his movie Caravan in 1999.
Highlights
- Rare route - only a few visitors take this trek
- Shey Phoksundo National Park known for its highest wildlife concentration
- Turquoise waters of Lake Phoksundo - Nepal's deepest lake
- Visit several old monasteries, including Shey Gompa, an 800-year-old monastery.
- The spring season allows you to observe the hunt for Yarchagumba - a fungus treasured for its medicinal qualities.
- Snow leopards in the Shey Phoksundo National Park
- Magnificient upper Himalayan region
- Kang La Pass (5,360m), Nagdala La (5,353m), Saldang La (5,220m), Jang La (5,090m) passes
Benefits of trekking with Discovery World Trekking
- Easy booking and reservation system
- Multi-channel communication (Email, WhatsApp, Facebook, WeChat, Viber, Skype, Zoom) and online trip briefing
- 24/7 phone communication at +977- 9840055491
- Easy payment system.
- Free airport pick up & drop off to hotel and vice versa in a private vehicle.
- Oximeter for monitoring the blood oxygen saturation level at high altitudes. It detects early signs of impending altitude sickness and other potential health risks.
- Medical Kits
- Arrangement of sleeping bags and down jackets if you do not have your own.
- Free excess luggage storage at the Discovery World Trekking store during the trek
- Duffle bag for porters
Comprehensive trek overview
The Upper Dolpo trekking takes you to the isolated regions near the Nepal-Tibet border. This region is extremely remote and remains comparatively untouched by modern influences. You will find very few inhabitants in this trek region, and these inhabitants continue to live a lifestyle that has ceased to exist for a few centuries in other parts.
The high passes and the wilderness means only a few adventure seekers trek to this region. Until a few decades ago, the Nepal government did not allow foreigners to enter this area, but nowadays, you will require a special permit.
In the Dolpo region is the Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal's biggest national park. It is also home to hard-to-find flora fauna, chief among them are the blue sheep, snow leopard, and Yarchagumba - a fungus prized for its medicinal quality.
This is the region, Peter Matheson, describes in his bestselling book, The Snow Leopard, and the French movie director Valli set his oscar-nominated film Caravan in 1999. While on the trails, you will witness, experience, and know the giant mountains, centuries-old monasteries, pine, rhododendron, and oak forests.
The first day of this package starts with a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. We also use this day to acquire the special permit needed for the trek and for a short trip briefing to provide you with information about your hike and check your luggage to ensure that you have not missed packing any essential items.
On the trek departure day, we leave on a plane from Tribhuvan International Airport to Nepalganj, where we will stay for a night before flying to Juphal from Nepalgunj. Your trek starts from Juphal, and you will reach Dunai for the night.
From Jhupal, you will reach Dunai and spend the night in a tent camp. The next day you will leave Dunai and head to Ankhe, trekking past several small villages and farmlands. The trek progresses to Sulighat the next day and then to Phoksundo Lake. You will be stopping for a day at Phoksundo Lake to soak in the beauty and acclimatize.
After a day at Phoksundo, you will trek to Upper Dolpo, leading to a lush meadow that opens to the Phoksundo Khola flood plains and then to Phoksundo Bhanjyang. Your next destination is Shey Gompa, which you will reach after passing Kang La Pass. You will be acclimatizing for one more day at Shey Gompa village, the spiritual heart of Dolpo.
From Shey Gompa, the trek proceeds to Namduna Gaun (village) but to reach Namduna Gaun, you will have to cross the Saldang La (5,200m) Pass. After spending a night at a tent camp in Namduna Gaun, you will reach Saldang village to spend the next night.
The trek progresses forward, and on your fifteenth day, you will reach Yangze Gompa, also known as Bon-Po Monastery, following the Nang Chu River towards the north. From Yangze, you will retrace your trail back to Saldang Village and then to Sibu, past Namdo village.
After leaving Sibu, you will follow Nam Khong Khola for about two hours and head east to reach the bottom of Jeng La Pass. The following morning you will cross the Jeng La Pass (5,090m) and reach Tokyu Gaon. From the trails, you will enjoy fantastic views of Dhaulagiri and other mountains.
We leave Tokyu Gaon and head east to Dho Tarap, a place with distinct Buddhist influence. There is a French School just outside of Dho Tarap. You will have trekked for a long time, and Dho Tarap is a perfect place for rest.
After resting for a day, you will leave Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola. The path mainly descends and reaches a gorge. If you are lucky, you will get views of blue sheep from your path. From Tarap Khola, you will head to your next destination - Khanigaon. The following day, our trek starts from Kahnigaon to Tarakot, an old fortress.
From Tarakot, you will start on a path that mostly descends to reach Dunai village. The next day, from Dunai, you will return to Juphal. After resting for the night at Juphal, the following morning, you will fly back to Kathmandu from Jhupal airport.
This package includes Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Juphal and Juphal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu flight costs and taxes.
Day to Day Itinerary
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day
1
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu (1,400m /4,593ft)
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 1,400m /4,593ft When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will find our representative waiting for you holding a pamphlet with your name on it. After greeting you, our representative will present you with a garland as a welcome gesture and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. We provide free airport to hotel transfers and vice-versa for all our clients. Please share your flight details with us to take advantage of this service.
- Overnight at your selected hotel
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day
2
Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1,400m /4,593ft)
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 1,400m / 4,593ft On this day, we will take you on a sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu Valley with our experienced guide. We will take you on a guided tour to some of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
You will visit the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath (The monkey temple), and Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world. After a day of touring, you will take part in a trip briefing, where we will go through your luggage to ensure you have packed all the necessary items for the trek. We will also provide you with vital information about your hike. You will get to know your trek lead and other participants joining this trip.
- Overnight at your selected hotel in Kathmandu
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day
3
Fly from Kathmandu (4,593ft. / 1,400m) to Nepalgunj (150m / 492ft)
Itinerary Facts Flight Duration 1 hour Highest Altitude 4,593ft. / 1,400m From Kathmandu airport, you will fly to Nepalgunj, located in the southwestern part of Nepal. It is an hour-long flight, and you will reach Nepalgunj late afternoon or noon. Located in the south of Nepal, Nepalgunj is very hot. You will spend the rest of the evening exploring Nepalgunj, including Bageshwori temple, one of the important Hindu temples.
- Overnight stay at a local lodge
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
4
Flight from Nepalgunj (150m / 492ft) to Juphal (2,475m) and trek to Dunai (2,140m / 7,250ft)
Itinerary Facts Flight Duration 35 minutes Highest Altitude 2,475m Trek Distance 12.3 km Trek Duration 3 hours On this day, you will take a 35 minutes flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2,475m). Juphal lies on the Himalayan foothills and provides beautiful views of snowcapped mountains. The temperature is cool, and the air will be very fresh, just opposite Nepalgunj. From Juphal, you will trek for around three hours to reach Dunai village.
- Overnight stay at a local lodge
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
5
Trek from Dunai (2,140m / 7,250ft) to Ankhe (2,896m / 9,499ft) 5-6 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 2,896m / 9,499ft Trek Duration 5-6 hours From Dunai, you will cross the new suspension bridge and head west, following the trail past a newly built hospital. After you reach the junction of the Thuli Bheri and Suli Gad rivers, you will head north to Suli Gad, enjoying the views of Kangmara Peak. Then comes Dhera, a winter settlement for cows and goats. Up ahead, you will reach Hanke village, then Parela, Rahatgaon, and finally to Ankhe.
- Overnight stay at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
6
Trek from Ankhe (2,896m / 9,499ft) to Sulighat (3,104m / 10,187ft) 5-6 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 3,104m / 10,187ft Trek Duration 5-6 hours The path from our camp at Ankhe leads to a few ups and downs along the forested riverbed before ascending steeply to 2,900m. You will pass several streams along the way where you can cool off. Soon, you will cross a forest and arrive at a grassy slope. From here, the trail becomes rocky, but you will continue walking along the riverbed until your reach Sulighat.
- Overnight stay at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
7
From Sulighat (3,104m / 10,187ft) to Phoksundo Lake (3,611m / 11,849ft) 4-5 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 3,611m / 11,849ft Trek Duration 4-5 hours You will continue your journey along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksundo Lake and Pungmo river. After crossing a bridge, you will walk along the western bank of the Pungmo Khola past a cedar forest to reach Palam village. Then, the trek ascends to a ridge from where you can enjoy the spectacular views of Phoksundo Lake and a 300m high waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal.
After stopping to admire the views you will descend through birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola and then to the scenic Ringmo village, home to several mud-plastered chortens and mani walls. After a short walk from Ringmo village, you will reach the shores of Phoksundo Lake.
- Overnight stay at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
8
Acclimatization and rest at Phoksundo Lake (3,611m / 11,849ft)
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 3,611m / 11,849ft Today, you will remain at Phoksundo to explore the Phoksundo Lake area while acclimatizing. You can take a short hike to the village of Ringmo and visit the Tshowa Monastery. This day allows you the opportunity to see the cultures and traditions of the people of the Dolpo region.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals:Breakfast Lunch Dinner
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day
9
Trek from Phoksundo Lake (3,611m / 11,849ft) to Phoksundo Khola (3,507m / 11,505ft): 4-5 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 3,611m / 11,849ft Trek Duration 4-5 hours You will start trekking from the westmost edge of the Phoksundo Lake on a steeply ascending trail that leads to the isolated Upper region of Dolpo. The route leads you through a lush meadow, which opens up to the floodplain of the Phoksundo Khola. You will walk through the valley, and cross over the Phoksundo Khola, to reach the other bank where we will set up an overnight camp.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
10
Trek from Phoksundo Khola (3,507m / 11,505ft) to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,402m / 14,442ft) 6-7 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,402m / 14,442ft Trek Duration 6-7 hours You will walk in a glacial valley, enjoying the views of Chammlang Peak, as you head to Phoksundo Bhanjyang. The path is a bit narrow and steeper as you climb upwards. Eventually, you will reach a wooden bridge on top of the Phoksundo river and another mountain stream.
Then, it is time to ascend to a sheep meadow, from where you will enter a new valley. From the valley, the Kang La Pass looks attractive. You will continue to trek forward until you reach Phoksundo Bhanjyang, where we will stop for the night.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
11
Trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,402m / 14,442ft) to Shey Gompa (4,500m / 14,760ft) via Kang-La pass (5,360m / 17,581ft): 5-6 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 5,360m / 17,581ft Trek Duration 5-6 hours The trek starts with a long and strenuous climb of around 2 hrs over a dusty path to Kang La Pass (5350m), also called Nadra La. From the top of Kang-la Pass, you will get terrific views of a large valley divided by a gushing river. You will descend through the snow-covered steep pass, and after about 3 hrs of walking, you will reach Shey Gompa, a small village with only a few houses and a Gompa, also called the spiritual heart of Dolpo.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
12
Acclimatization and rest day at Shey Gompa (4,500m / 14,760ft)
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,500m / 14,760ft One more day, dedicated to acclimatization, but you will not stay idle. You can explore Tsakang Gompa, also called the Crystal Monastery, located north of Shey Gompa. Rather than a monastery, it's actually a retreat. Tsakang was once a meditation center for many famous Tibetan Lamas. Built during the 11th century, Shey Gompa stands above the junction of Kangju Nala and Jeju Nala, and near the confluence is a group of prayer mills turned by water wheels.
Shey Gompa belongs to the Chaiba community, followers of the Buddhist Padmasambhava and Kagyu sects. What's more? It was the first Kagyupa monastery, and its founder was the Lama Ten-szin-Ra-Pa. It is famous for its ancient Buddhist culture. To the west of the Shey monastery lies crystal mountain, a strange mountain with contorted cliffs laced with quartz and endowed with varieties of marine fossils.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
13
Trek from Shey Gompa (4,500m / 14,760ft) to Namduna Gaun (4,800m / 15,744ft) via Saldang La (5,200m / 17,056ft): 6-7 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 5,200m / 17,056ft Trek Duration 6-7 hours The trek follows a wonderful trail in the midst of juniper trees, which progress into a dim, stony gulch. From that point, the path starts to crisscross over uncovered rocks and coarse disintegrated soil until you reach the highest point of Saldang La at 5,200m. Then you will descend northwards on a long and tiring path, but you can appreciate the sight of fields full of munching yaks, sheep, and tents made from yak hair. You will walk further and reach Namduna Gaun, 4,800m. Like Shey, the Namgung Gompa, in Namduna Gaun, belongs to the Karma-pa sect. Namgung monastery, a red stone structure, is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
14
Trek from Namduna Gaun (4,800m / 15,744ft) to Saldang (3,620m / 11,874ft): 4-5 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,800m / 15,744ft Trek Duration 3,620m / 11,874ft The trek to Saldang starts with climbing a scree slope. You will ascend to 4800m after 3-4 hours of hard climbing. Then you descend down the steep slope to the picturesque village of Saldang, situated on a plateau high above the Nam Khong Nala. Saldang is the largest village in the lower Dolpo area, prosperous, not only agriculturally but also due to its strategic location as a part of a trading route to Tibet.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
15
Trek from Saldang (3,620m / 11,874ft) to Yangze Gompa (4,960m / 16,267ft): 4-5 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,960m / 16,267ft Trek Duration 4-5 hours The trek will take you further north to the area least explored by trekkers, mostly following the Nang Chu River. You will cross the Panzang River tributary and head east to finally reach Yangze Gompa, which also has the old Bon-Po Monastery. You will be staying at Yangze for the night.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
16
Trek from Yangze Gompa (4,960m / 16,267ft) to Sibu (4,560m / 14,957ft): 6-7 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,960m / 16,267ft Trek Duration 6-7 hours The trek heading to Sibu begins early morning. You will come across two trails that connect Yangtze to Sibu. We will take the shorter route and retrace the trail towards Saldang village. From Saldang, following the river bed, you will pass through terraced fields, past stupas, chortens, piles of mani stones, and a Chaiba monastery to arrive at Namdo village, with around 400 inhabitants. You will continue further down the river for another two hours and finally reach a small settlement of Sibu.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
17
Trek from Sibu (4,560m / 14,957ft) to Jeng-la Phedi (4,900m / 16,072ft): 5-6 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,900m / 16,072ft Trek Duration 5-6 hours You will initially follow one of the streams of the Nam Khong Khola River, but after two hours, you will arrive at another stream before turning to the east side of the valley. From there, you will ascend steeply to an area - just below Jeng La Phedi pass. You will spend the night at the Jeng La Phedi.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
18
Trek from Jeng La Phedi (4,900m / 16,072ft) to Tokyu Gaon (4209m / 13809ft) via Jeng La Pass (5,090m / 16,695ft): 5-6 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 5,090m / 16,695ft Trek Duration 5-6 hours To reach Tokyu Gaon, you must first cross the Jeng La Pass at 4850m. This will take you approximately 2 hrs of challenging climb to reach the top of Jeng La. However, it's all worth it. From the top of the Jeng La Pass, you can get great views of Dhaulagiri and other peaks before descending to Tarap valley. Tarap is a beautiful valley with various high mountain flora that extend twenty kilometers along the Tarap Chu River. Tarap valley consists of ten villages, complete with agricultural fields, many Gompas, and several Chortens.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
19
Trek from Tokyu (4209m / 13809ft) to Dho Tarap (4,040m / 13,251ft): 4-5 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4209m / 13809ft Trek Duration 4-5 hours You will walk east along the downhill course of Tarap Chu. It is an easy trail that is frequently used. On the way, you will pass many mani walls and some old Chortens. There is a French school just outside the village of Dho Tarap. The Dho village, with around 24 houses, is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. Both Bonpo and the Tibetan Buddhist sects live here. You will also visit Buddhist Gompa and meet the Lama who lives there. He may show you his monastery and even let you see his private Gompa and the Thangkas he painted.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
20
Rest Day at Dho Tarap (4,040m / 13,251ft)
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,040m / 13,251ft You will spend this day exploring Dho Tarap and interacting with the locals of Dolpo. The Dho Tarap villagers consist of people who follow Bonpo and Nyingmapa Buddhist sects. There is a Buddhist Gompa nearby, and Bon Gompa is a further 40 minutes walk. Here, you will appreciate the paintings, reflecting both Bonpo and Nyingmapa Buddhist sects.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
21
Trek from Dho Tarap (4,040m / 13,251ft) to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) (3,800m / 12,464ft): 6-7 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 4,040m / 13,251ft Trek Duration 6-7 hours From Tarap, early morning, you descend towards a wide valley that narrows into a gorge. You will trek just above the tree line, and if you are lucky, you will see herds of blue sheep. By afternoon, you will reach the confluence of Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola. This region is also known as Kamakharka. We will set up our camp here for the night.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
22
Trek from Tarap Khola (3,800m / 12,464ft) to Khanigaon (3,150m / 10,332ft): 4-5 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 3,800m / 12,464ft Trek Duration 4-5 hours You will start the morning trekking down the Tarap River gorge. In the right season, you will pass the locals taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. The valley becomes very narrow with deep gorges. In some places, you can jump from one side to another. Eventually, you will reach the camping spot beside the Tarap Khola at Khanigaon, where you will spend the night.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
23
Trek from Khanigaon (3,150m / 10,332ft) to Tarakot (2,537m / 8,321ft): 4-5 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 3,150m / 10,332ft Trek Duration 4-5 hours It is time to trek beside the Bheri river to Tarakot. You must walk carefully as the path might involve wet stepping stones. On the way, you will pass Lalberi village and dense forests. After walking for about five hours, you will reach Tarakot. Tarakot is an old fortress town, which local people refer to as Dzong, which literally means a fort. You can also explore the famous Sandul Gompa, 8 km east of Tarakot and at the confluence of the Barbung Khola (river) and Tarap Chu.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
24
Trek from Tarakot (2,537m / 8,321ft) to Dunai (2,140m / 7,019ft): 5-6 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 2,537m / 8,321ft Trek Duration 5-6 hours It is time to descend gradually. You will start trekking along the Bheri river, passing the beautiful alpine valley to reach Dunai. Dunai is a Hindu village.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
25
Trek from Dunai (2,140m / 7,019ft) to Juphal (2,475m / 8120ft): 2-3 hours
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 2,475m / 8120ft Trek Duration 2-3 hours Today is your last day on the trekking trails. You will walk along the Bheri River, passing several guest houses/ teahouses at Kalakonda and Motipur villages to reach the Juphal airstrip. The trail ascends slightly from the Juphal village to the airport.
- Overnight at a tent camp
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
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day
26
Fly from Jhuphal (2,475m / 8120ft) to Nepalgunj (150m / 4,92ft) and then to Kathmandu (1,400m /4,593ft)
Itinerary Facts Flight Duration Juphal - Nepalgunj (35 minutes) Nepalgunj - Kathmandu (1 hour) Highest Altitude 2,475m / 8120ft Early morning, after breakfast, you will take a short scenic flight to Nepalgunj from Juphal. The plane flies over the Himalayan foothills overlooking stunning views of peaks, including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the north. On arrival at Nepalgunj, we return to Kathmandu on the next available flight.
Discovery World Trekking will organize a farewell dinner at Kathmandu in the evening.
- Overnight at your selected hotel
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch)
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day
27
Departure day to your home country from Kathmandu (1,400m /4,593ft)
Itinerary Facts Highest Altitude 1,400m /4,593ft Discovery world trekking provides complimentary private transport to Tribhuvan International Airport from your hotel. We hope you really enjoyed your trip and created life-long happy memories.
What is included?
- Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu in private transport and entry fees to venues
- Domestic airport pick up and drop off
- Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Juphal and Juphal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu flight costs and taxes
- 24 breakfasts, 24 lunches, and 23 dinners during the trek
- Total 23 accommodations at trek regions
- Kitchen and camping equipment during the trek
- Government-licensed Discovery World Trekking experienced and qualified trek leader (guide), an assistant trekking guide for 12 or above trekkers. Porter to help trekkers with luggage. One porter for every two trekkers
- Coverage of guides and porters' meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, flights, and other necessary equipment
- Special Dolpo Region permit
- Rescue operation arrangements in case of complicated health conditions (funded by travel insurance).
- All government and local taxes
- Discovery World Trekking trek completion certificate after the successful trek
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at the end of the trek
What is excluded?
- International flight costs,
- Visa application fees
- Excess baggage charges. The luggage weight limit is 9kg per trekker
- Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure, and early return from trekking (for any reason)
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, battery recharge, shopping, extra porters, beverages, etc
- Personal clothing and gear
- Travel insurance that covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation up to 5,500m
- Tips for guide and porters.
- Hot (tea/coffee), cold and alcoholic drinks
- Additional costs due to delays outside of management control and unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather, itinerary modification for safety, change in government policy, political instability, strikes, etc
- All other costs and expenses not listed in the What is included? list above
Equipment Checklist
We recommend you carry the basic clothing and accessories for the trek. Although we understand your preference may differ, here is a list of items you must consider while packing. Porters will carry your luggage, but per trekker luggage weight limit is 9 kg. We assign one porter for every two trekkers, and our porters will not carry more than 18 kg of luggage. However, if you need, we can assign one porter for you at an additional cost. We provide free luggage storage at our store during your trek if you have more luggage.
Head
- Sun hat or scarf
- Winter hat or insulating hat or Wide brimmed hat
- Headlight with extra batteries
Face
- Sunscreen
- Sunglass with UV protection
- Face/body wipes
Hands
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight winter gloves
Body
- Hiking shirts
- Long sleeved shirt
- Hooded rain jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Lightweight cotton pants
- T-Shirt (bring Lightweight wool)
- Polypropylene underwear
- Down jacket (available for rent in Kathmandu)
- Sweater
- Waterproof jacket and pants
Footwear
- Hiking Boots
- Thick wool socks (Take an extra pair of thick light socks)
Essential gear
- Backpack or daypack (Size depends on whether you take a porter or not).
- Thermal bottle
- Water purification
- Trekking pole
- Sleeping bag (-15 bag is best for high-altitude trekking)
Toiletries
- Medium-size drying towel
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant floss
- Bio-degradable bar soap
- Nail clippers
- Small mirror
Personal accessories
- Money
- Watch
- Cell phone
- Camera
Extra items
- First aid kit
- Extra passport photos and photocopies of passport
- Notebook and pen
- Binoculars
Trip Information
Free airport-to-hotel transfer
Discovery World Trekking provides free airport-to-hotel transfer for all clients arriving in Nepal for upper Dolpo trekking (or any other package). You must share your flight details to take advantage of this service after confirming the booking. We provide this service to ensure you do not feel alone in a foreign country or face navigation problems. When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will find our representative with a Discovery World Trekking pamphlet with your name on it. After greeting you, our representative will present you with a garland as a welcome gesture and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Similarly, we provide a free hotel-to-airport drop-off service on your flight back to your country.
Getting there
You will arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. We will transfer you to your hotel for the night. The next day, we will take you on a sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu. Kathmandu Valley has seven UNESCO world heritage sites. On this day, we will also conduct a trip briefing. During the trip briefing, we will provide you with important trek info and check your luggage to ensure you have not missed packing essential items. On the third day, we will take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport for a flight to Nepalgunj. You will spend a night in Nepalgunj, and the next day you will fly to Juphal. The trek begins from Juphal.
Please note this package does not include accommodations and meals in Kathmandu.
Accommodation
The Upper Dolpo Trek 27 days is mostly a camping trek. We will provide you with a high-quality tent, like Mountain Hardwear or similar, that you will share with one other member. Each tent will have a thick down filled mattress for extra comfort and warmth. We will also have dinner, a kitchen tent with a table and chairs, a tent for staff, and a toilet tent with a commode.
You will be spending 23 nights in trek regions, including one at Nepalgunj. You will be staying at the best lodges/tea houses, where possible, and at tents at other times. The tourism infrastructure is not very developed in Dolpo. Hence, you will mostly be spending your night in tents.
You will need at least three nights of hotel stays in Kathmandu, but this package does not cover these stays. Kathmandu has a range of hotels suitable for most budgets and tastes. We prefer you to choose the best hotel for yourself.
The accommodations at all places will be on twin sharing basis. You can enjoy hot showers in hotels/tea houses for an additional cost.
Meals
Trekking at high altitudes requires plenty of nutritious food. We will provide you with enough nutrient-rich, tasty, and hygienic food. You will have meals in the best available tea houses/lodges we hand-select in trek regions. The menu choices include traditional, local, Asian and western cuisine. However, as you climb higher and away from settlements, your food choices will get limited, and food prices increase. Since you will mostly stay in a tent camp, you may not have plenty of food choices.
We will provide you with 24 breakfasts, 24 lunches, and 23 dinners during the trek. This package does not include meals in Kathmandu. However, you will have a farewell dinner in Kathmandu after the trip.
We highly recommend liquids like green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup(must) at high altitudes for health benefits. We advise you avoid non-veg items (for hygiene reasons), dairy, alcoholic drinks, and hot chocolates. You will be better off buying nutritious snacks in cities like Kathmandu or Nepalgunj.
Please note that this package only covers standard meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You must pay for hot (tea/coffee), cold, or alcoholic drinks. This package does not include meals in Kathmandu.
Best Season
The weather is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding to trek to Upper Dolpo. We advise you to trek during the spring and autumn for ease, comfort, and a richer experience. Summer in Nepal coincides with the monsoon (June, July, and August), making the routes wet and slippery and clouds blocking the view. Unless you love water, you may avoid summer treks. In winter (December, January, and February), heavy snowfall in high altitudes and cold temperatures make it tough to hike.
January – February
It is the coldest period, especially from early January to early February. The temperature can be too low. Though the daytime may be warm and look admirable with clear skies, the nights get extremely cold. We do not suggest you trek during these months.
March – April
March and April form the best months to trek in the Upper Dolpo Trek. The weather is very favorable throughout the trek regions. You can get stunning views of the central Himalayan ranges.
Temperatures start increasing from the mid of March, and with clear skies, snow mountains look stunning. Many trekkers choose to trek at this time. You will find trek sections adorned with multi-colored rhododendron blooms.
May – June
It is also a favorable time for upper Dolpo treks, right before the rainfall. Monsoon rain in Nepal starts from the end of June and lasts till mid of August. The season of spring and summer makes the trek much more enjoyable during these months.
July – August
The monsoon rain hits its peak during July and August. Though some portions of this trek lie in the rain-shadow region and remain unaffected by monsoon, some trail sections get slippery, and the views may get blocked. Overall, not a great season for upper Dolpo treks.
September – October
This is also one of the perfect seasons for the upper Dolpo trek, popular with tourists visiting Dolpo. As the monsoon slowly ends perfect trekking climate ushers in. The temperature reaches 20 degrees in the daytime and falls to 5 degrees at night. With clear skies and amazing mountain views, we recommend you trek to upper Dolpo, mainly in mid-September. If you hike during these months, you will also get to witness and perhaps celebrate several Nepali festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chaat.
November – December
As winter starts, snowfalls begin at high altitudes, and it is eventually tough to trek. Nights get very cold. However, November treks are feasible with sparkling days. The daytime temperatures are stable and constant. Due to the clear skies, the views are impressive. From December, the temperature gets extremely cold.
The weather in the Himalayas is unpredictable and can change quickly.
Acclimatization
We have created our trek packages, providing enough attention for the need to acclimatize during the trek. In upper Dolpo Trek, you will be acclimatizing in three places - Phoksundo Lake, Shey Gompa, and Dho Tarap.
Many trekkers face altitude sickness. Though you cannot totally avoid altitude sickness, you can minimize the chances. The best way is to walk at your own pace, take enough breaks, and drink at least four liters of water.
Serious altitude sickness requires immediate treatment. So, when you feel uncomfortable, you must let your guide know about it. Our guides have plenty of experience in handling altitude sickness. So, your health is in good hands. In case of severe altitude sickness, the only option is to come to a lower elevation. Your guide has the authority to decide whether to continue the trek or descend immediately based on the overall condition of the trek team members. If a trekker requires immediate treatment, Discovery World Trekking will deploy a helicopter (funded by insurance) to bring the sick person back to safety.
Please note that some people are prone to altitude sickness more than others.
Trip Grade, Health and Fitness Level
The Upper Dolpo trek is a slightly challenging yet rewarding trek. You will be hiking, from five to seven hours a day, taking enough breaks to soak in the beauty and rest. The hours of trekking will be longer for easy paths and descents.
The trek routes consist of long steep ascents and descents and straightforward paths. You will be trekking by the side of narrow gorges, terraced farmlands, forests, and rocky areas. So, you need to be normally fit to complete this trek. However, please note that the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trip. So, we suggest you participate in stamina-building exercises such as jogging, cycling, and swimming for a few weeks before starting the trek. Though previous trek experiences are advantageous, it is not required.
If you suffer from lung, heart, or blood diseases, consult your doctor before booking the trek.
Trekking group/single
We can arrange private as well as group treks. However, we require at least two people for the trip. If you do not have a partner, we will find a partner for you. If you have a group, you are eligible for a discount based on the team size. Your trek group will consist of a trek leader and porters. We assign one porter for every two trekkers and add an assistant guide for a group of twelve or more persons. Please note that you are not eligible for discounts for trek team Discovery World Trekking gathers.
A typical day while on trek
Each trekking day will reward you with a unique experience as you trek leisurely with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, explore villages, and taste local delicacies. Our experienced, qualified, and friendly guides will accompany you throughout the trek. They will provide you with information about the places you will be visiting. Porters will carry your luggage, but we also expect you to bring a small backpack to ensure the safety of your important documents and valuables.
The day starts with an early morning cup of tea. Each morning after a wholesome breakfast, you will set off on the day’s walk from around 7 - 8 am, depending on the trek length to cover and the nature of the trek for that day. We will serve you lunch around noon, often on the route to the next destination. You will rest for an hour before continuing the trek. The afternoon trek will be shorter, and once you reach your destination, you can snack on your extra dietary supplements and explore nearby places.
We will serve you dinner at around 6 to 7 pm. After dinner, your trek guide will brief you about the next day’s plan. Then, before going to bed, you are free to spend your time as you wish. Many of our guests read a book, play games such as cards, monopoly, or chess, or learn fun light Nepali words from our crew. You can also engage in conversation with your fellow travelers.
Communication on trek
Most lodges in trek regions have access to Wi-Fi, but you will need to pay for the service. You can contact your friends, family, and colleagues from these lodges. However, you will mostly be staying in tent camps. So, you might consider purchasing a local SIM card in Kathmandu, but all trek areas might not have network coverage. Discovery World Trekking remains in contact with all its trek teams at least once a day via the trek lead. This is how we will know if the trek is progressing as planned and if everyone is comfortable.
Extra personal expenses during the trek
This package covers major expenses during the trek, but not all of them. You are responsible for meals and accommodations in Kathmandu. Moreover, you will need to bring spending money to cover other costs such as visa processing, travel insurance policy purchase, beverages, snacks for the trek, tips to the trekking crew members, souvenirs, etc. We advise you to bring cash (major currencies) and exchange them for Nepali Rupees in Kathmandu.
Electricity for battery recharge, water on trekking
Lodges along the upper Dolpo route have electricity, where you can charge your electronic devices. However, as you will spend most nights in tent camps, it would be better if you bring portable solar panels to recharge batteries. Power banks are also a good option.
You can buy bottled water from en-route shops/tea houses, but plastic bottles are not environmentally friendly. So, we advise you to bring a water bottle and buy boiled water from the lodges/tea houses. We also recommend you use water purification pills before drinking water. If you do not have them, we can provide them for you.
Further, you shouldn’t drink water from taps, wells, and rivers in trek regions, because the water may not be fit for drinking.
Insurance Policy
Trekking in the Upper Dolpo Trek requires some level of preparedness. Do not take this trek as a casual visit, as the trekking days are long, and you will gain substantial height. Most of your trek takes place in the Himalayan wilderness. Though minimum, there are chances of altitude sickness, and we cannot rule out other trek mishaps. Hence, adequate trek insurance is compulsory.
Your insurance must cover medical expenses, as well as, emergency helicopter rescue up to the highest trek elevation (4,500m). Please note that the trek regions do not have adequate health facilities.
In emergencies, we will use your insurance details and other documents to deploy a helicopter for rescue and transfer to hospitals. If you need help in choosing an insurance company, we can recommend insurers based on our previous clients’ experience. However, we are not involved in selling insurance policies in any shape or form.
Before buying an insurance policy, call the insurer and ask if they include helicopter rescue up to the highest trek elevation (5,500m) along with treatment costs. Do not simply rely on what insurance companies say on their website.
Passport and visa
All foreigners, except for Indians, require a visa to enter Nepal. Luckily, an on-arrival visa is available for citizens from most countries at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and immigration checkpoints at Nepal-India and Nepal-Tibet borders. You require a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and visa fees to apply for a visa. The current visa cost for a 30-day stay is USD 50.
Children under 10 receive a free visa. Similarly, SAARC (Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka) nationals also get free visas.
Citizens from certain countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan) may not receive visas on arrival. If you are a citizen of these countries, you must contact your local Nepalese embassy.
The Nepal government can change visa rules without prior notice. Hence, for the latest information, visit https://www.immigration.gov.np/.
Money exchange
Nepali Rupees (NPR) is the national currency of Nepal. 1 USD = ~130 NPR.
You can exchange major foreign currencies through financial institutions such as banks, cooperatives, or money exchanges. Some hotels also exchange small amounts of foreign currencies. However, we recommend cash exchange at legal money exchanges in Thamel and other parts of Kathmandu.
Legal money exchanges display their ongoing rates publicly. If you have Indian Rupees (INR), only INR notes of 100 and 2,000 are legal in Nepal.
Despite the security advantage of a traveler’s check, we advise you cash exchange to avoid lengthy bank processes and high rates of commissions. Banks charge four percent or more for cash exchanges.
You can withdraw Nepali Rupees from ATMs all over Kathmandu. Several of these ATMs are open 24/7. You can withdraw as much as Rs.35,000 from these ATMs at a fee of Rs.500.
You must exchange your currency in Kathmandu, as trek regions do not have money exchange facilities, and trek regions do not accept foreign currencies. We estimate you might need 10 to 20 USD as spending money per trekking day.
Established banks in Nepal do not honor foreign currencies that are old, faded, or torn. So make sure that you have new, crisp notes.
Luggage
Porters will carry your main luggage. However, per trekker luggage weight limit is 9kg. It is always a great idea to travel light. We assign one porter for every two trekkers, and our porters will not carry more than 18 kg of luggage. We expect you to bring a regular backpack to keep your valuables and important documents safe. You can store your extra luggage at the Discovery World Trekking store for free for the duration of the trek.
Safety
Discovery World Trekking guarantees client safety, security, and satisfaction. We take your safety seriously and have checks and balances to ensure client safety. To ensure safety, we carry all standard gear, equipment, and safety kits, and our guides are experienced in handling altitude sickness and other unforeseen events. If a trekker catches altitude sickness, your trek leader has the authority to decide whether to descend immediately or continue trekking, taking into account the overall condition of the trek. The whole trek group will hike together, adding a layer of safety.
Responsible travel
We strongly believe in sustainability and are aware of the adverse effects tourism can bring to tourist regions. If we do not preserve tourist areas today, no tourists will visit these areas in the future. Hence, Discovery World Trekking works with Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to organize eco-friendly trips that balance the expectations of the visitors and the local communities. Our philosophy is to leave only the footprints behind and leave camp regions in a better condition than when we arrived.
Discovery World Trekking Crew
During the Upper Dolpo Trek, you will be accompanied by government-licensed, trained, and well-experienced guides to make your journey even more comfortable and memorable. Porters will carry your luggage, which should not exceed 9 kg. We assign one porter for every two trekkers, and we do not allow our porters to carry a load of more than 18 kg. However, if you need one porter for yourself, we can arrange them for you.
Our crew members come from the high remote Himalayas. So they have phenomenal physical endurance at high altitudes. We believe that only happy persons can keep others happy. Hence, we try our best to keep our crew members happy.
In addition to salary, we cover their meal and drink costs, accommodation, gear and equipment, and insurance. Our crew members receive medical care when injured or sick. All our employees are precious to us. We view our employees and valuable clients as a part of a greater global family.
Our trekking guides are highly experienced and qualified. All of them have
- Government-authorized trekking guide certificate
- Fluency in speaking English and other major languages (Japanese, Spanish)
- Conservation and biodiversity training certificate
- Rock climbing experience
Tipping
Nepali culture accepts tipping. Tipping does not form a part of the wages. However, tipping is at the traveler’s discretion. We advise you to tip based on the length, trip cost, and service quality received. Further, we suggest you tip collectively at the end of the trek.
Booking and payment process
Discovery world trekking is a government-authorized, registered, and bonded trekking and touring operator in Nepal. We have been providing our services for over a decade. We are also members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Therefore, you can book the Discovery World Trekking trip with confidence.
We require 10 percent of the trip cost as an advance to confirm the booking. You can pay online, through bank transfer, or western union. The remaining trip cost is due when you arrive in Kathmandu. Again, you can pay in cash, using credit cards, or bank transfers. We will also email you payment details, including the available modes of payment.
Last minute booking
It is best to book in advance, but for those unable, Discovery World Trekking has a special last-minute trip booking provision. In case of last-minute bookings, you must complete 100% of the trip payment 48 hours before the trek departure date.
Discovery World Trekking is ready to operate treks at any time. However, in case of last-minute booking, you cannot hold us responsible for delays due to circumstances beyond our control, such as bad weather, unavailability of lodging, etc. For more information, call/Viber/WhatsApp Paul at 977- 9840055491 or email [email protected].
Trip extension
After the completion of the trek, if you have a couple of days extra in Nepal, we can organize fun activities for you. You have several options, such as sightseeing in and around Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan jungle safari, paragliding, rafting, canoeing, etc.
Feedback
After completing the Upper Dolpo trek, we will organize a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. After dinner, we will present you with a Discovery World Trekking trek achievement certificate. It is also a good time to provide your trek feedback so that we can better serve valuable clients like you in the near future.
