Dolpo Trekking

Trek Type: Camping Trek
Duration: 21-26 Days
Max. Elevation: 5490m
Trek Rating: Strenuous
Best season: April - Nov

Dolpo trekking is the name given to treks to the Dolpo region in western Nepal. Bordering with Tibet, the Dolpo region lies in the Shey Phoksundo national park west of Kali gandaki valley, behind the Dhaulagiri massif. Dolpo is divided in Lower and Upper region. Our trekking involves both the lower and Upper Dolpo but the main attractions of Dolpo trekking lie in upper region. Upper Dolpo is one of the few special trekking regions in Nepal, restricted for mass tourism to preserve its unique cultural and natural heritage. Open to visitors only since 1989 this area is for the seekers of adventure, authenticity and true wilderness.

Highlights of the Dolpo trekking include ancient villages, high passes, beautiful Lakes, isolated Buddhist monasteries and diverse wildlife inhabiting the region, including Blue sheep, Mountain Goat, Jackal, Wolf and the legendary Snow Leopard. Two of our main attractions in the region are the serene turquoise lake of Phoksundo and the 11th century Shey monastery.

Isolated from rest of the country, life for the people living here has not changed for centuries now. Followers of Tibetan Buddhism and ancient Bon Po religion, they mostly depend on farming, yak and sheep keeping and locally collected medical herbs for which Dolpo is very rich. The Oscar nominated film “Caravan" -filmed in Dolpo by Eric Vali, has brought the exotic beauty and cultural wealth of Dolpo to the world. The best time to trek here is towards the end of the monsoon i.e. Sept to November.

We start our Dolpo trekking with a flight from Nepalgunj in western Nepal to Juphal airstrip in Dolpa .Passing through wilderness area; spared ancient villages and yak pastures we reach the high mountain lake of Phoksundo. Our next destination is the 11th century monastery of Shey. Things have not changed much in the region since the days the monastery was built. Passing high passes carefully and enjoying the spectacular mountain views we emerge in Kaligandaki valley and we fly from Jomsom to Pokhara and to Kathmandu.

This is a trekking in area where we have to carry all the supplies from Nepalgunj. It is a fully supported camping trek. Average walking per day is 6 hour. You carry just your light day pack. The food in the trek is prepared by our camp cook.

Note: As Dolpo is in Himalayan rain shadow zone hiking is possible even in summer. Rather a summer hiking will be rewarded with profusion of alpine wildflowers.

Day to Day Itinerary 

Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu & transfer to hotel.
Day 02 Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu to important heritage sites. We cover Kathmandu Durbar square, Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath stupa and Swoyambhunath stupa.
Day 03 Fly to Nepalgunj , transfer to  hotel.
Day 04 Fly to Juphal airport (Dopla) & Camp in Dunai after 4.5 hours walk.
Day 05 Trek Dunai to Hankhe 4.5 hours
Day 06 Trek Hankhe to Reiji 4.5 hours
Day 07 Trek Reiji to Phoksundo Lake 3600m 5 hour
Day 08 Rest day , hiking and exploration around the lake
Day 09 Trek Phoksundo Lake to Lake beach 5 hour
Day 10 Trek Lake beach to  Mandala Camp 4,570m. 5 hour
Day 11 Cross Kang La (5,240m) pass and trek to Shey Gompa (4280m.) 5 hours.
Day 12 Cross Saldang pass (5010m) and trek to Namgung 4,380m. 5 hours
             (Shey Gompa is an important attraction in Dolpo trekking)
Day 13 Trek Namgung to Yanger Gompa (3890m) 5 hours
Day 14 Trek Yanger Gompa to Musi Gaon (4270m.) 6 hours
Day 15 Cress to Lnag La (5002m ) and trek to Sime Gaon (3950m ) 6 hours
Day 16 Trek to Sime Gaon- to Tinja (4150m ) 6 hours
Day 17 Trek Tinja to  Kheng (4550m ) 6 hours
Day 18 Cross Charka pass (5,036m ) and trek to Charka (4365m) 7 hours
Day 19 Trek Charka  to Yak Kharka (4780m ) 5 hour
Day 20 Cross  Sangda pass (5490m )  and trek to Sangda phedi (5110m ) 6 and half hour.
Day 21 Trek Sangda phedi to Sangda ( 3909m) 5 hours
Day 22 Trek Sangda to Phale Gaon (2900m ) 5 and half hour.
Day 23 Trek Phale Gaon to Jomsom ( 2710m ) 3 and half hour.
Day 24 Fly back Jomsom to Pokhara.
Day 25 Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu, We celebrate our wonderful Dolpo trekking with traditional Nepali dinner and ethnic cultural dances in Kathmandu.
Day 26 Fly home

Included in the price

• All surface transfers as per itinerary
• Domestic airfare and airport tax
• Hotel in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj in twin sharing , bed and breakfast  basis
• Fooding,  lodging, insurance , salary  and other expenses of  the  trekking crew
• Fooding (3 meals a day ) and lodging for the clients in trek days
• Necessary permit and national park fees

• Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

Not included in the price

• Single suppliment charges (if required.)
• Departure tax from Kathmandu  airport ($24 approx)
• Personal equipments and clothing
• International airfare and  your insurances
• Cold drinks and beverages
• Personal expenses and  tips to the crew