Dolpa is a remote district of Nepal. Being far from the capital and non-spoiled region in trekking activity, Upper Dolpo Camping Trek has been a best choice for those who love to explore the hidden gems of Nature.
People and their traditions are really different from other parts of Nepal, resemblance of culture with Tibet is really amazing, and the landscape of this region is never second.
Changing landscape with each and every trekking day; landscape is naturally beautiful and welcoming people adds sweet taste of happiness in the trekking experience. One of the remote trekking trails of Nepal Himalaya, Upper Dolpo camping trek is composed of varieties of endangered animals with stunning landscapes.
As a remote, wilder-ed, scenic camping trek in a restricted region of Nepal, upper Dolpo has a strong image of superior trekking destination among Nepali trekking routes.
This trail is famous for its primitive local life and their different ascent which is an antique and unique tradition inside the same cultural practice in Nepal. Walking along the ancient village of Dolpo will give a stunning view of Annapurna Range and a huge glance to the Tibetan Plateau.
Screening varieties of vegetation and passing high passes on the trail will make trekkers mind free from stress and give different experiences in Himalaya.
Trek following the Eric valley and the towering mountains will satisfy a trekker’s heart spending a holiday in such beautiful landscape. The generous primitive people also add energy to the trekkers, and energize them to walk ahead. Crossing grazing herds of sheep, yaks, and many monasteries and Gomba on the way of this trekking gives heart full happiness for sure.
Camping trek also adds more adventure and naturalness in trekkers mind so we suggest you below camping itinerary for Upper Dolpo.
Best Time to Trek Upper Dolpo
Like Upper Mustang trek, the upper Dolpo is also a monsoon season trek. If you are looking forward to Upper Dolpo trekking, do not trek in the winter, apart from winter you can sign up for any time throughout the year.
Monsoon in Nepal is from late August till the end of July.
As Dolpo lies in the rain shadow zone of Nepalese geography, upper Dolpo trekking is regarded as one of the finest remote treks to do in Monsoon season.
Difference between lower Dolpo and Upper Dolpo camping trek
Lower Dolpo trek does not necessarily be a camping trek whereas a couple of destinations in Upper region of Dolpo trek must be with camping accommodation. Lower region till Phoksundo lake is covered in Lower Dolpo region trekking.
Upper Dolpo trek comprises high passes. Trekking in the remote jungle and random terrain makes it more interesting in the upper region of Dolpo expedition.
The Route
There are 2 major routes for trekking in the Upper Dolpo region. Both start from the same destination but when it comes to trek over the pass; you can either trek over Saldang pass (at 3900 meters or 12792 feet) or skip this high pass and still enjoy the beauty of nature along with Phoksundo lake.
Upper Dolpo Camping Trek is a circuit trek where plenty of options in the trekking route has made this trek a versatile trekking destination.
Num la, Bagar la, Shey Gompa, Saldang are some of the major destinations of Upper Dolpo Camping Trek. Phoksundo lake is one of the famous attraction spots.
Jhupal airport which connects flights from all parts of Nepal via Nepalgunj is a start & end point of trekking route, in general.
As a camping destination, Upper Dolpo has plenty of options for nature and unique cultural practice differing along the entire trail.
Note – If you are looking for remote trekking destination like Upper mustang trekking, poke us.
Outline Itinerary for Upper Dolpo Camping Trek
- Day 1 – Arrival at Kathmandu international airport (1345m).You will be received by our company representative and assist you to hotel transfer.Tonight Upper Dolpo Camping trekking briefing by your guide.
- Day 2 – Kathmandu city guided tour & Pre-trip meeting, arrangement of necessary permits.
- Day 3 – Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara by Tourist bus/ Hotel
- Day 4 – Flight to Jomsom (2710m) and trekking to Kagbeni(2800m)
- Day 5 – Kagbeni to Yak Kharka (3180m), tented camp
- Day 6 – Yak Kharka to Sangda (3710m), tented camp
- Day 7 – Sangda to Sangda Phedi (Tuchela,Niwar La Phedi) (4190m)
- Day 8 – Sangda Phedi to khola kharka via Tudje (Tudje La Pass 5185m)
- Day 9 – khola kharka to Chanla Phedi (4530m)
- Day 10 – Chanla Phedi to Do Tarap (4040m)
- Day 11 – Explore, acclimatize & rest day at Dho Tarap(4030m)
- Day 12 – Do Tarap to Pangjang Khola Dovan (4480m)
- Day 13 – Pangjang Khola Dovan to Tinje village (4150m)
- Day 14 – Tinje village to Shimengaon (3870m)
- Day 15 – Shimengaon to Koma (4060m) via Shimen la (4270m)
- Day 16 – Koma to Saldang village (3770m)
- Day 17 – Saldang village to SheyGompa (4500m) via Sela La (5095m)
- Day 18 – Explore, rest, relax day at Shey Gompa (4500m)
- Day 19 – Shey Gompa to LarTsa (4120m) vi Kangla pass (5360m)
- Day 20 – LarTsa to Ringmu/Phoksundo Lake (3730m)
- Day 21 – Ringmu/Phoksundo Lake to Sanduwa(3038m)
- Day 22 – Sanduwa to Chhepka(2680m)
- Day 23 – Chhepka to Dunai (2050m)
- Day 24 – Dunai to Juphal (2345m)
- Day 25 – Fly Kathmandu via Nepalgunj
- Day 26 – Our vehicle will drop you to Kathmandu international Airport for your final departure.
Download detailed itinerary of Upper Dolpo Camping Trek
Cost of Upper Dolpo Camping Trek– Nepalgram Adventure
| S.No. | Luxury | All Incl | Service | |
| 1 | Cost (in USD $) Details | 3870 | 2430 | 1830 |
| 2 | Licensed Guide | √ | √ | √ |
| 3 | Accommodation during trek | Standard | Private | Shared |
| 4 | Transportation to trek start point | Private | Shared | Shared |
| 5 | Shower | √ | √ | √ |
| 6 | Airport/bus terminal Shuttle service | Private | Private | × |
| 7 | Hotel at KTM/Pokhara | 5 Star | Standard | × |
| 8 | Food on trek(BLD) | Unlimited Meal | 3 Meal | × |
| 9 | Desert | From Menu | Fresh Fruit | × |
| 10 | Soft drink | unlimited | 1 | × |
| 11 | Porter | Private | Shared | × |
| 12 | Company Cap & T-shirt | √ | √ | × |
| 13 | Dawn Jacket & Sleeping – bag to be returned | √ | √ | × |
| 14 | Hard drink | Local Brand | × | × |
| 15 | Warm up hike | √ | × | × |
| 16 | Farewell party/dinner | √ | × | × |
| 17 | Buffer day for trek | √ | × | × |
| 18 | Food in the city | × | × | × |
Note – Minimum people in group must be 02 so as to apply above price range.
Itinerary for Upper Dolpo Camping Trek
Altitude: 1345 meters
Time: 30 minutes hotel transfer time
Activity: Relax at hotel
On your arrival, our office representative will transfer you from the airport to hotel.
Altitude: 1385 meters
Special: Kathmandu City tour
Time: Full day
Activity: Sightseeing of UNESCO world heritage sites
Today you will be sightseeing Kathmandu City including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swyambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Altitude: 1400 meters
Special: Scenic view of surrounding during the drive
Time: 6/8 hours
Activity: Travelling in bus
Today you will be heading towards to Pokhara in tourist bus. 6 to 8 hours of drive from Kathmandu will take you to Pokhara.
Altitude: 2710/2800 meters
Special: Scenic view during flight and trek
Time: 1 hour 25 minutes flight and 4/5 hours trek
Activity: Flying in plane and trekking
After an early breakfast in Pokhara, you'll head to the air terminal briefly trip to Jomsom, the base camp of Nepal's Mustang locale. The flight takes you over the Kali Gandaki, the most profound canyon on the planet. From the plane, you'll have extraordinary perspectives on Dhaulagiri and Annapurna; minutes after the fact, you'll land in an alternate climate — the parched valleys of the Himalayan downpour shadow.
After reaching to Jomsom you will head towards Kagbeni. Kagbeni, tremendously arranged on a bluff sitting above the conversion of the Kali Gandaki and the Jhong Khola streams, is the last town in Lower Mustang and gatekeepers the entry into Upper Mustang (noticeable across the Kali Gandaki riverbed). It is a desert garden of green fields in the midst of rough, bone-dry mountains, with Niligiri approaching past. This old, to some extent demolished stronghold town is a brief look into an interesting lifestyle, with its tight rear entryways and passages, water system trenches, green fields of grain and its gigantic, 800-year-old block red Sayka Gompa. You can likewise meander past the antiquated 100-room King's Palace.
At the police check post at the north finish of the village, there is an indication that peruses "restricted region, sightseers kindly don't go past this point." This is the path going up to the popular Lo Manthang, in 'forbidden' Upper Mustang.
Today you will be heading towards yak kharka. You will stay overnight in tented camp in Yak Kharka.
Today you will be trekking towards to Sangda from Yak Kharka. The trail is mostly uphill to Sangda.
Altitude: 4190 meters
Special: View of mountains
Time: 6/7 hours
Activity: Trekking through Kang gopa valley
Today you will be trekking through Kang gopa valley to reach sangda phedi. During your walk, you will get the view of lofty snow capped mountain ranges.
Altitude: 5185 meters
Special: Tudje la pass and view of various mountains
Time: 6/7 hours
Activity: Crossing through tudje la pass
Today you will be trekking towards to khola kharka. On the trail you will pass through Tudje la pass which is located at an elevation of 5185 meters.
Altitude: 4530 meters
Special: Shey la pass (5010) and local villages
Time: 6/7 hours
Activity: Trekking uphill and downhill
Today you will be trekking towards to chanla phedi. Today you be walking uphill upto shey la pass which is located at an altitude of 5010 meters and then from shey la pass you will walking downhill.
Altitude: 4040 meters
Special: Charkala and valley
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking uphill and downhill through narrow trail
Today you will be walking uphill and downhill through narrow trail. Charkala and valley are the major attraction of this day.
Altitude: 4030 meters
Special: Unique culture and tradition of local community
Time: Half day
Activity: Exploring, Acclimatizing and Rest
Today you will be acclimatize at Dho Tarap. The best way to acclimatize is to explore unique culture and tradition of local community.
Altitude: 4480 meters
Special: View of snow-capped mountains
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking through valley, rivers and villages
Today you will be trekking towards to Pangjang Khola Dovan. While trekking you will pass through the valley, rivers and villages. You will also get the view of snow capped mountains.
Altitude: 4150 meters
Special: Lnag la pass and tinje village
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking mostly downhill
Today you will be passing through lnag la pass and trek mostly downhill to reach to Tinje valley.
Altitude: 3870 meters
Special: Yak grazing and horses
Time: 6/7 hours
Activity: Trekking mostly downhill
You will be trekking towards to Shimengaon. The trail to shimengaon is mostly downhill. During your walk you can get the view of yak and horses grazing.
Altitude: 4270/4260 meters
Special: shimen la pass
Time: 6/7 hours
Activity: Crossing through shimen la pass
Today you will be crosiing shimen la pass pass and reach to Koma. Overnight at Koma.
Altitude: 3770 meters
Special: Nankhang valley and view of mountains
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking through nankhang valley
Today we walk to north side toward the Tibetan boundary through the Nankhang Valley and along the path have perspectives on Mt.Kanjiroba. We show up at Saldang where we camp for the time being.
Altitude: 5095/4500 meters
Special: sela la pass and view of snow-capped mountains
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Crossing through sela la pass
Today we cross the high elevation Sela La Pass (5095) from where we have stunning perspectives on the wide snow capped mountains. We will camp for the time being here.
Altitude: 4500 meters
Special: Exploring cultural and historical monastery
Time: half day
Activity: exploring, rest and relax at shey gompa
Today we can investigate this socially and generally rich spot and visit the old cloister. The Gompa (cloister) was worked in 1665.
Altitude: 5360/4120 meters
Special: Kangla pass
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking through crossing kangla pass
Our path today will go on around two hours, at first intersection Kangla La Pass (5360m) and afterward diving to the stream prior to arriving at Lar Tsa where we will camp for the evening.
Altitude: 3730 meters
Special: Phoksundo lake
Time: 6/7 hours
Activity: Trekking
Today we head to the splendid blue Phoksundo Lake which even at this height never totally freezes. The journey today is quite easy. We will camp here for the time being. This is really worth the excursion and is one of the features of this trekking into Dolpo.
Altitude: 3038 meters
Special: View of beautiful surrounding
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking mostly downhill
Going through Ringmo we dive to Sanduwa along a path that is arranged between the streams Kagmara Khola and Phoksundo Khola. There is likewise a public park and armed force designated spot at Sanduwa. We will camp here for the time being.
Altitude: 2680 meters
Special: View of mountains
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking through following the river
Today it is all declining as we abandon the mountains back to us and follow the waterway walking south until we arrive at Chhepka where we will camp for the time being.
Altitude: 2050 meters
Special: view of majestic mountains
Time: 5/6 hours
Activity: Trekking through the bank of Bheri khola
Today the path tracks with the bank of the Bheri River. The trip ought to take us about 5 to 6 hours after which we will arrive at Dunai where we will camp for the evening. The perspectives on the mountains from here are eye-catchy.
Altitude: 2345 meters
Special: View of beautiful surrounding
Time: 4/5 hours
Activity: Trekking
This is our last day of the trek as we head to Jhupal where we will camp for the time being.
Altitude: 1385 meters
Special: scenic view seen from plane
Time: 1 hour
Activity: Flying in Plane
Today we fly to Nepalgunj and afterward on to Kathmandu (around an hour). On appearance back at Kathmandu we will drop you back at your hotel where you can either enjoy the moment or explore around Thamel and track down a bar to praise your legendary trip.
Time: 30 minutes airport transfer time
Activity: Flying back to origin/next destination
Our office representative will transfer you to the airport from hotel. We will love to see you again.
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