Upper Dolpo Trek - 27 Days

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport), a representative from Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition will receive you and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, trip discussion with the management and trek leaders. In the evening, enjoy welcome dinner hosted by Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition in typical Nepali restaurant with cultural shows.

Today, your trek leader will introduce you to the city tour expert who guides you to the most revered Hindu and Buddhist religious sites that are listed in the world heritage sites.

Here are the list of cultural and religious sites that you will be visiting during the city tour:

Pashupatinath (UNESCO World Heritage Site):

Pashupatinath is one of the most significant Hindu temple in the world. It is located along the back of sacred Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu city, close to Kathmandu airport. While the entrance to the main Pashupatinath temple is strictly forbidden to non-Hindus, there’s quite a bit to explore and discover around the rest of the area. Ritual activity are conducted on daily basis and one can observe the Hindu cremations on the bank of the river. You can discover mystic Sadhus to nearby temples and stupas. A vantage point located opposite to the temple, across the river offers the clear look of the main Pashupatinath temple.

Boudhanath (UNESCO World Heritage Site):

Located 7 km north of mid Kathmandu city, Boudhanath is one of the largest and oldest stupa in the world- dating back to 5th century. It is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet and Tibetan merchant rested here and offer prayers for centuries. When Tibetan refugee entered Nepal in 1950, many of then decided to live around Boudhanath. They established many Gompas and celebrate Tibetan tradition and since then “Little Tibet” of Nepal was born.

The stupa is surrounded by beautiful stupas that houses many Gompas and traditional shops selling singing bowls, thankas, prayer wheels and more. You can also find few cafes and guesthouses in the immediate area.
Boudhanath was partially affected by earthquake in 2015 but the repartition was carried out throughout 2016.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) (UNESCO World Heritage Site):

Swayambhunath, revered Buddhist stupa, is located within walking distance (3km) west of Thamel in Kathmandu on a hillock. Swayambhunath is commonly known as “Monkey Temple” due to the large number of rhesus primates living there. Travelers need to climb 365 stone steps to reach the main Stupa complex (can be tiring and slippery if raining). This stupa is believed to date back to 5th century. The large dome shaped stupa, two big Buddha eye and surrounding small shrines and temples are the major attraction of the temple. This hilltop temple offers the 360 degree view of Kathmandu city. This significant heritage site holds immense cultural, religious, architectural and historical values for Nepalese people.
After exploration, we gather to Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition to get better acquainted with our travel plans and fellow trekkers.

After breakfast, we take an hour-long flight to Nepalgunj – located in western Nepal. Nepalgunj is a town near the Nepal-India border which is also major gateway to Simikot, Humla. In Nepalgunj, we explore local market, mini-zoo and nearby villages.

After breakfast, we make a 45 minute flight to Jhupal. Jhupal is beautiful village with amazing view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. We start our trek through the terraced fields and follow the bank of Bheri River and narrow gorge. Further we continue walking to Dunai – the administrative headquarter of Dolpo region. We explore the surrounding area and camp overnight.

After breakfast, we leave Dunai behind and cross a suspension bridge to join a westward trail. We then climb up the side valley of Thulo Bheri on a treeless trail before entering into Phoksundo River Valley. On the way, we get the mesmerizing view of Kagmara Peak. We continue walking through the walnut groves, Dhera and Rahagaun villages and finally reach Ankhe.

Today we make an uphill climb and then descend along a wooded riverbank and climb steeply on a trail. Ascends and descends might be strenuous. We pass several streams on the way before leaving the forest and walking through a grassy slopes high above the river. Then we trek downhill on a trail surrounded by dense forest before reaching a cliff followed by a dizzying drop on a wobbly stone staircase to the river bank. A short hike takes us to the village of Sulighat.

We trek further through the valley floor to the junction of the Phoksundo and Pungmo Rivers. We cross a bridge and follow the western bank of the Pungmo Khola. The trail continues through the cedar forest and reach the village of Palam. Now we climb up the ridge and enjoy the magnificent views of Phoksundo Lake and stunning waterfall, one of the highest waterfall in Nepal. The trail then climbs down through the birch forest to the upper section of Phoksundo Khola and then to the stunning Ringmo village with its mud-plastered chortens and mani walls. A short and pleasant walk takes us to shores of the Phoksundo Lake.

Today we take a well-deserved rest for acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake. We enjoy a short hike to the village of Ringmo and explore its age-old Tibetan monastery. On this exploration hike, we get opportunity to get acquainted with local culture and tradition. Dolpo people have their own culture and wear their own traditional attire. They wear homespun clothing that is sometimes dyed a maroon color and they put Tibetan-style somba or dhocha (boots with upturned toes) for foot wear. Both men and women often favor religious amulets and strings of coral, amber and turquoise.

Today we climb the top western end of Phoksundo Lake and follow the rocky ledge along the western bank. Further we walk on a lush meadow that leads us to the flood plain of Phoksundo Khola. Then we hike through the valley, cross river and set camp on the bank.

After an hour or so walk, we follow the levelled path through a glacial valley which heads north. At the junction of Phoksundo Khola and another mountain stream, we cross an old wooden bridge. We choose a northeast path and climb on a sheep meadow where our trail turns up a steep ravine. We overnight on a camp near the pass in a place that Peter Matthiessen christened “Snowfields Camp”. Today we get the views of Chhamlang Peak 6 (6,739m) and Peak 7 (6,105m).

After breakfast, we climb on a steep trail towards the Pass. The climb is quite strenuous but from the top, we get outstanding view of the large valley dissected by a gushing river. We climb down to the valley floor on a steep trail where we can see mud caves lining the hills overlooking the river. We also walk through the meadows grazing yaks, hundreds of sheep and mountain goat. Further we cross the log bridge to reach the Shey Gompa.

Built in 1655, Shey Gompa is famous for its giant copper with gilded gold status of a seated Sakyamuni Buddha. We can see Crystal Mountain to east which is one of the strangest mountains, as its contorted cliffs laced with quartz and embedded with lush variety of marine fossils. We explore the Shey village to get in-depth knowledge about the pre-Buddhist culture – the Bon Po.

After breakfast, we continue on pleasant trail through the juniper trees which climbs down into a grey and stony canyon. We negotiate the zigzag route over the boulder and continue up until we reach the Pass of Saldang La. The long downhill hike from the pass leads us to the Namduna Gaun. Descending trail is quite challenging and tiring but the sight of yaks and nomadic herdsmen makes the trail comfortable. In Namduna Gaun, we explore Namgung Monastery which is against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge.

Today we trek beyond Namduna Gaun and walk along the dusty arid mountains. After 3 – 4 hours of strenuous climb, we get the far view of Saldang village perched majestically on a plateau high above the Namga Khola stream. Saldang is the largest village of inner Dolpo area. Saldang village is extended to about 2 km on an open slope with five villages and nearly six hundred people. This village is not only known for agriculture but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet.

From Saldang, we follow the Nagon Khola on a northern trail. We start our trek on well-leveled path with several uphill and downhill sections. We pass Marang and Ki Village and cross a tributary of Panzang River and walk towards the east and cross the river again. After short walk, we reach Yangze Gompa which houses an old Bon-Po Monastery.

From Yangze, there are two rotues to Sibu. To save time and energy, we trek back to Saldang village which much shorter and easier than other route. From Saldang, we follow the river and walk through the terraced fields, stupas, chortens, mani stones and Chaiba monastery. Then we walk through the Namdo village which houses about 60 households with nearly 400 inhabitants. The village stretches to more than 5k on the high slopes to the left of Namm Khong Khola. We continue dropping down to the river and trek for 2 hours to reach our camp site near by Sibu village.

Today we walk along Nam Khong Khola and pass caravans with yaks that moves towards the border of Tibet. We then turn east and walk to the confluence of two small streams. Now we steep uphill climb the Jeng-la Phedi and then set our camp on this beautiful meadow.

Today we start early. After early breakfast, we make two hours long climb to Jeng La Pass. The pass present the superb view of the north face of Dhaulagiri massif. Now we descend on a rough trail that leads us to Tarap valley. It is a fascinating valley with vast plains amidst of soaring mountains that extends to more than 20 km along the Tarap Chu River. We camp nearby the monastery at Tokyu.

Today we trek downhill along the patches of lush grass which is completely different from other parts of Inner Dolpo. Dho Tarap is the village where Bon Po and Buddhist sects are both practiced.

We spend our day at Dho Tarap which is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. This walk helps us to get in-depth knowledge about the local culture and tradition. At Dho, about 40 houses are divided into three clusters and mostly inhabited by Tibetan and Magar community. We visit a Buddhist Gompa which is closest campsite or embark upon a 40-minute walk and visit a Bon Po Gompa.

From Dho Tarap, we climb down towards a wide valley which gradually leads us to the narrow gorge. We continue walking along the juniper and wild rose bushes which is above the tree line. On the way, we discover many herds of blue sheep and a short leads us to the junction of Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola. We set our camp on a beautiful meadow also known as Kamakharka.

Today we descend down along the Tarap River Gorge. On the way, we meet many local people with their herds going down to lower pasture. It is one of most exciting trip as the valley narrow in a deep gorge and we can jump for one side to another. After walking on a rough trail (the path are marked), we reach our campsite at Khanigaon.

Now we trek beyond the Khanigaon and follow the trail that takes us to Tarakot. We pass the lush forest and climb down to the gorge that follows the river again. After reaching Tarakot, we explore Sandul Gompa located at the confluence of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. The monastery is perched majestically on the hill south to the Bheri River. We camp nearby the Tarap Chu River about 150m below Tarakot, near the police post.

Today we begin our trek behind the Bheri River and cross the bridge near the Lawan village. We walk alongside the Bheri River and climb until the Byas Gadi. Now the trail veers west on an easy trail. We cross the river again near the Lochakhola Gaon and climb to the village of Dunai.

From Dunai, we walk along the Bheri River and enjoy the amazing landscapes. On the way, we cross Dhupichaur and Rupgad village and as well as temple. We continue trekking via Kalagaonda village and Motipur village before reaching the small airstrip of Jhupal.

Today we take an early morning flight to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival at Nepalgunj, we catch another flight to Kathmandu. . Here you will be driven to the hotel where you take rest and fresh up. Free afternoon. In the evening, join farewell dinner hosted by Nepal Horizon Treks & Expedition to celebrate successful completion of the trek.

It’s your last day in Nepal! Take some breakfast and if your wish, you can catch last-minute shopping Kathmandu. Our airport representative will transfer you to airport with plenty time before your flight home.
Farewell!!!