Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo Trek is a remote and strenuous non touristy trekking in the far western region of Nepal into the vastness of Himalayan valleys. Discover remote bon monasteries, land of Snow Leopard. The villages, gompas and people you meet during this trek will leave an unforgettable impression on you. The landscapes here are even more desolate than on the Dolpa Circuit and the villages even more isolated and authentic.

On the Tibetan Plateau in the great Himalayan rain shadow, lies Dolpo – a legendary Ba-Yul or “Hidden Land,” geographically cut off from the rest of the world by a barrier of high mountains, deep gorges, and thick forests. Our 25 Days Upper Dolpo Camping Trek will allow us to truly explore this remarkable place, where we’ll find a thriving and undiminished traditional Tibetan culture – their villages possibly the highest on earth. En route we’ll pass some of the most majestic mountains in the world, including Dhaulagiri and the remote Kanjirobas.

Major Highlights of Upper Dolpo Trek:

1. Beautiful views as you take flight to and from Nepalgunj/Juphal
2. Magnificent scene Phoksundo Lake (Deepest Lake of Nepal).
3. Breathtaking view of Kanjirowa Himal, crystal Mountain.
4. Crossing Kang La, Saldang La and Jeng La pass
5. Adventurous camping trek to the isolated Himalayan region of Nepal.
6. Visit ancient bon monasteries of Dolpo district.

Trekking in Nepal’s Dolpo Region allows you to experience the grandeur of Nepal’s rugged and remote far west. Dolpo borders Tibet, where the culture and much of the landscape is reminiscent of its northern neighbour. The western part of the district is home to the Shey-Phoksundo National Park, which is Nepal’s largest. Dolpo can be roughly divided into four valleys, each of which is represented since 1975 by a village development committee (VDC): Dho (Tarap Valley), Saldang (Nankhong Valley, the most populous, Tinje (Panzang Valley), and Chharka (Tsharka Valley). There are also smaller VDCs at Bhijer, Mukot and Phoksundo.

Peter Matthiessen’s “The Snow Leopard” and David Snellgrove’s “Himalayan Pilgrimage” have contributed to the mystique and attraction of Dolpo. Both writers visited the Shey Gompa, to the north of the Phoksundo Lake, inner Dolpo. This is the goal of most trekkers but this Upper Dolpo trek will take you even further into this mysterious land.

Like much of Nepal, the best time to visit Upper Dolpo is the spring (April to May) and the fall (Mid Auguest to October) when temperatures are pleasant, skies are the clearest, and there is minimal chance of snow at high altitudes. Late/early snow can affect this trek in April and November, making some passes impossible to cross.

Upper Dolpo Permit is expensive and strictly enforced. The Upper Dolpo Region is classified as a restricted area, and much of the region, including its trekking trails, also lies within Shey-Phoksundo National Park. Foreigners are required to obtain a Restricted Area Permit in addition to a Shey-Phoksundo National Park entry permit to trek in Upper Dolpo. On top of that, only 100 foreigners are permitted to enter Upper Dolpa each year.

1. Lower Dolpo: $10 USD per week
2. Upper Dolpo: $500 USD (10-day minimum)

There is also an NRS. 3390 (USD 34) entry fee to the Shey-Phoksundo National Park. As it’s mandatory to trek with a guide on an organised tour in Upper Dolpo, your tour operator ( Nepal Tours ) will arrange all permits and these fees are generally included in the total cost of your trip.