Treks

Upper Dolpo Trek – 18 Days

The Upper Dolpo Trek is a legendary 18-day journey into one of Nepal’s most remote and mystical regions. Hidden behind the Dhaulagiri range, it blends high passes, hidden valleys, and centuries-old Tibetan traditions. This restricted area trek offers unparalleled solitude and raw Himalayan wilderness.

A wooden bridge over a fast river, framed by autumn trees and a rock wall
A wooden bridge over a fast river, framed by autumn trees and a rock wall
Starting totalUS$2,200
Advance 20%US$440
Balance 80%US$1,760

This route is on the Nepal Tourism Board list in force since 31 March 2023. A licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card are required, and they are arranged with this package. The published TIMS charge is NPR 2,000, or NPR 1,000 for SAARC citizens. Confirm the documents with us before you leave.

The published price is per person. The total is that price times the number of travellers. It is not a confirmed invoice. We email the final price before you pay. The 20% advance is due within one week of confirmation, and the other 80% is due 7 days before the trip. Nothing is charged on this page. Cancellation policy

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About this Treks

The Route

The Upper Dolpo trek flies to Juphal and walks a long way to Shey Phoksundo and the upper villages. It is a remote restricted trek, not a teahouse circuit you can improvise.

What You’ll See

Phoksundo is a turquoise lake under Kanjiroba. Beyond it the land is barley fields, bare passes, and very few houses.

Day by Day

Three weeks is a normal length. Days are long, food is plain, and some nights are camping or a very simple lodge.

People & Places

The villages are Dolpo-pa, with Bon and Buddhist monasteries. A restricted-area permit and a licensed guide are required, and the group is small.

Why This Trip

Choose Upper Dolpo only after you already know Nepal teahouse treks and you want the quietest of the high trails.

Itinerary

  1. Day1

    Arrive in Kathmandu

    You land in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. The briefing covers Upper Dolpo: the flight via Nepalgunj and Juphal, the walk to Shey Phoksundo, and the fact that some nights are a simple lodge and some are camp.

    This is a restricted trek. A licensed guide is required, and the group stays small. It is not a teahouse circuit you can change on the day.
    • OvernightKathmandu
    • Altitude1,400 m
    • MealsDinner
    • StayHotel
    • RouteKathmandu
  2. Day2

    Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

    You fly to Nepalgunj, about 150 m, in the western Terai. The Juphal flight leaves too early to connect on the same morning from Kathmandu, so this night is on the plains.

    The town is hot and flat. Book the hotel ahead. There is little to see, and that is normal.
    • OvernightNepalgunj
    • Altitude150 m
    • Flyabout 1 hr
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StayHotel
    • RouteKathmandu to Nepalgunj
  3. Day3

    Fly to Juphal and walk to Dunai

    An early flight crosses the foothills to the airstrip at Juphal, about 2,475 m, about 35–45 minutes when it flies. From the strip you walk down to Dunai, about 2,140 m, the district centre on the Thuli Bheri. About 3 hours.

    Dunai is the last town with shops. The crew and the loads sort themselves here. Some nights from here are camp.
    • OvernightDunai
    • Altitude2,140 m
    • Walkabout 3 hrs
    • Fly35–45 min
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StayLodge
    • RouteNepalgunj to Dunai
  4. Day4

    Dunai to Chhepka

    The trail crosses the Thuli Bheri and turns up the Phoksundo side toward Chhepka, a small village in the side valley. About 5–6 hours. The path is rough and the sun is strong.

    The lodge is simple. This is the start of the long walk the Upper Dolpo trek is known for.
    • OvernightChhepka
    • Altitude2,670 m
    • Walk5–6 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge
    • RouteDunai to Chhepka
  5. Day5

    Chhepka to the Jharina lodge

    You continue up the narrowing valley to the lodge known as Jharina Hotel, a named stop between Chhepka and the lake, not a town. About 5–6 hours of rough trail, forest, and side streams.

    Food is plain. The crew cooks if the lodge kitchen is thin. Sleep early. Ringmo is tomorrow.
    • OvernightJharina
    • Walk5–6 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge
    • RouteChhepka to Jharina
  6. Day6

    Reach Ringmo, above Phoksundo Lake

    The trail climbs to Ringmo, about 3,640 m, the village above Phoksundo Lake. The lake itself sits at about 3,611 m, a deep turquoise basin under Kanjiroba. About 4–5 hours.

    You see the water before you reach the houses. The night is a simple lodge in the village, not a camp on the shore.
    • OvernightRingmo
    • Altitude3,640 m
    • Walk4–5 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge
    • RouteJharina to Ringmo
  7. Day7

    A day at Phoksundo Lake

    You stay a second night in Ringmo. The day is a walk along the lake and up to a viewpoint, then back to the same lodge. The height stays near 3,640 m.

    Use it. The next nights are higher, and the pass after the lake is the serious part of Upper Dolpo.
    • OvernightRingmo
    • Altitude3,640 m
    • Walk3–4 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge
    • RouteRingmo
  8. Day8

    Ringmo to a camp on the Phoksundo Khola

    The trail leaves the village and traverses above the lake, then follows the river into a higher valley. The night is a camp beside the Phoksundo Khola, not a lodge. About 5–6 hours.

    This is the camping the trek is known for. The kitchen crew carries the meal. Bring a warm layer for the evening.
    • OvernightPhoksundo Khola
    • Walk5–6 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StayCamp
    • RouteRingmo to Phoksundo Khola
  9. Day9

    Climb to the high camp below the pass

    A shorter, harder day climbs to a high camp below the pass that leads to Shey. There is no village. About 5–6 hours on a rough path, and the night is in tents.

    Sleep is cold and early. The crossing is tomorrow, and the guide will not start it if the weather is wrong.
    • OvernightPass camp
    • Altitudehigh camp
    • Walk5–6 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StayCamp
    • RoutePhoksundo Khola to the pass camp
  10. Day10

    Cross the pass to Shey Gompa

    You cross the high pass, about 5,350 m, and descend to Shey Gompa, about 4,340 m, the old monastery in a bare valley. The day is about 6–8 hours. It is the long day of Upper Dolpo.

    Shey is a small religious place, not a teahouse town. The night is a simple lodge or camp with the crew, and the air is still thin.
    • OvernightShey Gompa
    • Altitude5,350 m / night 4,340 m
    • Walk6–8 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge or camp
    • RoutePass camp to Shey Gompa
  11. Day11

    A day at Shey Gompa

    You stay a second night at Shey. The morning is the monastery and a short walk on the valley floor, then back to the same camp. Crystal Mountain is the peak above the gompa.

    This rest is for the height you slept at, not for sightseeing alone. The upper villages start tomorrow.
    • OvernightShey Gompa
    • Altitude4,340 m
    • Walk2–3 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge or camp
    • RouteShey Gompa
  12. Day12

    Shey Gompa to Saldang

    A long day crosses a lower ridge to Saldang, one of the upper Dolpo villages, about 6 hours. Barley fields, a few houses, and a lot of empty ground.

    The people here are Dolpo-pa. The lodge or camp is basic. Food stays plain.
    • OvernightSaldang
    • Altitude3,900 m
    • Walkabout 6 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge or camp
    • RouteShey Gompa to Saldang
  13. Day13

    Saldang to Chagaon

    A shorter walk continues through the upper villages to Chagaon, about 3–4 hours. The day is kept short because the next one is long.

    You are still far from a road. The crew sets the pace, and the afternoon is for rest.
    • OvernightChagaon
    • Walk3–4 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge or camp
    • RouteSaldang to Chagaon
  14. Day14

    Chagaon to the Darsumana camp

    The route turns south over a high, empty stretch to a camp known as Darsumana Dhobhan. About 6–7 hours. There is no village at the night stop.

    This is a camping day. Water is where the crew finds it. Start early and keep the group together.
    • OvernightDarsumana
    • Walk6–7 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StayCamp
    • RouteChagaon to Darsumana
  15. Day15

    Darsumana to Tokyu

    You drop toward Tokyu, a small settlement on the way back toward the lower valleys. About 5–6 hours. The land is still dry, with a few fields.

    A simple lodge may be open. If it is not, the night is camp. The guide decides on the day, not from a teahouse map.
    • OvernightTokyu
    • Walk5–6 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge or camp
    • RouteDarsumana to Tokyu
  16. Day16

    Tokyu to Ghyamghar

    Another long day follows the return valley to Ghyamghar, about 6 hours. The path is rough and the houses are few.

    You are walking out, not up. Dunai is still two days away. Keep food and water with the crew’s plan.
    • OvernightGhyamghar
    • Walkabout 6 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StaySimple lodge or camp
    • RouteTokyu to Ghyamghar
  17. Day17

    Ghyamghar to Dunai

    The last walking day reaches Dunai, about 2,140 m, in about 6–7 hours via the Laisicap side of the lower valley. You are back in the district town.

    A lodge night here is the first ordinary bed in many days. The flights out are tomorrow, and they depend on the morning sky.
    • OvernightDunai
    • Altitude2,140 m
    • Walk6–7 hrs
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    • StayLodge
    • RouteGhyamghar to Dunai
  18. Day18

    Dunai to Juphal, fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj

    You walk or drive the short way up to Juphal, about 3 hours on foot, and fly to Nepalgunj, then on to Kathmandu the same day when both aircraft go. If the Juphal flight waits, the night becomes Nepalgunj instead, and Kathmandu is the next morning.

    Upper Dolpo is a restricted walk to Shey Phoksundo and the upper villages, with camp nights. It is the long one. This 18-day plan is the length that keeps the lake day and the Shey day in.
    • OvernightKathmandu
    • Altitude1,400 m
    • Walkabout 3 hrs to the strip
    • FlyJuphal–Nepalgunj–Kathmandu
    • MealsBreakfast, Lunch
    • StayHotel, if the flights connect
    • RouteDunai to Kathmandu

Includes Excludes

Includes

  • Accommodation with twin sharing during the trekking period
  • A first-aid kit
  • A farewell dinner
  • Airport pickup and drop-off by private vehicle
  • Insurance for the guide, and the guide's meals, lodging, and transport
  • Experience guided sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
  • A certificate of achievement
  • A licensed trekking guide, including the guide's food and lodging
  • Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with tea or coffee during the trekking period
  • Restricted Area Permit and the Shey Phoksundo National Park permit

Excludes

  • Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the cost includes section
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa
  • Personal expenses like water, laundry, phone, and bar bills
  • Tips to your guide and porter (tipping is expected)
  • Travel and rescue insurance

Additional Information

On the trail

Bon ReligionBonpo culture in Dolpo predates Buddhism. Its traditions are preserved in monasteries like Shey and Samling.

Chortens & Mani WallsPrayer-inscribed stones and chortens line the trails — always pass them clockwise.

Nomadic LifestylesVillagers rely on seasonal migration, yak caravans, and barter systems.

Restricted Area PreservationThe region’s isolation has preserved ancient customs rarely seen elsewhere.

Best time to go

Summer (June–September)Dolpo lies in the rain shadow. Summer is ideal — clear skies, passable trails, and blooming high valleys.

Autumn (October)Cool and dry with less crowding. Some high passes may begin closing by late October.

What to pack

Camping EquipmentDue to lack of teahouses in upper Dolpo, full camping setup is required including tents, fuel, and utensils.

Cold-Weather GearTemperatures at high passes can drop below freezing—even in summer. Pack a -15°C sleeping bag.

Water PurificationCarry tablets or filters. Clean water sources are scarce at high altitude.

First-Aid KitSelf-sufficiency is key. Include antibiotics, altitude meds, and a satellite phone if possible.

Strong FootwearLong distances, rough terrain, and water crossings require durable hiking boots.

Cost and permits

Package priceThis 18-day trek is US$2,200 per person. That is the only package price on this page.

PermitsThe restricted-area permit, the Shey Phoksundo National Park permit, and an agency-issued TIMS card are included.

Not includedDrinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, hot showers, charging, tips, and travel insurance are not included.

Before you travel

  • This trip is organised by Nepal Travel Guide.
  • The difficulty shown in Quick look is the level to plan for on this trek.
  • If you are pregnant, or you have a heart or spinal condition, tell us before you book. We will say whether this trip is suitable.
  • Many temples, trails, and vehicles are not accessible by wheelchair. Ask us if you need a plan with fewer steps.
  • The person who books must be 18 or older. Younger travelers need an adult with them.
  • Weather, flights, and local conditions can change the plan. We will contact you and adjust the itinerary.
  • Bring your passport, your travel insurance details, and the booking confirmation.

Getting aroundA private car, a coach, or a domestic flight, matched to the itinerary.

The route is set. Tell us your dates.

We will confirm the route, stay, and price.

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