In order to take real trekking experience, Upper Dolpo Trekking is ultimate trail.

Upper Dolpo Trek – one of the best trekking

Trip Name:  Upper Dolpo Circuit
Maximum Altitude  5,070m/16,634ft
Trip Duration 24 Days
Group Size 1 to 20 tourist
Best Time May to October
Difficulty Level Moderate Grade
Start / End Point Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Activity 5-6 hrs walking(Approx.)
Nature of Trek Tent / Camping

Join our All inclusive Upper Dolpo Guided trek with short best itinerary and get best deals which includes local guide, food, accomodation, permit, transportation and many more.

Dolpo Trekking in Nepal

Upper Dolpo at Glance

The Upper Dolpo Trek trial is an unspoiled area of Nepal which is closed to Tibet. It is a region of mystical beauty and its remoteness adds to the sense of adventure among its visitors. We also cross a few high Himalayan passes and enjoy the vast and tranquil beauty of Phoksundo Lake.

Trekking to Dolpo takes us across the centuries-old Trans Himalayan Trade route. The Upper Dolpo Trekking is also best for monsoon season. This trek takes us into the “wild west” of Nepal, attractive for those with an explorer’s spirit. As it is close to Tibet, culture, and traditions are likely to Tibet.

The trekking to Upper Dolpo passes through beautiful valleys, ancient local settlements, gigantic mountains, green forest, and crystal river. The mesmerizing Shey Phoksundo lake is the main highlight of the Upper Dolpo journey where travelers can feel that they are in the heaven of beautiful nature. According to a survey by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal, the Phoksundo Lake is the deepest lake of Nepal which is 145m deep. So it’s interesting. Isn’t it?
Upper Dolpo Trek Permit

Permit for Dolpo – How to Get Upper Dolpo Permits ?

In order to get Uppper Dolpo permit, at least 2 participants are required. The special permit charged USD 500 for fixed 10 days and for more than 10 days 50 USD each day.

The group should at least have two people to get a trekking permit for this trek. Individual trekkers will not get a permit for this region from the trekking permit immigration. The Area of the park spreads 3,500 square kilometers of Land.

Dolpo Permits

Permits for Upper Dolpo are expensive and strictly enforced. You also need to purchase a permit for Lower Dolpo, which you pass through on your way to Upper Dolpo. On top of that, only 250 foreigners are permitted to enter Upper Dolpo each year.
Lower Dolpo permit: $10 USD per week
Upper Dolpo permit: $50 USD per day (10-day minimum)
There is also a 1000 Rs entry fee to the Shey-Phoksundo National Park. As it’s mandatory to trek with a guide on an organized tour in Upper Dolpo, your tour operator will arrange all permits, and these fees are generally included in the total cost of your trip.

Upper Dolpo Hike

Review of Upper Dolpo – Why you love this Trek?

Though Dolpo is the most beautiful, it is the least developed district of Nepal. That’s why it is considered a remote part of Nepal. Travelers can really enjoy nature here as it is a restricted and remote area. Only a few tourists can explore here as it is more expensive to visit than other popular trekking routes of Nepal.

Ancient Gompas, diversified landscape, mesmerizing Shey Phoksundo lake, isolated villages of Ringmo, and the centuries-old monasteries are highlighted by Dolpo. Such as centuries-old Buddhist monasteries (which is known as Shey Gompa) wildlife, pristine lake, soaring peaks, and people’s lifestyle of the least developed region are also another attraction of the trek. Here is a holy mountain called “Crystal Mountain” that is why each year hundreds of pilgrims and travelers visit the upper Dolpo region and make a circuit of the mountain. The people of this region mostly speak Tibetan languages. Rarely some people can understand the Nepali language.

  • Sunrise and Sunset at Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Range.
  • Peace and Less discovered
  • Chance to see snow leopards in the Shey Phoksundo National Park which is one of the highest animal concentration parks in the world
  • Visit Shey Gompa, an 800-year-old monastery at the base of Crystal Mountain, immortalized in Peter Matthiessen’s “The Snow Leopard”
  • Enjoy over the turquoise waters of Lake Phoksundo
  • Witness the spring hunt for Yarsagumba —a bizarre caterpillar fungus highly sought after for its medicinal qualities
  • The picturesque landscape of the Upper Himalayas
  • Pristine Buddhist culture and lifestyle.
  • Location of the Oscar-nominated movie “Caravan” and inspiration for the book “The Himalayan Leopard”
  • The Shey Phoksundo lake “Nepal deepest lake”
  • Cross through Cang Mara La(5115 m), Nagdala La (5353 m ) Tyonta (5220m )
  • It is an opportunity to experience the Nepali wilderness and live in such scarcity
Upper Dolpo, Shey Pokhsundo Lake

How to get there and away ?

The Upper Dolpo Trek starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj which will be approx 45 minutes. Likewise next day morning, Nepalgunj to Jhupal.

Dolpo trek starts from Jhupal and goes through the lush forest to the upward section where Shey Phoksundo lake is located. After the exploration of lakes, we will do Nagdala La (52509 M ) to reach Shey Gompa ( 4343 m). The Shey Gompa hosts an ancient monastery. Afterward, we will do furthermore Himalayan Passes such as Sela La (5095 m) and Jayanta La (5220 m) to reach the settlement in lower Dolpo.

Summer and Monsoon season is the best time to explore Dolpo. Keep in mind, because of the heavy snowfall, winter is impossible to explore. Check out our itinerary for Upper Dolpo Trekking but if you want to customize it leave a message us.

Dificulty of Upper Dolpo Trek

Some of the passes of Dolpo are difficult but it’s you can do it. For this trip, it required to walk 5 to 6 hours a day. According to our itinerary, Maximum elevation of this trip is 5070m.

How much does cost UPPER DOLPO TREK?

According to Base Camp Hike Plan, The Upper Dolpo trek cost is USD 3,680 per person on double occupancy basis. For the Group trek to Dolpo, we’ve special discounts.

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick up and Drop off
  • All domestic airfare (Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu) including airport tax
  • Camping accommodation during the trekking days
  • Dolpo permits
  • All the essentials camping and kitchen equipment for Camping Dolpo Trekking
  • High-quality camping equipment (Sleeping tent/ Dining tent / Kitchen tent / Toilet tent/mattress and Kitchen utensils )
  • Meals on Trekking (B.L.D.) during the trekking period with coffee and tea.
  • Required supporting kitchen crew and donkeys to carry foods and luggage along the trek
  • Upper Dolpo and Lower Dolpo Special Trekking Permit
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park entrance permits and local taxes
  • Food / Salary/accommodation and medical or accidental insurance of all the trek staff.
  • Farewell dinner party after the trip completion in Kathmandu.
  • All the required airport and hotel transfer.
  • Nepal Government Tax, VAT, and as well as Company service charge.
  • Duffel bag for client backpack which is rain protection
  • First aid medical kit bag.
  • Luxury hotel in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj with B/B plan
  • All the government taxes and company service charge

Cost Excludes

  • Lunch and Dinner during the staying in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj
  • All personal nature expenses
  • Alcoholic beverages, bottled mineral water, soft drinks, and snack foods
  • Riding horse along the trek
  • Extra cost incases of natural disaster
  • Personal trekking equipment and Clothing.
  • Any types of Alcoholic drinks
  • Extra night hotel, if an extended night in Nepalgunj due to bad weather and earlier back to Kathmandu
  • Tip to trekking crews
  • Any other things which not mentioned on including

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to Upper Dolpo from Kathmandu?

By plane

Dolpo lies in Western Nepal, making access more difficult than other parts of Nepal. It means at First, we’ll take Kathmandu to Nepalgunj flight and next day morning also flight( Nepalgunj to Jhupal by plane).
For the return Jhupual to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. Since the weather of Jhupal is not stable, planes can’t make a single flight Kathmandu to Jhupal. But you can fly Pokhara to Nepalgunj.

By Helicopter

For the charter flight to Jufal either from Kathmandu or Pokhara, a helicopter tour is best. Though it is expensive, it’s best for luxury travelers.

By Road transfer

Nepalgunj is also accessible by road transfer but keep in mind that it is a long and hard journey. Roads to Jhupal are improving day by day.

How long is Upper Dolpo Journey?

It is a 23 days trek.

When is the best time to Explore Dolpo?

The best time to visit Upper Dolpo is the spring (April to May) and the fall (October to November). In winter, due to high passes on Dolpo, we can’t pass.

How difficult is the Upper Dolpo trek?

It is considered strenuous to trek in Upper Dolpo. 3 passes above 500m and steep ascents make trip adventures. For the beginner’s trekkers in the Himalayas is not a suitable Dolpo but the people who already attempted some treks can accomplish Dolpo.

What types of accommodation and meals available?

Almost all treks in the Upper Dolpo Region are fully-catered camping treks. Some basic teahouse accommodation is available in some villages but that’s not enough.

What brings for Upper Dolpo?

Likewise other treks in Nepal, it is essential to have sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof outer layer. You should also have other clothing that can be layered and put on/off as the weather requires. Since other camping equipment is all organized by Base Camp Hike, you don’t need to bring other things.

Package Name: Upper Dolpo

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