Upper Dolpo Trekking

Upper Dolpo Trekking

Upper Dolpo trekking is situated in the Karnali zone, at the border of Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Traditionally, Dolpo is known to be one of the ancient lands in which ancient human civilization originated. According to the historical record of Tibet, Dolpo was a province separate from Tibet during the period of the Yarlung dynasty (6th - 9th century AD). We also have a reference from PT 1287, an Old Tibetan Chronicle preserved until the beginning of last century in Dunhuang library. This chronicle also suggests that Dolpo was a province separate from Tibetan imperial control. Therefore, Dolpo was neither a part of Tibet nor of Nepal, but it was an independent province already during the eight century. It is recorded in an early 14th century medical text written by Braun tied Pal ldantsho bayed. According to that record, a Dolpo physician named Khyol MA Ru rtsi (8th century) was invited by the king Khri srong lde btsan (reigned 756-797AD) among the other delegations of medical doctors from the neighbouring countries such as India, China and Nepal.

After more than six hundred years of annexation by foreign rulers, Dolpo was finally able to become an independent kingdom, probably from the fifteenth century (1440 AD). The Dolpa kingdom was then said to have been ruled by one of the kings in the lineage of the Ra nag dynasty. In the history of Dolpo, this dynasty seems to be the most influential and powerful one. Even more interestingly, this is the only dynasty that has been ever known to us having reigned the independent kingdom of Dolpo, although it is only for about a hundred years. Since the 16th century, Dolpo became a province under the rulers of Mustang king until its annexation by Gorkha king of Nepal in 1769.

Trekking in the upper Dolpa or Dolpo region has only been permitted since mid 1989. There are many routes to explore the Dolpo region, for instance upper Dolpo trekking, Lower Dolpo trekking, Rara Lake trekking. To visit Dolpa state, necessary special permits from immigration in Kathmandu through a trekking agency. The cost for permit US$ 500 per person per week, if more than a week per day US$50. It also needs a lower Dolpo permit, which costs per week US$20 per person. 

Dolpa trek is highlights for Isolated Himalayan valleys, resembling the Tibetan highlands culture, flora and fauna. We take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, next day flight to Jumla than start trek to Upper Dolpa, returning to same way, or you can continue trek over high pass of Sandang and end trek in Jomsom.  

Asian Hiking Team recommended the Sandang pass route. The itinerary is subject to change as your time and interest. Given an itinerary does not match, let us know for a short itinerary. 

Day by day itinerary

Option 01

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to a hotel, overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation for trekking, overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, overnight at a hotel.

Day 04: Fly Nepalgunj to Jumla (2370m) and trek to Dochal (2630m), overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Trek Dochal to Manigaon (2820m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 06: Trek Manigaon to Chhopagaon (3085m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 07: Trek Chhopagaon to Chaurikot (3060m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 08: Trek Chaurikot to Kaigaon (2610m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 09: Trek Kaigaon to Toijum (2920m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 10: Trek Toijum to Kagmara Phedi (3500m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 11: Trek Kagmara Phedi to Kagmara Bhanjyang (4500m).

Day 12: Trek Kagmara Bhanjyang to Lasa (4060m) crossing over Kagmara la pass (5115m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 13: Trek Lasa to Pungmo Polam (3400m), overnight at Tented Camp, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 14: Trek Polam to Shey-Phoksundo Lake (3600m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 15: Rest day at Shey-Phoksundo Lake for excursion, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 16: Trek Shey-Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola (3510m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 17: Trek Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4405m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 18: Trek Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4500m) crossing over Kang la pass(5360m).

Day 19: Trek Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaon (4800m) crossing over Sela la pass (5200m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 20: Trek Namduna Gaon to Saldang (4100m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 21: Trek Saldang to Subu (4560m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 22: Trek Subu to Jyanta la Phedi, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 23: Trek Jyanta la Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4240m) crossing over Jeng la pass (4845m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 24: Trek Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap (4050m), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 25: Trek Dho to Molala phedi and overnight, (5 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 26: Rest day - explore.

Day 27: Trek Molala phedi - Molala pass trek to Charka B.C and overnight (6 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 28: Trek Charka B.C -Charka pass trek to Charka village and overnight (6 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 29: Trek Charka village trek to Sandag B.C and overnight, (7 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 30: Trek Sandag B.C - pass and trek to winter village camp (5 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 31: Trek Winter village camp-Sandag and overnight, (6 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 32: Trek Sandag trek to Phale Gaon and overnight (6 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 33: Trek Phale Gaon trek to Jomsom and overnight (2 hours), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 34: Trek Jomsom fly to Pokhara or Drive by Jeep/Bus to Tatopani - Beni - Pokhara, overnight at hotel.

Day 35: Trek Pokhara fly to Kathmandu or Diver by tourist bus, overnight at hotel.

Day 36: Trek Full day of sightseeing in Kathmandu with English speaking guide back to hotel.

Day 37: Trek Departure from Kathmandu or next trip.

Option 02

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, overnight hotel.

Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal and Trek to Dunai, overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe, overngiht camp.

Day 06: Trek from Ankhe to Sulighat, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 07: Trek from Sulighat to Phoksundo Lake, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 08: Rest Day at Phoksundo Lake, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 09: Trek from Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 10: Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 11: Trek to Shey Gompa via Kang-La pass

Day 12: Rest day at Shey Gompa Explore the Crystal Monastery, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaun via Saldang La, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 14: Trek from Namduna to Saldang, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 15: Trek from Saldang to Yangze Gompa, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 16: Trek from Yangze to Sibu, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 17: Trek from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 18: Trek Jeng-la to Tokyu Gaon via Jeng la, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 19: Trek from Tokyu Gaun to Dho Tarap, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 20: Rest Day at Dho Tarap and Exploration, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 21: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka), overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 22: Trek from Tarap Khola to Khanigaon, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 23: Trek from Khanigaun to Tarakot, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 24: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai, overnight at Tented Camp.

Day 25: Trek from Dunai to Jhuphal, overnight at hotel.

Day 26: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu, overnight at hotel.

Day 27: Leisure day in Kathmandu.

Day 28: Final departure to your port of destination.