Upper Dolpo Trek

Arrive Kathmandu (1,350 m)

▲ 1,350 m

Welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Thamel, with an evening briefing on the long journey into Dolpo ahead.

Overnight: Kathmandu

Kathmandu — sightseeing and expedition preparation

▲ 1,350 m

Permits, gear check, and a Kathmandu heritage visit before the journey into remote Nepal.

Overnight: Kathmandu

Fly Kathmandu → Nepalgunj (150 m)

▲ 150 m

A short domestic flight drops from the mountains to the hot Terai plains at Nepalgunj, near the Indian border — the overnight staging point for the Dolpo flight.

Overnight: Nepalgunj

Fly Nepalgunj → Juphal (2,475 m); trek to Dunai (2,140 m)

▲ 2,140 m

Short flight to the mountain airstrip at Juphal, then a descending trek to the district headquarters of Dunai.

Overnight: Dunai

Trek Dunai → Ankhe (2,660 m)

▲ 2,660 m

The first full trekking day climbs above the Bheri river through pine and walnut forest to the small settlement of Ankhe. 5–6 hrs.

Overnight: Ankhe

Trek Ankhe → Sulighat (3,465 m)

▲ 3,465 m

Climbing steadily through forest toward the high plateau country.

Overnight: Sulighat

Trek Sulighat → Phoksundo Lake (3,611 m)

▲ 3,611 m

Arrive at the legendary Phoksundo Lake — among the most beautiful on earth: deep turquoise water framed by 2,000 m cliffs and the forbidding Kanjiroba Himal. 5–6 hrs.

Overnight: Phoksundo Lake

Acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake

▲ 3,611 m

A rest day to explore the lake shores and the small Bon monastery at Ringmo village.

Overnight: Phoksundo Lake

Trek Phoksundo → Phoksundo Khola (3,507 m)

▲ 3,507 m

Leave the lake and follow the Phoksundo Khola up a hidden glacial valley to a riverside camp, the trail growing wilder with every kilometre. 4–5 hrs.

Overnight: Phoksundo Khola camp

Trek → Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,400 m)

▲ 4,400 m

Steep climb through boulder fields toward the high camp below Kang La.

Overnight: Phoksundo Bhanjyang camp

Cross Kang La (5,151 m); reach Shey Gompa (4,160 m)

▲ 5,151 m

The most demanding day: a high-altitude crossing of the Kang La with crampons and ice axe sections, then descent to the sacred Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa. 8–10 hrs.

Overnight: Shey Gompa

Acclimatization and exploration at Shey Gompa (4,160 m)

▲ 4,160 m

Explore the ancient gompa and circumambulate the sacred Shey mountain — a pilgrimage site of immense power.

Overnight: Shey Gompa

Trek Shey Gompa → Namgung (4,430 m)

▲ 4,430 m

Cross open high country dotted with chortens and mani walls over a small pass to the tiny Bon hamlet of Namgung. 5–6 hrs.

Overnight: Namgung camp

Trek Namgung → Saldang (3,903 m)

▲ 3,903 m

One of Dolpo's largest villages — a Tibetan-influenced settlement on a high ridge with panoramic views.

Overnight: Saldang

Trek Saldang → Yangze Gompa (4,440 m)

▲ 4,440 m

A short day over a ridge to Yangze Gompa, one of Dolpo's oldest Bon monasteries, set among barley fields. 4–5 hrs.

Overnight: Yangze Gompa camp

Trek → Sibu (4,560 m)

▲ 4,560 m

Trek through stark high desert along the Nam Khong river to the herders' camp at Sibu. 5–6 hrs.

Overnight: Sibu camp

Trek → Jeng La Phedi (4,900 m)

▲ 4,900 m

A steady climb to a high camp at the foot of the Jeng La, positioned for an early pass crossing the next morning. 4–5 hrs.

Overnight: Jeng La Phedi camp

Cross Jeng La (5,090 m); trek to Tokyu Gaon (4,200 m)

▲ 5,090 m

Another high pass crossing on the return loop — views into both Dolpo and the Tarap valley.

Overnight: Tokyu Gaon camp

Trek → Dho Tarap (3,944 m)

▲ 3,944 m

Reach the largest permanent village in Upper Dolpo — a fascinating Tibetan-Buddhist settlement.

Overnight: Dho Tarap

Trek Dho Tarap → Tarap Khola / Kamakharka (3,800 m)

▲ 3,800 m

Begin the long descent, following the Tarap Khola down the valley to a riverside camp at Kamakharka. 6–7 hrs.

Overnight: Kamakharka camp

Trek → Khanigaon (3,150 m)

▲ 3,150 m

Follow the narrowing Tarap gorge, crossing and recrossing the river on log bridges, to camp at Khanigaon. 6–7 hrs.

Overnight: Khanigaon camp

Trek Khanigaon → Tarakot (2,540 m)

▲ 2,540 m

The gorge opens into cultivated country at Tarakot, a historic fortress village set above the Bheri river. 5–6 hrs.

Overnight: Tarakot

Trek Tarakot → Dunai (2,140 m)

▲ 2,140 m

An easier riverside walk back to the district town of Dunai, the trail busy with local life again. 4–5 hrs.

Overnight: Dunai

Trek Dunai → Juphal (2,475 m)

▲ 2,475 m

The final trekking day climbs gently to the airstrip village of Juphal — a last evening with the camp crew. 2–3 hrs.

Overnight: Juphal

Fly Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu

▲ 1,350 m

Early mountain flights carry you Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu, weather permitting, with a free evening to celebrate the journey.

Overnight: Kathmandu

Departure