Upper Dolpo Trek is one of the most magnificent and remote areas of the western part of the Dolpo Mountains. From astonishing Shey Phoksundo lake to Shey Phoksundo National Park, the list goes on. How can we not talk about the unexplored deep valleys, majestic landscapes, and amazing Tibetan culture?
Upper Dolpo Trek is one of the most magnificent and remote areas of the western part of the Dolpo Mountains. From astonishing Shey Phoksundo lake to Shey Phoksundo National Park, the list goes on. How can we not talk about the unexplored deep valleys, majestic landscapes, and amazing Tibetan culture?
Upper Dolpo Trek; Everyone has heard of the significant trekking route where Dolpo has also made its place. The Upper Dolpo Trek route is one of the emerging spots of Nepal for its mesmerizing views and much more to offer. Dolpo has mostly been mentioned as Dolpa an enormous and remote district bordering the west of Dhaulagiri and Tibet. One of its major attractions is the largest national park in Nepal Shey Phoksundo National Park.
The region comprises deep valleys, unclimbed peaks, remote monasteries, pure Tibetan culture, and rare fauna. Also, keep an eye on the rhododendron which is also a specialty of the place. The Upper Dolpo Trek takes you to the amazing experience of magnificent views of lakes and mountains, stunning sunrise and sunset, and exploration of Tibetan culture.
Shey Phoksundo National Park provides a variety of spectacular landscapes and ranks among the most panoramic mountain parks in the world. It is like a walk on the glacier which is also famous for its magnificent turquoise color. Phoksundo lake lies at an elevation of 3600m reaching it is an extra effort. You might get excited cause by reaching the lake you will also get to see the highest waterfall in Nepal.
The walk in the peaceful local monasteries can be quite pleasant and relaxing for your mind and soul. Shey Gompa and Thashung Gompa catch your attention. Thashung Gompa was built around 900 years ago near the Phoksundo lake which was made to conserve wildlife. Shey Gompa is renovated in recent times. This was built in the 11th century. Shey Mela happens in this place every 12 years. This is believed to be a spiritual heart of upper Dolpo.
The adventurous journey to the remote and undiscovered Dolpo as well as the natural scenery of the Dhaulagiri region. The remoteness of this region is the major attraction and advantage for you to get close to nature. So let us get together and discover the truth of this amazing hilly region and silent valley.
There is some favorable time in the four-season period. The ideal months to fulfill the adventurous Upper Dolpo Trek are March-May and September-November. Every trekker is willing to put in the effort and time just to explore the lace in the most favorable weather and conditions. This period is perfect for every trekker to go through the gorgeous landscapes of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, and other breathtaking landscapes.
Upper Dolpo Trek can be done in the summer season and winter seasons but conditions might not be ideal for trekkers. The fact that the area is remote so you will not get any facility in the living area as well. From weather, and regional culture to natural vegetation everything is affected by seasonal fluctuations.
The best time to visit the Upper Dolpo Trek is the spring and autumn season as it is most efficient for the trekkers and has their own significance. Let us find out about this region during the spring season and autumn seasons;
New beginnings, buds that are just starting to bloom, cool temperatures, and a fresh, pleasant aroma emanating from nature are frequently associated with springtime. The temperature is cool in the morning and warms up throughout the day. Although the pathways are fantastic and the mountain scenery is breathtaking, the weather is freezing.
You'll be able to see and experience everything at its best if you travel now. While it is not particularly hot at lower elevations, it is quite cold at higher elevations. You see everything as green and beautiful, even the flower buds that are just beginning to open and the green pigments on the tree leaves.
The best time of year to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views and unexplored off-trail trekking trails is in the spring. Your perception of heaven will increase. When there are vibrant flowering plants and breathtaking mountain vistas, nature is at its most beautiful.
This time of year, the weather is quite agreeably warm. At the start of the season, the air is sharper, but as springtime draws closer, the temperature warms and becomes cozier. It will be much colder at night even though there will be more sunlight during the day. In general, a lot of people visit important locations and attractions, which may be overwhelming for you. At this time, a lot of rhododendrons and wildflowers bloom making it much more magical.
The fascinating Upper Dolpo Trek is without any doubt an iconic trekking route now when the weather is at its most favorable. The sky is calm and unclouded. The scenery is as stunning as usual. Autumn is considered to be the ideal time to travel to the Dolpo district because the weather is ideal for both activities. September, October, and November are considered autumnal months. Between summer and winter is autumn.
Beautiful but rainy autumn weather can be found. The weather is ideal for excursions that involve a lot of walking. The Upper Dolpo Trek is best done in the autumn because it welcomes you with alluring beauty and a tranquil atmosphere. From there, you may have a commanding view of the snow-capped peaks, undulating hills, and brilliant lowlands.
Autumn is the best season to explore the remote Dolpo district. It occurs when the weather is just right—not too hot or too cold. In the first couple of weeks of September, visitors should be prepared for strong gusts and light rain. It offers you a breathtaking view of the sledding mountains, broad slopes, and colorful valleys. You are led on a romantic stroll along the historic routes through fragrant, new woodlands.
Upper Dolpo Trek will take you to the magical and heavenly areas which will just leave you shocked at every step of your adventurous journey. The remoteness of the area adds magic to your adventure. The beautiful Dolpo trekking circuit requires diverse trekking skills because the best scenery always comes after the most difficult ascent. Some of the challenges to tackle during this trip are:
Obtaining the permissions of authorities is quite an essential part of your journey. But what are the permits which are needed for your journey? Let us find out.
Upper Dolpo Area Permit
Lower Dolpo Area Permit
Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit
Welcome to Nepal! well, upon your arrival at the airport, a representative from the Himalayan Connection will greet you and take you to the hotel.
After having some rest you’ll join to team meet–up and pre-trip discussion. where you will meet your trek guide/leader before the Upper Dolpo Trek starts. In the evening Himalayan Connection will organize a welcome dinner with delicious Nepali cuisine and a cultural show.
Be ready for Upper Dolpo Trek.
Camp: Nepalganj
Altitude: 150m / ft
Time: 55min flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions: stunning mountain views, beautiful lakes, paragliding, mountain flights, temple, pagoda, cave, and many more.
Be ready for Upper Dolpo Trek.
Camp: Dunai
Altitude: 2475m /8118 ft
Time: 55min flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions: stunning mountain views, beautiful lakes, paragliding, mountain flights, temple, pagoda, cave, and many more.
Be ready for Upper Dolpo Trek.
Camp: Ankhe
Altitude: 2896 m/9499 ft
Time: 5-6 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: Sulighat
Altitude: 3170m /10430 ft
Time: 5-6 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: Phoksundo Lake
Altitude: 3170m /10430 ft
Time: 4-5 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: Phoksundo Lake
Altitude: 3170m /10430 ft
Time:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: Phoksundo Khola
Altitude: 3507 m /11503 ft
Time: 4 - 5 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: Phoksundo Bhanjyang
Altitude: 3910 m /12825 ft
Time:6 - 7 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: Shey Gompa via Kang La Pass
Altitude: 4500 m /14760 ft
Time: 5 - 6 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: She Gompa
Altitude: 4500 m /14760 ft
Time:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Upper Dolpo Trek
Camp: Namduna Gaun
Altitude: 4800 m /15744 ft
Time: 6 - 7 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Saldang
Altitude: 3620 m /11874 ft
Time: 4 - 5 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Yangze Gompa
Altitude: 4960 m /16269 ft
Time: 4 - 5 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Sibu
Altitude: 4560 m /14957 ft
Time: 6 - 7 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Jeng La Phedi
Altitude: 4900 m /16072 ft
Time: 5 - 6 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Tokyu Gaun
Altitude: 4209 m /13806 ft
Time: 5 - 6 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Dho Tarap
Altitude: 4040 m /13251 ft
Time: 4 -5 hrs walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Tarap Khola
Altitude: 3800 m /12464 ft
Time: 6 - 7 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Khani Gaun
Altitude: 3150 m /10332 ft
Time: 4 - 5 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Tarakot
Altitude: 2537 m /8321 ft
Time: 4 - hrs walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Dunai
Altitude: 2850 m /9348 ft
Time: 5 - 6 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: J
Altitude: 2500 m /8200 ft
Time: 2 -3 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Attractions:
Camp: Kathmandu
Altitude: 1400 m /4592 ft
Time:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Special Dinner with a Nepali Cultural show
Main Attractions:
Fly back home after a long Nepal trip experience.
hope we will meet soon for another adventure.
You will get to experience the remoteness of the area along with the magnificent landscapes.
You will get to stay in the lodge or the tea houses in the area.
You will be able to experience both Nepali and Tibetan culture making your trip much more memorable.
You will need around 3 trekking permits from the government.
Upper Dolpo Area Permit
Lower Dolpo Area Permit
Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit
Why it’s best to have a GUIDE when trekking in Nepal….
1) To really get to KNOW the beautiful country of Nepal. A licensed trekking guide will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of culture, flora and fauna and animals, mountaineering, and the peaks of Nepal. A guide can add so much depth and richness to your trek experience.
2) Safety. No one knows the details that will keep you safe like a trained trekking guide. Changes in the weather, changes in trail conditions, awareness of any political/social situations that could endanger you (for example, when we trekked in 2003, there was political unrest going on in certain areas; our guide knew where to go and where to avoid!)
3) Peace of mind and an uncomplicated travel experience. It takes a lot of mental energy to figure out bus timetables, to wonder about prices and bargaining, and to arrange to lodge when trails are crowded. We “could” have handled these details (we’re experienced travelers), but going out with a licensed trekking guide was the best decision and worth every dollar. Our guide kept us enchanted and informed about each peak and valley we were seeing, and he called ahead each day to confirm lodging. He gave advice that probably saved us much misery, such as “only order dishes with meat during our 1st or 2nd day of the trek...after that, it’s best to stick to egg and vegetarian options because meats have been carried in greater distances, stored for longer times, and there is the possibility of food poisoning”. Our guide kept current of weather forecasts and trail conditions and was able to make necessary modifications of which we would have been unaware.
4) The opportunity to form a friendship with a Nepali national. Trekking clients will have differing expectations of socializing, but in our case, we greatly enjoyed getting to know our guide, sharing meals, learning about Nepali life and culture through his eyes, enjoying laughs and after-dinner card games, and truly feeling like we were a group of “3 travelers + guide = 4”.
In conclusion, if you do not hire a trekking guide, it is possible to save a little money. But, my strong recommendation is that you trek with a GUIDE when exploring the amazing mountains of Nepal. Twice we have trekked Nepal, and twice we have had a guide….and we never regretted the decision for a moment.
~Becky Johnson
April 2019 - Mardi Himal Trek
(Guide: Sujan Pandey, Founder & Lead Guide of the company “Himalayan Connection”)