Upper Dolpo Trek
"Cross Three Passes Above 5,000m."
Trek Gallery
Your Journey Through Upper Dolpo
Follow every step of the Upper Dolpo Trek — from Kathmandu to Departure . Click on any waypoint to see detailed information.
5,350m
Highest Point
Shey Gompa
220 km
Total Distance
Estimated trail distance
19
Key Waypoints
Villages, camps & peaks
+3,950m
Elevation Gain
From Kathmandu
💡 Tip: Click on any waypoint on the map to see detailed information about that stop
Trek Overview
The Upper Dolpo Trek is the ultimate expedition-style trek in Nepal, a 25-day journey into one of the most remote, culturally intact regions left in the Himalayas. Sealed off from mass tourism by both its restricted-area status and sheer geographic isolation, Upper Dolpo sees only 500–700 visitors a year, compared to the tens of thousands who trek to Everest Base Camp. This is a trek built for those who've already done the classic routes and are ready for something genuinely uncharted.
The journey begins with flights deep into far-western Nepal, landing at Juphal before the trek proper begins along the Suligad River into Shey Phoksundo National Park. The trail passes Nepal's deepest alpine lake, Phoksundo, before climbing into a stark, high-altitude world of ancient Bon monasteries, ochre-red cliffs, and Tibetan-style villages that have changed little in centuries. Along the way, trekkers cross multiple 5,000m+ passes, Nangdala, Sela, and Jeng La, connecting remote settlements like Shey Gompa, Saldang, and Dho Tarap, each offering a deeper glimpse into Dolpo's unique Bon-Buddhist culture.
Unlike teahouse treks such as Manaslu or Annapurna Circuit, Upper Dolpo is primarily a camping trek, requiring a full support crew of guides, cooks, and porters. It's demanding, expensive, and logistically complex and precisely because of that, it remains one of the last places in Nepal where a trekker can walk for weeks through the high Himalaya without encountering another tour group.
Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, meet your trekking team, and transfer to your hotel. Attend a trip briefing and enjoy free time exploring Kathmandu.
Altitude
1,400m
Distance
N/A
Meals
N/A
Accommodation
Hotel
What's Included
Included
- Airport pickups and transfers in Kathmandu
- Domestic flights: Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal (round trip)
- 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights)
- Hotel in Nepalgunj (1 night each way)
- Tea house and full camping accommodation during the trek (tents, kitchen crew, camping equipment)
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Full camping support crew (cook, kitchen staff, camp helpers)
- Porter service for camping gear and personal luggage
- Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit
- Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit
- TIMS (Trekker's Information Management System) card
- First aid kit and oximeter
- Trekking map and trip completion certificate
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Nepal
- Nepal tourist visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (snacks, drinks, souvenirs)
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging fees (largely unavailable on this route)
- Bottled water and other beverages
- Tips for guide, cook, and porters
- Personal trekking and camping equipment
- Extra nights in Kathmandu or Nepalgunj beyond the itinerary
- Costs from flight delays due to weather
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation
You'll spend nights in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj in comfortable hotels before and after the trek. On the trail itself, this is primarily a camping trek, a full crew of guides, cooks, and porters sets up and manages a mobile tented camp each night, since teahouse infrastructure is minimal or nonexistent through much of Upper Dolpo. A handful of villages (Dunai, Ringmo, Saldang, Tokyu Gaon, Dho Tarap) do have basic teahouses, which are used where available, but expect tented camping for roughly half the trek.
Meals
All meals during the trek are included and prepared by your dedicated trekking cook and kitchen crew. Meals typically include dal bhat (rice with lentil soup), pasta, soups, seasonal vegetables, and simple breakfast items like porridge and eggs. Vegetarian options are always available. Because supplies must be carried in for the entire expedition and restocked only rarely along the route, meals are hearty and functional rather than varied — this is a trek where the camping crew's skill, not restaurant-style variety, is what keeps you well-fed.
Difficulty & Fitness
Requirements
- Ability to walk 5–8 hours per day on remote, high-altitude terrain
- Comfortable with three separate passes above 5,000m within a single trek
- No serious heart, lung, or blood pressure conditions
- Prior high-altitude trekking experience strongly recommended
- Mental resilience for weeks of camping in remote, lightly-supported terrain
Training Tips
- Start cardio training 3–4 months before the trek
- Include regular multi-day hikes with a loaded backpack
- Add stair climbing and sustained leg-strengthening work
- Build up to walking 15+ km comfortably at altitude
- Consider a shorter high-altitude trek (Everest Base Camp, Manaslu) as preparation if this would be your first major expedition
Packing List
- Moisture-wicking base layers (4–5)
- Waterproof outer shell jacket
- Warm hat and sun hat
- Warm socks (5–6 pairs)
- Insulating fleece/down jacket
- Trekking pants (2–3 pairs)
- Gloves (liner + insulated, expedition-grade)
- Comfortable camp clothes
Best Time to Trek
March - May (Spring)
Pros
- Passes generally clearing of heavy winter snow
- Wildflowers and greenery at lower elevations
- Good visibility for the high pass crossings
- One of Dolpo's two viable trekking windows
Cons
- Early spring can still see snow at Nangdala, Sela, and Jeng La
- Cold nights at high camps
Safety & Altitude Awareness
Safety Measures
- All guides are certified by Nepal Mountaineering Association and experienced specifically in expedition-style camping treks
- Full support crew (guide, cook, porters) trained in remote first response
- Guides carry first aid kits and pulse oximeters
- Regular altitude/health checks throughout the trek, especially around the three major passes
Altitude Sickness
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a serious consideration on this trek, given three separate crossings above 5,000m
- Symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, difficulty sleeping
- Prevention: proper acclimatization, hydration, gradual ascent
- Our itinerary includes dedicated acclimatization days at Ringmo, Shey Gompa, and Saldang
Emergency Protocol
- Satellite communication support carried by your guide, given the near-total absence of mobile network coverage
- Helicopter evacuation can be arranged, though response times are significantly longer than on any other trek on our site given the extreme remoteness
- Portable oxygen carried by the support crew
- Rescue coverage must be included in your insurance
- Nearest medical facilities: basic health post in Dunai, with full medical care only available back in Nepalgunj or Kathmandu
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for Your Adventure?
Join trekkers from around the world on this life-changing journey.
$4,200
per person
25 Days
adventure
3.9
0 reviews
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