Upper Dolpo Circuit | 30 Days

PRICE :$6500

Minimum 2 bookings required. Guaranteed departure.VAT and Tax included. No extra hidden costs.

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Overview

Upper Dolpo Trekking

Trekking the Dolpa Circuit is an experience you’ll never forget. You’ll have the opportunity to experience life in the remote highlands during your Upper Dolpo trekking. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes ranging from green pastures (in some ways resemblant of the European Alps), to barren rocks that extend into the Tibetan plateau. The Phoksundo Lake is of an incomparable beauty, with its deep blue and emerald colors surrounded by steep bold rocks. On the way you’ll encounter small authentic villages steeped in Tibetan culture and tradition. Buddhism and Bonpo are very important for the people living in these villages and interwoven in everyday life. Bonpo religion is the oldest spiritual tradition of Tibet. It is very closely related to Buddhism but has more shamanistic and animistic influences contributing much to the region’s mythical appeal. Due to its remote location, Dolpa is still an “off the beaten track destination”. Tourists are few and far between, especially in the summer months. The Dolpa Circuit is a quite strenuous trekking with some steep climbs. The trail ascends to two high passes, Numa La (5318 m) and Baga La (5190 m). These crossings involve long climbs and long descents. That being said, the scenery on the way , the views from the passes and the encounters you will have with the Dolpa people will make it all worth it. Leaving from Kathmandu it’s a 14 day trip, but it can be shortened or extended, depending on how many hours of walking you put in each day. Camping is recommended for this trek. There are basic guesthouses in Juphal, Dunai, Lingdo, Dho Tarap, Ringmo, close to Sanduwa (next to the Amchi Hospital), Chhepka and Kageni. At the other places you will have to camp.

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Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE KATHMANDU

Day 2 TREK BRIEFING AND EQUIPMENT CHECKS

Day 3FLY TO NEPALGUNJ AND FLY TO JUPHAL, 2815M CAMP

Day 4 TREK TO SYANGDA, 2545M CAMP

Day 5 TO AMCHI HOSPITAL, 3110 M CAMP

Day 6 RINGMO (PHOKSUNDO LAKE), 3110 CAMP

Day 7 REST DAY TO EXPLORE AND ACCLIMATISATOIN

Day 8 TO PHOKSUNDO KHOLA (SALLA GHARI), 3680 M

Day 9 TO NANGDALA PASS HIGH CAMP, 4690 CAMP

Day 10 TO NANGDALA PASS, 5340 M AND TO SHEY GOMPA, 4160 M

Day 11 FULL DAY REST AT SHEY GOMA, EXPLORE MONASTRY

Day 12 TO SELA PASS, 5110 M AND TO NAMGUNG GOMPA 4,430

Day 13 TO SALDANG, 4150 M CAMP

Day 14 OVER KOMAS PASS, 4720M TO KOMAS VILLAGE, 4300 CAMP

Day 15 TO SEMEN VILLAGE 3925 M

Day 16 TINGU VILLAGE CAMP

Day 17 LARJA 4740 M CAMP

Day 18 TO CHOYELA PASS 5050M AND TO DO TRAPA 4155 M CAMP

Day 19 TO CHARKULA HIGH CAMP 4820 M CAMP

Day 20 OVER CHARKULA PASS AND TO KHARKA RIVER CAMP

Day 21 OVER TSHARKA PASS 5040 TO TSHARKA BHOT 4150 M CAMP

Day 22 TO YAK KHARKA 4775 CAMP

Day 23 OVER NIWAL PASS 5545M TO GOK PHEDI 4390 M CAMP

Day 24 TREK TO SANGDA VILLAGE 3880 M AND REST

Day 25 OVER SANDA PASS 4825 M AND TO DALLE POKHARI CAMP

Day 26 TO JOMSOM

Day 27 FLY / DRIVE TO POKHARA

Day 28 POKHARA TO KATHMANDU

Day 29 REST IN KTM AND CITY TOUR

Day 30 FLIGHT BACK

Phoksundo Only Itinerary

Day 1 Kathmandu Meetup
Day 2 Kathmandu - Nepalgunj
Day 3 Nepalgunj - Jhupal - Dunai
Day 4 Dunai - Chhepka
Day 5 Chhepka - Chunuwar
Day 6 Chunuwar - Phoksundo (Camp night by the lake)
Day 7 Phoksundo exploration day to viewpoint (Camping and story telling )
Day 8 Phoksundo to Chhepka
Day 9 Chhepka to Jhupal
Day 10 Jhupal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu

Necessary Information

+ Included in the trip

  • Local Sherpa and Guide leaders
  • 1:4 Sherpa Guide ratio (Certifited guides)
  • Head cook and kitchen staffs
  • Arrival hotel in Kathmandu
  • All trekking permits (Dolpo Region Permit and TIMS)
  • All internal-local transportation to and from the trekking trail head
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on trek days. (one meal order)
  • Lodge accommodation during the trek
  • Porter services
  • Arrival pick up and departure
  • Internal flights
  • Basic First aid kit
  • Welcome/Farewell leave Dinner

+ Not included in the trip

  • Visas and travel insurance
  • Entertainment and food ( Kathmandu )
  • Bottled drinks and beverages
  • Evacuation (will be done in your account)
  • Tips (Service Charge in Hotel and Restaurants are included)
  • Single supplement Charges
  • Laundry, Phone services, Personal expenditure transactions
  • Optional trips
  • Tea breaks, chocolates or other snacks and any meals beside breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Delay and cancellation because of natural phenomenon
  • International flights to Kathmandu

+ Equipment/gear lists?

Footwears

  • Hiking shoes for the trek to base camp with ankle protection
  • Gaiters
  • Midweight thermal socks: 5 pairs
  • Liner socks or equivalent: 2 pairs

Body Layers

  • 1 merino base layers: top / bottom set
  • Quick-dry sports bra (for women)
  • 1 mid layer top: breathable Underwear
  • Lightweight waterproof/breathable rain pants
  • Convertible hiking pants
  • Hooded Soft Shell jacket To be worn over other layers
  • Midweight down or synthetic parka with hood
  • Hooded Hard Shell: Gore Tex and breathable
  • Insulated Down Jacket
  • Long jones equivalent to Rab’s Polartec or equivalent: 2 pairs

Headgear and Hand wear

  • Wool hat (ski hat)
  • Sunhat: To shade your face / neck from the sun on a hot day
  • Buff: To protect your neck / face from the sun
  • Under helmet Balaclava
  • Glacier glasses: Full protection with side covers or wrap around
  • Lightweight synthetic liner gloves: For wearing on a hot day; 2 pairs
  • Soft shell gloves: To wear for moderate cold / wind

Personal Gear

  • 20-30L Trekking Backpack: To carry on the trek to base camp. Simple and light.
  • Sleeping Bag: Rated to at least -10 to -20C. Goose down or synthetic
  • Compression stuff sacks: 2 large ones; for reducing volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc., in your pack.
  • Trekking poles with snow baskets: Adjustable poles
  • Head torch: 1 normal for base camp and 1 with remote battery systems for climbing at night. This will be used whilst climbing at night
  • Sunscreen: SPF 50 or above
  • Lip balm with sunblock
  • Water bottles: 1 wide mouth bottles with 1L capacity
  • Thermos: 1 litre (buy a good ones to keep your water warm for longer hours)
  • Toiletry bag: Include toilet paper and hand sanitiser and small towel
  • Hand warmers & toe warmers
  • Pen Knife or multi tool (optional)
  • Camera: bring extra batteries and memory cards
  • Personal solar charging system (optional but recommended)
  • Travel Clothes
  • Duffel bags (1) with locks
  • Base Camp extra Items: Kindle, I pad, books, smart phone, etc
  • Cell phone in waterproof case
  • Cell phone charging cable
  • Local SIM card for cell phone (purchase in Nepal)
  • Portable power device (for recharging phone or other electronics)
  • Snack food: Please bring a few days of your favourite climbing snack food such as bars, energy gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc. A variety of salty and sweet is recommended to give you extra energy.
  • Small personal first aid kit: Include athletic tape, Band-Aid’s, Ibuprofen, blister care, personal medications, etc
  • Toothbrush (travel size)
  • Toothpaste (travel size)
  • Toilet paper
  • Personal wipes
  • Women’s hygiene items
  • Pee bottle
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Deodorant
  • Dental floss
  • Razor and shaving cream
  • Skin lotion
  • Medications and Prescriptions: Bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox and dexamethasone*

+ Baggage allowance in Nepal?

Nepal internal flight allows only 15kgs per person. Addional weights are not allowed due to internal flight operators capacity. Your bag during the trek will be carried by porters or pack animals and should not weigh more than 15kg. Items not required on trek can be stored at your kathmandu hotel. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

+ How many in a group?

Min 2 - Max 12

+ Tips for our guides and porters.

Most of our guest gives tips during the end of the trek. We suggest tips of $70 per person for the whole trip. Your guide leader will fairly distribute the tips among your assistant guides and porters. Guest also donates trekking equipments like jackets, trek poles, gloves or hats to porters which is greatly appreciated. Guest can also buy our porters dinner, during the final day of the trek for all their hard work and for making their trek possible.

+ When is the best time to trek Dolpo region?

Spring March - May.

Summer - June & August

Autumn - September - November.

+ Who is this trip for?

All Adventure travellers, 18+

+ Can I request another trekking date?

Sure, we would be more than happy to arrange trekkings for you on your prefered date. Minimum of 2 bookings required email us at - namas@namasadventure.com

Upper Dolpo Trek Package

You can make your Upper Dolpo trek an incredible experience if you choose our package. As a well-known and reliable adventure travel service provider, we offer uniquely entertaining and exciting tour packages for our customers. This trip is through a trail that passes through a broad range of landscapes including inspiringly green pastures, unique barren rocks, and the lovely Tibetan plateau.

If you choose our Upper Dolpo trek package, you don’t need to worry about the safety. We make all decisions with a clear focus on the safety of each traveller. It is a commitment that we make to all our customers. You can enjoy an incredible trekking experience at an affordable price. Our upfront pricing eliminates the possibility of any hidden expenses.

30 Days Upper Dolpo Trekking

This tour package is designed for 30 days. The tour itinerary contains an exact plan for each day. Everything is planned in a systematic way to avoid any confusion or uncertainty. Minimum number of people should be two or above. We accommodate a maximum of 12 people in a group.   

Experienced tour guides and Sherpas will accompany you to take care of your needs and guide you in the right direction. We provide the best gears and equipment for all travellers to make the travel safe, comfortable and enjoyable.