Upper Dolpo Trek- 24 days

Difficulty:

Trekking to Upper Dolpo is considered a challenging trek as the trek involves long day walk,steep ascents and descents,passing the 3 passes above 5000m.The fact that this trek is camping adds the physical challenges and discomfort for trekking in the Upper Dolpo area.

The highest pass during the trek is Jeng La Pass which is at an elevation of 5,150m.The trekking trail falls under the remote and isolated area so the trekkers should be mentally prepared for it as the facilities of infrastructure is limited.The trek is also one of the longest treks in Nepal.Before embarking to the trek we suggest you to do some physical exercise which will boost your stamina and energy required for the trek.if it’s your first time to trek in Nepal then we don’t suggest you this trek as it might be quite hard for you.

Accommodation and Food during the Upper Dolpo Trek:

As the Upper Dolpo trekking trail is located in the very remote , far and out of the cities and comfort we suggest to our clients please don’t look too high for food and overnight stay. Beginning to end of this trek accommodation will be provided very basically as available in the area. And along the trek you should also have to spend a number of nights at tents where we don’t get the local villages.

Upper Dolpo varies upon the area as in the lower part we will stay at teahouses and homestay and the facilities is quite simple yet satisfying however as we ascent to the upper part the facilities becomes limited and camping is done.In tea houses and homestay you will be provide with the basic bed room with blankets , pillow .Dining room and bathroom we will use the same place as locals use to use it. In terms of meals at the homestay and lodge they will offer their organic foods such as champa porridge , Potatoes , barley flower , rice items as it is a remote region there is not much choice menu is available. These type of tea houses are run by family and the vegetable they provide are actually freshly picked and cooked so,we recommend you to eat Nepali food (Dal Bhat)as it provides you the energy to trek and make you feel full for the long time.While we are camping foods are actually cooked by the cooks and it is carried all along the way.The cooks are expert and they will provide you the balanced food which provides you the full energy to trek all day long.

Along the trek some of the nights you shall stay at Monastery as well such as Mo Gumpa , Sela monastery. You will have a totally different experience with spending a night at a monastery. You will feel blessed by god Buddha and you may want to do the meditations , giving you different vibrations and building up a lot of positive energy.

However, you will have a great experience of the Upper Dolpo trek, spend many nights with local people and exchange culture and language. Our professional guide team can speak and understand their native language and can communicate with locals and easier to translate between our clients and locals. Upper Dolpo people love to share their culture , and are happy to provide the warm hospitality.

History Of Upper Dolpo:

Upper Dolpo’s history dates back to the times when it was the part of the Zhangzhung Kingdom,known for the Bon religions,before Buddhism which arrived at 7th century.Then the monasteries like Shey Gompa ,were established in the 11th century.Throughput the history ,Upper Dolpo served as the trade route between Tibet and Nepal where people used to exchanged goods like salt and wool.The local culture closely resembles Tibetan culture,with tration,language and religious practices.In 1984 ,the establishment of Shey Phoksundo National Park helped the region’s unique environment and the biodiversity,while also promoting sustainable tourism.

Today,Upper Dolpo is a region of stunning beauty and cultural richness,but it faces significant challenges in infrastructure,healthcare,and education as the region is isolated and has limited access to services,markets and opportunity.

Landscapes of Upper Dolpo:

Upper Dolpo offers a diverse and awe-inspiring environment.The area features high mountain passes like Kang La and Jeng La which offers the breathtaking views of the Himalayas.Upper Dolpo’s terrain is often dry and desert-like because it lies in the rain shadow of the himalayas.The rugged but beautiful landscape has rocky areas,few plants and unique geographical features.The region also has pristine rivers and streams from melting glaciers adding to its scenic beauty.

In the warmer months,alpine meadows bloom with wildflowers creating the colorful spots in the rough landscapes.Trekkers will witness the view of yaks and goats grazing in these meadows.Remote villages with traditional stone houses and prayer walls blends seamlessly into the Landscapes adding the charm to it.The area also has the interesting rock formation and caves with historical and religious significance.

Best season to trek Upper Dolpo:

From mid Spring April – May – June -August , September and October is considered as the best months to trek Upper Dolpo as these seasons provides the best conditions for the trekking.In spring (April to May),the weather is mild and the landscapes are adorned with the blooming wildflowers as the nature awakens with vibrant colors.The air carries a refreshing crispness and fragrances of the wildflowers while navigating the rugged terrainThe weather is generally stable with clear days and cool nights.

The skies are often clear providing the spectacular views of Himalayan peaks including Dhaulagiri and other surrounding mountains.The pleasant temperature during the day make the trekking comfortable.In this season wildlife also becomes more active and you might take a glimpses of blue sheep,Himalayan Thr and snow leopard.The regions is also home to different flora and fauna offering the trekkers a chance to experience the upper dolpo biodiversity.

Autumn (September to November) is another season considered as the best season to trek .As the season falls right after monsoon season so the hillsides and valley come alive with the different colors as the leaves of alpine shrubs and trees transition from vibrant green to red,yellow and orange against the backdrop of the rugged mountain.The weather during autumn is typically stable and pleasant,with clear skies and cool air.The days are warm making it comfortable to trek ,while night may be chilly making it cozy for camping.

As the autumn is a time of harvest ,villagers gathers crops such as barley and buckwheat.The fields come alive as the framers works to their fields.Most significant festivals falls during these season which is Shey festival,which is held annually in the ancient Shey Gompa,so people are in festive mood,filled with excitement.Resulting ,you will encounter even more hospitality and warmth from the locals.

Transportation

We will pick you up from the airport n jeep/car/bus depending upon the group size.Transportation for your upper dolpo adventure begins with the flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj,offering panoramic views from Nepalgunj you’ll take another flight to Jufal.From Jufal,you’ll drive to Dunai,which is the starting point of your trek.And on the way back we will take a return flight from Jufal to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu.

Things to consider before embarking to Upper Dolpo Trek

Physical Fitness:

Physical fitness for the Upper Dolpo is crucial due to its challenging terrain and high altitudes.Trekkers deciding to embark for the trek should prioritize building stamina,endurance and strength as the trek needs 6-7 hrs of long walk everyday.Cardiovascular endurance is crucial so the trekkers needs to do some activities like running,cycling ,hiking or swimming.Upper Dolpo take us to the high altitude which poses the challenges of altitude sickness.By focusing on the different aspects like Core stability,flexibility,Mobility and leg stamina of physical fitness and building up your strength,endurance and resilience you will be prepared to tackle up the challenges for the Upper Dolpo.

Permits and Documentation:

Obtain all the necessary permits and documents that are required for trekking Upper Dolpo which includes Restricted Area permit and Trekkers’ Information Management System(TIMS)card.Ensure that all permits are arranged inorder to run the trekking smoothly.

Trekking Gear and Equipment:

Pack essential trekking gear and equipment including hiking boots,warm clothes layers,waterproof outerwear, sleeping bag and a reliable backpack.You can rent or buy the trekking gear and equipment as they can be readily available in kathmandu.

Insurance:

Obtain the comprehensive travel insurance that covers the trekking activities including medical emergency evacuation and trip cancellation if necessary as you are trekking in the remote area with rugged and challenging terrain of this region.In the event of altitude sickness,injury or any other medical issue ,having insurance insurance access to timely medical care and evacuation services which can be lifesaving in remote areas like Upper Dolpo.Travel insurance offers peace of mind allowing trekkers to focus on enjoying the adventure.

Trekking guide and porter:

Consider hiring an experience trekking guide and porter to accompany you during your trek.A knowledgeable guide will enhance your trekking experience.by providing local insights ,navigation as the area is isolated and remote area ,where trails may be unmarked and conditions unpredictable,having a guide with local insights and navigation skills is valuable.A porter can help you carry your gear which ease your physical burden allowing you to trek at more comfortable pace.