Dolpo Trekking
The Dolpo region trekking is given its name to the trekking route which lies in the western Nepal bordering with Tibet, and accommodating the Sey Phoksundo National park west from the kali Gandaki River, behind the Dhaulagiri mountain. Dolpo is divided in upper and lower dolpo whereas the lower is more common to visit than the upper Dolpo as the area is one of the restricted area in Nepal Himalaya trekking region. The attraction to this region is the famous lake and many monasteries as well as the feeling of the Tibetan culture. The Sey monastery of 11th century is another attraction.
Isolated from rest of the country, life for the people living here have not changed for centuries now. Followers of Tibetan Buddhism and ancient Bon Po religion, they mostly depend on farming, yak and sheep keeping and locally collected medical herbs for which Dolpo is very rich . The Oscar nominated film “Caravan" -filmed in Dolpo by Eric Vali, has brought the exotic beauty and cultural wealth of Dolpo to the world. The best time to trek here is towards the end of the monsoon i.e. Sept to November.
This is isolated during the centuries from the world activities, the ancient and medieval culture is preserved and the life of the people is still a long time back. The beautiful and natural smile of the people, the hospitality and the natural beauty is unforgettable.
Note: As Dolpo is in Himalayan rain shadow zone hiking is possible even in summer. A summer hiking will be rewarded with profusion of alpine wildflowers.
Dolpo Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu & transfer to hotel.
Day 02 Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu to important heritage sites . We cover Kathmandu Durbar square, Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath stupa and Swoyambhunath stupa.
Day 03 Fly to Nepalgunj , transfer to hotel.
Day 04 Fly to Juphal airport (Dopla) & Camp in Dunai after 4.5 hours walk.
Day 05 Dunai- Hankhe 4.5 hours walk.
Day 06 Hankhe- Reiji 4.5 hours walk.
Day 07 Reiji- Phoksundo Lake 3600m. 5 hour walk.
Day 08 Phoksundo- Rest day , hiking and exploration around the lake
Day 09 Phoksundo Lake-Lake beach 5 hour walk.
Day 10 Lake beach- Mandala Camp 4,570m. 5 hour walk.
Day 11 Cross Kang La (5,240m) pass and trek to Shey Gompa (4280m.) 5 hours.
Day 12 Shey Gompa- Saldang pass (5010m)- Namgung 4,380m. 5 hours walk.
Shey Gompa is an important attraction in Dolpo trekking.
Day 13 Namgung-Yanger Gompa (3890m) 5 hour.
Day 14 YangerGompa-Musi Gaon (4270m.) 6 hour.
Day 15 Musi Gaon-Lnag La (5002m ) - Sime Gaon (3950m ) 6 hour.
Day 16 Sime Gaon- Tinja (4150m ) 6 hour.
Day 17 Tinja- Kheng (4550m ) 6 hour.
Day 18 Kheng- Charka pass (5,036m ) -Charka (4365m) 7 hour.
Day 19 Charka -Yak Kharka (4780m ) 5 hour.
Day 20 Cross Sangda pass (5490m ) and trek to Sangda phedi (5110m ) 6 and half hour.
Day 21 Sangda phedi - Sangda ( 3909m) 5 hour.
Day 22 Sangda - Phale Gaon (2900m ) 5 and half hour.
Day 23 Phale Gaon - Jomsom ( 2710m ) 3 and half hour.
Day 24 Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Day 25 Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu.We celebrate our wonderful Dolpo trekking with traditionl Nepali dinner and ethnic cultural dances in Kathmandu.
Day 26 Fly home
An alternative itinerary for Dolpo trekking
Here is an alternative itinerary for Dolpo trekking that does not take you to Jomsom in Kaligandaki valley but makes a loop in Dolpo itself. Also you may cross fewer passes, with lower altitudes
Maximum altitude: 5190m
Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel
Day 02 Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu to important heritage sites . We cover Kathmandu Durbar square, Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath stupa and Swoyambhunath stupa.
Day 03 Fly Nepalgunj , transfer to hotel hotel
Day 04 Fly to Dolpo (Juphal) then trek to Hanke (2660m)
Day 05 Trek to Samduwa
Day 06 Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3600m)
Day 07 Hiking and exploration around the lake. This lake is one of the important attraction of Dolpo trekking.
Day 08 Cross Baga La (5090m) and camp nearby
Day 09 Trek to Numla base camp (5190m )
Day 10 Trek to Chutung Dang (3967m)
Day 11 Trek to Chibu Kharka (3915m)
Day 12 Trek to Saldang (4100m)
Day 13 Trek to Yang Tsser village (4300m)
Day 14 Trek to Karang (4100m
Day 15 Trek to Ramanan (4600m)
Day 16 Trek to Samling Gompa (3800m)
Day 17 Trek to Shey Gompa (4500m)
Day 18 Rest day at Shey Gompa, visit Chakang Gompa
Day 19 Trek to Yak Kharka (4500m)
Day 20 Trek to Ringmu (3600m)
Day 21 Trek to Rachi
Day 22 Trek to Roha village
Day 23 Trek to Juphal
Day 24 Fly to Nepalgunj and to Kathmandu
Day 25 Rest and shopping in kathmandu . We celebrate our wonderful Dolpo trekking with traditionl Nepali dinner and ethnic cultural performances in Kathmandu.
Day 26 Fly home
Dolpo trekking permit:
The Dolpo region is specially protected area , to preserve the unique natural and cultural heritage of the region. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed for trekking in Dolpo. The trekking permit fee for the above itinerary (first one) is USD 720 per person .
Price: To quote you the price , write us with number of travrller in your group, the category of hotels you would like to stay, whether you would like to use surface or air transport inside Nepal and your amendment on our itinerary , if any. The price we quote will include and exclude the following.
Included in the price
- All surface transfers.
- Domestic airfare and airport tax.
- Hotel in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj in twin sharing , bed and breakfast basis
- Fooding, lodging, insurance , salary and other expenses of the trekking crew
- Fooding (3 meals a day ) and lodging for the clients in trek days
- Necessary permit and national park fees
- Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
Not included.
- Single supplement charges.
- Personal equipments and clothing
- International airfare and your insurances
- Cold drinks and beverages
- Personal expenses and tips to the crew
