Upper Dolpo Camping Trek Description
Upper Dolpo Camping Trek is a long but adventurous trekking to the most remote places of Dolpo district situated to the north western part of Nepal. This Upper Dolpo Camping trekking is best suitable for you if you have plenty of time and quest of remote destinations in Nepal other than Himalaya trekking. The trek offers huge variety of attractions like turquoise lakes, old and typical villages, high passes, monasteries and mountains with unique landscape.
You will fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a big city near the India border. Fly the next day to Juphal airport in Dolpo. Now the adventure Upper Dolpo Camping trek begins.After a steep climb we see and hear Nepal's tallest waterfall, a sign that we've reached Ringmo, a picturesque village between green barley and buckwheat fields at the shore of the Phoksundo Lake. We spend a day for acclimatization, but more importantly to enjoy the beauty of the tranquil lake, to visit one of the few remaining pre-Buddhist Bonpo monasteries and to spend time in the village.
On a small trail high above the lake we continue north towards Shey Gompa. This monastery is an important place for locals on their yearly pilgrimage around the "Crystal Mountain". The first of almost a dozen 5'000 m passes needs to be crossed first - then the views open up and reveal the diverse and colorful landscape of Upper Dolpo.
Yaks and goats are grazing between the colorful bushes on the slopes at 5'000 m; in summer people move up to alpine pastures with their cattle.
Saldang is one of the few places where agriculture is possible, and the golden barley is almost ready for harvest. We pass endless mani walls, chortens and houses as we follow the valley downstream. Finding the two passes to Do Tarap is as challenging as crossing them, and finally after a long day the fertile valley appears.
A wide trail takes us through the large fields. In the coming days as we cross over into the Kali Gandaki valley, trails will become smaller and passes higher and steeper.
After more passes the fortress-like village of Charkha announces the most eastern village of Dolpo. Overnight the weather turns bad just as we approach the critical passes into the Sangtha valley.
Our horses struggle in deep snow and must be exhausted before having even arrived at the foot of the Sangtha La - how will they (and us) make it up the steep slope and down on the other side? It's a miracle but at the end of the day, we're all in camp safe and sound. The crew did an amazing job, going back and forth to carry the loads from horses which struggled terribly even without their burden.
From a roof of one of the houses of Sangdak, we look back to the high passes which almost stopped us on our way. Ahead of us lie the red canyons of Upper Mustang, and a stunning panoramic view reveals also Muktinath, the Kali Gandaki and the high summits of the Annapurna massif in the south. What a view and ending of a tough and rewarding trek in Upper Dolpo. From Jomsom we enjoy a scenic flight to Pokhara where relax at the lakeside before returning to Kathmandu.
Upper Dolpo Camping Trek Itinerary
Day 01:Arrival Meet at the Kathmandu Airport, hotel transfer, evening welcome dinner
Day 02:Full Day Kathmandu valley sightseeing
Day 03:Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, overnight at Hotel
Day 04:Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal,overnight at Hotel
Day 05:Trek Juphal to Sulighat, overnight at camp
Day 06:Trek Sulighat to Chhepka, overnight at camp
Day 07:Trek Chhepka to AmchiGompa, overnight at camp
Day 08:Trek AmchiGompa to Ringmo (Phoksundo Lake), overnight at camp
Day 09:Rest Ringmo, overnight at camp
Day 10:Trek Ringmo to ChablukPhu, overnight at camp
Day 11:Trek ChablukPhu to Ngongda La BC, overnight at camp
Day 12:Trek Ngongda La BC to SheyGompa (pass), overnight at camp
Day 13:SheyGompa (exploration day), overnight at camp
Day 14:Trek SheyGompa to Namgung, overnight at camp
Day 15:Trek Namgung to Saldang, overnight at camp
Day 16:Saldang (exploration day), overnight at camp
Day 17:Trek Saldang to Khomagaon, overnight at camp
Day 18:Trek Khomagaon to Mendo, overnight at camp
Day 19:Trek Mendo to Tinkyu (Thinje), overnight at camp
Day 20:Tinkyu (exploration day), overnight at camp
Day 21:Trek Tinkyu to Rapka, overnight at camp
Day 22:Trek Chharka (pass), overnight at camp
Day 23:Trek to Chharka, overnight at camp
Day 24:Trek Chharka to Norbulung, overnight at camp
Day 25:Trek Norbulung to MolumSumdo, overnight at camp
Day 26:Trek MolumSumdo to SangdaPhedi, overnight at camp
Day 27:Trek to Sangda, overnight at camp
Day 28:Trek Sangda to Phalyak, overnight at camp
Day 29:Trek Phalyak to Jomsom, overnight at hotel
Day 30:Fight back from Jomsom to Pokhara and sameday flight back to Kathmandu
Day 31:Rest and shopping day in the Kathmandu valley, evening farewell dinner
Day 32:Departure from Kathmandu to your home country
See you again wonderful Himalayan country in Nepal. Today is free or last minute you have few hour special shopping for your friend and family to gift, relatives for you until your departure flight to your home country. Or any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you will be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your home country. Hope to see you again Nepal Himalayan country.
