Upper Dolpo Trek

18 days
From $2,790 $3,050 /person

Start / finish

Nepalgunj / Juphal

Duration

18 days

Style

Camping

Difficulty

Strenuous

Trip Highlights

Phoksundo Lake, Shey Gompa, Kang La, Jomsom exit option

Overview

Shey Gompa, Phoksundo’s turquoise water and high passes into a rain-shadow culture that still trades toward Tibet.

Trip Short Itinerary

1
Fly Nepalgunj to Juphal, trek to Dunai 2140 m
2
Toward Phoksundo 3600 m
3
Phoksundo rest 3600 m
4
Kang La toward Shey 5350 m
5
Shey Gompa 4340 m

What's included

Airport transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers as listed in the itinerary.

Accommodation

Hotels or lodges on a twin-share basis unless noted otherwise.

Meals as listed

Breakfast daily, plus lunch and dinner on touring or trekking days.

Licensed guide

An English-speaking guide for the full programme.

Upper Dolpo permit

Restricted-area permit plus camping crew, kitchen and pack animals.

What's excluded

International flights

Arrival and departure flights are not included unless stated.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive cover including medical evacuation is required.

Visa fees

Entry visas and any on-arrival charges.

Personal expenses

Drinks, laundry, tips and items of a personal nature.

Route & elevation

Start 2,140m Peak 5,350m End 4,340m

Elevation profile

0 1,375 2,750 4,125 5,500 Height (m) 2,140m 1 3,600m 2 3,600m 3 5,350m 4 4,340m 5 Day

Day-by-day itinerary

A short flight and a first camp by the river.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Pine forest giving way to the lake’s famous colour.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Walk the shore, visit the monastery, sleep beside the water.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

A high, cold pass day into inner Dolpo.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Crystal Mountain and a monastery that still feels far from a road.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Upcoming departures

Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo Trek

Jan 10 – Jan 27, 2027 18 Sold out

Waitlist only

$2,790

PER PERSON
Sold out

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Gear & equipments

Headwear

Sun Cap
Sun Cap

Brimmed cap for hot, high-UV trail days.

Wool Beanie
Wool Beanie

Warm hat for mornings above the treeline.

Buff / Neck gaiter
Buff / Neck gaiter

Dust, wind and cold on high passes.

Glacier Sunglass
Glacier Sunglass

Category 4 lenses for snow glare.

Headlight
Headlight

Pre-dawn starts and unlit teahouse corridors.

Upper body

Merino base layer / Thermal
Merino base layer / Thermal

Wicking next-to-skin layer for cold mornings.

Long-sleeve trekking Tshirt
Long-sleeve trekking Tshirt

Sun protection on exposed ridges.

Fleece Mid-layer
Fleece Mid-layer

Warmth at rest stops without bulk.

Down Jacket
Down Jacket

Camp and high-altitude evenings.

Waterproof Shell / Raincoat
Waterproof Shell / Raincoat

Hooded jacket for rain and wind.

Lower body

Trekking Trousers
Trekking Trousers

Quick-dry pants for long walking days.

Thermal Leggings
Thermal Leggings

Base layer for cold nights and high camps.

Waterproof Trousers
Waterproof Trousers

Keep legs dry on monsoon or snow days.

Lightweight Shorts
Lightweight Shorts

Warm valley days at the start of the trek.

Underwears (synthetic)
Underwears (synthetic)

Several pairs; cotton stays wet.

Footwear

Trekking Boot
Trekking Boot

Ankle support on rocky, uneven trails.

Camp Sandals / Slipper
Camp Sandals / Slipper

Air feet out at the lodge.

Wool Socks
Wool Socks

Three to four pairs, rotated daily.

Liner Socks
Liner Socks

Reduce blisters on long descent days.

Gaiters
Gaiters

Keep snow and scree out of boots.

Hands & sleep

Fleece Gloves
Fleece Gloves

Morning starts and windy ridges.

Sleeping Bag (−20 °C)
Sleeping Bag (−20 °C)

Teahouse rooms are unheated.

Bags & trekking

Daypack (10–15L)
Daypack (10–15L)

Water, layers, camera and snacks.

Trekking Poles
Trekking Poles

Save knees on long descents.

Hydration & food

Thermos Waterbottle
Thermos Waterbottle

Refill at lodges; purification as backup.

Iron Tablets
Iron Tablets

Tablets or a filter for trail water.

Trail Snacks
Trail Snacks

Nuts, bars and glucose for long days.

Electrolyte Sachets
Electrolyte Sachets

Replace salt lost at altitude.

Hygiene

Bio-Degradable Soap
Bio-Degradable Soap

Lodges have limited washing water.

Quick-Dry Towel
Quick-Dry Towel

Compact towel for occasional showers.

Toothbrush and Paste
Toothbrush and Paste

Basic kit; carry-on size.

Toilet Paper
Toilet Paper

Not always provided above Namche.

Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer

Before meals on the trail.

Health & documents

Personal First-Aid Kit (Blister Patches, ORS, diarrhoea, food poisoning, allergy, vomiting, head ache),
Personal First-Aid Kit (Blister Patches, ORS, diarrhoea, food poisoning, allergy, vomiting, head ache),

Blister care, pain relief, personal meds.

Diamox (high altitude sickness medicine)
Diamox (high altitude sickness medicine)

Talk to your doctor before you fly.

Sunscreen SPF 50+
Sunscreen SPF 50+

UV is fierce above 4,000 m.

Lip Balm with SPF
Lip Balm with SPF

Stops cracking in dry, cold air.

Passport Copy, Insurance and Permit
Passport Copy, Insurance and Permit

Checkpoints will ask; keep a spare set dry.

Electronics

Power Bank
Power Bank

Lodge charging is slow and often extra.

Universal Adapter
Universal Adapter

Nepal uses a mix of sockets.

Phone with Offline Maps
Phone with Offline Maps

Download the route before Lukla.

Useful information

May–October; monsoon is usable in the rain shadow.

Trekker reviews

Owen Blake

Canada

“Dolpo was the week we had been saving for”

Phoksundo’s colour, a pass that earned its reputation, and a crew that made camping feel looked after rather than improvised.

Frequently asked

Planning

May–October; monsoon is usable in the rain shadow.
Yes — ask when you enquire and we will price a private departure.
From
$2,790 $3,050
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