Trans-Himalayan Upper Dolpo Circuit

Our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Kathmandu. We use the afternoon for a complete trek briefing and gear check before gathering for a welcome dinner.

We finalize our permits and paperwork in Kathmandu before boarding an afternoon domestic flight to Nepalgunj in the western Terai.

We take an early morning mountain flight to the airstrip at Jhupal (2,475 m), where our trekking crew gathers. From the airstrip, we take a short jeep drive down to Dunai (2,140 m) for our first night in the hills.

We leave Dunai and follow the trail northward along the Thuli Bheri River, passing through small agricultural settlements until we reach Samdua village at 2,960 m.

We ascend through forested terrain alongside the Phoksundo River, eventually reaching the iconic turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake and the traditional village of Ringmo at 3,630 m.

We spend today resting and exploring the shores of Phoksundo Lake, visiting local monasteries, and observing the traditional lifestyle of Ringmo village.

Our trail contours along the steep western cliffs above Phoksundo Lake before dropping down to set up camp at Phoksundo Khola at 3,640 m.

We climb steadily up the valley away from the lake, following a rocky path towards the base of the high pass at Phoksundo Bhanjyang.

We tackle our first major pass today, climbing to the summit of Kang-La at 5,360 m before descending into the sacred valley of Shey Gompa at 4,500 m.

We dedicate today to exploring Shey Gompa, the famous Crystal Monastery, and walking around the base of the red-striped Crystal Mountain.

We cross the Saldang La pass at 5,200 m, navigating barren high-altitude terrain before descending into the isolated settlement of Namduna Gaon at 4,800 m.

We descend along arid hillsides into the wide valley of Saldang, the largest trading village in Upper Dolpo, located at 3,620 m.

We retrace our steps south through the lower river valleys, making our way down towards the forested trail sections near Chhepka at 2,838 m.

We turn back toward the northern interior, climbing through remote country to reach the historic meditation center at Yangze Gompa (4,960 m).

We follow minor herders' tracks across open plateaus and descending river junctions until we arrive at the small campsite at Sibu (4,560 m).

We follow the stream bed upwards, leaving the main valley floor behind as we camp at the base of the upcoming pass at Jeng-La Phedi (4,900 m).

We cross the Jeng-La pass at 5,090 m for expansive views before dropping down past Khanger into the large agricultural community of Tokyu Gaon (4,200 m).

We take a short and gradual walk down the wide valley floor to reach Dho Tarap at 3,944 m, a prominent village inhabited by both Bon and Buddhist communities.

We descend alongside the Tarap Khola, passing stone-walled farm terraces and winter grazing shelters to reach our overnight stop at Ghyamgar (3,759 m).

We continue following the narrowing river gorge downstream, passing through Chyugar (3,440 m) before camping near the banks of Tarap Khola at 3,652 m.

Our route follows the river canyon down through lower altitudes until we arrive at Tarakot (2,540 m), an ancient fortified village from the Malla Kingdom era.

We walk for five hours along the Bheri River back to Dunai, then board a local jeep for a two-hour drive to Jhupal for our final night in the mountains.

We catch an early morning flight from Jhupal back to Nepalgunj, connecting immediately with our return flight to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel.

We keep this day open in Kathmandu to account for potential domestic flight delays from Dolpo, or to allow time for independent sightseeing and rest.

Our team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your homeward international flight.