Skip to main content

Upper Dolpo Trek

Get in Touch


  • + 977-1-4811668
  • +977-9841416722
    +977-9841389464
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Overview

Dolpo is also called “Ba Yul” or the Hidden valley is a land of mystery, scenery and peace. Surrounded by Dhaulagiri and Tibet from south and north, The Dolpo region is the natural embodiment of high passes, rare flora and fauna and sweeping vistas. The medicinal plant, Yarchagumba (Coerdiopsis sinensis) a type of wild mushroom is found in abundance in this region. Extracts from Yarchagumba is believed to significantly improve health and fitness. This trekking is for combination of natural and cultural phenomena which is enriched by the traditional Tibetan cultural heritage. It is a rain shadow area and was opened in 1991 for trekking. The whole trekking areas in this region stretches through and around Arun River whose origin dates back to prehistoric period. The Arun valley is one of the most beautiful regions to trek in Nepal.

Dolpo is protected by Shey-Phoksundo National Park. It lies to the north of the Dhaulagiri Range bordering the Tibetan Plateau. Here one can find a well-preserved eco-system of plants and wildlife, including the blue sheep and the elusive snow leopard. The view of Kanjiroba peak, Phoksumdo Lake, and the Dhauligiri massif is one of the most rewarding moments of this trek. A visit to the Phoksumdo Gompa – dedicated to the ancient Bonpo religion, local to Dolpo and Tibet, is a memorable experience.

The Upper Dolpo region is another remote hidden destination in far west where Nepal's most tranquil and natural beauty is still unexplored. The home of herbal land, unspoiled trans-Himalayan culture, Buddhist monuments, and unique human civilization at high altitude is worth a visit. Trekking around the Dolpo region is an unforgettable journey in every visitor's life. Observing different rain shadow landscapes with stunning mountain views, wild flowers, Himalayan blue sheep, snow leopards, and huge birds Himalayan griffon. The Upper Dolpo is the home of the Bhotiya and Sherpa people. It's difficult to grow crops there, which makes life difficult for the local people. They depend on barley as sole crop. The stalwart yak is a vital source of food, transport and dung fuel. They also trade salt for grain with those from far away Hurikot and Jumla to compensate their dwindling winter supply of food.


Trip highlights

  • Follow the footprints of the ancient trans-Himalayan traders
  • Catch a view of diverse flora and fauna in the Shey Phoksundo National Park
  • Get an insight into the life and culture of the followers of Bon Buddhism
  • Shey Gompa, Yangze Gompa, and Bon Gompa
  • Villages above 3500 meters
  • Yarshagumba- a medicinal herb
  • Three high passes - Nagdolo La (5350m), the shey la (5010m) and Jeng la (5220m)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

As you fly into Kathmandu, you'll have beautiful views over the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks in Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. As per your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel. Overnight in Hotel

Day 02: Fully day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

Today after the breakfast we will proceed for sightseeing tour in and around the Kathmandu valley. The Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath temple and Boudhanath temple are the major sight-seeing areas around the Kathmandu valley. These all are listed in a world heritage sites. The Durbar Square shows us the regal life of ancient periods. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages. Swoyambhunath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa is the Buddhist temple which is very popular around the globe. Swoyambhunath is also known as money temple stands on the hilltop west of the Kathmandu valley. It can also be known as the viewpoint of Kathmandu valley. Boudhanath temple is the biggest Chhorten ever made around the world. Overnight in Hotel

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalganj – approx. 1 hour

You fly from Kathmandu to Nepalganj in the southwest part of the Terai, right on the border to India. After checking into your hotel you might go and have a look at the Bageshwari Mandir, a temple to honour Kali. But what Nepalganj is all about is just wandering around in the bazaar, which has everything on sale that one could imagine. You will see people here from every part of Nepal, people from Tibet and India; they all come here to trade. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal – approx. 45 minutes and trek from Juphal to Dunai (2850 m) – approx. 3 hours

You go to the airport very early in order to get on the flight to Juphal. Dolpo flights are always early in the morning. This is because high winds in the Thulo Bheri Valley begin around 10 am, making later flights impossible. Once you have gotten all your equipment of the Twin otter in Juphal (2500m), you start out on the short walk from Juphal to Dunai. You walk downhill through meadows and past a few houses to the small hotels at Kala Gaura (2090m). From here you follow the river trail upstream to Dunai. You camp near Dunai and explore this bustling little hill town for the rest of the afternoon. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe (2896 m) – approx. 6 hours

After breakfast, we start our trek from Dunai to Ankhe through a suspension bridge and turn west past a hospital. We then climb up the barren Thulo Bheri valley before entering the spectacular Phoksundo river valley. We later arrive at a ridge at 2,499m from where we observe the incredible Kagmara Peak up the valley

The trail then leads us to the walnut groves at Dhera (2,810m) which is a winter settlement for cows and goats. We then climb up the path to Rahagaon (2,900m). You can find a Gompa dedicated to the local god, Mastha, the guardian of this village. The trek then leads us to a canyon, and we then descend into the deep dark forests to arrive at a large stream before arriving at Ankhe. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 06: Trek from Ankhe to Sulighat (3180 m) – approx. 6 hours

We will have an early morning breakfast at Ankhe. After walking about 5-6 hours from Ankhe we finally reach Sulighat. On the way we ascend and descend to forest path and cross a river and a suspension bridge and then trek to Sumdu and reach to Sulighat. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included: Full Board

Day 07: Trek from Sulighat to Phoksundo Lake (3611 m) – approx. 5 hours

At the begging, the trail steeply descends through the birch forest nearby Phoksundo Khola via Polam Village. We walk continue upwards to the river bank before crossing the bridge and get the ranger check post and walk further to the lake shores near the point where the river flows out from tranquil Phoksundo Lake. Finely the trial ends Phoksundo River gorge, and start to see yak pasture land with traditional houses at Ringmo Village.

From the top of the ridge, you will have a distant view of the beautiful turquoise blue lake of Phoksundo along with the highest waterfall in Nepal. The trail will then descend towards the birch forest towards the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola. You will walk through the chortens and Mani walls towards the Ringmo Village. Ringmo is a Tibetan Buddhist settlement which sits next to the Phoksundo Lake. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included: Full Board

Day 08: Acclimatization and rest at Phoksundo Lake

Today is the first day of acclimatization during your Upper Dolpo Trek. For the purpose of acclimatization, you will go for a short hike towards the village of Ringmo. You will visit the Buddhist monastery in the Ringmo village. You will also get to explore the local culture and tradition of the village.

Exploring Tshowa monastery will give you a chance to learn about the art, Artcraft, and culture of the Tibetan Buddhists. You will explore the spectacular Phoksundo lake. Phoksundo is a culturally significant lake. Many people have a sacred belief towards the lake. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included: Full Board

Day 09: Trek from Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola – approx. 5 hours

We leave the lake today by following the trail west, passing through wooden bridge-like structures till we meet a grassland that leads to the Phoksundo Khola river bed which is at the altitude of 3507 meters. The path leads us above the muddy ground towards the valley to the riverside, where we can all spend the night. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board .

Day 10: Trek from Phoksunds Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (3910 m) – approx. 6 hours

Today, the trek is through a glacier valley to the Phoksundo Khola and another stream's junction recognized by an old wooden bridge. Phoksundo Bhanjyang lies at the altitude of 3910 meters. We encounter a sheep field and then a steep canyon as we climb north-east. Walking up here is difficult, so it takes around 6 hours to reach Phoksundo Bhanjyang. We must reach another valley in order to cross the Kang La Pass. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 11: Trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4,500m) via Kang-La pass (5,360 m) – approx. 6 hours

You will wake up early and ascend on a steep path towards a pass. The ascend will be challenging, however, from the top, you will get to see an outstanding view of the surrounding area. Further, you will descend on a steep trail and trek along the bank of a river. You will cross this river many times at different points and trek through meadows. You will see many grazing yaks, mountain goats, and sheep in the meadow. Crossing a log bridge, you finally reach Shey Gompa for the night stay. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 12: Acclimatization and rest at Shey Gompa

Today is your second acclimatization day at Shey Gompa. You will visit Shey Gompa, which is an ancient monastery built in 1655. This monastery is famous for its huge copper with a gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. You will see Crystal Mountain to the east of the gompa. This mountain is one of the strangest mountains of Nepal as its cliffs are covered with quartz and rich variety of marine fossils. Later, you will explore the Shey village. Here you will get to see the Bon Po culture. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaun (4800 m) via Saldang La – approx. 7 hours

The trail today's goes through juniper trees that further descend to a stony canyon. From here, trekking on a zigzag trail over rocks will take you to the top of Saldang La Pass. The trail then descends down to Namduna Gaun. On the way, you will get to see a lovely view of yaks and sheep grazing in the meadows. In Namduna Gaun, you will visit the old Namgung monastery built with red stone. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 14: Trek from Namduna Gaun to Saldang (3,620 m) – approx. 5 hours

We leave the village and climb up a slope and begin a long walk along dusty barren mountains. After 3-4 hours of hard climb, we begin to see Saldang Village below us on a plateau high above the Namga Khola stream. It has a picturesque appearance. Saldang is the largest village of the inner Dolpo area. The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope and consists of five villages having about eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred people. It is a prosperous village not only agriculturally but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 15: Trek from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (4,960 m) – approx. 5 hours

From Saldang, we walk further north along the Nagon Khola (river) on a wild and barren terrain. We begin our walk on a fairly gradual path with few ups and downs. On the way, we pass through Marang and Ki villages. Next, we cross a tributary of Panzang River and walk towards the east and cross the river again before reaching Yangze gompa which houses an old Bon-Po Monastery. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 16: Trek from Yangze Gompa to Sibu (4,560 m) – approx. 7 hours

From Yangze, there are two trails that connect to Sibu. To save time we will retrace the path back towards Saldang village, which will be much easier and shorter than the other route. From Saldang we walk along a river and pass through terraced fields, stupas, chortens, heaps of mani stones and a Chaiba monastery, then pass through the Namdo village, which is also prosperous, with about sixty houses having nearly 400 inhabitants. It stretches for more than 5 km on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Our journey continues further down the river for another two hours to camp near a small settlement of Sibu. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 17: Trek from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi (4,900 m) – approx. 6 hours

Walking along the Nam Khong Khola for a while, we pass by caravans with yaks moving towards the Tibetan border. We turn east and walk ahead for a while until we arrive at a confluence of two small streams from where we follow the steep trail ascending to a grazing area below Jeng-La Pass. We will set our camp at this very beautiful meadow. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 18: Trek from Jeng-la Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4209 m) via Jeng La pass (5090 m) – approx. 6 hours

The day starts early as we set ourselves up for the day’s activity. We trek for two hours to reach the top of the Jeng-La pass and lose ourselves in the mesmerizing views of the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif. After capturing the fascinating sight into our memories and camera, we descend on a rough trail to the Tarap Valley that has vast plains in high mountains extending twenty kilometers along Tarap Chu River. We camp nearby a monstery in Tokyu village. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 19: Trek from Tokyu to Dho Tarap(4,040 m) – approx. 5 hours

We go to explore an ancient monastery before we head towerds Dho Tarap. The trail, today, is magnificent passing thorough beautiful river valley. We will enjoy experiencing incredible cultural and spiritual highlights before we get to Dho Tarap. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 20: Rest Day at Dho Tarap

This is again an exploring day. Visiting therearound, exploring local culture of Magars and Tibetans, visiting the Buddhist shrines including gompas we spend the whole day today. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 21: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) (3,800 m) – approx. 7 hours

Our excursion initiates descending to a wide valley. Continuing the journey, the trial leads us to a narrow gorge. Further marching via barren rose and juniper scrubs, observing the herds of blue sheep, we encounter at the convergence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola. As we march via stream, we reach Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) where we spend overnight in the pasture. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 22: Trek from Tarap Khola to Khanigaon (3,150 m) – approx. 5 hours

We will continue walking down the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it. During our walk we pass by the local people who will be taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. This will be one of the most exciting days of this trip. At some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away and we may be forced to cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, we reach our camping spot beside the Tarap Khola at Khanigaon where we will spend the night. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 23: Trek from Khanigaon to Tarakot (2,537 m) – approx. 5 hours

We will follow a trail that takes us to the village of Lalberi. Our trail then passes through a lush forest, descends into another gorge and continues to follow the river again. After reaching Tarakot, we can visit Sandul Gompa which lies about 8 km east of the village at a juncture of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. The monastery stands on a hill to the south of Bheri River. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 24: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai (2,140 m) – approx. 6 hours

We begin our trek on a trail with wonderful gorge with pine trees behind the Bheri River before crossing a bridge near the Lawan village, continuing alongside the big Bheri Rriver climbing until the Byas Gadi. From here the easy trail moves towards the west. We cross the river near the Lochakhola Gaon and ascend to Dunai for an overnight. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 25: Trek from Dunai to Jhuphal – approx. 3 hours

Fron Dunai, we trek along the Bheri River enjoying the beautiful landscape. On the way, we pass through Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages as well as a temple. We continue trekking via Kalagaonda village and Motipur village before reaching the small airstrip reaching to Jhuphal for the night. Overnight at Camp. Meals Included : Full Board

Day 26: Fly from Jhuphal to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu

We take a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. We then take a connecting flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. Overnight in Hotel

Day 27: Rest day in Kathmandu.

You can explore around the Heritage sites in the city, stroll down the streets of Thamel for local cultural experience, visit nearby monasteries, relax at a nearby spa centers or do some souvenir haunting in the local bazaar. Overnight in Hotel

Day 28: Departure from Kathmandu.

As per your flight time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or any other destinations. The airport check-in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12 PM.

 

Or inform us if you want to stay longer for short tours such as Jungle Safari at National Parks, Mountain Biking, Rafting, a Tibet tour, a Tour to Bhutan or India Tour. We will be happy to assist you.

  • Trip facts

  • Trip duration : 28 days
  • Grade : Moderate to Fairly Challenging
  • Activity : Cultural sightseeing tour and trekking
  • Starts in : Kathmandu
  • End in : Kathmandu
  • Trek Type : Camping
  • Accomodation : Hotel / Tented Camp
  • Max Altitude : 5360 m

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick-up and drop off services by private A/C vehicle
  • 4 nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu on twin /double sharing basis with breakfast only
  • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English Speaking local Tour Guide and entry fees
  • Meals on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) during the trek prepared by our expert cook
  • Twin sharing tented accommodation during the trek
  • A Trekking Guide, Sherpa, necessary porters, their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment
  • Trekking equipment (two men tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, table with chairs, kitchen utensils, and other necessary equipment during the trek)
  • Safe drinking boiled water will be provided during the trek
  • Flights from Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu including departure taxes
  • 1 night accommodation with breakfast in Nepalgunj
  • First aid kit
  • All necessary permits and paper works including Upper Dolpo special permits
  • All government and local taxes
  • Rescue assistance (In case of emergency, we will organize prompt and professional rescue services. To arrange timely evacuation/rescue by helicopter, you must be well insured from a reliable travel insurance company that covers both helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost.)Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
  • All tax, VAT and company service charge

Cost Excludes

  • International flight & any other airfares
  • Nepal visa
  • Extra baggage charge if any (weight allowance 12kg+3 kg in domestic flight)
  • Personal gears & clothing (available on hire)
  • Tips for Guide, porters, drivers etc.
  • Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due to any reason
  • Personal expenses such as table drinks, snacks while walking, hot water/shower, internet, telephone etc during the trek
  • Clients insurance and Medical expenses
  • Any other tours, transfers and hotel accommodations other than mentioned above
  • Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu


Extension Tours

Paragliding
Jungle Safari
Pokhara Tour
Rafting

Necessary Information

1. Visa to Nepal

You can obtain the Nepalese visa from Nepalese consulate in your country easily or upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. For that, you require a valid passport with 2 copies of passport size photos. Similarly, A visa for Nepal can be obtained at Nepal India border entry point at Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Kakadvitta, Bhairahawa, Gaddachowki and Kodari on the Nepal China border. A15/30/90 day multiple entries Nepalese visa can be obtained by paying USD 30/50/125 or equivalent foreign currency respectively. For more information, please visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

2. Welcoming upon your arrival in Nepal

We will be at the airport to welcome you upon your arrival to Nepal. We will be carrying the Raj BalaTreks & Expedition placard with your name underneath. From airport you will escorted to your hotel and we help you to check-in.

3. Health Issues and Vaccinations Requirement for Dolpo Trek

As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you to consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.

The main health consideration during Dolpo Trekking is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take pills called ‘Diamox’. You can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor and purchase them in Kathmandu. Our itinerary will allow your body to acclimatize properly and handle the low oxygen rate.

If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you to consult your doctor about your suitability for trekking in high altitude areas before booking. We suggest that you take some pain-killing pills with you and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will greatly help for those who are sensitive to chilly or freezing weather conditions.

4. Difficulty Level of the trek

This is a long trek that goes far beyond the normal haunts of trekkers and tourists, to remote areas of the country where the landscapes are wild and untamed and where the local inhabitants have seen little change in their way of life for centuries- untouched corners of an increasingly crowded planet. It is physically challenging, likely to include unfavorable weather conditions and strenuous activities, such as, climbing/ scrambling across high passes.

5. Trekking Type & Accommodation

Dolpo Trek is a fully Camping Trek. Camping trek means sleeping in tents. On a camping trek, the tents provided are ‘Two men dome’ or ‘A’ shaped. Foam mattress with insulation underneath is provided for sleeping. Clients need to have their own sleeping bag. Bags or cloth packs are used as pillows. If you wish, you can bring your own ‘Air pillow’.

6. Food on the Trek

We provide three tasty, plentiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day, breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereal followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads.

After a long day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3 course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetable, meat, rice and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible and special diets are regularly catered for. The leaders are able to maintain very tight controls on health and hygiene in the kitchen with respect to general cleanliness and food preparation and also within the group with respect to personal hygiene. This has allowed us to maintain remarkably high standards of health over many years of trek organization - and good health is vital to an enjoyable and successful trek and climb. All foods are well cooked and vegetables are treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. Boiled water is served for drinking. Antiseptic soaps and potassium or iodine treated water are provided for washing. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for.

7. A Typical Day on a Camping Trek in Nepal

Your typical day begins with a hot cup of tea brought to the tent at about 6 am, followed by a bowl of hot water for washing. After packing all your bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the morning’s walk. All you need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and a warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of your gear for you. After walking for 3-4 hours, we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we arrive at camp in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the nearby villages, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days, we will arrive at camp by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.

Dinner is usually served between 6 and 7 pm. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and talking with the crew, or perhaps even joining in some singing and dancing, before heading off to the tent for a well-earned sleep.

8. Land Transfers & Flights

You fly to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu and then you take another short flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal. The starting point of the trek is Juphal. On your return, take the flights from Juphal and further to Kathmandu on the same day.

Please consider that there is a high probability of cancellation of flights operating between Nepalgunj and Juphal due to bad weather conditions. Hence, we advise you to keep at least one day extra in Kathmandu before your flight home.

9. Personal Expenses – Approximate money you should carry on the trek

Our 28 days Dolpo Trek cost is all inclusive of your accommodation, meals, permits and other official expenses.(See price includes and excludes section for more detail). Besides, other expenses depend on your spending habits. A USD 10-15 is sufficient to buy bottled water, snacks, chocolate bars, hot and cold drinks, and showers during the trek besides your included meals and accommodation.

10. Money Exchange

You can exchange money at a Bank or the money exchange counter in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Many Tourist class Hotels have money exchange facilities. For Trekking, there are Banks and exchange counters at major Tourist hubs like Namche and Lukla. These days, there are availability of ATMs everywhere in Kathmandu and some in Lukla and Namche.

11. Tips

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the completion of your trekking in Nepal. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise that you can allocate 5- 10 % of the total tour cost as tips. It is recommended that you talk to the members and hand it over individually as per the hierarchy on the last day of the trek.

12. Facility of communication available on trek

While trekking you may not have an access to telephone facility for some days or weeks. However, en route there may be few places where telephone facilities may be available and likely to be working.

If it is urgent for you to be in contact with your family and friends, we can provide the Satellite Phone along with rental charge on request.

13. Luggage while trekking

During trek your main luggage will be carried by porters. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket, etc. - a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room/safe deposit box in Kathmandu for free of charge. Weight allowance at Nepal’s domestic airlines is 15 Kgs, excess weight is chargeable at USD 1 or more per Kilo depending on sectors.

14. Trekking Gears and Equipments

You will need walking boots, sleeping bag (4 seasons/ -20C rated), waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, sun-screen and day pack. Comprehensive list of equipment will be provided once you book your trip. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money buying extra equipment and clothing before your trip. Majority of these gears can be bought or hired at reasonable rates in Kathmandu.

15. Climate & best time to do the trek

The best seasons to trek in the upper Dolpo region are Autumn (from mid-September till November end) and Spring (from the beginning of March until mid-May). Temperatures will drop considerably as you trek higher everyday. The nights are cold (between -10 C and 5C) but the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 20C).The mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night. Dolpo region being located in rain shadow area it may be possible to trek during monsoon but domestic flights are often disrupted by heavy monsoon cloud and rain.

March, April, October and November are the most popular and favored months for traveling. Please choose the time that is convenient for you.

16. First Aid Kit

We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors and a user’s manual. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.

17. Rescue /Evacuation

Your safety and security are our top priority, and we always make sure that nothing untoward happen to you. However, if anything serious like sickness or a casualty occurs, we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. As you are responsible for all the expenses incurred in evacuation, please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it.

18. Insurance

Before joining the Dolpo Trekking, we recommend you to take a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. Our staff will collect your insurance details before you leave for the trek.

19. All our guides are certified guides

All our guides are certified and trained trekking leaders. Our guides are certified by the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Nepal. They have years of experience working in this line of work and know the different trekking trails of Nepal, mountain ranges, culture, and mountain sickness.

20. Booking Procedure

Your booking of this Dolpo Trekking will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of 20% of the total trip and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.

22. Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your booking, the following scale of charges will apply:

  • 2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (20% of the total trip)
  • 29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost
  • 10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost
  • Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost

Additional Information