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Lying near Tibet, Upper Dolpo is genuinely a Tibet outside Tibet. An unmatched trekking experience in the Shey-Phoksundo National Park with Bon cultural experience.
Upper Dolpo Trek with Access Nepal begins at Juphal. We fly to Juphal from Nepalgunj. As the trek begins the initial part of it winds along the trail beside the Thuli Bheri River and lush tropical forest. Gradually as we gain elevation, the vegetation turns into low alpine woodland as we trek closer to the stunningly beautiful Phoksundo Lake. The first major highlight of Upper Dolpo Trek, Phoksundo Lake is truly a magical destination. Crystal clear water mass occupying the huge area and ringed by firs and pine trees with the backdrop of Mt. Kanjiroba to the north and Ringmo village (Bon Village) to the east, Phoksundo Lake caters to the enchanting view and tremendously peaceful sensation. The floral and faunal biodiversity of Phoksundo National Park can be observed around Phoksundo Lake.
Beyond Phoksundo Lake we enter the restricted region of Dolpo. The forested regions around the trekking trail start to fade away and we chase the trail on arid valleys towards Shey. Now the real adventure begins. Crossing over the passes of 5000m+ we enter from one significant place of Dolpo to another. Crossing the Kang La Pass 5300m we get into Shey Gompa. Shey Gompa is one of the biggest monasteries of Dolpo. Similarly conquering Shey La Pass 5000m we arrive at Namgung, which also holds another sacred monastery of the region, Namrung Gompa. The last pass of the Upper Dolpo Trek, Jeng La 5100m comes in before we get into Dho Tarap- the ancient trading town of the region. During this part of the Upper Dolpo Trek, the sighting of a yak caravan as shown in Eric Valli’s dream project Himalayan Caravan is one of the picturesque views.
Fully organized trek with expert guides and porters, Upper Dolpo Trek with Access Nepal allows an opportunity for a thorough exploration of Nepal’s preserved and restricted region Dolpo. We have tailored this holiday in such a way that trekkers get to see as many treasures Dolpo holds during the Upper Dolpo Trek.
Early morning we drive into the domestic section of the airport and board the plane to Nepalgunj. More than an hour-long flight brings us to the low land trading center of Nepal, Nepalgunj. Once again flying on a small twin otter aircraft we finally land at the airport at Jumla. Everything around us changes so drastically that sometimes it is hard to believe that Kathmandu and Jumla are the places inside the same country. A small mountainous town lying at the bank of Tila Khola, Jumla 2370m is the world’s one of the highest rice-growing regions. On our arrival at Jumla, we settle ourselves into a local lodge and begin to explore around. This is also the last opportunity to buy some trekking essentials.
Included: Breakfast/Airport transfer/Flights and accommodation
Today the trek begins along the trail that stretches downstream through the forests and emerges at Kuri Santa, which has a series of mills- once again we are in Tila Valley. The trail further cross passes several bridges and crossing the last one, we climb up to Chotra Village. It is the first Tibetan Village we encounter during Lower Dolpo Trek with Access Nepal. We see abundant traces of Tibetan culture in the village and one of them is the long queue of mani walls engraved with Buddhist prayers. Soon we arrive at another Tibetan hamlet Naphukana. The final effort for the day that stretches along the hill overlooking Naphukana brings us to Chhopagaon, a wonderful village with a large monastery.
Included: Guide, porters, three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and camping accommodation included
Initially, the day’s trek goes downstream to the national park headquarters at Samduwa. Cross passing the dense forest comprising large cedar trees we arrive at the winter settlement of Palam. Beyond Palam, we hike up along the open county to the ridge top. Savor the view of cascading waterfall from the ridge top, which is Nepal’s highest waterfall. Then the trail descends to Phoksundo Khola that eventually directs us to Phoksundo Lake. The final push for today’s trek climbs up to Ringmo village followed by crossing a bridge that finally brings us to the Northern shore of Phoksundo Lake- the most important highlight of Lower Dolpo Trek.
Included: Guide, porters, three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and camping accommodation
Today, we trek down to Shyanta and cross the suspension bridge over Suli Khola and continue the trek towards Suli Ghat. We need to produce the Phoksundo Lake permit and TIMS card at a check post in Shyanta. Then following the trail beside Suli Khola we arrive at Kageni. A few hours trek from Kageni will bring us to Suli Ghat.
Included: Guide, porters, three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and camping accommodation
Before embarking on the Upper Dolpo Trek, it’s crucial to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Additionally, you’ll need a visa to enter Nepal. Visas can be obtained on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or at border entry points. The standard tourist visa allows for a 15, 30, or 90-day stay and can be extended if needed.
Details:
Types: Several permits are required for the Upper Dolpo Trek:
Cost: Costs can vary, and it’s advisable to check with the respective authorities or your trekking agency for the most up-to-date information.
How to Achieve: Trekking agencies often handle the permit process for you. If obtaining permits independently, you’ll need to visit the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu for the TIMS permit and the Department of Immigration in Pokhara for the Restricted Area Permit.
Accommodations along the Upper Dolpo Trek are basic, ranging from teahouses to camping in certain areas. Teahouses provide a communal and cultural experience, offering meals and a place to rest. It’s advisable to carry a sleeping bag for added comfort, especially during camping portions of the trek.
Teahouses along the trail offer a variety of meals, including traditional Nepali dishes and international cuisine. It’s recommended to stick to well-cooked, vegetarian options to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses. Carry energy bars and snacks for extra sustenance during long stretches between settlements.
Sources: Water from local streams and rivers should be treated before consumption to avoid waterborne diseases. Water purification tablets or a reliable water filter are essential. Bottled water is available in some places but may be scarce and expensive.
Pre-Trek:
Post-Trek:
Dos and Don’ts:
Details:
Teahouses may have limited electricity, and charging devices could be a paid service. Carrying a power bank is recommended. Solar chargers are also useful for longer treks.
Local SIM: Purchase a local SIM card in Kathmandu or Pokhara for reliable communication during the trek. Ensure your phone is unlocked for compatibility.
Details:
Pack according to the season and terrain. Essentials include a good pair of trekking boots, warm clothing, a waterproof jacket, a hat, sunglasses, a backpack, and a first aid kit. Consult your trekking agency for a comprehensive gear list.
Travel insurance covering medical emergencies and evacuation is mandatory. Ensure it includes coverage for trekking at high altitudes.
In case of emergencies, helicopters are available for evacuation. Your travel insurance should cover rescue costs. Register your trekking itinerary with local authorities for better coordination in case of emergencies.
Modes of transportation include domestic flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj or Juphal, followed by overland transport or trekking to the Upper Dolpo region.
The best time for the Upper Dolpo Trek is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is relatively stable. Monsoon (July to August) brings heavy rainfall, and winter (December to February) brings cold temperatures and snow, making trekking challenging. Plan your trek accordingly to enjoy optimal weather conditions.
It is the best way to explore a country as naturally and culturally diverse as Nepal. Aside from immersing in the wonders of nature, you get to meet people who are known for their friendliness and hospitality. The adventurous walk cuts through rhododendron forests (even at lower altitude), streams and rivers, interesting villages, monasteries and monuments and also climbs over glaciers and high altitude viewpoints.
If you are physically fit and guided by a sense of adventure, you would love trekking! The mountains and hills of Nepal have trails that match all abilities. The remotest trails that are mostly unexplored to well-marked trails with ample facilities, Nepal has it all.
The prime challenges trekkers face in the trekking regions are language barrier and navigation. A major section of the trekking regions are uninhabited and in the remaining sections that are, the locals hardly understand English or other foreign languages. Weather conditions and other unanticipated challenges can make it difficult to plan the day’s trek, meals and shelter options. A wrong turn could push you off the trail into harm’s way.
A guide on the other hand, eases things for you, enriches your experience and ensures safety. Guidance that comes from experience and deep local knowledge lets you to enjoy and make the most out of your trip while you leave the arrangements and planning to your guide who becomes an important part of your team.
There is no specific age limit. Trekkers as young as 6 and as old as 75 have trekked in the Himalayas. However, trekkers under the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by a guardian. Younger trekkers should only be brought along if they can be appropriately cared for and can properly communicate any problems to their guardian.
Trekking in the Himalayas can be moderately challenging to difficult based on the terrain, number of trekking days, time of the year and current weather conditions. It also depends on previous trekking experience and skill of the trekker.
It is preferable, but not necessary. However, physical fitness and the ability to cope with strenuous conditions in high altitudes is necessary to make the experience a pleasant one. It is therefore recommended that you begin physical training, involving cardiovascular workout and stamina enhancement months ahead of the trek.
Although the destinations in lower altitude can be trekked throughout the year, Spring (February to May) and Autumn (October to December) are the best times to trek in high altitude. Nepal receives monsoon rain from June through September, which is not a great time to trek. However, the rain shadow areas of Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Nar-Phu offer a great escape during the season. Winter is very cold in the upper mountains with heavy snowfall which cause obstructions in the trekking routes.
A Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card is necessary for most trekking regions. An entrance permit is required for protected areas such as the Annapurna Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park and others. Upon confirmation of your booking, we acquire all necessary permits on your behalf.
Most of our treks range from one to four weeks.
The average trekking hours is around six hours. It can range from four to eight hours a day depending upon trail conditions, day of the itinerary, and weather conditions.
All treks with an exception of a camping trek include accommodation in a mountain lodge or guest house for overnight stays and meals.
Teahouse trekking is a popular trekking option wherein trekkers stay at cozy local tea houses in the mountainous regions on a full-board basis. This trekking style is preferred by most trekkers who do not want to carry the additional burden of tent, food supplies and other daily necessities.
Camping trek involves spending the night in designated outdoor campsites at the end of each trekking day. The team caters to all your meals and you sleep in tents. We have a team of professional cook and support staff in addition to guides and porters.
During the trek, we provide as much chlorinated water as you need. You may also refill your bottles at refreshment stops or at the hotel if you happen to carry chlorine tablets or other water purification options. You can also buy bottled water along the trail on most treks. A liter of bottled water ranges from USD 1 in shops and teahouses at lower elevation up to USD 4 in high altitude teahouses.
Most trekking trips involve eating at teahouses or lodges along the trail. These facilities have existed for quite some time at key places and have been serving trekkers and travelers with hygienic food and shelter. Most lodges source the ingredients from their own organic kitchen garden.
You can find common continental and oriental dishes on the menu while the staple dal-bhat-tarkari (lentil soup-rice-vegetable or meat curry) is the specialty almost everywhere. It is recommended that you stick to vegetarian dishes while on trek as the meat available is not refrigerated and therefore unsafe to consume. Although the menu gets limited as you ascend higher, it is common to find dal-bhat and noodles with soup almost anywhere. You may be surprised to find good bakeries in high altitude villages in the Everest and Annapurna region though.
The nationwide expansion of mobile network has made it possible to enjoy 4G and 3G network in most parts of the trek up to moderate altitude. A simcard for NCell and NTC, the leading mobile telecommunications providers can easily be availed. Uninterrupted connection however is greatly affected by weather conditions and terrain. More high altitude remote areas like the Everest base camp require satellite phones.
A good level of overall fitness, sound health and stamina is necessary to go on and enjoy the trek. If you have any chronic or acute health condition, we recommend that you consult your physician before signing up for the trip.
It is a known fact that oxygen levels at higher altitudes are significantly lower than the level that we are used to and the body needs to adjust to this change in atmosphere. The best way to aid acclimation is to climb slowly. We have prepared our itinerary to allow enough time for acclimation and not put too much of strain on the body. Adequate acclimation days, a combination of rest and a short hike have been arranged to further support the process. Minor symptoms of altitude sickness include severe, persistent headache, coughing, pressure in the chest, shortness of breath even while at rest, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and others. It is vital you constantly monitor your health condition and report any signs of sickness to your team leader.
With gradual ascent of altitude, prolonged exposure to increased solar radiation can harm our skin and eyes. Fresh snow in high altitudes reflect hazardous levels of UV rays that can cause much damage, especially to the eyes. It is thus vital to adequately protect them. Use of hats, long-sleeved clothing, sunblock lotion with adequate SPF and goggles are strongly recommended.
If you fall sick or get injured despite precautions, our first-aid trained guides would be your first help. Depending upon the nature of sickness or injury, you would either be immediately taken to a lower altitude (in case of altitude sickness) or evacuated by a rescue helicopter for medical attention. We would require your insurance details to arrange for a rescue helicopter if you are injured in a remote area and in no condition to trek further.
Safety of all our guests is our utmost priority. Nepal has been well-known as a safe destination and the Nepalese as friendly and welcoming people. We generally trek in small groups in constant care and company of our experienced and expert guides. The places that we frequently utilize as our stops have been known to be reliable and safe over the years that we have been served. As such the safety of all travelers is ensured.
Your insurance is mandatory and should cover emergency air ambulance and/or helicopter rescue services and all related medical expenses for injury, death, loss of baggage, theft and trip cancellation. Please ensure that all activities and destinations in the itinerary are included in your policy, specifically mountaineering or alpinism. You are required to send in you insurance details while booking the trip. For more information, please refer to Useful trek info.
Please refer to our detailed packing list for guidance. It is important that you consider your trekking route and the season you would be trekking in to pack adequately and properly. You would neither want to be underprepared for the freezing high mountains nor burdened with extra clothing and gears you would hardly use. Broadly speaking, a good quality backpack, down jacket (rated up to -10ºC), a warm fleece jacket, moisture-wicking top, trekking pants and shorts, thermal underwear, a pair of comfortable boots, woolen socks with extras, woolen caps, hat, scarves, UV protection goggles, trekking poles, water bottle and a good quality sleeping bag are the essentials. If you happen to miss out any items, you can easily purchase or rent any gears or supplies in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
The maximum weight of baggage per person on a mountain flight is 15 kg including hand carry, so please make sure you do not carry any extra items that you would hardly use on trek. This is also to strictly ensure that our porters are not overburdened. Any additional baggage that you bring along would be subject to additional cost from the airlines company and for hiring of an extra porter.
A sturdy yet comfortable pair of walking boots with ankle support is recommended for trekking. Always pick a broken-in pair of boots over new ones to prevent blisters and other inconveniences while on trek. The soles must be thick enough to protect your feet from sharp rocks and have a good tread for grip. If possible, opt for water-resistant boots that help keep your feet dry. Use woolen socks to keep your feet warm and do not forget to pack in extra pairs. A pair of crampons makes walking on ice easy.
A porter carries 10 to 12 kg per person of your baggage depending upon the trekking route, altitude and weather conditions. We allocate one porter for every two trekkers. A camping porter carries more.
Tipping your guide and porter is not obligatory, but it has become a standard practice to tip your guide and porter in Nepal in appreciation of their care and service. Most of the guides and locals belong to communities in the trekking regions and even a small support can help them look after their families better. Although the tip amount depends upon your satisfaction and financial conditions, trekkers normally tip around 15% of the trip cost.
Our trip costs include all expenses during the trip. It covers your transportation to and from the trek start and end destinations, accommodations, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), permit and fees. You may require some pocket money for your personal expenses. It can be used to cover bottled water, snacks, extra coffee and tea, souvenirs, voluntary tips and donations.
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