Upper Dolpo Trek

duration 25 days
usd 5,555 All inclusive
difficulty Hard
Among the hardest available treks but still these treks are in reach of most people however one must be fit. These trips go above 5000 meters and for the duration of 15 – 20 days walking up to 6-7 hours in a day.
best season Mar-Nov
group size Min. 2 Pax

Detail itinerary

day 01
Arrival in Kathmandu (4,600ft).
A Mountain Kick representative will receive you as you land into Kathmandu and take you to your hotel.
- Accomodation: Hotel
day 02
Sightseeing around Kathmandu. Pre-trip meeting.
We will drive you from one monument to another in Kathmandu so you get a sense why this ancient city is so popular among tourists. Kathmandu has been included in Unesco’s list of World Heritage Sites for its cultural, aesthetic, religious and historical importance so you won’t be disappointed. We have a pre-trip meeting scheduled for the day where we run you through the itinerary.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 03
Fly to Nepalgunj(4,900ft) from Kathmandu.
We take a one hour flight to Nepalgunj in southern plains of Nepal. Nepalgunj is the biggest city in the region and shares its southern border with India. It is hot and humid in Neplagunj but you can visit around town in the evening.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 04
Fly to Juphal (7,874ft). Trek to Dunai (7,054ft).
We will reach Juphal in 35 minutes. This small airport is the main entrance to the Dolpo region from the rest of Nepal. From here, we begin our trek downhill through grasslands till Kala Gaura. Then we follow a river upstream to Dunai. It takes three hours in total.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 05
Trek to Ankhe (8,727ft).
We have to hike for about six hours this day. We begin by following the Thulo Bheri River and make several stops along its banks. We cross the river back and forth to see all the points of interests till we arrive at Ankhe.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 06
Trek to Renje (10,184ft).
We continue upstream and walk through forests. The trail is rocky and has its ups and downs (both literally and figuratively). The journey is tough and it takes at least seven hours to reach Renje.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 07
Trek to Phoksundo Lake (11,849ft).
We continue along the river trail and walk past forests to the Phoksundo Lake.We have to walk for six and a half hours to get here. The lake spread over 1.91 square miles is beautiful to say the least. As you might have seen in pictures, the landscape is surreal and that is why the Tibetan and Buddhist people consider this place sacred. At the maximum depth of 476 feet, it is the deepest lake in Nepal.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 08
Trek to Phoksundo Khola (11,505ft).
We trek down from the lake and follow the Phoksundo Khola River. After six hours of walking through pine forests, we will reach our camping site.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 09
Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (14,442ft).
We walk past he river valley and make our way towards the forests. The landscape is beautiful and you will feel like walking in a pine forest country club, only a tad bit denser and wilder. We will reach our camp site after seven hours of trekking.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 10
Cross the Kang La pass (16,900ft). Then trek to Shey Gompa (13,537ft).
We have to walk for around seven hours this day therefore we start early and head towards the Kang La pass. From this high you get the perfect view of the Himalayas above and the valleys below. We walk down from here to our camp site at Shey Gompa.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 11
Rest at Shey Gompa.
This is a day for acclimatization and exploration. You can visit the Shey monastery and mingle with the locals. Your body will be very exhausted after all these days of walking so rest well because our journey is not over yet.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 12
Cross the Saldang La pass (15,994ft). Then trek to Namduna Gaun (14,436ft).
We tread a rocky trail among forests till we reach the top of the Saldang La pass. It is downhill from here till we reach the village of Namduna Gaun. We will reach the village seven hours after leaving from Shey Gompa.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 13
Trek to Saldang (12,805ft).
It is a relatively easy day of trekking. We climb up for a while after which it is all downhill. We will walk along mountain ridges and reach Saldang in four hours.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 14
Trek to Sibu (12,933ft).
We will follow the Nam Khong Khola River for six hours till we reach the village of Sibu. We will pass through villages and monasteries along the way to keep the journey interesting.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 15
Trek to foot of the Jeng La (14,334ft).
We continue to follow the Nam Khong Khola along a trail used by Tibetan yak traders for ages. In about six hours, we will reach the Jeng La Phedi which will be our home for the night.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 16
Cross the Jeng La pass (15,896ft). The trek to Tokyu Gaun (13,911ft).
We climb up the Jeng La to cross the Jeng La pass. Mount Dhaulagiri and adjacent Himalayan peaks are clearly visible from the top so it provides photo opportunities for the shutterbugs. From the top, we descend about 2,000 feet to the village of Tokyu Gaun. It takes us about five hours in total.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 17
Trek to Dho Tarap (13,419ft).
We descend along the trail on the bank of the Chu River. In about four and a half hours of walking through a green valley, we reach our destination of Dho Tarap.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 18
Trek to Serkam (11,909ft).
We trek along the Tarap Khola River towards the hills and then walk along hillsides till we reach a suspension bridge. Serkam lies on the other side. The entire journey takes a little less than seven hours of trekking.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 19
Trek to Khani Gaun (8,366ft).
We follow the Tarap Khola River downhill today. The trail is very steep and we will loose more than 3,500 feet in altitude in about seven hours of walking. We will reach Khani Gaun in the evening.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 20
Trek to Tarakot (7,484ft).
We again follow the river downstream and pass through forests and gorges. In about four hours, we will reach our camp site at Tarakot village.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 21
Trek to Dunai (6,732ft).
We walk back to Dunai, the place where we were at 17 days ago. We pass several forests and follow the Thulo Bheri River downstream for about five hours till we reach Dunai.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 22
Trek to Juphal (2,404ft) - 3 hrs.
It is the same road we took when we had arrived. The first part of the three-hour trek is downhill and then come an uphill trek. We will reach Juphal in three hours.
- Accomodation: Tented
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
day 23
Fly to Nepalgunj. Then fly to Kathmandu.
A 35-minute flight takes us to Nepalgunj. We will fly back to Kathmandu on the same day.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
day 24
Leisure day. Farewell dinner.
You might want to visit some landmarks of the city before we have a farewell dinner to officially end your vacation. We suspect you will have mixed feelings throughout the night: excited to get back home but sad to leave Nepal behind.
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
day 25
Final Departure.
We will drop you to Tribhuvan International Airport and you will be gone with recollections of your Himalayan journey to keep you busy throughout the flight.
- Meal: Breakfast

Included in cost

Receive you from and drop you to the airport or hotel in our company vehicle.
Stay at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfast is on us.
Sightseeing around Kathmandu in a private vehicle with our guide. All entrance fees will be paid.
Stay at guesthouses during the trek on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners will also be taken care of.
Local government-licensed guides.
Porters (one each for a pair of travellers) and local support staff to help you trek.
Fees for entering conservation areas and Trekkers’ Information Management System card
We will lend you a down jacket and a sleeping bag for throughout the trek.
Fully paid round tickets for Kathmandu-Nepalgunj and returnflights. Round tickets for Nepalgunj-Juphal flight and back.
Rides in private vehicles included in the itinerary.
A duffel bag, a sun hat and a t-shirt as a souvenir from us.
A traditional Nepali feast with cultural shows as a farewell dinner.
All tourist fees, government charges and other official expenses throughout the trip.

Not included in cost

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
Additional stay before, during or after the set itinerary.
Charges at airports or other areas for excess luggage.
Alcohol, hot or cold drinks, bottled water, and other snacks.
Phone calls, internet, laundry, additional porters, and other personal expenses.
Travel insurance. (It is compulsory and covers emergency rescue and evacuation.)
International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
Visa fees for entering Nepal.
Trekking equipment.
Other expenses not mentioned in “Included in cost” list.

Accomodation during the Trip

In Kathmandu, you will stay in a three-star hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD 50.Also note that single rooms is easily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

faqs

How do I come to Nepal?
You have to book your own international flight from your country to Nepal and back according to your trip departure dates.
What happens after I land into Nepal?
A chauffeur from Mountain Kick will come receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Representatives of the company will visit you at the hotel itself and brief you on your trip.
What will a trekking trip with Mountain Kick involve?
You will trek in the Himalayas in a group of international travellers fully assisted by our guides, porters and local support staff. We will take care of your entire trip as soon as you land in Kathmandu and safely take to your preferred destination and back as per the package you choose. Travel will involve plenty of sightseeing and mixing with local culture.
In what physical condition do I need to be for the trip?
A regular person can complete the trip with help from our guides and porters. But it is important that you are healthy and have no physical injuries. Trekking for long hours in high altitude and difficult terrain will surely put a strain on your body and you might suffer severe physical and mental breakdown, especially if you are trekking in the Himalayas for the first time. It is, therefore, expected that you have taken light endurance training especially for longer trips.
How long do I have to trek each day?
On most days of your trips, you will trek for a couple of hours only. But some trekking days require as much as six to eight hours of walking in high altitude. However, there will be plenty time each day for rest and acclimatization.
Where will I be staying during the trip?
In Kathmandu, you will stay in a three-star hotel while you will be staying at standard guesthouses during your travel. There will be electricity, internet, laundry and hot showers in all of the places you stay. You will have to share your room with a fellow traveller in our typical package. At some destinations, especially in the Himalayas, you will have to stay in a tented camp. If you want to make separate living arrangements, talk to us beforehand and we can arrange single rooms for additional $250. Some guesthouses at very high altitudes and remote places may not have attached washrooms or single rooms.
And food?
All your major meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in your trekking package except in Kathmandu (where only breakfast is provided for). You will be served local food at all places we dine but you can order anything you like on the menu which you will have to pay for yourself. You will have a range of options so there won’t be a problem if you are a vegetarian or vegan. We make sure you get healthy and hygienic food throughout your travel.
How much help do I get during the trek?
Our guides and porters always put your safety and comfort first. We have English-speaking guides who take you to all major attractions throughout the travel and are happy to answer all your queries. We have one porter assigned each for two travellers and you will have to pay separately if you want to hire extra porters. We have local support staff in all villages and camps you reach to assist you in any way possible.
What happens in case of injuries and emergencies?
The guides always carry a professional first aid kit with them to treat with minor injuries. We also have health professionals at villages and camps along the journey. The travel insurance you take (which is compulsory) covers any and all emergency rescue and evacuation.
What if I want to do something beyond the itinerary?
We are always happy to accommodate your wishes during the travel so far as they do not conflict with schedules and other travellers. If you have special plans, you can talk to us beforehand so that we can arrange a customised trip for you.
What equipment do I bring?
You have to bring all travel equipment yourself. Please see the equipment section for a standard list of required equipment prepared by our guides. Most of the items are easily available in Kathmandu in case if you miss any and we also lend you some of the gears for the duration of the trip for a small fee.
Will I get to communicate with the outer world?
There is internet and telephone connection in all of our stops for the day throughout the journey. You will be able to call back home or post your pictures on Facebook everyday.
What travel documents do I need?
As soon as you land into Kathmandu, we take care of all your travel documents required during your trip. You just need to bring your passport and a copy of your travel insurance. Tourist fees and permits to enter certain areas will be arranged for by Mountain Kick.
Which is best time of the year to travel?
Most of the trekking routes are open throughout the year but September through to December and March to May are the best months to travel.
What are the modes of transportation for travel mentioned in the itinerary?
Rides for sightseeing and reaching destinations within city limits are done in a private vehicle like a car, a jeep or a microbus. Most of the long distance travel is done in luxurious tourist buses hired exclusively by the company. In some journeys, you may also need to take a public bus but as you will travel in a group with our guides and support staff, you need not worry about your safety or comfort.
How much money do I need to carry during the trip?
Around $50 will be enough to buy you lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. During your travel, you can get by with around $25 a day. But it depends on how much you want to spend. Due to the exchange rate and predominantly rural economy of Nepal, things are pretty cheap in Nepal.
Can I use my credit cards?
Almost all international credit cards are accepted in Nepal. However, not all places, especially during your travel, accept them. There may be a fee involved in processing your card.
Are tips for my guides and porters expected? How much?
Our staff do not expect you to tip them. Generally, travellers tip them if they are satisfied with the service as a means of gratitude. Even when travellers tip the guides and porters, there is no fixed rate. However, if you like to tip them, follow customs of your own country for tipping (which, as we have learned, is 10 to 15 percent of total cost for most western countries).
Where will I get a visa to come to Nepal?
You can obtain a visa at your home country through Nepal’s embassy or consular office. But you can easily get a visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You just need two passport-size photographs. A tourist visa with multiple entry for 30 days costs $40 while the same for 90 days costs $100.
How do I book a tour?
Click Book Now to enter your details and we shall contact you. You can contact us directly for any further information or to prepare a customized itinerary for you. For payment information, see our Terms and Conditions.

Trip notes

Please make sure you take a travel insurance at home before arriving here. It is mandatory and you cannot take it in Nepal. Your insurance agent will know which insurance plan suits your travel.
It is advisable that you free up a few days before and after your trip schedule. For reasons beyond our control like flight delays, accidents and natural hazards, the itinerary may have to be altered.
For the Nepalgunj-Juphal flight, flights are always scheduled early in the morning in this region because high winds in the ThuloBheri Valley begin around 10 am, making later flights impossible.
Please inform us and our guides if you have any medical condition that might affect your trip. Please consult your doctor beforehand for any precautions you need to take and always carry medicines if you need them. However, our guides and local support staff have been trained in basic medical intervention and your travel insurance covers any emergency rescue or evacuation.
You may decide to alter your itinerary to some degree as long as there are no time constraints and everyone consents, if you are travelling in a group. Talk to us before embarking on the trip or you may also talk to our guides to see if we can arrange something. One thing we have learned from mountaineering all these years is however good you plan your journey, there are bound to be some improvisations to make our experience richer.

Equipment List

General

2 season sleeping bag – one. (You can rent one sleeping bag and one down jacket for the entire trip from us for USD 25)
Spring down jacket – one. (You can rent one sleeping bag and one down jacket for the entire trip from us for USD 25)
Duffel – one. (We will provide you one complementary duffel bag for you to keep.)
35-45 liter daypack – one.

Head

Hat (shade hat or baseball cap). You can additionally tie a bandana around your head or neck. (Mountain Kick provides you a baseball cap as a complimentary gift.)
You can alternatively use balaclava, beanie, or hooded jacket which will be quite sufficient to keep you warm.
Glacier glasses with side shields and 100% UV protection as you will face very intense sun rays at higher altitude with high UV radiation level. If you use prescription glasses, you can find glacier glasses with prescription lenses.
Headlamp that use lithium batteries. (It is recommended you carry spare batteries.)
Neckwarmer (optional).
Lip balm – two sticks. (You lips are bound to get chapped in the cold and dry weather.)

Hand

Synthetic liner gloves – one pair.
Winter fleece gloves or wool gloves – one pair.
Shell gloves – one pair.
Hand warmer (optional). Wearing multiple layers of your gloves should be enough.

Torso

T-shirt – two.
Lightweight thermal tops – two.
Fleece jacket – one.
Windstopper jacket (optional).
Rain jacket – one.
For women: synthetic sports bra – two.

Legs

Nylon hiking shorts – two pairs.
Trekking pants – two pairs.
Synthetic underwear – four.
Synthetic long underwear – two.
Synthetic softshell pant – one pair.
Waterproof pant – one pair.
Jeans, cotton or khaki pant – one pair.

Feet

Synthetic liner socks – four pairs.
Heavyweight socks – three pairs.
Lightweight socks – one pair.
Waterproof light trekking boots – one pair. Choose wisely as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Sneakers – one pair. (You will not be trekking throughout your vacation).
Hiking gaiters (optional).
Sandals (optional).

First aid and medicines

Extra strength Excedrin for headaches.
Ibuprofen for general pain.
Imodium or Pepto-Bismol for gas, upset stomach or diarrhoea.
Diamox for altitude sickness.
Ointment for blisters and cuts.
First aid kit (optional). Our guides always carry a professional first aid kit with them.

Do not forget

Your passport. Passport size photos – four copies.
Airline tickets.
SPF 40 sunscreen for UV protection.
A Swiss army knife.
Aqua iodine tablets.
A toiletry kit with towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, hand wipes, soaps, etc.
Kerchiefs

Optional

Trekking poles. These will provide stability, take the stress off your knees and greatly increase your trekking speed.
Munchies (all the walking might make you hungry during your trek).
Binoculars
Books or mp3 players (a smartphone is great).
Camera
Hydration bladder. You might also want to carry a thermos.
A pee bottle (or a pee funnel for women).

Note: The lists have been prepared by our guides based on experience and are meant as suggestion for an average trekker. Each trekker will have his/her own preferences and necessities and we recommend carrying everything that you think you might need. You will find several options for each equipment and we advise to select the best match for your particular trip. You can purchase almost everything on the lists in Kathmandu and we are happy to help you choose.

download equipment list

view all equipment list

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As one of the core guiding principles for Mountain Kick, we always give back to the mountain community in any way we can as a means of gratitude. The people who live in the Himalayas and share their homes with us deserve to have all their little problems fixed which seem very basic for outsiders but are commonplace in rural Nepal. The people lack proper access to healthcare, sanitation and education but a little effort from travellers goes on a long way to solve these issues. Mountain Kick has made it its corporate social responsibility to help improve the living standards of the local community. We make donations to their cause, organize social campaigns and programs and also have a few trips designed to mix a little volunteer work in your holiday.