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TripAdvisor · Travelers’ Choice 2026

Nepal · Dolpo Region

Upper Dolpo Trek

23 Days
Difficulty · 3 Strenous/5
Max 5490m
Group 2–14 pax
Duration
23 Days
22 nights
Max Altitude
5490m
Highest point
Difficulty
Strenous
3 Strenous out of 5
Group Size
2–14
people
Best Season
Feb, Mar, April, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec.
Activity / Day
4-6 Hrs Walking

Trip Overview

 

Overview

Dolpo region is the most remote and least developed district in Nepal. Although a few anthropologists and geographers had explored the region, the entire district was closed to trekkers until 1989 when the southern part of Dolpo was opened to organized trekking groups. Peter Matheson's book -  The Snow Leopard and Snell grove - Himalayan pilgrimage have contributed to the mystique and attraction of Dolpo.

Dolpo region situated between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range is the highest inhabited land of Dolpo. Geographically a southern extension of Tibet, it lies within the borders of the state of Nepal, since 1984 has been the country's largest national park and conservation, the park sustains an abundance of wild life including Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep and the legendary elusive Snow Leopard, as well as being home to a fascinating race of Tibetan speaking people. The hardy highlanders of Dolpo are traders, exchanging barley for Tibetan rock salt and they take their yaks onto the Tibetan plateau during the summer for grazing. 

Nepal's first English subtitled movie on Dolpo -The Caravan- or -The Himalaya- was a huge success and was nominated for the Oscar Award in the best foreign-language film category. Boundaries of the park include within 3,500 square kilometres of land, mostly above 4,000 meters. Before 1989, when the southern regions were opened to trekking groups, very few explorers had visited the area. Two notable visits were the first mountaineering expedition by Dr Herbert Tichy in 1953 based in Saigon and the other visit by John Tyson in the early sixties. Dolpo is one of the most beautiful treks in the remote areas of Nepal, very rarely visited by an outsider.

Journey to the Upper Dolpo Region

First on the plains and then in the district of Dolpo, we go to Nepalgúnj.

Most people fly from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Nepalgunj. We ride to Juphal from Nepalgunj. (The most organized tours of the region are flying from Kathmandu. (It is not possible to fly directly from Kathmandu to Juphal, although expensive charter flights are available from Pokhara.) Remember that the Juphal airport is just a small mountain airfield, which often may cause bad weather to disrupt flights. Nepalgunj can be reached by lane, but from Kathmandu or Pokhara it is a long journey. Roads in Western Nepal develop, but Juphal is still on the nearest road for several days.

Highlights of Upper Dolpo Trek

  • The Dolpo region's main attraction is the captivating Shey Phoksundo Lake
  • Experience Nepal's extremly unusual cultural culture
  • Take the opportunity to see Snow Leopard in Shey Phoksundo National Park
  • Read about the 800 years old, Shey Gompa at Crystal Mountain Base
  • Starting with the legendary Yarsagumba hunt. Look at the Hunt for Yarsa.
  • Nepal 's largest lake, Rara Lake
  • It is worth skiing at a peak like the Mt. Putha.
  • The Tibetian Culture ethnic society has preserved in its primeval stage.

Trip Grade: Strenuous

From an altitude of 4000m to 5550m is considered a strenuous trek or grade 3. Most of the trekking of Nepal is in grade 3. You need some previous trekking experiences and have decent physical fitness. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes, however, the pace of the trek will vary in compensation. If you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have strong determination, you will complete a moderate trek successfully. Exercising, particularly jogging and climbing stairs regularly for some weeks prior to your arrival is recommended to enhance your strength and fitness. Past hiking experience would be an asset, but no technical skill is required. Climbing and descending are very usual experiences for these types of trekking and you may have to cross small glaciers as well.  This kind of trekking gives you an experience of a lifetime, has very beautiful walking surrounded by spectacular mountains. Above 4000m, there are many settlements in Nepal with a very different landscape. Yaks typically graze at this altitude.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

01
Day 1
Arrival at Kathmandu Airport and Transfer to Hotel

 

Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Upon your arrival, representative will be picked up from airport then you will be transferred to a hotel for check in. Overnight stay at Himalayan Suite hotel. (B)

Accommodation: Himalayan Suite Hotel
Meal: Dinner
Activity: Orientation Program

What’s Included

Included
Airport pick up and drop
Accommodation in Kathmandu(Himalayan Suite Hotel) or similar category and Pokhara (Hotel Lake Star or similar category on twin sharing with breakfast
Fooding, lodging and other expenses of trekking crew
Fooding (3 meals a day ) and lodging for the clients in trek days
Necessary paper works for permit and national park fees
Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
All necessary equipments during the trek
Thirty minute massage in Himalayan Suite Spa
Not Included
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Personal equipments and clothing
Airfare Kathmandu - Nepalgunj $158 , Nepaljung -Dunai $120 and Jomsom -Pokhara $120
Cold drinks and beverages
Special Permit fee $500 for first 10 days and $50 for additional day
City sightseeing monuments entry fee (NPR 250+400+1000)
Personal expenses and tips to the crew

Upcoming Departures

Departs Daily — Pick Any DateThis trip runs every day year-round. Choose your preferred start date below.

Available months in 2026

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Traveler Reviews20 verified

T
Taher★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Really excellent day! Rajan was my tour guide and he was excellent. Explained every historical site and the background behind it and was very informative the whole day. He made sure I was ok always, gave good reccomendat…

D
Dave★★★★★
Verified Purchase

We really enjoyed our tour of the 7 UNESCO sites today. Dipendra was very informative and told us all about the history and fascinating facts of the many temples we visited. This is a full day trip and I would recommend …

G
Greg★★★★★
Verified Purchase

A great way to see all of the important sites in Kathmandu in just one day! The guide, Dipendra was great! Informative and funny!

Traveler Stories

KimEverest Base Camp Trek
Deck and StrebellaNagarkot Sunrise Tour with Sallaghari-Changunarayan Hiking
DavidKathmandu - Pokhara Sightseeing with Everest Scenic Flight & Annapurna Heli tour
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/ person
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Reserve with $ 458.00 — pay the rest later
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4.9★ · 2,004+ TripAdvisor reviews
18 Years+ Experience
Why Trek with HSJ
Small GroupsMax 12 trekkers for a personal experience
Local Sherpa GuidesBorn & raised in the Himalaya
All Permits IncludedNo hidden fees or surprises
7% of profit donated

Through the Himalayan Community Project, we fund education, healthcare & conservation in rural Nepal.

Amrit SapkotaAswin SapkotaRam SapkotaAju SitaulaSushma Rijal
Ram & TeamBased in Kathmandu 🇳🇵
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