Arrival in Kathmandu
KathmanduArrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.


Trek through Upper Dolpo, Nepal's last true wilderness. Shey Phoksundo Lake (3,589m), five passes above 5,000m, Bon-po monasteries, and a landscape that resembles the Tibetan Plateau. Restricted area, 25 days, from USD 2,875.
Shey Phoksundo Lake is 145 meters deep, the deepest in Nepal, with turquoise-blue water surrounded by pine forest and rock walls. The lake surface is absolutely still on calm mornings, reflecting the cliffs above. It is one of the most photographed and least-visited sights in Nepal.
Upper Dolpo's landscape looks like western Tibet transported into Nepal. Arid valleys, wind-sculpted rock, and treeless passes above 5,000m. The Bon-po monasteries practice a pre-Buddhist religion unique to this region.
Saldang valley is one of the highest year-round inhabited areas in the world. Stone houses, barley fields, and yak herds at 4,000m. The people are ethnically Tibetan and speak a Tibetan dialect. Very few foreigners have visited.
The Upper Dolpo Trek is a 25-day expedition through one of Nepal's most remote and restricted trekking areas. Upper Dolpo lies between the Dhaulagiri massif and the Tibetan Plateau, a landscape of arid valleys, wind-scoured passes, and Bon-po Buddhist monasteries that has barely changed in centuries. The trek crosses five passes above 5,000m and visits Shey Phoksundo Lake, Nepal's deepest lake.
The route starts with a flight to Juphal via Nepalgunj, then treks to Shey Phoksundo Lake (3,589m) before entering the restricted Upper Dolpo zone. The trail passes through Saldang valley (one of the highest inhabited areas in the world), Shey Gompa (the Crystal Mountain monastery), and crosses multiple high passes including Kang La (5,380m) before returning via the Barbung valley.
Permits: Shey Phoksundo National Park fee and Upper Dolpo restricted area permit (USD 500 for 10 days). All included. This is a full camping trek with expedition-style support.
For Shey Phoksundo Lake without the restricted Upper Dolpo section, a Lower Dolpo trek is possible in 12 to 14 days. For another remote restricted-area trek, the Rara Lake Trek reaches Nepal's largest lake in 16 days (USD 2,375).
25 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.
Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.
Fly to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu, approximately 1 hour. Overnight at hotel.
35-minute flight to Juphal (2,400 m), then trek to Dunai (2,150 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Ankhe (2,660 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Renje (3,104 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3,600 m), approximately 6.5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Phoksundo Khola (3,507 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,402 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Cross Kang La Pass (5,151 m) and trek to Shey Gompa (4,126 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Rest and exploration day at Shey Gompa. Overnight at tented camp.
Cross Saldang La Pass (4,785 m) and trek to Namduna Gaon (4,400 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Saldang (3,903 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Sibu (3,942 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to the foot of Jeng La (4,369 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Cross Jeng La Pass (4,845 m) and trek to Tokyu Gaon (4,240 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Dho Tarap (4,090 m), approximately 4.5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Serkam (3,630 m), approximately 6.5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Khani Gaon (2,550 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Tarakot (2,281 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Dunai (2,052 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Juphal (2,404 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj, total flight time approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. Overnight at hotel.
Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.
Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.
Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel: 3 nights in Kathmandu and 2 nights in Nepalgunj, breakfast included.
Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.
Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and camping accommodation during the trek.
A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, the required number of porters, and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.
Round-trip flights Kathmandu to Nepalgunj to Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.
Upper Dolpo special trekking permit and all other necessary permits.
Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).
All applicable government taxes.
Tourist service charge.
Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.
Travel insurance (compulsory).
International airfare and airport departure tax.
Nepal entry visa fee.
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and laundry.
Personal trekking equipment.
Tips for trekking staff and driver.
Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.
Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.
Dear guest, should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.
Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.
Nepal's last true wilderness. Upper Dolpo is one of the most remote inhabited regions on Earth.
Shey Phoksundo Lake is stunningly beautiful and almost impossible to reach without a 3-week commitment.
Five passes above 5,000m in 25 days. This is an expedition-grade trek, not a teahouse walk.
A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.
You are an experienced trekker seeking the most remote multi-week route in Nepal.
You can walk 6 to 8 hours a day for 20 trekking days with five passes above 5,000m.
You are comfortable with camping for the entire trek. No teahouses in Upper Dolpo.
Prior experience above 5,000m is essential. Extended time at altitude.
Budget is USD 2,875. Includes the USD 500 restricted area permit, camping gear, and full expedition support.
The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.
Duffel bag ( Company provide complementary)
Day pack
Down Jacket and Sleeping bag 4 season ( if you need nice and clean down jacket and sleeping bag company provide which needs to be returned after the trek)
Hiking pants
Waterproof jacket
Full, sleeves shirt
Jumper or pile jacket
T, shirts
Trekking boots (Water proof)
Camp shoes/Sandal
wool socks
Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)
Sun hat
Beanie
Gloves
Sun block for lips
Sun lotion
Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare )
Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)
windproof pants
Water bottle
Sewing kit
Medical & first aid kit
Flash light ( with spare batteries)
Personal towel
Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please.
- Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially on women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer then please pack something to wear over the top of them.
Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.
Real reviews from real trekkers who have walked this exact route. No curation, no edits.