Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa Trekking

On first arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport, received by our Epic Adventures staff and guide for short transfer to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu. After a short refreshing rest in your room then join with other group members for trek briefing, our expert guide will provides full information regarding the trek, culture, tour of Kathmandu at places of interest.

Evening a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurants with local folk cultural program entertains, while you have dinner.

A day in Kathmandu for trek preparation and tour at places of great interest around best historical and cultural places. Our city tour guide will take you to famous areas listed in World Heritage Sites and then back to hotel after a wonderful time at sightseeing tour with time to get organize and preparation for next day adventure to Lower Dolpo Trekking. 

Morning or afternoon as per flight time for Nepalgunj, transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport and then checking in past security, board in a big plane for exciting flight facing grand panorama of Central and Western Himalayas. As the planes lands at Nepalgunj city airport, around low sub-tropical region of Nepal Far South West. Transfer to respective hotels with time for short walks around the city area to observe local life, here the people and culture similar to Indian, as Nepalgunj city is close to the border of UP a state of India.

After an early breakfast transfer to Nepalgunj airport for a short connecting flight to Jhupal airport in Dolpo. Another scenic flight with views of Western Himalaya range of peaks, on landing at Jhupal received by our trekking staff and then board in a vehicle for short drive to Dunai for overnight stop. Dunai the headquarter town of Dolpo district with many simple lodge for overnight stay here time for short walk around Dunai, an interesting place to witness the local culture of both Hindu and Buddhism religion and custom.

From Dunai, walk through market to cross a bridge over Thulo Bheri River and then climb over a ridge top above Phoksundo River valley, facing views of Kagmara peak.

On reaching the top downhill past farm villages lined with walnut trees, as walk heads close to Dhera a small cattle herders settlements. From here short climb towards Raha-Gaon village of Thakuri a Hindu tribe.

Walk downhill to a forested area to Chepkpa, a small farm village for first overnight stop and camping. 

After a pleasant overnight in Chepkpa, close to Ankhe village walk starts with short climb, then descend to a river bank, as climb continues on leaving the forest behind, and then downhill to forest as walk heads upstream to Ryajik village, journey leads further to Samdua for overnight stop near the entrance of Phoksundo National Park.

Today walk leads to our first highlight destination at Phoksundo Lake, as route head past Pungmo Khola (stream) valley. Following Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch tree to upper side of Phoksundo Khola.

After a short break walk to Ringmo village, an interesting village of Tibetan origin with similar life style and culture with mud plastered Chorten and Mani (prayer) walls of Bon sect and Buddhist religion. Having a short rest walk to Phoksundo Lake for overnight camp by the bank of turquoise colored Phoksundo Lake.

A lovely place for rest day, with time to enjoy beautiful scenery of landscapes with peaks of Kagmara Himal. Explore nice Ringmo village of immense culture, a short distance from the lake and camp site.

Morning walk from this beautiful sport heads higher areas toward Upper Dolpo as route leads contouring a rocky ledge on unsteady path to west side of the lake then walk past summer pasture, which opens into a wide valley around Phoksundo Khola / stream for overnight camp close to a stream.

From here onwards adventure leads north above Phoksundo Khola walk follows to a steep climb on a ridge top, facing views of wide green valley and of Kang-La pass towards our destination Shey Gompa.

Overnight camping is placed on a nice green field close to the base of Kang-la pass around complete isolation of mountain wilderness. 

Today climb to the highest point of the adventure, as morning walk starts towards our next destination Shey Gompa, climb continues on stone and rocky path to reach on top Kang-La pass at 5,350 meters / 17,655 feet, the highest spot of the adventure. From the pass enjoy views of beautiful landscapes with snow peaks as far towards Mt. Dhaulagiri in the east. After an enjoyable rest descend to the bottom by the river, then walk past cattle herder camps coming across Buddhist prayer monuments of Chorten and Mani.

As walk continues, then reaching our final destination at Shey Gompa situated close the bottom of Crystal Mountain, regarded as Holy Mountain. An isolated and mystical place with few stone houses around the monastery complex, where our camp is set.

A rest day around this serene location well hidden from rest of the world, enjoy the day with short hike around this unique country and visit Shey Gompa one of the oldest and famous religious site, the Gompa also called Crystal Monastery due to its nearness from the Crystal Mountain.

From this lovely place, return journey lead to a wall canyon, as trail meanders to Sela or Gela-la ridge top a pass at 5,094 m high, offers grand views of beautiful landscapes with Dhaulagiri peaks. After a refreshing break on downhill to a grazing area, as walk ends for the day at Nam-Gaon for overnight stop.

After Nam-Gaon, walk on dusty windswept trails that leads to steep climb and then down to Saldang for overnight stop, an impressive and largest village around Upper Dolpo region, situated on higher side of a wide plateau within windswept terrain of rocky hills and high mud cliffs.

Morning walk follows Nang Chu River with few short climb and descend past Sugu-Gaon and Dechen Lapran, a Yak herders camp. From here on gradual path to overnight camp at Cha-Gaon village, here visit the old Rapa Gompa of pre- sect of Buddhism known as Bonpa.

From Cha-Gaon, walk starts heading due south following Dachu Khola and beyond, after crossing on the same route as walk follows a stream past farm fields, and then end the day walk on reaching Yak herder temporary settlement for overnight camp, within a wild country.

Walk today heading further south to the base of Jyanta-la pass, after a short rest a steep climb reach you on top of the pass. Offers excellent views of Mt. Dhaulagiri range, and then descend to the base of the pass for overnight camp on route Tokyu village.

After an interesting overnight stop around lovely wide grazing field at the base of the pass, morning walk follows stream for short while, and then coming across caravan of yaks and mules’ laden with Nepalese goods heading towards Tibet border, trade with Tibet still exist since past hundreds of years. As this walk leads close to old Trans Himalayan salt trade route and caravan trails of Nepal and Tibet.  

Adventure continues to Tokyu Gaon for overnight stop, one of the most charming and interesting village around Dolpo, this large settlement consists of more than ten villages, situated close to each other with nice tended farm field and nice houses of Tibetan style with an old monastery. 

From Tokyu Gaon, after a wonderful overnight stop and exploring the village of great cultural interest, morning starts downhill to Tarap Chu on a wide green valley, walk through temporary shelters of Yaks and Sheep herder as journey continues to overnight camp at Dho-Tarap, near its interesting village of mixed tribes with Tibetans origin and Magar hill people.

The return journey leads to more exciting place as morning starts with long descend to Tarap valley, the largest and longest valley of Dolpo about 20 k.m extends to Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village.

Walk carries on heading past Langa facing views of waterfalls then route heads south following a nice path to Sisaul and f Kesila around Yak herder camps to our overnight camp near Tol-Tol.

Today walks leads to end of Tarap scenic valley, as our route enters a narrow gorge with some vegetation bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Tol-Tol near a large overhanging cave, around this area might spot some wild life like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals like elusive Snow Leopard as well.

As walk progress heading past small settlement of Chyugar to reach a confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola streams, overnight camp near the bank of Tarap Khola / stream after a long day walks of six hours.

From here onward getting closer to Dunai town, as morning walk starts on nice path past smaller farm villages and a small patch of pine and juniper forest, as walk continues following a river to Tarakot for overnight stop. A large and interesting village with old historical background.

Tarakot means a place with fort or fortress, in local calls Dzong from Tibetan language, as Kot in Nepali in early days stood as an important village guarding the village from invaders during the regime of Malla period around 14th to 17th Centuary. Tarakot the main post for Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route to Tibet, the village used to collect tax or tolls from the traders and merchants.

 An interesting place with famous old Sandul Gomba, located on the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where our overnight camp is set.

Morning from Tarakot walk takes you around farm villages inhabited with more Hindu tribes Roka Chettries and Thakuri Malla, as walk come across more farm villages with nice tended terraces. Walk continues for few hours to Dunai town. At Dunai after a refreshing stop, and then taking a short drive of few hours in a local jeep, heading through forested area to Jhupal for last overnight stop around Dolpo and Far West Nepal.

After a wonderful adventure around Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa trekking, morning after breakfast walk to the air terminal and then board in a small aircraft for flight to Nepalgunj.

On reaching Nepalgunj within warmer climate, as per time for another connecting flight after a short transit then board in a bigger plane for flight back to Kathmandu facing superb panorama of Himalayan peaks. 

As plane lands at Kathmandu airport, a short transfer back to your hotels after an enjoyable time on the high hills and mountains of Far Western Nepal.

We have reserved this day as contingency, in case of flight delay and cancellation in Jhupal before or after the trek. This situation can happen sometimes even in best time of the seasons due to unfavorable bad weather for flights in mountainous area. If all goes well as per our standard itinerary days enjoy this free leisure day in Kathmandu, for individual activities relaxing, shopping souvenirs or take a sightseeing tour around places of great interest like Patan and Bhaktapur, worth a visit to witness more of Nepalese art and culture.

Last day in Kathmandu and in Nepal, as per your international flight time our staff and guide will accompany you for a short drive to international airport for final departure, after a memorable time and great adventure around Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa Trekking within amazing Nepal Himalayas.