Days
32 Days
Arrival City
Kathmandu
Departure City
Kathmandu
Best Season
September–December · March–May
Max Altitude
5,350m
Accommodation
3-star hotel in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, camping/tented accommodation on the trek
Transportation
Private vehicle, Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal and Jomsom–Pokhara–Kathmandu domestic flights
Difficulty
Strenuous
Group Size
2–12
A 32-day camping expedition across Upper Dolpo, situated between the Dhaulagiri range and the Tibetan plateau, that traverses the remote Sangda La pass (5,120m) to connect Dolpo's deserts with the Kali Gandaki valley in Mustang. The route passes Shey Phoksundo Lake, crosses the Nagdalo La/Kang La pass (5,350m) to the ancient Shey Gompa, and moves through Tibetan villages such as Saldang, Khomagaon and Chharka Bhot — home to the Bon Po drokpa communities — before descending into Jomsom.
Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal → Phoksundo Lake → Shey Gompa → Saldang → Chharka Bhot → Sangda La → Jomsom → Pokhara → Kathmandu.
A representative meets you on arrival and transfers you to your hotel in Kathmandu.
A day visiting Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square while permits are processed, with a pre-trek briefing in the evening.
A flight to Nepalgunj, the lowland gateway town on the western Terai, to meet the trekking crew and review safety procedures.
A 35-minute flight over changing terrain to Juphal, the only airstrip in Dolpo.
Downhill to the Thuli Bheri River, following it past villages to its confluence with the Suli Gad, then a climb through cedar forest to Sulighat.
Across a suspension bridge into Shey Phoksundo National Park, following the Suli Gad with distant views of the Dhaulagiri range through pine, cypress and bamboo forest.
A narrow trail up the Phoksundo Khola gorge through bamboo stands to a traditional Amchi treatment center.
Descent through birch forest to Ringmo, a stone-and-chorten village, then on to the ranger station and shores of Phoksundo Lake.
A day exploring Nepal's deepest lake, Ringmo's roughly twenty Tibetan-style houses, and views of Kanjirowa Himal (6,612m).
Along the Phoksundo Lake shore and the riverbed of the Phoksundo Khola to a grazing-ground campsite.
A steep climb above the Tuk Kyaksa Khola to the camp made famous in Peter Matthiessen's 'The Snow Leopard,' at the foot of the Kang La (Nagdalo La) pass.
A long ascent over the pass (5,350m) for views of Phoksundo Lake and Upper Dolpo, then a snow-covered descent to Shey Gompa, an 11th-century monastery below Crystal Mountain.
Exploring Shey Gompa, built in 1655 and known for its gilded Sakyamuni Buddha statue, and the quartz-veined cliffs of Crystal Mountain.
A steep climb over Sela La (5,094m) for views into the Tibetan plateau, then down to Namgung's monastery and meadows.
Over open, sparsely wooded slopes to Saldang, a wealthy agricultural village that once sat on a Tibet trade route and served as an independent Dolpo kingdom.
Exploring the arid, sand-dune-ringed village and its centuries-old monasteries, including Samye Choling and Jovo.
Across sand dunes and bare hills, past whitewashed villages, mani walls and chortens, to Khomagaon.
Over Nang La pass (4,375m) and down arid terrain along the Panjyan Khola, via Shimen Gompa, to Mendo.
Downhill along the Panjyan Khola gorge, visiting the ancient Pu Gompa, to Tinkyu, birthplace of Dolpo thangka painter Tenzing Norbu Lama.
A day exploring the valley's wide fields, two gompas, an old fortress and nearby monasteries.
Along the Panjyan Khola to a river confluence, then along the Kehein Khola, crossing several bridges, to camp at Rapka.
A mild climb to Chharka La pass (5,027m), then a descent to Chharka village on the Chharka Tulsi Khola, with an evening visit to Sarchhen Gompa.
Exploring Chharka's Buddhist and Bönpo gompas, reflecting Dolpo's two religious traditions.
Downhill to a stream then a long ascent through open meadows toward the Dhaulagiri massif, now visible as the route nears the Annapurna region.
Along a yak pasture toward the base of Sangda La, with views of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m) and Tongu Himal (6,197m).
Over Sangda La (5,120m) for views of the Dhaulagiri massif, then down to the settlement of Sangda Phedi.
Leaving Dolpo through the Annapurna Conservation Area over Jugben La (5,550m), then a steep gorge descent to Santa village.
A climb to Bhima Lojun La (4,460m) for views over the Kali Gandaki valley, then a steep forest descent into Mustang to the village of Phalyak.
A flat riverbed walk along the Kali Gandaki to the windy town of Jomsom, marking the end of the trekking days.
Two connecting flights back to Kathmandu via Pokhara, with transfer to your hotel.
A contingency day held in case of flight delays; otherwise free to explore Kathmandu's markets and temples.
Transfer to the airport roughly three hours before your onward flight.
This trip runs on a customizable, on-request basis — choose your own start date and we'll build the group and logistics around it.
Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal → Phoksundo Lake → Shey Gompa → Saldang → Chharka Bhot → Sangda La → Jomsom → Pokhara → Kathmandu.
Every itinerary can be adjusted for extra acclimatization days, private departures, or combining with another region. Mention it in your enquiry and we'll rework the day-by-day plan accordingly.
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