Upper Dolpo Trek

18 days
From $2,790 $3,050 /person

Start / finish

Nepalgunj / Juphal

Duration

18 days

Style

Camping

Difficulty

Strenuous

Trip Highlights

Phoksundo Lake, Shey Gompa, Kang La, Jomsom exit option

Overview

Shey Gompa, Phoksundo’s turquoise water and high passes into a rain-shadow culture that still trades toward Tibet.

Trip Short Itinerary

1
Fly Nepalgunj to Juphal, trek to Dunai 2140 m
2
Toward Phoksundo 3600 m
3
Phoksundo rest 3600 m
4
Kang La toward Shey 5350 m
5
Shey Gompa 4340 m

What's included

Airport transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers as listed in the itinerary.

Accommodation

Hotels or lodges on a twin-share basis unless noted otherwise.

Meals as listed

Breakfast daily, plus lunch and dinner on touring or trekking days.

Licensed guide

An English-speaking guide for the full programme.

Upper Dolpo permit

Restricted-area permit plus camping crew, kitchen and pack animals.

What's excluded

International flights

Arrival and departure flights are not included unless stated.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive cover including medical evacuation is required.

Visa fees

Entry visas and any on-arrival charges.

Personal expenses

Drinks, laundry, tips and items of a personal nature.

Route & elevation

Start 2,140m Peak 5,350m End 4,340m

Elevation profile

0 1,375 2,750 4,125 5,500 Height (m) 2,140m 1 3,600m 2 3,600m 3 5,350m 4 4,340m 5 Day

Day-by-day itinerary

A short flight and a first camp by the river.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Pine forest giving way to the lake’s famous colour.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Walk the shore, visit the monastery, sleep beside the water.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

A high, cold pass day into inner Dolpo.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Crystal Mountain and a monastery that still feels far from a road.

Accommodation

Camp

Food / Meal

B L D

Upcoming departures

1 Oct 2026

Available $2,790 / person
Book

25 Oct 2026

Guaranteed $2,790 / person

Small group

Book

27 Nov 2026

Available $2,790 / person
Book

1 Jan 2027

Sold out $2,790 / person

Waitlist only

Unavailable

Gear & equipments

Headwear

Sun cap

Brimmed cap for hot, high-UV trail days.

Wool beanie

Warm hat for mornings above the treeline.

Buff / neck gaiter

Dust, wind and cold on high passes.

Glacier sunglasses

Category 4 lenses for snow glare.

Headlamp

Pre-dawn starts and unlit teahouse corridors.

Upper body

Merino base layer (top)

Wicking next-to-skin layer for cold mornings.

Long-sleeve trekking shirt

Sun protection on exposed ridges.

Fleece mid-layer

Warmth at rest stops without bulk.

Down jacket

Camp and high-altitude evenings.

Waterproof shell

Hooded jacket for rain and wind.

Lower body

Trekking trousers

Quick-dry pants for long walking days.

Thermal leggings

Base layer for cold nights and high camps.

Waterproof overtrousers

Keep legs dry on monsoon or snow days.

Lightweight shorts

Warm valley days at the start of the trek.

Underwear (synthetic)

Several pairs; cotton stays wet.

Footwear

Broken-in trekking boots

Ankle support on rocky, uneven trails.

Camp sandals

Air feet out at the lodge.

Wool trekking socks

Three to four pairs, rotated daily.

Liner socks

Reduce blisters on long descent days.

Gaiters

Keep snow and scree out of boots.

Hands & sleep

Fleece gloves

Morning starts and windy ridges.

Insulated mittens

Pass days above 5,000 m.

Sleeping bag (−10 °C)

Teahouse rooms are unheated.

Silk liner

Hygiene layer and a little extra warmth.

Inflatable pillow

Lodge pillows vary wildly.

Bags & trekking

Duffel (porter, 15 kg)

Soft bag for the porter; 15 kg is the usual limit.

Daypack (25–35 L)

Water, layers, camera and snacks.

Rain cover

For both duffel and daypack.

Trekking poles

Save knees on long descents.

Dry bags

Keep electronics and spare clothes dry.

Hydration & food

Water bottles (2 L total)

Refill at lodges; purification as backup.

Water purification

Tablets or a filter for trail water.

Thermos flask

Hot tea on cold pass mornings.

Trail snacks

Nuts, bars and glucose for long days.

Electrolyte sachets

Replace salt lost at altitude.

Hygiene

Biodegradable soap

Lodges have limited washing water.

Quick-dry towel

Compact towel for occasional showers.

Toothbrush and paste

Basic kit; carry-on size.

Toilet paper

Not always provided above Namche.

Hand sanitiser

Before meals on the trail.

Health & documents

Personal first-aid kit

Blister care, pain relief, personal meds.

Diamox (if prescribed)

Talk to your doctor before you fly.

Sunscreen SPF 50

UV is fierce above 4,000 m.

Lip balm with SPF

Stops cracking in dry, cold air.

Passport copies and permits

Checkpoints will ask; keep a spare set dry.

Electronics

Power bank

Lodge charging is slow and often extra.

Universal adapter

Nepal uses a mix of sockets.

Phone with offline maps

Download the route before Lukla.

Spare camera battery

Cold drains cells fast.

E-reader or cards

Long teahouse evenings.

Useful information

May–October; monsoon is usable in the rain shadow.

Trekker reviews

Owen Blake

Canada

“Dolpo was the week we had been saving for”

Phoksundo’s colour, a pass that earned its reputation, and a crew that made camping feel looked after rather than improvised.

Frequently asked

Planning

May–October; monsoon is usable in the rain shadow.
Yes — ask when you enquire and we will price a private departure.

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