Introduction of UPPER DOLPO AND SHEY GOMPA TREK
UPPER DOLPO & SHEY GOMPA TREK — IN DETAIL
The Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa Trek is an expedition-style high-altitude trek into the far‑western reaches of Nepal, tucked between the Tibetan Plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range. For centuries, this region remained locked away from outsiders and was only opened to organized trekking groups in the late 1980s — largely to protect its pristine landscapes and ancient cultural heritage.
This trek begins with a journey from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a flight to Juphal, the gateway airstrip to the Dolpo region. From Juphal, you descend into lush valleys and historic villages, then begin an ascent through Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest protected area, famed for its rich biodiversity, Phoksundo Lake (one of Nepal’s deepest and most beautiful high‑altitude lakes), cascading waterfalls, and rugged Himalayan terrain.
As you progress into Upper Dolpo, the trek shifts into stark highland landscapes marked by wide river valleys, barren plateaus, and ancient villages shaped by centuries of isolation. The people, known as Dolpo‑pa, largely descend from Tibetan stock and maintain traditional dress, language, foodways, and spiritual practices that combine Tibetan Buddhism with the ancient Bon religion.
The focal point of the trek is Shey Gompa (“Crystal Monastery”), perched at around 4,200 m and revered as the spiritual heart of the region. It’s a sacred pilgrimage site where locals and monks converge, particularly during rare festivals (like the Shey Festival held once every 12 years), and is widely regarded as a place of deep spiritual resonance — akin to lesser-known Himalayan equivalents of Mount Kailash.
The trail also crosses multiple high mountain passes (often above 5,000 m) such as Numa La and Kang La, each offering panoramic views of the remote Himalayas, the Tibetan landscape, and the Dhaulagiri massif. Along the way, you pass isolated villages like Saldang, Ringmo, Dho Tarap, and Namgung, where centuries-old stone houses, prayer flags, mani walls, and monasteries offer a window into a world still deeply rooted in ancient traditions.
Because this area is a restricted region — one of Nepal’s most remote — special permits are required, and independent trekking is not allowed; groups must be accompanied by licensed guides. The remoteness, high passes, and basic infrastructure mean this is a serious, expedition-style trek that’s physically demanding but hugely rewarding for those seeking cultural immersion, spiritual depth, and wilderness adventure.
In essence, the Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa Trek is not just a hike through mountains — it is a journey through time and tradition, offering one of the most authentic and untouched Himalayan cultural experiences available: landscapes shaped by geology and legend, communities living as they have for centuries, and sacred centers where spirituality is woven into everyday life.
Trip Highlights
- Adventure of a fascinating journey around Nepal’s Far Wild West Himalaya
- On and off the beaten tracks, far and remote, away from modern civilization.
- Enjoy dramatic country landscapes from green hills to arid and barren terrains.
- Explore isolated farm villages steeped in ancient Bon and Buddhist cultures.
- In the land of snow leopards and blue sheep, with other mountain mammals
- Nepal’s largest National Park of Shey and Phoksundo, enriched with flora/fauna
Trip Duration: 25 Days
Maximum Altitude: 5350m
Difficulty Grade: Moderate
Best Seasons: Spring-Autumn- Summer
Start & End Point: Kathmandu / Kathmandu
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Itinerary of UPPER DOLPO AND SHEY GOMPA TREK
Day Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. Transfer to your hotel, rest, and start preparing for the trek. Most itineraries include a briefing with your guide about permits, logistics, and gear.
Activity
Arrival
Max Altitude
1300m
Overnight Stay
Kathmandu
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
3 Star Hotel /SimilarDay Day 2 Preperation in Kathmandu
This day is spent finalizing permits (including the Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit), organizing gear, and briefing with your trekking team. Permits are required and must be obtained through a licensed agency.
Day Day 3 Fly to nepalgunj
Early flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (southern Nepal). Nepalgunj is the main domestic hub for western treks and provides access to Dolpo.
Activity
Fly to nepalgunj
Overnight Stay
Nepalgunj
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 4 Fly to Juphal & Trek to Dunai
Take a short flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2,400–2,500 m), a small airstrip in Dolpo.
From Juphal, you begin trekking on foot — usually a short trek of 2–3 hours — to Dunai (2,100 – 2,150 m), the administrative center of the region and your first campsite.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
2100m
Overnight Stay
Dunai
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 5 Trek Dunai to Chhepka / Ankhe
From Dunai, the trail follows the Bheri River, rising gradually as it enters the Shey Phoksundo valley. You pass small settlements and farmland before reaching Chhepka/Ankhe (2,600–2,900 m), marking the entrance to more rugged terrain.
Activity
Trek
Max Altitude
2600m
Overnight Stay
Chhepka /Ankhe
Meals
B/L/d
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 6 Trek to Renje / Sulighat
Continue trekking alongside the river through open valleys and light forests, making steady elevation gain toward Renje or Sulighat. The scenery shifts as you approach the national park boundary.
Max Altitude
2070m
Overnight Stay
Sulighat
Meals
B/L/d
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 7 Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3,600 m)
Hike toward Phoksundo Lake, one of Nepal’s most beautiful high‑altitude lakes, nestled amidst towering cliffs. The route is scenic, with forested sections giving way to open valley views.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
3601m
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 8 Explore Phoksundo Lake & Surroundings
An exploration day allows you to hike around the lake, visit nearby villages (like Ringmo), and appreciate waterfalls cascading into the turquoise waters — a great acclimatization and cultural immersion day.
Day Day 9 Trek to Phoksundo Khola Camp
Continue along the lake’s edge and descend toward the Phoksundo Khola river valley. This section is quieter and more rugged, with expansive views of ridgelines and valleys.
Day Day 10 Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang
Ascend toward Phoksundo Bhanjyang (approx. 4,000–4,400 m), a high alpine camp below the pass leading toward Shey. This day involves a noticeable climb and gives panoramic perspectives of peaks and valleys.
Max Altitude
4000m
Overnight Stay
Phoksundo Bhanjyang
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 11 Cross Kang La Pass & Trek to Shey Gompa
One of the key highlights — you cross Kang La Pass (~5,350 m) and then descend to Shey Gompa (~4,100–4,300 m), also known as the Crystal Monastery. Shey is a major cultural and spiritual center, revered in Tibetan Buddhism, and one of the focal points of the trek.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
4100m
Overnight Stay
Shey Gompa
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 12 Rest & Exploration at Shey Gompa
A rest/exploration day at Shey Gompa allows you to visit the monastery, soak in the spiritual atmosphere, and explore the surrounding valleys. Monks and locals often congregate here, and the site has deep cultural significance.
Activity
Rest and Exploration DayDay Day 13 Trek to Namgung via Saldang La Pass
Cross Saldang La (~4,700–5,200 m) and descend toward Namgung Gaon, a tiny cluster of stone houses and the site of another ancient monastery. The landscape here starts to transition from high alpine to more settled highland valleys.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
5200m
Overnight Stay
Saldang La Pass
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 14 Trek to Saldang Village
Continue descent to Saldang (~3,800–4,000 m), one of the larger villages in Upper Dolpo and an important trading hub between Nepal and Tibet. Expect stone homes, mani walls, and rich cultural interactions
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
4000m
Overnight Stay
Saldang Village
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 15 Trek to Sibu / Yangze Gompa Area
From Saldang, you head toward Sibu (or nearby Yangze Gompa), crossing pastoral landscapes and sometimes stopping at secluded monasteries like Yangze. This section involves moderate climbs and wide valley walking
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
4250m
Overnight Stay
Sibu
Meals
B/L/d
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 16 Trek to Jeng La Base Camp
Make your way toward Jeng‑La Base Camp (4,400–4,800 m). The trail follows riverbeds and ridgelines, preparing you for one of the higher passes of the trek.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
4800m
Overnight Stay
Jeng la Base camp
Meals
B/L/d
Accommodation
lodgeDay Day 17 Cross Jeng La Pass (~5,090–5,110 m) & Trek to Tokyu Gaon
Today features a challenging high pass crossing — Jeng‑La — with dramatic views across Dolpo’s high plateau. After the pass, you descend into the Tokyu Gaon (village) area nestled in Tarap Valley.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
5110m
Overnight Stay
Tokyu Gaon
Meals
B/l/d
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 18 Trek to Dho Tarap Village
A scenic, moderate‑difficulty day, you trek from Tokyu to Dho Tarap (4,000–4,200 m) — a traditional village known for its barley fields, monasteries, and rock‑garden plateau. The village is a cultural highlight with strong Tibetan influences.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
4200m
Overnight Stay
Dho Tarap Village
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 19 Trek to Serkam / Lower Tarap Valley
Descend into the Tarap Valley toward Serkam (3,600 m), where the landscape shifts to greener valleys and farms, with more visible local agriculture and settling villages.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
3600m
Overnight Stay
Serkam /Lower Tarap Valley
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 20 Trek to khani Gaun/Tarakot
Continue descending toward the Tarap lower hills, ending in Khani Gaon or Tarakot (~2,200–2,500 m) — a lively settlement with old stone forts and a hub for local trade.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
2500m
Overnight Stay
Khani Gaun /Tharakot
Meals
B/l/d
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 21 Trek to Dunai
You trek back through the lower valleys to Dunai (2,100–2,150 m), retracing part of the route but enjoying different perspectives of the changing terrain.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
2150m
Overnight Stay
Dunai
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 22 Trek to Juphal
From Dunai, you walk back to Juphal (2,400 m), preparing for your flights out of the region.
Activity
Trekking
Max Altitude
2400m
Overnight Stay
Juphal
Meals
B/L/D
Accommodation
LodgeDay Day 23 Fly to Nepalgunj & Kathmandu
From Dunai, you walk back to Juphal (2,400 m), preparing for your flights out of the region.
Activity
Fly back to kathmandu
Overnight Stay
kathmandu
If you are not happy with our itinerary, you can request for the modification as per your need
Includes/Excludes
What's Included?
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast as per the program.
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) with hot beverages and snacks during treks.
- Experienced, fluent English-speaking guides, cooks, sherpas, and porters.
- Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Upper Dolpo permits
- Domestic airfare & airport tax.
- Staff food, accommodation, clothing, salary & insurance.
- Airport Pickup & transfers.
- All governmental procedures
What's not Included?
- Meals at Kathmandu.
- Personal nature expenses.
- Bar and beverage bills
- Client’s Travel Insurance.
- Rescue & Evacuation.
- Gratitude (tip) for staff
Trip Information of UPPER DOLPO AND SHEY GOMPA TREK
Upper Dolpo is one of Nepal’s most remote and least developed trekking regions, nestled between the Tibetan Plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalaya. The area was closed to foreign visitors until the late 1980s and remains culturally intact with strong Tibetan Buddhist and Bon traditions, ancient villages, and nomadic lifestyles that have changed little over centuries.
Access to Upper Dolpo requires special restricted area permits:
- Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit: This is expensive (around USD 500 for the first 10 days + USD 50/day extra if the trek is longer).
- Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit: Required as you enter/exit the lower sections.
- Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit: Issued by the park’s authority.
- All permits must be obtained through a registered Nepalese trekking agency — solo trekking is not allowed, and a minimum of two trekkers with a licensed guide is generally required.
- Challenging to strenuous: The trek includes multiple high passes above 5,000 m, long walking days (often 6‑8+ hours), remote terrain, and limited facilities.
- Much of the route involves camping (food, water, and accommodation carried) because tea houses are sparse or nonexistent in many sections.
- Physical endurance and mental readiness are essential — this is not a beginner trek.
- Spring (March–May): Clear skies, blooming valleys, and good pass conditions — excellent for trekking.
- Autumn (September–November): Stable weather, crisp mountain views, and comfortable temperatures.
- Monsoon (June–August): Dolpo lies in a rain‑shadow zone, so trails stay dry — but access flights to Juphal may be cancelled due to weather. It’s sometimes possible but less predictable.
- Winter (December–February): Very cold with heavy snow, and high passes are often impassable — not recommended for most trekkers.
- Most of the trek in Upper Dolpo is camping‑style with tents, a support crew, and provisions carried in.
- Lower sections near Dunai and Phoksundo Lake might have occasional teahouses, but basic infrastructure and services are limited.
- Guides and trekking support (cooks, porters) are crucial for navigation, safety, and daily logistics due to the remoteness of the area.
- Trekking takes you from ~2,400 m at Juphal up to passes above 5,000 m, so altitude sickness is a real concern.
- Proper acclimatization days are built into itineraries and are essential for safety.
There are a few medical facilities on the trail; evacuation (helicopter) is possible but expensive and weather‑dependent
- Mobile signal and internet are very limited or nonexistent in much of Upper Dolpo due to its remoteness.
- Some villages may have partial signal (e.g., Dunai), but you should plan for minimal connectivity and use offline maps or satellite communication if needed.
- The region includes parts of Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to blue sheep, musk deer, and occasionally elusive snow leopards.
- Weather changes can be sudden and include rain, snow, wind, or hail — good layered gear is essential.
- In camping sections, cooks typically prepare meals — often including Nepali and Tibetan‑style dishes (dal bhat, thukpa, momos).
- You should carry extra snacks, water purification, and personal supplies, as restocking options are limited.
Equipment List for UPPER DOLPO AND SHEY GOMPA TREK
Main Backpack
- Large trek pack 50–65+ L with rain cover — main gear and clothes.
Daypack
- 20–35 L daypack for daily essentials (water, snacks, camera, documents).
Duffel Bag
- Big duffel for gear carried by porters; weight often limited by flights (~15 kg total).
Head & Neck
- Sun hat/cap (UV protection)
- Warm beanie/wool hat for cold mornings/evenings
- Neck gaiter/buff for sun, wind, and dust protection
Upper Body
- Moisture-wicking base layers (tops and thermals)
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Insulated down jacket (warm mid/heavy) for high altitudes
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket & pants
Lower Body
- Quick-dry trekking pants, plus one cozy pair for camps
- Thermal leggings/base layers for cold nights
- Waterproof shell pants
Hands
- Liner gloves (light)
- Warm insulated gloves + waterproof shell
Feet
- Trekking boots (waterproof, high ankle, well broken in)
- Hiking/camp socks (multiple pairs; wool or synthetic)
- Gaiters (optional but useful for snow/mud/dust)
- Camp sandals/shoes for evenings
- Passport + permit copies (Restricted Area Permit, National Park permit).
- Travel insurance docs (include high‑altitude rescue/evacuation).
- Cash (Nepalese rupees) — ATM access is scarce.
