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Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary

A remote Tibetan plateau trek past Phoksundo Lake and Shey Gompa, over five high passes. A 21-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

21 days

18 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

5,306 m

Kang La

Difficulty

Strenuous

Dolpo (restricted area)

Best months

May to October

Spring and autumn

Restricted area. You need a special permit arranged through a registered trekking agency, and independent trekking is not allowed. Confirm the guide and group rules with the agency before booking.
Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k6k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startKang La: about 5,306 mSaldang La: about 4,785 mJeng La: about 4,845 mDay 1: Nepalgunj, about 150 mDay 2: Dunai, about 2,150 mDay 3: Ankhe, about 2,660 mDay 4: Renje, about 3,104 mDay 5: Phoksundo Lake, about 3,600 mDay 6: Phoksundo Khola, about 3,507 mDay 7: Phoksundo Bhanjyang, about 4,402 mDay 8: Shey Gompa, about 4,126 mDay 9: Shey Gompa, about 4,126 mDay 10: Namgung, about 4,400 mDay 11: Saldang, about 3,903 mDay 12: Sibu, about 3,942 mDay 13: Foot of Jeng La, about 4,369 mDay 14: Tokyu Gaon, about 4,240 mDay 15: Dho Tarap, about 4,090 mDay 16: Serkam, about 3,630 mDay 17: Khani Gaon, about 2,550 mDay 18: Tarakot, about 2,281 mDay 19: Dunai, about 2,052 mDay 20: Juphal, about 2,404 mDay 21: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m13579111315171921Day

1 day climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

    Sleep: Nepalgunj · about 150 mFlight about 1 h

    Fly to Nepalgunj on the southern plains, the usual gateway to western Nepal.

  2. Day 2

    Nepalgunj to Juphal to Dunai

    Sleep: Dunai · about 2,150 m (sources: 2,052 to 2,150 m)Walking 3 to 4 hFlight Nepalgunj to Juphal about 35 min (Juphal about 2,400 m, weather dependent)

    Fly to Juphal and walk down to Dunai, the district headquarters. Permits are checked here.

  3. Day 3

    Dunai to Ankhe

    Sleep: Ankhe · about 2,660 mWalking 6 h

    Enter Shey Phoksundo National Park and follow the Suli Gad river.

  4. Day 4

    Ankhe to Renje

    Sleep: Renje · about 3,104 mWalking 7 to 8 hSleeping altitude +440 m

    A long day through forest, with the first view of the Phoksundo waterfall.

  5. Day 5

    Renje to Phoksundo Lake

    Sleep: Phoksundo Lake · about 3,600 m (sources: 3,600 to 3,611 m)Walking 6 to 7 hSleeping altitude +500 m

    Arrive at the deep blue lake at about 3,600 m, one of the most beautiful in Nepal.

  6. Day 6

    Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola

    Sleep: Phoksundo Khola · about 3,507 mWalking 6 to 7 h

    Follow the lake shore and the river valley north.

  7. Day 7

    Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang

    Sleep: Phoksundo Bhanjyang · about 4,402 mWalking 7 to 8 hSleeping altitude +900 m

    A big climb to a high camp below Kang La. Go slowly and watch for altitude symptoms.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 900 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  8. Day 8

    Over Kang La to Shey Gompa

    Sleep: Shey Gompa · about 4,126 m (sources: 4,126 to 4,340 m)Walking 7 to 8 hReach Kang La · about 5,306 m (sources: 5,151 to 5,350 m)

    The first major pass, about 5,306 m (sources 5,151 to 5,350 m). A long day with a steep descent to the Crystal Monastery.

  9. Day 9 · rest day

    Rest day at Shey Gompa

    Sleep: Shey Gompa · about 4,126 m (sources: 4,126 to 4,340 m)

    Visit the monastery and the Crystal Mountain. A needed recovery day.

  10. Day 10

    Shey Gompa over Saldang La to Namgung

    Sleep: Namgung · about 4,400 mWalking 6 to 7 hReach Saldang La · about 4,785 mSleeping altitude +270 m

    Cross Saldang La (about 4,785 m) to the Namgung monastery.

  11. Day 11

    Namgung to Saldang

    Sleep: Saldang · about 3,903 m (sources: 3,770 to 3,903 m)Walking 4 to 5 h

    Down to Saldang, one of the largest villages in Dolpo.

  12. Day 12

    Saldang to Sibu

    Sleep: Sibu · about 3,942 mWalking 6 to 7 hSleeping altitude +40 m

    Follow the Nagon Khola valley.

  13. Day 13

    Sibu to the foot of Jeng La

    Sleep: Foot of Jeng La · about 4,369 mWalking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +430 m

    Camp below the pass.

  14. Day 14

    Over Jeng La to Tokyu Gaon

    Sleep: Tokyu Gaon · about 4,240 mWalking 7 to 8 hReach Jeng La · about 4,845 m (sources: 4,845 to 5,100 m)

    Cross Jeng La (about 4,845 m, one source 5,100 m) and descend to Tokyu Gaon.

  15. Day 15

    Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap

    Sleep: Dho Tarap · about 4,090 m (sources: 4,080 to 4,090 m)Walking 4 to 5 h

    Arrive in the Tarap valley, with its farming villages.

  16. Day 16

    Dho Tarap to Serkam

    Sleep: Serkam · about 3,630 mWalking 6 to 7 h

    Descend through the Tarap gorge.

  17. Day 17

    Serkam to Khani Gaon

    Sleep: Khani Gaon · about 2,550 mWalking 7 to 8 h

    A long day down the gorge with several river crossings.

  18. Day 18

    Khani Gaon to Tarakot

    Sleep: Tarakot · about 2,281 mWalking 4 to 5 h

    Reach the fort village of Tarakot.

  19. Day 19

    Tarakot to Dunai

    Sleep: Dunai · about 2,052 m (sources: 2,052 to 2,150 m)Walking 5 h

    Back to Dunai.

  20. Day 20

    Dunai to Juphal

    Sleep: Juphal · about 2,404 m (sources: 2,400 to 2,475 m)Walking 3 to 4 h

    Walk to the airstrip. Keep spare days for flights.

  21. Day 21

    Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 mFlights Juphal to Nepalgunj about 35 min and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu about 1 h

    Fly out. Flights are weather dependent, so build in spare days.

Permits

  • Upper Dolpo Restricted Area (special trekking) permit, charged per day and arranged only through a registered trekking agency
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit
  • Travel insurance with high-altitude emergency evacuation is required by operators
  • Confirm the current permit list, fees, and guide and group rules with the agency

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

Upper Dolpo is a remote Tibetan-style plateau in far western Nepal, famous for Phoksundo Lake, the old Shey Gompa (the Crystal Monastery) and villages such as Saldang and Dho Tarap. There are no roads, and the only access is by flight to Juphal, so a trek here is long, with 6 to 8 hour days and many nights above 4,000 m.

This plan follows the classic loop: Dunai, Phoksundo Lake, Kang La (about 5,306 m) to Shey Gompa, Saldang La, Saldang, Jeng La and Dho Tarap, then back through Tarakot to Dunai and Juphal. Altitudes and pass heights differ between sources by up to about 250 m.

Day-by-day itinerary (21 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Sleep at Nepalgunj (about 150 m). Flight about 1 h.
  2. Day 2: Nepalgunj to Juphal to Dunai. Sleep at Dunai (about 2,150 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h. Flight Nepalgunj to Juphal about 35 min (Juphal about 2,400 m, weather dependent).
  3. Day 3: Dunai to Ankhe. Sleep at Ankhe (about 2,660 m). Walking about 6 h.
  4. Day 4: Ankhe to Renje. Sleep at Renje (about 3,104 m). Walking about 7 to 8 h.
  5. Day 5: Renje to Phoksundo Lake. Sleep at Phoksundo Lake (about 3,600 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  6. Day 6: Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola. Sleep at Phoksundo Khola (about 3,507 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  7. Day 7: Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang. Sleep at Phoksundo Bhanjyang (about 4,402 m). Walking about 7 to 8 h.
  8. Day 8: Over Kang La to Shey Gompa. Sleep at Shey Gompa (about 4,126 m). Walking about 7 to 8 h. Reach Kang La (about 5,306 m).
  9. Day 9: Rest day at Shey Gompa. Sleep at Shey Gompa (about 4,126 m).
  10. Day 10: Shey Gompa over Saldang La to Namgung. Sleep at Namgung (about 4,400 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h. Reach Saldang La (about 4,785 m).
  11. Day 11: Namgung to Saldang. Sleep at Saldang (about 3,903 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  12. Day 12: Saldang to Sibu. Sleep at Sibu (about 3,942 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  13. Day 13: Sibu to the foot of Jeng La. Sleep at Foot of Jeng La (about 4,369 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  14. Day 14: Over Jeng La to Tokyu Gaon. Sleep at Tokyu Gaon (about 4,240 m). Walking about 7 to 8 h. Reach Jeng La (about 4,845 m).
  15. Day 15: Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap. Sleep at Dho Tarap (about 4,090 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  16. Day 16: Dho Tarap to Serkam. Sleep at Serkam (about 3,630 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  17. Day 17: Serkam to Khani Gaon. Sleep at Khani Gaon (about 2,550 m). Walking about 7 to 8 h.
  18. Day 18: Khani Gaon to Tarakot. Sleep at Tarakot (about 2,281 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  19. Day 19: Tarakot to Dunai. Sleep at Dunai (about 2,052 m). Walking about 5 h.
  20. Day 20: Dunai to Juphal. Sleep at Juphal (about 2,404 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  21. Day 21: Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). Flights Juphal to Nepalgunj about 35 min and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu about 1 h.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Upper Dolpo lies in the Himalayan rain shadow, so it is drier than most of Nepal in summer, and the high passes are mostly clear of snow from about May to October. Early May and late October can still bring snow, and winter closes the passes.

Permits

  • Upper Dolpo Restricted Area (special trekking) permit, charged per day and arranged only through a registered trekking agency
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit
  • Travel insurance with high-altitude emergency evacuation is required by operators
  • Confirm the current permit list, fees, and guide and group rules with the agency

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Upper Dolpo Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 21 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 18 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Upper Dolpo Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Kang La, at about 5,306 m.

What is the best time for the Upper Dolpo Trek?

May to October. Upper Dolpo lies in the Himalayan rain shadow, so it is drier than most of Nepal in summer, and the high passes are mostly clear of snow from about May to October. Early May and late October can still bring snow, and winter closes the passes.

Do I need a permit for the Upper Dolpo Trek?

Upper Dolpo Restricted Area (special trekking) permit, charged per day and arranged only through a registered trekking agency. Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit. Travel insurance with high-altitude emergency evacuation is required by operators. Confirm the current permit list, fees, and guide and group rules with the agency. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

How long is the Upper Dolpo trek?

This plan takes 21 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu. Operators offer 18 to 28 day versions, and you should add spare days for the Juphal flights.

How high are the passes in Upper Dolpo?

Kang La is about 5,306 m (sources 5,151 to 5,350 m), Saldang La about 4,785 m and Jeng La about 4,845 m. Several nights are above 4,000 m, so acclimatisation matters.

Do I need a permit for Upper Dolpo?

Yes. Upper Dolpo is a restricted area, and the permit is arranged through a registered trekking agency. You also need the Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit. Confirm the current rules and fees with the agency.