Upper Dolpo Trekking to Jomsom Mustang, this post is by Amber Tamang, Manager and Guide at Three Jewels Adventures, Kathmandu. This is based on his experience in leading and managing treks in the Dolpo region. All photos are of Amber Tamang unless otherwise mentioned.
Upper Dolpo Trekking: FIRST THING FIRST, here is the tentative itinerary and cost. This will help you determine the length of the trek and the budget you may need.
Itinerary for Upper Dolpo to Jomsom Trekking
Day 01: Kathmandu, Arrival and meet the guide, 1350 meters
Day 02: Kathmandu for trek preparation and stay at hotel 1350 meters
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj in the late afternoon and rest 150 meters
Day 04: Fly to Jufal and start the trek, reach Kagani, 4 hours 2300 meters
Day 05: Trekking to Reichi 6 hours 3000 meters
Day 06: Trekking to Phoksundo 7 hours 3600 meters
Day 07: Rest day for acclimatization, exploring the lake area and village, 6 hours.
Day 08: Phoksundo- Sallaghari 6 hours
Day 09: Sallaghari- Kangla Base Camp, 6-7 hours, 4717 meters
Day 10: Kangla Base Camp-Kangla pass 5240-Shey Gompa, 8 hours 4280 meters
Day 11: Shey Gompa Rest, Explore part of Crystal Mountain
Day 12: Shey Gompa- Sela Pass 5010m, Namgong Gompa, 7 hours
Day 13: Namgong Gompa – Saldang 3770 meters, 5-6 hours
Day 14: Saldang – Yanger Gompa, 6-7 hours, 3890 meters
Day 15: Yanjer Gompa – Rest and Explore
Day 16: Yanjer – Shimen village 6 hours 4550 meters
Day 17: Simen village – Tinjegaon, 6 -7 hours, 4550 meters
Day 18: Tinje Gaon to Rakpa, Kharka nomadic camp
Day 19: Nomadic camp to Mola pass 5036m and to Chharka Bhot, 7 hours, 4100 meters
Day 20: Chharka – Tulsi Khola, Kharka nomadic camp 7 hours, 4780 meters
Day 21: Kharka nomadic camp – Niwar Pass west base Camp, 7 hours
Day 22: Trekking over Niwar Pass (5120m) and Juben Pass (5500m) to east side camp 8 hours
Day 23: Juben East camp to Sangta Village 3 hours 3777 meters
Day 24: Sangta Village- Kagbeni (Mustang) – Jomsom (short drive) 8 hours 2800 meters
Day 25: Jomsom- Pokhara – Kathmandu flight 1350 meters
Day 26: Free Day
Day 27: Fly home or plan more trips
Upper Dolpo Trekking Map
Upper Dolpo Trek Cost Detail:
- Lower Dolpo – Upper Dolpo (10+days) Permit $20 + $ 750 – $ 780.00
- Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal airfare with a guide $ 320.00
- Jomsom – Pokhara – Kathmandu flight with a guide $ 290.00
- Accommodation in Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, $ 100.00
- The trekking package costs full-board $ 2350.00
- Total of above per person if there are a minimum of two-person clients, supported by 3 or 4 staff $ 3830.00
PS. We believe this price is reasonable for our clients’ great trek and personalized services. However, the price may be different based on group size. For prices, bookings, and updates, please email office@threejewelsadv.com, Whatsapp: +977 9841906257, or visit the main trekking page of Three Jewels Adventures.
Upper Dolpo Trekking General Introduction
Upper Dolpo is in the western region of the Nepal Himalayas. Upper and Lower Dolpo is officially a district of Nepal known as Dolpa. The upper part of the district extends up to Tibet, and its eastern border is connected to upper Mustang. Upper Mustang is another attractive trekking destination in the Himalayas. Dolpo (Dolpa) and Mustang are situated on the northern side of the Himalayas, also called the Trans-Himalayan Region.
If the Upper Dolpo trekking is full-length, it starts from Juphal Airport in Lower Dolpo and ends at Jomsom in Mustang. You will need about four weeks to complete this trek. Of that, more than three weeks for trekking. The remaining time is spent preparing necessary documents such as a restricted area trekking permit, air travel from Kathmandu to Juphal via Nepalgunj, and air or road travel back to Kathmandu at the end of the trek.
Upper Dolpo is famous for observing the oldest Bon religious tradition and culture and its unique landscape. Well-known Phoksundo Lake, Crystal Mountain, old monasteries including She Gumba, Tibetan culture, rare herbs, high Himalayan gorges, and passes make Dolpo trek a rare experience one can have. Also, Upper Dolpo trekking is one of the most extended treks in the Himalayas, part of the Great Himalayan Trail.
The beauty of Dolpo has attracted not only ordinary travelers but also researchers, writers, filmmakers, and meditation practitioners. The famous book ‘The Snow Leopard,’ by Late Peter Matheson, is the author’s memoir of a visit and stay in upper Dolpo. The Oscar-nominated film The Himalaya was filmed here. This year, 2024, the Locarno Film Festival, held in Switzerland, was awarded the Best Actress award for the Shambhala movie, which was also entirely filmed here in Upper Dolpo.
Lately, teahouses and community homestays are set in villages along the trekking route of Upper Dolpo. However, some places are too far from human settlements, so you must spend the night in tents. With the help of experienced guides and staff, we organize this trek, combining camping and teahouse-based accommodation.
The essential road network of modern development has also touched Dolpo. Since jeeps have started driving in and out of some parts of the trekking route, the possibility of destruction of the stunning trekking route has increased. So, it might be wiser to trek Upper Dolpo before old trekking routes are destroyed and covered by motor roads.
Best Time to Trek in Upper Dolpo
Upper Dolpo is situated on the other (northern) side of the Himalayas. This gives Upper Dolpo less rain, while the rest of Nepal may be on rainy days. So, the late rainy season – August towards September till early autumn or the middle of October is the best time to trek in Upper Dolpo. Likewise, after winter is over, Springtime from April to June is also a good time to trek in Upper Dolpo.
The social life of Dolpo People:
According to the latest census of Nepal, the population of Upper Dolpo is around 4000. People here speak their own Dolpo language. The Dolpo language is no other than one of the dialects of Tibetan. People here follow both Bon and Buddhism side by side. The average altitude of Dolpo is above 3000 meters from the sea level, making the district cold most of the year. Thus, people here wear warmer clothes.
Men here also grow long hair and wear small garlands around their necks, usually made of turquoise and a pair of corals. Women wear various types of ornaments, including precious stones. The main occupations of the people here are agriculture, animal husbandry, and herb trading. From December to March, when it is extremely cold and high passes are blocked by snow, people here go to the lower parts of the district or to cities like Nepalgunj and Kathmandu to do business.
Major Attractions for Visitors in Upper Dolpo
Phoksundo Lake
Phoksundo Lake, Located 3611 meters above sea level, is one of the most beautiful clear-water lakes in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Its area is 7.6 square kilometers, in the shape of the English Alphabet Y. This lake, with a depth of 650 meters, is also the deepest lake in the Nepal Himalayas. Phoksundo is also called Ringmo by the locals. The view of this lake from Ringmo Gaon village and the trekking path on the shore is beautiful.
The Shey Phoksundo National Park is named after Phoksundo Lake and the famous Shey Monastery. On the eastern shore of the lake, there is a monastery of the Bon tradition used by local lamas and meditators. Ringmo village sits on the shore of the lake, and it is not to miss staying point for tourists. The village has ancient stupas and mane walls related to the Bon religion.
Ringmo Village
Ringmo village is 3660 meters on the banks of the famous Phoksundo Lake. With about 50 houses and a population of 200, it is one of the major settlements of Dolpo. This village is also on the border of Lower and Upper Dolpo. The actual upper Dolpo trekking starts from here.
The residents here follow the Bon culture and religion. On the northeast side of Ringmo village, their main monastery is also on Phoksundo Lake’s shore. The monastery is also open to tourists.
Shey Gumba
Shey Gumba, at an altitude of 4200 meters, is the most famous religious center. Shey Monastery is located on the slopes of Crystal Mountain. It is believed that this monastery was established in the 11th century. The locals also consider Crystal Mountain to be the replica of Mount Kailash in Tibet. A fair is held here every 12 years. In fact, the 12-Yearly Shey Festival took place recently. The next Shey Festival will be held in 2036.
Herbs
Dolpo is a rich district for herbs. Yarcha Gumba (Cordyceps sinensis), which is sold at a very high price, is found in the high Himalayan slopes of Dolpo. Along with that, Silajit (Asphaltum punjabinum), Panchaule (Dactylorhiza hatagirea), and many other herbs are found here. The herbal trade contributes more than tourism to the economic activities of Dolpo.
Tibet Connection
Upper Dolpo, which is not smoothly connected by road or air with the rest of Nepal, has been associated with Tibet since ancient times. The locals of both countries used to easily reach the other country to graze their pastures or conduct local business. Local Dolpo people used to go to Tibet to purchase salt and other commodities while selling herbs simultaneously. The Himalaya movie features this age-old tradition. However, due to modern political reasons, mainly after the Chinese domination of Tibet, such easy trade has been limited.
Yangjer Monastery
Yangjer Monastery is considered to be the oldest monastery in Dolpo. It is believed to be about a thousand years old. On the walls of the monastery, there are various Buddhist paintings and idols of Buddha, Padmasambhava, and Avalokiteshvara. This monastery is the cultural center of Upper Dolpo and was open to visitors.
Chharka Bhot
Chharka Bhot is one of the bigest villages of Upper Dolpa. The population here is around 700. Most people live in joint families. This place is suitable for observing the culture, religion, and daily life of upper Dolpa. Chharka Bhot is also a traditional trading center between Tibet and Dolpo.
Sky Burial in Dolpo
After the death of a person, the custom of offering religious prayers to the corpse and feeding it to vultures is still prevalent in Dolpo. In Tibet, including Dolpo, wood or other fuel for cremation is not easily available, so it is believed that this practice evolved in ancient times.
Like in any other faith, in Bon and Buddhist religious beliefs too, it is customary to dispose of the dead body as properly as possible. To dispose of it in nature, the corpse is taken to a high mountain far away from the settlement, where carnivorous animals, especially vultures, can reach, and after performing puja, it is left in pieces. There are special places for such work, and Vajrayana Buddhist practitioners also use those places for special types of meditation. Although you can get general information about it while trekking in the upper Dolpo, outsiders are forbidden or discouraged from going where such rituals occur.
Polyandry Tradition in Dolpo
The Tradition of Polyandry is virtually extinct now. You may meet the family of people associated with this unique tradition. The recent movie Shambhala, features this culture that prevailed(s) in Dolpo.
High Passes En route Upper Dolpo Trekking
During the trekking journey of more than three weeks to Upper Dolpo, crossing various villages, settlements, and roads, one has to cross high mountain passes as well. Here is a very brief description of the significant passes involved in trekking from Upper Dolpo to Mustang, presented here by Three Jewels Adventures.
Nangdola Pass 5360 meters
Nangdola Pass, also known as Kangla Pass, is the gateway to Upper Dolpo. It is reached after a two-day trek from the Phoksundo Lake and is at a height of 5360 meters above sea level. The sacred Peak of Crystal Mountain of Upper Dolpo is near this pass. Going from Lower Dolpo to Upper Dolpo, after passing Nangdola, one reaches the famous She Monastery.
Shela Pass 5010 meters
Shela Pass is relatively easy. This pass is before reaching Namgung village, which is a very remote place when going east from Shey monastery towards Saldang.
Nengla Pass 5368 meters
Nengla Pass connects Saldang, the main village of upper Dolpa, with Bijer village further north. From the height of Nengla Pass, one can see as far as Tibet.
Mola pass 5030 meters
When coming from Upper Dolpa to Mustang, you must cross the Mola Pass before reaching Chharka Bhot after reaching the uninhabited Yak Khark (Yak Pastures). As the height of this pass is 5030 meters, the Mola pass is considered one of the most accessible passes on upper Dolpa trekking. Chharka Bhot, a prominent village and commercial center of upper Dolpo, has a pleasant view of the surrounding area.
The Twin Passes of Niwas 5120m and Jungwenla 5500m
The easternmost point on the journey to Upper Dolpa is the twin Passes of Niwas Pass and Jungbenla Pass. Niwas Pass is at 5120 meters, whereas Jungben Pass is at 5500 meters. You must walk for two days to reach the western base at Niwas Pass from Chharka Bhot. After 10 hours of walking from Niwas Pass, you can cross both passes to the camp on the eastern side. This pair of passes connects Dolpo with Mustang, another beautiful district on the eastern side. From the pass, one can see the enchanting view of Annapurna, Nilgiris, and Dhaulagiri peaks to the east and southeast.
From here, the trip to Upper Dolpa ends by reaching Kagbeni or Jomsom in one day’s journey.
How Many Days Are Required to Do Upper Dolpo Trekking?
For upper Dolpo trekking, you need to stay in Nepal for at least four weeks. To trek here, you need to get a restricted area permit, and for that, you have to submit your passport at immigration. The permit-related work is done by the relevant agency, Three Jewels Adventures. You can use the time to explore Kathmandu, recover from jet lag after a long flight, or hang around with your guides.
Since there is no direct and regular flight from Kathmandu to Dolpo, you must take a flight to Nepalgunj. From there, you are scheduled to fly to Juphal only on the next day. This is because only small twin otters or similar planes can fly to Juphal, which fly only on clear days. Air flights are only available in the morning. After a long trek, it is also wise to spend a few days by resting. So it is advisable to set aside the next two days for Kathmandu. This all together can be 4-5 days in Kathamndu, and for the remaining 23 to 25 days, you can enjoy the amazing trekking.
Equipment and Other Essentials
You will be traveling in the high altitude of the Himalayas for at least three weeks, so you must pack all essential items. A high-altitude area is usually cold, so warm clothes should be the priority. It is important to be warm, from the hat worn on the head to the down jacket worn on the body, trousers, pants for the lower body, and socks worn with shoes. Ankle-high trekking boots are another essential item for long trekking.
Your trekking shoes should be waterproof or Gore-Tex. Light clothes are more convenient during the day, especially in sunny conditions and when you are walking. Therefore, it is crucial to have light outfits such as T-shirts with half- and full sleeves and hiking pants. A Gore-Tex jacket and pants are good to protect against harsh wind or snowing conditions. Light-down or fleece jackets are also useful for less cold situations, such as inside the house or on rest days.
Sunglasses, mobile phones, camera battery backup, sun cream to avoid the effects of hot sun, some snacks, water bottles, water purification tablets or filters or UV devices, etc., are also needed. Similarly, it is wise to have a small personal first aid kit with essential medicines if you use one. It is also important to have a duffle bag to keep all these belongings and give them to the porter. A day pack with a few items is the one you will carry yourself. You can also contact us for the list of items needed for trekking.
Essential Physical Fitness for Upper Dolpo Trekking
It is not necessary to work hard like an athlete to prepare for a trek in the Himalayan region. But it is essential to keep yourself fit and be able to walk down and up 8 to 10 hours a day. For this, the physical effort you are doing daily may not be enough. If you work sitting in a chair in the office, you can prepare yourself by practicing walking or jogging for 1-2 hours every day for about 4 weeks before planning the Dolpo trip. Cycling, gym, and running will also help a lot.
Food and Accommodation Arrangements in Upper Dolpo Trekking
While going on the upper Dolpo trekking with us, the accommodation is arranged in a local homestay or lodges in most of the places. In that case, a room with 1 or 2 beds is arranged. The host family prepares food from locally available as well as purchased foods. Our assigned staff also helps in preparing food. Where there are no villages, then, we arrange camping with tents, cooking supplies, essential equipment, and fuel.
Food is cooked with the help of kerosene or a gas stove. To minimize the negative impact of our journey, we carry limited food, fuel, and essentials. To use local food and facilities as much as possible, we have designed our trekking as a combination of camping and homestay trekking.
Happy Trekking! Keep Checking With Us for Details or Updates Regarding Trekking Adventure in Nepal!
