A journey through Dolpo’s pristine nature, remote valleys, and ancient traditions.
Imagine wandering into the isolated highlands of Nepal, which borders the Tibetan Plateau. There, you will be surrounded by the most stunning landscapes, a culture that is unspoiled, and modest people. Would you like to be somewhere where people value nature above all else? Do you want to be most in tune with the present and out of touch with the outside world?
If yes and that sounds appealing to you, then the Extended Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek is the perfect trek for you. You will be walking in the arid land of the northwestern Himalayas of Nepal with nothing but the pristine nature, culture, and yourself. Nepal is a small country in South Asia, well known for housing 8 of the 10 tallest towering peaks in the world, including the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, and also for being the birthplace of the ‘Light of Asia’, Gautam Buddha. Despite being a small nation, Nepal has something to offer for everyone, starting with lowlands, lush forests, foggy hills, and towering mountains to stunning arid regions. Manang, Mustang, and Dolpo are the three semi-arid to arid regions of Nepal, among which Dolpo is least known by the traveler.
Dolpo, also known as Dolpa, is a district in the western part of Nepal, more specifically, the northwestern. With its alpine, subalpine, semi-arid, and arid regions, Dolpo is a place unlike any other. It is one of the most isolated parts of Nepal, due to which its geographical, natural, and cultural charm is as it is. Trekking in Dolpo offers the experience of trekking in the most remote region of Nepal, where there are little to no facilities but rich nature, culture, and humility around. This trek will walk you through some of the highest settlement villages of Nepal, where you will be able to immerse yourself in the rich ancient culture of these villages. This trekking journey has a unique charm that might fascinate those who have a genuine love for trekking and good physical fitness. It is also an ideal trek for those who love camping, as this whole trek is a camping trek. Trekking in Dolpo is walking through the stunning landscapes of the place, which seems like it is just taken out of the history books. It feels like traveling back in time.
Before wandering into the hidden lands of Dolpo, you will get the opportunity to explore Kathmandu City. This culturally rich capital has a lot to offer to anyone who visits it. You will get to visit some stunning heritage, which are architectural masterpieces, and witness fascinating culture before proceeding for your trekking trip in Dolpo.
To start your trip, you need to come to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. It is a bustling city because it is the most populated district in Nepal. Kathmandu is a hotpot for various cultures, people, and food, being rich in history and cultural heritage. No matter where you go, you will find a temple, stupa, or cultural site in every nook and cranny of Kathmandu, thus earning the name ‘city of temples’. There are many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, and you will be visiting some of them the day after your arrival. First of all, you will be visiting the Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is also known as Basantapur and Hanuman Dhoka. The intricate wood carving in buildings and temples around Durbar Square will leave you in awe. The beautiful architecture of the temple makes the whole durbar area more charming. Next up, you will visit the Swayambhunath, which is still on top of a small hill. You need to climb a lot of stairs to be able to reach the ‘Monkey Temple’. Swayambhunath stands as the epitome of ‘Unity in Diversity’ in Nepal, with Stupa and various temples in the same complex. Apart from being a revered place to both Hindus and Buddhists, one can also see a panoramic view of Kathmandu valley from here, which attracts a lot of travelers.
After that, you will be visiting the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most revered temples for Hindus. This temple sits on the bank of the Bagmati River and is dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Shiva. You can see numerous tourists from India and different parts of Nepal visiting this temple daily. The architecture of this temple and the temples around it are remarkable. Lastly, you will be visiting the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world. It is one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhists outside Tibet. Although thousands of tourists from inside and outside Nepal visit this stupa daily, visiting and staying in the Boudhanath stupa is a peaceful experience. The smell of the incense and people silently circumambulating around the stupa add to the spiritual experience. You can even opt to go for a hike instead of sightseeing to warm up your body before the camping trek.
From the stunning Shey Phoksundo Lake to the charming villages in Upper Dolpo, Dolpo has various things that intrigue the trekkers, and once they visit the region for real, it leaves them captivated by its beauty upon the experience of the trek. The attractions during the Extended Upper Dolpo Circuit trekking are listed below.
Dolpo Landscape
The landscape of Dolpo is quite unique due to it being in the Trans-Himalayan region. The Lower regions of Dolpo are alpine and subalpine, with the Upper Dolpo having arid and semiarid regions. You can see the arid hills left and right with the sprinkle of snow, and in some places, you might even see the backdrop of majestic mountains. The landscapes and nature of the Dolpo region are untainted due to the isolation and more due to the nature-worshiping culture of the people living in the Dolpo region. You will come across various jaw-dropping scenery with lakes, mountains, and passes that will delight you.
Phoksundo Lake
Phoksundo Lake is an alluring lake tucked beautifully among the hills beside Ringmo village of Dolpo district in Nepal. It is situated at a staggering height of 3600 meters. It is the second deepest and second largest lake in Nepal. It is an oligotrophic lake with a deep turquoise color that mesmerizes the people with its beauty and tranquility. Phoksundo Lake is worshiped by the locals of the Ringmo village. You will witness the Y-shaped Phoksundo Lake as you walk on your trails toward the Upper Dolpo.
Shey Phoksundo National Park
Shey Phoksundo National Park is the only Trans-Himalayan National Park of Nepal, located in the Dolpo/Dolpa district of Nepal. It is the largest national park in Nepal. Shey Phoksundo National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the endangered Snow Leopard and valuable Yarsagumba. It is a haven for animals and plant enthusiasts as it is home to animals like Blue Sheep, Grey Wolf, Himalayan tahr, and many more while also nurturing herbs like Himalayan Marsh Orchid, Himalayan Arnebia, Jatamasi, and many others. It is a sanctuary for wild animals as well as plants.
High Trekking Passes
High trekking passes are the crossable route through the mountain range or a ridge. High trekking passes are tiring, but as they say, the best views come after the hardest climb. For those who aren’t planning to do the expedition, high passes bring a sense of achievement. During the Extended Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek, you will cross a total of four passes, all of which are above 5000 meters. You will be crossing Shey La (5,010 m), also known as Nagdola Pass, Neng La (5,368 m), Muri La (5,030 m), and Chhoi La (5,040 m). Trekkers must walk slowly and hydrate themselves while walking through the high passes to prevent altitude sickness. High passes are tests of both mind and body, and with proper precautions and courage, one can pass them with flying colours.
Villages in Dolpo
The villages in Dolpo have a unique charm to themselves. The villages seem like they have been frozen in time due to the essence of originality that has been preserved in their infrastructure, their ancient way of living, and the pristine culture that they follow. The major villages of Dolpo are Ringmo, Bhijer, Saldang, Shimen Gaon, Musigaon, Nisalgaon, and Dho and Tokyu villages of Dho Tarap Valley. The houses in these villages are flat-roofed with small or no windows to make sure the cold wind doesn’t enter the house. Ringmo Village is a Bon village situated near the Phoksundo Lake. Dho Tarap Valley was the administrative center of the Dolpo district; now it is the headquarters of the Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality. It is also called the trade center of Dolpo. Saldang, Shimengaon, and Bhijer are the other important villages of Dolpo, as these villages have relatively larger settlements of people living there for a long period of time. There are chances of you being able to spot the big cat, the Snow Leopard, from the villages of Saldang, Bhijer, and Shimengaon.
Bon religion
Bon religion is said to be the religion that originated from the ancient Zhang Zhung civilization. It is said to be older than Buddhism and was the major religion of Tibet before Buddhism spread and everyone accepted it. The Bon religion, which often gets mistaken for Tibetan Buddhism, has been preserved in Dolpo in its pristine form. During this trek, you will have a chance to go to some of the major Bon monasteries, like Thasung Tso Ling monastery near Ringmo villages and the renowned Shey monastery, along with many more in the villages. Trekking in the Dolpo region allows one to understand the Bon religion and immerse in the Bon culture.
Nepal is a small country tucked in South Asia. As this country has lots of mountains, trekking in Nepal is popular. Among the various trekking regions in Nepal, Dolpo is one of them. Dolpo isn’t as popular as the other trekking regions of Nepal, but it is known by those who genuinely enjoy trekking. The region of Dolpo, although harder to trek due to the rugged trails, allows people to walk peaceful trails, as there are low to no crowds walking the trails of the Dolpo region. To walk the rugged trails of Dolpo, one needs to have a certain level of physical fitness and mental fitness, especially because one has to walk for 7–12 hours a day and cross various high mountain passes. After one is prepared physically and mentally, one is good to go.
Your 28-day journey to walk the Upper Dolpo region starts as you arrive in Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. Kathmandu is rich in culture and cultural heritage; thus, it is named the ‘city of temples’. There are various UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, among which you will be visiting the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa the day after. You can also do a warmup hike to Jamacho Monastery instead of doing the sightseeing. The next day you will board a flight to the Nepalgunj, where you will be staying the night. Nepalgunj borders India, so the influence of India can quite evidently be seen in the people, food, and lifestyle. You can explore this city, especially try the India-inspired street food in Nepalgunj. The day after, you will board a morning flight to the Juphal Airport, finally taking you to the Dolpo region. Here you will meet your trekking team that will be with you throughout your journey. Your trekking team will consist of a local guide, cook, assistant cook, and mules to carry the luggage and equipment. This team will be with you throughout the journey to ensure that you get the required comfort and nutrition. You will start walking towards Upper Dolpo with your complete team, and the first day’s destination would be Dunai. You will be camping throughout the trek. Some of your team members will walk ahead of you so that they can set up tents and cook food for you when you arrive. The trails ahead are rugged, but the scenery and experience are quite rewarding.
As you start walking to the Upper Dolpo, your journey starts being something more than trekking; it becomes an experience. While you are trekking in the Dolpo region, you will be walking to see the most pristine form of nature, culture, and simple way of living. You will get to experience and learn about the Bon religion, which is said to be older than Tibetan Buddhism. You will stay in some of the highest settlements of the most isolated regions in Nepal, like Dho, Tokyu, Shimen, Bhijer, Saldang, and many more, where you will get to experience the hospitality of the people living with near to no facilities and how they’re still so humble, simple, and kind. Trekking in the Dolpo region requires you to have a certain level of physical fitness as well as mental preparation. You will be crossing four passes, all above 5,000 meters. They are: Shey La (5,010 m) (also known as Nagdola Pass), Neng La (5,368 m), Muri La (5,030 m), and Chhoi La (5,040 m), which tests both your body and mind. Although this makes the trekking experience more difficult, it also makes the journey more adventurous. All these factors combined make the extended Upper Dolpo trekking not just a trek but an experience of a lifetime. Despite the difficulty, Dolpo is worth trekking in for the natural splendors and cultural experience it gives.
Let us plan your Extended Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek, which takes you on a journey to the arid highlands of Nepal, which welcomes you with untainted landscapes, hospitable people, and rich spiritual experience. Trekking in the Upper Regions of Dolpo will be a core memory for anyone who chooses to experience trekking in this region, and that person can be you. Brace yourself for the challenges and also the great satisfaction that comes out of conquering them. In all its glory, Dolpo is calling you. Would you like to answer?
DAY 1: Kathmandu Arrival, Welcome to Nepal. [1,400 m/4,593 ft]
DAY 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing, Trek Preparation.
DAY 3: Fly to Nepalgunj. [150 m/492 ft]
DAY 4: Fly to Juphal, Trek to Kagni. [2,270 m/7,447ft]
DAY 5: Trek to Rechi. [3,100 m/10,170 ft]
DAY 6: Trek to Ringmo. [3,640 m/11,940 ft]
DAY 7: Trek to Lekhe Dhunga. [3,670 m/12,040 ft]
DAY 8: Trek to High Camp. [3,740 m/12,270 ft]
DAY 9: Trek to Shey Gompa. [4,360 m/14,305 ft]
DAY 10: Rest Day at Shey Gompa.
DAY 11: Trek to Tera Camp. [4,525 m/14,845 ft]
DAY 12: Trek to Bhijer. [3,860 m/12,665 ft]
DAY 13: Trek to High Camp. [5,080 m/16,670 ft]
DAY 14: Trek to Saldang. [3,770 m/12,368 ft]
DAY 15: Trek to Nisalgaon. [3,860 m/12,665 ft]
DAY 16: Trek to Musigaon. [4,230 m/13,880 ft]
DAY 17: Trek to Shimen Gaon. [3,935 m/12,910 ft]
DAY 18: Trek to Tinje. [4,200 m/13,780 ft]
DAY 19: Rest Day at Tinje.
DAY 20: Trek to Chhoila Camp Phedi. [4,480 m/14,690 ft]
DAY 21: Trek to Tokyu. [4,240 m/13,911 ft]
DAY 22: Trek to Dho Tarap. [3,945 m/12,942 ft]
DAY 23: Trek to Nawarpani. [3,780 m/12,402 ft]
DAY 24: Trek to Khanigaon. [2,950 m/9,678 ft]
DAY 25: Trek to Dunai. [2,140 m/7,020 ft]
DAY 26: Trek to Juphal. [2,475 m/8,120 ft]
DAY 27: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.
DAY 28: Departure, Farewell!
