High-altitude adventure in Nepal's wild west.
Are you willing to walk through the remote, arid parts of the Himalayas with almost no connectivity but warm hospitality? Do you want to lose yourself in the pristine nature and culture just to find a new version of yourself? If yes, then this is the ideal trip for you. Nepal is a country rich in culture, history, mythologies, religion, and traditions. The diversity in Nepal makes it distinct from other parts of the world while making it quite colorful. Traveling in Nepal lets one experience all its cultural richness firsthand, making Nepal an ideal travel destination. Because Nepal is home to the world's tallest mountain, Everest, it is known as the land of towering mountains. Nepal prides itself on being one of the most gorgeous countries and the perfect destination for trekking activities.
One of the many hiking destinations in Nepal is Dolpo. Dolpo/Dolpa is one of the most isolated regions in Nepal, which offers travelers the adventure of a lifetime. It is full of pristine culture, nature, and stunning geography. During your 21 Days Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek, you will experience some of what Nepal has to offer, from an ancient landmarks tour to a thrilling trek to the remote and off-the-beaten path. Dolpo offers a versatile journey that walks you through gorgeous nature, ancient spirituality, and rugged paths. Dolpo has a diverse nature/geography ranging from lush alpine vegetation to cold arid areas with some of the most stunning landscapes. As mentioned, it is one of the remote regions, which means you will have an amazing trekking experience with less crowded trails along with mesmerizing views all to yourselves. Traveling to Dolpo opens several opportunities to explore the region from within, where you can see the simple lifestyle of the locals who live a content life, which you can rarely find in modern cities. Walking through the Upper Dolpo Circuit, which is a camping trek, is not your normal trekking; it is a whole package of experience. It is an experience of camping in the wilderness, walking in the rugged terrain, observing fascinating flora and fauna, reevaluating your own beliefs, and disconnecting from the outside world to connect with yourself.
Although the main highlight of this trip is Dolpo, you will have some time to also explore Kathmandu city, which is best known for its ancient landmarks that are hundreds of years old. You will stay in Kathmandu before moving to the trekking region of Dolpo. During this trip, you will get to see the variations in culture in different regions of Nepal.
Kathmandu is a city that is culturally, artistically, and historically rich while also being the capital city of Nepal. Traveling inside Kathmandu city, you will come across several temples, stupas, and religious sites, earning its nickname, ‘City of temples’. There are various sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley that you will be visiting during this trip.
Among the various sites, you will visit some of the glorious landmarks, starting with Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantapur and Hanuman Dhoka, is an old durbar square that stuns you with its intricate wood carvings, pagoda-style temples, and rich history. It will captivate you with its ancient charm. Next up, we have Swayambhunath, also known as ‘Monkey Temple’, which is situated on top of a small hill. It is a perfect place to represent religious harmony in Nepal, as it has both Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas in the same place. After that, you will also be visiting the Pashupatinath Temple, which is devoted to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. It is one of the holiest Hindu temples in Nepal. You will see various pilgrims from Nepal and India in Pashupatinath. Pashupatinath sits alongside the Bagmati River, where the cremation ceremony of Hindus is also done. While being in the same vicinity, the temple and cremation ground show a vast contrast between life and death. Lastly, you will be visiting Boudhnath Stupa, which is one of the largest stupas in the world. Boudhanath is a pilgrimage for the Buddhist people who come to circumambulate it. Many people come from different parts of the world to visit the Boudhanath Stupa. It is quite significant for someone seeking the spiritual experience.
Trekking in the Upper Dolpo offers you some of the most raw, authentic, and heartwarming trekking experiences. One will come across different natural wonders, cultural practices, and mythological lore. From geographical to cultural sightings, Nepal has a lot to offer. Some of the things that Dolpo Circuit Trek offers travelers are listed below.
Geography of Dolpo
The geography of Dolpo offers a wide variety of ranges that Nepal has to offer. The lower parts of Dolpo have alpine and subalpine climates but as you climb upwards, you will start to see semiarid and arid climates as well as landscapes. The Upper Dolpo with some of its neighboring districts is a frozen desert, unlike most of the parts of Nepal. One will come across various mountain passes as one treks through this region. The trek to Upper Dolpo gives you an opportunity to see some of the most stunning arid valleys, towering peaks, glaciers, and lakes.
Flora and Fauna
Dolpo is a district that is rich in flora and fauna. Dolpo is also a haven for the animals and plant enthusiasts. Dolpo is home to the endangered big cat, Snow Leopard, along with other various animals like Blue Sheep, Grey Wolf, Marmots, Lynx, Fox, and Wild Yak. Dolpo is also home to some of nature’s priceless herbs like Yarsagumba, Panchaule (Dactylorhiza Hatagirea), Jatamasi, Katuki, Sugandhwal, Pakhanvesh, Katuki (Picrorhiza Kurroa), wild garlic (Allium Wallichii) and many more. Dolpo is also home to birds like snow partridge (Lerwa Lerwa), the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Himalayan griffon (Gyps Himalayensis), including the national bird, the Himalayan monal (Lophophorus Impejanus). For the enthusiasts of nature, Dolpo is ready to be explored.
Bon Religion
Bon religion is an ancient animistic shamanic religion, which is the indigenous religion of Tibet. It is said to have started in the ancient Zhangzhung civilization. The ancient Bon religion has been followed in Dolpo for a long time, which many tourists find attractive as it is a bit different from Buddhism. The Bonpo culture holds nature in the highest regard, which is why the Bonpo people worship the lakes, landscapes, and mountains. The mountains are especially sacred to the people following the Bon. The nature worshiping religion has its own set of culture, mythologies, and traditions that is a unique experience to get firsthand. There are various Bon monasteries in Dolpo and you will come across some during your trek. You will have the chance to visit some of the holy monasteries, like the Shey Monastery in Shey Gompa and Thasung Tso Ling Gompa near Phoksundo Lake, in your Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek.
Phoksundo Lake
Phoksundo Lake, also known as Shey Phoksundo Lake, is one of the major attractions in the Lower Dolpo region. It is the second largest and second deepest lake in Nepal and it is also said to be the most beautiful lake in Nepal. Phoksundo rests beside the Ringmo village, adding to the beauty of the village. Phoksundo Lake is also the origin of the magnificent Suligad waterfall. It is also regarded as a sacred lake by the people of Ringmo Village. The sense of peace and tranquility it offers enhances the feeling of sacredness, even to travelers.
Shey Gompa
Shey Gompa is the most revered gompa to the followers of the Bon religion in the Dolpo district and throughout Nepal. Shey Gompa is a wonderful monastery with colorful Tibetan murals and old statues inside. There are valuable scrolls that depict the mythology of Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa. The Crystal Mountain is also in close proximity to Shey Gompa during the Shey festival that happens every 12 years. In the year of Dragon, people from various places travel to the Shey Gompa and later perform kora around Crystal Mountain. The Shey Gompa is proof of the rich cultural heritage of Dolpo along with the cultural devotion of the people.
Traditional Villages
Villages in Dolpo are another highlight of trekking in the Dolpo region. Here, you will be visiting some of the major villages in Dolpo, like Ringmo, Saldang, Dho, Tokyu, and many more along the trek. The villages of Dolpo are flat-roofed houses that blend seamlessly with the arid landscapes. There is an exception though; it is a mesmerizing sight to see the green fields of crops swaying in the wind during the season when it grows. The crops add colors to the villages and the whole area comes alive. The houses in Dolpo have small or no windows as you move to higher altitudes, because of which the heat is trapped inside the house and the people can survive well in that freezing climate. The villages are small, sometimes scattered with monasteries and kind people. Although the villages are some of the highest settlements in Nepal, the people in these villages welcome people with warm hospitality.
High Trekking Passes
High mountain passes are the easiest route for people to travel across steep mountains. It is difficult to traverse the mountain passes because walking at high altitudes and low temperatures drains energy quickly. Trekking in Dolpo involves crossing various high passes above 5,000 meters during the trek. Sometimes you have crossed more than 3 high mountain passes during the duration of your trek. Conquering the high passes is a big achievement for those who aren’t planning to do expeditions. There are three passes that you have to cross throughout your Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek.
Firstly, you have to cross the Shey La [5,010 m/16,437 ft]. Shey La Pass falls on the way to the remote settlement of Namgung from Shey Gompa. You can see the stunning view of the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet, a panorama of Tibetan landscape to the north, and a unique Mustang to the south. After that, you will be crossing the Kang La, which is at a staggering height of 5,350 meters (17,553 ft). Kang La Pass, also known as Nangdola Pass, falls between Shey Phoksundo Lake and Shey Gompa. You can see the breathtaking view of the Himalayan peak with a deep deserted valley in a seamless blend with the lush vegetation of the lower regions. Lastly, you will have to cross the Jyanta La, which is at a height of 5,220 meters (17,125 ft) and connects the village of Tokyu and the village of Changaon.
The Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek in the Dolpo district of Nepal takes you on a trek through the most isolated region in Nepal. Nepal is lush, colorful, and happening for most of the parts. You will spend a few days in the capital, Kathmandu, where you will get to see the chaos seamlessly blend with the peace, creating the unique charm of this city. You will visit a number of historic sites, primarily religious ones, that have withstood the test of time and preserved their beauty and appeal for centuries before beginning the trek to Dolpo. Trekking in the Dolpo region is considered one of the most remote and difficult treks in Nepal. The facilities during the trek are quite limited and you have to camp for most of the trek while carrying all the equipment required with the trekking team as the region is remote and isolated. But apart from the difficulty, you will trek in one of the most stunning off-the-beaten paths. Trekking the Upper Dolpo Circuit is more than a trek; it is an experience of a lifetime.
When you arrive in Kathmandu for the 21 Days Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek, you will explore the city of temples itself first. Nepal has several temples, stupes, and heritage sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and you will visit four of them the next day, which include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa. You can also explore the hot spot for tourists, Thamel, where you can shop for trekking gear for the trek. The next day, you will board a flight to Nepalgunj, where you will spend the night and catch a connecting flight to Juphal the coming day, which marks the start of your trek. There are no direct flights to the Juphal Airport in Dolpo. You can explore Nepalgunj city, which has a lot of Indian influence as it is near the Indian border. You can try street foods in Nepalgunj. The following day, when you land on the Juphal Airport after a scenic flight, where your trekking journey starts. You will meet your full trekking team here, which consists of the required number of local guides, cooks, assistant cooks, cum guides, and mules. You will initially start walking in the alpine and subalpine regions of the lower regions but after a few days, you will be walking in the semi-arid and arid regions of Upper Dolpo. The trails are wild and rugged.
Trekking in Dolpo requires a certain level of physical fitness so it is not for beginners as the trek is demanding and one has to walk around 7-12 hours a day. It is suggested that you train before the trekking, as you will be walking in a region with several high passes that you have to cross. The climb is tiring but the views that come with it are rewarding and give a sense of accomplishment. As you gradually ascend higher in height, the alpine and subalpine vegetation gradually disappear, and the scenery drastically changes, leaving behind a desolate area that is also breathtaking. Apart from nature, the culture is another highlight of the Dolpo region. You will get to observe the culture and simple way of life of people living in the villages of Ringmo, Dho, and Saldang of the Dolpo region. You will see how much they put nature in high regard, their Bon culture, and their rituals in Gompas. If you travel during the festive season, you will get to experience a whole new face of Dolpo. Immersing in their culture and traditions and observing their beliefs is a journey within oneself.
Apart from things that can be put into words, numerous things can only be experienced by oneself. The arid landscapes, pristine nature, and the warmest people living in the lap of the north-west Himalayas of Nepal are ready to welcome you. This trip is a complete package and feast for your all senses, as you will see the raw beauty of nature, experience walking in the isolated paradise of Nepal, and observe ancient culture along with a chance to spot the beautiful creatures that roam Dolpo land. The journey has some difficulties because you will need to walk for several hours in a high-altitude area, but the experience and the adventure will be life-changing. The Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek is not your usual trek to the Himalayas; here, you will experience untamed wilderness in the rugged trails, high mountain passes, the tales of wildlife that dominates the highlands and the livelihood of people. So, are you ready for it?
DAY 1: Kathmandu Arrival, Welcome to Nepal!!
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: Trek to Namgung. [4,090 m/13,418 ft]
DAY 11: Trek to Saldang. [3,770 m/12,368 ft]
DAY 12: Trek to Rakyo. [3,850 m/12,630 ft]
DAY 13: Trek to High Camp. [4,585 m/15,045 ft]
DAY 14: Trek to Tokyu. [4,240 m/13,910 ft]
DAY 15: Trek to Dho Tarap. [3,945 m/12,942 ft]
DAY 17: Trek to Khanigaon. [2,950 m/9,678 ft]
DAY 18: Trek to Dunai. [2,140 m/7,020 ft]
DAY 19: Trek to Juphal. [2,475 m/8,120 ft]
DAY 20: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.
DAY 21: Departure, Farewell!
