After breakfast, you have time for few hours for the preparation of trekking. Our trekking guide will meet you at the hotel. Then you will be transferred to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. Then you board a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. It’s one hour flight. After you land at Nepalgunj airport you will drive to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Early morning you drive to Nepalgunj airport to catch a flight to Juphal. After forty-five minutes of flight, you land at Juphal airstrip. You will meet your other trekking crews. You set off your trekking following the path to Dngibanda, the village of many houses. Then the trail traverses meadows and down to the Kalighat. You continue walking along the river side of Thulo Bheri and pass Roop Ghar with the water mill and eventually arrive at Dunai, the headquarter of Dolpo district. Overnight at tented camp.

Today you begin trekking crossing the suspension bridge and walk along the bank of the Thulo Bheri River to Suli Ghat. Stop at the Shey Phoksundo National Park office to register your name then continue to Kageni. The trail passes through the abandoned settlement of Raktang, herders’ huts and horse pastures over a ridge to arrive at Sankta. Here a sign declares the beginning of the Shey Phoksundo National Park. The trail makes some ups and downs through grass and ferns to a trail junction. You take the left path and gradually ascend over a ridge at 2710 then descend on a rocky path to Chepka. Overnight at tented camp.

After breakfast, you follow the path beside the river, climb over a small ridge then come to a wooden bridge which is carved with phallus motifs that recall the mountain deity Masta. The trail becomes a collection of rocks and sticks forming dike along the riverbank. Afterward, the trail makes several more ups and downs through forests of firs and larches as it continues upstream to a bridge that leads to the village of Renje on the opposite side of the river. Overnight at tented camp.

The trail climbs over a ridge passing through ups and downs along the valley floor to the confluence of Suli Gaad and Pungmo Khola. From here Suli Gaad is known as Phoksundo Khol. The trail continues along the eastern bank of the river to Tapriza Cultural School. After crossing the river you pass the Jharna Hotel, Gangchhen Menkhng, a traditional clinic run by a local amchi (traditional healer). Then the trail climbs through a forest of big cedars to Palam then to a ridge at 3730m. Before the ridge, you can see the high waterfall, 200m, the highest waterfall in Nepal. After that, the trail makes a descent through a forest of birch and pine to the Phoksundo Khola, then climbs gently to Ringmo, medieval looking settlement. From this village, Phoksundo Lake is in short distant. Overnight at tented camp.

Today you will explore the area around Phoksundo Lake. First, we explore around Ringmo Village, a typical Tibetan village and head to Tshowa (the lakeshore Bon Monastery). The Gompa nestling a ridge top above Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. Exploring this culturally rich Bon Monastery is a fascinating to experience. Then you drop down to Phoksundo Lake along steep-sided cliffs. The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and spectacular scenery. Many beautiful glaciers can be found near and above the lake area. There are many monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the surroundings of this lake. You visit some of them. Overnight at tented camp.

Today the trail contours on a rocky on a rocky ledge as it skirts the western tip of the lake. As you cross a stream you can see the glacier descending from the Kajeralwa peak (6612m). It climbs to a crest at 4060 for a stunning view of the lake with the snowy peak of Sonam Kang (6019m). Then the path makes a steep descent through birches and blue pines to the western edge of the lake where Phoksundo Khola enters it. The route now heads up a long and wide valley following the trail through thorn bushes and scrub trees and sooner you arrive at Chunemba. Overnight at tented camp.

You continue along the level trail that heads north through a glacial valley and then cross the Phoksundo Khola. You move following the path to Kang Gopa. From Kang Gopa the trail climbs steeply and stay on the grassy ridge. Discard the level trail and climb up the ridge passing through a few groves of birch trees. Now you can have spectacular views of Shey Shikar (6139m) and Kang Chunne (6443m). After cresting at 4200m the trail descends gently on a rocky trail to Lar Tsa, campsite beside the river. Overnight at tented camp.

Firstly you cross a bridge and climb to the top of a scree slope at 4490m. Then you make your way up a grassy ridge to a crest at 4640m. You contour and then drop gently into Mendok Ding. Mendok Ding refers to Flower Valley. For the camp site, you climb a long side at 4610m. Here you find spot herds of blue sheep on the slopes above your camp. Overnight at tented camp.

The day starts following Phoksundo Khola then the trail turns north towards the peak of Riwo Drugdra (Crystal Mountain). You follow the path that crosses the Sehu La and makes kora of this mountain. It’s long climb to Kangla Pass (5240m). Crossing this pass the trail descends a scree slope to grassy meadows beside a stream. The trail climbs out of the stream valley and begins a series of long ascents and descents across ridges. After a steep rough climb to a crest at 5010m and another at 4860m, the trail starts the descent to the Tar valley. Soon after, you reach to the grassy slopes. From here a side trail leads to Tsakang, 800 years old gompa on the side of a cliff. Then you come to cross the river on a log bridge and climb past a big chorten and a huge field of mani stones to Shey Gompa. Overnight at tented camp.

Today is the rest and exploration day of Shey Gompa. The monastery was built during the 11th century.Inside the gompa, there are the statues of Guru Rinpoche, Sakyamuni, and Milarepa. It was the first Kagyupa monastery and its founder was the lama Ten-szin-Ra-Pa. Shey is famous for its ancient Buddhist culture. In Dolpo, the ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teachings of Buddha. Drutup Yeshe introduced Buddhism in the Dolpo valley. To the west of this gompa is Crystal Mountain. It is a very strange mountain indeed. Its contorted cliffs are laced with quartz and embedded with a rich variety of marine fossils. Shey Gompa stands above the confluence of Kangjunala and Yeju nala. Near the confluence, there is a group of prayer mills turned by water wheels. A caretaker lives in one of the three houses adjacent to Shey Gompa. Overnight at tented camp.

You start your journey following a pleasant route amidst juniper which ascends to a gray, stony canyon. This begins to zig-zag over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil until it eventually brings you to a flat area. Then the trail continues very steeply up before traversing to the top of the Shey La pass. From here you will enjoy great views of arid landscapes of Mustang and the snow peaks of Tibet. The subsequent descent towards the north is long and tiring but you finally come to pastures of grazing yaks and sheep and nomadic tents made from yak hair. This signals your approach to Namduna Gaon. Like Shey, the Namgung monastery is of the Karma-pa sect. The monastery, a red stone structure, is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. The red and white colors of the gompa and its stupas are the only color in this stark landscape. The village itself consists of only six stone houses and has terraced fields on both sides of the tributary, which flows down to the Nam Khong valley. Overnight at tented camp.

From Namgung monastery, you start climbing. Further on it begins a long thrilling traverse along some dusty barren mountains. Looking down into the valley bottom it is very evident that the people have made the best use of the fertile valley as one sees the neatly terraced fields showing bright patches of green and ripening crops. You ascend before going down steep slopes to the picturesque village of Saldang, situated on a plateau high above the Nam Khong nala and the biggest village of the inner Dolpo. The village stretches for two kilometers on an open slope having eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred villagers. It is prosperous, not only agriculturally, but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. Overnight at tented camp.

Leaving Saldang you follow the trail down to the river bed passing through terraced fields, Stupas, Chortens, heaps of Mani stones and a Chaiba monastery. Namdo, the next village is also prosperous with sixty houses having nearly four hundred inhabitants. It stretches for more than 5 km on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. There is also another monastery on top of a high cliff. You camp near at the small settlement of Sibu on the right bank of the river. Overnight at tented camp.

Today you walk along the Nam Khong Khola for a while and pass by caravans with yaks that are moving towards the Tibetan border. After turning east and walking for a while, we arrive at a confluence of two small streams. Next, the steep trail ascends to a grazing area below the Jeng La pass (4,900m/16,072ft). Your camp will be set up in this beautiful meadow. Overnight at tented camp.

The trail is generally well compacted making the going underfoot easy, much easier than loose shale, but it is steep. It is only a 2-hour climb to reach the top of the Jeng La. From the top of the pass, there are good views of the Dhaulagiri massif, glittering in the morning light. A rough track descends towards the Tarap valley. By the afternoon you find a green valley which leads you by a pleasant track down towards the Tarap Chu. Tarap is a dream valley with vast plains in high mountains extending 20kms along the river Tarap Chu. It has ten villages with cultivated fields, many Gompas, and Chortens of both sects. You halt for the night at Tokyu monastery. This monastery also belongs to the Chaiba sect. Overnight at tented camp.

Before leaving Tokyu a short visit can be made to the Chaiba Gompa. The trail is broad and well-traveled, making the going easy and there is evidence of work in the fields, where the women will be bringing in the harvest – the men are away bringing down the herds of animals for the forthcoming winter. There are many Mani walls but some of the Chortens are in a bad state of repair. The ‘ French School ‘ is just outside the village of Dho Tarap where you have your night stop. Tarap is inhabited mostly by Magars who have lived here for generations but also by a few Tibetans. They wear home-spun clothing that is sometimes dyed maroon and they favor Tibetan style Somba (boots with upturned toes) for footgear. Men and women often wear both religious amulets and strings of coral and turquoise. The inhabitants of this village are both Bon Po and Buddhist (Nyingmapa). Overnight at tented camp.

Today is the day of exploration of Dho Tarap village. The name Tarap refers to the entire region. Dho means lower end of the valley. This village is made of clusters of closely packed stone houses and corrals surrounded by fields of barley. Here huge shaggy yaks are used for plowing and carrying loads. It will be rewarding to visit three interesting monasteries of Ribo Bhumpa Gompa, it is unique ‘chorten in a chorten’ which contains remains of a demon killed by Guru Rinpoche. The paintings inside the chorten represent both Bonpo and Nyingma traditions; Doro Gompa, it is located on the north side of the river and has an unusual entrance; Shipchok Gompa, it is the Bonpo school lies across the river which is recognizable by the dozen of Mustang style chortens. It has a wonderfully carved door and finely painted prayer wheel in the atrium. Overnight at tented camp.

Leaving Dho Tarap the trail follows the course of the Tarap Khola, generally downhill. You go through narrow gorges with the river rushing through. One may see blue sheep, marmots, yaks, sheep, and goats and perhaps meet people from Dolpo taking their flocks of sheep and goats to lower pastures for the winter. The afternoon brings more undulations in the path when it leaves the immediate course of the river. There is evidence of improvements to the trail where parts of the rock have been blasted out. You will also see the first of the modern steel suspension bridges which have been built to facilitate movement of people and animals. The track is very narrow in places. You reach your overnight camp on a grassy strip at Serkam by the river. Overnight at tented camp.

Today you continue to walk down the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it and at others high above, on a narrow trail built out from the steep slopes. The quality of the path varies from broad, smooth and firm to very narrow and crumbly. There are also flights of manmade stone staircases which need to be tackled with care – some of the constituent rocks wobble when stepped upon! An exciting day in deep and awe-inspiring gorges. Your campsite is a pleasant meadow in the shade of a stand of trees at Khani Gaon. Overnight at tented camp.

Leaving Khanigoan by the new suspension bridge and then walk alongside the river, sometimes going very high before reaching down to the water again. Some of the trails are quite demanding and one bridge said to have been out for six years, necessitates crossing on wet stepping-stones. Coming into the broad fertile valley of the Barbung Chu, you walk amongst the various crops of millet, sweet corn, barley, buckwheat, green beans, chilies, and marijuana. Eventually, you arrive at Tarakot. Tarakot is an old fortress town known by the local people as Dzong, meaning ‘fort’. Before the Gorkha dynasty, Tarakot was the capital and had a dzong. Overnight at tented camp.

Today is the final day of your trekking. You trek on the trail that stretches beside Thuli Bheri River to Dunai via Lawan and Byasgad. The trail has a forested region on its west, Thuli Bheri River and cultivated terraced fields on its East. You have our lunch at Dunai. A couple of hours trek from Dunai brings us to Juphal. You will now have completed the circuit of mysterious land Dolpo and this occasion you can have a celebration with your trekking crew in the evening. Overnight at tented camp.

After breakfast, you board a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. From Nepalgunj, you fly back to Kathmandu. Upon landing in Kathmandu airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of day is at leisure. You can have a hot shower, spa for relaxing your body in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, you will be offered cultural sightseeing of World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu valley accompany with a professional guide. By our private vehicle you will visit Pashupatinath, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River 5 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu city; Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet which is the center of Tibetan culture; Bhaktapur Durbar Square, medieval royal palace that glimpse you Nepalese authentic art and architecture and unique culture. After sightseeing, you have free time for your last minute shopping. Evening you will be offered farewell dinner with Nepali cuisines and cultural dances at typical Nepali Restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

The trip concludes today. Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time. For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with your card. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel.

In the route of Upper Dolpo trekking, it should depend on a tented camp for night halt since organized trekkers lodges have not been built yet. So during trekking, we would provide you comfortable twin sharing tents with mattress and sleeping bag for night stay. In Kathmandu and Nepalgunj we would offer you tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.

Since Upper Dolpo is camping trek our kitchen team prepares delicious food for you throughout trekking days. Each day they cook different items and serve you 3 times of hot fresh meal including tea, coffee, chocolate, and soup. In the entire trekking, you will have a taste of Nepali meals Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), Chinese, Continental and Indian cuisines.

The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Upper Dolpo trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide, cook, kitchen helpers, and porters. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. Our cook is well experienced and trained in the cooking of Nepali, Continental, Chinese and Indian food. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ qualified local people.

During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross-breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.

The day starts around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea brought to your tent along with a bowl of hot water for your morning wash. Breakfast will be laid on the table consisting of porridge, toasts, eggs, pancakes and tea/coffee. While you are taking breakfast our staff will pack the tents so you need to pack your bags before breakfast. After breakfast by 7:30 am everyone should be ready to start walking. The reason for this early is to take advantage of the cool morning when walking is easiest and also the morning air is very clear allowing a better view of the mountains than at other times of the day. Porters carry your baggage. Everyone walks at his or her own pace.  There is a plenty of time to enjoy the views, meet the local people, take photographs and enjoy the flora and fauna. The porters are slower and kitchen crews rush ahead to prepare lunch which should then be ready when the groups arrive at around 11 am. Afternoon trek ends about 3 pm then get into your tents which already set up by our staff in a field near the village. The kitchen crew again prepares tea coffee and serves it to you with biscuits. As we often camp near villages a trip to the local inn can provide some light entertainment. Later you have free choice to read a book or explore the surrounding area. Dinner is provided around 6 pm. In the evening all staffs make fun by singing and dancing with group members. Then everybody will turn to their tents to enjoy a sound sleep.

Upper Dolpo Trekking is fairly strenuous trek suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.

At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness doesn’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.

We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen on the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.

We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.

The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.

Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.

For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.

For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket

For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.

For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.

For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.

Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.

Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional); Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).

Note: * mark item we will provide you in service. If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you embark for trekking.

The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary. Kindly keep in mind that sometimes unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.

Naturally Dolpo Region is so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines of responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do’s and don’ts to minimize your impact on the local environment.

In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like a cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park,  White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Altra Light Flight, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.