Upper Dolpo Trek

The Dolpo region was ruled by many Tibetan dynasties, like the Kingdom of Purang and the Kingdom of Guge, in the 8th and 9th centuries. During this period, the people from Tibet also migrated towards Dolpo, bringing the culture and tradition along. Shey and Yangzer Gompa are some of the monasteries built in those periods. Somewhere in the later century, Dolpo became an independent kingdom. However, its neighboring kingdoms, Lo Manthang and Jumla, ruled over Dolpo in different timeframes. Lo Manthang and Dolpo were annexed to Nepal during the unification in 1789.

Upper Dolpo was secluded for an extended period, and only a few foreigners knew about it. It changed when an American naturalist and author, Peter Matthiessen, visited Upper Dolpo in 1973, searching for the Snow Leopard. In 1978, he published the book “The Snow Leopard,” which caught the attention of foreigners. Later, in 1989, the government of Nepal opened trekking in the Upper Dolpo region for foreign trekkers, resulting in the flow of people in the area. The place got more fame from Eric Valli’s Oscar-nominated film Himalaya (also known as Caravan), which was shot in the Dolpo region. Another Nepali movie, Shambhala, directed by Min Bahadur Bham, was based on the Polyandry tradition and was shot in the Upper Dolpo region.

Since Upper Dolpo is located in a remote area of Nepal, only limited accommodation facilities are available. Unlike other popular treks, it doesn’t have well-established teahouses along the route. There are few teahouses in the lower regions, like Shey-Phoksundo Lake, above which teahouses are rare. So, camping is the most popular accommodation option on this long trek. Nepal Base Camp Trek will provide porters and kitchen staff.

Your tents will consist of a thick down-filled mattress for extra warmth. Besides, there will be a dining tent with portable chairs and tables. The kitchen tent is where the cook prepares your fresh meals. A toilet tent will also be built as natural toilets are scarce in high-altitude areas. Amenities like electricity and internet are very rare in the Upper Dolpo Trek. You can carry mini solar panels to harness the electricity.

Note: Your accommodations in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj will be at a hotel.

During the trek, you can expect traditional Nepali dishes, local cuisine, and a few international delicacies. You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Your lunch and dinner will be similar, consisting of dal, bhat, and tarkari (lentil soup, rice, and curry). Other options include canned items, which will take less time to prepare. Porridge, chapatis, and eggs are some of the breakfast options. However, since you will be traveling for 25 days, we advise against taking raw items with a high chance of rotting. Black tea, butter tea, and black coffee are the drinks available in the trek. We strongly advise you against drinking alcohol items on the trek.

Trekking in the upper Dolpo involves carrying kitchen items and tents. You must stop at some point to set up the kitchen tents, which is time-consuming. Hence, you have to pre-plan all your meals. To deal with hunger while trekking, it is better to carry dried fruits, dried meats, energy bars, and protein bars. Water was also a major issue during the trek. Streams and rivers are the major sources of water, so carrying water purification tablets with you is better.

16 days Everest Base Camp Trek is a moderate for those travelers who can walk up to 6-7 hours (10-15km) a day on an uphill and downhill trail will find this trek fulfilling. It is best that we prepare ourselves for the Everest trek by morning jogging and 1 hours exercising regularly at least a month prior to the start of the trek. Trekking to the Everest Base Camp should be relatively easier for those who have experience walking/trekking in a high altitude environment. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is also important that we consult our doctor. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform Himalayan Glacier before booking the trek.

The best time for the Upper Dolpo trek is Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). The temperatures during these two seasons are mild, ranging from 5°C to 15°C in the daytime and -5°C to -10°C in the nighttime. Besides the mild temperature, the weather is also stable with clear visibility. The spring offers the kaleidoscope landscape of rhododendrons in the lower region and wildflowers in the upper region. The autumn, however, provides the vintage touch with the golden-brown hills.

If it were any other trekking destination, Summer/Monsoon (June to August) would have been the off-season for trekking. However, since Upper Dolpo lies in the rain shadow region, it receives minimal rainfall even in the monsoon season. However, getting flights to Jhupal and back to Kathmandu during monsoon season can be challenging. Besides, the daytime temperature in the lower region gets extremely high, making it uncomfortable to trek. In contrast, winter is off-season for the Upper Dolpo trek because of freezing temperatures in the passes. The temperatures can reach up to -20°C during nighttime. Also, it is during winter that Upper Dolpo receives massive snowfall. Since camping is the accommodation option, it becomes extremely difficult to maintain proper sleep, even with the proper bedding.

The upper Dolpo trek is considered a challenging trek due to its remotest location, lack of facilities, and high altitudes. The trek requires excellent physical and mental fitness along with prior trekking experience. Now let us look at the key factors that make this trek demanding;

Trek Duration

The upper Dolpo trek is one of the longest treks in Nepal, requiring you to travel for 25 days. You will traverse the rugged terrain and harsh trekking trails for 6 to 7 hours daily. The extended trekking duration with long walking hours makes this trek physically and mentally exhausting.

Altitude Sickness

The Upper Dolpo trek involves crossing high mountain passes over 4,000 m, like Kang La Pass (5,306 m). The thinning oxygen level at such an altitude poses the risk of altitude sickness, so you must acclimatize properly to adjust to the harsh atmosphere.

Remoteness of Trek

Trekking in the Upper Dolpo means trekking in the remotest part of Nepal. So, there are no proper emergency facilities for most of the trek. There are no internet or phone networks in the area. Hence, you must rely on guides and satellite phones for communication.

Terrain and Trail Conditions

The terrains of the Dolpo and the trails are rocky and uneven. It has no definite path in some sections and requires crossing the landslide-prone areas. Besides, the steep ascents and descents are physically demanding.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Upper Dolpo experiences varied weather conditions at different altitudes. While the lower regions are warmer, the upper region receives snowfall. Depending on the season. The temperature can vary significantly, ranging from -20°C to 22°C. Besides, the weather conditions in the upper elevations are unpredictable. So, you have to be prepared for any unforeseen changes in the weather.

The Upper Dolpo trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. Proper preparation is mandatory to avoid any hassle during the trek. Preparation ensures safety, physical endurance, and logistical readiness. Now, let’s see what you can do to prepare for your Upper Dolpo Trek.

Physical Preparation

The upper Dolpo trek is long and strenuous, requiring 6 to 8 hours daily. Walking for hours in terrains that take you above 5,000 m is physically taxing. The trekking trails are rugged and might cause injuries. Hence, it is important to start preparing at least a month before the trek. You should focus on cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Mental Preparation

Being away from home in an area with minimal facilities is stressful. The Upper Dolpo trek is exactly that. So, you must be mentally prepared for camping, basic foods, and lack of instant medical attention. You should be prepared to tackle the unpredictable weather change, altitude sickness, and long trekking hours. You can prepare mentally by practicing meditation or going on short treks that simulate the trekking conditions.

Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness Prevention

You will be at risk of altitude sickness as you cross the Shey Gompa. Hence, you must abide by the trekking rules of “climb high, sleep low.” Besides, you must take a few days to acclimate before crossing Kang La Pass to adjust to the thinning oxygen level. You should also carry medications like Diamox to help with altitude sickness.

Hire a Trekking Agency

Hiring a trekking agency is the most integral part of Upper Dolpo Trek. Unlike other treks, you cannot trek alone in the Upper Dolpo as it is a restricted region. You need to be assisted by a guide to do so. You also need a trekking agency to apply for a restricted area permit. A trekking agency will provide you with a trekking guide, porter, and kitchen staff. Not only that, but they will also help you customize the itinerary.

Before deciding on the Upper Dolpo Packing list, you must understand two important things: a) the weather conditions here are varied, and b) you will rely on camping for accommodations. Hence, your packing list must fit these two conditions. Let us look at some of the most important items that you shouldn’t compromise on;

• Moisture-wicking thermal base layer
• Mid-layers like fleece jackets and pants
• Insulated outer layers like Down Jacket
• Trekking Boots
• Head wears like hats, buff or neck gaiter
• Handwears like gloves
• Trekking poles
• Duffle Bag and a day pack
• Sun protection
• Sleeping bag (rated -20 degrees Celsius)
• Travel documents and permits
• Safety and first-aid kits
• Personal hygiene and toiletries

Note- We will provide camping tents, bedding, and the kitchen staff.

Upper Dolpo is a restricted area for trekking. Meaning that the government of Nepal strictly controls trekking in the region. It is a restricted area because of its vast cultural history with Tibet. Also, it shares its borders with Tibet, which makes it mandatory for the Nepal government to monitor tourism in the area to avoid any political controversies in the future. Besides, it belongs inside the National Park, home to many endangered animals like Snow Leopard. Hence, you need two permits to trek in the region. The two permits with prices are given below;

Note: Children below 10 years old don’t require a Shey-Phoksundo National Permit to trek in the Upper Dolpo. 

The Upper Dolpo Trek is one of the most expensive treks in Nepal, costing you anywhere from USD 3200 to USD 4,500. The major costs include the permit fees, which can go up to or beyond USD 1000 dollars for the 25-day trek. Then there are the costs of four domestic flights, guides, porters, kitchen staff, and food and camping arrangements. Excluding the flights and permits, your daily trekking expenses would be around USD 100 to USD 150. Note that these are the prices of Upper Dolpo Trek Packages. It doesn’t include your shopping and meals in Kathmandu. Now, let us see what the trek packages include and what they exclude.

Due to the remote location of the Upper Dolpo trek, immediate medical attention from professionals is unlikely. Additionally, the trek carries risks of injuries and altitude sickness. Hence, you must be cautious throughout the trek regarding your health and other aspects that might result in the cancellation of the trek.

Here are some tips and safety measures you can apply during your Upper Dolpo trek.

• If you are a trekker with no previous experience, either focus on preparation or gain experience before hitting the Upper Dolpo Trekking trails.
• Even with previous experience, you should focus on your fitness at least a month before the trek starts.
• You should separate at least two days for acclimatization. This will allow your body to adjust to the harsher environment.
• Immediately talk to your guide if you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and nausea while trekking.
• When planning your itinerary, be sure to check the weather conditions for the region during the specific season of your trek.
• To prevent dehydration and altitude sickness, drink at least 3 to 4 liters daily. If you drink directly from water sources, take a water purification tablet.
• Upper Dolpo trek is a camping trek. So, make sure you carry all the necessary equipment required for camping.
• We strongly advise you against drinking alcohol in the trek.