Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek

Location of the Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek

Fly out of Kathmandu to the western side of the country, then again another flight up north.  Dolpo is the largest district of Nepal as well as being one of the most remote, less populated, and less visited by trekkers.

Here you will find the Shey Phoksundo National Park, the only trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal.  The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has worked extensively in this region to preserve its diversity, culture, and ecosystems.

The Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek takes you around Upper Dolpo in three weeks, crossing high mountain passes and mountain rivers until you return to your starting point: a circuit.

Required Experience for the Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek

This is an adventure that takes more than three weeks at a high altitude and in a remote area with little or no contact with the outside world. It is a camping trek, where you will be staying almost every night in a tent. 

This trek is only suitable for those with advanced trekking experience and a great level of physical fitness.  You will be at high altitude for most of the trek. Sleeping at a high altitude also makes this a challenging trek.  Prior camping and trekking experience is a must for this trek.

If you would love to visit Dolpo but are not experienced enough for this trek, we do have shorter trips that you may wish to explore.

Physical Fitness – What You Need to Know

This is a trek for those with extensive trekking experience at high altitude and preferably while camping. It is not a trek for beginners, regardless as to how fit you think you are.

To ensure you not only make it round the circuit, but actually enjoy your time, your level of fitness should be excellent and your stamina and perseverance above average! 

While there are some shorter days and acclimatization days, on average you will be hiking for 5 to 6 hours a day.  Sleeping and walking at high altitude takes its toll on most people and you should be prepared for that.

In order to combat any possibility of altitude related illness, we suggest you increase your fitness regime before you come and follow our guidelines on how to stay safe at altitude.  Stay hydrated, do not go too fast, be aware of your body, and always let your guide know if you feel unwell. 

To know more about altitude related illness, check here.

A Day on the Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek

While camping, you will be given hot water for washing while the camp chef prepares breakfast.  He will also provide you with boiled drinking water for the day. Then it’s out on the trail around 8am. 

There are a lot of rivers to follow and cross on this trek, whether by bridge or on stepping stones, and you will also be camping along side rivers most nights.  There are many Buddhist monasteries to visit as well as a Bon Gompa.  Bon being a religion that pre-date Buddhism.

The landscape will vary from cultivated fields, green pastures, forests and dry rocks and cliffs.  This is an area with amazing scenery as well as great mountain views.

Lunch will be provided by the camp chef, as will a hot drink and snacks in the late afternoon.  While you relax he will also prepare your dinner in the evening.

The few nights you are in a teahouse (trekking lodge) dinner and breakfast will be served there while lunch will still be taken on the trail. 

What You Will See on This Trek – Highlights of the Best it Has to Offer

This trek takes you into the stunning and challenging Upper Dolpo and Lower Dolpo.  Upper Dolpo is cold and arid while Lower Dolpo has a larger human population as it is easier to grow crops and cultivate land here in this more alpine setting.  

There is so much to see, so much to learn, and so much to know about the people, myths, landscapes, and mountains of this area that it can be overwhelming. In a good way!

Here are a few highlights to give you an idea as to why you want to visit this region.

• The Culture: The people of Dolpo embrace Tibetan Buddhism as can be seen in their dress, architecture and every-day lifestyle.  Their music, dance, art and architecture is very similar to that of Tibet and yet unique to this area.  
• Flora and Fauna: This is home to blue sheep, musk deer,  Himalayan Black Bear and the Snow Leopard, among many more.  There are an abundance of rare and special herbs growing in this area which are used for healing purposes.
• Phoksundo Lake:  A major highlight of this trek!  As Nepal’s deepest lake it has been made famous in the film Himalaya and as a result has attracted more adventure tourists recently.
• Shey Phoksundo National Park: This park is the biggest in Nepal and covers both Upper and Lower Dolpo.
• Shey Gompa and the Crystal Mountain: Crystal quartz makes this mountain shine – how could it not become a sacred place, revered  by the Buddhist community?  Shey Gompa sits nearby and is both a settlement and famous monastery with its formation steeped in myth.  
• Mountains:  You are high in the Himalayas when you are in Dolpo and Upper Mustang with superb mountain vistas all around you.  Some of the mountains you will see are:

• Norbung
• Kanjirowa Hima
• Dhaulagiri
• Annapurna I and the rest of the Annapurna range
• Nilgiri
• Tilicho
• Bhrikuti

Minimum Number of Trekkers for this Trek

Permits for this area are only given to a minimum of two trekkers.  It is also not viable to conduct a camping trek with less than two trekkers.  Please bring a friend!

However, if you are one person traveling alone we will endeavor to put you with other trekkers who wish to do this trek, if possible.

Places of Interest on This Trek 

Shey Phoksundo National Park

Shey Phoksundo National Park is one of 12 National Parks in Nepal and the largest at 3,555 square km.  The lowest elevation is 2,130 m / 6,988  ft   while at its highest it is 6,885 m / 22,588.5 ft. 

Its diverse topography consists of  alpine forests to cold arid deserts. The park sits in both Upper Dolpo and Lower Dolpo, with Lower Dolpo having the bigger human population.

Shey Phoksundo National Park’s climate is perfect for supporting unique vegetation such as herbs used in local medicines.  Unique species of mammals including the Snow Leopard, blue sheep, and Himalayan Black Bear, and more, live in this area.  A recent study (published in May 2024) has found 30 Snow Leopards are living outside of the protected areas in Dolpo.  So imagine how many must be living within the protected areas of Shey Phoksundo National Park?

The Beautiful Phoksundo Lake

At an altitude  of 3,612 m / 11,850 ft, Phoksundo is not the highest lake in Nepal. Tilicho Lake at 4,919 m / 16,138 ft is.   But Phuksundo is perhaps the most stunning.

Being so remote and high it is a lake few people actually get to access, which makes it even more special. Until quite recently, only locals from Ringmo village and traders would have known about this lake. 

Geologists think (although they cannot yet prove) the lake is the result of a massive landslide 30-40,000 years ago, which dammed the valley and  created the lake.  There is some evidence that before the formation of the lake there was glacier influence in this area. 

The lake was made famous by the Eric Valli film Himalaya which highlighted local life in Dolpo in a fictional work which lies very close to reality.  

We must note that since it is a difficult place to reach, only keen trekkers and adventurers can visit the lake at present. 

The Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa

Sometimes referred to as the Kailash of Dolpo, the Crystal Mountain is located near Shey Gompa.  The village of Shey Gompa itself is very small and surrounded by red coloured chortens (stupas) yet has an interesting history, both real and myth.

Shey Gompa is the most revered monastery in Dolpo, with the Crystal Mountain holding spiritual significance to Buddhists. 

The mountain’s name comes from the veins of quartz crystal on its base, which sparkle in the sunlight.   During the full moon in July/ August many pilgrims come to circumnavigate the mountain.

Interestingly, mythology tells that Shey Gompa was built when a follower of Buddha arrived on the back of a flying snow lion to fight  a fierce local mountain spirit. Shey Gompa was built on the site of this battle.

Dho Tarap

Dho Tarap is the heart of Lower Dolpo.  Consisting of not just one, but three villages, namely, Dho, Tokyu, and Lang, it is home to around 1,500 people.  Quite impressive for this remote location.  It used to be the administrative center of Dolpo and today still functions as the trade center for the region and headquarters for the Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality.  

Situated among the Himalayas and wonderful alpine scenery, the people of Dho Tarap are known for their strong sense of community as well as their traditional way of life. 

Camping Trek – Remote and Different

In this remote area, there are very few teahouses or home stay accommodation.  Therefore camping is a must.  At times you may not see any other people or settlements except yak herders huts and tiny villages.  Actually you could say this is an exploratory expedition rather than an ordinary trek.

At the campsite we will provide you with a comfortable tent and sleeping mat, a toilet tent and dining tent.  The chef will have his kitchen tent too.  Hot water for washing is provided and we will try to make everything as comfortable as possible for you. 

Food While Camping

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner are provided while camping. 

While you are getting ready in the morning, breakfast will be prepared.  Lunch will be taken on the trail (perhaps a packed lunch) and there will be snacks and tea waiting at the end of the day while dinner gets underway.

As there is no electricity at the campsites the cooking is done on a kerosene stove which the camping crew will bring with them. 

If  you can bring some snacks from home (or Kathmandu) it’s a good idea. The food that the chef prepares will be good and filling but it is always nice to have that little luxury now and again! 

Possible Menu While Camping:

Breakfast may be porridge with bread (probably roti – a Nepali flat bread)

Lunch and dinner can be pasta, noodles, dal bhat (Nepali vegetable curry), pizza, etc.  

Afternoon snack may consist of fried potatoes and popcorn.

We will not buy meat on the way but will bring some canned meat / tuna fish.  There will always be vegetarian food available at every meal. 

Tea/ coffee/ hot water is unlimited, with  powdered milk and sugar for the tea/coffee.

We will not carry alcohol as we do not recommend its consumption at altitude. Also it’s just too heavy to carry anyway, as is soft drinks.  So no soft drinks either.  

Drinking Water While Camping

The kitchen tent will provide you with boiled water for drinking.  If you come across a mountain spring, as long as you add purifying drops or tablets to it you can drink that water.  When in doubt as the guide.  A Lifestraw is probably the best idea as it filters out some, not all, larger bacteria. 

What You Need to Bring for a Camping Trek

Take a look at our list of trekking equipment / gear  you need on any trek.  We suggest a few additional items for a camping trek, such as:

• Clothing for the cold at high altitudes.

Portable solar panel (one which hooks onto your day pack) to recharge equipment.

• Headtorch with batteries and extra batteries.
• Medicines – any ones you take regularly plus items such as headache tablets, stomach tablets etc.  And a small first aid kit.
• Four-season sleeping bag. This can be rented in Kathmandu.
• Toiletries in small, travel sized containers, and some clothes washing soap.
• Things for blisters and a few bandages in case of sprains.
• Nepali rupees in case there is something you wish to buy on the trek.  There will be limited places to spend money on this trek but there will be some teahouse overnight stays when you might want a beer or soft drink etc. And you need money for donations at monasteries. There are a lot of monasteries!
• Your favorite snacks.

Keeping Your Gear to Essentials – Porters 

Porters will be carrying the tents, kitchen equipment and food you will be using on the camping portion of this trek.  It is therefore possible for them to also carry your gear.  Please be considerate and keep your gear down to a sensible weight of essentials! 

Teahouse Accommodation

In a few of the settlements/ villages where there are teahouses (the name given to trekking lodges in Nepal) we chose to use them. 

Accommodation will be simple in these teahouses.  And toilets / showers are likely to be outside the main building and shared with others.

The food in the teahouses is standard Nepali, Chinese, Tibetan fare with some Western items such as pasta, eggs, toast etc.  In the teahouses you will get breakfast and dinner. Lunch will be taken as usual on the trail. 

Teahouses in some areas will have WiFi access, hot water showers and charging points.  You will be expected to pay for these services.  

Best Time to Come

For Upper Dolpo, you can come in the ‘usual’ best times of spring and autumn but as Dolpo lies in the rain shadow, you can also come here during the monsoon season.

• Spring is from March to May.
• Monsoon is from June to the beginning of September.
• Autumn is from September to November.

Do keep in mind it will get very cold towards the end of autumn and at the beginning of spring, in fact, November might be getting difficult due to snowfall.  

 It is not possible to trek in this region during the winter months.

Trekking in the Rain Shadow

Monsoon takes place in Nepal around the end of June until the beginning or middle of September.  Except for those areas in the rain shadow like Dolpo and Upper Mustang, most of the trekking routes are difficult or impossible to access during monsoon.

In rain shadow areas the area in question is shielded from the monsoon rains. In Dolpo it means the Himalayas block the monsoon winds that bring rain.  With Dolpo on the windward side of the Himalayas, the wind brings dust and sand, not rain.

Do remember, however, that during the monsoon flights may be impacted by the monsoon weather.

Before the Trek

Your First Days in Nepal

If you wish, we can meet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival, saving you time and effort.  Just let us know on the booking form but please note there is a charge for pick up. 

Hotels in Kathmandu

Included in your trek are camping and teahouse stays.  And also one night in a hotel in Nepalgunj.  

Booking.com and hostelworld.com will give you a selection of hotels in Kathmandu.  We suggest you stay in Thamel which is geared up for tourists with lively cafes, restaurants, bars and shops.

Explore Kathmandu:

There is so much to see in Kathmandu that we recommend you take a tour. You can book this with us, or go alone.  Highlights include Boudhanath (Tibetan area), Swayambhunath (also a Buddhist stupa) and Pashupatinath (Hindu temples and ghats). There are three Durbar Squares within the Kathmandu Valley, dating back to when there were three kingdoms in what is now Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.  These are among the 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and there is so much more. 

Our office is also in Thamel. 

Visa for Nepal

Visa on arrival is available for people from most countries, via the Immigration Department of Nepal’s on-line site.   Complete the form, print it out and bring it with you.  Bring USD cash (exact money) to make payment on arrival at the airport. 

Visa on arrival is valid for 15 days, 30 days or 3 months and costs: 

• 15 Days – 30 USD
• 30 Days – 50 USD
• 90 Days – 125 USD

Trekking Permits You Need for this Trek  

For the Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek you need the following permits.

Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Upper Dolpo: – USD500 per person for 10 days.  USD50 per person per day for any additional days.

Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Lower Dolpo: USD20 per person for one week, US5 per day for an additional days.

Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit: USD30 per person for the duration of your trek.

We shall organize these permits for you.

Why You Need These Permits

The fees from these permits go back into conservation and cultural preservation of the area.   It is also a way to keep track as to where trekkers are in the area – every time you go through a checkpoint it is noted down.  Invaluable should you get lost between checkpoints. 

Safety on the Trek 

One of the main concerns for this high altitude trek is altitude related illness.  You will be sleeping at over 3,000m / 9842.5 ft for around two weeks.  On this trek it is not really possible to ‘sleep lower’ should you start to feel unwell.  Again, this is one reason we stress that to undertake this trek you should have prior high altitude trekking experience.

You can, however, take steps to  mitigate the effects of altitude by being sensible and following a few guidelines such as drinking enough water to stay well hydrated, going slowly and taking lots of breaks. Our guides are trained in first aid and in recognising signs of altitude so do not hesitate to inform them if you are feeling unwell.

As experienced trekkers you know the risks of heading off into uncharted places alone!.  Please let the guide know if you are wishing to go explore on your own at any time.  Always be aware of your surroundings in the mountains.

Tips for Safety on the Trek:

We know as experienced trekkers you know these tips, but here is just a reminder.

• Trekking poles for stabilizing yourself on risky trails.
• Do not go off on your own at the rest/ overnight stops. without telling your guide.
• Drink at least 4ltrs of water per day. While camping you will be provided with boiled drinking water.
• It is important not to skip meals. In case you do not feel up to eating, let your guide know and he will try to arrange something ‘light’ for you that day.
• Do tell your guide if you feel unwell; even slightly unwell. 
• Have the correct insurance.
• Wear the correct gear. Bring waterproof gear in case of rain or snowfall even when it’s not forecast.
• Bring your own regular medicines and a medical kit.
• Pay attention to the guide in tricky or dangerous areas. 

Expenses You Should Calculate For

Since this is mainly a camping trek there really aren’t many places to spend your money!

The cost of the trek, namely, food, accommodation, guide and porters has already been covered. On the few nights you stay in a teahouse we have you covered for food also.  If you wish any ‘add-ons’ while in a teahouse such as cold drinks, beer, extra snacks, even a hot shower or use of their WiFi (if they have it), you will need some Nepali rupees for that.

You should also think about donations for the monasteries (gompas) you visit.  It is normal, and yes, locals will do the same, to give a donation.  Around Ns150-500 for each gompa is good.  A little more if you are lighting a butter lamp provided by them.

There is not likely to be any opportunity to buy souvenirs on this trek – but you never know your luck!  You might want to have money to spend in Nepalganj although your time is quite short there. 

We can suggest you calculate how many days you are staying in a teahouse, and bring around USD10-15 per day for those days, and perhaps bring around USD5-10 for the other days – just in case!  

What is Included and Not Included in the Cost of Your Trek

Transport: Four domestic flights are included in the cost.

Accommodation: Tented accommodation is included where indicated. Teahouse accommodation is included where indicated.  Hotel in Nepalgunj for one night is included.   

Food: When camping you will get breakfast, lunch, dinner,  and afternoon snacks.  When staying in a teahouse you will get dinner and breakfast in the teahouse and lunch will either be a packed lunch or from a smaller establishment on the trail. In the hotel in Nepalgunj you will get dinner and breakfast. 

Permits: The permits required for this trek are included in the cost of your trip.

Tips: Tips are not included in the cost of your trek.  Please calculate the tips for your guide and porters.  Tips can be in Nepali rupees or other currencies.

Before you come expenses:  .

• Trekking / camping gear, good  trekking boots.
• Flight ticket, visa fee, and insurance.

Tipping the Guide, Chef and Porters

It is the norm to tip your guide and porters on treks.  In this particular case, the terrain is particularly tough for porters carrying camping equipment and food.  Your appreciation of these amazing men can be shown through the tips you give them at the end of your trek.  Your guide is also working hard to keep you safe, supported, and entertained with information about the landscapes, people, mountains etc.  Do not forget your camp chef without whom no one is getting up and over those high mountains!

Please be aware,  100% of your tips go to the staff. 

We suggest the following:

• Tip the guide 10% of your trip cost. 
• For the porters  it is normal to tip around a total of USD150  for each porter and a total of USD200 for the chef.  
• The tips for the guide and crew members are divided by the number of trekkers on a trip So, the larger your group, the less you pay as an individual!

Trip Extensions

Bardia National Park

At the end of this trek you will be back in Nepalgunj in the West Terai region of the country.  From there you will take a 50 minutes flight back to Kathmandu.  

If you wish to extend your trip while in the west of the country, we can recommend Bardia National Park.  This is a place for wildlife safaris, much like Chitwan National Park but much more rural and underdeveloped. 

Bardia (or Bardiya) was established as a wildlife reserve in 1976 and was given national park status in 1988.  Being the biggest lowland national park in Nepal at 968 square km, Bardia is home to a wide range of wildlife and flora.  The area is sub-tropical so the forests are lush and the grasslands rich with mammals and birdlife.

There are 61 species of mammals and 513 species of birds in the park.  Most interestingly there is a large community (the largest in Nepal) of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants (who are migratory) and Gangetic dolphins.  One Horned Asian Rhinos are not native to this area, but have been located from Chitwan National Park due to their success in Chitwan where the population is high.

There are a number of hotels and homestays around Bardia National Park and within the buffer zone area, offering a range of facilities.  All hotels offer walking and jeep safaris into the park.

The park lies approximately 80 km / 50 miles from Nepalgunj and takes around two hours by private vehicle to reach.  Most visitors spend 3 nights / 4 days there due to its distance from Kathmandu, although you are welcome to spend less or more time!

Should you be interested in visiting the park, please ask us about this. 

**We can also assist you with other trips or treks around the country and in Bhutan and Tibet.  Ask us!**

Why Book with Magical Nepal

Diversity – Equality – Inclusion: Keys to a Great Experience

We at Magical Nepal are a team of highly trained travel enthusiasts.  

We started Magical Nepal in 2017 and pride ourselves in growing a great team. From our climbing guides, trek guides, and liaison staff to our camp staff, porters and camp chef, we all love to explore and travel in the Nepal Himalayas. We also love to introduce our beautiful country to our clients.

We are committed to human dignity, security, and safety for all – for our clients and for the communities we visit. We are also committed to the environmental sustainability of the landscapes, flora, and fauna of the Himalayas.

We also pride ourselves on offering great value for money and a price guarantee – if you can find the same trek at a lower price, we will match it – guaranteed.

Please check the reviews from our past clients to see what they say about us.

Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek Map

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