Dolpo Region Treks

Dolpo Region Treks are remote high altitude treks in the Dolpa district of Karnali Province in northwest Nepal, close to the border with Tibet. Dolpa is Nepal’s largest district at 7,889 square kilometres, with fewer than 40,000 people. The trails run inside Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest national park, where snow leopards and blue sheep live, and pass Shey Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest lake, at about 3,611 m. Dolpo is a restricted area that opened to foreign trekkers in 1989, so entry needs a Restricted Area Permit and a licensed guide. The Tibetan Buddhist and Bon culture of its stone villages has changed little.

Choose the trek that fits your time and experience. The 28 day Upper Dolpo Trek crosses Kang La Pass at 5,306 m, Saldang La Pass at 5,200 m and Jeng La Pass at 5,100 m. It visits Shey Gompa beneath Crystal Mountain, Saldang, the Bon monastery of Yangze Gompa and Dho Tarap at 4,090 m, with three rest days. The 18 day Lower Dolpo Trek climbs from Tarakot to Dho Tarap and crosses Numa La Pass at 5,190 m and Baga La Pass at 5,070 m. It ends at Ringmo village and Phoksundo Lake. Both treks fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Juphal, use teahouses and camps, and are graded strenuous.

Thamel Travels and Tours arranges the restricted area permits, the Shey Phoksundo National Park permit, the flights, a licensed guide and a camping crew where teahouses don’t exist. Dolpo sits in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, so it gets much less monsoon rain than most of Nepal. The trekking season runs from May to October. Contact us to choose a route and dates and to plan flexible days around the Juphal flights.

What Makes These Remote Treks Special

• Cross High Passes Above 5,000 m
  You will cross three passes on the Upper Dolpo Trek (Kang La, Saldang La and Jeng La) and two on the Lower Dolpo Trek (Numa La and Baga La), with wide views of remote Dolpo.

• Walk to Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo
  You will reach the turquoise water of Phoksundo Lake at 3,612 m and the stone houses, mani walls and small Bon monastery of Ringmo village on both treks.

• Experience Remote Village Life
  You will stay in Dho Tarap at 4,090 m, one of the highest permanent settlements in the world, where Bon and Buddhist families live in the same village and have separate monasteries.

• Culture and Ancient Monasteries
  You will reach Shey Gompa at 4,500 m beside Crystal Mountain on the Upper Dolpo Trek and the Bon monastery of Yangze Gompa at 4,960 m above the Nankhang Valley.

• Local Knowledge, Personal Support
  You benefit from local advice, restricted area permit arrangements, experienced guide support and careful planning for Dolpo’s remote trails and limited facilities. 

• Trek Where Few People Go
  You will walk through one of the least visited regions of Nepal, with few trekkers, no roads on most of the route, and no ATMs once you leave Nepalgunj. Trekking through Dolpo’s quiet valleys and isolated villages makes the journey feel truly adventurous.

Package Highlights

Permit and Visa for Dolpo Region Treks