When you arrive in Kathmandu, our agency representative will greet you at the arrival gate, holding a display board for Himalayan Exploration Treks, and then transfer you to your hotel.

After a delightful breakfast, you’re ready to set off on a narrated sightseeing tour of Kathmandu! This adventure will take you to the revered Pashupatinath Temple, the magnificent Boudhanath Stupa, the lovely Swayambhunath (commonly known as the Monkey Temple), and the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square. These remarkable attractions are well-known tourist destinations and boast the distinction of being UNESCO World Heritage Sites! Afterward, you’ll have time to arrange and finalize all the hiking gear and paperwork with your guide. In the evening, be sure to explore the vibrant streets of Thamel, which are full of energy and color!

The flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj takes about an hour and offers delightful views of the stunning western Himalayas, featuring magnificent peaks like Langtang, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. You'll also observe that Nepalgunj enjoys a warmer climate and is conveniently located near the Indian border, making it a lovely place to visit!

Get ready for an exciting adventure as you start your journey with a morning flight to Juphal! For forty-five delightful minutes, you'll be captivated by the stunning views of the Himalayan foothills, featuring the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. Once you arrive in Juphal and gather your luggage, a lovely walk will take you to the charming town of Dunai.

As we set off on the first day of our journey, let’s take our time to organize everything for packing our luggage, making sure we’re all set! Crossing the picturesque bridge over the shimmering Bheri River is a sight to behold, and soon after, we’ll turn left onto a delightful path that beckons us toward Shulighat—the warm and welcoming gateway to Shey Phoksundo National Park. This lovely trail gently winds alongside the Phoksundo Khola, leading us through several charming little settlements on our way to Chhepka, where adventure awaits!

The trail gently climbs through the vibrant forest along the lovely valley. You’ll experience a delightful series of small ups and downs, getting to cross charming little bridges over the river before arriving in Raichi for a well-deserved lunch. A highlight of the journey is the stunning sight where two rivers of different colors meet to form the breathtaking Phoksundo River, right between Raichi and Chunuwar. After soaking in the beauty, we continued our enjoyable walk towards Chunuwar.

The hike starts off with a thrilling climb for the first three hours, where you’ll find sparse vegetation and enjoy the unique beauty of dry, dusty hills. When you finally reach the observation tower, you’re welcomed by a stunning view of Nepal's tallest waterfall, soaring at 107 meters, framed by the breathtaking scenery all around the hills. Just a ten-minute ascent from the tower reveals your first glimpse of the dazzling Phoksundo Lake. After taking in the views, the trail gently winds down through a peaceful pine forest leading you to the charming village of Ringmo.

According to your Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary, today is a wonderful day to relax and help you acclimatize to the high altitude. You’ll embark on a delightful short trip to Ringmo village, where you can explore an ancient Tibetan Buddhist monastery. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the daily lives of the locals and immerse yourself in their vibrant culture and traditions. Later on, you’re in for a treat as you take in the stunning views of the beautiful Phoksundo Lake and its breathtaking surroundings.

As you hike along the western shore of Phoksundo Lake, you will encounter a crevasse on a challenging and uncertain path. The Upper Dolpo Trekking Trail leads you through a lush meadow toward the Phoksundo Khola plain, beginning from the lake's farthest point. From there, you will traverse a valley and cross a river. Eventually, you will arrive at Phoksundo Khola, where you will set up camp for the night in a tent.

The trekking trail winds through a stunning landscape. As we begin our adventure, towering rock walls rise majestically on either side, creating a dramatic entrance. Along the path, we cross refreshing streams, testing our balance with the cool water flowing beneath our feet.

As we progress, the river meanders gently within the gorge, its calm flow providing a peaceful backdrop to our upward trek. While the ascent is noticeable, it remains moderate, making the hike enjoyable for most adventurers. We discover a spacious riverside area inviting us to pause and appreciate the breathtaking views. The ground, a mix of stones and pebbles, offers solid footing, while thorny juniper bushes add intrigue, their resilient branches inviting us. This blend of features turns the trek into an exploration of the beauty of this extraordinary environment.

The path gradually climbs for about two and a half hours up Sandy Mountain to Kang-La, where you'll reach an impressive elevation of 5350 meters. As you ascend, the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings unfolds before you, leaving you in awe. Just a little reminder to take care of how the altitude might affect you during this adventure. After enjoying a lovely four-hour descent from the pass, you'll arrive at the delightful Shey Gompa, a place that will surely enchant you all over again.

Discover the beauty of Tsakang Gompa, a serene retreat that holds a special place in history, as many revered lamas from Tibet once meditated here. You’ll find Shey Gompa, part of the welcoming Chaiba community, rooted in the teachings of Padmasambhava and Kagyu. This charming spot is the first Kagyupa monastery, founded by the esteemed lama Ten-szin-Ra-Pa in the 11th century, and is celebrated for its rich Buddhist culture.

As you wander Dolpo, you can see how the timeless Tibetan lifestyle beautifully blends animism with Buddhist teachings. A long time ago, Drutup Yeshe introduced Buddhism to the Dolpo Valley, encountering people who revered a ‘fierce mountain spirit’ as their supreme God. Just west of Shey monastery, you’ll find the unique Crystal Mountain, characterized by its twisted cliffs adorned with sparkling quartz and fascinating marine fossils. Shey Gompa also sits above the meeting point of Kwangju Nala and Yeju Nala, where you can find a group of prayer wheels gracefully turned by the gentle flow of water wheels.

To get to Namgung, we’ll journey across the stunning Shey-La mountain pass, which soars to an impressive height of 5,000 meters. The trail meanders over rocky terrain and a bit of uneven, eroded soil before gently descending into the lovely pastures below.

The trek features an exciting steep climb that can feel quite challenging, especially when we finally reach the breathtaking pass at 4,700 meters! Once we conquer that, we get to enjoy a delightful descent into the charming village of Saldang. This lovely village is one of the largest in the region and is perfectly situated along the scenic trade route to Tibet.

As we embark on our trek, we'll meander through picturesque terraced fields, stunning stupas, charming chhortens, intricate mani walls, and peaceful monasteries, passing by several delightful villages. Our journey leads us along a gorgeous gorge, where the vibrant green fields of local barley create a beautiful contrast. We'll get adventurous, crossing a knee-deep river twice before reaching our lovely campsite. The only companions in this spacious open area are the hardy, thorny juniper bushes that dot the landscape.

As we embark on our trek, we'll meander through picturesque terraced fields, stunning stupas, charming chhortens, intricate mani walls, and peaceful monasteries, passing by several delightful villages along the way. Our journey leads us along a gorgeous gorge, where the vibrant green fields of local barley create a beautiful contrast. We'll get a little adventurous, crossing a knee-deep river twice before reaching our lovely campsite, a spacious open area where the only companions are the hardy thorny juniper bushes that dot the landscape.

As we approach the end of our adventure, maintaining a positive mindset is essential! We walk along a smooth path beside the river, crossing it two times on this peaceful trail. Near the conclusion, the path becomes a little steeper, but that's part of the experience. Moving away from the lush valleys and quaint villages, we ascend the rugged hill, reaching nearly the highest campsite of our journey.

Today, we’re coming across the final stretch of our breathtaking ascent! The views of the Himalayas are absolutely stunning, with Dhaulagiri towering majestically over the dry landscapes of Inner Dolpo. As we cross the pass, the trail begins to descend gently before turning into a thrilling steep drop towards Tarap Valley. After a lovely two-hour stroll from Tokyo Goan, we finally reach Dho-Tarap, the highest village in Dolpo. Here, the path branches off, leading us toward the enchanting regions of Jomsom, Mustang, and Tibet. What an adventure awaits us!

Today marks your third rest day for acclimatization on the Upper Dolpo Trekking Itinerary in the picturesque village of Dho Tarap. This day offers a valuable opportunity to adjust to the altitude and immerse yourself in the lively local community and its breathtaking surroundings. Engage in conversations with residents to discover their unique lifestyles, rich culture, and intriguing traditions. Experience the living practices of Chaiba and Bon Po, and you may even sample their delicious foods while enjoying their stunning attire.

The path gently winds downhill through a charming gorge next to the lively Tarap River. You'll notice the hanging ridges on either side, sometimes dancing in and out of view between the hills. As you make your way along, the trail skillfully navigates the cozy gorges while the swift river flows gracefully beside you. Along the journey, you'll meet friendly mules, horses, and yaks, all busy transporting goods. By the afternoon, the trail reveals its delightful improvements, like a modern steel bridge that makes it easier for everyone—people and animals alike—to cross easily.

This lovely route meanders alongside the river, leading you to a charming narrow gorge where the incline is pleasantly gentle. The gorge is surrounded by a lush, dense forest. As you wander along the trail, you might notice some sections with little ups and downs created by large rocky stones. They add a bit of character to the hike, but do watch your step, as they can be a tad slippery during your adventure!

The trail is a delightful stroll, gently rising alongside the beautiful River. Along the way, it offers charming climbs to the hilltop and sweet dips down to the open space trail by the River, guiding us toward the lovely destination of Dunai.

The trail gently leads you back to the charming village of Juphal, inviting you to enjoy the journey toward the mountains truly. Just stroll along the easy motor road to Kala Gouda, getting ready for a delightful, steep climb to Juphal, where you'll walk through beautiful, lush rice fields.

As the sun rises, we set off on a delightful 35-minute flight to Nepalgunj, soaring above the stunning Himalayan foothills. Along the way, we're treated to mesmerizing views of the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. After this incredible adventure, we'll hop on our connecting flight back to the vibrant city of Kathmandu!