| The Upper Dolpo Trek to Shey Gompa brings you into a mystical land where centuries old Buddhist and Bonpo traditions, interwoven with shamanistic influences, are still an important part of daily life. The villages, gompas and people you meet during this trek will leave an unforgettable impression on you. The landscapes here are even more desolate than on the Dolpa Circuit and the villages even more isolated and authentic.
The trail leads to Shey Gompa which is often referred to as the spiritual heart of Upper Dolpo. It’s a magical place situated at the base of Crystal Mountain. Crystal Mountain itself is a well-visited pilgrimage site visited by hundreds of pilgrims each year who make a kora (circuit) around the mountain. This is quite a strenuous hike. You have to cross three high passes, Nagdalo La (5350 m), the Shey La (5010 m) and Jeng La (5220 m). These crossings involve long climbs and long descents. The trails linger above 4000 m for long periods of time which results in very cold nights. That being said, the unforgettable landscapes, the views from the passes and the rare insight into a preserved culture makes it all worth it. Upper Dolpo is a restricted area, for which a fee is charged of US$ 500 for the first 10 days, and US$ 50 for each additional day. The relatively high trekking permit fee limits the number of trekkers that visit Upper Dolpo, making this trek a very special and exclusive experience. Leaving from Kathmandu it’s a 21 days trip, but it can be shortened or extended depending on how many hours of walking you fit into your days. There are basic guesthouses in Juphal, Dunai, Kageni, Chhepka, close to Sanduwa (next to the Amchi Hospital), Ringmo, Shey, Saldang, Dho and Lingdo. At the other places you have to camp (day 7, 10-14, 16 and 17 of this itinerary). |
Upper Dolpo Trekking
Day 1 Flight Kathmandu – Nepalgunj
Day 2 Flight Nepalgunj – Juphal (2475 m), trek to Shyanta (2520 m) or Chhepka (2838 m) 5-6 hrs
Day 3 Shyanta/Chhepka (2838 m) – Chunuwar near Amchi Hospital (3110 m) 6-7 hrs
Day 4 Chunuwar (3110 m) – Ringmo village near Phoksundo Lake (3641 m) 3 hrs
Day 5 Ringmo/Phoksundo Lake (3641 m). Rest day and visit to Bon Gompa.
Day 6 Ringmo/Phoksundo Lake (3641 m) – Forest Camp beyond Sallaghari (3730 m) 6 hrs
Day 7 Forest Camp (3730 m) – Kang La Low Camp (4400 m) 6-7 hrs
Day 8 Kang La Low Camp (4400 m) – Shey Gompa (4310 m) via Nagdalo-La (Kang La) (5350 m) 6-7 hrs
Day 9 Shey Gompa (4310 m). Rest day.
Day 10 Shey Gompa (4310 m) – Namgung (4430 m) via Shey-La (5010 m) 6-7 hrs
Day 11 Namgung (4430 m) – Saldang (4060 m) 3-4 hrs
Day 12 Saldang (4060 m) – Chagaon (3840 m) 4 hrs
Day 13 Chagaon (3840 m) – Jyanta-La Base Camp (4550 m) 7 hrs
Day 14 Jyanta-La Base Camp (4550 m) – Tokyu (4210 m) via Jyanta-La/Jeng-La (5220 m) 7 hrs
Day 15 Tokyu (4210 m) – Dho Tarap (4080 m) 2-3hrs
Day 16 Dho Tarap (4080 m) – Toltol (3523 m) 6-7 hrs
Day 17 Toltol (3523 m) – Laina Odar (3370 m) 6-7 hrs
Day 18 Laina Odar (3370 m) – Lingdo (2390 m) 6 hrs
Day 19 Lingdo (2390 m) – Dunai (2140 m) 5 hrs
Day 20 Dunai (2140 m) – Juphal (2475 m) 3-4 hrs
Day 21 Flight Juphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu
Cost Includes and Excludes
Cost Includes:
- Welcome at Airport.
- Airport pickups and drops via cab/taxi.
- Accommodation in bnb hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Sightseeing and Trek Preparation in Kathmandu.
- All land transportations.
- City tours with a guide.
- Entrance fees and all permit fees (ACAP, TIMS).
- Accommodation in Tea houses during trek.
- All meals (3 times) during trek.
- Domestic flight tickets.
- Experienced Guide and Porter
- Mountain Amantes Trek Day Pack.
- All government taxes and fees.
- First Aid Medical Kit.
Additional Services on demand. (to be returned after trek)
- Down jacket
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking bag
- Trekking poles
Cost Excludes:
- Airfares for International Flights
- Visa Fees for Nepal Entry
- Travel Insurance
- Lunch and Dinner during Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Extra night accommodations and foods.
- Drinking water, tea and coffee, hot water, hot shower, deserts, soft and hard drinks during trek.
- Personal expenses. (Telephone, Internet, Laundry, etc.)
- And any other cost not mentioned in include section.
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