Upper Dolpo Trekking – An Enthralling Experience

Upper Dolpo is the home of herbal territory, untouched trans-Himalayan cultures, Buddhist monuments and distinctive human civilization at a higher altitude is worth a trip. Hiking around the Dolpo province is a memorable voyage in every traveler's life to witness diverse rain shadow landscapes with incredible mountain vistas, wild flowers and a lot more. With sweeping & windswept high altitude desert panoramas, Dolpo assures to enthrall each hiker who possesses the courage and strength to get into this land of classic Tibetan culture.

What's the best trekking season?

The Upper Dolpo trekking season prolongs from mid- September- May. From early September the monsoonal rains drop. By the end of September through to December the climate is generally stable with temperate to warm days, chilly nights. March, April, May, June, October, and November are the most favorable time to accomplish this trek.

Trip Highlights

• City tour at historical monuments in Kathmandu
• Explore the divine mountain kingdom at the foot of mighty Himalayas
• The biggest, beautiful, glistening lake- Shey Phoksundo Lake
• Witnessing the amazing ethnic culture
• Fully supported camping trek.
• Trekking through the biggest National Park of Nepal.
• Crossing over Kangla Pass

The trail starts becoming very hectic but once you cross the river twice on well made bridges, you then make a steep ascent on a very narrow path, hugging the cliff face. Having descended to the river again the trail takes another steep ascent requiring frequent stops to watch the panorama of the landscapes and also for rest. You may camp on the side of Suligad River.

Shey means crystal – this monastery is also known as the Crystal Mountain. The lama of Shey resides at a red hermitage known as Tsakang Gompa which is west of Shey. It is not really a monastery but a retreat. Tsakang has been a meditation centre to many famous lamas from Tibet. Shey Gompa belongs to the Chaiba community, followers of the Padmasambhava and Kagyu sects.

The trail is generally well compacted making the going underfoot easy, much easier than loose shale, but it is steep. It is only a 2 hour climb to reach the top of the Jeng La. From the top of the pass there are good views of the Dhaulagiri massif, glittering in the morning light. A rough track descends towards the Tarap valley. By the afternoon you find a green valley which leads you by a pleasant track down towards the Tarap Chu. Tarap is a dream valley with vast plains in high mountains extending 20kms along the river Tarap Chu. It has ten villages with cultivated fields, many Gompas and Chortens of both sects. You halt for the night at Tokyu monastery. This monastery also belongs to the Chaiba sect.

If you have sufficient time Ghorepani Poon Hill trek as well as Mustang Nepal trek can be done for more adventure.