Dolpo treks and trekking in Dolpo region is an outstanding journey across the trans-Himalayas of Nepal. Flanked in rain-shadow of Dhaulagiri massif and Kanjiruwa Himal, is the extremely remote and secluded region of Nepal. The largest district of Nepal, Dolpo is covering the total area of 7889 sq. Kilometers and elevation range from the elevation of Dolpa ranges from1,525 to 7,625 meters above sea level. The incredible geographical diversity gains altitude while stepping to the further north villages of Upper Dolpo. There are several high passes one should be encounered in during Dolpo treks.
Dolpo treks offer a huge variety of fantastic sights like pristine Lakes and rivers, cozy villages with hospitable people, wide river valleys, sheer sided canyons, sculpted gorges, monasteries clinging to sheer rock faces, many species of flora and fauna.
Though with a huge variety of fantastic sight, Dolpo treks are not for novice trekkers, who are not used to with high altitude walking and who have the health issues. Most of the treks in Dolpo are challenging and strenuous with encountering 5000 plus high passes.In this post, I discuss the 5000m plus high passes that encounters during Dolpo region treks.
Kang La Pass 5360m
Kang La pass also known as the Nangdola Pass, is the notorious pass and gateway to Upper Dolpo treks conjoins two most important landmarks of Dolpo i.e. Phoksundo Lake and Shey Gompa. Beyond the Phoksundo lake, treading along the beautiful tropical forest of Shey Phoksundo National park and on the opposite side of Kanjiruwa Himal slowly gains the altitude along the rock-strewn and riverbed trail leads to the summit of Kang La pass. Reaching the summit is rewards by the striking views of neighboring peaks deep deserted valley blended with lush vegetation of Phoksundo national park, black brown sacred Crystal Mountain and wide open bowl shad canyon towards Shey Gompa. This pass encounters during our popular treks Dolpo Jomsom Trek, and Upper Dolpo Trek.
Shey La Pass 5010m
To the East of Shey Gompa, the trail leads along the Sephu Khola and crossing the Shey La pass joins Shey Gompa and remote highland settlement Namgung Namgong Gompa. The summit of the pass offers mind blowing and stunning views of Himalayas of Nepal & Tibet from east to north. The panorama of Tibetan landscapes to north and the sensational views of Mustang to east are breath taking delights of Shey La Pass. This pass is encountered during the Upper Dolpo Trek and Dolpo Jomsom Trek.
Nyimagalzen La pass 5600m
To the west of Bhijer village and at top of Phot village, the most notorious and strenuous pass of Dolpo treks is Nyimagalzen La pass. This pass conjoins the Dolpo district and Mugu district. After a huge effort arriving on the top of pass is as like a complete victory. The 360 scenic views from the summit is no elsewhere on the other passes of Dolpo. The northern frontier peaks and sourthern Kanjiruwa massive and Tibetan side landscape are incredibly extraordinary. This pass is encounters during our Upper Dolpo Rara Trek, and Simikot Jomsom Trek.
Neng La Pass 5368m
To the east of Bhijer village and west of Saldang village Neng La pass bridging these two beautiful village of Upper Dolpo. From Bhijer the trail heads through the Yamcho Khola and left of Nengla Lek to summit of Neng La pass. On arriving at the summit the mesmerizing views to the northern Tibetan border landscape and long open river valley towards Bhijer village is completely sensational. The Palchang Hamga Himal range and including Danphesail are indescribable. This pass encounters during our Upper Dolpo Immersion Trek and Dolpo Exloring Trek.
Musi La Pass 5030m
A steep ascent from Mischa village the trail leads to Shimen village across the Muri La pass. The pass is not technical but it is 5000m plus so, an extra effort is always necessary. As we reach to the top of the pass, we sight the Danphesail peak and Palchang Hamga Himal range with many unnamed northern peak to the north and long open river valley to the north-east.This is encounters during our popular treks Dolpo Jomsom Trek, Upper Dolpo Immersion Trek ,and Dolpo Exploring Trek or Upper Dolpo Trek or Inner Dolpo Trek.
Chhoi La Pass 5051m
Trail from the nearest China border ‘Tinje village’ of Upper Dolpo to trading center of Dolpo, Dho Tarap is joins crossing the Chhoi La pass. Leaving the Tinje village following the Panzang river to Taraka Sumdow and then following Sulun Khola leads to on the top of Chhoi La pass. The magnificent panoramic views of Norbung Kang, Kanjiruwa, and northern landscape are mind blowing. This pass is encounters during our treks Upper Immersion Trek, and Dolpo Exploring Trek.
Numa La Pass 5310m
From the highest altitude human settlement valley Dho Tarap the trail leads to west of Tokyu village and soon drains in to barren landscape and ascent to Numa La pass. Arriving on Numa La pss rewards the majestic vistas of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Churen Himal and Norbung Kang. This pass is encounter during our popular treks Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek, Lower Dolpo Featured Trek and Lower Dolpo Exploring Trek.
Baga La Pass 5170m
After conquering the Numa La pass the trail to Baga La pass gains 600m elevation from Danighar. Baga La pass is another pass which joins the Dolpo’s two beautiful landmarks Dho Tarap village to Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo Bon village. From the top of the Baga La pass, we witness stunning vistas of Nobung Kang peak along with other unnamed peaks and long river valley of Maduwa Khola.This pass encounters during our popular treks Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek and Lower Dolpo Exploring Trek.
Ghami Pass 5694m
To the north-east of the trail trading from Tulsi Khola confluence of Naljyan Sumna leads Upper Mustang crossing Ghami La Pass. The pass is higher like peak and truly challenging pass. From the top of the pass trekkers can have superb views of Dhaulagiri massif, Nilgiri, Araniko Chuli and other unnamed peaks.This pass is encounters during our demanding trip Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek.
Jungben La Pass 5550m
To the east of Dolpo Jungben La pass is the last land marking pass of Dolpo and Mustang district. Two days from Chharka village a long strenuous trek leads to Jungben La pass. The ascent to Jungben La pass is not steep but long trasverse. Reaching at top of Jungben La offers an outstanding scenic vistas to the east. The straight ahead is Thorong La is followed by Chulu peak, to the left Upper Mustang, Narsing Khola, Damodar Himal and to the west Hidden valley, Honde Himal, Tashikangand Dahmpus peak. This pass highest pass and encounters during our popular Dolpo Jomsom Trek.
Chan La pass 5378m
Chan La pass joins the Barbung valley to Dolpo’s trading junction Dho Tarap. Chan La pass is steep ascent and descent from both sides. From top of Chan La pass the marvelous views of surrounding snow capped peaks and long wide open river valley across both sides are breath taking. This pass is encounters during our popular treks Lower Dolpo Featured Trek and Dolpo Exploring Trek.
Jhyarkoi La pass 5360m
From Dho Tarap across the Jhyarkoi La pass en route to Chharka village along Upper Panzang valley. Jyarkoi La pass is a demanding pass and need extra effort to conquer it. The steep ascent to pass and arriving on the top of pass makes a great feeling of you are on the highest peak around. The views from the summit are magnificent.
Mo La Pass 5030m
Though the Mo La pass is 5000m plus pass of Dolpo, it may be the one of the easiest pass of Dolpo Treks. The wild country treading continues across Mo La pass to the highest altitude settlement Chharka village. From the top of Mo La pass, a long valley towards Chharka Khola and Upper Panzang valley are superb. This pass is encounters during our popular treks Dolpo Jomsom Trek and Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek.
Mukot La (Mu La) pass 5716m
Mukot La pass is another notorious pass of Dolpo, which bridges the Mukot village to Mulumsumna and to Mustang. The pass is extremely demanding from the Mukot village side. Arriving on the Mukot La pass offers the majestic and panoramic views of Dhaulagiri massif, Hidden valley, Dampus peak, Tashikang peak, Mukot peak and Honde Himal. This pass is encounters during our popular trips Mukot Peak climbing, Dhaulagiri Sightseeing and Barbung Vally Trek.
Kagmara La Pass 5115m
From Phoksundo lake adding 7-8 days to the west the trail leads to Pungmo village and crossing the Kagmara La pass one may can continue to Jumla and Rara lake. Reaching at the top of Kagmara La caters, the superb views of Gharpung valley and Kanjiruwa massif.This pass is encounters during our Lower Dolpo Exploring Trek and Phoksundo Rara Lower Route trek.
