Dolpo is Nepal’s most isolated and least developed area. Although a few geographers and anthropologists had explored the region, the entire area was shut off to hikers until 1989, when the southern part of Dolpo was opened to manage trekking tours. The Snow Leopard and the Himalayan Pilgrimage of David Snellgrove added to the person and enthusiasm of Dolpo.
The Upper Dolpo Trek passes various monstrous mountain ranges. Most of Upper Dolpo treks starts from Lower Dolpo Trek to Dho Tarap or Phoksundo lake. Then making it the connection of Shey Gompa, which combines Saldang and Dho Tarap or Phoksundo, yet lesser-known places. Some Upper Dolpo treks joins the other neighboring places like Mugu, and Mustang crossing high passes. Trekking in Upper Dolpo is enthusiastic about the wild, remoteness, and the fantastic mountains.
Table of contents
How to Get to Upper Dolpo?
How long does it take to complete Upper Dolpo Trek?
What is the price to trek to Upper Dolpo?
When to trek to Upper Dolpo?
Spring Season: MAR – APRL – MAY
Monsoon season: JUN – JUL – AUG
Fall: SEP – OCT -NOV
How Difficult is Upper Dolpo trek?
Does It Safe For Trekking?
Some FAQs for Upper Dolpo Trek
Conclusions
How to Get to Upper Dolpo?
There are many ways to get Kathmandu to Dolpo. Suppose you want to take a long way from Radi, direct bus to Radi from Kathmandu, and requires to change the jeep from one place to another to get Dunai. Another option for Kathmandu to Dolpo is a flight to Juphal via Nepalgunj. The porters will carry your baggage, and the guide will take proper care of you during the trek. Another way to get in Upper Dolpo is trek from Jomsom to Chharka via Jungbenla pass (5555m) and the last but not least is trek from Mugu Gamgadi to Upper Dolpo via Shilennchaur, Nimagyalzen la(5560m) Mugu Dolpo Trek .
How long does it take to complete Upper Dolpo Trek?
The trek’s duration to complete the Upper Dolpo Trek varies according to the starting point of the trek. If you choose Upper Dolpo Trek, it will take you 22 to 40 days to complete the trek, whereas, from Jomsom, it will take you around 26 to 30 days. Likewise, if you choose from Jumla via Rara Lake, it will take you the same duration as Jomsom to Upper Dolpo. Now, it is talking about the Upper Dolpo Trek – 22 Days and for more detail, you can visit Upper Dolpo trekking itinerary.
What is the price to trek to Upper Dolpo?
There are various Upper Dolpo treks and the cost of Upper Dolpo trek depends upon the packages offered by the trekking company. The Upper Dolpo trek cost includes the price of flights, food, accommodation, insurance, gear, and the expense of hiring a guide and other.
The airfare from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj costs around $188, and Nepalgunj to Juphal is $177, respectively. But we are advised you to have some additional days if the weather does not allow you to fly or any unforeseen causes.
If you have quite enough time, and you feel comfortable to travel through the off road then you may take the route Upper Dolpo trekking via Radi, and there is no flight cost applied. And there are no touristic hotel and food. You have to adjust in basic lodges and food.
The permit cost of upper Dolpo is $500 per person for ten days and an additional $50 per person day beyond 10-days. It obtains from the immigration department and applies through the registered trekking agency — similarly, the fees of guides and porters ranging from $22 to $45 per day basis.
For the recent changes in visa and trekking permits fees, please log on to the official website of the department of immigration, Nepal effective from 17th July 2019.
There might be some miscellaneous costs like buying some souvenirs from the folks, tipping to guide, crew members, and others. Generally, the Upper Dolpo Trekking package begins from $3500 and may price up to $5500 depending on the duration of your trip, the number of groups, and the Upper Dolpo trekking package you choose.
The price includes your accommodation, meals, guide, crew members, and your domestic airfare in the Upper Dolpo Trekking package.
When to trek to Upper Dolpo?
Doing Upper Dolpo Trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The Upper Dolpo region is sparsely populated and one of the isolated and remote region in Nepal which is located mainly a rain-shadow area located behind the giant Dhaulagiri and Kanjiruwa massif. No doubt, it has the splendor of the Himalayans, high passes, and exhausting landscapes bordering with a Tibetan plateau and it is a complete Trans-Himalayan desert. Here are the pros and cons according to the seasons that we generally organized. So you may do what is right for you.
Spring Season: MAR – APRL – MAY
Trekking in the spring season is ideal anywhere in the world. Flora and Fauna, whatever the creature in the universe dormant all winter, spring back to life, feeding and breeding in the warm temps. But the place like, Upper Dolpo trekking in this season makes difficulty due to snows over the pass if there heavy snow fall during winter. Trekking in Upper Dolpo region during monsoon is depends upon how much snow fall during winter. If there is heavy snow fall during winter, we may face getting in to upper Dolpo crossing the high pass which may leads to divert your Dolpo itineraries.
Monsoon season: JUN – JUL – AUG
Trekking during the monsoon season is not ideal all around the world. But Nepal is known as the country for trekkers' paradise where intrepid travelers can do trekking in the summer season. Moreover, the western part of Nepal, such as Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, and many other western frontiers are located in the rain-shadow areas, where only minimal rainfal even in monsoon. During this time, the high passes are snow-free, green and blanketed by alpine flora and the landscapes are verdant. But, there is a high possibility of flight cancellation getting into Juphal due to the cloudy weather and heavy rainfall.
Fall: SEP – OCT -NOV
Perhaps autumn is the best period for trekking in Nepal, especially crowded in Annapurna, Langtang, and Everest region. After the summer monsoons, the clear and blue skies offering many wonderful scenic views sparkling nature and massif Himalayas. Additionally, the fall harvest times are also great opportunity for you to mingle with the locals, many beautiful villages, and communities during Upper Dolpo trek.
How Difficult is Upper Dolpo trek?
In terms level of difficulty, obviously Upper Dolpo Trek is challenging and demanding because of multiple high passes and long trekking hours. Most of nights we have to spend on above 4000m. However, the Upper Dolpo trek journey is feasible for those people who are physically and mentally fit.
Does It Safe For Trekking?
Well, trekking in Upper Dolpo region is the safer treks in Nepal, because of its plainness landscape. Most of the Upper Dolpo trek route passes through beautiful villages of Upper Dolpo. Only the few treks such as Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang trek, Upper Dolpo Jomsom trek and Upper Dolpo Mugu Trek, where few days passes through wilderness. The Upper Dolpo circuit treks and Inner Dolpo trek are starts from Dolpo and ends to Dolpo are very safe and delightful trek.
Some FAQs for Upper Dolpo Trek
How much does it cost for to Upper Dolpo?
The Upper Dolpo Trek cost may differ depending on the services, the number of groups, and the trip duration you have chosen. Basically it may varies from $3800 to $5700 per person for Upper Dolpo Trek that all-inclusive.
How long does the Upper Dolpo Trek?
There are various itineraries for Upper Dolpo trek. Usually, it takes 22 to 26-days to complete the entire circuits.
What is the difficulty level of Upper Dolpo Trek?
Trek to Upper Dolpo is more challenging and demanding. Normal trek hours for Upper Dolpo trek takes 4 to 9 hours each day and crossing over several of 5000 meters high passes. Thus, an excellent physical condition, patients and mountain experience is required in order to complete Upper Dolpo trek.
What are the attractions of Upper Dolpo Trek?
The attractions of the Upper Dolpo are:
- Multiple 5000m plus high passes
- Barren landscape and beautiful hamlets in the foothills of silver shining mountains
- Trekking along the Shey-Phoksundo National Park
- Magical and mystic 'Phoksundo Lake'
- Age old Bon and Buddhist monasteries
- Dolpo Pa culture and friendly people
- Wondrous camping experience along with the picturesque landscape
What is the best time to trek to Upper Dolpo?
The best time to trek to Upper Dolpo is from May to Mid of November. But sometime in July and August, due to monsoon in Nepal, getting through flight from Nepalgunj makes problem. The ideal and best time for Upper Dolpo Trek is September and October.
Lists of Upper Dolpo Trek Packages
Here are few Upper Dolpo trek packages that we Himalayan Companion offering:
2. Upper Dolpo Immerssion Trek
3. Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Dolpo Trekking Map
There are several Upper Dolpo Treking maps are available in the market. For more detail you can refer our Dolpo Trekking Map blog.
Here is outline of Upper Dolpo trekking map:
An outline of Dolpo trekking routes and Dolpo Trekking map
Conclusions
Upper Dolpo treks are really an extra-ordinary treks in Nepal. Hence, in order to fulfill your dreams of trekking in such a wonder land "Upper Dolpo" this complete guide has helped you to make an idea for Upper Dolpo Trek. If you would really keen and fit for the Upper Dolpo trek, then let us know further and we are here to companionship for your holiday.
