Upper Dolpo Trek 24 Days

Best Season

The trek is best during the late spring (May-June) and late summer to autumn (late August to October) periods, which offer the best weather for trek through the high Himalayas. Most trekking routes in Nepal can expect to have rain during the summer months. Upper Dolpo is unique in that it is located in a rain-shadow zone which lies directly behind Dhaulagiri. With this geography, the summer months can still offer dry trails, vibrant blooming alpine flowers, and a local life with high activity in the high valleys.

Difficulty Level

The Upper Dolpo trek is a true test of one’s trekking ability as it is physically the most demanding trek, characterized by very long walking days with steep ascents, descents, and many high passes that go above 5,000 meters. Facilities in the area are scarce, and there are no official amenities. Many reasons make this trek exclusive to individuals who are highly skilled in trekking and are in terrific shape: high altitude ascents, edgy paths, and extreme weather. Strong mental and physical capabilities are essential to continue. Ample acclimatization makes the difference in a trek like this.

Can Beginners Join This Trip?

The Upper Dolpo Trek was purposely designed to be remote and at higher altitudes, so it is not a trek intended for complete beginners. The trek is better suited for seasoned trekkers who have participated in hiking trips that have gone over 4,000 meter elevation. Highly motivated beginners have the chance to join the trek if they are sufficiently fit and have an adequate mindset and motivation. While Less seasoned trekkers may accompany, they must be prepared and sufficiently acclimated to the terrain in accordance with a supported and planned itinerary. An adventurous trek may be accomplished with the right resources and preparation along the way.

Why Choose the Upper Dolpo Trek?

Upper Dolpo Trek is one of the most distinctive trekking routes in the Himalayas, with a trifecta of remote trekking, breathtaking landscapes, and the preservation of ancient culture. Most trekking routes have a bustling atmosphere, whilst Upper Dolpo provides the experience of walking on ancient pathways, unchanged by the passage of time.

Upper Dolpo Trek is one of the most culturally and spiritually rich trekking routes in the world. Upper Dolpo is rich with spirituality in the forms of Tibetan Buddhism and the ancient Bon religion. A large influence of Tibetan culture can be experienced in the region, along with the coexisting spiritual practices of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion. For this reason, sites such as Shey Gompa have ancient monasteries and spiritual practices, from rituals to beliefs, that offer trekkers a fascinating and enlightening experience.

The trek is also famous for having unpredictable highs and lows, both in terms of topography and weather, including the breathtaking Shey Phoksundo Lake. However, with its stunning turquoise waters and diverse age-rich culture preserved, trekking through high passes such as Kang La, deep valleys, desolate deserts, snow-covered mountains, cliffs, and high deserts. The Dhaulagiri mountains surround Upper Dolpo.

The reason for Upper Dolpo Trek’s remoteness is for spiritual preservation rather than exclusivity. Therefore, the number of trekkers and the high cost of trekking permits are a mere formality. With nature, the village’s ancient lifestyle (including spirituality, preservation of ancient culture, and spiritual practices) and the hiking paths to oneself, there are very few, if any, crowds.

And this trek brings out a true sense of adventure and discovery. Crossing high mountain passes above 5,000 meters and wandering through valleys and settlements that time has almost forgotten, each day of the trek feels like an expedition in the wilds of the last uncluttered zones of the Himalayas. It is beyond a trek, beyond the ordinary into the exceptional.

Maximum / Minimum Walking Hours per Day

When doing the Upper Dolpo Trek, trekking hours are subject to shifting terrain, altitudes, and how the hiking routes are formed. Generally, you’ll be hiking for 5 to 7 hours per day since this is considered the norm for trekking. On easier sections of the trek, it’ll be as little as 4 to 5 hours. That means you’ll have more time for things like resting, exploring, or even letting your body acclimatize.

But on tougher sections of the route, like when you’re ascending the Kang La or the Saldang La, it may be as much as 7 to 8 hours of hiking. On these routes, things like how bad the weather is and how difficult the trail is may affect how fast you’re able to hike. These are usually really steep sections where you’ll have to be going up and down a lot while making sure that you’re moving slow and really careful.

Don’t worry too much, though. The trek is well thought out, and it strikes a good balance with sections that are both moderate and a bit challenging. It’ll allow you to acclimatize while being able to enjoy the views and cultures that you encounter.

Difficulty Level

Upper Dolpo is perhaps the most difficult trekking route in the entire Nepal region, as the whole trek is filled with an entire week of countless days of trekking, reaching durations of 5-7 hours, traversing rocky, uneven, and distant paths. Trekkers face highly steep and difficult paths of their choosing, with the additional need to cross numerous high-altitude passes, some of which include Kang La at 5,150m, and Saldang La at 4,785m. And as if that weren’t enough, on top of the aforementioned issues, inclement and uncooperative weather, along with high altitude conditions, is an additional obstacle.

Upper Dolpo’s difficult conditions are a result of the remote location and the lack of infrastructure. Unlike the Everest or Annapurna trekking routes, the Upper Dolpo region has an extremely limited number of teahouses, many of which necessitate the need for camping for the night. Not only are the trails poorly constructed and sometimes exposed, but they also require a high level of endurance and balance. All of these conditions increase the trek’s level of difficulty, causing the trek to be able to only be feasible for highly experienced trekkers with a high level of fitness, as well as a wealth of experience at high altitudes.

Acclimatization

As all extremely high-altitude trekking routes are filled with high altitude conditions, without the proper protection and the appropriate pre-planned route, the Upper Dolpo Trek will be an extremely high-risk trek for all those who attempt to cross it. Trekkers will run a high likelihood of suffering from high altitude sickness. Fortunately, the risk accompanying high-altitude routes can be mitigated to an extent by a route that limits the elevation gain and builds incline breaks into the route, as well as the proper protection and gear for the trek.

Trekkers are generally advised to ‘climb high, sleep low’ and to keep a steady and calm pace, while remaining well hydrated at all times. Trekkers also need to be able to identify. Among these symptoms, a significant number are life-threatening, if not all. Therefore, a proper support team combined with a highly experienced guide, along with a highly effective and appropriate alternate route, is just as important as the protection and gear for the trail. You can appreciate the beauty and culture of Upper Dolpo with the right preparation, acclimatization, and flexible schedules.

Accommodation, Food & Drinks – Upper Dolpo Trek

Accommodation

During the Upper Dolpo Trek, camping is the primary mode of accommodation. Upper Dolpo is one of the most isolated trekking regions of Nepal, and the area has restricted lodging amenities. Alongside the trekking route, proper teahouses are absent, and the only option is organized camping. Arrangements include camping tents, sleeping pads, dining and kitchen tents, and experts to coordinate the camping, all inclusive in the trekking package.

Somewhere in the lower villages, such as Dunai and the vicinity of Lake Shey Phoksundo, you may find localized, less sophisticated accommodation options. Still, these lodges are not designed to suit groups. For these reasons, the majority of trekking nights are spent in spritely camping locations surrounded by the naturally beautiful and serene Himalayas, and the untouched mountains.

Food

Food on the Upper Dolpo Trek is prepared fresh each day for the entire group by a catering team. In remote regions, food and fuel are designed to provide trekkers with a sufficient reserve for extended walks. Breakfast can range from porridge, Tibetan bread, pancakes, and eggs, to a cup of a hot beverage.

Lunch and dinner provide a larger helping, and can contain rice, lentils (dal), some variety of vegetables, and noodles and pastas, and can be complemented by a broth or soup. Often, simpler regional local meals can be prepared to provide a sample of dishes from the world of Himalayan food. Some regional habits and customs can pose a challenge to extended trekking, but balanced meals prepared with the proper ingredients can help trekkers adapt and overcome them.

Drinks (Tea, Coffee, and Hot Water)

As part of the all-inclusive set of services, trekkers are provided with hot beverages as well as boiled water throughout the trek. It is easy to ensure trekkers’ hydration, which is crucial for the high-altitude environment. Boiling water kills parasites and keeps trekkers safe. Of the beverages, tea may be offered in black, milk, or herbal varieties. Instant coffee will also be offered in the morning and evening.

Along with the trek, hot water is offered for the washing of hands as well as before every meal. The weather and the area will influence the amount of hot water offered. The trekking crew wants to supply the trekkers with sufficient warm beverages throughout the trek. The Upper Dolpo Trek lets you spend less time worrying about the logistics and more time immersing yourself in the untouched beauty of the Himalayas.

Basics Training

Training is the key to success on the long, remote, high-altitude Upper Dolpo Trek in the Upper Dolpo region of Nepal. Trekking in high-altitude environments understandably requires a high degree of mental endurance, a high degree of physical endurance, and the ability to walk, albeit quite greatly, over difficult/rugged mountainous terrain for many hours each day over many consecutive days.

Physical Preparation

Prior to embarking on a trek, one should follow a physical training program for a period of no less than 6 – 8 weeks. This should include activities for physical conditioning, such as running. light jogging, swimming, stair climbing/stair mastering and cycling, and some / moderate resistance training (using weights or not) for the shoulders, legs, and the core to strengthen the cross-muscular pathway complex in the saggital and frontal planes as one plods on the steep strenuous ascents of the trek with a pack on and plods on the steep strenuous decents, and long-distance walking with an uneven gait while engaged in plodding/trekking long distances and distance walking practice on uneven terrain to simulate the conditions best one is likely to encounter while on the trek.

Physical Preparation

Previous trekking/plodding experience in the Upper Dolpo is of paramount importance. It is assumed that one has trekked/plodded in the upper environments of the Everest and the Annapurna regions of Nepal, and has no less than 3,000 – 4,000 meters of vertical ascents gained in that experience, and certainly quite possibly higher in that experience.

Mental Preparation

When trekking in the Upper Dolpo region of Nepal, one must train the mind to endure much of the same for many days of a trek, whereby many comforts of home are not only remote, but in practice and in Theory bordering on the nonexistent in a realm and region where the extreme and the remote and the unexpected are (limited to) Nature’s elements. For the extreme and remote and yet in Nature’s elements, the trekker must adapt to and appreciate the weather, and walk you, boarder-skied.

Altitude and Acclimatization Awareness

The trek involves high passes over 5,000 meters. Therefore, understanding altitude sickness is essential. Trekkers should learn what early symptoms are and prepare what actions to take. Gradual ascent, rest, and hydration are essential preparations.

Gear and Equipment Preparation

Trekking gear is essential for safety and comfort. Warm clothing (multiple layers), a quality sleeping bag, a down jacket, trekking poles, trekking boots, rain gear, gloves, and a headlamp are all needed. The route is remote, so you should carry personal essentials and gear backup. We put all the detailed of the equipment list.

Alternate Route – Upper Dolpo Trek

The Upper Dolpo Region of Upper Dolpo offers trekkers many different trekking possibilities according to time, physical fitness, and desire for adventure. When compared to other trekking alternatives, the classic Upper Dolpo Circuit is the most complete. Yet, some alternatives offer beautiful views of the natural landscape and of the rich cultures of the people who inhabit the land.

Lower Dolpo Trek (Shorter Alternative)

The Lower Dolpo Trek is the most popular through the lands of Dolpo. The trek is the shortest, but the most complete compared to other Upper Dolpo Trekking alternatives. The Lower Dolpo trek allows trekkers to visit Shey Phoksundo Lake and the surrounding local communities. The trek also allows trekkers to avoid the more extreme and elevated passes of Kang La and Saldang La. The trek is recommended to people who wish to experience the beauty, culture, and natural landscape of Dolpo, who may not be interested in the challenges of trekking in high elevations.

Combined Upper & Lower Dolpo Route

For those who wish to experience a full adventure, trekking the combined route that encompasses Lower Dolpo and a portion of Upper Dolpo is a great route. This route offers the trekkers the ability to visit the numerous huge cultural villages, monasteries, and large valley systems, while being flexible in the amount of time and fitness required. The route encompasses secluded natural landscapes while having significantly easier logistics when compared to the complete Upper Dolpo Circuit.

Rara Lake Extension (Scenic Alternative)

A Rara Lake and Dolpo trek combination aims to bridge two of the region’s most remote and beautiful areas in Nepal to create the longest trek in the area. This option is recommended for travellers who want to experience a diverse trek that incorporates high mountain wilderness, alpine lakes, and densely forested trails.

Altitude Sickness

The Upper Dolpo trek involves crossing several passes that are over 5,000 meters. Any trek that involves significant climbs over 3,500 meters, like the Upper Dolpo trek, will challenge trekkers with altitude sickness if they do not acclimatize properly. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, etc. Other than the inaccessible remote terrain, the trek is physically demanding due to the continuous ascents. Because of these factors, proper acclimatization is critical for trek safety.

To minimize altitude sickness, trekkers must stay hydrated, abstain from alcohol and smoking, and eat well. Careful planning of the trek’s itinerary is one way of controlling the trek to avoid altitude sickness. They include rest and gradual ascents, especially around altitude sections like Shey Phoksundo and Shey Gompa. If trekkers have symptoms of altitude sickness, they must stop climbing and inform the guide. Usually, for altitude sickness, it is best to descend to a lower altitude. With the Upper Dolpo guide, trekkers can properly prepare and minimize altitude sickness.

Permits for Upper Dolpo Trek

Trekking permits for Upper Dolpo are among Nepal’s most expensive for a reason: extreme remoteness, strict regulations, and a protected status permeate the region. Restricted near the Tibetan border, the government permits the passage of approximately only 250 foreign trekkers per year.

The Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit costs a minimum of USD 500 for 10 days, since USD 50 is the cost-per-day. Exceeding the limit incurs additional daily fees for however many additional days. Trekkers must also have the Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit, with a weekly cost of around USD 10. That permit is also required as the trek must first pass through lower Dolpo to make it to upper Dolpo.

The entry ticket to Shey Phoksundo National Park is required as well. The cost of that permit is approximately NPR 1,000 and goes towards the protection of the wildlife and upkeep of the Himalayan ecosystem.

Trekking agencies arrange all permits and include permit costs as part of their package. Agency-approved guides are required to trek through Upper Dolpo. The guided agency also employs a registered trekking agency to guide, since independent trekking is prohibited.