Upper Dolpa Trek:

Dolpa is a Tibetan-like region lying to the north, and in the rain-shadow of the main Himalayan peaks. Like nearby Mustang, it has a unique culture. People wear traditional Tibetan-style clothes and jewellery and practice the pre-Buddhist animistic religion of Bon Po. Its remoteness and the fact that only until recently it was strictly off-limits, has meant that the traditions and way of life have remained intact. In the autumn of 1990 we were the first British tour operator to organize a trek from east to west, from Pokhara to Jumla through Lower Dolpa. This route, newly opened by the Nepalese authorities, hiked into the western end of Nepal where few Europeans have travelled. It passed many gigantic mountain ranges - Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba, to name but a few - and passed through Lower Dolpo, at one time a small kingdom in its own right. More recently we have repeated the route, with variations and our groups see very few other. Europeans and enthused greatly about the wild remoteness, the stunning mountain scenery and the fact that the local people had that innocent friendliness peculiar to people who live in excessively remote mountainous regions.

In the past few years, building on our knowledge, we have explored some of the most isolated villages of Upper Dolpa, and we will re-visit them again this year. In 1997 we were, to our knowledge, the first British company to cross the Kang La to visit Shey Gompa and Saldang. Most villages in Dolpa are removed from the rest of the world to the south by one or more difficult passes. The people that live here number only a few hundred and are among the world's highest dwellers. The villages in Upper Dolpa are 14,000ft/4,300m and above. It is here specifically that people still practice the pre-Buddhist Bon Po religion. This early sect was almost entirely replaced after Buddhist doctrine began to spread across Tibet in the 9th century. Dolpa remained unknown to the rest of the world until David Snelgrove discovered the region in 1956. His account of his seven-month journey in the inner mountain areas of west and central Nepal, titled 'Himalayan Pilgrimage' is the most authoritative work describing this region. The best known book though, is the evocative and romantic novel by Peter Matthiessen - 'The Snow Leopard'

Trip Informaton

 

Duration of the trek

20 Days

Maximum elevation

5416 meter

Transportation

Car / Van / plane

Best Season

February, March, April, May, October, November

Per day Walking

5 to 7 hours

Total days

28 Days

Trek grade

Strenuous

Accommodations

Lodge / Camping

Destination

Uppper Dolpa

Day 01

Arrive to Kathmandu & transfer to the Hotel

Day 02

Kathmandu sightseeing 9 am

Day 03

FLY TO NEPALGANJ. 1 hour flight.

Day 04

FLY TO JUPHAL, (7,872ft/2,400m) THEN TREK TO DUNAI

Day 05

TREK TO ANKHE. (8,724ft/2,660m). 6-7 hrs.

Day 06

TREK TO RENJE. (10,184ft/3,104m). 7 hrs.

Day 07

TREK TO PHOKSUNDO LAKE. (Approx. 11,808ft/3,600m). 6-7 hrs.

Day 08

REST DAY.

Day 09

TREK TO PHOKSUNDO KHOLA. (11,575ft/3,507m). 5-6 hrs.

Day 10

TREK TO PHOKSUNDO BHANJYANG. (14,528ft/4,402m) 7-8 hrs.

Day 11

CROSS THE KANG LA, (17,000ft/5,151m)

Day 12

REST DAY AT SHEY GOMPA.

Day 13

CROSS THE SALDANG LA, (15,790ft/4,785m),

Day 14

TREK TO SALDANG. (12,881ft/3,903m). 3 hrs.

Day 15

REST DAY.

Day 16

TREK TO SIBU. (13,009ft/3,942m). 6 hrs.

Day 17

TREK TO FOOT OF THE JENG LA. (14,420ft/4,369m). 4-5 hrs.

Day 18

CROSS THE JENG LA, (15,990ft/4,845m), TREK TO TOKYU GAON

Day 19

TREK TO DHO TARAP. (13,418ft/4,090m). 2 hrs.

Day 20

TREK TO SERKAM (11,906ft/3,630ft). 7 hrs.

Day 21

TREK TO KHANIGAON. (8,415ft/2,550m). 6-7 hrs.

Day 22

REST DAY.

Day 23

MONDAY: TREK TO TARAKOT. (7,530ft/2,281m). 4 hours.

Day 24

TREK TO DUNAI. (6,772ft/2,052m). 5 hours. 16kms.

Day 25

TREK TO JUPHAL. (7,936ft/2,404m). 3 hours.

Day 26

FLY TO KATHMANDU VIA NEPALGANJ.

Day 27

LEISURE IN KATHMANDU.

Day 28

Depart Kathmandu

Cost Includes:

• All airport/hotel transfers
• Welcome and farewell dinners
• All accommodation and meals during the trek
• All Ground Transportation according to the Itinerary.
• An experienced English-speaking trek guide, assistant trek guide and porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
• Salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging of Guide,Assi. Guide & Porter
• Duffel bag (if needed)
• All necessary paper work and permits (National park permit, TIMS )
• A comprehensive medical kit
• All government and local taxes.

Cost Excludes:

• Nepal Visa fee
• Airport departure tax
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Excess baggage charges
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
• Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
• Beverage( soft drink and other hard drink)
• Tips for guides and porters

Pre Departure Planning

Trekking in Nepal is a unique experience. So, to get maximum enjoyment you should be physically and mentally prepared. During the trek, you might have to hike approximately 5-6 hours almost everyday or 500-600m uphill or downhill. So, preparation should commence months before-walking, jogging, hiking and physical training would be very helpful. To learn more about trekking pre fitness consult our trekking fitness expertise http://www.trekprepfitness.com.au/

Food and accommodation

Meals will be provided by NEAT during the whole trek as per your service besides mentioned in city. We offer open and the choice menu in the tea house where you can select the food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our guide will recommend or take you to the guest houses which serve the hygienic and nutritious food and best accomodation. Snacks, bottle drinks including mineral water and alcohol are not included in price.

Trekking group

It would be easy for you if you have your own group if not also we can arrange a group trek according to your request. You would be joining the group in Kathmandu. If you want to have a solo trip then we are always ready to help you again with single supplement charge. We try our best to make your comfortable holiday in the beauty of Upper Dolpa.

Trekking guide and porters

Trekking guide are very responsible person who will assist you in your whole trek. They have a very broad knowledge about geography, Flora, Fauna, culture, himalayas and trails. Trekking guide will assist and brief all your questions and confusion during trek. The company will provide you the best and authorized guide to make your holiday. Potters are very strong and poor Nepali people who will carry all your baggage wherever you go. Don’t Forget to tip them for their service.

Acclimatization

When NEAT plan your itinerary, we take everything into consideration about the altitude and other factors to minimize the chance of getting AMS.

Altitude gains-your trek is designed to gain around 600 meters (vertical) altitude daily.

Acclimatization - rest days are included in itinerary to help your body adjust to new altitude.

Each trekker must accept responsibility and trek slowly - observe the steps at which the porters and guide walks. There are no worthwhile prizes for getting to destination in record time - generally AMS.

Treatment: Mild symptoms - staying at same altitude may resolve symptoms. If there is no improvement, descend to lower level.

Severe (HAPE + HACE) - descend immediately, as failure to do so could result in death. If symptoms persist you may need to be carried to nearest medical facility or evacuated by helicopter.

Travel Insurance 

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. This comprehensive travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delay, medical expenses and emergency assistance.

Climate and Weather of Nepal

Climate in Nepal is diversified depends on season. From the low level to highest point of the World, it starts from hot to cold region from South to North. You can travel Nepal in any season but the best time to visit in Upper Dolpa is autumn & spring. If you are in autumn the weather is perfect and sky is crystal clear but in spring the weather seem little cloudy but the full blossoming Rhododendrons are awesome. In Summer visibility is poor and there is less chances to see the himalayas and in winter it is very cold in mountain but still possible to do this trip.

Nepalese Visa Requirements And Process

Before you travel to Nepal please check your passport and validity date. Passports must have at least 6 months validity after finish date of your trek. During booking, it is necessary to send us the passport copy. To travel in Nepal, you will require a visa which you can obtained from Nepalese Embassy at your country or you can get on arrival visa at the TIA airport in Kathmandu.

Here is general list of Nepalese visa fee as below and for more detail visit http://immi.gov.np/

Cost to be levied while issuing tourist visa by the Mission or entry point:  

• US Dollars 25 or other convertible foreign currency equivalent thereto for 15 days multiple entry visa.
• US Dollars 40 or other convertible foreign currency equivalent thereto for 30 days multiple entry visa.
• US Dollars 100 or other convertible foreign currency equivalent thereto for 90 days multiple entry visa.
Notwithstanding anything written in above, no visa fee shall be applicable to the passport holder of member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for 30 days.

Trekking Permits and Entry Charge

While you travel Upper Dolpa, you need to obtain the  entry permits and TIMS permit. All the applicable permits and entry fees are including on the given cost except personal contribution and donations. In case of extra charge and payment, the agency will inform you.

Trekkers health and medical information

Trekkers health is very important for the tour operator as we should know your health condition before making reservation with us. To do this trek, the trekkers should have good fitness and require great stamina and good health. All our Trekking guide and potter are insurance before trekking. For the medical information you should contact your medical consult before planning your trip to Nepal.

Environmental & social concerns

NEAT is highly aware with Environmental concern and keep right ecological system. There shouldn’t be awful impact while you travel around the Upper Dolpa. So, we involve some campaign of cleaning trekking trails, works with KEEP project etc.

Booking procedure

Support the local company and the money directly goes to local community which helps to improve the economic condition of developing countries. Please contact us via e-mail or phone to check the availability and possibilities to book the trip in your date. We will gladly answer your each quires promptly so that you can make your decision faster.

 

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From Our Client

Stuart Rawlings

I meant to write you long ago to express my pleasure and satisfaction with your services while I was in Kathmandu. You and your staff made my Nepal experience one to remember for the rest of my life" Read More

Rod and Deb Setterlund

We have known Mr. Chandra, Managing Director of NEAT for 8 years and have come to Nepal for 5 treks, including the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp. We have found NEAT to be a very professionally ..." Read More

Günther Stummvoll & Christa

We have loved Nepal and the people!! Great Company to go thought and Chandra’s employees are fantastic and throughout Nepal. Thank you for a fanatics time " Read More

Norma Clarke

This has been one of the best managed trips I have taken. I have been struck by the expertise and experience of everyone, from the owner, Chandra, to the guide, Kedar. Every detail of the trip was well ..." Read More