Upper Dolpo Trek - 28 Days

Duration: 28 Days

The actual trekking day is just 23 whereas the rest of the time will be spent obtaining the permit, traveling and a layover day in Kathmandu in case of bad weather.

Maximum Elevation: 5,380 meters

Difficulty: Demanding (Walking hours normally 6 to 8 hours per day)

This is a physically demanding trek, designed for those who are well-prepared for high-altitude conditions. It traverses rugged terrain with long, hard sections that often exceed 7 hours of walking each day. The weather is highly variable and unpredictable, with some areas requiring the use of ropes for glacier travel and ice or snow-covered slopes. Trekkers should expect to be in challenging conditions, including walking through steep, snowy sections. Previous high-altitude trekking experience is advisable, as the terrain and climate can test your physical and mental resilience.

Challenges of Dolpo Trek:

• Weather-dependent Flights: Flights to Juphal are subject to weather conditions. Bad weather may delay your arrival or departure, sometimes for days.
• Remote Location: Dolpo is far from modern medical facilities. Emergency evacuations, if needed, would require a helicopter, and this could be delayed due to weather conditions.
• High Altitude Risks: The trek reaches elevations of up to 5,240 meters (17,190 feet), making altitude sickness a significant risk. Proper acclimatization is essential.
• Limited Infrastructure: While roads are slowly reaching Dolpo, many areas remain accessible only by foot or helicopter.

Trekking Season:

Since much of Dolpo rests in the rain shadow cast by Dhaulagiri, the effects of the monsoon are not as extreme as experienced further east.  It is therefore possible to trek there during the summer, as well as in the normal pre- and post-monsoon trekking seasons.  Problems are likely to be encountered, however, in travelling to and from the region during the monsoon months.  Winters are notoriously cold and with very heavy snowfalls, so November through to spring should be avoided.  During these months Dolpo is often cut off from the rest of Nepal.  The best months for trekking are probably from mid-May till the end of June & again starting around the second week of September & ending mid-October. But since the weather keeps changing it is hard to be precise.

Altitude Challenges

Trekking to an altitude of 5,240 meters exposes trekkers to the risks associated with altitude sickness, particularly beyond the safer limit of 2,500 meters. As you ascend, the oxygen levels in the air decrease, which can lead to symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Rapid heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing

Acclimatization is critical. Although altitude sickness is common, severe cases can be life-threatening and require immediate descent to lower altitudes.

Prevention Tips for Altitude Sickness:

• Acclimatize: Take rest days to adjust to the altitude gradually.
• Limit Elevation Gain: Avoid climbing more than 500 meters per day.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Pace Yourself: Walk at a steady pace to avoid overexertion.
• Avoid Smoking: Refrain from smoking to maintain oxygen levels.

If symptoms persist, descend immediately to lower altitudes for safety.

Who Can Undertake This Trek?

This trek is best suited for experienced trekkers who are accustomed to high-altitude conditions. It’s not recommended for beginners, pregnant women, or those with serious health conditions. The challenging terrain and altitude demand both mental and physical preparation, making it a suitable choice only for seasoned adventurers.

Preparing for the Trek

Mental Preparation:

• Assess your readiness for high-altitude trekking.
• Consult a doctor to ensure you’re fit for the trek.
• Consider mental resilience practices like meditation to help you stay focused and calm during tough days.

Physical Preparation:

• Build stamina by hiking 9-12 km daily with a weighted backpack.
• Train with stair climbing and incline treadmill exercises.
• Engage in activities like cycling, swimming, or jogging to enhance your overall fitness.

Type of Trek: Camping Organized Trek

Due to the remote location of the Dolpo region, where there are limited facilities for food and lodging, this trek is organized in a camping style. You’ll be provided with all the necessary camping equipment, including two-person sleeping tents, kitchen, dining, bath, and toilet tents, as well as camp chairs and tables. The trek will be fully supported by Sherpas who will set up camp, a cook preparing fresh meals, and porters who will carry your gear, allowing you to carry only a daypack with essential items like your water bottle, camera, and jacket.

Camping Trek Itinerary:

A typical day starts early with tea or coffee served at your tent. After breakfast, you’ll trek for 2-4 hours, followed by a lunch break. Your crew will prepare your meals, including fresh fruit, snacks, rice, chapatis, and cooked vegetables. You’ll arrive at your campsite by 4 p.m., where you can rest or explore before enjoying a hearty dinner at 6 p.m., which includes soup, appetizers, the main course, and dessert. After a day of trekking, you’ll retire to your sleeping bag by 9:30 p.m.

Fees & Permits

Dolpo is a restricted area, and a Special Permit is required to trek in this region. The permit fees for the Upper Dolpo Trek are as follows:

• Lower Dolpo Permit: USD 10 per person per week.
• Upper Dolpo Permit: USD 500 for the first 10 days, then USD 50 per person per day thereafter.
• Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Fee: USD 24 per person.

To process the permits, a photocopy of your passport is required, along with personal details such as name, nationality, passport number, date of birth, sex, and profession. Once in Kathmandu, we will take your passport to the immigration office for final permit verification. Please note that permits cannot be obtained on Saturdays as government offices are closed.

Trek Starting & Ending Points:

• Starting Point: Juphal (20-minute flight from Nepalgunj).
• Ending Point: Juphal.

Access Options:

• Flight: The most convenient way to reach the starting point is by flight to Juphal, although the flights are weather-dependent and may be canceled due to poor conditions.
• Trek: If you have sufficient time and stamina, it’s possible to trek into Dolpo from Beni (Pokhara), Jomsom, or Nepalgunj, which takes around 6-8 days.
• Vehicle: For those opting for a road journey, a 4-wheel drive vehicle can take you to the trailhead in about 15 hours.

Our Crew:

Our experienced guides, cooks, and assistants are passionate about the Dolpo region and are highly skilled in navigating the terrain. They are trained in basic medical knowledge and fluent in English to support your trekking experience.

Mules will be hired to carry most of the baggage, limiting your load to a daypack only. The maximum weight limit for your main luggage is 15 kg per person.

Baggage and Weight Allowances: 15 Kg per person

During the trek, your main baggage will be carried by mules. You’ll only need a small daypack to carry your essentials like water, camera, sunscreen, jacket, and personal medication.

For flights, domestic airlines have specific weight allowances:

• Small Aircraft (Juphal/Jomsom): 10 kg for checked baggage, plus 5 kg for carry-on. Extra 05 Kg will be booked as cargo with the airlines.
• Larger Aircraft (Kathmandu to Nepalgunj or Pokhara): 20 kg for checked baggage.

Communication:

Due to the remote nature of the Dolpo region, communication can be intermittent. While some areas may have a mobile signal, others may not. We provide a satellite phone for emergency use.

Travel Insurance: REQUIRED

It is essential to have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, accidental injuries, and helicopter evacuation in case of a health crisis. Cancellation insurance is also recommended for unexpected trip changes.

Visa Requirements

All foreigners require a visa for entry into Nepal. You can get from a Nepalese embassy overseas or on arrival in Nepal. Most people will obtain their visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport.  For obtaining the visa your passport should have at least 6 months validity on the day of departure and the right amount of visa fee on US $ cash. To get it done bit quicker you can fill up the online visa submission form Online Services (immigration.gov.np) and present the print slip to the Immigration but this needs to be done between 15 to your arrival days.

15 days USD$  30 or equivalent convertible currency

30 days USD$  50 or equivalent convertible currency

90 days USD$120 or equivalent convertible currency

Health and Vaccinations:

Nepal is a great destination for travelers but many of the features that attract us, such as the topography and lack of modern infrastructure, may also pose risks to health.  Many travelers to Nepal do so without medical problems.  In those that become ill, the most common illnesses include traveler’s diarrhea and viral respiratory infections (colds).

Although officially no inoculations are required for Nepal, but you should consult your local health department, the Center for Disease Control, or your personal physician for the updated recommendations. The most important inoculations are gamma globulin (for hepatitis) and tetanus.

As this trek is a strenuous one and lies in a remote region of Nepal with no health care facilities. One needs to be physically and mentally strong to undertake this trek.  A person with medical issues should first consult the physician before joining the trip. You should obtain professional advice from a travel clinic or your local GP about which vaccinations to have before you arrive in Nepal.

In the mountains on many trek routes there are no health care facilities. A dental check-up is a good idea. While trekking one needs to maintain a bit of hygiene like washing hands before eating or you can use anti bacteria gel, avoid uncooked food, eat mostly vegetarian food, boiled water added with purifying tablets.  Don’t stress up, walk slowly, avoid smoking, drink plenty of fluid so that your body don’t get dehydrated.

First Aid Kit :

We provide basic medical kit, but it is always safer to arrange your own medical kit as suggested by your physicians/doctor.

About Adventure Travel:

The concept of mountain trekking is ‘adventure traveling’, which can be unpredictable most of the time. While traveling through the remote mountainous regions of Nepal, please do not expect standards you are used to at home, since these areas are still underdeveloped.

The posted trek itinerary should be seen as a guide only. Situations like inclement weather, forces of nature and circumstances beyond our control may convince us to alter the itinerary. Therefore, you are advised to be flexible, positive and eager to take on the challenge if the need arises. In case of uncertainty regarding the suitability of this trek for you, please do speak with your trekking agent.