Upper Dolpo pushes beyond Phoksundo to Shey Gompa and the Crystal Mountain, a camping expedition with restricted permits and long, high passes such as Kang La or Saldang La. Tibetan salt-route villages sit in a rain-shadow desert. Shey Gompa and the Crystal Mountain, reached over Kang La or Saldang La, are the Upper Dolpo prize.
You fly into Juphal, walk for weeks, and fly out the same way. The monastery at Shey and the high empty valleys are the reason to go. A kora around Crystal Mountain and nights in Saldang sit beyond Phoksundo on yak salt tracks.
Porters and the camping crew travel insured, with kit renewed yearly and loads kept honest once you leave Phoksundo for Shey Gompa. A share of our profits supports school students in remote villages, including the salt-route hamlets you walk through around Saldang and Dho Tarap.
You'll fly via Nepalgunj and Juphal with Upper Dolpo permits handled in Kathmandu, then sleep in kitchen-tent camps toward Crystal Mountain. We'll turn the Saldang La or Jeng La morning back when snow or wind closes the col, and your guide shares the next high-camp plan each evening.
When you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, our team personnel will warmly welcome you. They will assist you in loading your luggage into our company's van and escorting you to your 3-star hotel on the busy Thamel Street.
You can then settle in and make yourself comfortable. After some time, you can go outside your hotel and explore Thamel Street, visiting cafes, restaurants, shops, and others that you like.
On this second day of the 24-day Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa itinerary, you will have a guide with you at all times who will help you tour the Kathmandu Valley until late afternoon. The primary key attractions that you will visit today are Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Following a half-day sightseeing tour, you will visit our company, our team, for a brief introduction to the Upper Dolpo Trek itinerary.
Today, we must get up early to take a flight to Nepalgunj on schedule. Our automobile will pick you up in the morning and take you to the airport. Then we will fly to Nepalgunj Airport.
After arriving at the destination, we will drive to the hotel for the night. Today, we will spend our day in this city before trekking to the Dolpo region. We can spend our leisure time exploring Nepalgunj’s local markets or bazaars.
Similarly, we can also visit some temples or the Gopal Baba Ashram to experience local culture.
On the fourth day of the Upper Shey Gompa Trek package, after breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Nepalgunj Airport for a short, beautiful flight to Juphal, the trailhead for this exciting adventure in Nepal's Dolpo district. Once we get to Juphal, we will continue our adventure downward to Kalaguada. From here, we will continue our journey following the Thuli Bheri Khola River.
After walking for three to four hours, we will reach Dunai, the administrative center of Dolpa. Furthermore, this will be our first overnight stay on the walk, signaling the start of the actual adventure in the highlands on this Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek journey.
Today, you will wake up breathing the fresh, crisp mountain air in the Dunai Village. We will proceed with our trek after a nourishing breakfast with a glass of hot tea. The next stop on this Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa itinerary will be Chhepka Village.
Along the way, we will enter the Shey Phoksundo National Park and stop at the Silughar checkpoint to obtain other required permits to continue our adventure. Then, we will continue our trek along the Phoksundo Khola River, passing through verdant tropical woodlands where you can observe the gradual change in landscape.
On day 6 of the 24-day Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek itinerary, we will walk on the route that passes lovely forests along a winding river, with a combination of some uphill and downhill sections. Along the way, we will also hike past the Reechi Village, where you can witness dzopas, which are yak-cow crossbreeds.
After Reechi, the journey continues to the Palam. We will cross multiple small streams and terraces carved into the hillside.
On this seventh day of the 24-day Upper Dolpo Trek itinerary, we will reach one of the highlights: Shey Phoksundo Lake, which you will take away from this journey. We will walk the trail that takes us through the cedar forests, then to a viewpoint where you can see a striking waterfall.
From here, we will walk downhill through serene pine forests to Ringmo Village. The villagers living in this village follow the ancient Bon Po religion.
The eighth day marks one of the days that you will enjoy the most on this 24-day Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa trek package. We will use our whole day to explore around Shey Phoksundo Lake after having a delicious breakfast in the tent.
You can see colorful flags waving along the lake’s vast shoreline, which adds spiritual charm to the atmosphere.
Today, we will officially enter the restricted region of Upper Dolpo, departing from Shey Phoksundo Lake in the morning after a hearty breakfast. We will follow the trail used by villagers to trade with Tibet.
As we reach higher, you can soak in the sweeping vistas of the Ringmo Valley. From here, the trail goes downhill before rising again through a wide-open valley.
Along the way, you may catch views of Kanjirowa Himal, which stands at 6612 meters. We will continue on through the alpine zone, which is densely forested with juniper trees.
Our next stop of the day will be Lar Tsa, which is 4120 meters above sea level. We will trek through a valley, cross the east side of the Phoksundo Khola River, and continue along the main valley for about an hour until we reach Kang Gompa.
From here, we will tackle up onto a grassy ridge. Continuing the journey, we will follow the ridge crest at approximately 4200 meters before descending to Lar Tsa.
It is a riverside campsite ideal for acclimatization for trekkers. Then, our guides will set up tents to settle here for a night before we continue to our next highlight of the adventure, Shey Gompa.
On this eleventh day of the 24-day Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa itinerary, we will head to the upper section of the Phoksundo Khola River before we turn north toward Riwo Drugdra, which is also referred to as a Crystal Mountain. At a trail junction, we will follow the pilgrim route that circles the mountain and leads to the Sela La Pass.
After a demanding ascent, we will arrive at Sela La Pass, also known as Mendok Ding La, at 5160 meters, where you will be treated to the panoramic views of the wild upper Phoksundo Valley, snow-clad peaks of the Kanjirowa range, endless high-altitude ranges, and more. Then from this pass, we will scramble down into the Tar Valley.
On this twelfth day of the Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek adventure, about half of our journey is completed. We will stay one more day at Shey Gompa to acclimate and explore. We will visit the Shey Gompa Monastery in the morning, which is believed to be around 800 years old.
Inside, you can see the paintings created in the 1970s. The main altar features statues of the legendary Guru Rinpoche, Milarepa, and Sakyamuni. This monastery also houses an ancient Tibetan text that recounts the history of the Crystal Mountain and the monastery.
After the monastery visit, we can explore the surrounding area.
After a refreshing day yesterday, we will continue our journey after breakfast through juniper woodlands and rocky canyons, following the winding path toward Saldang La Pass. The climb to the pass is tough but rewarding, with views of snow-capped mountains, villages, cliffs, and other Upper Dolpo scenery.
From the pass, we travel north to Namgung Village. Upon reaching this beautiful village, you can explore the Namgung Monastery.
On this fourteenth day of the 24-day Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa itinerary, we will depart from Namgung Village and make our way to another beautiful village, Saldang. We will follow the Namga Khola River and pass several traditional summer grazing areas used by local herders.
Within 5 or 6 hours, we will finally arrive in this village. Saldang is one of the largest and most picturesque villages in Upper Dolpo, surrounded by vast open fields and rolling hills.
Today, we will leave behind Saldang Village and march toward another charming village, Sibu, lying at an elevation of 4000 meters on this Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa journey. The trail passes through a series of stupas, chortens, mani walls, and terraced fields. On the way, we would also have walked past several old villages.
Similarly, we will cross a knee-deep river twice before reaching the campsite. As we get closer to our destination, you can witness that the surrounding wide terrain is dotted with hardy, thorny juniper bushes.
On day 16 of the 24-day Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek itinerary, our next stop of the day will be Jeng La at 4480 meters. We will begin our journey on a mild track that is suitable for a leisurely stroll in the morning.
We will hike for a few hours before crossing a small river and continuing on the meandering path that goes past a number of communities.
Today, our journey will take us toward the village of Tokyu Gaon at 4240 meters. After a tasty breakfast, we will continue our trek and ascend toward the summit to cross Jeng La Pass, which stands at 4,850 meters.
From the top of the pass, you will be rewarded with the panorama of the Dhaulagiri Massif, Tarap Valley, and high Himalayan ridges. Heading onward, we will descend into the Tarap Valley and then enter the valley leading to the Tarap Chu River.
On this eighteenth day of the 24-day Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa itinerary, we will begin the trek with an upward walk to Kamattarka, which sits at the confluence of the Lang Khola and Tarap Chu. After a couple of hours, we will leave the narrow gorge and enter the dry inner mountain landscapes, walking above the tree line through juniper bushes and wild roses.
Eventually, the trail leads to Dho Tarap, where you can see the village surrounded by an irregular stone wall.
On our Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek excursion, we will descend from Dho Tarap at 4,200 meters to the settlement of Serkam at 3,623 meters. We will hike following the Tarap Khola River.
The path passes between steep ridges and canyons where the river flows below. Along the way, you may encounter caravans of horses, yaks, and mules.
Moving forward, we will walk along the better trail, crossing a modern steel bridge. Following a 5- to 6-hour walk from Dho Tarap covering 13 kilometers, we will finally reach Serkam Village, where we will stay the night, savoring a delicious meal.
On day 20 of the Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek, we'll depart Serkam Village and continue towards Tarakot. As we continue our journey through the gorgeous surroundings, we will reach the large and fertile Barbung Chu Valley.
Then, continuing our trek, we will arrive at Tarakot after a 6- to 7-hour hike. Today, we will stop at this Tarakot village before making our way back to Dunai on this Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek journey.
Following a full breakfast, we will return along a picturesque trail before hiking steeply above the Thuli Bheri Khola River. The trek will be relaxing and refreshing, as you don't have to walk steep uphill sections.
After about a 5- to 6-hour hike from Tarakot, we will eventually reach the Dunai. Then, you can settle in a teahouse and rest on this day of the Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek journey.
On the 22nd day of the 24-day Upper Shey Gompa Trek itinerary, you will complete the final walking day as you head to Juphal, the trailhead for this incredible adventure. We will proceed down, leaving the tree line behind.
We will then walk along a rugged path that is easy to traverse, with no uphill sections. Once we get to Juphal, we may relax at the teahouse after a long day of trekking in Nepal's remote Dolpo region.
It’s time to conclude our Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek, as we will take a short mountain flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. Once we land at Nepalgunj Airport, we will then board a connecting flight to Kathmandu.
By midday, we will have reached the lively capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. Then, we will drop you at your three-star hotel in Thamel, where you can take a shower or relax after a adventure that we embark on together on this Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa trek of a 24-day itinerary.
On day 24 of the Upper Dolpo Shey Gompa Trek package, our team representatives would escort you to the airstrip as per your flight departure. They will arrive at your hotel lobby 2 or 3 hours before your flight schedule and take you to the airport to avoid heavy traffic in the city. Arriving at the airport early could help you avoid a lot of trouble and stress.
If you have an evening or night flight from Kathmandu airport, then you can do last-minute shopping or visit any UNESCO-listed heritage site in the city to make more memories while you are still in Nepal without wasting a single second you have. Have a safe flight!
Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu unless the itinerary uses another regional hub. Airport or hotel pickup can be arranged when you share arrival details ahead of travel.
Briefings cover road or domestic travel to the trailhead. Build buffer time before onward international flights in case mountain weather shifts the schedule.
Twin or double rooms in a comfortable Kathmandu hotel cover your first nights and your return from the trail, with breakfast on those city stays when included in the package. Briefings happen at the hotel, and airport collection from Tribhuvan is available when flight times are shared in advance.
Family-run teahouses or lodges line the route with twin beds and a shared dining room. Rooms get simpler and colder as you climb, with shared bathrooms common at higher villages. Hot water, Wi-Fi, and charging are paid at the lodge when offered.
March to May rhododendron bloom and October to November crisp air are peak windows for this itinerary. July and August mean leeches and cloud on lower slopes; December to February can ice steps above village level.
Your guide reads the forecast before long cols or sunrise hikes. Shoulder weeks need an honest weather call before high passes or dawn viewpoints.
You should be comfortable walking several hours a day on uneven paths with a daypack, including steady uphill sections as you gain height. Hill training and longer weekend walks in the months before travel help your legs and lungs on uphill trail days.
Hill training, stair climbing, and longer weekend hikes in the months before travel help your legs and lungs, even when acclimatisation days are built into the route. Break in boots before you fly and carry a light daypack on practice walks.
Guided trekking with licensed leaders, lodge nights on the trail, meals as described for walking days, and permits for the regions crossed are included when they are part of this trip. Domestic flights, porters, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip.
Domestic flights, road transfers, porter support, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip. Permits for the regions you cross are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara when included.
International flights to Nepal, visa fees, compulsory travel insurance, personal trekking clothing, snacks and drinks outside included meals, and tips for crew are not covered. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and battery charging in lodges are usually paid locally when offered.
Charges for hot showers, Wi-Fi, or battery charging in lodges are paid locally when offered unless your trip notes say otherwise. International flights, visa fees, and personal insurance stay outside the trek package.
Share your Tribhuvan arrival time ahead of travel for a Thamel hotel transfer, or make your own way to the meeting hotel in the capital. Thamel hotels are the usual meet point; drivers need flight numbers to meet you at the international terminal.
Briefings cover Lukla bag weight, porter duffle limits, and what to wear on the mountain flight. Weather can shift daily plans, so your guide keeps a steady pace with regular breaks.
Guides set a steady pace and watch for headache, nausea, or dizziness as you gain height. Trail conditions are checked each morning before the group moves.
Tell your guide early if symptoms appear so tomorrow's stage can shorten or descent can start before conditions worsen. Your crew would rather wait for a safe window than rush marginal weather.
Jeep or bus days to the remote trailhead are arranged when they are part of your package. Your guide confirms departure times at briefing.
Motion sickness medicine helps on winding mountain roads. Allow a little extra time after the trek before international flights home in case mountain roads or flights move.
National park or restricted-area permits apply depending on the valleys you cross. The team arranges paperwork in Kathmandu or Pokhara when you provide passport copies and trek dates.
Keep copies in your daypack for checkpoint stops. Monsoon cloud sits lower on the hills while winter brings ice on steps above village level.
Families join when children can manage the daily hours and terrain on this specific route. Pace and daily hours can be adjusted on private departures, though that may extend the calendar.
Ask our Kathmandu team if you are planning with younger walkers. Private departures can shorten daily hours, though that may add a day or two to the calendar.
Comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking to the highest altitude on your itinerary, medical evacuation, and helicopter rescue when applicable is essential. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name.
Read the wording before you travel so you can adjust cover if trekking above 5,000 metres is not named. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name, so read the wording before you fly.
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
About the centre
Kathmandu
You'll travel with a Kathmandu-based team that plans treks, peak climbs, helicopter flights, motorbike journeys, and cultural trips across Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Routes range from classic teahouse walks and high passes to luxury lodge itineraries and longer expedition-style climbs, with departures shaped around how you want to pace the mountains.
Licensed guides and office staff train regularly on mountain safety and guest care. Porters are insured, fairly paid, and equipped for the trail, with sensible load limits on lodge routes. We work with remote communities through sustainable tourism, including support for education in village areas, so your booking helps local people as well as your own adventure.
Operated by Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours, a partner of adventuro.
