Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa Wilderness Trek (21 Days)

Fly from Kathmandu to the low-altitude hub of Nepalgunj near the Indian border. Check into your hotel and meet your expedition leader for a comprehensive gear inspection and Dolpo wilderness safety briefing.

Early morning twin-otter mountain flight to the airstrip at Juphal (2,475m). Meet your expedition porter crew and pack animals. Trek gently downhill along the Thuli Bheri River to the district headquarters of Dunai (2,140m).

Enter the official boundary of Shey Phoksundo National Park at Sulighat. Walk along the roaring Phoksundo Khola through lush pine, spruce, and bamboo forests to reach the small settlement of Chhepka (2,838m).

Follow the river through birch forests and ascend through cedar groves. Catch your first panoramic view of Nepal’s highest waterfall (167m) plunging from the lips of Phoksundo Lake before camping at Jharana (3,110m).

Ascend through pine forests and cross a high ridge to behold the breathtaking turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake (3,611m). Walk into the traditional Bon-po village of Ringmo with its mud-mortared houses and prayer flags.

A vital acclimatization day on the shores of Phoksundo. Visit the 900-year-old Thasung Gompa on the eastern lake shore to learn about the ancient Bon religion where pilgrims circumambulate counter-clockwise.

Traverse the world-famous cliff trail carved high into the sheer rock walls above Phoksundo Lake—the iconic setting from Eric Valli’s film Caravan. Cross to the northern shore and enter the true wilderness along the Phoksundo Khola.

Follow the glacial valley toward the foot of the Kanjiroba massif. Ascend through alpine scree slopes into Phoksundo Bhanjyang / Kang La Base Camp (4,495m) and prepare for the high pass crossing.

A monumental expedition day! Climb steep scree and switchbacks to the summit of Kang La Pass (5,350m). Gaze upon the sacred Crystal Mountain (Shel-ri) and trans-Himalayan plateau stretching into Tibet. Descend through grassy gorges past yak pastures to Shey Gompa (4,310m).

Explore Shey Gompa (The Crystal Monastery), founded in the 11th century by Tibetan Lama Ten-Zin Ra-Pa. Inspect ancient copper-gilded statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and Tibetan murals. Trek up to the cliff hermitage of Tsakang Gompa perched on the vertical face of Crystal Mountain where monks meditate in solitude.

Trek through juniper valleys and ascend to Sela / Saldang La Pass (5,095m). Soak in sweeping views of the barren northern Dolpo desert before descending to the picturesque cliffside village of Namgung (4,430m).

Follow the river along barren ochre slopes and terraces to Saldang (3,770m), the largest and most prosperous village in Upper Dolpo, with sprawling stone houses, chortens, and barley fields.

Take a day trip north toward the Tibetan border to Samling Gompa, the oldest and most important Bon-po monastery in Dolpo, established in the 8th century. Learn about the centuries-old salt-for-grain trade caravans.

Trek along the Nagaon Khola past traditional water-driven prayer wheels and terraced fields. Ascend to the high cliffside settlement of Komash (4,060m) overlooking deep valleys.

Cross Shimen La Pass (4,260m) and descend into the fertile valley of Shimen (3,870m) with ancient mani walls and poplar trees.

Follow the river to Tinje (4,110m), an expansive valley village with an ancient natural runway airfield and traditional stone houses.

Trek past the river confluence and ascend gently into wide alpine yak pastures at Yak Kharka / Rakpa (4,530m), our wilderness camp at the base of Jeng La Pass.

Climb early to Jeng La Pass (5,110m) for a breathtaking panorama of the Dhaulagiri massif glowing in the morning light. Descend into the picturesque Tarap Valley and reach Dho Tarap (3,944m), the highest permanent human settlement in the world.

Descend into dramatic narrow canyons where towering limestone cliffs meet the roaring Tarap Khola. Cross wooden cantilever bridges and camp at Tarap Khola (3,440m).

Follow the river out of the gorge into Dunai and ascend the final ridge back to the airstrip at Juphal (2,475m) to celebrate the successful completion of the grand circuit with your expedition crew.

Early morning flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj, connecting to your afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel and join our founders for a grand celebratory farewell dinner.