Dolpo Luxury Trek
Overview
Venture into the mystical land of Dolpo, immortalized by Peter Matthiessen's 'The Snow Leopard.' This remote restricted region in northwestern Nepal preserves authentic Tibetan Bon-po and Buddhist culture in a landscape of dramatic canyons and high-altitude lakes. The trek to Phoksundo Lake — Nepal's deepest and most beautiful lake — and onward to Shey Gompa is a journey into one of the last truly untouched Himalayan wilderness areas.
Route
Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal → Dunai → Phoksundo Lake → Kang La → Shey Gompa → return → Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu
Highlights
- Visit Phoksundo Lake, Nepal's deepest lake with its mesmerizing turquoise waters
- Explore the ancient Bon-po religion practiced in remote Dolpo villages
- Trek to Shey Gompa, the Crystal Monastery described in 'The Snow Leopard'
- Cross Kang La (5,190m) through pristine high-altitude wilderness
- Experience one of the most remote and restricted regions in Nepal
- Possible sightings of blue sheep, snow leopards, and Himalayan wolves
Quick Facts
- Duration
- 20 Days / 19 Nights
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Group Size
- 2-6 guests
- Max Altitude
- 5,190m
- Best Months
- May-June, September-October
- Starting From
- $7,500 pp
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Fly to Nepalgunj
Domestic flight to Nepalgunj in the western Terai. This hot lowland city is the gateway to remote western Nepal. Afternoon at leisure.
Fly to Juphal, Trek to Dunai
Early morning mountain flight to the grass airstrip at Juphal in the Dolpo district. Trek downhill through pine forests and fields to Dunai, the district headquarters of Dolpo — a bustling small town by the Bheri River.
Trek to Chhepka
Follow the Suli Gad river upstream through a dramatic gorge. The trail passes through small villages and enters increasingly wild terrain. Cross the river on wooden bridges and pass through the entrance to Shey Phoksundo National Park.
Trek to Phoksundo Lake
Trek through forest to the waterfall at the lake outlet — a spectacular cascade. Climb steeply to the lake rim for your first view of Phoksundo Lake (3,612m) — an almost impossibly blue-green lake set in a cirque of craggy peaks. Visit the Bon-po village of Ringmo on the lake shore.
Rest Day at Phoksundo Lake
Explore around Phoksundo Lake. Visit the Bon-po Tshowa Gompa above Ringmo. Walk along the western shore of the lake through juniper forest. Photograph the lake's extraordinary color from different viewpoints. Interact with the Bon-po community.
Trek along Phoksundo Lake to Lar Tsa
Follow the spectacular trail along the eastern shore of Phoksundo Lake. The path is narrow, carved into cliff faces above the water. Cross streams and traverse rocky terrain to camping spots beyond the lake at Lar Tsa.
Trek to Snowfields Camp
Climb gradually through alpine meadows and yak pastures toward the Kang La. Camp in a remote high-altitude location surrounded by peaks. Prepare for the pass crossing tomorrow.
Cross Kang La (5,190m), Descend to Shey
Early start for the pass crossing. Climb through snow and scree to Kang La (5,190m) with extraordinary views of Dolpo's wilderness peaks. Long descent through remote terrain to the Shey area near the Crystal Monastery.
Explore Shey Gompa
Visit the famous Shey Gompa (Crystal Monastery) described by Peter Matthiessen. This ancient Bon-po and Buddhist monastery sits beneath a crystal mountain in an extraordinarily remote and spiritual location. Explore the surrounding area and prayer flags.
Trek to Bhijer
Trek south through the remote upper Dolpo landscape to the village of Bhijer, one of the most isolated permanently inhabited villages in Nepal. The Bon-po culture here is remarkably intact.
Trek to Phoksundo Lake (North Shore)
Trek back toward Phoksundo Lake via the northern route, offering different perspectives of the dramatic Dolpo landscape.
Trek to Ringmo
Continue around or along Phoksundo Lake back to Ringmo village. A final afternoon by the extraordinary lake.
Trek to Chhepka
Descend along the Suli Gad river through the gorge back to Chhepka.
Trek to Dunai
Continue down the valley to Dunai. Farewell dinner with your trekking crew.
Trek to Juphal
Trek uphill from Dunai to Juphal airstrip. Prepare for the morning flight.
Fly to Nepalgunj
Early morning flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. Rest in the afternoon heat of the Terai.
Fly to Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to luxury hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Kathmandu Heritage Tour
Private guided tour of Kathmandu's heritage sites. Farewell dinner.
Kathmandu Leisure Day
Buffer day for weather-delayed flights (common in western Nepal). If flights were on schedule, enjoy a spa day or shopping.
Departure
Private airport transfer for your international departure.
What's Included
- All accommodation in best available lodges, camping, and 5-star hotel in Kathmandu
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Two private licensed guides experienced in Dolpo region
- Porter and pack animal service for luggage and camping equipment
- Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (USD 500/10 days per person included)
- Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit and TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal and return domestic flights
- Full camping equipment (tents, mattresses, dining tent, kitchen equipment)
- Emergency satellite phone and comprehensive first aid kit
- Airport transfers in private vehicle
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fee
- Travel and helicopter rescue insurance (mandatory)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag
- Tips for guides, porters, kitchen crew, and hotel staff
Find Your Flights
Main international gateway to Nepal. Most flights connect via Doha, Istanbul, or Delhi. Direct flights available from select Asian cities.
Typical airlines: Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Air India, FlyDubai
International flights are not included in CuratedAscents packages.
Customize This Journey
This itinerary is a starting point. Our AI Expedition Architect will tailor every detail — dates, accommodations, activities — to create your perfect trip.