Extreme Upper Dolpo trek from Mustang is one of the most difficult treks of Nepal. The trek starts from Jomsom of Mustang and ends at Juphal of Dopa district of Nepal. During your extreme upper Dolpo nine passes trek you will cross some of the high passes that lie inside the Dolpo region of Nepal. The trekking trails of our extreme upper Dolpo nine passes trek from Mustang is one of the untouched and the unexplored trekking trails of Nepal.
Extreme upper Dolpo nine passes trek to mustang is not for the beginners with no hiking experience. The nine high passes during the trek are the main reason that makes it a difficult one. Upper Dolpo is a restricted area of Nepal. Because of that a restricted trekking permit is mandatory for extreme upper Dolpo nine passes trek. You will get to explore the upper and lower Dolpo region. Similarly, you will also explore some parts of the Mustang region of Nepal.
Our extreme upper Dolpo nine passes trek from Mustang is a camping trek. However, we will also stay a few nights at a local teahouse and lodges. Similarly, you will also get to taste the local cuisines. We will try to use the local resources and stay at the local teahouse and lodges as much as possible. Using the local resources will benefit the local and help them to gain some extra income.
Upper Dolpo trek from Mustang is another challenging trek in the Dolpo region. Trek itinerary starts from Jomsom of Mustang and ends at Juphal of Dolpo district. An average 6 to 8 hours of walk is required during a normal trek day, but during the pass crossing day trekkers need to walk upto 10 hours.
Highlights
Visit to Shey Gompa, one of the oldest monastery of the region
Follow the route to Lo Manthang- the ancient kingdom of Lo
Closer insight into the life of Bon Buddhists in Dolpo and Thakali people in Mustang
Spend time around the Shey Phoksundo lake to breath its pristinity and the serene surrounding
Opt for this trek in May and actively partake in the proceeding of the Tiji festival
Itinerary (25D, 24N)
Arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. You will be received by one of our representatives upon your arrival and then transferred to your hotel. Check into the hotel and take your time and rest or explore the happening streets of Thamel yourself. Thamel is full of energy: lots of shops and traditional Nepali restaurants-just think of it. This day is for preparation and relaxing, thus getting ready for the actual adventure.
Before starting your trekking journey, we have set aside a day in Kathmandu to help you learn about the unique art, culture, and architecture of Nepal. You will be guided to the UNESCO-listed heritage sites in Kathmandu. First, you will be escorted to Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you can visit the museum, palace, its premises, and the temples built around it. Next, you will be escorted to the monkey temple – Swayambhunath. We walk up the stairs to the stupa. From the height, we can get an excellent view of Kathmandu city. Then, we visit a popular Hindu temple – Pashupatinath temple and head towards the largest stupa in the world – Boudhanath stupa. In the evening, we return to our hotel for an overnight stay
At. 08:00 AM: Have your breakfast at the hotel. Your trekking guide will pick you from your hotel. Then you will take a flight to Pokhara from Tribhuvan domestic airport. It will atek about 25-30 minutes to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu. During your flight you can have the astonishing views of the Annapurna ranges, Machhapuchhre, Langtang Lirung, Dhaulagiri and many more. Upon reaching Pokhara you will be transferred to a hotel and you will have free time.
At. 08:00 AM: After crossing the suspension bridge over Kali Gandaki river you will leave kagbeni. The trail is an uphill walk at the beginning. After a few hours of walk you will reach the Bhima Lojum La pass situated at an elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level. After reaching the pass the altitude gradually decreases and you will reach Santa (Sangda) for the overnight stay.
At. 08:00 AM: The trail to Jhyause is a downhill walk and easy walk. Similarly, you will cross Jharche Khola before reaching Jhyause village. After that the trail to Ghak village is a mixture of uphill, downhill as well as straight easy walk. Ghak village lies at an elevation of 4,100 meters above sea level and you will cross Bheri river before reaching Ghak. From Ghak the trail is easy and you will reach Ghaldan Ghuldung khola camp for the overnight stay within an hour.
At. 08:00 AM: Ghaldan Ghuldung khola camp lies at an elevation of 4,247 meters above sea level. Besides that it is a perfect spot for camping near the river. At the beginning of the day you will lose a few meters of altitude before crossing the Bheri river. After that you will walk uphill. The trail is easy upon you reach the top. Meanwhile you will cross the Thansan khola and walk to reach Molum Sumna for the overnight stay. You will also cross Jungben la pass and Niwas la pass during the day before reaching Molum Sumna.
At. 08:00 AM: The trail to Chharka Bot is one of the easiest days throughout the trek. There are almost none of the uphill walks included throughout the day. You will gradually lose elevation throughout the day. Walking through the Thansan Khola you will reach Norbulung. Similarly, you will also cross the Thansan Khola and walk on the bank of Chharka Tulsi Khola to reach Chharka Bhot for the overnight stay.
At. 08:00 AM: Chharka Bhot is one of the popular villages that lies on the way to Jomsom from Upper Dolpo. It lies at an elevation of 4,302 meters above sea level. After breakfast , you will leave Chharka Bhot behind and start walking on the bank of Chharka Tulsi Khola. The trail is easy for the first few hours. After that you will need to climb uphill to cross the Mola Pass situated at an elevation of 5,027 meters above sea level. The trail moves downhill after crossing the pass. You will reach Kharka village for the overnight stay situated at an elevation of 4,500 meters above sea level.
At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, you will start the trek. The trek is among the easiest trek throughout the extended upper Dolpo nine passes trek. The trail today is a totally downhill walk. Meanwhile, you will also have to walk a few uphill walks. After crossing the Keheng khola you will reach Rapka village. You will reach the meeting point of Panjyan khola and Keheng khola before reaching Tinje gaon for the overnight stay.
At. 08:00 AM: The trail to Shimen from Tinje is through the bank of Panjyan Khola. The trail today is a downhill walk. You will gradually lose altitude before reaching Shimen gaon for the overnight stay. Similarly, you will pass through Phalwa, Sonma Gaon and Mendo village before reaching Shimen situated at an elevation of 3,885 meters above sea level. You can also explore the Shimen gompa during your stay at Shimen Gaon.
At. 08:00 AM: The hike to Saldang from Shimen Gaon is more difficult than that of the previous few days. The day starts with an uphill climb at the beginning. After reaching the top you will walk downhill until you reach Koran Khola. After that you will again start walking uphill to reach Khomagaon. Khomagaon lies at an elevation of 4,210 meters above sea level. You will gradually gain elevation until you reach the top. Upon reaching the top you will start walking downhill until you reach the Nagon Khola. A few minutes of uphill walk from Nagon Khola will take you to Saldang for the overnight stay.
At. 08:00 AM: Trek to Bhijier starts with a gradual uphill walk. You will cross the Neng la pass during the day. Situated at an elevation of 5,368 meters above sea level, marvellous views of the saldang village can be seen from the top. After crossing the you will lose elevation to reach Phoko Khola. Walking through the bank of the river you will reach Phulak village situated at an elevation of 4,200 meters above sea level. You will reach Bhijier from Phulak in about half an hour.
At. 08:00 AM: During the starting of the trek you will start walking uphill. After that the trail is easy for a few minutes until you reach the river. After crossing the river the trail goes uphill again. The trail then descends downwards until you reach the Den khola.You will again have to climb hills and yet again lose altitudes before finally reaching Shey Gompa for the overnight stay.
At. 08:00 AM: Shey Gompa is among the popular villages of the Upper Dolpo region of Nepal. You can also take a visit to the Shey monastery situated at the hill. After breakfast we will leave Shey Gompa behind and move towards the Kang la pass. It is one of the most difficult passes of the upper dolpo trek. It lies at an elevation of 5,350 meters above sea level. After crossing the pass we will start moving downhill. After reaching the high camp situated at an elevation of 4,640 meters above sea level, we will follow the Tuk Kyaksa Khola. Walking on the bank of river we will cross Tuk Kyaksa Khola a few times before reaching Lar Tsa for the overnight stay.
At. 08:00 AM: Today is the most interesting day of the trek. You will get to witness the astonishing Phoksundo lake during this day. At the beginning of the day you will walk on the bank of Phoksundo khola until you reach Phoksundo Camp. Phoksundo Camp lies at an elevation of 3,630 meters above sea level and a jaw dropping view of the Phoksundo lake can be seen from here. After that you will have to climb a hill and descend it before finally reaching Ringmo village for the overnight stay.
Ringmo is one of the beautiful tibetian influenced village of Nepal. It is also one of the commercially developed villages around the upper Dolpo region. There are about 20 monasteries that surround the Phoksundo lake. You can choose to explore one of them or to witness the marvellous views of the Phoksundo lake from the top. Similarly, you can also interact with the locals and experience their tradition and culture.
At. 08:00 AM: Leaving the Ringmo village behind we start walking and cross the suspension bridge over the Phoksundo khola. You will also get to witness the Phoksundo waterfall with a height of 167 meters after leaving the Ringmo village. Then you will gain a few meters altitude and then descend until you reach Maduwa Khola. After crossing the river you will again start walking uphill towards Yak Kharka. Leaving Yak Kharka behind you will reach Baga la phedi for the overnight stay.
At. 07:00 AM: Baga la phedi lies at an elevation of 4,000 meters above sea level. You will start the day early so that you can cross the Baga la pass on time. Baga la pass lies at an elevation of 5,169 meters above sea level and is open from April to November only. You will gradually gain altitude before reaching the top of Baga la pass. After that you will start walking downhill to reach Danigar for the overnight stay.
At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast we will start our walk. After walking for about an hour we will reach Gyambo village situated at an elevation of 4,250 meters above sea level. Further few hours of uphill walk will take you to the top of Numa la pass. Numa la pass lies at an elevation of 5,309 meters above sea level. After crossing the pass, the trail descends downhill and reaches Tokyu village. About 1 and a half hour of walk will take you to Dho Tarap village for the overnight stay. At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast we will start our walk. After walking for about an hour we will reach Gyambo village situated at an elevation of 4,250 meters above sea level. Further few hours of uphill walk will take you to the top of Numa la pass. Numa la pass lies at an elevation of 5,309 meters above sea level. After crossing the pass, the trail descends downhill and reaches Tokyu village. About 1 and a half hour of walk will take you to Dho Tarap village for the overnight stay.
At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast, we begin descending through the wide Tarap Valley following the Tarap Khola River. The trail passes traditional villages, beautiful grazing fields, narrow canyons, and dramatic cliffs before reaching Tarap Khola Camp. Overnight stay at a tented camp.
At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast, continue trekking along the Tarap River through impressive gorges, suspension bridges, waterfalls, and dense forests. The trail gradually descends before reaching Khanigaon for the overnight stay.
At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast, continue following the Bheri River through beautiful forests and traditional villages before reaching Tarakot, an ancient fortress village that once served as an important trading center. Explore the historic settlement before overnight stay at a lodge.
At. 07:00 AM: After breakfast, begin the final trekking day following the Thuli Bheri River. Pass through beautiful villages, cultivated fields, and suspension bridges before reaching Dunai, the district headquarters of Dolpa. Celebrate the successful completion of your trek. Overnight stay at a lodge.
At. 06:30 AM: After breakfast, drive to Juphal Airport for a short scenic flight to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival, board your connecting flight to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel and enjoy your free time for shopping or relaxation. In the evening, celebrate the successful completion of your adventure with a farewell dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the international airport for your final departure. Make sure to have your travel documents ready and arrive at the airport at least three hours before your flight. Therefore, this is the end of your trek and journey in Nepal. Safe travels, and hope to see you again.
Trekking Map
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's Included
All arrival and departure at Kathmandu airport as mentioned.
Private vehicle throughout the sightseeing at Kathmandu.
A 3 star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara as per the trek itinerary.
Flight (Kathmandu to Pokhara, Pokhara to Jomsom, Juphal to Nepalgunj, Nepalgunj to Kathmandu) as mentioned in the itinerary.
Daily breakfast throughout the trip.
Lunch and Dinner from trek start day to trek end day.
All necessary paper works. (National Park Entry Permits and TIMS Card)
English speaking licensed trek guide.
Porter during the trek. (Can carry 20KG Baggage of 2 people)
Lodge or Tea house accommodation during the trek.
One local SIM card (returnable) during your stay.
All government and local taxes.
Guide and Porter’s salary, food and accommodation during the trek.
Arrangement of emergency helicopter service which will be paid by your traveller’s insurance company.
Sleeping bag, duffle bags and trekking route maps – if necessary.
Farewell Nepali dinner on your last night.
What's Excluded
Personal expenses.
Kathmandu sightseeing entrance fee.
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj.
Nepal visa cost. (You will require 2 passport size photos and 30 USD)
International flight ticket.
Travel health insurance. (Recommended)
Tips for the guide, porter and driver.
Equipment List
Clothing
Footwear & Sleeping Gear
Trekking Gear
Personal Essentials
Electronics & Food
Frequently Asked Questions
Upper Dolpo trek from Mustang is an extreme trek, which starts from Jomsom of Mustang and ends at Juphal of Dolpo region. A previous trekking experience as well as good physical fitness is required to experience this high pass trek.
