Overview
Upper Dolpo is the most remote trek in this catalogue — a three-to-four-week trans-Himalayan expedition across high passes into a medieval Tibetan world of Bon and Nyingma villages, the sacred Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa, and the turquoise Phoksundo Lake (3,612 m). This is the landscape of Peter Matthiessen’s *The Snow Leopard* and Eric Valli’s *Caravan*.
It is a fully restricted area requiring an expensive special permit, a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers, reached by flights via Nepalgunj and Juphal. Almost entirely in the rain shadow behind the Dhaulagiri massif, it is one of the few genuinely good monsoon-season treks in Nepal — and one of the hardest.
Highlights
- Sacred Crystal Mountain and Shey Gompa
- Turquoise Phoksundo Lake (3,612 m), Nepal’s deepest
- Multiple 5,000 m+ passes (Kang La, Saldang La, Jeng La)
- Living Bon and Tibetan-Buddhist culture, barely touched
- A true rain-shadow monsoon expedition
What's included — from $3,400
- ✓Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park fee
- ✓Internal flights (Nepalgunj–Juphal round trip)
- ✓Government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- ✓Full camping crew (cook, kitchen staff) and porters / pack animals
- ✓All camping accommodation and three meals a day on the trail
- ✓All trekking permits and conservation-area fees
- ✓Ground transport between the city and the trailhead
- ✓Crew wages, insurance, meals and equipment
- ✓Government taxes and official paperwork
- ✕International flights to and from Nepal
- ✕Nepal entry visa fee
- ✕Travel and high-altitude rescue insurance (mandatory)
- ✕Personal trekking and camping gear
- ✕Meals and accommodation in cities / on rest days
- ✕Tips for your guide and crew
- ✕Personal expenses and anything not listed as included
Best time to go
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Upper Dolpo trek cost in 2026?
A guided Upper Dolpo trek typically costs USD 3,400–4,500+ per person. It is expensive because of the Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 for the first 10 days, then USD 50/day), internal flights via Nepalgunj/Juphal, and full camping logistics with a crew across three to four weeks.
Do I need a permit for Upper Dolpo?
Yes. Upper Dolpo requires the Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit plus the Shey Phoksundo National Park permit, a government-licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers. It cannot be done solo or independently.
Can you trek Upper Dolpo during the monsoon?
Yes — it is one of the best monsoon treks in Nepal. Sitting in the rain shadow behind Dhaulagiri, Upper Dolpo stays largely dry through July and August while the rest of the country is soaked, making May–October the practical season.
How hard is the Upper Dolpo trek?
Very hard. It is a strenuous three-to-four-week expedition crossing several passes above 5,000 m, with long days, full camping, and basic-to-no resupply. Strong previous high-altitude trekking experience and good fitness are essential.
Related treks
Ready to plan Upper Dolpo?
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