Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll land at Tribhuvan International Airport where a Serene Himalaya representative picks you up for the drive to your hotel. After settling in, you can either rest or stop by the company office. Evening brings a welcome dinner featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal (Arrival Gate)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with authentic Nepalese cuisine)
Optional Activities
- Visit Serene Himalaya's office at noon
- Day 2
Kathmandu City Tour
Following breakfast, a guided tour takes you through Kathmandu's major historical and spiritual sites including UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You'll see Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Bouddhanath stupa. At noon, you meet your trek leader and team for a briefing about what's ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Durbar Square
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- Visit Bouddhanath stupa
- Pre-trip briefing with trek leader and team
Landmarks Durbar Square Pashupatinath Temple Swayambhunath Bouddhanath - Day 3
Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
A short excursion wraps up your time in Kathmandu before a one-hour flight to Nepalgunj in Western Nepal, the gateway near the Nepal-India border and entry point to Simikot. This Terai town shows Nepal's cultural diversity. You'll check out the local market, mini-zoo, and nearby villages before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit local market in Nepalgunj
- Visit mini-zoo in Nepalgunj
- Visit nearby villages in Nepalgunj
- Day 4
Nepalgunj to Jhupal to Dunai
Flying to Jhupal brings you to a beautiful Himalayan foothills town with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. You meet your trek staff and start out through terraced fields toward the Bheri River and its narrow gorge. The trek continues to Dunai, the administrative center of Dolpo. You explore the small town in the evening before camping.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through terraced fields to Bheri River
- Trek to Dunai
Optional Activities
- Explore Dunai town in the evening
Landmarks Annapurna Peaks Dhaulagiri Peaks - Day 5
Dunai to Ankhe
Leaving Dunai, you cross a suspension bridge and head west past a hospital. The trail ascends the treeless side of the Thulo Bheri valley before entering the Phoksundo river valley where you'll see Kagmara Peak. Walking through walnut groves, villages, and dense jungles, you reach Ankhe for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Thulo Bheri valley
- Trek through Phoksundo river valley
- Trek through walnut groves and villages
Landmarks Kagmara Peak - Day 6
Ankhe to Sulighat
Trekking continues along wooded riverbanks with climbs and descents throughout. The trail crosses streams where you can cool off before leaving the forests for grassy slopes high above the river. A lush forest descent leads to a cliff with stone stairs down to the river. You'll reach Sulighat by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along wooded riverbank
- Trek through grassy slopes
- Trek to Sulighat
- Day 7
Sulighat to Phoksundo Lake
Walking along the valley floor leads to where the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers meet. After crossing a bridge, you walk the western bank of Pungmo Khola through cedar forest to Palam village. The trail climbs to a ridge offering distant views of Phoksundo Lake and one of Nepal's highest waterfalls. Descending through birch forests brings you to Ringmo village and then to Phoksundo Lake's shores.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Palam village
- Trek to Ringmo village
- Walk to Phoksundo Lake shore
Optional Activities
- View Phoksundo waterfall from ridge
Landmarks Phoksundo Lake Phoksundo Waterfall 
- Day 8
Rest Day at Phoksundo Lake
This rest day at Phoksundo Lake lets you acclimatize while taking short hikes to Ringmo village and the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. You'll learn about the Dolpo people, their maroon-dyed homespun clothing, distinctive Tibetan-style boots with upturned toes, and religious amulets decorated with coral, amber, and turquoise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Short hike to Ringmo village
- Visit Tibetan Buddhist Monastery
Optional Activities
- Explore local culture and villages
Landmarks Ringmo Village Tibetan Buddhist Monastery - Day 9
Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola Valley
Trekking around the top western end of Phoksundo Lake, you'll walk the western bank on a rocky ledge suspended from a wooden gangway pegged into rock crevasses. At the lake's western edge, the trail leads through a lush meadow into the flood plain of Phoksundo Khola. You cross the river and navigate marshy sections before camping by the river bank.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek around western end of Phoksundo Lake
- Trek through lush meadow and flood plain
- Cross Phoksundo River
- Day 10
Phoksundo Khola Valley to Snowfields Camp
A level path takes you through a glacial valley heading north. At the confluence where Phoksundo Khola meets a mountain stream, you cross an old wooden bridge and head northeast. A long climb leads through a sheep meadow and then a steep ascent up a ravine into another valley where Kang-La pass becomes visible. Camp is set up in a beautiful meadow near the pass called 'Snowfields Camp' with views of Chhamlang peak 6 (6,739m/22,110ft) and peak 7 (6,105m/20,016ft).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through glacial valley
- Climb to sheep meadow
- Trek to Snowfields Camp near Kang-La pass
Landmarks Chhamlang Peak 6 - Day 11
Snowfields Camp to Shey Gompa
Early in the morning, a steep slate-littered trail leads to Kang-La Pass with strenuous climbing. From the pass, the views of a large valley cut by a gushing river are excellent. The steep descent reaches the valley floor, then you walk along river banks crossing back and forth several times. You'll see mud caves and grazing yaks, sheep, and domestic mountain goats before crossing a log bridge to Shey Gompa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascend to Kang-La Pass
- Trek through valley with river crossings
- Reach Shey Gompa
Landmarks Kang-La Pass Shey Gompa 
- Day 12
Rest Day at Shey Gompa
At Shey Gompa, built in 1655 and known for its giant copper statue of Shakyamuni Buddha with gilded gold finish, you spend the acclimatization day hiking around Shey village. Famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist Bon Po culture, the area includes Crystal Mountain to the east with its contorted quartz-laced cliffs embedded with marine fossils. In Dolpo, ancient Tibetan traditions blend animism with Buddhist teachings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike around Shey village
Optional Activities
- Visit Crystal Mountain
- Explore Bon Po culture sites
Landmarks Shey Gompa Crystal Mountain - Day 13
Shey Gompa to Namuda Gaun
Walking through juniper trees on a pleasant trail, you descend into a grey, stony canyon. The path zigzags over bare rocks and eroded soil to Saldang-la pass. The descent northward is long and tiring, but you'll spot grazing yaks and sheep with nomadic yak-hair tents. You visit Namgung monastery in Namduna Gaun, a striking red stone structure built against a cliff backdrop on a gorge's north wall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through juniper forest
- Ascend to Saldang-la pass
- Visit Namgung monastery
Landmarks Saldang-la Pass Namgung Monastery 
- Day 14
Namuda Gaun to Saldang
Leaving the village, you climb a slope for a long walk along dusty, barren mountains. After 3 to 4 hours of hard climbing, Saldang Village appears below on a high plateau above Namga Khola stream. This largest village in inner Dolpo stretches nearly two kilometers on an open slope with five clusters of about eighty well-built houses and approximately 600 people. The prosperous settlement thrives agriculturally and as a strategic trading location toward Tibet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Saldang Village
- Explore Saldang Village
Landmarks Saldang Village - Day 15
Saldang to Yangze Gompa
Walking north along the Nagon Khola on wild, barren terrain with gradual ups and downs, you pass through Marang and Ki villages. Crossing a tributary of the Panzang River and then the river itself, you arrive at Yangze Gompa which houses an old Bon-Po Monastery for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along Nagon Khola
- Trek through Marang and Ki villages
- Reach Yangze Gompa
Optional Activities
- Visit Bon-Po Monastery
Landmarks Yangze Gompa - Day 16
Yangze Gompa to Sibu
Retracing your path toward Saldang village using the easier and shorter route, you then walk along a river past terraced fields, stupas, chortens, and mani stone heaps to reach Chaiba monastery. Passing through Namdo village, a prosperous settlement stretching over 5 kilometers on high slopes with about 60 houses and 400 inhabitants, you visit the nearby Namdo monastery by the riverbed. Two more hours downriver leads to a camp near the small settlement of Sibu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Namdo village
- Visit Chaiba monastery
- Visit Namdo monastery
Landmarks Chaiba Monastery Namdo Village Namdo Monastery - Day 17
Sibu to Jeng La Phedi
Walking along Nam Khong Khola, you pass caravans of yaks moving toward the Tibetan border. Turning east, you walk until reaching a confluence of two small streams. A steep trail ascends to a grazing area below Jeng La pass (4,900m/16,072ft) where you set up camp in a beautiful meadow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along Nam Khong Khola
- Trek to grazing area below Jeng La pass
Optional Activities
- Observe yak caravans heading to Tibetan border
Landmarks Jeng La Pass - Day 18
Jeng La Phedi to Tokyu
Waking early, you trek for approximately two hours to reach the top of Jeng La pass with remarkable views of the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif. The rough trail descends into Tarap Valley, a fascinating high-altitude plain extending 20 kilometers along Tarap Chu river. You camp close to the monastery at Tokyu for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascend to Jeng La Pass
- Trek through Tarap Valley
- Reach Tokyu monastery
Landmarks Jeng La Pass Dhaulagiri Massif Tarap Valley - Day 19
Tokyu to Dho Tarap
Walking downhill on a plain valley with patches of lush grass on both sides of the river provides a striking contrast to other inner Dolpo regions. You'll encounter marshes common to Tibet's Desert Mountains and the Ladakh Himalaya. Both Bon Po and Buddhist sects are practiced in the valley. After a short trek, you reach Dho Tarap for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Tarap Valley
- Reach Dho Tarap
Landmarks Dho Tarap - Day 20
Rest Day at Dho Tarap
Your rest day in Dho Tarap lets you explore the village surrounded by an irregular stone wall with about 40 houses divided into three clusters. You'll meet local inhabitants, a few Tibetans and mostly Magars, a hill tribe of Nepal. Strolling around the village lets you experience local culture, with options to visit a Buddhist Gompa close to camp or take a 40-minute walk to a Bon Po Gompa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Dho Tarap village
Optional Activities
- Visit Buddhist Gompa
- Visit Bon Po Gompa (40-minute walk)
Landmarks Buddhist Gompa Bon Po Gompa - Day 21
Dho Tarap to Kamakharka
Descending from Tarap toward a wide valley that eventually narrows into a gorge, you trek along juniper and wild rose bushes at the tree line where herds of blue sheep graze. By afternoon, you reach the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, a stream joining from the east. Camp is set up on a nice meadow called Kamakharka for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Tarap gorge
- Trek to Kamakharka meadow
Optional Activities
- Observe herds of blue sheep
Landmarks Kamakharka Meadow - Day 22
Kamakharka to Khanigaon
Continuing down the Tarap River gorge, sometimes alongside it, the valley becomes extremely narrow in places where you can jump from one side to another. You'll encounter stretches with no visible path, walking instead on stone slabs fitted on logs between walls as makeshift bridges. Some damaged or washed-away bridges require wading across icy torrents on foot. You reach your camping spot beside Tarap Khola at Khanigaon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Tarap River gorge
- Cross river on stone slabs and makeshift bridges
- Day 23
Khanigaon to Tarakot
A trail leads to Lalberi village, then through lush forest and down into another gorge. Following the river, you arrive at Tarakot where you can optionally visit Sandul Gompa, about 8 kilometers east at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu, standing on a hill south of the Bheri River. You camp by Tarap Chu River about 150 meters below Tarakot near the police post.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Tarakot
Optional Activities
- Visit Sandul Gompa (8 kilometers east of Tarakot)
Landmarks Sandul Gompa - Day 24
Tarakot to Dunai
Trekking behind the Bheri River, you cross a bridge near Lawan village and continue alongside the river ascending to Byas Gadi. Heading west on a relatively easy trail, you cross the river again near Lochakhola Gaon and ascend to Dunai for the night. Today's trek features a wonderful gorge with pine trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Bheri River gorge
- Trek to Dunai
- Day 25
Dunai to Jhupal
Walking along the Bheri River, you enjoy the beautiful landscape while passing through Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages as well as a temple. Continuing via Kalagaonda and Motipur villages, you reach the small airstrip at Jhupal for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along Bheri River
- Trek through Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages
- Trek through Kalagaonda and Motipur villages
- Reach Jhupal airstrip
Optional Activities
- Visit local temple along the route
- Day 26
Jhupal to Kathmandu
Taking the earliest flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj, you catch the next available flight back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. You exchange contact information and emails with fellow travelers to organize and share photos. The night is spent in Kathmandu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Exchange contact information with travel companions
- Day 27
Kathmandu
This extra day lets you rest or explore Kathmandu independently. Shopping for souvenirs or visiting any Kathmandu attractions you'd like is available, and Serene Himalaya can arrange activities if needed. In the evening, a farewell dinner hosted by Serene Himalaya celebrates your successful trek through the Dolpo region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner celebrating successful trek completion)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner with Serene Himalaya
Optional Activities
- Rest
- Explore Kathmandu independently
- Souvenir shopping
- Visit Kathmandu attractions (arranged by Serene Himalaya)
- Day 28
Departure from Kathmandu
Your Nepal adventure ends today. A Serene Himalaya representative will transfer you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Have a safe journey home and return for more adventures in Nepal.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal (Main Entrance)
- Meals
- Breakfast
