Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll land at Tribhuvan International Airport where an Alpine Club of Himalaya representative meets you for the transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to rest or stop by the ACOH office if you're not too tired. Later, you'll have a welcome dinner with authentic Nepalese food to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner hosted by ACOH featuring authentic Nepalese cuisine)
Included Activities
- Guided transfer from airport to hotel
- Optional visit to ACOH office in afternoon
- Welcome dinner hosted by ACOH
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport Alpine Club of Himalaya Office - Day 2
Kathmandu
After breakfast, a guided tour takes you through Kathmandu's historic sites including Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), and Bouddhanath Stupa. Around noon, you'll attend a pre-trip briefing where you'll meet your trek leader and other team members, giving you time to ask questions about what's coming up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Durbar Square
- Visit to Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- Visit to Bouddhanath Stupa
- Pre-trip briefing with trek leader and team
Landmarks/POIs Durbar Square Pashupatinath Temple Swayambhunath Bouddhanath Stupa - Day 3
Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Following a brief morning in Kathmandu, you fly one hour to Nepalgunj in Western Nepal near the Nepal-India border. This is your gateway to Simikot and Humla. You'll walk through the local market, check out the mini-zoo, and visit nearby villages to see the region's varied culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- One-hour flight to Nepalgunj
- Visit to local market
- Visit to mini-zoo
- Visit to nearby villages
Landmarks/POIs Nepalgunj Local Market Nepalgunj Mini-Zoo - Day 4
Nepalgunj to Jhupal to Dunai
You fly to Jhupal in the Himalayan foothills with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. Meeting your trek staff there, you start walking through terraced fields toward the Bheri River and its narrow gorge. The day ends in Dunai, the administrative center of Dolpo, after exploring the town and setting up camp.
Included Activities
- Flight to Jhupal
- Trek through terraced fields
- Trek along Bheri River
- Trek to Dunai
Landmarks/POIs Jhupal Bheri River Annapurna Peak Dhaulagiri Peak Dunai - Day 5
Dunai to Ankhe
Leaving Dunai, you cross a suspension bridge and head west past a hospital on the trail. You trek up the treeless Thulo Bheri valley before entering the Phoksundo River valley with Kagmara Peak in view. After passing walnut groves and the villages of Dhera and Rahagaun, you walk through dense jungles to reach Ankhe for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Dunai crossing suspension bridge
- Trek through Thulo Bheri valley
- Trek through Phoksundo River valley
- Trek through walnut groves and villages
- Trek through dense jungles to Ankhe
Landmarks/POIs Kagmara Peak Phoksundo River Dhera Rahagaun - Day 6
Ankhe to Sulighat
The trek follows a wooded riverbank with elevation changes, passing several streams where you can cool off. Later, you leave the forests and walk through grassy slopes high above the river. A steep descent down a dramatic stone staircase carved into a cliff takes you down to the river, then on to Sulighat where you'll camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along wooded riverbank
- Trek through grassy slopes
- Trek downhill through lush forests
- Descend stone staircase to river
- Day 7
Sulighat to Phoksundo Lake
You trek along the valley floor to where the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers meet, then cross a bridge and walk along the Pungmo Khola's western bank through cedar forests to Palam village. After trekking up to a ridge with distant views of Phoksundo Lake and Nepal's highest waterfall, you descend through birch forests. Later you walk through Ringmo village with its mud-plastered chortens and reach Phoksundo Lake for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers confluence
- Trek through cedar forest
- Trek to ridge viewpoint
- View of Phoksundo Lake
- View of Nepal's highest waterfall
- Descent through birch forests
- Visit to Ringmo village
Landmarks/POIs Phoksundo Lake Palam Ringmo Phoksundo Waterfall - Day 8
Phoksundo Lake
This is a rest day for acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake. You can take a short hike to Ringmo village and visit a Tibetan Buddhist monastery to experience local life. Watch for Dolpo people wearing homespun clothing dyed maroon, Tibetan-style boots with upturned toes, and traditional religious amulets with coral, amber, and turquoise strings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Short hike to Ringmo village
- Visit to Tibetan Buddhist monastery
- Experience local Dolpo culture
Landmarks/POIs Ringmo Tibetan Buddhist Monastery at Ringmo - Day 9
Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola valley
The trail circles the western end of Phoksundo Lake along a rocky ledge on its western bank. You'll walk along a precarious gangway made of wood pegged into rock crevices, which really shows how remote this area is. At the lake's western edge, you trek through a lush meadow into the flood plain of Phoksundo Khola, cross the river while avoiding bog, and camp by the riverbank.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek around western end of Phoksundo Lake
- Walk on wooden gangway along rocky ledge
- Trek through lush meadow
- Trek through Phoksundo Khola valley
Landmarks/POIs Phoksundo Lake Phoksundo Khola - Day 10
Phoksundo Khola valley to Snowfields Camp
You walk for about an hour along a level path through a glacial valley heading north. Reaching the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and a mountain stream, you see an old wooden bridge. From there, you head northeast with a long climb to a sheep meadow, then up a steep ravine. The challenging ascent leads to another valley where you see Kang-La pass. Camp at Snowfields Camp with views of Chhamlang Peak 6 and Peak 7.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through glacial valley
- Trek to Phoksundo Khola and mountain stream confluence
- Climb to sheep meadow
- Ascent up steep ravine
- Trek to Kang-La pass area
- Views of Chhamlang Peak 6 and Peak 7
Landmarks/POIs Kang-La Pass Chhamlang Peak 6 - Day 11
Snowfields Camp to Shey Gompa
Rising early, you ascend the steep slate-covered trail to Kang-la Pass. The difficult climb brings views of a large valley carved by a rushing river. Descending on a steep trail to the valley floor, you follow winding paths along riverbanks with several river crossings. You pass mud caves and meadows with grazing yaks, sheep, and domestic mountain goats, then cross a log bridge to reach Shey Gompa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascend to Kang-la Pass
- Descend steep trail to valley
- Trek along riverbanks with multiple crossings
- Trek past mud caves
- Trek across log bridge to Shey Gompa
Landmarks/POIs Kang-la Pass Shey Gompa - Day 12
Shey Gompa
This is a rest day for acclimatization at Shey Gompa, built in 1655 and known for its large seated Shakyamuni Buddha statue made of copper and covered in gold. To the east, Crystal Mountain shows distinctive twisted cliffs mixed with quartz and marine fossils. You can explore Shey village and learn about the ancient pre-Buddhist Bon Po culture where traditional Tibetan life combines animism with Buddhist teachings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Shey Gompa
- View of Shakyamuni Buddha statue
- Explore Shey village
- Experience pre-Buddhist Bon Po culture
- View of Crystal Mountain
Landmarks/POIs Shey Gompa Crystal Mountain - Day 13
Shey Gompa
Another rest and acclimatization day at Shey Gompa from 1655 with its famous copper Buddha statue gilded in gold. Crystal Mountain to the east has twisted cliffs woven with quartz and marine fossils. Spend time exploring Shey village and learning how the ancient pre-Buddhist Bon Po culture blends traditional Tibetan life with animism and Buddhist teachings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Shey Gompa
- View of Shakyamuni Buddha statue
- Explore Shey village
- Experience pre-Buddhist Bon Po culture
- View of Crystal Mountain
Landmarks/POIs Shey Gompa Crystal Mountain - Day 14
Shey Gompa to Saldang
You leave the village and ascend a slope for a long trek through dusty, barren mountains. After a challenging 3 to 4 hours of climbing, you reach Saldang Village on a plateau high above the Namga Khola stream. Saldang is the largest village in inner Dolpo, stretching nearly two kilometers across an open slope with five smaller villages, about eighty well-built houses, and around six hundred people. The village does well both farming and trading due to its position on the route to Tibet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through barren mountains
- Climb to Saldang Village plateau
- Explore Saldang Village
Landmarks/POIs Saldang Village - Day 15
Saldang to Yangze Gompa
You trek north from Saldang along the Nagon Khola on wild and barren terrain with a fairly gradual path. After passing through Marang and Ki villages and crossing a tributary of the Panzang River, you walk east and cross the river again before reaching Yangze Gompa, which holds an old Bon-Po monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek north along Nagon Khola
- Pass through Marang village
- Pass through Ki village
- Cross Panzang River tributary
- Trek to Yangze Gompa
Landmarks/POIs Marang Ki Yangze Gompa Panzang River - Day 16
Yangze Gompa to Sibu
From Yangze, you retrace your steps back to Saldang using the shorter, easier route. From there, you trek along a river passing terraced fields, stupas, chortens, mani stones, and Chaiba monastery. You continue through Namdo village, a prosperous settlement with about sixty houses and nearly 400 people spread over 5 kilometers on Nam Khong Khola's high slopes. After visiting Namdo monastery near the riverbed, you head downriver for another two hours to camp near Sibu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek back to Saldang
- Trek along river through terraced fields
- Visit Chaiba monastery
- Trek through Namdo village
- Visit Namdo monastery
- Trek to Sibu
Landmarks/POIs Chaiba Monastery Namdo Village Namdo Monastery - Day 17
Sibu to Jeng La Phedi
You walk alongside Nam Khong Khola while passing yak caravans heading toward the Tibetan border. Turning east, you continue on the trail and reach the confluence of two small streams. The path then steeply ascends to a grazing area below Jeng La Pass at 4,900m/16,072ft. You set up camp in this scenic meadow at Jeng La Phedi for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along Nam Khong Khola
- Trek to streams confluence
- Climb to grazing area below Jeng La Pass
Landmarks/POIs Jeng La Pass - Day 18
Jeng La Phedi to Tokyu
Rising early, you trek for about two hours to reach the Jeng La Pass summit with views of the north face of Dhaulagiri massif. You descend on a rugged trail into Tarap Valley, a wide area with expansive plains surrounded by high mountains, stretching twenty kilometers along the Tarap Chu River. Camp is set up near the monastery at Tokyu for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascend to Jeng La Pass summit
- View north face of Dhaulagiri massif
- Trek into Tarap Valley
- Trek along Tarap Chu River
Landmarks/POIs Jeng La Pass Dhaulagiri Massif Tarap Valley - Day 19
Dho Tarap
This is a rest day to explore Dho Tarap village, which is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. You can take a leisurely walk around the village to experience the local culture. Dho Tarap has about 40 houses in three clusters, mostly occupied by Magars (a hill tribe of Nepal) and a few Tibetans. You can visit a nearby Buddhist Gompa close to camp or take a 40-minute walk to see the Bon Po Gompa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Dho Tarap village
- Visit nearby Buddhist Gompa
- Visit Bon Po Gompa (optional 40-minute walk)
Optional Activities
- 40-minute walk to explore Bon Po Gompa
Landmarks/POIs Dho Tarap Buddhist Gompa at Dho Tarap Bon Po Gompa - Day 20
Dho Tarap
Another rest day for exploring Dho Tarap village, which is enclosed by an irregular stone wall. You take a leisurely stroll to experience the local culture. The village contains about 40 houses grouped in three clusters, mostly occupied by Magars (a hill tribe of Nepal) and some Tibetans. You can visit a nearby Buddhist Gompa close to camp or walk for 40 minutes to see the Bon Po Gompa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Dho Tarap village
- Visit nearby Buddhist Gompa
Optional Activities
- 40-minute walk to explore Bon Po Gompa
Landmarks/POIs Dho Tarap Buddhist Gompa at Dho Tarap Bon Po Gompa - Day 21
Dho Tarap to Kamakharka
From Tarap, you descend toward a wide valley which narrows into a gorge. Walking along juniper and wild rose bushes just above the tree line, you see herds of blue sheep. By afternoon, you reach the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, a stream from the east. You camp on a nice meadow called Kamakharka for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Tarap Valley downward
- Trek along juniper and wild rose bushes
- View blue sheep herds
- Trek to Tarap Chu and Lang Khola confluence
Landmarks/POIs Kamakharka - Day 22
Kamakharka to Khanigaon
You continue down the Tarap River gorge with local herds moving to lower winter pastures. This turns out to be one of the trip's most thrilling days as the valley narrows into a deep gorge where you might leap from one side to the other. The path sometimes disappears and you may cross stone slabs laid on logs as makeshift bridges. You navigate damaged or washed-away bridges by wading through icy torrents, then reach your camping spot by Tarap Khola at Khanigaon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek down Tarap River gorge
- Cross makeshift stone and log bridges
- Wade through icy torrents
Landmarks/POIs Tarap River Gorge Khanigaon - Day 23
Khanigaon to Tarakot
From camp, you follow a trail to Lalberi village, then pass through lush forest and descend into another gorge while continuing along the river. After reaching Tarakot, you can visit Sandul Gompa, located about 8 kilometers east of the village where Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu meet. The monastery sits on a hill south of Bheri River. You camp by Tarap Chu about 150 meters below Tarakot near the police post.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lalberi village
- Trek through lush forest
- Descend into gorge following river
- Trek to Tarakot
- Visit Sandul Gompa (optional)
Optional Activities
- Visit Sandul Gompa (about 8 kilometers east of Tarakot)
Landmarks/POIs Lalberi Sandul Gompa Tarakot - Day 24
Tarakot to Dunai
You trek along a trail beside the Bheri River, crossing a bridge near Lawan village. Following the river upstream toward Byas Gadi, you head west on a relatively easy path, cross the river once more near Lochakhola Gaon, then ascend to Dunai. After trekking through a scenic gorge surrounded by pine trees, you stay the night in Dunai.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek alongside Bheri River
- Cross bridge near Lawan village
- Trek upstream towards Byas Gadi
- Trek west on easy path
- Cross river near Lochakhola Gaon
- Trek through pine tree gorge to Dunai
Landmarks/POIs Bheri River Lawan Byas Gadi Lochakhola Gaon Dunai - Day 25
Dunai to Jhupal
You trek alongside the Bheri River taking in the landscape. Passing through the villages of Dhupichaur and Rupgad and a local temple, you continue through Kalagaonda and Motipur villages before reaching the small airstrip at Jhupal where you'll stay for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek alongside Bheri River
- Trek through Dhupichaur village
- Trek through Rupgad village
- Visit local temple
- Trek through Kalagaonda village
- Trek through Motipur village
- Trek to Jhupal airstrip
Landmarks/POIs Dhupichaur Rupgad Kalagaonda Motipur Jhupal Airstrip - Day 26
Jhupal to Kathmandu
You catch the earliest flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj, then take the next available flight back to Kathmandu. After arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. During your free time, you can exchange contact information and emails with other travelers to organize and share photos. You'll stay overnight in Kathmandu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj
- Flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
- Transfer from airport to hotel
- Day 27
Kathmandu
Your extra day in Kathmandu is free to relax or explore as you wish. You can shop for souvenirs or visit other places that interest you, with ACOH help for arranging activities if needed. In the evening, you'll join a farewell dinner hosted by ACOH to celebrate finishing your Dolpo adventure. You'll stay overnight in Kathmandu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner hosted by ACOH)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner hosted by ACOH
Optional Activities
- Shopping for souvenirs
- Leisure exploration of Kathmandu with ACOH assistance
- Day 28
Kathmandu to Airport
Your Nepal adventure wraps up today. An ACOH representative will take you to the airport about 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Safe travels, and the team looks forward to seeing you back for more adventures in Nepal soon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel to airport
