The Upper Dolpo Trek to Shey Gompa brings you into a mystical land where centuries old Buddhist and Bonpo traditions, interwoven with shamanistic influences, are still an important part of daily life. The villages, gompa’s and people you meet during this trek will leave an unforgettable impression on you. The landscapes here are even more desolate than on the Dolpa Circuit and the villages even more isolated and pure.
The trekking brings you to Shey Gompa, which is often referred to as the spiritual heart of Upper Dolpo. It’s a magical place, situated at the base of Crystal Mountain. Crystal Mountain is visited by hundreds of pilgrims each year, who make a kora (circuit) around the mountain, Dolpo’s own version of Mount Kailash.
This is quite a strenuous hike. You have to cross three high passes, Nagdalo La of 5350 m, the Shey La of 5000 m and Jeng La of 5110 m. These crossings involve long climbs and long descends. Besides, you stay above 4000 meters for a long time, with very cold nights. But the unforgettable landscapes, the views from the passes and the contacts with a very special untouched culture make it all worth it.
Leaving from Kathmandu, it’s a 21 days trip, but it can be shorter or longer, depending on the length of your walking days. There are (basic) guesthouses in Juphal, Dunai, Kageni, Chhepka, close to Sanduwa (next to the Amchi Hospital), Ringmo, Shey, Saldang, Dho and Lingdo. At the other places you have to camp (day 7, 10-14, 16 and 17 of this itinerary).
Trip Facts
Days: |
21 |
Season: |
Spring-Autumn |
Max. Altitude: |
5350 m |
Difficulty: |
Hard |
Start: |
Juphal |
Finish: |
Juphal |
Type: |
Teahouse/homestay/Camping (it is needed to take a tent) |
Itinerary
Day 1 |
Flight Kathmandu-Nepalgunj |
Day 2 |
Flight Nepalgunj-Juphal (2475 m), walk to Chhepka (2838 m) 6 hrs |
Day 3 |
Chhepka (2838 m) to Chunuwar/Amchi Hospital (3110 m) 6 hrs |
Day 4 |
Chunuwar/Amchi Hospital (3110 m) to Ringmo/Phoksundo Lake (3641 m) 3 hrs |
Day 5 |
Ringmo/Phoksundo Lake (3641 m), free day |
Day 6 |
Ringmo/Phoksundo Lake (3641 m) to Chunemba (3639 m) 5 hrs |
Day 7 |
Chunemba (3639 m) to Snowfields Camp (4400 m) 7 hrs |
Day 8 |
Snowfields Camp (4400 m) to Shey Gompa (4310 m) via Nagdalo La (5350 m) 6 hrs |
Day 9 |
Restday Shey Gompa (4310 m) |
Day 10 |
Shey Gompa (4350 m) to Namgung (4430 m) via Shey La (5000 m) 6 hrs |
Day 11 |
Namgung (4400 m) to Saldang (4060 m) 3 hrs |
Day 12 |
Saldang (4060 m) to Sibu (4200 m) 5 hrs |
Day 13 |
Sibu (4200 m) to Lagmo Che (4570 m) 4 hrs |
Day 14 |
Lagmo Che (4570 m) to Tokyu (4209 m) via Jeng La (5110 m) 7 hrs |
Day 15 |
Tokyu (4209 m) to Dho Tarap ( 4080 m) 2 hrs |
Day 16 |
Dho Tarap (4080 m) to Sisaul (3750 m) 4 hrs |
Day 17 |
Sisaul (3750 m) to Laina Odar (3370 m) 7-8 hrs |
Day 18 |
Laina Odar (3370 m) to Lingdo (2391 m) 5 hrs |
Day 19 |
Lingdo (2391 m) to Dunai (2140 m) 5 hrs |
Day 20 |
Dunai (2140 m) to Juphal (2475 m) 3½ hrs |
Day 21 |
Flight Juphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu |