Trekking in Dolpo
In summary
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Sports
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Duration19 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationNepal / Himalaya
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions4331.32 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
Nepali
In a few words
Embark on a rare immersion in the heart of Dolpo , a preserved Tibetan enclave within Nepalese territory. The true natural setting for the film "Himalaya, the Childhood of a Leader", this region offers a timeless hiking experience, following in the footsteps of the mythical salt caravans .
Beneath the gaze of snow-capped peaks, your route winds through wild landscapes and the spectacular Tarap Valley . This challenging journey takes you over mountain passes exceeding 5,000 meters , revealing breathtaking high-mountain panoramas of raw beauty. In this Buddhist sanctuary, you'll encounter Dolpopa herders leading their yaks across vast expanses.
Between dry-stone villages , centuries-old monasteries, and nomadic encampments, each stage reveals a unique culture and an unspoiled pastoral way of life. This ambitious trek , punctuated by the pristine beauty of high-altitude lakes , is an invitation to discover one of the most isolated regions on Earth. An authentic adventure at the ends of the earth for those passionate about wide-open spaces and profound human connections.
The highlights
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Lake Phoksundo: one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas
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Exploring the Tarap Valley, in the heart of unspoiled Dolpo
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The discovery of a timeless region
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 482 m
- Average daily descent: 543 m
Management
Program
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France - Kathmandu
- Transportation Plane - 13h - 7240km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure from France, night flight to Kathmandu.Day 1 -
Kathmandu
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival in Kathmandu. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Meals and free time. Depending on our arrival time, we will explore the old streets of Kathmandu and get a first glimpse of Nepalese life.Day 2 -
Domestic flight to Nepalganj
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 50km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalganj.Day 3 -
Juphal flight - trek to Dunai (2090m)
- Transportation Plane - 00h35 - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we fly to Juphal (2,440 m), about a 35-minute flight. Our trek begins in Juphal, and we hike to Dunai (2,090 m), the main town in the Dolpo district. In Juphal, we find ourselves in a different world. Around the end of October, the Dolpo people dry red chilies on their earthen rooftop terraces. The path descends to the Bheri River, and we cross fields of buckwheat, barley, millet, and corn.Day 4 -
Dunaî - Tarakot (2500m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We cross the Barbung Chhu (Bheri) river and the small villages of the valley. After lunch, we continue on to reach a magnificent view of Puth Himal (7246m) and Dogari (6536m), little-known peaks that belong to the Dhaulagiri massif.Day 5 -
Tarakot - Laini (3135m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Negative elevation 340 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we begin with a gradual climb past fields of corn, buckwheat, and amarathus (until mid-October). We have lunch at Lasicape, where the Tarap Chu and Barbung Chu rivers meet. We also cross the longest suspension bridge in the valley. After lunch, we resume our hike with a short, slightly steep section through a forest of juniper, pine, fir, and birch trees. We settle down in nature by the river.Day 6 -
Laini - Odar (3500m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 430 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we begin the trek with a fairly steep climb of about 500 meters. Then, we continue along the path, alternating between small ascents and descents, some of which can be quite dizzying. We pitch our tent near the river.Day 7 -
Odar - Dho (Tarap) (4040m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 805 m
- Negative elevation 335 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The path is steep up to Lang and then relatively flat. During our hike, we may have the opportunity to encounter nomads and their herds (until mid-October). We will set up camp near a Tibetan village for the night.Day 8 -
Day in the Tarap Valley
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day of rest and sightseeing in the Tarap Valley, we wander from small Tibetan monasteries (there are no longer any monks in the monasteries) to Tibetan houses. We visit Buddhist and Bonpo monasteries. To further acclimatize, we ascend to 4,400 meters. We spend the night at the same camp, the location where a small part of the film "Himalaya, l'enfance d'un chef" (Himalaya, the Childhood of a Leader) was filmed.Day 9 -
Dho - Tashi Gaon - Numa La Phedi (4410m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a free morning in Dho, we set off for the foot of the Num La pass, which we will cross the next day.Day 10 -
Numa La Phedi - Numa La (5,190 m) - Baga la Phedi (4,465 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Positive elevation gain 950 m
- Negative elevation 910 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We gradually ascend to the Num Pass at 5,185 m. From there, we have a commanding view of the entire Himalayan range: Daulagiri I (8,167 m), Churen Himal (7,310 m), Tukuche Peak (6,920 m), the Annapurna massif, Damodar, Kanjiroba (6,612 m), Kang Chune, Guras Himal, Norbu Kang (6,140 m), and the Tibetan Plateau to the north. After the pass, the descent is sometimes steep through scree down to the stream. After a short, gradual climb and some flat terrain, we arrive at our campsite with a beautiful view of Norbu Kang.Day 11 -
Bagala Phedi - Baga la (5,170 m) - Yak Kharka (3,907 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 1095 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We cross the Baga La pass at 5,170 m; the rocky landscape is magnificent. The end of the descent is a bit steep.Day 12 -
Yak Kharka - Lake Phoksumdo (Ringmo 3700 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 330 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We arrive at Lake Phoksundo (3800 m) and the village of Ringmo (3600 m), undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas. Beautiful forest of pines, firs, and birches surrounds the lake.Day 13 -
Day at Lake Phoksundo
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day of walking around the lake and a visit to the Bönpo monastery of Ringmo in a splendid setting. We stay at the same camp.Day 14 -
Phogsumdo - Chhepka (2,620 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Positive elevation gain 570 m
- Negative elevation 1470 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We continue our journey, and after passing an impressive waterfall over 300 meters high, the scenery transforms, becoming lush and green as the path plunges into the gorges and forest. It's a long day's hike, but without any particular difficulty.Day 15 -
Chhepka – Dunai – Juphal (2,440 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
An easy walk along the river, but the path is sometimes uneven. We pass through a village whose inhabitants seem straight out of a fairytale where time has stood still. A final climb takes us to the beautiful village of Juphal, where the terraces are connected by ladders carved from rough-hewn tree trunks.Day 16 -
Flights: Juphal - Nepalganj - Kathmandu
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Flight to Nepalgang then flight to Kathmandu.Day 17 -
Kathmandu
- Transportation Plane - 13h - 7240km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Free morning in Kathmandu. Opportunity to visit the city center or do some last-minute shopping. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for our flight.Day 18 -
Kathmandu - Return flight
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival in France.Day 19
Accommodation
Access
Price details
The price includes
- International flights and domestic flights
- Supervision by a local French-speaking guide throughout the stay
- Land transport
- The excursions detailed in the program
- The accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
- Full board except for meals listed as "free" in the daily itinerary
- The necessary trekking permits
- Collective safety equipment during the trek: first aid kit, hyperbaric chamber and satellite phone
The price does not include
- Your visa fees
- Drinks and mineral water during your stay, including during meals
- Meals listed as 'free' in the daily itinerary. Expect to pay around €3 to €8 per meal.
- Showers in the lodges (from €2 to €4)
- Tips for local teams
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
A hyperbaric chamber accompanies all circuits that spend a night or more above 4000 m.
Equipment to bring
- Lightweight sleeping bag or warm clothes for sleeping (blankets are provided, but it's not always very warm...)
- Telescopic trekking poles (optional)
- Toiletries and towel
- Biodegradable cleaning wipes
- Water bottle or hydration pack of 1.5 or 2 liters
- Water filter or water treatment tablets
- Sunglasses (high protection rating)
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Waterproof plastic bags (for your belongings in case of rain)
- Card game, book...
Please note: only local telephone networks operate in Ladakh (restrictions due to militarized zones). Therefore, you will not be able to use your French phone. Internet access, via hotel Wi-Fi networks, remains the best way to communicate with France (when the connection is working...).
Clothing to bring
Please bring light and comfortable clothing for the trip, as well as appropriate equipment for mountain hiking.
- Cap
- Cap or hat
- Scarf or neck warmer
- Lightweight gloves
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket
- Puffer jacket for the evening
- Warm fleece jacket
- T-shirts made of synthetic material (quick-drying)
- Thermal underwear (for nights at altitude)
- Lightweight trousers
- Walking socks
- Sturdy mountain hiking boots
- Light shoes and/or sandals