Jomsom to Upper Dolpo Trek

Trip at a Glance

Country: Nepal
Trip grade: Strenuous
Destination: Western Nepal
Activities: Camp trek
Accommodation: Tented camps
Meals: Full-board on trek
Transportation: Private vehicle/Plane
Maximum altitude: Shey Gompa (4,500m)
Group size: 2 travelers minumum
Best Season: Mar-May, Sep-Nov

The Jomsom to Upper Dolpo Trek is a challenging high-altitude trek that links the Kali Gandaki Valley in Mustang with the remote Dolpo region. The Jomsom to upper dolpo trekking route starts from Jomsom, passing through the Himalayan landscape, and then reaches the pristine turquoise Shey Phoksundo Lake.

During the course of the trek, trekkers get a rich Himalayan trekking experience with hiking along ancient monasteries and arid trans-Himalayan landscapes. To top it off are unique wildlife that can be spotted making the trek a culturally and naturally a beautiful experience compared to more popular trails.

Trekking from Jomsom to Upper Dolpo is for experienced trekkers looking for a complete solitude adventure in the Himalayas with witnessing ancient Bon Buddhist culture and natural beauty of the Trans-Himalayan region which hasn’t changed for ages.

Jomsom to Upper Dolpo Trek Highlights

Hike through the beautiful Kali Gandaki Valley & the rocky Himalayan landscapes
Explore age-old monasteries & typical Tibetan villages
Witness the turquoise Shey Phoksundo Lake, one of the deepest lakes in Nepal
Discover the dry and isolated land between the Himalayas
Cross high passes with stunning views of the mountains all around

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: In Kathmandu – Trek preparation
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (900m)
Day 04: Fly to Jomsom & trek to Dhangarjung (3,175m)
Day 05: Trek Dhangarjung to Sangda (3,710m)
Day 06: Trek Sangda to Sangda Phedi (Tuchela, Niwar La Phedi) (4,190m)
Day 07: Trek Sangda Phedi to Yak Kharka (4,780m)
Day 08: Trek Yak Kharka to Chharka Village (4,110m)
Day 09: Trek Chharka Village to Chanla Phedi (4,530m)
Day 10: Trek Chanla Phedi to Dho Tarap (4,040m)
Day 11: Exploration of Dho Tarap
Day 12: Trek Dho Tarap to Pangjang Khola Dovan (4,480m)
Day 13: Trek Pangjang Khola Dovan to Tinjegaon (4,150m)
Day 14: Trek Tinjegaon to Shimengaon (3,870m)
Day 15: Trek Shimengaon to Koma (4,060m)
Day 16: Trek Koma to Saldang Village (3,770m)
Day 17: Trek Saldang Village Yanjer Gompa (3750m)
Day 18: Trek Yanjer Gompa to Saldang Village (3,770m)
Day 19: Trek Saldang Village to Shey Gompa (4,500m)
Day 20: Exploration of Shey Gompa
Day 21: Trek Shey Gompa to Lartsa (4,120m)
Day 22: Trek Lartsa to Ringmu/Phoksundo Lake (3,730m)
Day 23: Trek Ringmu/Phoksundo Lake to Sanduwa (3,038m)
Day 24: Trek Sanduwa to Chhepka (2,680m)
Day 25: Trek Chhepka to Dunai (2,050m)
Day 26: Trek Dunai to Juphal (2,345m)
Day 27: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj
Day 28: In Kathmandu - Leisure Day
Day 29: Final Departure

Trek Equipment List

Medicines List

What is included?

Airport pick-up and drop services.
Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu on Twin-Share Basis with breakfast.
Kathmandu – Pokhara & Juphal – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu round airfares.
All trekking accommodation (in tented camps) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Personal insurance for crew members.
Guide, porters, kitchen staff and helpers' wages for the trekking period.
Four seasonal sleeping bags (to be returned after trip completion) & Marron duffel bags.
A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide).
Upper Dolpo Special Permit (US$ 500 per person).
ACAP Permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project)
Farewell dinner with a live Nepalese cultural program.
All government and local taxes.

What is not included?

International airfare.
Lunch & dinner In Kathmandu.
Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (USD50 for 30 days)
Personal travel insurance.
Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance).
Excess baggage charges (luggage allowance for domestic airlines in Nepal is 15 kgs.).
Other expenses of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, bottle or boiled water, shower etc.)
Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
Tips for guides, porters & crew (Tipping is expected).

Trip Info

Accommodation

While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 4- or 5-star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (4-star), Hotel Manaslu (4-star), Radisson (5-star), Yak & Yeti (5-star), or similar. During the trek, your primary accommodation will be tents. These are typically high-altitude, double-walled tents for better insulation and weather protection. You'll camp at designated campsites along the route. These are chosen for scenic beauty, flat ground, and access to water sources. Your trekking crew will set up tents that include your own personal tent, dining tent, toilet tent, and staff tent.

Meals

We never compromise the quality of food or the health of the trekkers as well as the crew members. Expect meals packed with carbohydrates and protein prepared by our trained cook to provide sustained energy for long trekking days. Think along the lines of porridge, pasta, noodles, spaghetti, French fries, soups, and dehydrated meals.

Acclimatization

Altitude sickness is a serious risk while trekking in the Himalayas. It's important to acclimatize properly by spending a few days at lower altitudes before heading higher. By spending time at lower altitudes before pushing higher, your body has time to adjust. Our trekking packages have enough acclimatization days planned where you'll be spending a day or two at lower altitudes, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.

Drinking water

You can fill your bottle with boiling water. To make water drinkable, you can use water purification tablets too. But, due to hygienic issues, you should avoid drinking water from taps, rivers, or wells in trekking areas.

Communication

Our office in Kathmandu is in constant communication with your trek guide. In Kathmandu, you can purchase a local SIM card for communication purposes. At high elevations, the mobile signal might not be as strong, though.

Luggage

Our porters are paired with one trekker for every two hikers, and one porter can safely carry 30 kg maximum weight. Therefore, we advise you to fill your duffle bag not more than 15 kg with your belongings. You may carry a small backpack with your valuables and informational documents. The things you are not taking along on the trek can be stored in a hotel in Kathmandu free of charge.

Typical Trek Day

Mostly your trek day starts with breakfast at 7-8 am, followed by a 3-4 hour morning trek. Lunch break is around an hour, then you continue trekking to your destination for the day. After reaching the teahouse lodge, you can relax, explore nearby areas, and enjoy dinner at 6-7 pm. Evenings involve socializing, a trek briefing, and leisure activities before bed.

Travel Insurance

It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. Having travel insurance with you makes your trip secure and hassle-free.

Our Guides

Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you can actually connect with nature, culture, and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides who are very well-versed in the culture, life patterns, and every single detail pertaining to the trek region you are traveling in. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining but also equally informative.

Porter and Staff Care

When it comes to high-altitude trekking, porters and staff members make up a pivot. Marron Treks ensures that all the porters and staff members going to high altitudes are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. All our field staff are covered by insurance.