Upper Dolpo & Shey Phoksundo Lake

Introduction

The Upper Dolpo and Shey Phoksundo Lake trek is rough and spectacular.  It takes trekkers to beautiful turquoise colored lakes, rushing rivers, impressive gorges, and over high passes. You can admire the legendary peaks Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna massif.

The region has been isolated from the rest of the world for centuries. This trek connects you with remote Tibetan villages and ancient monasteries. Along the way, encounter Tibetan farmers, nomadic herders, and monastery monks. Also, the region is home to the original Buddhist Bon religion.

Upper Dolpo and Shey Pohksundo Lake Overview

From Kathmandu, the Upper Dolpo and Shey Pohksundo Lake adventure starts with two domestic flights to Juphal. From here,  you’ll follow the Sulighat river towards Phoksundo Lake. Leaving Somdua, the trail goes steeply uphill. Here you leave the river and follow the path high above the water. Once ascended to a ridge at about 3875m, an impressive 300m waterfall follows. On top, the ridge offers your first view of the turquoise Phoksundo Lake.

At the lake, you will have a resting day for acclimatization and exploration. There are various optional day hikes, but a visit to the local monastery should not be missed. Following the first high pass of this trek, the Kanga La pass (5350 m), we’ll enter the sacred Shey Gompa. An 800-year-old monastery at the base of the mystical Crystal Mountain. At Shey Gompa, another cultural day is spent. Today you’ll hike around Shey village, home to the ancient Bon Po culture. Here in Dolpo, Tibetan life weaves animism with Buddhism. The result is a unique spiritual landscape rarely witnessed elsewhere.

After that, the Shey La pass follows, and we arrive at the pastures of Namjung Gaon. At Saldang, you are close to the Tibetan border, and some of the salt trade yak caravans are routed through here.

From the third high pass of this trek, the Jeng La (5110 m), you will have breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri. Descending on a steep path, you’ll arrive at the Tarap valley. Here, the landscape has completely changed. The Tarap Valley is a lush, green, and wide valley. About 10 villages with cultivated fields dot the valley. Beyond farming, the valley holds significant cultural interest. During your trek, you will visit several gompas. Also, ancient chortens mark your path through the valley.

In Dho Tarap, you will have an extra day. This is a buffer day in case you have encountered any difficulties with your trekking schedule. If you haven’t had to use this day, you will have the option to spend a rest day at Dho Tarap or at one of the campsites lower down in the valley. Your trip leader will decide on the most appropriate place to take this rest day.

After Dho Tarap, you will trek through the gorges of Tarap Chu. You go through narrow gorges with the river rushing through them. Perhaps you will see blue sheep, marmots, yaks, sheep, and goats. It might be possible that we meet locals taking their flocks of sheep and goats to lower pastures for the winter.

Eventually, we’ll arrive at Tarakot. You are now at an elevation of just 2620 m, and it is notably warmer. Tarakot is an old fortress town known by the local people as Dzong, meaning ‘fortress’.

Towards Dunai, the path follows a relatively easy trail. It is a large village and has a couple of teahouses, and those who are ready for a beer should be able to find one. Not from here is the airstrip of Juphal, where your Upper Dolpo and Shey Phoksundo Lake trek ends. Finally, in one day you will fly back to Kathmandu.