Inner Dolpo Circuit Trek - 24 Days

Dolpo · 24 Days

Inner Dolpo Circuit Trek - 24 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 5,350m (17,553 ft) at Nangdala Pass · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

24 Days

Max Altitude

5,350m (17,553 ft)

at Nangdala Pass

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Tented camping + 3-star hotels in cities

Overview

The Inner Dolpo Circuit pushes you straight into the heart of the restricted region - the country north of Phoksundo Lake that almost no foreign trekkers ever reach. Over 24 days you fly into Juphal, walk up through the Shey Phoksundo National Park, cross the Nangdala Pass at 5,350m to Shey Gompa - the spiritual centre of Tibetan-Buddhist Dolpo - then loop east via Saldang, Chagaon and the Jyanta La pass back to Dho Tarap and out to Juphal.

This is a full camping expedition. There are no lodges north of Ringmo. Our crew carries a complete kitchen, dining tent, sleeping tents and a mule team. Permits are upper-Dolpo restricted area. You spend two nights at Shey Gompa - the 11th-century monastery made famous by Peter Matthiessen's "The Snow Leopard". This is one of the most committing standard treks in Nepal and one of the most rewarding.

Highlights

  • Cross the Nangdala Pass (5,350m) - the trek's high point
  • Two nights at Shey Gompa (4,343m) - 11th-century crystal-mountain monastery
  • Visit the ancient villages of Saldang, Namgung and Chagaon
  • Day hike to Yangjer Gompa (4,599m) above Saldang
  • Cross the Jyanta La pass (5,220m) on the return
  • Standard rest day at Dho Tarap (4,090m) - traditional Tibetan-speaking valley
  • Camp on the shore of the turquoise Phoksundo Lake (3,640m)
  • Walk salt-trade routes still used by yak caravans
  • Potential snow leopard country - Shey Phoksundo holds Nepal's densest population
  • Distant views of Kanjiroba, Dhaulagiri and Himalchuli

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport pickup, hotel check-in and trek briefing.

Day 2

Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m)

⏱ 55-minute flight 🍽 Breakfast, Dinner

Short flight to the western Terai. Permit collection. Overnight near the airport.

Day 3

Fly Nepalgunj to Juphal (2,475m), trek to Sullighat

⏱ Flight + 3 hours trek 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

STOL flight into Juphal. Short walk to the camp at Sullighat.

Day 4

Sullighat to Chhepka (2,720m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk into the Suli Gad gorge inside the national park.

Day 5

Chhepka to Jharana Hotel (3,110m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb beside Nepal's highest waterfall.

Day 6

Jharana Hotel to Ringmo (3,640m)

⏱ 4-5 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Steep switchbacks to the lake village.

Day 7

Rest day at Ringmo / Phoksundo Lake

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the lake shore and the Tshowa Bon monastery.

Day 8

Ringmo to Sallaghari (3,594m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk along the north shore of Phoksundo Lake and into the upper valley.

Day 9

Sallaghari to Nangdala High Camp (4,500m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Steady climb to the base of the pass.

Day 10

Nangdala HC to Shey Gompa (4,343m) via Nangdala Pass (5,350m)

⏱ 6 hours ▲ 5,350m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

The trek's high point. Steep climb to the pass, panoramic views, descent to the monastery.

Day 11

Rest day at Shey Gompa

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day walk around Crystal Mountain or rest at the monastery.

Day 12

Shey Gompa to Namgung (4,360m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk east through the Tibetan plateau country.

Day 13

Namgung to Saldang (4,100m)

⏱ 3-4 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short day to the largest village in Inner Dolpo.

Day 14

Day hike to Yangjer Gompa (4,599m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb above Saldang to the 13th-century Sakya monastery.

Day 15

Saldang to Chagaon (3,840m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drop south into the Chagaon valley.

Day 16

Chagaon to Jyanta La High Camp (4,700m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb to the base of the second high pass.

Day 17

Jyanta La HC to Dho Tarap (4,090m) via Jyanta La (5,220m)

⏱ 7 hours ▲ 5,220m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Cross the second pass and drop into the Dho Tarap valley.

Day 18

Rest day at Dho Tarap

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the monastery and explore the valley.

Day 19

Dho Tarap to Nawarpani (3,370m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long descent through the Tarap valley.

Day 20

Nawarpani to Lasicap (2,775m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue down toward the Bheri.

Day 21

Lasicap to Dunai, drive to Juphal

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final trek day to Dunai, then jeep transfer to Juphal.

Day 22

Fly Juphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu

⏱ 2 flights 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch

Two connecting flights back to Kathmandu.

Day 23

Buffer day in Kathmandu

🍽 Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Held in reserve for flight delays. Used as a rest/sightseeing day if not needed.

Day 24

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

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What's included

Included

  • Round-trip Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal flights
  • All airport pickups and drops
  • 2 nights' Kathmandu accommodation (3-star, BB plan)
  • 1 night Nepalgunj hotel
  • Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit
  • Senior English/Nepali/Tibetan-speaking guide
  • Full kitchen crew (cook + kitchen helpers + mule drivers)
  • Mule team for baggage
  • All camping equipment (tents, sleeping pads, dining tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent)
  • Three meals a day plus tea and snacks throughout
  • Boiled drinking water daily
  • Company duffel bag and first-aid kit
  • Buffer day for flight weather
  • All government taxes

Not included

  • Nepal visa fee
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance covering trekking to 5,500m with helicopter rescue (compulsory)
  • Excess baggage on domestic flights
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Hot showers, charging, sat-phone calls
  • Alcohol and bottled drinks
  • Tips for the camping crew
  • Any cost arising from flight delays or weather

Trek guide

The Heart of Dolpo

Inner Dolpo refers to the country north of Phoksundo Lake - the high-altitude Tibetan plateau region of Shey, Saldang and Tinje. This is the area Peter Matthiessen and George Schaller travelled in 1973 in search of the snow leopard. Almost nothing has changed in 50 years.

The Two High Passes

  • Nangdala (5,350m): The trek's highest point. Long climb from Nangdala High Camp, panoramic views from the top toward Crystal Mountain, descent to Shey Gompa.
  • Jyanta La (5,220m): Crossed on the return leg from Chagaon to Dho Tarap. Steady ascent with views back toward Saldang.

Shey Gompa

Founded in the 11th century, Shey Gompa sits at the foot of Crystal Mountain (Shey Riwo Pelmo Tsegyi). The monastery is the spiritual centre of Tibetan-Buddhist Dolpo and the destination of the famous Dolpo kora pilgrimage that circles Crystal Mountain every twelve years. Two nights here - one for rest, one for the kora day-walk.

Saldang and Yangjer Gompa

Saldang is the largest village in Inner Dolpo at 4,100m. Yangjer Gompa, above Saldang at 4,599m, is a Sakya-tradition monastery dating from the 13th century. The day hike up to Yangjer is one of the trek's quieter highlights.

Dho Tarap

A wide high-altitude valley at 4,090m, populated by Tibetan-speaking Magars. The Dho Tarap monastery is one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Dolpo. Standard rest day before the final descent to Juphal.

Acclimatisation

Built-in rest days at Ringmo (3,640m) and Shey Gompa (4,343m). The Nangdala Pass crossing on day 10 is the crux - by then you have 7 days of progressive altitude gain.

Permits

  • Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 for the first 10 days, USD 50 per day after)
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit
  • Minimum two trekkers required

We arrange all permits in advance.

Best Season

  • Spring (April-June): Stable, snow on the passes through May
  • Monsoon (July-August): Rain shadow makes this workable but visibility drops
  • Autumn (September-mid-November): Clearest visibility, drier passes

Winter (mid-Nov-Mar) is not possible - passes snow in, Juphal flights cancel.

Fitness

Strenuous. 24 days of walking, two 5,000m+ passes, full camping. Prior multi-day 5,000m+ trekking experience required. 4-6 months of focussed training.

Packing list

Clothing: Down jacket -20C, fleece mid-layer, soft-shell jacket, hard-shell waterproof, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal base layers, 6 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, balaclava, neck buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots, gaiters, camp shoes

Accessories: 40L daypack, 80L duffel for mule, -20C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, polarised sunglasses cat 4, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank, hand sanitiser, baby wipes

Documents: Passport, Nepal visa, insurance, 4 passport photos, copies of permits

Medical: Diamox 250mg, broad-spectrum antibiotics (doctor advice), painkillers, antihistamines, ORS, blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, personal medications

Frequently asked questions

How does this compare to Upper Dolpo to Mustang?
Inner Dolpo is one day shorter, USD 1,200 cheaper and exits the way it entered (Juphal). The Mustang exit version adds the Tiji Festival region but requires a second restricted-area permit.

How does this compare to Lower Dolpo Circuit?
Inner Dolpo is 6 days longer, USD 1,000 more expensive and gives you Shey Gompa, Saldang and two extra high passes. Lower Dolpo is a strong introduction; Inner Dolpo is the complete experience.

Are the lodges good?
There are no lodges north of Ringmo. You camp from Sallaghari onward. We carry the full kitchen and dining setup.

How fit do I need to be?
Strenuous. Two 5,000m+ passes plus 24 days of remote camping. Prior multi-day 5,000m+ trekking experience required.

How cold does it get?
-10 to -20C at night at the high camps. -20C sleeping bag is essential.

Will I see snow leopards?
Possible but rare. Shey Phoksundo holds Nepal's densest snow leopard population (estimated 50-60 individuals) but they are notoriously elusive. You are more likely to see tracks or scat than the animal itself.

Why the Juphal flight?
There is no road into Dolpo. Juphal STOL airstrip is the only access. The driving alternative from Surkhet adds 5-6 days.

What if the Juphal flight cancels?
We always recommend a buffer day at each end (24 days is the buffered total). In bad weather we can re-route via overland from Surkhet.

Are showers possible?
Limited. Dunai and Ringmo have basic facilities. North of Ringmo, nothing but bucket washes.

How is the food on a 24-day camping trip?
Excellent. Full kitchen crew rotates menus daily. Fresh vegetables packed in mule loads from Juphal, supplemented by potato, barley and yak dairy from the villages.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $3800

per person

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