Upper Dolpo to Mustang Trek - 25 Days

The Inner Himalaya

Dolpo and Mustang sit north of the main Himalayan chain, in the rain shadow created by Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. The result is a high-altitude desert that looks more like Tibet than Nepal - and culturally is Tibetan in language, religion and architecture. The Chinese closing of Tibet in the 1950s and the subsequent flight of monks and nomads into these valleys means that, in some respects, the Tibetan Buddhism here is more intact than what survives in Tibet itself.

Shey Gompa and Crystal Mountain

Shey Gompa is an 800-year-old monastery sitting in a wide valley at 4,280m. Behind it rises Crystal Mountain - sacred to local Buddhists, who circumambulate it once a year in a multi-day pilgrimage. Peter Matthiessen's book "The Snow Leopard" was set largely in and around Shey.

Phoksundo Lake

At 3,600m and 145m deep, Phoksundo is Nepal's deepest lake. The colour comes from the suspended mineral content - calcium carbonate gives it a luminous turquoise hue. The lake was made famous internationally by Eric Valli's 1999 film "Caravan" (Himalaya), which used Ringmo village as its base.

The Four High Passes

• Nangdala / Kang La (5,240m): First pass, into Shey valley.
• Shey La (5,100m): Out of Shey towards Namgung.
• Mola Pass (5,030m): Out of Chharka valley.
• Jungben La (5,550m): Highest of the trek, into upper Mustang.

Each pass is a single-day crossing with a steep climb to the top and a long descent.

Acclimatisation

Built-in rest days at Phoksundo (Day 7) and Saldang (Day 13) plus the natural slow climb give a controlled acclimatisation arc. No pass is crossed below 5,000m which means the body adjusts steadily.

Permits

• Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (USD 500 first 10 days, USD 50/day after)
• Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit
• Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (for the Mustang exit)

Total permit cost is substantial - roughly USD 800 per trekker. This is included in your package price.

Best Season

• Late spring (May-June): Drier, warmer, fewer flight cancellations
• Autumn (September-October): Clearest visibility, drier passes

Monsoon (Jul-Aug) is the only season Dolpo is properly trekkable for some operators - the rain shadow means very little rain even in monsoon. Winter (Dec-Feb) is impossible - passes are snowed in.

Fitness

Among the most demanding treks in our catalogue. 25 consecutive days of walking, four 5,000m+ passes, basic camping conditions. You should be a strong, experienced trekker with prior multi-day high-altitude experience. 6 months of focussed training.

Clothing: Heavy down jacket -20C, fleece mid-layer, soft-shell jacket, hard-shell waterproof shell, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal base layers, 8 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, balaclava, neck buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Stiff-soled waterproof trekking boots, gaiters, camp shoes

Accessories: 40L daypack, 80L duffel for mule (waterproof, lockable), -20C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, polarised sunglasses cat 4 with side-shields, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank (15,000+ mAh), universal adapter, hand sanitiser, baby wipes (no showers for 20+ days)

Documents: Passport, Nepal visa, insurance, 6 passport photos (multiple permits), copies of all permits

Medical: Diamox 250mg, broad-spectrum antibiotics (consult doctor), painkillers, antihistamines, ORS, blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, personal medications. Bring your own supply - there are no pharmacies after Juphal.