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Holidays

Highlights of Dolpo – Tarap to Phoksumdo Lake across High Passes

Available Departures: Sep, Oct

18 days from

US$4,210

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

A classic trekking holiday in the ‘wild west’ Nepal region of Dolpo

Trip Code: DNB
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Highlights of Dolpo – Tarap to Phoksumdo Lake across High Passes

Highlights
  • Follow in the footsteps of Peter Matthiessen, author of The Snow Leopard

  • Trek through the Tarap Gorge to the picturesque village of Dho Tarap

  • Cross the 5000-metre Num La and Baga La on yak-herders' trails

  • A day to explore at the stunning, cobalt-blue, Phoksumdo Lake

  • FREE Sleeping bag and down jacket hire is available for this holiday


At a Glance
  • Group Size 5 to 13
  • 13 days trekking
  • Max altitude - 5200 metres
  • Join In Kathmandu

Accommodation & Meals
  • All meals included
  • 13 nights Camping
  • 3 nights Hotel with swimming pool
  • 1 nights Guesthouse
Overview

In the west of Nepal, north of the main chain of the Himalayas and overlooked by the isolated massif of Kanjiboba, the region of Dolpo is a world apart. High and dry, its scattered settlements are home to hardy Tibetan-speaking people who have traditionally made their living through subsistence farming and as traders, exchanging salt from Tibet for rice grown far to the south in Nepal’s Terrai region. Beautifully portrayed in Eric Valli's excellent film - 'Himalaya', Dolpo is one of the least accessible and most alluring corners of Nepal.

A network of rugged trails links the region’s isolated villages across 5000-metre passes and provides the setting for some of the world’s great adventure treks, such as this one which we have set up to showcase the best of Lower Dolpo. Flying to the airstrip at Juphal, our adventure begins with a 5-day trek through the impressive Tarap Gorge to Dho Tarap. We spend a day here and have the chance to visit nearby villages and monasteries, before striking out across two high passes, the Num La (5200m) and Baga La (5165m) to reach Phoksumdo Lake. Startlingly blue, this lake really is the ‘jewel in crown’ of this part of Nepal and we have scheduled a day here to make the most of the idyllic location. The lakeside village of Ringmo and its associated monastery, dedicated to the Bon religion, are not to be missed. A 2-day trek beside the waterfalls of the lake’s outflow then takes us back to Juphal. For the connoisseur of Himalayan trekking and for anyone who wishes to visit an unspoilt region of near mythical status, this trek is an absolute must.

Is this holiday for you?

This trekking circuit through Lower Dolpo offers a variety of trekking conditions from maintained trails well-trodden by local people to less regularly used routes over shale and scree. With a combination of a number of longish trekking days, two high pass crossings, and the negotiation of the steep-sided Tarap and Phoksumdo ‘gorges’, this holiday presents a reasonably tough challenge in a …

This trekking circuit through Lower Dolpo offers a variety of trekking conditions from maintained trails well-trodden by local people to less regularly used routes over shale and scree. With a combination of a number of longish trekking days, two high pass crossings, and the negotiation of the steep-sided Tarap and Phoksumdo ‘gorges’, this holiday presents a reasonably tough challenge in a little over 2 weeks. A good level of fitness is needed for this trip and a head for heights is also required as there is a degree of exposure on some of the paths. Ideally, this should not be your first experience of trekking above 4000 metres. Since there are no lodges of a good standard in this region, this is a camping trek with a full Nepalese crew. Please note that this is camping in some style, where we provide spacious 2 person tents and thick foam mattresses to ensure you get a really good night's sleep. Also part of the camp set up is a dining tent (complete with table and chairs) where you will eat your meals and relax. The cook and his team have the use of a kitchen tent and there will also be one (or more usually two) toilet tents. Your local crew will set up the camp each evening and take it down again in the morning.

Why KE?

We have been running treks into Nepal's wild west for 30 years and Dolpo remains one of our favourite places. For a classic Nepalese trekking adventure, into an amazing part of the country that sees very few trekkers, this one is hard to beat.

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Itinerary

Your holiday starts at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

D

The morning is free to relax or for sightseeing and shopping in Thamel for any extra gear needed for the trek. In the afternoon we take a short flight down to the gateway town of Nepalgunj down in the Terrai. The climate here is sub tropical and we will be relieved to reach the cool of our guesthouse. We stay overnight in Nepalgunj.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Flights into Dolpo are always early in the morning since the anabatic winds of the Thulo Bheri Valley prevent afternoon flights, rather like Jomsom in the Kali Gandaki further east. We therefore have an early start for the spectacular 40 minute flight. At Juphal we meet our trek crew and set out downhill to the river, passing several houses and lodges, including those at Rupghat where we stop for lunch. A short trek along the river after lunch leads to the small bazaar 'town' of Dunai, the administrative headquarters of the Dolpo district. We camp or stay at a simple lodge.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

160 M

Descent

560 M

Time

5 hrs trekking

Distance

10 KM

Today's beautiful trek follows the Bheri River upstream on a trail that is mostly quite close to the river. The valley is reasonably well forested and we pass several groves of large pine trees. High on the valley sides are a number of villages which together make up the former independent region of Tichurong. We camp below the most accessible of these villages, Tarakot, a former trading post and once the regional capital. The hike up to this traditional village and gompa in the afternoon is recommended.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

540 M

Descent

290 M

Time

6 hrs trekking

Distance

15 KM

Heading east on the south side of the Bheri River, after a couple of hours we reach a prominent chorten and, shortly thereafter, a bridge which we cross to reach the deep valley of the tributary Tarap Khola. Now heading in a north-easterly direction, we pass a police checkpost below the village of Khanigaon which is where many of the people of the upper Tarap Valley spend their winters. On the other (east) side of the Tarap Khola and visible through the trees is Chhedhul Gompa. The trail finds the line of least resistance above the river and we overnight at Laini Odar (3300m) near a striking waterfall.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1200 M

Descent

250 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs trekking

Distance

14 KM

The valley of the Tarap Khola is pretty rugged and at first today the trail climbs steeply above the river to cross a spur at 3500 metres, with great views (back towards the south) of the 7000 metre peaks, Churen Himal and Putha Hiunchuli. We then continue to traverse the valley sides, passing a couple of small tributaries and some seasonal shepherds' stone shelters. Shortly beyond a possible camping place at Nawarpani, we cross the river again to reach our overnight halt at Toltol (3600m).

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

800 M

Descent

400 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs trekking

Distance

13 KM

Still heading towards the north-east the trail continues to follow the river, sometimes on the river-beach and sometimes on a path cut into the valley side. We cross the river a couple of times on bridges and may even have to wade the river. After lunch, there is a point where the trail climbs away from the river, passing a small chorten which formerly marked the border between Nepal and Tibet. The valley now opens out and we walk more easily to the village of Dho Tarap with its stone-built houses and white-painted Tibetan Buddhist monastery.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

600 M

Descent

225 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs trekking

Distance

17 KM

It's important that we spend a couple of nights at Dho to further our level of acclimatisation. There is plenty to occupy our day at this pretty Dolpo-Pa settlement. Nearby, just to the east, is the village of Sipchok, home to followers of the Bon religion. The 450 year-old monastery at Sipchok is dedicated to the Bon religion which shares many of its beliefs with Tibetan Buddhism but also has its own set of deities and religious practices. Eric Valli's excellent film, Himalaya (Caravan), was set in this valley and some of the local people featured. We spend a second night at Dho Tarap.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

200 M

Descent

200 M

Time

2 - 3 hrs trekking

Distance

5 KM

A short day today, as we approach the first high pass of our route. Trekking easily up the valley of the Tarap Khola, there are several villages and monasteries that we can check out. Including the Mekyem Monastery which has a large statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Nearby is the relatively modern structure of the Crystal Mountain School which provides education for the children of Dolpo and includes residential facilities for some students. We cross a bridge just before Tokyu and turn into a side valley, heading west and passing through the settlement of Mondo to reach a streamside camping place.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

400 M

Descent

50 M

Time

5 hrs trekking

Distance

8 KM

It's a steady ascent up to the Num La (5200m) over a distance of little less than 5 kilometres. This crossing has been used for generations by the people of Dolpo and their livestock (sheep and yaks) and a braided stock trail zig-zags across the at times loose scree-slope leading up to the pass. The views are increasingly impressive as we gain the crest, back towards Dhaulagiri and ahead (westward) to Kajiroba (6883m). If we are fortunate we might encounter a train of yaks and their local handlers. Descending into an open and glacier-carved valley we reach an area of rough pasture at Denigar, our camping place for the night.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

915 M

Descent

1115 M

Time

6 hrs trekking

Distance

9 KM

The day starts reasonably easily with little height gain for the first hour, but then the angle increases as we follow a meandering trail up to the Baga La (5165m). There is an accessible (optional) viewpoint one hundred metres above the chortens and prayer flags at the pass, where once again the views are far-reaching - Dhaulagiri to the south-east and Kanjeralwa (6419m) and Kanjiroba to the west. We descend into a pretty valley with several waterfalls and set up camp on the grazing ground of Yak Kharka (4080m).

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

830 M

Descent

1100 M

Time

6 hrs trekking

Distance

10 KM

A pleasant morning's walk takes us by way of a number of shepherds' huts and through shading stands of pine trees. The trail contours around towards the north and there's a view of another large waterfall, before we descend though more pine trees to the cultivated fields on the edge of the village of Ringmo. Our camp is in sight of beautiful Phoksumdo Lake and we have the afternoon free to do some exploring.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

185 M

Descent

645 M

Time

4 hrs trekking

Distance

9 KM

This is one of Nepal's special places and a great place to spend a day. There is another Bon monastery nearby and the village of Ringmo, with its collection of flat roofed stone houses, stuccoed chortens and long walls of prayer-carved mani stones, is a great place to spend an hour or two. There are also some fantastic viewpoints which can be checked out along the at times cliff-edge trail that skirts the western shore of the lake. We spend a second night in sight of Phoksumdo Lake.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

250 M

Descent

250 M

Time

2 - 3 hrs trekking

Distance

4 KM

We hike through the fields of Ringmo and enter the pine forest beyond. Descending into a narrow valley, we pass the seasonally deserted settlement of Palam and follow the twisting, turning, climbing and descending trail which broadly follows the Phoksumdo Khola, with its many waterfalls. Crossing valley-side spurs and a number of tributary streams, there are a couple of villages, including Samduwa and Renje and several places where the trail is right beside the river on stepping stones. After a long and absorbing day we make camp at Chepka (2670m).

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

300 M

Descent

1250 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs trekking

Distance

19 KM

We continue to descend the steep and well-vegetated valley. Once again, the trail undulates, sometimes beside and sometimes high above the tumbling white-water river. There are scattered villages along the route, such as the crude stone houses of Jyalhasa, some of which are only occupied during the winter months when the communities of Upper Dolpo bring their animals down from the high pastures. In the early post-monsoon season they can be deserted and almost overgrown by tall grasses. We reach the Bheri River and the bridge at Suligad at lunchtime and continue easily beside the river until we are faced with the sting in the tail of a 400 metre ascent over 5 kilometres to the airstrip at Juphal.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

680 M

Descent

850 M

Time

7 hrs trekking

Distance

18 KM

The early morning flight takes us out of the cool, fresh mountains of Dolpo and into the hot and humid Terrai region at Nepalgunj. This time, however, it is a short stop and we soon connect with our flight to Kathmandu, where we check into our hotel. Time now for a clean up and a look in the mirror (if you dare). This evening we have to get used to some fine dining and the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu’s busy streets.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

This is a contingency day in case of problems with the weather-dependent flight out of Jhupal. If we have flown on schedule this will be a day to relax and enjoy the delights of Kathmandu. In the morning there is an optional complimentary guided sightseeing tour of the city's main attractions. Alternatively, you may prefer to do your own thing, especially if you have visited Kathmandu before. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. This evening we will have an end of trip dinner in one of the city's finest restaurants.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Airport Airport
Point Point
Direction Direction
Pass Pass
Walk/Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • A professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader

  • Kathmandu Airport transfers

  • Internal flights and land transport involved in the itinerary

  • All accommodation as described in the trip dossier

  • All meals

  • National park fees and permit costs

  • Full trekking service including all equipment (excluding personal equipment)

  • Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu

  • FREE Sleeping bag and down jacket hire is available for this holiday on request

  • Travel insurance

  • Nepalese Visa

  • Tips for porters and other trek staff

  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

The group will meet at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Transfers are provided from/to Kathmandu Airport for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

Our camping holidays in Nepal are accompanied by an experienced and well trained trek cook and his team of assistants. Breakfasts will include porridge or cereals and sometimes eggs, with tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Lunches are generally prepared on the trail and can include cooked or tinned vegetables, rice, chips, freshly made Tibetan bread, as well as tinned tuna, meats or cheese. On occasion this can be augmented by noodle soup. Dinners always start off with soup, followed by a locally inspired main course such as rice, dal and spicy vegetables, or a more international dish like pasta with a tomato sauce or pizza and chips. Dessert can be tinned fruit with custard or rice pudding or cake with custard. The emphasis is on providing a high-carbohydrate and largely vegetarian diet, which we have found to be easily digestible at high altitude. During this trek there will be very few opportunities to purchase snacks and drinks from simple shops and tea houses. All meals while on trek and also while staying in hotels in Kathmandu and in Nepalgunj are included in the trip price.

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

During this trip the group will spend 3 nights in Kathmandu at an excellent and centrally-located hotel such as the Shanker. There is also a single night at a comfortable guesthouse in Nepalgunj. Whilst on trek there are 13 nights full-service camping. This is camping in some style, where we provide spacious 2 person tents (foam mattresses are also provided), a dining tent complete with table and chairs where you will eat your meals and relax, a kitchen tent in which the cook crew produce your meals and one (or more usually two) toilet tents. Your local crew will set up the camp each evening and take it down again in the morning. You will be served with a cup of bed tea each morning and provided with a bowl of water with which to wash. Water for hand washing is also provided at each meal. On arrival into camp each afternoon hot drinks and snacks will be provided in the dining tent. All accommodation is arranged on a twin sharing basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. It is possible to hire a single tent while on trek for an additional cost. Please note single tent hire does not include single rooms in hotels. For the 4 hotel nights single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. Additional hotel nights in Kathmandu can also be pre-booked.

Access to the high and remote areas of the Himalaya where our treks start is often only possible using internal flights. The changeable nature of mountain weather makes flying conditions complex. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of western nations and all airlines in Nepal appear on the UK Air Safety List (ASL), and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the United Kingdom. Flying in Nepal is an acknowledged risk, and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice provides further details which you can read on their website. KE is mindful of its duty of care to clients travelling with us in Nepal and we are stakeholders in an annual independent air audit of Nepal airlines undertaken by UK tour operators, most recently undertaken in February 2024. KE uses 5 airlines in Nepal which have been approved by this audit. These airlines are: Buddha Air, Summit Airlines, Shree, Tara and Yeti. We continue to cooperate with other tour operators to monitor aviation safety in Nepal and will ensure we remain a stakeholder in any further air safety audits. While we have taken appropriate action to try to minimise the risks of flying in Nepal, you should be aware that flying in mountainous terrain is not without any risk.

Please note that poor weather can cause delays on internal flights. If at the start of your holiday internal flights are cancelled for the day, you will spend an extra night near the airport (this may be at a hotel other than the group hotel). On the majority of trips there is enough flexibility in the trekking itinerary to make up 1 or possibly 2 lost days, but an alternative trek will be provided if delays to internal flights mean the original itinerary (or a shortened version of it) is no longer feasible.

For trips that end with an internal flight out of the mountains with no alternative road access, we have included 2 nights in Kathmandu as a contingency against delay. In the extremely unlikely event that a delay to your internal flight causes you to miss your homeward international flight, KE will re-book international flights for Flight Inclusive clients, but please be aware that clients booking on a Land Only basis will be responsible for re-booking their onward travel and for any associated costs. We advise you to take out suitable travel insurance and to keep your receipts, as you may subsequently be able to make a claim.

The group will be led by a professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader, assisted by an experienced team including Sherpa guides and porters.

This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. Unless you have previous experience of trekking above 4000 metres you should consult one of our trekking experts before embarking on this holiday. On this trip we carry a portable altitude chamber (PAC-bag) and/or bottled oxygen for use in emergencies.

Approximately £200 to £250 (or equivalent in US dollars, Euros etc.) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including porter and trek crew tips, beer, soft drinks etc. It is not necessary to obtain local currency prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. Please note: Scottish and Northern Ireland bank notes are not accepted in Nepal. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash, since you will exchange the majority of this on the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money from ATMs in Kathmandu using your debit or credit card. During the trek it will rarely be possible to buy snacks, chocolate, soft drinks and beer from tea-shops. Please be aware that since everything has to be carried up, these items become more expensive as you gain altitude.

Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you for good service. Normally the tips are given at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Your Nepali tour leader will advise the group on an appropriate level of tipping. Most groups will hand out the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the holiday. As a guide, we recommend that each group member contributes around £100 (in rupees) to these tips. At the end of their trek many people also like to donate various items of equipment to the porters and trek staff who work so hard to make the trip a success. Boots, gloves, hats, scarves and even socks are always warmly received by the porters, whilst technical clothing and equipment such as head-torches and trekking poles is highly prized by the Sherpa team. Your tour leader will make arrangements for a fair distribution (possibly by raffle) amongst the trek crew. Please note that you will have the opportunity to tip your tour leader separately (and additionally) during dinner on the final evening of the holiday.

Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of a long journey or travelling across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers.

Your main item of luggage should be a sturdy kit bag, duffle bag or similar. This will be carried during the trek by porters or pack animals and must weigh no more than 15kg. If you are picking up a sleeping bag and down jacket from KE in Kathmandu, you need to factor in the weight of these items (around 3kg) and allow space in your bag for them. You should also take on your holiday a daypack of approximately 30 litres capacity. For all flights to and from STOL airstrips in Nepal the maximum allowance for hold baggage AND hand baggage combined is 15kg and you should make every effort to keep to this total weight. It is usually not a problem to check in a couple of kg more than this, but you may be required to pay a small excess luggage charge. It is possible to leave items not required on trek at the hotel in Kathmandu. For your international flights, please check the baggage allowance with your airline.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa Nepal

All nationalities require a visa. The visa process is partly automated and the fee is $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, $125 for 90 days. The visa is FREE for children under 10 years. The visa allows multiple re-entry. Payment must be made in cash and USD, GBP or Euros are accepted.

Part of this on-arrival visa process involves filling in a ‘Tourist Visa Application Form’ and you can simplify the procedure at Kathmandu Airport by filling this form in online (within 15 days of travelling) at this link. This generates a receipt which you present (hard copy or saved on your phone) on arrival. This should allow you to go straight to the cashier to pay for your visa and has the potential to save you time in the visa queue.

Whilst these are not now needed for the visa process, we recommend that you travel with at least 2 spare passport photographs.



Trekking Permits – what do we need from you ?

Mount Everest Marathon (MEM). Everest Monasteries Trek (EVP). Ganesh Himal Panorama Trek (GHP). Lamjung Himal Trek (LHT). Middle Hills Arun River to Dudh Kosi (MHT). Highlights of Dolpo - Tarap to Phoksumdo (DNB). Dolpo to Mugu Trek (DTM).  Around Manaslu Trek (MAN).

For each of these holidays, we need your passport details and we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of the information pages of your passport and a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself. Please send these scans to us once your holiday is guaranteed.

In addition, for Conservation Area treks and other treks requiring Special Permits – DNB, DTM, MAN – you will be required on arrival in Kathmandu to provide your passport (with your visa) for presentation at the Nepal Tourism Board. Your passport will be returned to you by your tour leader at dinner.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid.

Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary.

On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

The unit of currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee.

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking trip getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. For this trip you need to be aerobically fit and also comfortable with walking up to 7 hours each day with ascents and/or descents of up to 1000 metres on several days. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Regular hiking in hill country is the best training but running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country.

Late September through October is the best season for visiting Dolpo, between the end of the monsoon and the colder and potentially snowy onset of winter. During this trip we are likely to encounter a wide range of daytime temperatures. At the start of the trek, at low level, it is likely to be warm during the day, possibly above 20 degrees centigrade. Higher up, it will be cooler. Above 4000 metres the maximum daytime temperature will be just 10 or 12 degrees centigrade, although it can feel warmer than that in the sun. When the sun goes down, the temperatures fall rapidly and the night-time temperatures at our highest camps will be well below freezing. This region, north of the main chain of the Himalaya, usually sees little in the way of precipitation at this season, but it should be remembered that in mountains, localised storms do occur and the possibility of rain or snow cannot be ruled out.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

  • Trekking and Climbing in Nepal. Steve Razzetti.

  • Lonely Planet Nepal.

  • Rough Guides Caravans of the Himalaya. Eric Valli.

  • The Snow Leopard. Peter Matthiessen

Upper Dolpo 1:125,000. Nepa Maps

 A good map covering the entire route. The scale is quite small compared to maps we might be used to for mountain walking in Europe or the United States, but larger scale maps are hard to come by and this one has enough detail, clearly presented, to be useful to the trekker.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your kit bag while trekking should be no more than 15 kgs.

You must bring the following items:

  • Hiking boots

  • Sandals or similar for river crossings

  • Gaiters

  • Trekking trousers

  • Waterproof overtrousers

  • Travel clothes

  • Baselayer shirts

  • Baselayer leggings

  • Casual shirt and/or T-shirts

  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper

  • Waterproof jacket

  • Sunhat

  • Warm hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Warm and waterproof gloves or mittens

  • Headtorch and spare batteries

  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

  • Water bottles 1 Litre x2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

  • Water purification tablets

  • Washbag and toiletries

  • Antibacterial handwash

  • Small towel

  • Selection of dry bags (to keep your kit bag contents dry)

  • Daypack approximately 30 litres

  • Sleeping bag (comfort rated -10°C)*

  • Warm jacket (down)*

  • Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).

  •  Small padlock (to lock your kit bag)

The following items are optional:

  • **Thermarest or similar camping mat

  • Trainers or similar for camp use

  • Shorts

  • Sleeping bag liner

  • Swimwear

  • Trekking poles (strongly recommended)

  • Camera

  • Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

*FREE sleeping bag and down jacket hire is included in your KE holiday booking on request.

Please make all requests at least 4 weeks prior to the trip departure date. Please note all hire / rental equipment is issued in Kathmandu. Please remember to allow room in your kit bag for these items.

**Foam mattresses are provided. Taking an additional Thermarest or similar mattress is optional.

The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress. Therefore to avoid embarrassment on both sides we recommend that you respect this and do not wear revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. Shorts are acceptable, but they should reach to just above the knee and be modest and for women it is preferable to wear trousers or a trekking skirt.

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
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Extensions

Extension Details

Chitwan Jungle Extension

3 Days

The jungles of southern Nepal are an interesting counterpoint to trekking in the foothills or the high Himalaya. Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge provides a relaxing and comfortable base for a wildlife safari and cultural village experience. During two days of wildlife viewing in the Chitwan National Park 'buffer zone' - the interface area between visitors and the animals that live at Chitwan – you will be accompanied by expert guides on safaris by jeep by boat and on foot. 



Extension Code: CHTL

Extension Itinerary

KE extension package services begin with a transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight to Bharatpur. You are met by a Tiger Tops representative and transfer to the lodge. After a welcome briefing, you head off for the first of your jungle activities which may be by jeep, on foot or by boat. We can enjoy an excellent meal from the Tharu kitchen before retiring.

Meals

L D

After an early wake-up call you will go out with your guide to catch the birds and animals at the watering hole. After breakfast at the lodge you will go out on safari again. As with yesterday your safaris can be by jeep, on foot or by boat. After a full day of wildlife viewing, you spend your final night at Tharu Lodge.

Meals

B L D

You have another opportunity this morning to observe the animals at the watering hole, then after breakfast at the lodge, you transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu where KE extension package services end.

Meals

B
Whats Included
  • Return flights - Kathmandu / Bharatpur / Kathmandu
  • Kathmandu Airport transfers
  • Transfers to the lodge on arrival at Bharatpur Airport
  • 2 nights full board accommodation at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
  • Jungle activities including jeep rides / boat rides / nature walks and birdwatching
  • Airport departure tax
  • National park buffer zone fee
What's Not Included
  • Any additional hotel nights required in Kathmandu before or after the extension
  • Expenses of a personal nature - drinks and souvenirs etc.
Extension Details

Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur

1 Day

The Kathmandu Valley contains the cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu itself, all of which were once independent kingdoms. An exploration of the valley’s historic and cultural sights is an excellent way to begin or end your adventure in Nepal. Highlights of this tour includes a very early drive up to Nagarkot on the Kathmandu Valley rim, the perfect place to watch a Himalayan sunrise. This is followed by a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur, renowned for its temples and traditional buildings. 

 

Extension Code: KTMV
Sharing Price from
US$175
Single Traveller Price from
US$270
Deposit Per Person from
US$125

Extension Itinerary

We have a long morning of sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley, beginning with a very early start (at around 0430). We drive for approximately 1 hour through the quiet streets to Nargakot on the valley rim to watch the sunrise light up the Himalayas. Dropping back down to the valley, you will then have a guided tour of medieval Bhaktapur before returning to your hotel towards midday.

Whats Included
  • Experienced tour guide
  • Vehicle transport and driver
  • Entrance fees
What's Not Included
  • Packed breakfast to be provided. Other meals and drinks are not included
DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Highlights of Dolpo – Tarap to Phoksumdo Lake across High Passes
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: DNB /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 21 Sep and ends on Tue 7 Oct
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$625
  • Single Supplement Price: US$300
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$255
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary starting at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers are provided from/to Kathmandu Airport for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

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