Upper Dolpo With Rara Lake Trek - 22 Days

You will take a short domestic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a warm lowland city near the Indian border and the last major hub before heading into Dolpa district. The flight takes roughly 1 hour.

Nepalgunj is noticeably hotter and more humid than Kathmandu, so this is a good chance to adjust before the mountains. We usually recommend a relaxed evening here, since the early flight to Juphal the next morning requires rest.

Note: Since flights to Juphal operate only in suitable weather, we recommend packing your trekking essentials and one change of clothes in your hand luggage in case checked baggage arrives later. If flights are delayed, an extra night in Nepalgunj may be required.

An early morning flight takes you from Nepalgunj to Juphal at 2,475 m, the gateway airstrip into Dolpa district. From here, you begin trekking, descending gently along a trail above the Thuli Bheri River toward Dunai, the district headquarters.

The walk takes about 3 to 4 hours and passes through terraced fields and small settlements. This first walking day is a good pace-setter before the harder days ahead. Carry enough water, since the lowland heat can still linger this close to the airstrip.

Juphal remains the main air gateway to Upper Dolpo. Although road access now reaches Dunai, the road is long, rough, and weather dependent, so most trekkers still choose the flight to save several days of travel.

Today's trail follows the Thuli Bheri River upstream through pine forest, terraced fields, and small villages, gradually gaining elevation as the valley narrows. You will cross a couple of suspension bridges along the way, with good views down to the river below.

Walking takes around 5 to 6 hours, covering roughly 530 m of net elevation gain. The trail is not technically difficult, and camp is set beside a reliable water source at Chhepka. Keep a steady pace and stay hydrated as the afternoon warms up.

This is a longer day, climbing steadily through forest and rocky sections toward Ringmo village on the shore of Phoksundo Lake. Walking takes about 6 to 7 hours, with a noticeable altitude gain from the previous camp.

The trail passes a dramatic waterfall near the lake outlet before opening up to your first full view of the turquoise water. From our experience, this is one of the most rewarding arrivals of the entire trek, and most trekkers forget the length of the walk once the lake comes into view.

A full rest and acclimatization day at Phoksundo Lake before you head higher. You can take an optional 2 to 3 hour walk along the lakeshore, or visit the ancient Bon Monastery above Ringmo village.

This is a genuine rest day, not a walking day, so use the time to wash clothes, sort gear, and drink plenty of water. Camp stays in the same spot as the previous night, giving the crew a chance to resupply before the harder stretch to Kang La Pass begins tomorrow

Leaving Phoksundo Lake behind, the trail climbs into a quieter valley toward Sallaghari. Walking takes roughly 5 to 6 hours through changing terrain, moving from forest cover to more open, rocky ground.

Although the overnight altitude barely changes, the day itself involves real climbing and descending along the way. This is your last camp before the push over Kang La Pass, so the pace stays manageable to conserve energy. Water sources are limited here, so fill bottles before leaving Ringmo.

This is the longest and most demanding day of the trek. You will begin early, climbing steadily toward Kang La Pass at 5,360 m, the highest point of the entire route.

The ascent is gradual but long, and the descent into the Shey Gompa valley on the far side is steep in places. Total walking time runs 8 to 9 hours. 

Start early, dress in layers, and move at a steady pace rather than rushing the climb. Reaching Shey Gompa at the end of this long day, beneath Crystal Mountain, is a genuine milestone for the trip

A well-earned rest day at Shey Gompa. You can visit the monastery itself, one of the holiest sites in Upper Dolpo, and take an optional acclimatization hike of 2 to 3 hours toward Crystal Mountain.

This short walk helps your body adjust further before continuing deeper into the high plateau over the coming days. Use the rest of the day for recovery, hydration, and preparing for the string of remote villages ahead.

The trail continues north across open, high-altitude terrain toward Namgung, a small settlement with its own monastery. Walking takes around 5 to 6 hours across largely treeless, wind-exposed ground typical of the Upper Dolpo plateau.

This stretch feels noticeably drier and more remote than the earlier days of the trek. Watch for AMS symptoms as you continue at high altitude, and let your guide know of any headache, nausea, or unusual fatigue.

Today's trail drops in elevation as you head toward Bhijer, a small farming and herding village. Walking takes roughly 5 to 6 hours through a mix of high pasture and rocky trail, losing close to 600 m along the way.

Bhijer offers a look at the subsistence lifestyle of the region, with barley fields and grazing yaks forming daily life here. Few outside groups pass through each year. Camp is set at the edge of the village, near a reliable stream for washing and drinking water.

The trail climbs back up toward Pho, another remote settlement with its own small monastery and distinct local dialect. Walking takes about 5 to 6 hours through varied high desert terrain.

Pho sits close to old trading routes that once connected this region with Tibet, and you may notice trade goods and building styles that reflect this history. From our experience, local families here are often willing to share tea and conversation if approached respectfully.

A longer day of 6 to 7 hours takes you from Pho toward Pungkharkha, a seasonal grazing settlement used mainly during summer. The trail crosses open, exposed ridgelines with wide views across the Dolpo plateau, losing close to 300 m net by the end of the day.

Water sources become more limited along this stretch, so carry enough water from the last reliable source and refill whenever the opportunity allows. This is one of the quieter camps on the route, with few other trekking groups passing through.

The trail continues west, descending gradually toward Takla Khola. Walking takes around 5 to 6 hours through a mix of dry riverbed sections and rolling hillside, with a net loss of roughly 380 m.

The landscape begins to show subtle signs of the shift away from Dolpo's high desert character, with slightly more vegetation appearing along the trail.

This is a steady, moderate day compared to the demanding passes earlier in the trek. Camp is pitched beside the Takla stream, a reliable source of drinking water.

Today's walk of 5 to 6 hours takes you through increasingly forested terrain toward Shilenchaur Kharka, a seasonal pasture used by local herders, gaining around 230 m over the day.

The change in scenery is noticeable, with pine and juniper forest reappearing after days spent on open, treeless ground. This stretch marks the trek's gradual transition out of Dolpo district and toward the greener Mugu region.

Camp is set in a forest clearing, with a stream nearby for washing and cooking water!

The trail descends further through pine forest toward Mangri, a small village set among the hills. Walking takes roughly 5 to 6 hours, with a net loss of around 290 m after the extended high-altitude stretch through Upper Dolpo.

The air feels noticeably thicker here, and most trekkers notice a real increase in energy as the body adjusts to the lower elevation. Camp is set near the village, and locally grown vegetables sometimes supplement the kitchen's supplies for the first time in days.

A rewarding day of 6 to 7 hours walking brings you down through pine and juniper forest into the Rara National Park area, ending at the shore of Rara Lake, with a net descent of around 370 m.

Arriving at Nepal's largest lake after more than two weeks of high desert trekking is a striking contrast. Forested hills, cooler air, and open water replace the barren terrain of the past two weeks.

Camp is set close to the lakeshore, with clean water and good fishing access nearby, though fishing is restricted inside the park.

A full rest and exploration day at Rara Lake. You can take an optional 2 to 4 hour lakeside walk, or hike up to Murma Top for wide panoramic views across the lake and the western Himalaya.

This is a relaxed day compared to the walking pace of the previous two weeks. Camp remains at the same lakeside spot, giving the crew time to wash equipment and restock supplies for the short trekking stretch that remains before flights take over tomorrow.

A short walking day of 2 to 3 hours takes you from the lake to Talcha Airport, the small airstrip serving the Rara region, losing around 255 m along a gentle forest trail.

This gives a relaxed final morning on the trail, with time to enjoy the forest scenery one last time before flights take over for the journey home.

A small lodge near the airstrip offers basic rooms and meals while you wait for the flight confirmation the next morning.

Flights from Talcha are weather-dependent, especially during the monsoon. If flights are delayed, you may need to stay an extra night near the airport until conditions improve.

A short domestic flight takes you from Talcha Airport back to Nepalgunj.

Flight schedules in this region depend on weather, so we build a flexible connection window into the day. The rest of the afternoon is free to rest at the hotel after nearly three weeks on the trail.

You will take a domestic flight back from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.

The rest of the day is free for rest, souvenir shopping, or exploring Kathmandu at your own pace. In the evening, our team will host a farewell dinner to mark the end of your Upper Dolpo journey.

Our team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your international flight home, bringing your 22-day Upper Dolpo and Rara Lake journey to a close!