The Dolpo to Rara Lake trek, via Shey Gompa, is a remote Himalayan odyssey. It traverses stark landscapes, ancient monasteries, and pristine lakes. This challenging route offers unparalleled cultural immersion and breathtaking wilderness experiences in Upper Dolpo and Rara Lake.
Dolpo to Rara Lake Trek via Shey Gompa
Duration
22 Days
Trip Grade
Strenuous
Maximum Altitude
5563 m
Group Size
Min 2 Person
Activities
Trekking
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Best Time
Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Summary
Dolpo to Rara Trek is one of the superb segments of the great Himalaya trail that brings you to the barren landscapes of Dolpa via Shey Gompa into the vast, thick alpine forests around Rara Lake. The trail in Dolpo to Rara Lake takes you by two stunning lakes, the emerald green Phoksundo Lake and pristine Rara Lake—known as the fairy of paradise in Nepali proverb.
En route, we will trek through Shey Gompa, often considered the spiritual heart of Upper Dolpo. The mythical site located at the base of Crystal Mountain is visited by hundreds of pilgrims every year who make kora (circumambulation) around the mountain. We like to consider it as Dolpo’s own version of Mount Kailash.
The Dolpa to Rara Trek is a demanding trek with four high mountain passes; all of them are above 5,000 m: Nagdalo La (5350 m), the Nyingma Gyanzen La (5563 m), the Yala La (5414 m), and the Chyargo La (5150 m). On top of that, the trail lingers above 4000 meters for quite a while, causing very cold nights. It is said the impressive landscapes, the views from the passes, and the rare insight into a preserved culture make it all meaningful value of it.
Though there are some basic tea houses along the way, Wilderness Excursion arranges this trek as a fully supported camping trek.
Outline itinerary
Day 01: Get permits and catch a flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu.
Day 02: Flight Nepalgunj - Juphal (2475 m), trek to Shyanta (2520 m) 5-6 hrs,
Day 03: Trek to Chhepka (2838 m) - Chunuwar near Amchi Hospital (3110 m) 6-7 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Ringmo village near Phoksundo Lake (3641 m) 3 hrs.
Day 05: Rest day at Ringmo village and Phoksundo Lake, excursion Bon Gompa.
Day 06: Trek to Forest Camp beyond Sallaghari (3730 m) 6 hrs.
Day 07: Forest Camp (3730 m) - Kang La Low Camp (4400 m) 6-7 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Shey Gompa (4310 m) via Nagdalo-La (Kang La) pass (5350 m) 6-7 hrs.
Day 09: Rest day at Shey Gompa. Discover surrounding beauty.
Day 10: Trek to Bhijer Gaon (3850 m) 8 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Pho (4087 m) via Yambur La pass (4813 m) 9 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Pung Kharka (4650 m) via Nyingma Gyanzen La pass (5563 m) 9 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Chyandi Khola (4830 m) via Yala La (5414 m) 6 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Takla Khola (3785 m) 7 hrs.
Day 15: Trek to Thajuchaur (4050 m) via Chyargo La pass (5150 m) 7 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Shilenchaura Kharka (2945 m) 6 hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Tiyar (2418 m) 3-4 hrs.
Day 18: Trek to Mangri (1950 m) 4 hrs.
Day 19: Trek to Gamgadhi (2095 m) 4 hrs.
Day 20: Trek to Rara Lake (2990 m) 4 hrs.
Day 21: Rest day beside Rara Lake. Enjoy the surrounding beauty.
Day 22: Walk to Talcha Airport (2200 m) 2-3 hrs - flight to Nepalgunj/Surkhet - Kathmandu
Key Features of the Dolpo to Rara Lake Trek via Shey Gompa:
- Trek through barren Himalayan landscapes, and alpine forests.
- Shey Phoksundo Lake, Rara Lake—the biggest lake in Nepal.
- Preserved Dolpo culture, monasteries, Manis, Kanis, and isolated villages.
- Shey Gompa is the spiritual center of Dolpos.
- Cross four mountain high passes, which are all above 5000 meters.
- 21 nights and 22 days inclusive fully supported trekking in the highlands of Nepal and the Himalayas.
Still Confuse?
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Cost Details
Includes
- An experienced registered Dolpo to Rara Lake trekking guide.
- 1 Cook/chef to prepare the group meal during the trek.
- One night hotel on twin shared basis in Nepalgunj
- Support and helping assistant guide/Sherpa.
- Necessary porters/yak/donkey to carry our trekking gear and luggage
- Freshly cooked healthy food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, coffee) during the trek
- All camping gear and kitchen utensils during the trek
- Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal – Talcha– Kathmandu flight and airport taxes.
- Dolpa restricted area Shey Phoksundo National park entrance permits.
- Tented accommodation and food for your trekking staffs
- Guide and porters fee with all their expenses for Dolpo to Rara Lake Trek.
- Office service charge, government taxes and vat etc.
Excludes
- Transfers, accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
- Bar bills, beverages such as coke, fanta in trekking
- Nepal visa, International flight, Toiletries and laundry service,
- Personal travel insurance, rescue operation charge in case of emergency.
- Items and expenses of personal nature
- Tips for guide and porters.
- Any other costs whatsoever, that is not mentioned in the service include list.
Dates & Availability
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Apr 2025
May 2025
Jun 2025
Jul 2025
Aug 2025
Sep 2025
Oct 2025
Nov 2025
Check our published date! If it doesn’t match, we are happy to customize your tour perfectly to suit your interests and needs. Contact us for creating a unique travel experience for you
Dolpo to Rara Lake Trek via Shey Gompa FAQs
Upper Dolpo Trekking Price depends on the group size; the type of hotels we include in Kathmandu will also make difference in trip cost. This trek cost seems high as Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu flight cost around USD 750 per person plus guide and support staff flight price to add. Accommodation in Kathmandu will be twin sharing deluxe bed room basis with buffet breakfast in Hotel Radisson. Accommodation during the trekking will be in tent in double occupancy.
This trek requires restricted area Upper Dolpo Trek USD 500 per person for first 10 days and after 10 days USD 50 each extra day per person. Beside this, we also need Shey Phoksundo National Park Entrance ticket which cost NPR 3390 (around USD 30) per person.
Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary
Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary will to around 23-25 days depending on your physical fitness and the amount of time you have. The itinerary of standard pattern is just provided as guidelines, moreover it is most important to see how well you go during the trek as we consider "Your safety is first while trekking with Wilderness Excursion" so our tour plan will be flexible and you are suggested to allow 1-2 spare days just in case someone is slow in the group, flight delay or else.
Concerning the difficulty of Upper Dolpo Trek, this trek is an adventurous trek which requires moderate physical fitness, stamina to walk daily 5-7 hours and previous trekking experience in the high altitude. However, Wilderness Excursion advice you to hike slowly and follow rest days on the way to get your body to get adapted with high altitude that allows you to become acclimatized and avoid AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness) to enjoy more of this trip.
What Our Clients are Saying?
based on 2 reviews
Lower Dolpo Trek with Wilderness Excursion!
My Lower Dolpo trek with Wilderness Excursion was nothing short of magical! From the rugged landscapes of Shey Phoksundo Lake to the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture in remote villages, every moment felt like an adventure straight out of a dream....
A
Angela M.- Switzerland
October 31, 2023Dolpo to Rara – amazing adventure!
We group of 4 people trekked for 3 weeks exploring Nepal’s two lakes Shey Phoksundo and Rara Lake traverse Shey Gompa in Dolpo trekking through higher trail. They planned a route that suits our desiring trip where less people travels...
D
Daniel Rayner- United Kingdom
October 25, 2019Adventures Tailored for You
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