Upper Dolpo: One of Earth's Most Remote and Untouched Regions

Upper Dolpo: The Last True Wilderness

Upper Dolpo may be the most remote inhabited place reachable by trekking in Nepal. Famously featured in the film "Himalaya" (Caravan), this region preserves a way of life that has vanished almost everywhere else — ancient Bon Buddhist traditions, yak caravans trading salt across Himalayan passes, and villages that have had virtually no contact with the modern world.

The Trek

• **Duration:** 20-25 days for the full circuit.
• **Permits:** Special restricted-area permit — USD 500 for 10 days, plus USD 50 per additional day.
• **Maximum altitude:** Several passes above 5,000m.
• **Difficulty:** Very challenging — remote, high, and with limited facilities.

What You Will Experience

• **Shey Gompa** — the legendary Crystal Mountain monastery, one of the holiest Bon-Buddhist sites.
• **Salt trading caravans** — if you are lucky, you may encounter yak caravans still trading Tibetan salt.
• **Ancient villages** — stone houses with flat roofs, prayer flags, and mani walls untouched by roads.
• **Stark, otherworldly landscapes** — arid valleys, snow passes, and high plateaus.

Who Is It For?

Upper Dolpo is for experienced trekkers who crave genuine adventure and cultural immersion. It requires physical fitness, patience with basic conditions, and a sense of wonder.

Upper Dolpo is not just a trek — it is a pilgrimage into one of the last great wildernesses of the Himalaya.