Highlights of Upper Dolpo Trek:

Magnificent views of great Himalayan peaks
breathtaking landscapes
Large numbers of ancient monasteries
Different communities
Beautiful tranquil lake as well as sparkling waterfalls

Dolpo region of Nepal was unknown to many people across the world before. However, after the successful OSCAR nominated movie Caravan which was shot in the area was released worldwide the region got much needed attention. Eric Vallie directed this documentary drama film garnered accolades and lots of awards. The visual beauty and the story plot really attracted lots of people towards this place. The film showed the daily activities of people living in Dolpo region including the Salt Trade route. Unique Adventure International created this itinerary with view to incorporate all aspects of Dolpo region in Upper Dolpo Trek package. Trekkers will be able to get accustomed with the local culture and natural splendid attractions.

The journey of the Upper Dolpo Trek starts at Juphal after the illustrious flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and finally to Juphal. Galloping through forests, villages, rivers and hills trekkers reach the Phoksundo Lake. It is the deepest lake of Nepal and offers visually attractive landscape. Mountains on backdrop and hills could be matched with the imaginative fairyland. Journey extends further towards Shey Gompa Monastery. The region has vast number of people following the Bon and Buddhists religion more inclined towards Tibetan culture. Trekkers will explore the area and gather visual delights of numerous mountains along the way. It would be great to add in your travel tale. The tranquil and less crowded area will undoubtedly remain as your best into the wild adventure moment of your life. Journey then returns back to Juphal through various places. Jen Ja La Pass and Sebu La Pass are only hurdles before walking through hilly terrain in this trail while returning.

Upper Dolpo Trek will remain as the most magnificent off the beaten trekking adventure of your life. Feel yourself what Thinle (Character in Movie Caravan) experienced. Live like locals for about a month time in the most remote region of Nepal. Book this amazing adventure trekking package with Unique Adventure International.

Recommended Gear Lists:

Good wind/rain jacket
Warm fleece jacket or jersey
Good boots, either light-weight trekking boots or light full leather boots
Good -20 Sleeping bag (which can be rented or buy in Kathmandu)
A comfortable day pack, preferably with a waistband.
Fleece jacket or pullover
Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Down vest and/or jacket (optional)
Lightweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
Sun hat or scarf
Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
Sunglasses with UV protection
T-shirts
Underwear
Hiking shorts
Lightweight cotton long pants
Light and expedition weight thermal bottom
Fleece or wool pants
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Thin, lightweight inner socks
Thick, warm wool hiking socks
Hiking boots with spare laces
Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)

Other necessary equipment:

Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
Small pad or combination lock-to-lock trek bag
Basic First Aid Kit (We also provide comprehensive first aid medical kit and Oxymeter)
Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry inside trek bag
Day pack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
Water bottles (2 bottles recommended)
Toiletries
Small wash towel

Day 01 : Arrival at Kathmandu, tranfser to hotel
Day 02 : Sightseeing in Katgmandu, overnight at hotel
Day 03 : Fly to Nepalganj, overnight at hotel
Day 04 : Fly to Juphal and start trek to Dunai, overnight at tented camp
Day 05 : Trek to Hanke Check Post, overnight at tented camp
Day 06 : Trek to Sumdo, overnight at tented camp
Day 07 : Trek to Ringmo (Shey - Phoksundo Lake), overnight at tented camp
Day 08 : Rest and explore around Shey - Phoksundo Lake and villages inhabited by Bon and Buddhist settlers,overnight at tented camp
Day 09 : Trek to Silver Forest, overnight at tented camp
Day 10 : Trek to Ngondala (Seula Bhanjyang Base Camp), overnight at tented camp
Day 11 : Trek to Shey Gompa, overnight at tented camp
Day 12 : Rest at Shey Gompa,overnight at tented camp
Day 13 : Trek to Saldang, overnight at tented camp
Day 14 : Rest at Sandang, overnight at tented camp
Day 15 : Trek to Sibu, overnight at tented camp
Day 16 : Trek to Jenjala Base Camp, overnight at tented camp
Day 17 : Trek to Se La Base Camp, overnight at tented camp
Day 18 : Trek to Dho Tarap, overnight at tented camp
Day 19 : Rest at Dho Tarap, overnight at tented camp
Day 20 : Trek to Big Cave, overnight at tented camp
Day 21 : Trek to Lahini, overnight at tented camp
Day 22 : Trek to Tarakot, overnight at tented camp
Day 23 : Trek to Heute Ghar, overnight at tented camp
Day 24 : Trek to Dunai, overnight at tented camp
Day 25 : Trek to Juphal, overnight at tented camp
Day 26 : Fly to Nepalganj & continuous to Kathmandu, overnight at hotel
Day 27 : Explore to kathmandu. overnight at hotel
Day 28 : Departure to yours own destination

What is included?

Airport transfers.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, Nepalgunj and Pokhara with breakfast as per the programme.
Three meals in a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) with hot beverage and snacks whilst on trekking.
Guded sighseeing tour in Kathmandu inclusive with all entrance permits fees.
Tented camp accommodation whilst on trekking.
Shey Phoksundo National Park, Upper Dolpo & Lower Dolpo Special Permit and fees.
An experienced fluent English speaking guide trained and licneced by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation.
Highly experienced trekking porter (s) or mules.
Staff food, accommodation, clothing, salary & insurance.
Flight Ticket from Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Juphal - Nepalganj - Kathmandu.
All necessary ground transportation.
All taxes, VAT, service charge.
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at typical Nepali restaurant with cultural dance .

What is not included?

Meals at Kathmandu and Nepalganj.
Personal nature expenses.
Bar and beverage bills.
Your Travel Insurance, Rescue & Evacuation (medical insurance & helicopter rescue).
Gratitude (tip) for staff.
Visa Fee.
Trekking Equipment list.
Travel and personal expenses.

Why us? Is a conscientious question that requires an honest answer of integrity and devotion of the highest standards.

We are what we were from the very beginning: Read on to know us the way we are…

At Unique Adventure International, We do not pretend to be what we are not, ours is a simple ethic, hospitality straight from the heart. When doing trips with us, you will soon find out excellence with us is not just a norm, it’s more a habit.

We have walked the length and breadth of the Himalaya across Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan for over two decades…and still counting, we have enjoyed all of it so much; right to the hilt. We love our mountains and enjoy it so much when we tread its trails with our trekking guests, who also love these mountains as much as us or maybe even more. We have much knowledge of the land and meticulously plan things so our guests get the utmost from their sojourns with us; we know how chaotic it can be for our guests when they organise holidays so far from home…keeping this in mind, we sort out for the long haul and ensure our guests do not only have fun on the way but also get value for money with purposeful journeys. We know and understand that this may probably be a once in a lifetime holiday where you will explore a world not too familiar and its binding for us to make doubly sure you are completely safe throughout the whole course of your expedition when you are in Nepal. With each trip we do with you, we are constantly searching for ways to improve our services so that your expectations of us are met beyond what you could have ever expected on all fronts. We want that you go home with a happy heart and unforgettable memories of an odyssey well done. With Unique Adventure, this is central to all our thoughts when we meet you.

A small business with big ideals…

We are a small outfit with big ideas and we know how complex human nature can be; its only but human to understand your weaknesses and respect your strengths, both of which will be put to the test on the punishing trails of Nepal, but it’s always our mission to understand you and make your journey as calm as possible.

This is the whole reason why we get repeat clients who never seem to get drained with the Himalayas and enjoy the way we guide them throughout the trip…

We know how worrisome it can be when you choose to live life on the edge… so we go the mile to make sure your holidays become more purposeful, more significant…

We do not push you, no matter what the circumstances…

We know you want it slow and easy the moment your plane hits the tarmac in Kathmandu. We understand your instinctive curiosities and ensure you are left alone with enough space to do what we have planned for you – ‘your way’’. You call the shots – it’s your trip – and we provide you enough freedom to make your own decisions in harmony with your group. We help you to become friends and bridge gaps; it’s a matter of pride for us to mention here that we created some of the best friendships where some morphed into lifetime partnerships and this is how things shape out with us when you assemble in our country. And when we are out with you in the country at high elevations, we ensure that our crew leads you in ways comfortable to your body and physical needs.

Our ‘True-to-Life’ practical itineraries…

Our itineraries are meticulously planned and based on the way you see it when your trip commences. Our themes are hands-on and we take you to some difficult but extraordinary places where some would likely pass by. We know you thirst for the unknown and interesting; your search for things that will ignite your emotions and imaginations, seeking for the ‘whys’, how’s and when’s’ into the mountain culture, lifestyles and traditions that you witness in territory you have never been familiar with. We put in a lot of effort to create astonishing one-off experiences which would make great notes for memorable stories to pass down to the coming generations. Each trip we design opens up new avenues to a whole new world that you are not familiar with…and when you discover the answers, it could be a life changing experience you would have never expected.

Trips to match your time frames…

We are flexible in the way we operate our trips based on your exclusive needs. We understand the kind of pressure ridden world you hail from and know you have worked hard for your dream holidays. Our programs are typically designed to give you the most and the best based on your time limitations without any blemishes on the joys that come with your venture.

You could be planning a budget trek or a luxury tour, maybe even a trekking peak; whatever the choice, we give you an extension combo so you have a scintillating mix of history, the outdoors and even jell in a jungle safari into the potpourri so you have varied experiences within the timeframe you’ve chosen. Our website is programmed to give you a host of options to make you smile…

Accommodation: They say Home is where the Hearth is…and yes, the Pillow!!

We are extra wary when arranging your accommodation before you enter our country. We know we’ve got to give you something that’s closest to home. After consulting with you and being twice as sure about what you’re expecting when it comes down to that most important part of life: resting your body and mind at night, we make sure we give you the best accommodating facilities available at a hotel that’s not only comfortable but also a place that is spanking clean with fresh linen and staff who understand your needs and go the length in making sure you feel at home, no matter what the length of your stay with us.

This also includes the sanitized conditions of the food you are served. Even when on the trails, we go the mile to make sure you find a cosy teahouse with no dampness and enough ventilation to keep you healthy and warm with food that’s organic and clean. We know how important the hearth is wherever you stay. With us, be sure that all your personal needs are taken care of well. Ours is the kind of hospitality that comes straight from the heart…

Safety and Security: This is mandatory and imperative…

Our safety and security arrangements for all our inbound guests cross all boundaries; from the moment your jet hits the tarmac at the airport in Kathmandu. This is a process that begins prior to your arrival in Kathmandu, when we design your itinerary based on the program you have chosen. It begins with choosing the right team for you, especially if it’s a trek. We make sure your crew is primed for any contingency when at altitude. We believe in following firm standards with focus on risk assessment knowing mountain climbing is always a risky business despite the excitement it offers. All the planning is done prior to your arrival so you have a carefree, footloose and fancy free journey, without any hassles.

We always advise our guests to go through medical routines in their home countries before embarking on trips above 3000m. We also encourage our guests to get insured before coming to Nepal.

Your entire stay in Nepal is monitored from day one, especially when you are on the mountains. We take nothing for granted, nature can be a monster when least expected. When booking your trip through ‘Unique Adventure, you are not just a client – you are more than all that - you are a parent, a brother/sister, a close colleague – in a word – ‘family’; and all our safety precautions and personalized services are purely based on this relationship.

We Respect and Care for the local folks and Love the Environment we operate in…

We are conscious in the importance of preserving the natural beauty and culture of Nepal, so that future visitors can also enjoy the wonders of this beautiful but fragile environment. We are sensitive and devoted to responsible travel with minimum impact on the environment and local communities. The planet is large enough for everyone to explore and it’s the curiosity of human nature to explore and discover the unknown. We are always careful about the ecosystems that surround us when we are on the mountains, but we don’t let this spoil the spirit for adventure. We seek to enjoy in ways beneficial to others and wish to respect this beauty that God created for us to appreciate; and we want to keep it that way. Equally important, we instruct our crew and travellers to be aware of the values of responsible travel, by: respecting people, cultures and local environments, in creating goodwill; with cross-cultural sharing and experiences; and helping make sustainable development practical, where we put in efforts to give back more than we take.

Our Trekking crews are Principal to the Company…we’re Family…

One paramount issue for trekking companies in Nepal are employees directly connected to guests when trekking in the Himalayas and this is key to any trip conducted anywhere on the Himalayas. Our staffs in general receive fixed monthly salaries and our trekking crews get special rates as defined by the Ministry of Labour in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism - Government of Nepal.

This also includes the provision of Social Security for mountain workers as per government directives. In addition to this, we also provide climbing training to new comers listed on our payroll. All our seasoned guides are well trained in the use and application of First Aid in the event of any unexpected injuries that may occur in the course of the journey when at altitude.

Field Employees are constantly upgraded for personal development, delivered via courses in English, about nature, history, and ongoing training as mountain guides with techniques based on safety precautions...along with this, our mountain crews are insured and covered against any eventualities. The insurance package covers the cost of health care if injured or sick and provides a lifetime gratuity if any employee is physically disabled. We treat our employees as valuable assets. We know their security and happiness is vital to ensure yours throughout your stay in Nepal…

Innovation: We are constantly juggling new Products…

Ours is a constant search for new trails in the great wilderness. We’re always innovating new areas for travel within and around the city limits and out on the mountains. Nepal has so much to offer in her ancient heritage cities and within the vast expanse of her Himalayas. We ceaselessly research new products in order to give our old clients new thrills; this has always been part of our company’s policies for giving more value for money. We know that many of our guests rarely get time to travel and when they do, they’d sure like to make the best of it; besides Nepal, we even cut across borders giving our guests unbelievable historical and cultural highlights of Tibet, Bhutan and India. We even design divine spiritual tours for the holy who’d sure like to hike down footsteps of ancient ancestors along the Mount Kailash Mountains so that they could come face-to-face with the gods. You even get opportunities to stroll down the cobbled stone Squares of Patan and Bhaktapur and slip into the Forbidden Temple of Pashupatinath. Beyond the spiritual of Kailash in Tibet, our programs take you to the highest region on earth, at an elevation of 4,900 meters (16,000 ft). Very much noted as the ‘roof of the world’, Tibet is symbolic of a mesmerizing culture seeped in spirituality and nature. From superb temples and tranquil monasteries to the Yangtze River and adorable Pandas, our products are molded in a way that ensures you experience a whole new world of amazing discoveries that tells you about God’s gift of a wonderful planet we all live in.

‘Please visit our highly informative website for some of the most extensive information on some of the most stimulating holidays ever conceived’. Get friendly with us on: www.uniquetreks.com

We give you Mountain Yoga

The Mountain Yoga we offer on the trail is an earthy, friendly and unassuming space, dedicated to healing and transformation as your mind battles the vagaries of nature while on your journey in the wild. When you decide to holiday on the mountains; it’s like a calling into the high and wild to experience Mother Nature at a higher level and to explore her true beauty. But there’s another calling that wants you to find release from your inner demons. It might be seen as the feeling that there has to be more to life than our day-to-day routines in the machine of modern day society. As you go higher above the tree-lines, our certified yoga guides give you the kind of alignment helpful to your body’s needs when adjusting to the thin air at altitude. They are compassionate, knowledgeable and guide you with postures and breathing exercises that promote physical fitness at higher elevations, keeping the mind calmer, making your self-awareness more acute, and help you get more balanced, while preventing you from having any problems with altitude mountain sickness. Yoga is an ancient practice known for thousands of years to clean out even the deepest mental grooves and rigid mindsets which may hamper your trip and spoil the fun on your trek.

We are the only adventure company in Nepal offering our guests mountain yoga which enhances hassle free trips and keeps our guests safe from common altitude problems.

Our Success Ratio…

We’ve been through it all – the ups and downs have been full and plenty. The series of earthquakes of 2015 affected us bitterly; however, we kept the faith. We knew this was nature at its best and worst. We do not take anything for granted when it’s a tryst with Mother Nature, especially in the wilderness above the tree-lines. We knew we would still need these mountains more than they need us...These mountains teach us so much about life. It was Almighty God that created these mountains with all its stark beauty, but then a natural calamity can be lurking somewhere around the bend, and we must always be aware of the environment - and this comes with respect, consciousness and faith.

Despite the hurdles and hiccups, our Success Ratio has been over 98%, why? Because experience has taught us the hard way to Love God, respect the mountains, to learn from our mistakes, and to always, at all times, be Honest with our Guests…and let God do the rest.