Trip Overview
Kulha Palsang Pilgrimage Trek via Dho Tarap
Embark on a profound spiritual journey to Kulha Palsang (also known as Kulha Thongdrol), one of Dolpo’s most revered hidden pilgrimage sites in the remote Bentshang region of Upper Dolpo, Nepal. Concealed as a terma (hidden treasure) by Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), this sacred “mind-territory” is a natural mandala of enlightened deities, particularly the Deshek Drupa Kagye (Eight Mandalas of the Blessed Ones). Classified as the supreme “Pilgrimage of Mind” in Dolpo’s sacred geography, it offers devotees immense merit and the potential for direct liberation through its inherent blessings.
Accessed via the culturally rich valley of Dho Tarap, one of the highest human settlements on Earth, this trek combines rugged Himalayan adventure with deep immersion in ancient Tibetan Buddhist traditions and ties to the Zhangzhung civilisation. Traverse barren high-altitude landscapes, ancient monasteries, and nomadic herder camps in this restricted area of Shey Phoksundo National Park, where time-honoured Bon and Buddhist practices endure.
Highlights
- Spiritual pilgrimage to the blessed site of Kulha Palsang, revealed through prophetic terma teachings.
- Exploration of Dho Tarap valley, home to traditional villages, chortens, mani walls, and monasteries blending Bon and Nyingma traditions.
- Dramatic high-altitude scenery: arid plateaus, deep gorges, juniper forests, and views of towering peaks like Kanjirowa and Dhaulagiri.
- Cultural encounters with the resilient Dolpo-pa people, known for their polyandry practices, yak caravans, and preserved Tibetan heritage.
- Fully supported camping trek in a remote “hidden land” beyond the Himalayas.
- Duration: 27 days (customizable, includes acclimatisation and exploration).
- Difficulty: Challenging (high passes over 5,000m, remote terrain, restricted area requiring special permits).
- Best Time: May–October (post-monsoon for clear views; align with local festivals for added cultural depth).
- Altitude: 5350m of Nagdalo Pass
- Accommodation: Fully supported tented camps (no teahouses in most sections).
- Permits Required: Lower/Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit + Shey Phoksundo National Park entry.
Spiritual Significance Kulha Palsang embodies the unbroken lineage of enlightened masters. Originally hidden by Guru Rinpoche for future generations, its guidebook was discovered by Sangye Singey and fully opened by the prophesied yogi Nyima Singey. As a gateway to spiritual awakening, it stands alongside Dolpo’s other consecrated sites, offering pilgrims profound blessings amid the enduring faith of the Dolpo people.
Detailed Itinerary
Our company representative will be waiting for you at Tribhuvan International Airport, holding a board with the Company logo and your name. After receiving you, we will drive to the Pema Boutique hotel. To help check in a room and take a rest. In the evening, you can visit Boudha and our office or other Places.
At 8 PM, breakfast time after having breakfast, take a rest and check all personal gear. Preparing for the trek and getting ready for the trek. Our company team is preparing all permits and tickets for the trek.
Afternoon, our company representative or guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive to the domestic airport. All check-in is finished. Fly out to Nepalgunj for a 1-hour flight, and drive to the hotel. Overnight at the Nepalgunj hotel.
You will wake up early morning around 4:30 AM. Having breakfast and your jeep is ready for your team and transfers to the airport, checking all bags, and waiting for the flight to Juphal for 30-35 minutes. After that, 3/4hrs you have to walk or trek to the Kageni. Our crew members have set up the camp and are ready for your team and guide.
Wake up and tea time. After breakfast, get ready for the day hike. These days, you will follow the Dunai River, also known as the Thulo Bheri River.
To continue a further camp, which is Laina Odar. This trail is mostly uphill. There are forests and natural resources.
To continue the next camp. This trail is uphill and landscaped. At Dho Tarap, you will meet the Local people in traditional dress and farmers.
Today is a full day of rest. Your guide will help to visit a Bon Gompa and other Gompas as well as a School. After lunch, you can wash a washcloth and bathe your body and relax, and take a rest.
Wake up, and have tea and refreshment after eating breakfast. Then, prepare the necessary things for a day hike and crossing the Pass. These days, you will cross the Chhoila Pass (5040m). After reaching the top of the pass, celebrate and take a group photo, and see another different pass. Then, to continue the day hike. There is downhill. That day, you will reach Tinje Village, and you will touch the Upper Dolpo part or region.
Wake up and have breakfast, then prepare essential supplies for the day hike. These trials are also uphill and downhill. And an interesting trail. You will reach a Yak Kharka. There are no houses, only tents of the local people for the restaurant and animal farm. Native people will be preparing for the Kulha festival the next day.
This pilgrimage site was opened by the noble master Dar Chöje Sakya Singey.
It is a place where practitioners purify karmic obscurations through physical hardships, circumambulation, and venerating the sacred terrain.
This site, opened by the great adept Drupchen Singey Yeshi, is revered as the mandala of Avalokiteśvara. It is said that the sound of the snow lion resounds naturally here, symbolising the unceasing compassion of the Bodhisattva.
Kulha Palsang represents the most profound category – the Pilgrimage of Mind, where realisation dawns directly through devotion, trust, and the blessings of the place itself.
To continue a trek to the next camp. You will meet local people in traditional dress. There are a lot of farms. In the evening, sightseeing or a visit to Gompas and temples.
Wake up and refresh. Having breakfast and prepare essential supplies for the day hike to continue the day hike to Komas Goan. The other team has set up a camp and is ready for you.
This morning, after breakfast, you will hike to the next camp. You will cross a little Pass, and you will reach at lunch time at your Camp. After crossing a Pass and, there is a downhill. You will see a beautiful view of Saldang Village. Having lunch, if you have good energy, you can visit the Saldang Gompa and Saldang School.
Wake up, and after breakfast, get ready for the day hike. These days, from the start, it is uphill. There is a beautiful nature trail. You will arrive at lunchtime at your camp. After lunch to visit a Namgung Gompa.
Today you will start hiking through gradual uphill, and after 2/3hrs you will slightly gain elevation, the trail leads you towards the Sela Pass(5095m), and once you are at the best camp, the steep uphill for an hour. Reach the top of Sela Pass, do take enough time to celebrate and enjoy the widest range of views from there. And continue to hike to Shey Gompa, which is downhill. You will see a Crystal Mountain.
Full Rest day at Shey Gompa. Your Guide will visit a Tsakhang Gompa and a Shy Sumdo Gompa. You can also visit the local people and the local animals. There are so many local farmers and animals.
Wake up and team breakfast time, after that, prepare yourself for all essential things for passing the cross and to start crossing a pass (5053m). After you reach the top of the Pass, you will see Crystal Mountain top and a good or clear view, landscape, and different passes covered by snow. You can take a picture and a group picture. To continue to the High camp. There is only downhill, and you will reach a High Camp.
Early morning wake-up and refreshment. Having breakfast and preparing all necessary supplies for the day’s hike. These trials are rock trials, and there are only downhill and short courses. You will arrive near a lakeside, and you can visit a lakeside.
Having breakfast and preparing all necessary supplies for the day’s hike. Hike to Phoksundo Lake. These days, you will hike a lakeside path, and there is also an uphill and a downhill.
Wake at 6 AM and have tea time. Refreshment and, take breakfast, and prepare or check for the day hike all the essential supplies for the day, then trek to the next destination. You will see a lot of forest and local people. You will walk only downhill, and you will see a big waterfall of Phoksundo Lake, named Jharana Waterfalls. The kitchen team will be ready for lunch, and you will eat lunch at Chunuwar. After that, to continue the hike. The Sherpa and the other team set up a camp at Chhepka. You will follow the Phoksundo Khola (Phoksundo River). There is a forest, and the trails are uphill and downhill
Wake at 6 AM and have tea time. Refresh and take breakfast, to continue a day hike to Dunai Bhajar. At Dunai, there are a lot of people and shops. Dunai is the headquarters of the Dolpo District.
Wake up at 5:00 AM and freshen up by 5:30. Ready for the final hearty breakfast at Dolpo. Make sure you have packed all your belongings to take airport with our supporting crew member while you have your breakfast. Right after breakfast, leave for the airport and do the security check. Your guide will get the boarding pass for the flight. Fly out from Juphal, and it will be a 30 – 35-minute flight to Nepalgunj. Once you land at Nepalgunj, do collect your baggage and walk to the entry gate for the connecting flight. Do the security check for the baggage, and the guide will get the boarding pass for the connecting flight. An hour flight to Kathmandu, our company representative will come to pick you up from the airport and drive to the hotel.
Our company representative will come to pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the airport.