Trip Highlights
Experince the Bon Cultural
Shey Phoksundo Lake (the deepest lake of Nepal)
Jharna (Waterfall)
Nagdalo Pass (5350m) to expereince the boder line view with Nepal with Tibet China in distance
Tsakang Gompa & Crystal Mountain
Snow Leopard
Himalayan Wolf
Lifestyle of Upper Dolpo people
Connection with the local
Remotness
Trip Overview
Tracking the Himalayan Queen: A Snow Leopard Expedition in Dolpo
The population of snow leopards is gradually increasing in Nepal’s remote Dolpo region, offering a rare opportunity to observe this elusive species in its natural habitat. While sightings are never guaranteed—relying as much on luck as on timing—the chances are higher than ever in this pristine corner of the Himalayas.
Imagine being told you will join a settlement nestled in one of the most untouched, serene environments on Earth, surrounded by awe-inspiring wildlife and nature in its purest form. It may seem like a dream beyond reach, but this journey turns imagination into reality.
Dolpo is a truly divine region, where the landscape remains largely unaltered by modern development. Visitors often find themselves deeply captivated, with a growing desire to learn more about its hidden wonders and unspoiled beauty.
Situated in mid-western Nepal, Dolpo is the country’s largest district by area and also one of its most remote. The isolation has preserved its rich biodiversity, where a wide range of flora and fauna flourish in an unexploited natural setting.
Historically, access to Upper Dolpo was restricted to foreigners. However, this has changed, and the region is now open to tourists who obtain a special permit. Many researchers, adventurers, and nature lovers have visited Dolpo for exploration and study, yet large portions of this land remain untouched and filled with natural marvels waiting to be discovered.
Among the most magnificent creatures found here is the Snow Leopard, an endangered and majestic big cat that sits atop the food chain. Despite its fearsome reputation, the snow leopard is shy and peace-loving by nature. Its primary prey includes blue sheep, jharal, marmots, and musk deer.
Unfortunately, as populations of these wild prey animals decline, snow leopards are increasingly forced to hunt domestic livestock. This has led to conflict with local communities, who may retaliate to protect their animals. Human encroachment, shrinking prey populations, and habitat loss are the main threats facing this beautiful creature. If left unaddressed, these issues could destabilise the region’s fragile ecosystem.
Our expedition is designed not only to offer guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe snow leopards in the wild, but also to promote awareness and conservation efforts. This fully serviced tour provides expert guidance, local insight, and educational value, while contributing to ongoing wildlife protection programs in the region.
The itinerary is customizable based on your interests, preferences, and available time. We invite you to be a part of this unique journey to witness the “Himalayan Queen” in her natural kingdom and to support the vital cause of wildlife conservation.
Detailed Itinerary
Our airport representative will receive you with warm welcome and lead you to the hotel. A briefing by Snow Leopard specialist (Mr. Kamal Thapa) will be organized, if possibly with slide show. You can also interact with him. You will be also briefed about your schedules of the following days.
We take a flight on any domestic carrier that takes 55 minutes to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is a town in the western Terai, very close to the Indian border. It is a major trade hub for western regions of Nepal. Overnight stay will be at three star hotels.
The flight takes 35 minutes to Juphal airport of Dolpa. Our trekking starts from Juphal descending through local villages of Juphal. Following the path along the riverside we reach the district headquarters of Dolpa, a small village called Dunai (2150m).
Here are the government offices, police check post and some other service centers. All the official procedures are carried out here. We stay overnight in Dunai either at Pala Guest House or Blue sheep Trekkers Inn.
Here you can also have an evening walk to the Bon Stupa, Buddhist Central Gompa and the first public school “Dunai Boarding School” just across the river Bheri.
We enter the Shey Phoksundo National Park and its headquarters at Suligard while trekking towards Chhepka, which has a few houses and lodges in the surroundings of wood.
On the way one can have fun and enjoy bird watch. The trail goes up and down along the forested riverbed and several streams on the way which soothes your heart. The trail continues along the valley to the camping site. We will camp for a night or stay in lodge at Chhepka.
We start the trek to Polam through forests of big cedars towards Palam a winter settlement used by the people of Ringmo village. On the way we can also visit the Bon School “Tapariza” on the way.
We start up the dusty trail to a ridge at 3780 meter viewing the highest waterfall in Nepal (200 m). Our route then continues into Ringmo village, a picturesque settlement of flat-roofed stone houses with lots of Mani walls. We camp at the national park camping grounds to the west of the lake.
We take a day to explore the area around the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. The lakeis famous for its magnificent turquoise color and spectacular scenery. Many beautiful glaciers can be viewed above the lake.
There are many monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we will visit some of the very old and important monasteries. We will explore the natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.
Moreover, if we are lucky enough and make a way around the lake we may catch a glimpse of the very precious and endangered species the Snow leopard.
From Phoksundo we will start our journey by the side of lake climbing the stiff trail which you might have remarked in the movie “Caravan”, where a yak was fallen into the lake.
We trek along the precipitous and narrow trail to the western side of the lake. We can have clear views of the peaks Shey Shikkhar and Kang Chunne, both just over 6000 meters. The trail then descends to lead us to Sallaghari our camp for the night. The place is in the woods, surrounded with snow capped rocks.
From Sallaghari, we trek up to Nangdalo base camp. We will go through the pine forest along with several brooks flowing through where the tunes of different chirps of birds make our walk pleasant.
The potential area in the Base camp where the snow leopard can be spotted is Perikopa where we will spend most of the day looking for it. We can observe foot prints and droppings of Snow Leopard along with its preys. We will have ample chance to see the Snow Leopard in this area.
Our trek begins towards Shey from the base camp crossing the Nangdalo Pass (5350M). Shey Gompa is one of the famous and oldest gompas of Dolpa, which is located nearby the holy mountain, called ‘Crystal Mountain’. The famous Shey Festival occurs here once in every 12 years, “The Dragon Year”. A red chorten marks the entrance to Shey, where we camp for the night.
The area around the Tsakang gompa is one of the most potential areas to spot the Snow Leopard as recommended by the SL specialist Mr. Kamal Thapa. So we stay here for 2 days and wander around this area as there is a greater chance to encounter this beautiful creature in natural way.
Many people have noticed the foot marks/scratches left by the big cat near their houses. It is believed that it likes to consume salt and various marks can be found in the salty rocks found around the villages.
The abundance of Blue sheep around the area also increases the possibility of occurrence of the Snow Leopard in this area.
We leave Tata to lunch at Shyalming. Shyamling is actually known as the oldest Bonpo gompa of the nation. Tantrike lamas like Sherap Tenjin of this gompa is famous for his tantric knowledge. We will have an interaction with the lama.
After the lunch we will interact with the local people. One can gather interesting folklores about the snow leopard from the aged people with their mixed experience of joy and sorrows.
The people in this village know a lot about snow leopard because these people encounter them every now and then. They have good knowledge about the habits of snow leopard and they also have long experience on how to protect both their domestic animals and the endangered big cat.
WWF Nepal has assisted the locals to encourage them in the conservation programs by providing technical knowledge and financial support. They have formed the Snow Leopard conservation groups to guide the locals.
Today walk to Nengla High Camp from vijer. This area is potential for Snow Leopard. The people have encountered with the big cat very often in this region.
From Neng La High Camp we trek to Saldang crossing the Nengla pass 5368m. WWF Nepal has also supported the locals to form the Snow Leopard conservation groups in Saldang.
The group is active in the conservation so the numbers of snow leopard is increasing gradually in this area. Thinly Lundup the leading actor of Caravan movie who has been awarded with Abraham Conservation Award also resides in this village.
In this trail we will have a straight walk to Chhore gaon where we camp. Though there are several villages on the way, the place where we will camp has cluster of three or four houses only.
Today we trek from Rakyo (Choregaon) to Jyanta La pass camp.
On our way from Jyantala pass camp to Dho Tarap we will be crossing the pass Jyanta 5221m which is also known as Chyngla pass. Most of the time, we receive mild precipitation on the pass. The trail is calm without any human disturbance. On this trial we will be able to see the prey of Snow Leopard and sometimes Snow Leopard too.
Wake up tea at 6:00Am and freshen up by 6:30 and be ready for the hearty breakfast. Right after breakfast, time to prepare yourself for the day hike. Make sure you have all the essential supplies for the day. Kindly suggest you to prepare your day bag with sun cream, enough purified drinking water, trekking poll, sun glass, and if you prefer than your chocolates bars. Start the hike at 7:00. Today you will trek longer distance. As the trail leads you through flat trail beside the Tarap Khola to Mirbubane Khola. You will trek down to the bridge over Klang Khola at Langa Camp. Make sure you hydrate yourself along the way. You will pass several settlement of people along the way such as Sisaul, Gyamgha, and Toltol. All the people you will see in these places are settle in Tent’s and they are there to provide the hospitality service for the mules drivers during the transporting goods from Dunai to Upper Dolpo. Sisaul will be the place for the hot hearty lunch. Eat lunch and energies yourself for the afternoon. After lunch, resume your trek towards the Nawarpani. The trail gives you wonderful experience as you will enjoy the picturesque view of the river and the narrow valley along the Nawarpani. Reach Nawarpani. Nawarpani is also a small settlement of people to provide the hospitality service to the mules drives and local people. settle your belongings in the ten. Come for the tea. Overnight at Nawarpani. Sleep well and rest for the following day.
The trek descends to Nawarpani through rocky hills surrounded by fir and pines. We will be descending towards the hilly region from the mountain desert. So, it will be a joyful walk along the riverside with beautiful sightseeing and bird watch.
We will start the trek ascending a little having the view of Putha himal and Dhaulagiri range then descends through rocky trails to Tarakot.
You will continue the trek to Dunai after the lunch and then 1 hour jeep drive to Juphal and overnight there.
Celebrate the last dinner with the supporting crew members and prepare mindfully for the ealry morning flight
From Tarakot the trail gently descends through small clusters of houses on the way. You can view several places for winter settlements. Then we will re enter the district headquarter of Dolpa, Dunai Bazar. Leaving Dunai we will head the only air strip, Juphal to spend the last night in Dolpa. You can enjoy and share experiences with all your companions. The porters will depart for their homes after days of trekking.
You will reach Nepalgunj by an early flight. From Nepalgunj you will fly back to Kathmandu. Finally a traditional Nepali farewell dinner will be organized in Kathmandu.
