Upper Dolpo: A Mountain Bike Odyssey

Day by Day

Itinerary

Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer by domestic flight to Pokhara

Touch down in Kathmandu and step into the chaos of Nepal’s capital. One of our crew will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the domestic airport for your flight to Pokhara. Pokhara is a super Chill capital of the Annapurna Region. Spend the afternoon meeting our team and recovering from your flight. Rest is the key to the success of the journey ahead.

Day 02Pokhara Local Ride and Expedition Prep

A warm-up ride winds through Kaskikot and Begnas Lake, offering a last taste of lush mid-hills before heading north into the trans-Himalayan desert. The day ends with a detailed briefing and packing for the journey ahead from the green valleys of Mustang to the stark landscapes of Dolpo.

Day 03Pokhara to Thini (2840m) (Lower Mustang) Driving 5 hours and Some Afternoon Enduro trail Smashing

The road climbs out of Pokhara by jeep, following the Kali Gandaki corridor through dramatic gorges and cliff faces. The 8–9 hour drive reaches Thini, a quiet village perched above Jomsom at 2,900 meters, where the thin air and dry winds announce the beginning of the expedition proper. Riders settle into a teahouse, rechecking gear and preparing for the first high-altitude rides.

Day 04Thini (2840m) to Muktinath and Jharkot (3800m–3200m, 25 km). Acclimatization Riding

The ride begins beneath the towering Nilgiri peaks, climbing towards the sacred site of Muktinath at 3,800 meters. The ancient temple complex sits between two worlds, Hindu and Buddhist and marks one of the highest pilgrimage points in Nepal. We then shuttle some runs of the famous Lubra Valley, enjoying the flow of the mountains. We base ourselves for the night in Jharkot, a medieval village of stone alleys and monasteries, where we will be staying for the evening.

Day 05Thini to Sangda Phedi (4190m) via Sangda (3800m), Mix of Driving and Pushing Bikes

The route veers off the main Mustang trail, leaving the comfort of teahouses behind. A rugged jeep track climbs through barren ridges and across wind-sculpted passes towards Sangda La at nearly 5,000 meters. The day is long and demanding, with a rugged drive to start with and then a tough ride with plenty of push and carry towards the pass. We alternating stretches of driving and short rides, ending in a remote camp or homestay at Sangda — the first true taste of isolation.

Day 06Camp 1 to Norbulung Camp (4800m) Distance - 12 to 15km,

From our camp we have to climb upwards to the high pass of Tirva La at 5100m, it's a tough start to the day. It's not a difficult trail but due to altitude we find ourselves carry the bike a bit. It's about 70% rideable and 30% of carry on this section. From here carry on down hill and undulating on easy double tracks to Norbulung which will be our second campsite, below the Niwa Pass. Norbulung Camp is one of the traditional high-pasture camps used on the Upper Dolpo trail between Saldang and Sangda, a quiet, dramatic section of the Great Himalayan corridor. It lies at about 4,750–4,800 m in a broad, open alpine valley surrounded by barren ochre ridges and distant snow.

Day 07Cross Niwar La Pass (5120m) to Chharka Bhot (4300m) Distance - 16km

The trail from Niwar Phedi climbs gently at first through dry gullies and scree slopes before crossing a minor pass, usually wind-swept and marked by mani stones. The route contours high above the Thasan Khola, then descends steadily into a broad valley that opens out into one of Dolpo’s most striking panoramas, vast ochre cliffs, braided riverbeds, and distant snow peaks glowing white against the brown ridges. By mid-day, the path merges with old trade routes once used by yak caravans linking Mustang and Dolpo. Small groups of herders and yaks are a common sight in season. The final section follows the Chharka Khola, where you begin to glimpse the stone dwellings tucked into a bluff above the river. Chharka is among the highest permanent villages in Dolpo, with traditional stone and timber houses, Bönpo and Buddhist monasteries, and a timeless atmosphere. It’s a natural resting point after days of wild terrain . The descent into the Chharka Bhot valley is fast and not so technical, around 90% rideable., cutting through wild canyons to reach one of Dolpo’s most storied villages. Riders stay in a local homestay or camp by the river.

Day 08Chharka Bhot to Rokpa (4280m) via Mola Pass (5030m) 15km

The trail climbs gradually through rolling desert hills before the final push to Mola Pass at over 5,000 meters. The reward is a sweeping descent towards the wide valley of Tinje, where barley fields and whitewashed homes offer a rare touch of comfort in the high wilderness. The day is remote and unforgettable. A large percentage of the day is ridable, with some shorter sections of pushing/carrying. The descent into Rokpa is gentle but exposed to wind; the village itself is small and scattered, with only a few stone houses and herders’ shelters beside the river. A clear stream provides water, and there are good open flats for camping. Nights are cold and quiet, you’ll likely hear only the distant bells of yaks and the wind sweeping down from the passes. Rokpa serves as a transitional point, beyond here, the trail begins to contour eastward toward the Tarap Valley and the greener, more inhabited heart of Lower Dolpo.

Day 09Rokpa to Tinje (4150m) Distance - 18km

Leaving Rokpa the trail heads east following the Tarap Khola, which gradually widens into a beautiful high valley. This is classic Upper Dolpo terrain, broad river flats, ochre cliffs, small herding settlements, and big sky. The riding is relatively gentle compared to previous stages, with rolling ups and downs rather than steep passes. About halfway, the path passes through Yak herder camps and summer pasturelands, with great views of the surrounding ridges and occasional snow peaks to the south. In late summer, caravans of yaks carrying grain and salt are a common sight. As the valley broadens, Tinje Gaun comes into view, a traditional Dolpo-pa village with flat-roofed stone houses, barley terraces, and a distinctive white-washed Gompa overlooking the settlement. Tinje sits on a historic trade route and has a timeless, peaceful atmosphere. The camping site is usually just outside the village on grassy flats near the river. There’s good access to water and shelter from the wind. In clear weather, sunsets here can be spectacular, with soft light falling on the valley walls. Today is mostly ridable.

Day 10Rest and Exploration in Tinje (4150m)

Tinje offers a day to breathe, explore local monasteries, and absorb the rhythms of Dolpo life. The air is crisp, the valley still. Riders can explore nearby trails or rest before the next crossing. Tinje sits in a wide high-altitude valley at around 4,150 meters, surrounded by the stark desert-like mountains typical of Dolpo. The villagers there, along with people from nearby settlements like Saldang and Namgung, were cast as actors in the film, portraying the life of salt traders crossing high passes with yak caravans.

Day 11Tinje (3870m) to Shimen (4200m) and Khoma Gau (4050m) Distance - 20 to 22km

The ride meanders through hidden valleys where herders’ paths thread between ochre cliffs and scattered villages. Shimen appears like a mirage in the dust, its people still following traditions passed down unchanged for centuries. The final stretch into Khomas offers short but technical trails, a balance of skill and serenity in a land beyond time. Situated in the Panzang valley, Shimen lies along the old salt-trading route between Tinje and Saldang. It’s known for its whitewashed houses and barley terraces, one of the few cultivable pockets in this dry landscape. After simen there is a pass 4275m then it's all downhill to Komas Village. The trail is mostly double track, and it's 100% ridable, no pushing or carrying required today, not so technical either, until the last section.

Day 12Khomas (4050m) to Saldang (3770m) and Namgung (4360m) Distance 18km

The route rises gently to Saldang, one of Dolpo’s cultural centers and home to ancient gompas overlooking terraced fields. Riders explore narrow trails carved into dry cliffs before continuing to Namgung, a small monastic settlement tucked beneath red rock walls. It’s a short but physically engaging day that blends culture and solitude. The trail is double track with intermediate technical , 95% ridable with a short push/carry section.

Day 13Namgung to Shey Gompa (4160m) Distance 14 km

The crossing of Sela La Pass (5090m) demands patience and effort. Riders push and carry their bikes over loose terrain and icy slopes, rewarded by the first sight of Shey Gompa, a monastery standing alone beneath crystal peaks. This is Dolpo’s spiritual heart, a place that has drawn pilgrims for nearly a thousand years. The camp near Shey offers quiet reflection after a powerful day.

Day 14Rest at Shey Gompa (4160m)

A rest day for the soul. Explore the ancient monastery, spin prayer wheels in the wind, or hike above camp for sweeping views across the Dolpo plateau. Few places in the Himalaya feel so far from the modern world.

Day 15Shey Gompa (4160m) to Phoksundo Lake (3611m) via Nagdalo Pass (5350m) Distance - 18 km

The crossing of Nagdalo La (5350m) is one of the most challenging and beautiful of the entire journey. The climb is steep, the air thin, but the descent towards the turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake feels like descending from another planet. Riders reach Ringmo village on the lake’s edge, surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls, one of Nepal’s true natural wonders.

Day 16Rest and Exploration at Phoksundo (3611m)

A full day to explore the lake and its surrounding trails. Reflections of golden cliffs dance on the still water. Riders can explore short rides to viewpoints or simply rest after days of altitude and effort.

Day 17Phoksundo (3611m) to Dunai (2140m) Distance 32km

The trail drops steeply along the Suligad River, carving through pine forests and narrow valleys. It’s a long, exhilarating descent, the first return to green after weeks in the high desert. The group reaches Dunai, capital of Dolpo, where a warm meal and soft bed awaits. Its a fitting farewell to the Dolpo Region.

Day 18Dunai to Nepalgunj

A long and rugged Jeep drive through the Himalayan Foothills takes us all the way to Nepalgunj, nestling the board of India, the heat hits us and we have to adjust to the hustle and bustle of a large city.

Day 19Flight to Kathmandu

A morning flight returns the team to Kathmandu. The contrast between Dolpo’s silence and the capital’s energy is striking. The day is spent unwinding, exploring the city, or preparing for departure.

Day 20Departure from Kathmandu

Final farewells and reflections on an expedition that crossed some of Nepal’s most remote terrain from Pokhara’s lakeside calm to the forgotten trails of Dolpo, ending with the promise of return.

UPPER DOLPO OVERVIEW

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