Mt. Kanjirowa Expedition
A remote 42-day expedition to Kanjirowa (6,883m) in the far-western Dolpo region, combining a Shey Phoksundo Lake trek through restricted Upper Dolpo with a genuine, rarely-climbed summit attempt.
- Duration 42 Days
- Difficulty Strenuous
- Group Size 8 People
- Max Altitude 6883m
- Region Dolpo
Overview
Kanjirowa (6,883m) rises in the far northwest of Nepal's Himalaya, forming part of the wall along the Nepal-Tibet border in the remote Dolpo region. This expedition combines a lengthy approach trek through Upper Dolpo and past Shey Phoksundo Lake — Nepal's deepest lake — with a genuine attempt on one of the country's least-visited 6,000m+ summits.
The route enters Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal's largest, home to musk deer, Himalayan blue sheep, and the elusive snow leopard. Villages along the way — including Ringmo, Shey Gompa, and Bijer — preserve centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist and Bon traditions largely undisturbed by tourism, having only opened to foreign visitors in the mid-1990s.
From Kanjirowa Base Camp, the climb progresses through multiple high camps with extensive time built in for safe acclimatization. The route begins on non-technical snow-covered terrain before becoming genuinely technical and demanding on the final push to the summit, which rewards climbers with sweeping views south across the Dolpo valleys and north toward the peaks of the Tibetan plateau.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to a 5-star hotel, with a welcome dinner in the evening.
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Day 2 Sightseeing & Climbing Preparation in Kathmandu
Explore a selection of Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites while expedition paperwork and preparations are completed.
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Day 3 Fly to Nepalgunj
A short flight to Nepalgunj, a busy trading town in the Terai near the Indian border, with time to visit the Bageshwari Temple and explore the local market.
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Day 4 Fly to Juphal & Trek to Dunai
Fly to the dirt airstrip at Juphal, then trek through terraced fields and across the Thuli Bheri Khola to Dunai, the administrative and trading center of Dolpo.
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Day 5 Trek to Chhepka
Cross the Thuli Bheri Khola and register at the national park checkpoint in Sulighat, then continue through Raktang village and across the Ankhe Khola to Chhepka.
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Day 6 Trek to Rechi
Cross the Suli Khola to avoid a landslide-affected slope, continue through dense forest, then climb a switchback to a grassy plateau before descending to the campsite at Rechi.
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Day 7 Trek to Ringmo Village
Pass a school and gompa, climb through cedar and pine forest past the winter settlement of Polam, and catch the first views of Phoksundo Lake before descending to Ringmo Village.
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Day 8 Trek to Phoksundo Khola via Phoksundo Lake
Follow one of the trek's most spectacular sections along the lake's western shore and cliffside views, before descending to camp on the floodplains of the Phoksundo Khola.
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Day 9 Trek to Pass Camp
Follow the gorge upstream, crossing the river repeatedly before the valley widens, camping at the base of the long climb up to Nangdala La Pass.
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Day 10 Cross Nangdala La Pass to Shey Gompa
Cross the loose slate-scree of Nangdala La Pass (5,350m) into the broad Upper Dolpo valley, passing yak and sheep herds before reaching the red-painted walls of Shey Gompa.
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Day 11 Rest & Acclimatization Day at Shey Gompa
A rest day at one of Dolpo's most sacred valleys, with optional visits to the Kagyupa gompa and the hermitage at Tsakang.
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Day 12 Trek to Bijer Village
Climb to a small valley, cross a stream, and follow an undulating trail past chortens and prayer flags to Bijer village.
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Day 13 Trek to Namlang Khola
A gradual uphill trek followed by several ups and downs to a camping site near Namlang Khola.
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Day 14 Trek to Jopala
Follow an undulating trail through harsh alpine vegetation, with a chance of spotting blue sheep or snow leopard, to the camp at Jopala.
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Day 15 Trek to Kanjirowa Base Camp
A short but steep final trekking day to Kanjirowa Base Camp, where the crew sets up camp ahead of the climbing period.
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Day 16 – 30 Climbing Period & Summit Push on Mt. Kanjirowa
An extended climbing period establishing additional camps above Base Camp, with climbing practice and acclimatization rotations, culminating in a summit push on Kanjirowa (6,883m) before descending back to Base Camp.
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Day 31 – 40 Trek back to Juphal
Retrace the outbound route back through Shey Gompa and past Phoksundo Lake, with further chances to spot blue sheep and snow leopard, over several days back to Juphal.
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Day 41 Fly to Nepalgunj & Fly to Kathmandu
An early flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj, connecting on to Kathmandu, with a celebratory farewell dinner in the evening.
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Day 42 International Departure
Transfer to the international airport for departure as per your flight schedule.
Cost Details
What’s Included
- Emergency oxygen mask and regulator (usage billed separately)
- All staff salary, food, clothing, and insurance
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during trekking and climbing
- 4 nights 5-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with Bed & Breakfast plan
- Liaison officer
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu with an experienced city guide, all entrance fees, and private vehicle
- Camping equipment, including dining tent, toilet tent, store tent, and table/chairs
- Essential climbing gear
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
- Required trekking permits and national park fees
- Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal and Juphal–Nepalgunj–Kathmandu domestic flight tickets
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Required porters and kitchen staff for camping
- Trekking guide and an experienced climbing guide team
- All essential ground transportation by private vehicle
- All applicable taxes, VAT, and necessary paperwork
- Solar panel for battery charging and lighting at Base Camp
- Satellite phone (usage billed per minute)
- Kanjirowa climbing permit
- Teahouse and camping accommodation during trekking and climbing
What’s Excluded
- Bar and beverage bills
- All personal nature expenses
- Climbing insurance
- International flights
- Tips for staff
- Personal climbing gear
Highlights
- Genuine far-western solitude: A region opened to foreigners only in the 1990s, still seeing very few visitors.
- Rare wildlife: A chance to spot musk deer, Himalayan blue sheep, and snow leopard in Shey Phoksundo National Park.
- Views to Tibet: Summit panoramas spanning the Dolpo valleys to the south and the Tibetan plateau to the north.
- A rarely-climbed 6,883m summit: One of the most remote and least-documented expedition peaks in Nepal.
- Nangdala La Pass: A dramatic 5,350m crossing over loose slate-scree into the broad valleys of Upper Dolpo.
- Shey Phoksundo Lake: Nepal's deepest and second-largest lake, a turquoise centerpiece of the trek.
- Shey Gompa & the sacred Dolpo valleys: Ancient Bon and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in one of the most sacred corners of Dolpo.
Essential Information
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most stable conditions for both the long approach trek and the summit climbing period.
This expedition is recommended for experienced climbers. The route begins on non-technical, mostly snow-covered terrain from Base Camp, but becomes genuinely technical and demanding on the approach to the summit. The sheer remoteness of the Dolpo region — with a multi-week approach and return trek on either side of the climbing period — adds significant logistical and self-sufficiency demands beyond the technical climbing itself.
5-star hotel in Kathmandu, and hotel/lodge accommodation in Nepalgunj. Tented camping throughout the approach trek, Base Camp, and higher camps, given the lack of teahouse infrastructure in this remote section of Dolpo.
Full board meals included throughout — breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek and climbing period, prepared by the expedition's Sherpa crew.
This route passes through both Lower and Upper Dolpo restricted areas, requiring a licensed guide from a registered agency — independent trekking is not permitted here. Given Kanjirowa's altitude and remoteness, confirm current permit classification and fees directly with the Department of Tourism or NMA before booking, as regulations for peaks in this region have been evolving in recent years.
- Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit: Required for the Shey Gompa and Upper Dolpo sections of the route
- Kanjirowa Climbing Permit: Issued by the Department of Tourism or NMA depending on current peak classification
- Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit: Required for the initial approach through Lower Dolpo
- Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit: Required for the section of the route within the national park
- High-altitude down suit or layered system: Insulated protection for base camp and higher camps
- Four-season sleeping bag: Essential for camping throughout the trek and climb
- Climbing hardware: Harness, crampons, ice axe, ascender, and carabiners for the technical upper sections
- Mountaineering boots: Double boots suitable for snow and glacier travel above 6,000m
- Personal kit: Personal medicines, altitude medication as advised by a doctor, sunscreen, and toiletries
- Trekking poles: Recommended for the long, multi-week approach and return trek
- Headlamp: Essential for early starts on pass-crossing and summit days
Kanjirowa's summit at 6,883m follows an extended approach with multiple acclimatization stops, including a rest day at Shey Gompa (4,343m) and gradual progress through several high camps above Base Camp. Watch for headache, nausea, and dizziness as early symptoms of altitude sickness, and take altitude medication only as advised by a doctor.
