Dolpa Airport (DOP)

Dolpa, NP 🇳🇵 Small Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

VNDP

IATA

DOP

Elevation

8200 ft

Region

NP-P6

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: VNDP

Local Code: Not available

Location: 28.985659° N, 82.818703° E

Continent: AS

Type: Small Airport

Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Dolpa Airport (VNDP (DOP)), also known as Juphal Airport, serves as a crucial gateway to the remote and stunning Dolpa region of Nepal, primarily catering to trekkers and locals. Recent traveler sentiment generally reflects an appreciation for its vital role in accessing this otherwise largely inaccessible area, especially following a significant runway upgrade. While essential for regional connectivity, the airport's facilities are noted as basic.

What Travelers Love
  • Gateway to Natural Beauty: The airport is highly valued as the primary access point to the Shey Phoksundo Lake and the Upper Dolpa Trek, attracting many seasoned travelers and tourists to a region renowned for its pristine landscapes, traditional Tibetan culture, and mesmerising views.
  • Improved Infrastructure: A recent runway upgrade from gravel to blacktopped has significantly improved the landing experience and enhanced air connectivity, making Dolpa more accessible.
  • Essential Hub: Dolpa Airport is considered an important transportation hub for local communities, facilitating access to goods, medical services, and other essential supplies in a remote district.
  • Connectivity: The airport connects Dolpa with Nepalgunj and Kathmandu (via Nepalgunj), with scheduled and charter flights operated by airlines such as Tara Air, Nepal Airlines, Summit Air, and Makalu Air.
Common Complaints
  • Limited Facilities: Traveler reviews and official reports indicate a significant lack of modern passenger facilities or amenities within the terminal building. Basic services like X-ray machines for security were noted as unavailable in older reports, though newer reports mention handheld metal detectors and CCTV.
  • Weather-Related Delays: Due to its high elevation and frequently unstable weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, flights to and from Dolpa Airport are often disrupted or delayed, posing a challenge for travelers.
  • Basic Security Processes: Security procedures primarily rely on hand-held metal detectors, with no X-ray facilities mentioned in earlier reports, suggesting a more basic screening process.
  • Lack of Direct Parking Information: Specific details regarding dedicated parking facilities or costs for travelers at the airport are not readily available.

Overall, Dolpa Airport is a fundamentally important but operationally challenging gateway to a unique part of Nepal. Travelers appreciate its existence as the sole air link to the region, despite the very basic facilities and frequent weather-related flight interruptions. It serves its purpose as a functional rather than amenity-rich airport, offering access to unparalleled natural and cultural experiences.

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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
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Top Airlines

Operating at Dolpa Airport
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
1 5 1 Dec 11, 2025
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status

Type Description Frequency

Ident Name Type Frequency

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

Formal, metered taxis are not available. The primary mode of motorized transport is local 4x4 jeeps. These jeeps can be hired privately or on a shared basis to travel between the airport and Dunai, the district headquarters. Availability is dependent on weather and road conditions.

Rental Cars

There are no standard self-drive car rental agencies at Dolpa Airport or in the surrounding region. It is possible to arrange for a private hire of a jeep with a driver through local guesthouses or trekking agencies, but this should be organized well in advance.

Public Transportation

There is no formal public transportation system, such as scheduled buses, operating from the airport. The shared jeeps serve as the main form of public transit. For most travelers, especially trekkers, the primary mode of transportation from the airport is walking. Hiring mules and porters for carrying luggage is also a common practice.

Nearby Airports

Rukum Salle Airport
VNSL
Musikot, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~53 km away
Jumla Airport
JUM • VNJL
Jumla, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~69 km away
Jomsom Airport
JMO • VNJS
Jomsom, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~91 km away
Surkhet Airport
SKH • VNSK
Surkhet, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~124 km away
Pokhara Airport
PKR • VNPK
Pokhara, NP
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~143 km away
Simikot Airport
IMK • VNST
Simikot, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~146 km away
Pokhara International Airport
PHH • NP-0003
Pokhara, NP
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~147 km away
Nepalgunj Airport
KEP • VNNG
Nepalgunj, NP
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~149 km away
Pokhara Airport
PKR • VNPK
Pokhara, NP
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~143 km away
Pokhara International Airport
PHH • NP-0003
Pokhara, NP
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~147 km away
Nepalgunj Airport
KEP • VNNG
Nepalgunj, NP
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~149 km away
Rukum Salle Airport
VNSL
Musikot, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~53 km away
Dhorpatan Airport
VNDR
Dhorpatan, NP
Small Airport
~59 km away
Jumla Airport
JUM • VNJL
Jumla, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~69 km away
Rukum Chaurjahari Airport
RUK • VNRK
Rukumkot, NP
Small Airport
~73 km away
Rolpa Airport
RPA • VNRP
Rolpa, NP
Small Airport
~80 km away
Talcha Rara Mugu Airport
NP-0002
Karkibada, NP
Small Airport
~88 km away
Jomsom Airport
JMO • VNJS
Jomsom, NP
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~91 km away
Tulsipur Airport
DNP • VNDG
Dang, NP
Small Airport
~110 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.