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Best Season: April, May, September, October (best in terms of view), November
Lower Dolpa is one of the most beautiful yet challenging treks of Nepal. Situated in the western mountains of Nepal, a lower dollar is composed of beautiful mountains, barren landscapes, steep trails, Ancient Tibetan Bon Culture, Lifestyle and beautiful deep blue Phoksundo lake. Dolpo is a rain shadow region of Nepal and not many trekkers know about this region. Unlike other trekking regions of Nepal, Dolpo is a completely un-beaten and forbidden trek in Nepal. Therefore, a special permit is required to trek this area. This magical land is connected with Tibet in the north and is the ancient route of trade. Dolpo is considered as an outside world because this ancient kingdom is not seen and experienced by many. This place is very scary and the people here follow Buddhism. They say these land are protected by Guru Rinpoche (a Buddhist monk) since the 8th Century.
In addition, this place is also known as the land of Caravans. One of the Oscar-nominated movies called Caravan was shoot here using all the local people as an actor. What a masterpiece the movie is. Apart from that this completely rural region is a house for many wildlife as well. Blue sheep, different species of deer, birds, mountain goats, mountain tahr, black bear, and the rare cat called Snow Leopard. A very expensive herb called Cordyceps is considered to be the best in the world and comes from this region as well. The world’s seventh highest mountain Dhaulagiri (8167m) is towering Dolpo in west Nepal.
This 19 days trek to Lower Dolpa begins with the flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Juphal. The actual trek starts from Juphal from where you will hike for several days in completely un-beaten lands. Throughout your trek, you will walk along pine, juniper, beautiful Rhododendron, birch and oak forest. However, in the highland, you will experience the barren and dry desert landscapes, yak pastures, ancient monasteries, villages, Bon culture and lifestyle, sky towering mountains, deep blue lakes, big waterfalls and many more exciting things. During your journey, you will cross two high passes Numa La (5310m) and Baga La (5169m). This memorable journey of your life will take you to a different part of the world where you completely jump out of your comfort zone and you feel like one of the biggest achievements of your life.
Major Highlights of Lower Dolpo Trek
Your ultimate adventure starts with your landing in Kathmandu valley surrounded by beautiful green hills and alluring Mountain views. You will be welcomed by our representative at the airport gate. After that, you will be transferred to the hotel nearby to rest and refresh to avoid Jet lag. Today you can just explore nearby areas.
Staying a night before the start is essential. We recommend you explore and get acclimated before starting a trek if you are coming from sea level. You will enjoy the beauty of historical monuments, along with Hindu and Buddhist temples and pilgrimage sites. Kathmandu is home to seven UNESCO world heritage sites worth visiting and experiencing. You would enjoy many choices of restaurants and meals providing both local and western foods. You can imagine the types of cuisine they offer. You can get your trekking gear from a shop nearby if you need anything for your trek. This evening, our representative will give you a briefing about the trek and address your queries in the best possible way. Overnight at the Hotel.
Your actual trek journey starts today as you pack up everything needed for your trek. Our guide will pick you up from your Hotel and we will depart for the 1-hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Our Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj is very rewarding. You can see many mountain ranges on your flight. After our landing at Nepalgunj, we will be transferred to our Hotel.
Nepalgunj is one of the biggest cities of Nepal and is connected to the Indian border. Nepalgunj lies in the western tarai (plain) of Nepal and is the hottest city. Nepalgunj is very famous for street food and sweets. We will try to enjoy our short stay there and get ready to fly to Juphal tomorrow.
Flying time: 1 hour
Accommodation: Hotel
Our fourth-day journey starts with a short mountain flight to Juphal. Juphal is a very famous place in Dolpa. The landing area of Juphal Airport was gravel a few years ago but now it is black-pitched. Upon reaching Juphal, we will start our actual trek to Dunai.
Dunai is the main market of the Dolpo district. We will hike along the Bheri riverside where we will pass a water mill to reach Dunai. You can buy a few things for your trek if needed. There are a few ATMs to withdraw cash as well but do not be fully dependent on that machine. They might be out of service sometimes. Today, we will stay in Dubai at the Lodge.
Flight time: 30 minutes
Drive time: 2-3 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today, we will hike along the Bheri river bank to start. Following the beautiful landscapes, and pine forest we will hike through a levelled path to reach Tarakot. As we continue our hike, we will pass through many bridges, isolated villages, and beautiful and colourful pastured lands. On our way to Tarakot, we will also see an old fortress and Sandul Gompa decorated by colourful flags, mani walls and chortens. Overnight at a camp.
Trekking time: 5- 6 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today we will climb up throughout the day following the southern bank of the Bheri river. After climbing a little, we will reach an open valley from where we will head east side of Barbung Khola. After reaching Laisicap we will continue north until we reach Khanigaun. From here we can enjoy the beautiful view of the Churen Himal range and Putha Hiuchuli. We take a steep climb to Laina Odar. Laina Odar is a shelter cave on the cliffside where we can camp for tonight.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today, we start early after breakfast. We will notice a change in the landscape completely as we now walk in a barren land watching mountains and a few wild animals like blue sheep, and yaks. After a steep climb at first, our walk gets easy as we walk on flat land. We will pass through cougar walking in wooden planks and a Stoney trail. After a few hours of walking, we will finally reach Toltol which will be our stop of the day. Toltol is considered a winter settlement for the upper Dolpo people. Overnight in a tented camp.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today is a very important day of our trek. We have almost completed half part of our trek. We will start our hike today following the Tarap river. We will climb up until we reach the meeting of Tarap chu and lang Khola. From here we will walk through juniper trees and wildflowers. We will notice mani walls and chortens indicating our arrival in the beautiful village of Dho Tarap. Dho is an ancient highest Tibetan settlement of Dolpo and is an old route for Mustang and Dolpo traders. Overnight in a tented camp.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today is our rest day. We will take an opportunity to explore the village of Dho Tarap. There are ancient monasteries, houses and lifestyles to explore. People here follow the Bon religion and wear ancient clothes like samba for shoes and homespun clothing. Some people still do trading with Tibet in the north with a big caravan. The surrounding wild landscape is mind-blowing to watch. Overnight in a tented camp.
Trekking time: N/A
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today we hike up north towards Numa La Base camp following the Tarap river. As we ascend uphill, we will see massive snow-capped Dhaulagiri mountain and many other peaks. We will see a few old houses on our way to Upper Tarap. After crossing a bridge, we will keep hiking a main trail to finally reach Numa La base camp crossing a few old monasteries. Overnight in a tented camp at Numa La.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today is the most important day of our trek as we pass through the highest elevated point of this trek Numa La pass (5310m). Our trek today starts with a steep and challenging trail. After a few hours of difficult climbing, we arrive at the viewpoint from where we get a magnificent view of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Norbung Kang and Churen mountain range. After spending a great time, we will descend to Danighar. Overnight at tented camp.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
On our 12th day, we are crossing another high pass Baga La (5169m). From Danighar we gain elevation continuously towards Baga La pass. Upon reaching the pass we will see trans-Himalaya giving a spectacular view of Kanjirowa Himal. Then we walk down through a beautiful barren landscape enjoying a beautiful yak pasture land until we reach Yak Kharkha.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
From today our hike will be a lot easier than in past days. We will start our hike down slowly from Yak Kharkha to Ringmo village. After a few hours, we will see the beautiful deep blue Phoksundo Lake. Capturing its beauty in our eyes, we will walk through oak, juniper and pine forest with moderate climates. We will encounter a huge waterfall before reaching Ringmo Village.
Ringmo is a Bon settlement village in Dolpo and is a very famous caravan route in ancient times. After a short walk from Ringmo village, we will reach beautiful Phoksundo lake. Overnight at the tented camp near Lakeside.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
We take an opportunity to take a rest and explore the surrounding areas of Phoksundo lake. Phoksundo is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake and is considered the deepest lake in Nepal (145m depth). There is an ancient Bon monastery near a lake called Tshowa which is 900 years old. We can explore Ringmo village and explore the beautiful culture of these people. There are some small glaciers to explore as well. Overnight at tented camp.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Leaving a beautiful Ringmo village and Phoksundo lake, we will take a steep ascent uphill from where we will see a beautiful yet last view of Phoksundo lake. From there we will start descending to reach chinaware. Our hike will go up and down through pine and birch forests the whole day until we finally reach Chepka.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today is the last day on this unbeaten path. We will gradually ascent down to villages called Santa and kageni through the birch forest. We will arrive at a place called Sulighat which is a checkpoint of Shey Phoksundo National Park. After finally crossing a big suspension bridge of Dhim Khola we will make our way to Juphal. Today we celebrate our successful hike on these magical lands of Nepal. Overnight in a tented camp.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Today we will take an early flight to Nepalgung from where we will fly back to Kathmandu. After our arrival, you will check in at a 3-star Hotel where you can enjoy your pleasant stay. Overnight in a Hotel.
Flying time: 30 Minutes/1-hour
Accommodation: Hotel
Today you can do some Souvenier Shopping and site visits nearby. We will catch up with the whole team for a farewell dinner at one of the authentic Nepali restaurants. We will exchange a few gifts from Nepal and share some experiences about the trek as well. We would like to know how we did and what we can improve in terms of our services and products.
Yes, it is that time. It is hard to say goodbye but this is not the end. Wishing to see you again, we will bid a good farewell thanking you for joining in our adventure together and trusting us as your service provider. We will drop you off at the airport for your safe return back home.
Please keep in mind that the hiking times listed above are estimates and should only be used as basic recommendations. You will be able to travel at your own pace on the Lower Dolpo Trek.
Note: To trek this region, the minimum group size required is two. Solo travelling is not allowed and is restricted.
Insurance
Trekking in the Himalayas is not always fun. Lower Dolpa is a very remote area of Nepal. Our government has designed many protocols to make sure on safety of our tourists but sometimes it is really hard to prevent risk. Due to few transportation options in Nepal, the only fastest way to rescue anyone from the mountain is a Helicopter which could be very expensive. Therefore, we would like you to get insured through a trustworthy insurance company just to be safe. Make sure you are insured with helicopter rescue, medical injuries and any other emergency issues. We would highly recommend you carry a copy of your insurance and send one to us just in case of any emergencies.
Permit Requirements:
Special Restricted Area Permit (RAP): Lower Dolpo Restricted area permit is USD 20 per person per week. Extra $5 for an additional day per person.
Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit: USD 30 per person for unlimited days.
Gears needed:
Shoe: Pair of exceptionally good hiking boots and sandals
Clothes: Thermals, down jacket, wind and rainproof jackets, trekking pants, sports t-shirt, fleece, warm gloves, towels, winter hat, Inner garments, shorts, and a few pairs of good socks.
Accessories: Good trekking bag backpack, sunglasses, water bottle, water purifier, sunscreen, lip balm, Swiss pocket knife.
Equipment: Sleeping bags upto - 20 degrees celsius, duffel bag, hiking poles
Medicine: First-Aid Kit, Altitude sickness medicines (eg. diamox), bug spray.
Bring all these essential gear with you about the checklist. If you want to buy it in Kathmandu, there are multiple places here as well. Ask us if you want a better place to buy or rent gear.
Physical fitness: Trekking to Lower Dolpa is a physically demanding activity, and it requires a good level of physical fitness. One should engage in regular cardiovascular and strength-building exercises for at least a few months before embarking on the trek. Exercises such as hiking, running, cycling, and strength training will help prepare the body for the rigours of trekking.
Adequate acclimatization: Acclimatization is the process of adapting to high altitudes. As you trek higher, the air becomes thinner, and the body needs time to adjust. Adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition. It is recommended to spend a few days at lower altitudes to allow the body to acclimatize before climbing higher.
A knowledgeable guide: Trekking in this remote area of Dolpa is a challenging activity, and having a knowledgeable guide is essential for success. A guide will help navigate the route, provide information about the local culture, and assist in case of any emergencies. It is important to choose a guide who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trek.
Proper nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing altitude sickness. It is recommended to consume a high carbohydrate and protein-rich diet to provide the necessary fuel for the body. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is recommended to carry a water purification system or tablets to ensure access to clean water.
Mental preparation: Trekking to the rural area of Lower Dolpo is a mentally challenging activity. It requires patience, perseverance, and mental toughness. It is important to be mentally prepared for challenges and to have a positive attitude. It is also important to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate precautions.
Basic first aid knowledge: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for trekking to the Lower Dolpo Region. It is important to know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as blisters, altitude sickness, and hypothermia. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
Respect for the environment and local culture: Trekking to the ancient and fragile area of Lower Dolpo is an opportunity to experience the unique local culture and environment. It is important to show respect for the local culture and customs and to minimize the impact on the environment.
