Lower Dolpo trek in western Nepal is a peaceful and adventurous journey through one of the most untouched regions of the Himalayas. With views of beautiful Shey-Phoksundo Lake, rare wildlife, ancient villages, and high mountain passes, this 19-day trek offers a glimpse into a remote world full of natural beauty and rich culture. Though challenging, it rewards you with unforgettable memories and stunning scenery.
Lower Dolpo trek, located in western Nepal is an exciting program for adventure-seekers from all over the world. It is the less-explored area north of Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range and sharing its territory with the Tibetan Plateau. As it is visited by the domestic and international trekkers, you still find the unspoiled nature and culture far from modernity. Trekkers to Lower Dolpo will visit the crowning jewels of the region – Lake Shey-Phoksundo and Shey-Phoksundo National Park. Lower Dolpo region is blessed with the deepest lake and the largest national park of Nepal.
The national park preserves a complex trans-Himalayan ecosystem with blue sheep, Himalayan black bear, wolves, leopards and the sought-after snow leopard. The region of Dolpo is known for isolated peaks and the last remnants of a vanishing culture. Before reaching the lake, you will trek through scenic villages and remote alpine landscapes passing Buddhist monasteries and yak hordes. The route also takes you through two of the four high passes Dolpo Region trekking: Numa-La and Baga-La. As both the passes are above 5,000 metres altitude, this is a moderate to challenging trek in the trans-Himalayan region. Although the Himalayan high passes are quite challenging to cross, the success rewards one with the excellent views of surrounding mountains.
You will quickly notice the remoteness with sparse human habitation that happen to be some of the highest human settlements on the planet. Opened for the foreign trekkers in 1990, this restricted area is the place where the Oscar-nominated movie “Caravan” from Eric Valley was featured. Just like in the movie, if you happen to be here in spring and summer, you will see yaks and sheep grazing in the low-lying pastures. It is a challenging but popular trek done through the remote and rugged trails guiding you to the hidden valleys of Nepal.
To do this off the beaten path trekking in Nepal, you have to fly to Juphal from Kathmandu via Nepalgunj. From Juphal, you trek to Dunai, the district administrative centre of Dolpo region that has almost all types of modern amenities. Then, rest of the days you will be walking along the rugged trail by enjoying the virgin landscapes and forests. While trekking in Lower Dolpo region, you can get a lifelong memory of exploring the lifestyle, customs and costumes of the high Himalayan villages.
Dho Tarap (4,090m) is one of the highest altitude human settlement areas in the world. During the acclimatization day in this ancient valley, you can visit eight different monasteries, a local school and Amchi Hospital.
The entire Dolpo region is divided into two sections: Upper or Inner Dolpo and Lower Dolpo region. Upper Dolpo region trekking takes you around the ancient monastery Shey Gompa that is situated on the backdrop of the Holy Crystal Mountain. It can be connected with Upper Mustang trekking and popular Rara Lake trek to extend the itinerary of Dolpo trek.
Orbit Alpine Adventure has designed Lower Dolpo trek 19 days itinerary for your assistance to experience the hidden gem of Nepal. For the tailor-made trekking packages, you can contact us by using the contact media like email, WhatsApp, phone call or online service.
For customization and price details, please contact us.
Lower Dolpo trek lies in Dolpa district of Karnali Province located in the far western part of Nepal. There are two popular regions of Dolpo: Lower Dolpo region and Upper Dolpo region. Even though they lie in restricted area, they have been the growing trekking destinations for the national and international tourists in these days. Lower Dolpo trek is a challenging trekking having two high passes of over 5,000 metres to go across. But it takes you around one of the highest altitude villages, Shey-Phoksundo Lake and the largest national park of Nepal, Shey-Phoksundo Lake.
Yes, of course, you can do Lower Dolpo trek all times of the year although winter season is not as favourable as others. But you must be physically fit and fine as well as mentally strong. Previous experience of climbing or trekking will be an additional strength for this trek. Since this trek lies in the restricted area of Nepal, you must have at least two members in a group accompanied by a professional trekking guide. Moreover, you need a special permit issued by the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
You need the following permits for Lower Dolpo trek:
All the permits are managed by Orbit Alpine Adventure on your behalf but you have to pay the permit fees as declared by the authority.
You can do Lower Dolpo trek all times of the year. However, doing Lower Dolpo trek in winter may not be as favourable as in other seasons. The high altitude trails may be disturbed due to heavy snowfalls as they lie above 5,000 meters from the sea level. As it lies in the rain shadow area, you can even do this trek in monsoon or rainy season as well. The best time to do Lower Dolpo Trek is spring and autumn for having the clear vistas of the snowy peaks and high altitude villages.
Of course, yes! ‘Clients’ Satisfaction is Our Motto! There is always room for customizing the trekking package. Nonetheless, there must be mutual understanding between the clients and the agency. You can cut short or add some days in to Lower Dolpo trekking itinerary. You should inform us about it.
Lower Dolpo trek is moderate to strenuous trekking as you have to cross two high passes above 5,000 metres. Noma La Pass (5,318m) and Baga La Pass (5,190m) are the two high passes that make this trek quite challenging. And about accommodation and food facilities, this is combination of teahouse and camping trekking. Because of the remoteness and lack of transportation infrastructures in this region, all the stopovers don’t have teahouses or lodges. The plus point of this trek is that you can enjoy the camping trekking and teahouse trekking at the same time.
Sure, sure! There is always possibility for altitude sickness while travelling around the place above 2,500 metres. As you spend most of the nights of Lower Dolpo Trek above 3,000 metres, you may suffer from altitude sickness. However, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can be prevented and cured as well if you take right initiatives on time. First of all, you need to drink enough water and eat hygienic food items. While ascending the higher altitude trail, walk slowly by taking enough time. You should avoid drinking alcohol or smoking cigarette and take enough rest. Before beginning the trekking, don’t forget to keep medicines like Diamox Oral in your backpack. Finally, if you feel like dizziness, nausea, dehydrated and shortness of breath, you should share it with the trekking guide.
There are a few challenges of Lower Dolpo trek like:
To help you fight back these challenges, we have designed this itinerary in a wise way. The trekking guide of Orbit Alpine Adventure is well-known about these factors, so, he takes the necessary initiatives to make you trip successful. Just cooperate with him and enjoy the voyage.
In fact, the trekking trail is divided into three different categories and the type of trekking determines the walking hours per day. Easy trekking trail lies below 4,000 metres and you can walk up to 9 hours a day. Moderate type of track lies between 4,000 metres and 5,000 metres that you can walk up to 6 hours per day. And the strenuous or challenging trekking route is the one above 5,000 metres that you have to walk up to three hours a day. The trekking guide of our company revises the trekking duration consulting with you during the trip. More importantly, we have made this trip itinerary accordingly to best fit your previous experience, physical and mental readiness. The longest duration you have to walk during Lower Dolpo trek is seven hours according to this daily itinerary.
Although you have to cross two high passes above 5,000 metres, you don’t need climbing gears. These passes can be climbed without any climbing gears. But we suggest you to bring the walking poles to better cope up with the steep and sloppy trail en route.
To book Lower Dolpo trek, you can visit the official websites of different local tour and trekking operators of Nepal. Among them, Orbit Alpine Adventure is the one founded and run by an experienced person who has done most of the treks including the Great Himalayan Trail (GHT:1,700 kilometres). You can book this and other trekking and tour packages with us by using email, phone call, WhatsApp or reservation services on our website.
The longest duration to walk each day is seven hours and the shortest is three hours during Upper Dolpo trek. To cover the distance of the trekking trail comfortably, we recommend you to take complete rest, drink enough water and eat hygienic food.
Upon you arrival at Kathmandu Airport, complete the formalities at immigration, collect your bag, meet our representative, and transfer to hotel.
After breakfast, we will have sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley that includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Bauddhanath, and Pashupatinath. In the evening you can buy necessary equipment for trekking and explore around Thamel.
According to your flight schedule you will transfer to the domestic Airport for flight to Nepalgunj. It will have a 1-hour scenic flight to Nepalganj. Then reaching at Nepalgunj we will have lunch and in the late afternoon we can visit around the village. This area is quite hot and tropical. Stay overnight at Nepalganj.
After breakfast we will have a flight to Jupal. It takes around 45 minutes and offers the views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. Then reaching at Juphal Airport, we will meet our trekking guide. Then having few minutes’ rest we start trekking through terraced fields alongside Bheri River and the narrow gorge trekking 2-3 hours to camp at Dunai. Dunai is the administrative headquarter of Dolpo region. In the evening we will visit around Dunai village where we will stay overnight.
Today our trail follows the southern banks of the river by directing upstream on the trail. Then slowly walking ahead, passing through deep gorges, hanging bridges, and isolated villages we finally reach the colorful village of Tarakot. This village is situated on a hillock to the south of Bheri River, once an outpost for collecting tax from passing trade caravans. Stay overnight at Tarakot.
Early in the morning, we start our trekking by following the Tarap Chu River upstream and crossing bridge for two times we reach at the Sandul Gompa which is situated on the east part of Tarakot. From here the trail leads through the terraces and remote village, then trekking few hours’ ups and downhill we finally reach at the Camp at Laini. Stay overnight here.
Our trekking trail follows the gorge of the Tarap River, the trail leads through the quiet and pleasant environment then moving down to Chyugur Khola. Sometimes the path vanishes for a while, making our own path across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. Then finally we reach at Nawarpani and stay overnight there.
We start our trek slowly up to Kamattarka by following the Tarapchu and LangKhola steam flowing from the east. Then from here our trail moves through a narrow gorge and the route goes ahead just above tree lines for juniper bush, wild rose and dry inner Himalayan valleys. During the trekking we have few minutes rest in the route. Again we have to trek for 3 hours to reach at village of Dho Tarap. This village is surrounded by unequal stone walls and the village is the settlement of both Bon Po and Chaiba sect. Beside these two groups settlement it is also the settlement for few Tibetans and Magar who have their settlement for many years. Stay overnight at Do Tarap.
Today we have a rest day in Do Tarap and slowly walking to the altitude to make ourselves adjustment according to the environment. In the afternoon we can visit to the different monasteries and can enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding. We will get opportunity to interact with local people and experience the way of their living. Both men and women often wear religious amulets and strings of coral, amber and turquoise. The people of the region are both Bon Po and Nyingmapa of Buddhist sect. Stay overnight at Do Tarap.
We start our trek to the Numa La Base Camp. We trek to upper Tarap Valley and walking through the plain land with the green grass on the sides of the river which makes the Dolpa different then the other part of inner Dolpa. Following the upstream with pleasant environment we reach at Tarap, is the dream valley with vast plains in high mountains. Then from here few hours walk we reach at the Tokyu village, where we can visit to the monastery which belongs to the Chiba sect. From this village we have 3 hours walk to uphill then finally we reach at the Numa La base camp. Stay overnight at Base Camp.
Today we have a difficult day and long trek. The trekking route passes through the Numa La pass, then crossing the Numa La pass at the height of 5,190m and climbing to step up at the point of the Numa La, which offers the wonderful landscaped. After reaching at the point of Numa La it offers the panoramic views of the barren mountains of Dolpo up to the Dhaulagiri (8,167m). From here again we move downhill to the Camp at Pelung Tang. Stay overnight at camp.
After breakfast, we begin our trek by a steep climb up to the rim of Baga-La at the height of 5,070 meters. From the rim of Baga-La we can views the Kanjirowa Himal range and walking through the pass and descends down for 3 hours we finally reach at the camp of Dajok Tang. stay overnight at Camp.
Today we have a short hike about 4 hours. The trekking route passes through the pine forest and the vegetation changes on the way to Ringmo. Then we passing through the ups and down for few hours we finally reach to final destination at Ringmo. Stay overnight at Ringmo.
Today we have a free day at Ringmo. We will visit Foksundo Lake. Foksundo Lake has got the depth of 145 meters. This lake is originated from the Himalayan so it is very cold. This lake is popular for the aquamarine blue color, the Lake change the color according to the ambient light. Then return from the Lake we explore around Ringmo. In the village of Ringmo we can explore around the Monastery and interact with local people. Stay overnight at Camp.
Today the trail is easy and downhill to the Chepka. In Chepka we can find many important medicinal minerals. The route then passes through the villages, before climbing to Shyanta. Stay overnight at Shyanta.
Early in the morning, we slowly walk uphill to the Jhupal via Sulighat. On the way to Juphal we lead through tall birch tree and beautiful views of mountains. In the afternoon we finally reach Jhupal. Reaching at Jhupal we explore around the busy market. Stay overnight at Jhupal.
We will have an early morning flight to Nepalgunj. Then reaching at Nepalgunj we have breakfast and return to Kathmandu on the next available flight. Upon arrival at Kathmandu we transfer to the hotel and in the evening you are free for shopping. Stay overnight at hotel.
According to your flight time, we will take you to the Airport for your flight ahead.
Among the few Magical places in the world Lower Dolpo trek in the midwest northern region of Nepal is one. For many years I have heard about the Lake with the shape of human lungs and it is called Phoksundo Lake...