Duration: 18 Days
Trip Grade: Challenginng
Group Size: 2-10
Accommodation: 2.5 stars hotel in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj; Tea House during the trekking
Transportation: Private Vehicle, Flight & Tourist Bus
Meals: Breakfast in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj; all meals during the trek
Lower Dolpo Trek presents an excellent trekking experience in the western hills of Nepal. Located far from the hustle and bustle of the cities, Lower Dolpo is known as the hidden gem of Nepal. Lower Dolpo Trek will offer you off-the-beaten trekking experience and take you to the tranquil Shey Phoksundo Lake located at 3,611 meters above the sea level. The turquoise lake, Shey Phoksundo is known as the most beautiful lake of Nepal. Located at the edge of the largest National Park of Nepal, Shey-Phoksundo National Park, this lake surrounded by high hills and Mt. Kanjiroba at the far distant.
The entire region is highly influenced by Tibetan culture and tradition. During the trek, you will come across pre-Buddhism Bon Po and Chaiba culture. Several festivals and events take place around the lake every year that welcomes hundreds of pilgrims from around the globe. You will get to experience a very rich culture, values, and beliefs. Lower Dolpo Trek presents you stunning views of several Himalayan mountains like Annapurna range (8,091 m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Api (7,132 m), Mt. Nilgiri, Kagmara Ri (5,115 m), extra. Along with fantastic views of a snow-capped mountain, Lower Dolpo Trekking will also present you spectacular dry mountain landscape that will blow your mind. We, Green Valley Nepal Treks Research Hub is glad to present you our professionally designed Lower Dolpo Trek- 18 days. We also organized a tailor-made Lower Dolpo Trek, therefore feel free to share your dream trip with us.
Lower Dolpo Trek route
Lower Dolpo trek begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and then to Jhupal. From Jhupal, you will begin trekking towards Dunai through terraced fields and narrow gorges along with enjoying superb views of Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m). Leaving Jhupal behind, you will ascend Dho Tarap village via Tarakot, Laini, Nawarpani, and several other small villages. You will take a day off here and explore the village. Further, crossing two challenging passes Numa La Pass (5,190 m) and Baga La Pass (5,070 m), you will reach beautiful Ringmo village. Next day, you will hike to Phoksundo Lake, the most alluring attraction of Lower Dolpo Trekking. Spending a day here, you will descend down to Shyanta village. The trail then takes you back to Jhupal and fly back to Kathmandu en route Nepalgunj.
Best time to go on Lower Dolpo Trek
The best time to go on Lower Dolpo Trek is from the beginning of August to the end of October from begging of March to May. You will get to see clear scenic views. The entire region also bloomed up with numerous wildflowers and air also carries freshness chillness from the Himalayas.
Lower Dolpo Trek difficulty
Lower Dolpo Trek is a difficult journey into the western region of Nepal. The trail will present you off-the-beaten trekking experience. You will approximately 6 to 7 hours a day and also cross two passes. All of these requires strong physical fitness and good health. However, you do not need to have previous trekking experience to go on this trek unless you are determined enough to complete the journey.
Day 01 :Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Day 02 :Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparation
Day 03 :Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj: 1 hour
Day 04 :Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo) (2,320m/7,610ft) and trek to Dunai (2,850m/9,348ft): 45 mins flight, 2-3 hours trek
Day 05 :Dunai to Tarakot (2,543m/8,341ft): 5-6 hours
Day 06 :Tarakot to Laini (3,160 m/10,365 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 07 :Laini to Nawarpani (3,545m/11,627 ft): 5-6 hours
Day 08 :Nawarpani to Dho Tarap (4,090m/13,415ft): 7-8 hours
Day 09 :Rest Day at Dho Tarap for acclimatization
Day 10 :Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m/14,563 ft): 6-7 hours walk
Day 11 :Cross Numa La pass (5,190m/17,023ft), camp at Pelung Tang (4,465m/14,645 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 12 :Cross Baga La pass (5,070m/16,630ft), trek to Dajok Tang (4,080m/13,382ft): 6 hours
Day 13 :Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3,600m/11,808ft): 3-4 hours
Day 14 :Hike to Phoksundo Lake
Day 15 :Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta (2,520m/8,265 ft): 7-8 hours walk
Day 16 :Shyanta to Jhupal: 7-8 hours walk
Day 17 :Fly to Nepalgunj, fly to Kathmandu
Day 18 :Final departure
Every Saturday & Wednesday (arrival day in Kathmandu) from March to June & September to November is our fixed departure date for Lower Dolpo Trek. You could choose your suitable date & let us know we will arrange your trip regarding.
Day 01 :Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)You will arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport where a representative from Green Valley Nepal Treks & Research Hub will welcome you. He will take you to your hotel and help you settle in. To show our gratitude and welcome you in Nepal, the company will organize a welcome dinner for you. You will stay overnight in a hotel.
Meals: Welcome dinner only
Day 02 :Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparationToday, we will go on a guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. After having breakfast, we will begin our tour by visiting the first monument, Pashupatinath Temple. From here, you will head towards Boudhnath Stupa. The tour will then take you to Swayambhunath and then to Kathmandu Durbar Square. All of these landmarks are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which will present your the rich cultural heritage of Nepal. In the late afternoon, we will meet with our trek leader. He will brief you about the trip, and we will arrange gears along with our guide. We will stay overnight in a hotel.
Meals: Breakfast only
Day 03 :Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj: 1 hourToday, we will fly to Nepalgunj after having breakfast along with your guide and other crew members. After an hour-long flight, we will reach Nepalgunj, the gateway of Simikot, Humla. Later in the day, we will visit its bustling market, mini zoo, and nearby villages. We will stay overnight in a hotel.
Meals: Breakfast only
Day 04 :Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo) (2,320m/7,610ft) and trek to Dunai (2,850m/9,348ft): 45 mins flight, 2-3 hours trekFrom today onwards, we will begin trekking. Having a delightful breakfast in Nepalgunj, we will fly to Jhupal. The flight will be short and scenic. Upon reaching Juphal, we will begin trekking towards Dunai. On the way, we will get to see beautiful views of Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m). Trekking through terraced fields, we reach Behri River. From here, the trail follows a narrow gorge and lead us to Dunai, the administrative headquarters of the Dolpo region. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 05 :Dunai to Tarakot (2,543m/8,341ft): 5-6 hoursWe will begin trekking along the southern bank of the Bheri River and climb upstream following an easy trail. On the way, we pass by several deep gorges, thrilling hanging bridges, and beautiful isolated villages. The trail will take us to Tarakot, a small village situated on a hillock on the south of the Bheri River. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 06 :Tarakot to Laini (3,160 m/10,365 ft): 6-7 hoursThe trail today goes along the Tarap Chu River. After crossing this river twice, we will reach Sandul Gompa located between Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River. From here, we continue walking through terraced farms and villages. Further, we will ascend and descend a few times to reach Laini. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 07 :Laini to Nawarpani (3,545m/11,627 ft): 5-6 hoursAfter having breakfast, we begin ascending on a steep trail and continue trekking above the Tarap River. As we move further, the valley becomes a narrow gorge to an extent where we can jump from one side to another easily. Further, accomplishing challenging ascends and descends, we will reach Chyugur Khola. A short walk from here will take us to Nawarpani. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 08 :Nawarpani to Dho Tarap (4,090m/13,415ft): 7-8 hoursLeaving Nawarpani behind, we will gradually ascend to Kamattarka located at the confluence of Tarap Chu River and Lang Khola. Crossing a narrow gorge, we will leave the tree line behind and enter in the dry inner Himalayan valley, which will welcome us with lovely wild rose and juniper bushes. The trail from here will take us to Dho Tarap village surrounded by irregular stone walls. Here, we will get to experience unique Bon Po and Chaiba religion. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 09 :Rest Day at Dho Tarap for acclimatizationToday is our rest day at Dho Tarap village. This off day will help us with acclimatization and allow us to explore the village along with its nearby areas. We will get to interact with locals and see their lifestyle, culture, and tradition. The people here follow Bon Po and Chaiba religion. You will get to see their beautiful dress and taste their assortments. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10 :Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m/14,563 ft): 6-7 hours walkThe trail today will take us to upper Tarap valley where we will get to witness lush grassland on both sides of a lovely river. Trekking along the side of Tarap Chu river, we will reach Tokyu. Here we will get to visit the monastery of the Chiba sect. Later, we will ascend on a rugged trail and reach Numa La Base Camp for the night stay. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tent Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11 :Cross Numa La pass (5,190m/17,023ft), camp at Pelung Tang (4,465m/14,645 ft): 6-7 hoursIt is going to be the toughest and longest day of our trek. After having a delicious breakfast, we will ascend towards Numa La Pass. From the top of the pass, we will see stunning views of the barren mountains of Dolpo up to Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m). We will spend some time here and descend down to Pelung Tang. We will stay overnight in a camp.
Accommodation: Tent Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12 :Cross Baga La pass (5,070m/16,630ft), trek to Dajok Tang (4,080m/13,382ft): 6 hoursToday, we will cross another pass. We will ascend on a steep trail to reach Baga La Pass. Again from the top of the pass, we will get to see an amazing dry landscape view along with snow-capped mountains and Mt. Kanjirowa on far distant. After spending some time, we will descend down to Dajok Tang for the night stay. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 13 :Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3,600m/11,808ft): 3-4 hoursThe most part of the trail goes through lush pine forests and alpine vegetation. The trail will be relatively easier than other days and take us to Ringmo village, a Tibetan village of the Dolpo region. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 14 :Hike to Phoksundo LakeWe will wake up early in the morning and have a warm breakfast. After that, we will hike to Phoksundo Lake located at 3,611 meters above the sea level. This lake is the most alluring attraction of Dolpo. On the way, we will see yak caravans and visit nearby monasteries. Upon reaching Phoksundo Lake, we will be welcomed by utterly gorgeous scenery. Today, we will stay overnight near the lake. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 15 :Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta (2,520m/8,265 ft): 7-8 hours walkAfter having breakfast, we will begin descending towards Shyanta village. We will reach Chepka. From here, the trail follows a massive overhanging rock and passes by several villages. On the way, we will come across medicinal minerals that are believed to cure almost anything in this area. Further, we will ascend and reach Shyanta village. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 16 :Shyanta to Jhupal: 7-8 hours walk Today, we will trek back to Jhupal via Sulighat. On the way, we will pass numerous birch tree and get to see fantastic views of the mountains. Upon reaching Jhupal, we will rest and explore its market in the evening. We will stay overnight in a tea house.
Accommodation: Tea House or Home Stay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 17 :Fly to Nepalgunj, fly to KathmanduToday, we will take back to back flight to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, we will head to our hotel and spend the day relaxing. In the evening, we will join the farewell dinner organized by the company. We will also prepare to leave tomorrow. We will stay overnight in a hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & farewell dinner
Day 18 :Final departureAfter having breakfast, you will check out of the hotel. One of the members from Green Valley Nepal Treks & Research Hub will escort you to the airport for your flight back to your home.
We booked a 12 day Everest base camp with heli out package with Green Valley Nepal Trecks. The experience has been perfect from start to finish. We booked with Arjun and he was so helpful. He patiently answered all our questions and took care of us upon arrival and leaving Kathmandu. Our guide Gopal was the best! - honestly cannot fault him at all. He went above and beyond to accommodate us and make sure we were comfortable throughout the trip. He managed to find ...
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