Lower Dolpo Trek - 19 Days

Lower Dolpo Trek
Trip Facts
  • Trip Duration20 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Maximum Altitude 5238m
  • Activity Trekking
  • Starts/Ends Kathmandu / Kathmandu
  • Best Season September to November and March to May
Highlights
  • Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and to Juphal, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
  • Trekking through remote and ancient traditional Tibetan-style villages, allowing you to experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the local people.
  • Visit to the beautiful Shey Phoksundo Lake, which is the deepest lake in Nepal and is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
  • Crossing several high passes, including the Numa La Pass and the Baga La Pass, which offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains.
  • Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries and stupas, allowing you to learn about the rich cultural and religious history of the region.

The Lower Upper Dolpo Trek is a challenging and remote trekking route located in the Dolpo region of Nepal. This trek is a unique experience that allows you to explore the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the region.

The trek starts from Juphal, a small town in the Dolpo region, and takes you through ancient Tibetan-style villages, high mountain passes, and pristine forests. The Upper Dolpo region is one of the most remote and least explored areas of Nepal, and the trek offers you a chance to experience the unique culture and traditions of the local people.

The trek passes through several high passes, including the Numa La Pass (5,190m) and the Baga La Pass (5,070m), which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Annapurna (8,091m).

The trek is physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness and acclimatization. The best time to undertake the trek is from September to November and from March to May when the weather is clear and the views are spectacular.

Overall, the Lower Upper Dolpo Trek is a unique and challenging trek that offers an opportunity to explore the hidden gems of the Dolpo region and experience the local culture and traditions.

ItineraryDay to Day Itinerary
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Upon your arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), our staff will welcome you and assist in the transfer to hotel. You will have dinner with your guide where you will be introduced to each other and talk about the trip.

 

 

  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Max Altitude:1350m

Today, you will have full day to prepare for the trek. The permits to do the dolpo trek will be issued on this day. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the next morning departure time from hotel so that you can prepare accordingly.

  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Max Altitude:1350m

We will take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is located just on the border of India to the west.

 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Lodge
  • Duration:50 minutes

Today, first we will take a flight to Juphal, the small airport which allows to approach the Dolpo. From Juphal, we descend to the Bheri Khola then we cross a small bridge. Arriving at the confluence of the Bheri Khola and the Suligad we go up on the left bank of the Barbung Khola until Dunai. Dunai is the administrative capital of Dolpo.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:2475m
  • Duration:flight 30 minutes and trek 3/4 hrs

The trail follows the river, an easy ascent and walking through a pine forest on our way to the village of Palchekkhola Byasgar and then to Tarakot. Tarakot is a village where Thakuri, one of the ethnic groups resides where their living depends on agriculture and livestock.

 

 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:2545m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

We will walk to the right of the valley and cross several streams before arriving at Khanigaun. Then the trail turns left through the valley after crossing a river. We will leave the valley on the right and climb to reach Lahini odar.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:3370m
  • Duration:6/7 hrs

Today, we follow a narrow valley along the Tarap river. We will cross the river several times. After several ascents and descents, we will reach Chyugur Khola from wherewe will head to Thonjam, where we will spend the night in a tea house.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:3560m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

The trail continues through the valley. The valley begins to widen after 2 hours of walking. You will pass a tiny canyon and emerge into the arid inner Himalayan valley, greeted by spectacular juniper and wild rose plants, leaving the tree line behind. Upon reaching Dho village you will find the houses made up of stone with flat roofs. The Dho village is built at the junction of 3 valleys and is surrounded by peaks with astonishing view. You will spend two nights in Dho village.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:4050m
  • Duration:6/7 hrs

Today, we will explore the surroundings, which will help you get more acclimated. You will get the opportunity to interact with locals and learn about their customs, culture, and way of life. You will visit Ship Chhok Gompa, Nimaphug and Rubdi Gompa (Bon monastery). This day allows you to immerse yourself in the unique world of Dolpo.

 

 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:4050m

Today, we will continue walking through north along a broad valley. We will cross the villages like Kahakar, Chhumagaun on our way to Tok Kyu. We will spend a night in a tented camp.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:4209m
  • Duration:3/4 hrs

As we have to walk for long hours, we will start our trek early in the morning. The trail might be difficult compared to previous days as we will make our way to Numa La Pass situated at an altitude of 5238m. You can enjoy the breathtaking views of beautiful mountains from the pass. After spending some time, we will make our way down to Pelung Tang, where you will spend the night in a tent camp.

 

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:5238m
  • Duration:8/9 hrs

Today we will pass another high pass so, we will start our walk early in the morning. We have to walk through challenging path on our way to Baga La Pass (5214m). You will be amazed with the view of surrounding snow-capped mountains from the pass. We will then descend to Phedi where we will spend the night.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:5214m
  • Duration:8/9 hrs

To reach Phoksundo Lake and the settlement of Ringmo, which is situated on the shore of the lake, we will walk through easy trail compared to last two days..

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:3733m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

Today, we will explore Phoksundo Lake. On our way to the lake, we will also visit a nearby monastery. Upon reaching the Phoksundo Lake, you can enjoy the view of beautiful Phoksundo lake

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:3733m

We will descend to the Phocsundo Khola River. Easy descent from the left side of a narrow valley through the pine and birch forest to Reji, a small village in a narrow valley bordered by a small field.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:2838m
  • Duration:9/10hrs

We will descend along the Phoksundo Khola on our way to Dunai.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent
  • Max Altitude:2140m
  • Duration:5/6 hrs

We will descend before crossing the Phoksundo Khola. We will walk by the left bank of the river with tea shops on the way. We leave the river on the right to climb to Juphal.

  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tent or Lodge
  • Max Altitude:2475m
  • Duration:3/4 hrs

We will take an early flight to Nepalgunj and again another flight to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj.

  • Meals:Breakfast & Lunch
  • Accommodation:Hotel

We have kept one extra day because the flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj might be delayed due to weather.

  • Accommodation:Hotel

Representative from Moon Himalaya Adventure will drop you to the international airport for final departure three hours prior to your flight schedule.

    Cost DetailsWhat's Included
    • Airport pick up and drop in private vehicle.
    • Three-night hotel in Kathmandu.
    • One-night hotel in Nepalgunj.
    • Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj.
    • Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal.
    • Flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj.
    • Flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.
    • Three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trekking.
    • Tea and coffee during the trekking.
    • Tea house and tent accommodation during the trekking.
    • Shey-Phoksundo National Park entry fee.
    • Special Permit.
    • Trekkers’ Information Management system (TIMS) card.
    • Camping charge during the trek.
    • Camping equipment (Sleeping tent, kitchen tent, dinning tent, toilet tents, kitchen utensils)
    • Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj to Juphal and from Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu for guide.
    • Ground transportation from Kathmandu to Juphal and Juphal to Kathmandu for assistant guide and kitchen staff.
    • English speaking government license holder Trekking guide.
    • Cook, Assistant guide, Kitchen staff and Porters.
    • Food, accommodation, salary and Trekking insurance for Guide
    • Food, accommodation, salary and trekking insurance for Cook, Assistant guide, Kitchen staff and Porters.
    • First aid kit.
    • All necessary government taxes.
    • Certificate of accomplishment of trek.
    • Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service which will be paid by client Travel insurance company.
    What's Excluded
    • Nepal entry visa fee (you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport – Kathmandu). You will require 2 passport size photos.
    • Your Travel insurance (compulsory).
    • Food (lunch and dinner) while you are in Kathmandu.
    • Hotel in Kathmandu that goes beyond the scheduled program.
    • Your personal expenses and entrance fees while you do the tour in Kathmandu.
    • Entry fees in Monastries, temples, Museum.
    • Your personal expenses, shopping, donation to monasteries and school, wifi, laundry etc.
    Useful InformationGood to Know
    • Altitude sickness: You should be aware of the risks of altitude sickness and take necessary precautions, such as acclimatizing properly, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding alcohol and smoking. Moon Himalaya Adventure has prepared the lower dolpo trek itinerary with proper time to acclimatize starting gradually from low altitude to high during the trek. However, if you realize any symptoms such as headache, feeling and being sick, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and shortness of breath then immediately inform to your guide as soon as possible. 
    • Weather: During February to May and September to Mid- December the weather is generally dry and stable however it is important to be prepared for the cold and the possibility of snow or rain.
    • Medical History: Please let us know if you have any medical history that might effect your Lower Dolpo Trek such as knee or leg sprain, fractures, major surgeries or other serious health concerns.
    • Medication: Please inform us about any medication that you use daily so our guide can help remind you while trekking.
    • Best time to trek: Every season has a different thing to offer however the best time to doLower Dolpo Trek is from September to Mid-December and from February to May. During these months, the weather is generally dry and the skies are clear, offering stunning mountain views.
    • Electricity: Portable solar chargers are recommended for charging electronic devices.
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