Lower Dolpo Trekking a unique and scenic adventure away from mainstream trails leads you to far corners of the western Himalayas. The charm of Lower Dolpo Trekking is visiting around beautiful Shey-Phoksundo National Park, the largest park in Nepal. The adventure takes you to turquoise Phoksundo Lake at Ringmo village, a great place to be. A blend of local impressive culture and lovely scenic surroundings lined with tall blue pines, spruce, cypress, and first trees.
An enjoyable walk reaching Phoksundo Lake, the main highlight of the treks. After a wonderful time at the emerald-colored lake, and then heading towards another side of inner and lower Dolpo. From Ringmo village within the complete wilderness, walking through smaller settlements of Yak herders around summer grazing pastures. The adventure leads to a high Baga-La pass, rewards with a breathtaking panorama of Dolpo landscapes, and snow peaks of Kagmara and Dhaulagiri Himal.
On reaching the eastern region of Dolpo, the route leads to cross another high pass of Numa-La at 5,309 m. From the top enjoy the glorious scenery of striking landscapes of Dolpo with views of the Dhaulagiri Himal range. The return journey is more interesting following a trail to the largest Dho-Tarap valley, after spending an enjoyable time at Tokyu village.
Our route leads southwest encountering yak and mule caravans laden with goods on the way to the Tibet border. This area falls within an old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Trail of Nepal and Tibet. The adventure follows the Dho-Tarap Chu River and then reaches a narrow path into a gorge of a high rocky cliff with waterfalls.
Finally entering into another wide-open valley towards a historical place at Tarakot. A village with a fortress as the name Kot means fort, a lively village to visit its famous old monasteries. From Tarakot our adventurous walk concludes, where an interesting drive brings you to Jhupal for the last overnight halt around Dolpo.
Next early morning an exciting flight takes you back to Kathmandu via the city of Nepalgunj. Finally, our marvelous adventure of great experience around Lower Dolpo Trekking completes on reaching Kathmandu.
Trekking Mode: In local lodges and tented camping.
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest Spot: On top Baga-La 5,169 m & Numa-La 5,309 m.
Area of Trekking: Nepal Far North West around Karnali Zone.
Trekking Days: 14 Nights and 15 Days with flight both ways.
Total Trip: 18 Nights and 19 Days from arrival to final departure.
For Lower Dolpo Trek the best time is from April to October which includes late spring, summer, and autumn seasons. The best and high time is from late spring, most days are clear and fine for pleasant walks and views, and this is the time when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom. Can get cloudy in the afternoon with chances of snow above 3,000 m higher. Cold in the morning and nighttime, longer days full of sunshine.
The other best seasons are from summer till autumn, where most days are crystal clear with blue sky. Chances of snow sometimes at higher altitudes above 3,000 m. For interested people can visit during monsoon times of June to August also, longer days with enough sun-light hours and much colder with freezing temperatures around higher altitudes with chances of snowfall sometimes.
Dolpo region falls within rain shadow where black heavy monsoon clouds are blocked by the high Himalayan range. This is why most areas are dry and barren with less rain and moisture similar to Tibetan landscapes.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,320 m and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu for trek preparation and fly to Nepalgunj.
Day 03: Fly to Jhupal 2,475 m then drive to Dunai 2,140 m – 02 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Chhepka 2,838 m – 06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Samdua village 2,960m -06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Phuksumdo Lake 3,630 m – 06 hours.
Day 07: Rest day at Phuksumdo Lake for local excursion.
Day 08: Trek to Temche 3,995 m near Ghuchun Khola – 05 hrs.
Day 09: Trek and cross Baga-La 5,169 m camp at Danigar 4,512 m – 06 hrs.
Day 10: Cross Numa-La 5,309 m and camp at base (phedi) 4,440 m – 06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Tokyu Gaon 4,209 m via Khanger – 06 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Dho Tarap 3, 944 m- 05 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Ghyamgar 3,759 m – 07 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Tarap Khola 3,652 via Chyugar 3,440 m – 06 hours.
Day 15: Trek to Tarakot 2,540 m – 06 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Dunai – 05 hrs then drive to Jhupal – 02 hr jeep ride.
Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj and transfer to the hotel.
Day 18: In Kathmandu free day at leisure.
Day 19: Depart Kathmandu for international flight homeward bound.
On arrival at Kathmandu-Nepal international airport, received by our guide for a short transfer to your hotel in the center of the city. The briefing provides by our guide regarding the hotel, treks, and local lodges. The evening group welcomes dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant as an introduction to local foods with cultural folk programs.
Morning free in Kathmandu for trek preparation, after a leisure morning having rest and packing for the trek. Afternoon transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for flight to Nepalgunj city airport. Located Nepal Far South West around low warm sub-tropical climate. During the flight of 50 minutes enjoy super views of the Himalayan range, on reaching at Nepalgunj airport transfer to a nice hotel close to the city with time to browse around the streets of Nepalgunj.
From Nepalgunj having an early breakfast transfer to Nepalgunj airport for a short flight to Dolpo at Jhupal with a small airstrip. A swift short scenic flight of 40 minutes landed at Jhupal. Where you will be received by our trekking and camping crews and then board in a jeep or four-wheel drive. A short drive of a few hours to the major town at Dunai, headquarters and administrative town of Dolpo district. On reaching at Dunai transfer into a local lodge for an overnight stop, with time to explore the mountain town and witness the culture of both Hindu and Buddhist religions.
Spending first overnight in Dolpo at Dunai, start the morning walk after a simple breakfast, from here onwards in tented camp all meals cooked and served by our camping cook and staff. Walk follows through the main bazaar of Dunai and then cross over a bridge above Thulo Bheri River. As climb leads to a high ridge leading to Phoksundo River, as you face Kagmara peak. From the high hill downhill past farm villages with nice crops and fruit terraces of walnut trees. Then reaching at Dhera, a small settlement of yak herders, as the walk continues with a short climb reaching at Raha-Gaon. A village mostly populated by Hindu Thakuri Malla mid-hills tribes of Dolpo and Western Nepal. From Raha-Gaon head downhill within a forested area towards our overnight camp at Chhepka, a small farm village.
After the first overnight in a tented camp, with full great services of camping staff and cook, enjoying a hearty breakfast. Start the adventure by heading close to the village of Ankhe. As climb starts to a high hill and then downhill into forested reaching a riverbank. Another climb after leaving the forest for a while and then back within a tree line after a short climb uphill and downhill reaching a small bridge at Ryajik village. From here the route leads further towards a small place of Samdua for an overnight camp which is close to the entrance of Phoksundo National Park.
The boundary of Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is also the largest park of Nepal covers 3,555 sq. km area, extends near to Dhaulagiri Himalaya and Mustang district in the east, as well Jumla and Mugu in the west. Morning walk starts heading towards our first main destination and highlight at Phoksundo Lake. As the walk leads past Pungmo Khola stream and the valley with downhill reaching into pine and birch tree woods and then reaching on the upper side of Phoksundo Khola. After a few short stops walk continues to Ringmo village, an interesting settlement with inhabitants of the Dolpa people of Tibetan origin.
A nice village with mud-plastered Chorten and Mani (prayer) walls with a small monastery, the Dolpo native practice Buddhism and an ancient cult called Bon, worship of nature and mountain spirits.
Either overnight at Ringmo village or further to camp close to Phoksundo Lake for overnight.
A perfect place for a rest day to support acclimatization, where interested people can take a short hike and explore the Ringmo village or around the pristine Ringmo / Phoksundo Lake. As well enjoy the grand views of Kagmara snow peaks and its scenic surrounding.
From Phoksundo Lake, after a pleasant rest day with time to explore around local culture, the morning starts heading towards east a return journey via an alternative route. Walk follows to Muduwa a small village and then across a stream of Muduwa to reach a gorge and then finally at Temche for an overnight stop near Ghuchun Khola (stream).
The morning begins on a pleasant winding trail and then reaching at the base of Baga-La Pass. After a short rest continue to walk with a climb on the steep slope to the top of Baga-La, the first pass of the adventure at 5,169 m high. From the top enjoy super views of Phoksundo Lake with Kagmara peaks, and then head downhill to our overnight camp at Danigar or Phedi, the base and bottom of Baga-La on the other side of Dolpo.
Another pass to cross today, the highest point of the journey over Numa-La, as morning begins with a pleasant walk for short while and then climb towards Numa-La at 5,309 m, the highest spot of the adventure. On reaching the top of Numa-La enjoys a grand panorama of the Dhaulagiri Himalaya range towards the east with Kagmara in the west direction, from the pass downhill towards our overnight camp on a nice pasture field at the base of Numa-La Phedi or bottom.
After being in complete isolation around the pure wilderness, today’s walk leads back into human civilization at large Tokyu Gaon. Morning from the base of Numa-La, the wall leads to a short steep climb on a small hill, with more views of Mt. Dhaulagiri as the trail descends towards Modo valley, time permitting visit the old monastery, from here onward the route of Upper and Lower Dolpo joins.
From Modo and past Khanger walk on the gradual trail to Tokyu-Gaon for overnight stop, one of the largest and impressive villages of inner and Lower Dolpo, the village itself consist of more than ten villages with nice farm fields of wheat, and barley with old monasteries of both sects Bon and Buddhism religions.
Staying at a nice village at Tokyu Gaon after an enjoyable pleasant overnight and exploring this lovely cultural village, the morning begins heading downhill towards Tarap Chu valley, a wide field with a number of temporary settlements of Yak and sheepherders summer pasture grazing area. The walk continues further down at Dho Tarap for overnight halt, another nice and interesting village of mixed tribes of people the Dolpa of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribes of western Nepal.
From here a long descend to Tarap valley, the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area stretches near 20 k.m. our walk follows Tarap Chu River all the way till it joins the Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village. The route leads past Langa near a beautiful waterfall, as the walk heads south then reaches a small settlement of Kesila around cattle herder summer camps, and then eventually ends the day walk at Ghyamgar for overnight camp.
Slowly our adventure nears the end of a journey, as morning walks follow to a nice valley of Tarap, and then enter a narrow gorge with few vegetation of juniper and wild rose, the trail follows past a small clearing at Tol-Tol a place with a large overhanging cave. The area where wildlife like Naur or Blue Sheep often dwells for grazing and might spot some mountain animals.
The walk continues on reaching a confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola streams, where our overnight camp is set by the river bank on a grassy meadow.
Morning walk starts heading through spread out smaller settlements and farm villages, then through a small forest area, the walk follows along the riverside and then climb up to the village of Tarakot.
Tarakot, a large and historical village with an old fortress where in early days caravan laden with goods passed through Tarakot on route to Tibet on old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade trail. Tarakot was the place taking toll and taxes during the ancient Malla kingdom regime. At Tarakot for overnight last overnight in a tented camp, with time visit the old Sandul Gomba located on a junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River.
Today the last day walk of the adventure, on leaving Tarakot heading to Dunai as walk follows on a nice gradual path for short while reaching a motorable road, then boarding in the local jeep or similar vehicle, where the drive takes you to Dunai for lunch and then continue to drive to Jhupal for last overnight around Dolpo.
Early morning after a good breakfast, walk towards an airfield for the short flight to Nepalgunj, on arrival at Nepalgunj city airport with time for rest and refreshment before connecting another flight back to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu transfer back to your hotels, rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Reserved an extra or spare as a contingency day in Kathmandu, where sometimes the flight to and from Jhupal can get delayed or lead to cancellation depending upon the weather condition. Sometimes the weather can be unpredictable for flight to the mountainous regions like Dolpo. If all goes as per our standard itinerary days enjoy free time in Kathmandu for a leisure tour around world heritage sites or just relax and recall the memories of Lower Dolpo Trekking.
Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, as per your international flight time our staff and guide transfer you to the airport for homeward bound or to the next port of call, after an amazing and memorable adventure on Lower Dolpo Trekking.