Lower Dolpo Trekking

14+

Age

Nepal

Country

Mar through Dec

Dates

21 Days

Duration

Trekking

Activities

Lower Dolpo Trekking has only been permitted since mid-1989. Lying to the west of the Kali Gandaki Valley, Dolpo is located inside the Shey-Phoksundo National Park in mid-western Nepal, behind the Dhaulagiri massif and towards the Tibetan plateau. The region offers opportunities to visit ancient villages, high passes, beautiful lakes, isolated Buddhist monasteries. In addition, you get to experience the vast array of wildlife inhabiting the region, including Blue sheep, Mountain Goat, Jackal, Wolf and the legendary Snow Leopard.

The Lower Dolpo area is isolated due to the difficult topography, Therefore, it is one of the remotest and least exposed areas of Nepal. Hence, the Lower Dolpo trek offers opportunity to meet the people and their lifestyle almost untouched and unexplored.

Visit the Shey-Phoksundo National Park and the “Tarp Valley”, which are the most interesting and lively places in western Nepal. You’ll surely feel overwhelmed by this place and its people, completely uninfluenced by modernization. The landscape, flora and fauna, picturesque mountain views, rivers and springs, flat roofed houses, chortens, monasteries and beautiful lakes are unique to this area.

This remains a truly isolated corner of Nepal and time has stood still here for centuries. Tribes from Tibet continue to live, cultivate and trade here the way they have done for hundreds of years. Most treks into Dolpo take from 14 to 30 days. The best time to trek here is towards the end of the monsoon season Sept to November. Shorter Dolpo treks are possible by flying into the air strip at Jumla.

Outline Itinerary:

01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1350m)

02: Kathmandu Sightseeing

03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo 2320m) and trek to Dunai (2850m): 2-3 hrs walk

05: Dunai to Tarakot (2543m): 5-6 hrs

06: Tarakot to Khani Gaon (2543m): 3-4 hrs

07: Khani Gaon to Tarap Khola (3450m): 4-5 hrs

08: Tarap Khola to Yak Kharka (3800m): 4-5 hrs

09: Yak Kharka to Dho Tarap (4090m): 5-6 hrs

10: Rest and acclimatization day

11: Dho Tarap to Tokyu Gaun (4200m): 5-6 hrs

12: Tokyu Gaun to Numala base (4665m): 4-5 hrs

13: Cross Numa La (5309m), camp at Pelung Tang (4465m): 6-7 hrs

14: Cross Baga La (5070m), camp at Dajok Tang (4080m): 5-6 hrs

15: Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3600m): 3-4 hrs

16: Rest day at Ringmo, hike to the Phoksundo Lake

17: Ringmo to Shyangta (2520m): 5-6 hrs

18: Shyanta to Jhupal: 5-6 hrs

19: Flight to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj

20: Bhaktapur Sightseeing and the rest of the day free

21: Final departure

Arrival in Kathmandu (1350m)

Welcome to Nepal. A representative of Nature Trail Trekking and Expeditions receives you at the Tribhuvan international airport, Kathmandu. Then you transfer to the hotel. After a short rest, we take you to the Thamel tour (about 30 minutes) to introduce you about the shopping centre, bank and ATM, restaurants and money changers. In our office we do a brief introduction to our staff including your trekking guide, cook and about the upcoming itinerary, equipment etc. If you have a late flight, we do it on the following day. Overnight at hotel.

Kathmandu Sightseeing

Pashupatinath Temple:
It is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva, located beside the Bagmati River. It is one of the most significant temples for the Hindu devotes around the world and the UNESCO site. The golden pagoda style temple is richly carved with silver doors. On the day of Shivaratri, a big fair is held around the month of February/March.

Boudhanath Stupa:
One of the biggest Stupas in the world, is located on the east in Kathmandu. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four prime direction, keeping watch for virtuous behaviour and human success. King Man Deva at the advice of the Goddess Mani Jogini had built this remarkable Stupa. The Stupa resembles the Mahayana philosophy.

Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

Today we will take a scenic flight to Nepalgunj in western Nepal. It is situated near the border of Nepal and India. Around the evening time, we stroll around and see the local market. Overnight at hotel

Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo 2320m) and trek to Dunai (2850m)

We fly early in the morning from Nepalgunj to Juphal of Dolpo for 45 minutes. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range come to our eyesight and we reach to Juphal. The team for the trekking greet and arrange all the luggage and required food supply. The journey begins from here to the mountain region through the rain shadow area. We walk above the Bheri River gradually through the easy trail. Then we continue the trek to the district centre in Dunai. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 2-3 hours

Dunai to Tarakot (2543m)

The trail is very nice today. We walk along the Bheri River and Barbung River gorge. Little bit upwards, the trail goes through the pine woods and reach to the open terraced fields. Tarakot lies in a bit distance from here, which is surrounded by the Dzong (fort) some decades ago, which was a headquarter during the multi-estate system in Nepal. The Sandul monastery at the stream junction is antique. Trading caravans have a huge flow continuously throughout the way.We set a camp in an open space on a spur. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Tarakot to Khani Gaon (2543m)

Departing from the Bheri River gorge, we catch up the line of the Tarap Chu stream by crossing the bridge. The route is fantastic with the pleasing views of terraced farmland and isolated village. Reaching Kola, we head further along the stream guided terrain. Other views we get of the Kami Gaon is our campsite. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 4 hours

Khani Gaon to Tarap Khola (3450m)

Passing the steep slopes, we head along the narrow gorge alongside the River. We cross some of the tiny settlements with the hidden lifestyles. The pasture ground is used in the winter. The trail starts to hide somewhere and re-appearing. You can’t guess exactly how it goes ahead. Some of the wooden bridges on the way are broken and smashed away by the monsoon floods. We set up our camp at the Tarap Khola.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Tarap Khola to Yak Kharka (3800m)

Following the outline of the stream, we start to trek uphill. The scenic landscape fills us possible energy to walk pleasantly throughout. We have lunch somewhere middle of the way and continue to walk to Yak Kharka. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Yak Kharka to Dho Tarap (4090m)

We set out our excursion to the more isolated region. Passing through the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang stream, the trail lead us through the narrow pathway above the tall woods to the bushy plants as Juniper and wild flowers. The dry inner Himalayan part is more picturesque and mind blowing. Walking further, we can see the stone walled village at Dho. The architecture of the village is unique and striking. They are highly influenced by the Tibetan Buddhism. We reach there after a short walk. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Rest and acclimatization day

As we gradually ascend to the high altitude, we need to get adapted to it. It is our rest and acclimatization day. We set out for a wonderful hiking around the Dho Tarap and arrest the picturesque setting through your lens of the camera. The local people here prefer to wear homespun garments and wear religious types. Nyigmapa sect and Bonpo sect people are found here with the Gompa in the village. Then we walk back to the camp. Overnight at tented camp

Dho Tarap to Tokyu Gaun (4200m)

After spending a memorable day at Dho Tarap, we ascend towards the Tarap valley at upper part. Following the rocky trail nearby the River, we continue our journey through the plain track. The greeneries on the Riverside create different sense and a positive energy in us. Tarap Chu stream leads our journey. The beautiful Tarap valley is also dotted by the fertile lands, where people grow barley, buckwheat, potatoes and other Himalayan crops. The tranquil setting of the village is fantastic with the colourful monasteries. With a gentle climb, we reach to the Tokyu village inhabited by the Chiba sect communities. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Tokyu Gaun to Numala base (4665m)

Slowly, perching to the high altitude seem to be taking our breath away. We don’t have a long walk, but the increasing altitude makes our excursion slower. The trail is dotted with rocks and steep landscape. Befriending with the tough situation, we perched our campsite at the Numa La base. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Cross Numa La (5309m), camp at Pelung Tang (4465m)

One of the most difficult days of the entire trip at Lower Dolpo. Numa La pass lies at 5190 meters and the trail is technical through the steep climb at the top ridge of the hill. The walk is jaw-dropping with the pointing rock prevailed trail. The views of the downhill, gorges, brown landscape and the vicinity strike us. Dhaulagiri peak lies in front of us there. Then, with a careful descent, we arrive to Pelung Tang, where we stay. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 6-7 hours

Cross Baga La (5070m) and camp at Dajok Tang (4080m)

It is another technical day of the Upper Dolpo trek. Right after breakfast, we head forward to accomplish our adventure mission. The beginning trail is steep uphill to the top ridge of the hill at Baga La (5070m). It is a good viewpoint of glorious Kanjirowa peak and its surroundings. Then the trail is steep downhill to deal with, which is still challenging. Finally, we arrive at our campsite at Dajok Tang. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3600m)

We walk gently today as we have crossed the challenging sections earlier. First we cross the pine forest, then through the grazing meadows. Slowly, we are descending from the alpine terrain to down flat land. The vegetation changes with colourful tiny plants and finally we catch up our destination at Ringmo. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Rest day at Ringmo, hike to the Phoksundo Lake.

This is a huge day to explore around the pristine Phoksundo Lake, surrounded by the Tibetan Buddhist settlements. A wide and large platform on the face of the Lake is also used for the camping ground. We can see the Yak caravans heading to their destinations carrying rack sack behind. Visiting the monasteries and discovering the hidden social practices enchant us. The hike offers us a special day with the pleasing scenarios. Then we descend to Ringmo. Overnight at tented camp.

Ringmo to Shyangta (2520m)

We begin to walk down to Shyanta after breakfast. First, we climb down to Chekpa then the trail through the rocky trail. Passing the barren hills and tiny Bon PO settlements, we reach to a picturesque place called Shyanta. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Shyanta to Jhupal

Following the sloppy trail, we begin the trek from Shyanta. Crossing the Sulighat, we leave a tree line behind us and reach at the top. The super scenic Juphal can be seen from there at below. This is a pretty rough trail, but the motor road has made it easier. Reaching Juphal, we take rest and walk around gradually. Overnight at tented camp.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.

We leave the Dolpo region today with a scenic flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. The long isolated foothill journey ends here with memories. From Nepalgunj, we catch our next flight to Kathmandu from there. In Kathmandu, first transfer to the hotel from the airport and you have a leisure time in the evening. Rest yourselves and enjoy. Overnight at hotel.

Bhaktapur Sightseeing and the rest of the day free

Traditionally, Bhaktapur is known as Bhadgaon, which is a home of the mediaeval arts and architectures. It is about 13 km east of Kathmandu. The city was believed to have founded in 889 AD in the Lichhavi dynasty. Bhaktapur city is popular as the city of devotees. The centuries old stone sculptures and wood carving skills are still charming around the Bhaktapur Durbar square. After the tour ends, we take you to the women empowerment project for a visit. The rest day is then for your personal doings that can be used for shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Departure.

At the farewell day, Nature Trail Trekking and Expeditions representative drops you at the airport for your final departure. Thank you for your wonderful experience with us

How hard is the Lower Dolpo Trekking?

The Lower Dolpo trek is not a easy trek, however, not too difficult as well. If you have no previous trekking experience this trek will be quite challenging due to many up and down hills, as well as the high elevation. The trekking trail passes along narrow slippery gorges road, where you have to walk carefully. Nature Trail guides will provide support if there is a difficult or slippery patch ahead. Walking slow and comfortably helps to build your confidence on the trail. Due to landslides in recent years we need to make some changes to the traditional caravan routes. Since we do this trek every year, your guide knows the way and will make sure to use a safe trail.

Another important thing that needs to be considered is the high altitude. To prevent high-altitude sickness, you need to walk slowly and steadily with many breaks on the way to acclimatize appropriately. We planned our trekking route based on this principle.

Meals:
Breakfast (only) will be available in Kathmandu whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be available during the trek. We can enjoy freshly-cooked, hygienic and nutritious meals on full-board basis prepared by our trained and experienced cook during the trek. Authentic Nepalese, Tibetan dishes as well as the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.) will be available.

Physical Condition & Experience Requirements:
Lower Dolpo Trek is categorized as a difficult trek. In such trek, you are likely to walk for 6-7 hours, cross steep, hilly terrain and occasional high passes of up to 5500m. You are likely to be in a remote environment with extreme weather on some days. You will also be facing high-altitude air with low levels of oxygen. Therefore, previous trekking experience, physical fitness and a positive attitude are essential. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience is fundamental but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.

It is also advised that you inform Nature Trail about your medical condition before booking the trek.

Best Time to Travel:
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to October) are the best months for this trip. Since the Dolpo region lies in the rain shadow area formed by Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, you can also take this trip during the Monsoon season (June to August).

Price & Service Details:

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Kathmandu

JOIN GROUP

3 before departure from Kathmandu.

SERVICE INCLUDES

All local transfers, pick up drops

Trekking Information Management System Fee (TIMS Fee)

National park Conservation Fee, including Lower Dolpo and Shey Gompa, permits, and special permits etc.

Tented camp accommodation during the trek with all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu, 1 night accommodation in Nepalganja, 1 nights accommodation in Jhuphal (Dolpo) on Standard hotels/lodges.

Services of English speaking trekking guide and porter (one porter for two people and the maximum weight carry by one porter is total 25kg)

Accommodation, meals (warm daily cooked meals in campsite, insurance, equipment and allowance of guide and porters, Yaks and Yakmans.

Sleeping bag and down jacket if necessary.

All tents for camp including kitchen, dinning, and staffs tents

Just incase of any emergency, back up and supports such as any alternative arrangement services, helicopter booking, alternative flight booking etc.

First Aid-medical services

All cooking and kitchen utensils

All applicable government taxes and service charges.

SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Any accommodation and meals in Kathmandu (3 nights included with breakfast

Any sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.

Any international and domestic airfare

Your personal travel insurance and medical.

Bottled drinks (mineral water, any cold drinks, and alcoholic drinks).

Expenses of personal nature such as tips for guide, porter, and driver, laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc.

Liability for expenses against sickness, flight cancellation, road blockage, accidents, and other occurrence, beyond our control.

Nepal visa fee.

Any other optional services not mentioned above as included.

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Lower Dolpo Trekking