Lower Dolpa Trek

Trip Overview of Lower Dolpa Trek

Lower Dolpa trek offers a real adventure trekking on remote and rugged natural unspoiled corner simply beyond the Himalayan valleys across western Nepal. The Dolpo region preserves one of the last remnants of traditional Tibetan culture where the pre-Buddhist Bon-Po religion is still in practice. High mountains including the Dhaulagiri massif to the southeast surround this spiritual sanctuary. Dolpo region provides the opportunities to visit ancient villages, high passes, beautiful Lakes, isolated Buddhist monasteries and also to experience the vast array of wildlife inhabiting the region in Nepal.

Dolpo region has given birth of Peter Matthiessen’s masterpiece and best selling book’ Snow Leopards’ and Eric Valli’s Oscar nominated movie CARAVAN (also known HIMALAYA) was featured in this isolated Himalayan sanctuary. After exploring Kathmandu valleys’ historical/cultural sights and obtaining special permit for the lower Dopla trekking we take our flight to Jhupal via Nepalganj. We trek continuous to Shey- Phoksundo National Park before joining ancient Nepal Tibet trade route and enjoy the views of lower Dolpa valley.

Eventually you can hear prayer flag fluttering at the top of the pass, and the view opens up dramatically looking east towards the snow peaks of the Kanjiroba and majestic Dhaulagiri range. We soon walk through the pleasant green pastures to the pristine Phoksundo Lake full of crystal deep blue fresh water contrasting with the weathered red and brown hills. On our trek to Dolpa the trek descends to the Jhupal airstrip to end our historical trip of lifetime to Dolpa, the land of mystery, scenery and peace.

Detail itinerary of Lower Dolpa Trek

  • DAY 1

    ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU

    When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu. (Welcome-Dinner)

  • DAY 2

    KATHMANDU CITY TOUR

    After breakfast, we'll visit Swoyambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years Stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then processed to Visit Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 3

    KATHMANDU / NEPALGUNJ

    We take 1.30 hrs flight to Nepalgunj in south western Nepal and over night there. O/N in Nepalgunj. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 4

    NEPALGUNJ / GHOTICHOUR

    We take 1.30 hrs flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla, on the banks of river Tila. After meeting up with our trekking crew, we start our trek and camp at Ghotichour. O/N in Ghoti Chour at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 5

    GHOTICHAUR / NAPUKHONA

    We have a day of steady climbing through small villages dotting the landscape: Kunigaon, Gothigoan, Munigoan. We stop for lunch and then trek along the river to Napukhona, a small Buddhist settlement. O/N in Napukhona at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 6

    NAPAKUNA / CHAURIKOT

    We trek through birch and silver fir forest to Chaurikot. Scenic views of Patrasi and Jagadu Himal are visible to the north. O/N in Chaurikot at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 7

    CHARIKOT / BHERI SIDE

    We hear the roar of the mighty Veri flowing down below and above we are the Quagmire ranges to the west. We pass villages inhabited by people of the blacksmith and tailor casts. O/N in Veri Side at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 8

    BHERI RIVER SIDE / GARPUNG KHOLA

    Today we climb gradually through lots of thorn bushes. We see Hangine Glacie Peak. O/N in Garpung Khola at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 9-10-11

    GARPUNG KHOLA / KAGMARA PEAK AND PASSES

    We start the trek following the river upstream. We finally cross the river by a small wooden bridge over huge rocks. This is Impeyan pheasant country and just above us is the Kagmara peak (5880m) We follow the Garpung Khola. The trail becomes steeper and we come to a rocky area. The Himalayan mousse-hare can be spotted here. The climb becomes very strenuous now until we reach a pass at an altitude of 4850 m. We descend following the river and camp on a grassy spot. O/N in Kagmara Base Camp at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 12

    PUNGMO ( 3050 m.)

    We follow a trail parallel to Dorjam Khola and soon cross it. We re-enter civilisation as we see yak herds from nearby Tibetan settlements. The area is covered in Juniper Birch and Apple trees. O/N in Pugmo at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 13

    PUNGMO / PHOKSUNDO LAKE ( 3600 m)

    Following Dorjam Khola, again we climb to Sumduwa, where we have the headquarters of the Shey - Phoksundo National Park. We need to show our trekking permits to the authorities there. Then we proceed to the ice-cold, turquoise blue lake itself. The lake is surrounded by big red and yellow arid mountains. O/N in Phoksundo Lake at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 14

    PHOKSUNDO LAKE

    Today we rest to admire the beauty of this great lake. We visit nearby villages inhabited by Bon and Buddhist Settlers. O/N in Phoksundo Lake at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 15

    PHOKSUNDO LAKE / BAGALA PASS (5090m)

    We go to the east through the dense forest until we come to a clearing with some villages in it. Proceeding north-east we come to a narrow valley and make our camp here. O/N in Bagala Base Camp at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 16

    BAGALA PASS / NUMLA PASS BASE CAMP (5190m)

    The narrow valley becomes wider and is surrounded by glaciers and blade-shaped rock cliffs. We have incredible views of the Kanjiroba massif to the west. We descend to Poyon Khola ( 4450 m ) and proceed on to the next pass which we shall cross the next day. This is blue sheep country. O/N in Numla Base CAmp at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 17

    NUMLA PASS BASE CAMP / DHO TARAP

    We ascend to the top of the Numla pass which opens to a beautiful valley of upper Tarap. We proceed on to the village of Dho Tarap and camp near the river. O/N in Dho Tarap at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 18

    DHO TARAP

    We rest today. This is our major encounter with the Dolpo people. O/N in Dho Tarap at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 19

    DHO TARAP / CAVE

    We follow the Tarap Khola as the valley narrows and deep gorges dotted with caves appear. We shall be camping for the night in one of the biggest caves. O/N in cave at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 20

    TO LAHANI

    Although the distance is short to Lahini we will come to the most difficult part of the trek today. We have to descend to a canyon, the trail is normally washed-out. O/N in Lahini at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 21

    LAHANI / TARAKOT ( 2400 m )

    We come to a wide valley. This is musk deer country. Laskap Khola joins here the Tarap Khola. We climb up to kamigoan ( 2950 m ) the winter residence of the Dho Tarap people. We proceed on to Tarakot at the confluence of the Tarap and Baglung Khola. O/N in Tarakot at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 22

    TARAKOT / DUNAII ( 2150 m )

    We continue along the Baglung Khola and across the bridge to reach Laban form where we proceed to Dabung. O/N in Dunai at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 23

    DUNAI / JHUPAL

    It is a short walk to Jhupal today from where we shall take our flight to Nepalgunj the next day. O/N in Jhupal at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 24

    JHUPAL / NEPALGUNJ

    We fly to Nepalgunj today and connect with our flight back to Kathmandu next day. O/N in Nepalgunj at Tented Cam. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 25

    NEPALGUNJ / KATHMANDU

    We take our return flight to Kathmandu or drive to Chitwan for wildlife activities. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 26-27

    FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU

    After breakfast you're free in Kathmandu as your own in Kathmandu. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

  • DAY 28

    DEPARTURE

    After breakfast, you're free as your own before drop to airport for your final destination. (BREAKFAST)

Cost includes and excludes

Check the cost inclusion and exclucion of Lower Dolpa Trek

Service Includes
  • Accommodation in different standard hotels as per our different category package with all meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).Sightseeing tour as per itinerary with English speaking guide.
  • All necessary transportation from airport to airport as applicable
  • All inclusive treks with food, sleeping tent, dining tent, toilet tent, chairs, tables, sleeping bag and mattress.
  • Services of English speaking trekking guide, cook, sherpa and porters during the trek.
  • All trekking permit and national park fees.
Service Excludes
  • Travel insurance.
  • Nepal entry visa fee US$ 40 (for 30 days Multiple).
  • Personal nature expenses.
  • Soft and hard drinks such as alcohol, hot water, mineral water, cold drinks etc.
  • Laundry, phone call, tips and internet.
  • Meal other then breakfast in  Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Alternative transportation in case of heavy rain, landslide, strike road blocked etc.
  • Emergency flight by helicopter