Lower Dolpo Trek

  • Duration 21
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Grade Easy
  • Starts at
  • Ends at
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Accommodation Tea House / Camping
  • Max. Altitude
  • Activity Trekking , Hiking & Exploring
  • Group Type Private
  • Group Size 2-12
  • Best Season Spring / Autumn / Winter / Mansoon

Lower Dolpo Trek Overview

Come experience heaven in the form of Lower Dolpo Trek with the Alpine Paradise Treks and Expedition. This is a journey that takes you to the heart of Nepal and lets you explore the vivid ruggedness that is significant of this country. Passage through high mountain passes, remote villages, and religious locations makes this trek one in a million experience, worth embarking on.

The trail of the Lower Dolpo Trek passes through the hidden trail used by locals in the Phoskundo National Park. Populated greatly by ethnic inhabitants like the Bon Po people and the Buddhists, the Lower Dolpo region of Nepal is surely set to arrest you with its perfect beauty. The highlights of this trek are the passage through Do Tarap, Numa La Pass, Baga La Pass, Ringmo Pass and the views of the Annapurna and the Dhauliaigiri Himalayans ranges.

The trek starts off with a flight from Nepalgunj and then passes through remote locations through the rain shadow landscape of the Himalayas. The perpetual fascinating spectacle of the colorful barren slopes of the light and shadow region of the Lower Dolpo region makes this experience something to remember for a lifetime. Explore the Bon Po traditions followed by the ethnic inhabitants living in this region and muse at the number of yak caravans you pass by. Come experience heaven in Nepal with the Alpine Paradise Treks and Expedition.

Best Season:

The best time to trek in the Lower Dolpo region is during the autumn season, from September to November, and during the spring season, from March to May. These months offer clear skies, mild temperatures, and good trekking conditions.

Permits:

  1. Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
  2. Shey-Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit
  3. TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card

Regulations:

  1. The Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (RAP) can only be obtained through a registered trekking agency in Nepal, and a minimum of two trekkers is required.
  2. Trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide, and camping is required throughout the trek.
  3. The trekking group must follow the designated route and cannot stray from the path.
  4. The consumption of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.
  5. Trekkers are not allowed to interact with locals or take photographs without permission.
  6. Respect local customs and traditions, and avoid causing damage to the natural environment.
Day to Day Itinerary
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Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft) Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the day exploring the city or simply relaxing at your hotel. In the evening, you will meet with your trekking guide and have a briefing about the trek.

Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft) Today, you will embark on a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley. You will visit some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa (also known as Monkey Temple), and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the afternoon, you will have a final briefing with your trekking guide and prepare for the trek.

Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj & transfer to Hotel You will take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a city in the southwestern part of Nepal close to the border with India. Upon arrival, you will transfer to your hotel and have some free time to relax and explore the city.

Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo)(2,320m/7,610ft), trek to Dunai (2,850m/9,348ft), 2-3 hrs walks Overnight at the camp. Today, you will take a short flight from Nepalgunj to Jhupal, a small airstrip in the Dolpo region. From there, you will trek to Dunai, the administrative headquarters of Dolpo district. The trek is relatively easy and takes around 2-3 hours. You will spend the night at a campsite in Dunai.

Trek to Tarakot (2,850m/9,348ft), 5-6 hrs walk. Overnight at camp. After breakfast, you will set out on a 5-6 hour trek to Tarakot, a beautiful village located on the banks of the Tarap Chu river. Along the way, you will pass through several small villages and enjoy stunning views of the Himalayan mountains. You will spend the night at a campsite in Tarakot.

Trek to Khani Gaon (2,543m/8,341ft), 5-6 hrs walks. Overnight camp near by the village backyard. Today’s trek takes you to Khani Gaon, a traditional village inhabited by people of the Magar ethnic group. The trail is relatively easy and takes around 5-6 hours. You will spend the night at a campsite near the village backyard.

Trek to Tarap Khola (3,450m/11,316ft), 4-5 hrs walks Overnight at camp. After breakfast, you will continue your trek to Tarap Khola, a beautiful valley that is home to many rare species of plants and animals. The trail is moderately challenging and takes around 4-5 hours. You will spend the night at a campsite near the Tarap Khola river.

Trek to Yak Kharka (3800m/12,464ft), 4-5 hrs walk. Overnight at camp. After a good night’s rest, we continue our trek to Yak Kharka, which is located at an altitude of 3,800 meters. The trek today is relatively easy, and we will walk through beautiful landscapes filled with lush greenery and stunning mountain views. We will reach Yak Kharka in the afternoon and set up our campsite for the night.

Trek to Dho Tarap (4,090m/13,415ft), 5-6 hrs walk. Overnight at camp. Today, we trek to Dho Tarap, a beautiful village located at an altitude of 4,090 meters. The trek is relatively easy, and we will walk through a beautiful valley filled with colorful prayer flags and stunning mountain views. We will reach Dho Tarap in the afternoon and set up our campsite for the night.

Rest Day at Dho Tarap for acclimatization. Overnight at camp. Today is a rest day, and we will spend the day exploring the village of Dho Tarap and acclimatizing to the high altitude. Dho Tarap is a fascinating village with a unique culture and tradition, and we will have the opportunity to learn more about the local way of life.

Trek to Tokyu Gaun 5-6 hrs. Overnight camp beneath the Numa-la. After a rest day, we resume our trek and head towards Tokyu Gaun, located at an altitude of 4,200 meters. The trek today is relatively easy, and we will walk through stunning landscapes filled with rocky cliffs, lush green forests, and beautiful mountain views. We will reach our campsite for the night beneath the Numa-la pass.

Trek to Numa La. Overnight at camp. Today, we trek towards Numa La pass, located at an altitude of 5,190 meters. The trek is challenging, and we will need to be careful and mindful of the altitude. The pass offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is a highlight of the trek. We will spend the night at our campsite near the pass.

Cross Numa La (5,190m/17,023ft), and camp at Phedi. Overnight at camp. Today is an exciting day as we cross the Numa La pass and descend towards Phedi. The trek is challenging and requires a good level of physical fitness and mental strength. We will reach Phedi in the afternoon and set up our campsite for the night.

Cross Baga La (5,070m/16,630ft) and camp on the other side of the Phedi (4,470m/14,662ft). Overnight at camp. Today, we cross another challenging pass, the Baga La pass, located at an altitude of 5,070 meters. The pass offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and is a highlight of the trek. We will spend the night on the other side of the Phedi at an altitude of 4,470 meters.

Trek to Ringmo (3,600m/11,808ft), 6-7 hrs walks. Overnight at camp. Today, we trek towards Ringmo, a beautiful village located at an altitude of 3,600 meters. The trek is relatively easy and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. We will reach Ringmo in the afternoon and set up our campsite for the night

Rest Day at Ringmo for a hike to Phoksundo Lake

Today we will take a break from trekking and explore the beautiful Phoksundo Lake. Phoksundo Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Shey Phoksundo National Park and is one of the major highlights of the Dolpo Trek. We will hike to the lake which will take about 3 hours. The scenery is stunning with the blue-green waters of the lake contrasting with the surrounding rocky terrain. The lake is also surrounded by snow-capped peaks which makes for a picturesque backdrop. After spending some time at the lake, we will return to Ringmo for the night.

Today we start our journey back towards Jhupal, retracing our steps back to Chepka. We will pass through the same forests and villages as we did on our way up, but this time we will be descending instead of ascending. The trek will take around 6-7 hours, and we will stay overnight at Chepka.

Today we continue our descent and head back to Jhupal, which will take about 7-8 hours. This is our last night on the trail, so we will celebrate our successful trek with our guide and porters.

We will take a morning flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. Once we reach Nepalgunj, we will take another flight back to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, we will head back to the hotel and enjoy our last night in Nepal.

Today is a free day for you to explore Kathmandu. You can visit some of the cultural and historical sites in the city like the famous Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Temple, or Pashupatinath Temple. You can also do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs to take back home. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of our trip.

Our Dolpo Trek comes to an end today, and we will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. You will be leaving with memories that will last a lifetime, and we hope that you had an amazing time exploring the wild and remote region of Dolpo with us.

Altitude Chart

Our team guides, porters and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.

Cost Includes
  • Permits and fees for Shey Phoksundo National Park
  • Accommodation during the trek (tea houses or lodges)
  • Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek
  • A professional and experienced guide
  • Porter services (if requested)
  • Basic first aid kit and emergency equipment
  • All necessary equipment, such as sleeping bags and down jackets (if requested)
Cost Excludes
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (such as drinks, snacks, and souvenirs)
  • Tips for the guide and porter
  • Emergency evacuation expenses
  • Visa fees for Nepal
  • Personal equipment such as hiking boots, backpack, and clothing
  • Any additional expenses incurred due to unexpected events or circumstances, such as flight cancellations or natural disasters
Departure Dates
  • We have daily departures for this trip from March to May and from mid-September to mid-December. You can type in the number of passengers to book a reservation and select a date that is convenient for you. Due to group size, we never cancel a trip once you’ve made a reservation. If you would rather join the group, we will add more travelers on the selected date. You can let us know once you make a reservation or earlier.
Useful Info
  • Backpack: A 40-60 liter backpack is recommended to carry all your gear.
  • Clothing: Warm layers, waterproof jackets, gloves, hat, and sturdy trekking shoes.
  • Sleeping gear: A good quality sleeping bag and a sleeping pad are essential.
  • First-aid kit: Pain relievers, bandages, antiseptic cream, and any necessary medications.
  • Hydration: A water bottle or hydration system to stay hydrated during the trek.
  • Navigation: A map, compass, and GPS device can be helpful in case of emergency.
  • Headlamp: A headlamp with extra batteries for early starts and navigating in the dark.
  • Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunhat, and high-SPF sunscreen to protect from the sun’s harmful rays.
FAQs
  • The best time to visit Lower Dolpo is from June to September.

  • The Lower Dolpo trek is a challenging trek, suitable for those with good trekking experience and a high level of fitness.

  • Yes, a special permit is required to trek in Lower Dolpo, which can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board.

  • Yes, it is recommended to hire a guide for the Lower Dolpo trek for a safe and enjoyable experience.

  • During the Lower Dolpo trek, you will be staying in teahouses or lodges, which offer basic accommodation and food.

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