Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek: Hidden Treasure of Nepal

Destination
Nepal
Activity
Trekking
Accomodation
Hotel, Lodge and Tea house
Region
West Nepal
Distance
120 km~
Start / End Point
Jhupal/Jhupal
Duration
16 Nights 17 Days
Max. Altitude
5190 m
Meals Included
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Group Size
2-20
Nature of Trek
homestay or tea house
Trip Code
WNT-LD
Activity Per Day
5-7 hrs
Transporation
FLIGHT, JEEP
Grade
strenuous

Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek: Hidden Treasure of Nepal Overview

The trek takes us to the ‘Hidden Treasure of Nepal’ as we cross three high passes at Baga La, Numa La, and Kangma La. Also, we will visit the famous Phoksundo Lake and explore the wilderness in the vicinity. We will need special trekking permits to travel in this region as it's quite a remote yet beautiful area. Still, despite being almost untouched by the modern world, the people here are amiable and humble.

Exploring Ancient Civilization

The inhabitants of Dolpo mostly follow ancient Tibetan Buddhism. To this day, many residents earn their living by trading rice, salt, and cotton in Tibet. They use yaks to haul their goods for trade.

Lower Dolpo Trek is a 17-day trek that allows trekkers to explore the astonishingly beautiful and remote Dolpo region. This trek is getting popular among trekkers as it offers an experience that other treks cannot.

You can do this trek at any time of the year. However, we recommend the months of March through May or September through November. Any other time, it is either too hot, too cold, or too humid. We will take care of your entire food and lodging and make sure that you’ll smoothly complete this trek.

Additionally, we provide an experienced guide that will accompany you throughout the Lower Dolpo trek or Lower Dolpo tea house trek.

How can we get to Shey Phoksundo Lake?

We take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and then another from Nepalgunj to Juphal. From Juphal, we walk through several villages like Dunai, Nawarpani, Dho Tarap, and Ringmo before reaching Phoksundo Lake.

The lake is astonishingly beautiful, and so are the several gompas in the area. Phoksundo sits at an elevation of 3,611 meters and is one of the deepest lakes in Nepal. After spending a whole day near the lake, we will then hike to Shyanta and then to Juphal before taking a flight to Nepalgunj.

For detailed information, you can scroll down to the lower Dolpo trek itinerary section. The comprehensive knowledge about all the various paths is often mentioned in the itinerary section.

 

Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek: Hidden Treasure of Nepal Photo

Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek: Hidden Treasure of Nepal

  1. day 1

    Arrival at the Airport

    Highest Altitude 1400 m

    You will meet our office representative at the airport who will pick you up in a cab and take you to your hotel. After freshening up, we will have a meeting where we will brief you about the tour. We will have dinner at a Nepali restaurant before going back to our hotel.

      • Overnight stay at a hotel

       

  2. day 2

    Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

    Flight Hours 45 minutes
    Highest Altitude 2850 m
    Trek Duration 3 hours

    We will take an hour-long trip to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. Located near the Nepal-India border, it is the gateway to all western treks of Nepal. We will explore the town for the rest of the day.

      • Overnight stay a Hotel
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

       

  3. day 3

    Nepalgunj to Jhupal and trek to Dunai

    Flight Hours 45 minutes
    Highest Altitude 2850 m
    Trek Duration 3 hours

    After breakfast, we take a 45-minute flight to Jhupal, where we begin our trekking. We will walk across the terraced fields on the sides of the Bheri River. After hiking for about 3 hours, we arrive at the administrative center of the Dolpo region i.e., Jhupal. We will stroll around the small town and spend the night in an outdoor camp.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals ( Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  4. day 4

    Dunai to Tarakot

    Highest Altitude 2543 m
    Trek Duration 5-6 hours

    We continue our trek to Tarakot along the southern bank of the Bheri River passing through several villages and hanging bridges. We also tread across deep gorges surrounded by pine trees. After encountering vibrant terrace fields, we will have arrived at the small village of Tarakot. We will stay overnight at a tented camp.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  5. day 5

    Tarakot to Laini

    Highest Altitude 3160 m
    Trek Duration 6-7 hours

    We will walk along the Tarap Chu river and cross two bridges before reaching Sandul Gompa. Situated near the confluence of Tarap Chu and Barbung Khola, the gompa was built in the 11th century.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  6. day 6

    Laini to Nawarpani

    Highest Altitude 3545 m
    Trek Duration 5-6 hours

    Climbing on a steep path, we will walk above the Tarap River. After several ascents and descents along the way, we will arrive at the bank of Chyugur Khola. The village of Nawarpani is just nearby where we will spend the night.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Brekafast + Lunch + Dinner)
  7. day 7

    Nawarpani to Dho Tarap (4090 m)

    Highest Altitude 4090 m
    Trek Duration 7-8 hours

    We gradually ascend to Kamattarka, which lies at the intersection of the Lang Khola and Tarap Chu. From there, we cross a gorge and walk alongside juniper bushes to reach the village of Do Tarap. It is a Magar settlement who have been living here for centuries.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Brekafast + Lunch + Dinner)
  8. day 8

    Acclimtization at Dho Tarap

    Highest Altitude 4090 m

    We will take a free day in this place to acclimatize to the altitude by resting in Do Tarap. We will visit the nearby monasteries and also explore the ancient culture of the people.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  9. day 9

    Dho Tarap to Numa La Base Camp

    Highest Altitude 4440 m
    Trek Duration 6-7 hours

    Trekking upwards from Do Tarap, we enter the grasslands of inner Dolpo. We will walk along the Tarap Chu river for a couple of hours before reaching the village of Tokyu. After visiting the Buddhist monastery nearby, we hike along rough terrain before reaching Numa La Base Camp.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  10. day 10

    Numa La Base Camp to Pelung Tang

    Highest Altitude 4465 m
    Trek Duration 7 hours

    After breakfast, we begin our hiking along a steep trail that takes us to the Numa La Pass. The Pass offers some excellent views of the surrounding villages as well as the Dhaulagiri massif. After about 7 hours of hike, we will reach Pelung Tang, where we spend the night.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  11. day 11

    Pelung Tang to Dajok Tang (4080 m) via Baga La Pass

    Highest Altitude 4080 m
    Trek Duration 6 hours

    Again, we do some steep climbing to reach another pass at Baga La. From the top, we can see a fantastic landscape with snow-clad mountains like Kanjirowa in the distance.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  12. day 12

    Dojak Tang to Ringmo

    Highest Altitude 3600 m
    Trek Duration 4 hours

    It’s a relatively short trek as we tread alongside gorgeous alpine vegetation. After only about 4 hours, we will reach the Tibetan-style village of Ringmo.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Brekafast + Lunch + Dinner)
  13. day 13

    Ringmo to Phoksundo

    Highest Altitude 3612 m
    Trek Duration 5 hours

    We will hike to the famous Phoksudo Lake as we get close to the Tibetan border. Visiting several monasteries on the way, we finally reach the glorious and sacred lake.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  14. day 14

    Phoksundo to Syanta

    Highest Altitude 2520 m
    Trek Duration 4 hours

    After trekking downhill to Chepka, we pass through several villages before reaching Shyanta.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Brekafast + Lunch + Dinner)
  15. day 15

    Shyanta to Jhupal

    Highest Altitude 2320 m
    Trek Duration 5 hours

    We hike to Sulighat, which provides some fascinating views of the mountains. Walking cautiously along the ridge, we descend to Jhupal village.

      • Overnight stay camping
      • Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  16. day 16

    Flight to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu

    We take the earliest flight to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu.

      • Overnight stay at a Hotel
  17. day 17

    Farewell

    We will drop you at the airport and bid you farewell.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

    •  All the required airport and hotel transfers.
    • Twin sharing 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu city according to the fixed itinerary inclusive of bed and breakfast.
    • Kathmandu city tour guided by a professional city tour guide includes all the entrance fees and transportation.
    • Tented accommodation during the trekking days in the mountain region.
    • Full board standard meals during the trekking days are prepared by our expert trekking cook.
    • All the essentials camping and kitchen equipment.
    • An experienced local trekking guide.
    • Required supporting local porters and donkeys to carry food and luggage.
    • Special trekking permit of Shey Phoksundo National Park and local taxes.
    • All the required domestic fights.
    • Food/Salary/accommodation and medical or accidental insurance for all the trekking staff.
    • Farewell dinner party after the trip completion in Kathmandu.
    • All the government and local taxes.

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

  • International airfares and Nepal entry visa fees.
  • Extra night hotel Nepalgunj due to bad weather and earlier back to Kathmandu.
  • Riding horse along the trek.
  • Alcoholic beverages, bottled mineral water, soft drinks, and snack foods.
  • Gratitude for the guide and porters.

 

Lower Dolpo Trek Map

everest base camp trek map

Lower Dolpa Trek trip information

After you arrive at Tribhuvan International airport, our company’s representative will pick you up and drive you to the hotel.

The next day, we will fly to Nepalgunj. The next day from Nepalgunj it is another 45-minute flight to Jhupal.

The real hike begins from Jhupal.     

Trek difficulty

Lower Dolpo trek comes under higher altitude trek. We will reach an altitude of 5200m which makes us available to altitude sickness. So, we will be acclimatizing as per your need. Trekking to Lower Doplo is a 18days long journey so this might be taxing.

Travel Insurance Policy

This trip comes with high-altitude trekking risks such as potential altitude sickness. Hence, travel insurance is compulsory.

All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy to North Nepal Trek. The policy must cover medical and emergency repartition above 3000 meters- including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes.

 

 

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Departure Date Price Trip Status
182021-12-09 - 2021-12-25 USD 2500 USD 100 save USD 2400 Decent Book Now

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FAQ's

1 : When is the best time to travel there?

2 : What about food and accommodations?

3 : Is this trek possible with children?

4 : Do I need any permits for this trek?

5 : Is boating possible in Shey Phoksundo Lake?

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