Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek: Hidden Treasure of Nepal

Private Trip

We Offer Group Discount

No. of Persons	Price per Person
1 - 2 Pax	$ 1699
3 - 6 Paxes	$ 1599
7 - 12 Paxes	$ 1450
13 - 25 Paxes	$ 1350

Destination

Nepal

Accomodation

Hotel, Lodge and Tea house

Walking Distance

120 km~

Duration

16 Nights 17 Days

Max. Elevation

5190 m

Meals Included

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Grade

strenuous

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 Trek Itinerary

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

day 16

Flight to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu

day 17

Farewell

Lower Dolpo Trek Map and Altitude Graph

WHAT’S INCLUDED

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. We provide 3 meals per day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) and Tea / Coffee.
All the essentials camping and kitchen equipment.
An experienced local trekking guide with his expenses.
Required supporting local porters and donkeys to carry food and luggage.
Special trekking permit of Shey Phoksundo National Park and local taxes.
Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Jufal domestic flights only one way for the guide & clients.
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.
Jufal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu return domestic flights for the guide & clients.
Ground transport from Jufal to Kathmandu
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 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.

Written by: Mohan Bhandari

Frequently Asked Question

Spring and autumn which provides a fresh atmosphere and clear views is a good time to trek to Lower Dolpo. Lower Doplo lies in a rain shadow area which means there is no to little rain in monsoon. Thus, monsoon is also a great time to trek to this region.

We will be spending nights in a hotel while we are in Kathmandu and in Nepalgunj. We can choose hotels according to our necessities. But once we start hiking we will be spending nights camping outdoors which will not be comfortable for first-time trekkers while some might love it.

Lower Dolpo lies in the remote region of Nepal. The trekking route is not well developed and you can see very few teahouses on the way with basic rooms. The food thus is also basic.

This trek will enlighten you about the people of Dolpo, their lifestyle, and the ancient Buddhism they follow.

The trek is not entirely impossible for the children but may have to endure many hardships along the way. The paths are steep and rocky and are very physically demanding.

With children, one must always be vigilant for possible accidents and injuries. Though the trek is difficult, it can be completed with extra care and attention or one can hire a special guide to look after the children.

Yes, you need a permit to explore this region. Unlike other regions, the permit cost is fairly cheaper. Trekkers need to pay just US$ 10 per person every week

No, boating is not possible in Shey Phoksundo Lake.