Epic Adventures Nepal

Lower Dolpo Trekking

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from 1 reviews
Days
21
  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
No of people Price per person
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Max. Elevation
5238 m / 17185 ft
Group size
Min 2
Level
Difficult
Transportation
All ground transportation and domestic flight as per itinerary
Best Season
April-june, Sep-Nov
Starts at / Ends at
Kathmandu /
Accomodation
3*** Hotel in Kathmandu and Lodge / Tea house during the trek
Meals
Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during the trek
Trip Route

Highlights

  • An enjoyable trek around Nepal Far Western Himalaya around inner Dolpo
  • Far from mainstream trails off the beaten route in complete wilderness
  • Explore the wild country of inner and lower Dolpo within dramatic scenery
  • Visit lovely villages enriched with immense age-old Buddhism heritage
  • Cross high passes of Numa-la and Baga-la to beautiful Phoksundo Lake

Overview

‘Adventure to beautiful and scenic turquoise Phoksundo Lake’ 
Epic Adventurers Lower Dolpo Trekking, one of the most exciting journey of little more of two weeks. An enjoyable walk within tranquil surroundings, and far from maddening crowd of modern civilization leads you to sheer wilderness.

The Inner and Lower Dolpo least visited region of Far Western Nepal, due to its remote location. Isolated from rest of the world, adventure to Lower Dolpo involves flights both ways or with long overland journey.

Lower Dolpo falls within restricted area, visitors requires a special permits to enter this wonderful region of Wild West Nepal. A perfect adventure for trekkers in search of new, raw destinations, as this journey takes you off the beaten tracks.

Truly a mesmerizing trip, amidst glorious scenery of high rolling green hills, snow- mountain range with beautiful serene lake. Besides breathtaking views of landscapes, the villages on route are equally fascinating adorned with ancient heritage and cultures. 

The villages of higher valleys of Lower Dolpo worth visiting festooned with age-old traditions interwoven with Buddhism and Bon religions. The Bon an ancient sect of pre-Buddhism that still exists around higher region of Far Western Nepal Himalayas.

Main highlights of the adventure is exploring the pristine Phoksundo Lake, the beautiful landscapes and local culture of great interest.

Lower Dolpo Trekking begins with scenic flight facing panorama of Langtang, Ganesh Himal with Manaslu, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.

As plane lands on low warm city airport at Nepalgunj, next early morning flight to Jhupal where our treks begins. Lower Dolpo Trekking with two options clockwise or taking an anti-clock direction, we have set the itinerary the anti-clock routes.

Adventure takes you through Dunai, headquarter town of Dolpo as walk continues to historical village at Tarakot. From here towards beautiful Dho-Tarap walking on longest valley of Dolpo area, as walk leads to lovely village of Tokyu.

Tokyu an impressive village of Dolpo, with time to explore and observe local immense culture similar to its Tibetan predecessor. Where walk follows on old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade and Caravan route to Tibet, encountering many yaks herders camps. 

On leaving Tokyu village, walk leads to pure wilderness, then climb over the first pass of the adventure. Cross Numa-La Pass at 5, 238 m, the top rewards grand panorama of beautiful landscapes with distance snow peaks. Includes view of 
Dhaulagiri Himalaya range in the east horizon, then towards the last pass of the journey over Baga-La. The top of Baga-La at 5,167 m facing western views of Dolpo area with Phoksundo Lake and Kagmara peaks.

Slowly walk takes you to Ringmo village and then at Phoksundo Lake our main highlight of the whole adventure. We have reserved a day at beautiful turquoise Phoksundo Lake to explore its scenic area surrounded by green pine trees.   

From here on leaving the Phoksundo and Ringmo village heading back to Dunai and Jhupal walking ups and down. Where route leads to Chepka and Anke hill villages of Hindu Thakuri Chettries and around farm fields and terraces.

Finally trek completes at Dunai town and then to Jhupal for last overnight stop around Dolpo and Far West Nepal. Next early morning short flight to Nepalgunj and then transfer to another aircraft to Kathmandu. On reaching hustle, bustle city life in Kathmandu our adventure concludes, after a great experience around Lower Dolpo Trek.

Please Note:
The above itinerary is a guideline where designated camp and overnight stops can change due to available of good camp site with fresh clean water and streams.
More or less it is a tented camping adventure setting camp in complete wilderness and around the village farm yard. Where hour of walk and places can differ sometime, as per the nature of the trail condition also.

Important Note

Mode of Trekking: In local lodges where available with tented camping.
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
Area of Trekking: Around Inner / Lower Dolpo area and Phoksundo Lake. 
Highest Elevation: Numa-La pass 5, 238 m and Baga-La 5,167 m high.
Location: Nepal Far West Himalaya within Dolpo Region. 
Culture and Religion: Populated by the Dolpo tribe of Tibetan origin, lower mid-hills Hindu Thakuri, Chettries and Brahmin people. Low area mixed culture of Hindu and Buddhism. Higher region of strong Buddhism religion and custom.
Trekking duration: 15 Nights and 16 Days with flight both ways.
Total Trip: 20 Nights and 21 Days from arrival to departure.

Trip Itinerary

On first arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport, received by our Epic Adventures staff and guide for short transfer to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu. After a short refreshing rest in your room then join with other group members for trek briefing, our expert guide will provides full information regarding the trek, culture, tour of Kathmandu at places of interest.

Evening a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurants with local folk cultural program entertains, while you have dinner.

A day in Kathmandu for trek preparation and tour at places of great interest around best historical and cultural places. Our city tour guide will take you to famous areas listed in World Heritage Sites and then back to hotel after a wonderful time at sightseeing tour with time to get organize and preparation for next day adventure to Lower Dolpo Trekking.

Morning or afternoon as per flight time for Nepalgunj, transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport and then checking in past security, board in a big plane for exciting flight facing grand panorama of Central and Western Himalayas. As the planes lands at Nepalgunj city airport, around low sub-tropical region of Nepal Far South West. Transfer to respective hotels with time for short walks around the city area to observe local life, here the people and culture similar to Indian, as Nepalgunj city is close to the border of UP a state of India.

After an early breakfast transfer to Nepalgunj airport for a short connecting flight to Jhupal airport in Dolpo. Another scenic flight with views of Western Himalaya range of peaks, on landing at Jhupal received by our trekking staff and then board in a vehicle for short drive to Dunai for overnight stop. Dunai the headquarter town of Dolpo district with many simple lodge for overnight stay here time for short walk around Dunai, an interesting place to witness the local culture of both Hindu and Buddhism religion and custom.

From Dunai town our adventure begins walking through farm villages and forested area, following a river to Tarakot for overnight stop, one of the major village of Dolpo, in early days it was the main way of Trans Himalaya Salt and caravan route of Nepal to Tibet. The village use to collect tax from the merchant and traders, Tarakot with an old fortress (Dzong or Kot) built to guard the area from foreign intruders.  Tarakot village with famous old Sandul Gomba situated at the confluence of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River.

Walk from here heads North East towards Tarap valley, trek continues on reaching at the junction Tarap Chu and Lang Khola / streams, finding a nice grassy field to set up our first overnight camp near the river after a good walk of near six hours, an isolated place a little further from the small farm village, the areas from here are summer pasture ground for grazing Yaks and other domestic animals.

From this lovely spot around wide meadow, morning after breakfast served by our camping cook, start the walk to reach a narrow gorge with few bushes of juniper and wild rose, as trek continues for some hours with short ups and down to Tol-Tol for overnight camp next to a large overhanging cave. Due to undisturbed area chances of spotting some wild life like mountain goat called Naur or Blue Sheep and other wild-life.

After a pleasant overnight stop, morning continues heading up on gradual path, and then a long climb to enter within Tarap valley, the largest, longest valley around Dolpo which is about 20 k.m. Extends to Tarap Chu River and towards Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village. Walking past Yak herder’s temporary summer camps then reach our overnight camp at Gyagar village within Dho Tarap valley. An interesting village populated mostly by the Magar people the hill tribes of Western Nepal, as well spread around throughout Nepal, the 3rd most populated hill people the Magar tribes practice both Hindu and Buddhism.

Spending overnight around beautiful valley of Dho-Tarap and at Ghymagar village, today a short walk to one of the loveliest village at Tokyu-Gaon. Walk leads to the end of the valley and past neat farm fields of barley, wheat and buckwheat then end the days walk at Tokyo-Gaon in the comfort of simple local lodge or tented camping near the village. Afternoon enjoy walk around this interesting largest village of Dolpo with tour of an old monastery of the region. 

Morning from this nice village, another short day walk of few hours as route heads North West past farm villages towards a green pasture field and a summer settlement of local cattle herders, located at the base of high Numa-la pass.

A lovely area with fields of grass to set up our overnight camp, and enjoy relaxing the afternoon after having good lunch.

Start the climb after early breakfast, as morning walk leads to a steep up for few hours to reach the highest point of the adventure on top Numa-La Pass at 5,238 meters. From the pass enjoy grand panorama of snowcapped mountains with Dhaulagiri in the east and Kagmara peak towards west direction, where our walk heads to Phoksundo Lake. Lovely views of the valleys with surrounding dramatic landscapes, after an enjoyable time from Numa-La Pass, then descend to the base of the pass, walk on gradual path to our overnight camp at a small place called Gyambo, a summer pasture field and at the base of Baga-La the last pass of the journey.

Another early morning start after a good breakfast, on gradual path for a while then climb for few hours to the top of Baga-La Pass at above 5, 167 m high.

The long climb rewards you with fantastic views of Kagamara peaks, with beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and valley with Phoksundo Lake in the far distance. After a scenic moment downhill to reach back into dense tree lines of tall juniper, pines and fir tree lines then a slow walk to Temche for overnight camp, around a small yak herder settlement.

After being in complete isolation away from main villages and human settlement for few days, and crossing high passes. From here on altitude drops as walk continues on winding trail with downhill to Ringmo village and then a short walk to reach at the bank of Phoksundo Lake for overnight stop, the lake is also called Ringmo Lake. 

A free and rest day around this beautiful location by the turquoise lake of Phoksundo, enjoy the free day with short hike around to the view points and walk around the lake and explore the nice village of Ringmo.

On completing all our major highlights of the adventure a nice walk on the valley of Phoksundo, cross few streams to reach the south end of lake at Samdua a small village for overnight camp.

From here climb leads towards farm villages and forested areas, after a wonderful time at Phoksundo Lake, as walks leads past few smaller farm villages with walnut trees, as walk heads close to a stream of Dhera, a small cattle herder settlements, and then climb to Raha-Gaon village populated by Hindu people known as Thakuri Chettries tribes of low and mid-hills. As walk continues with climb to Chepkpa a small farm village for overnight stop.

Morning from Chepkpa walk takes you around farm villages inhabited with more Hindu tribes Roka Chettries and Thakuri Malla, villages with nice tended terraces as walk continues to Dunai town. Here for lunch and refreshing stop and then taking a short drive past small forested area of blue pine trees and farm area to reach back at Jhupal for last overnight stop around Dolpo and Far West Nepal.

After a wonderful adventure around Lower Dolpo, morning after breakfast walk to the air terminal and then board in a small aircraft for flight to Nepalgunj.

On reaching Nepalgunj within warmer climate, as per time for another connecting flight after a short transit then board in a bigger plane for flight back to Kathmandu facing superb panorama of Himalayan peaks. As plane lands at Kathmandu airport, a short transfer back to your hotels after an enjoyable time on the high hills and mountains of Far Western Nepal.

We have reserved this day as contingency, in case of flight delay and cancellation in Jhupal before or after the trek. This situation can happen sometimes even in best time of the seasons due to unfavorable bad weather for flights in mountainous area. If all goes well as per our standard itinerary days enjoy this free leisure day in Kathmandu, for individual activities relaxing, shopping souvenirs or take a sightseeing tour around places of great interest like Patan and Bhaktapur, worth a visit to witness more of Nepalese art and culture.

Last day in Kathmandu and in Nepal, as per your international flight time our staff and guide will accompany you for a short drive to international airport for final departure, after a memorable time with fabulous adventure around Lower Dolpo Trekking within amazing Nepal Himalayas.

Not satisfied with this itinerary? Make your own.
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Includes

  • All the airport  and hotel transfer as per the itinerary.
  • All the required domestic flights as per the itinerary.
  • All the necessary trekking permits and official paper works.
  • All the surface transportation as per the itinerary.
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu city inclusive bed and breakfast.
  • Full board meals prepared by our expert cook during the trekking period.
  • Tented accommodation during the trek.
  • Nepal government license holder local trekking guide.
  • Required supporting porters and mules to carry your luggage, foods and camping equipment.
  • Government trained  guide  necessary no. Of porters with their insurance, salary and  meals
  • National park entry fees and TIMS permit card
  • All Domestic Flights according to the itinerary in fixed wing aircraft
  • Foods, Salary, accommodation and accidental insurance of all the trekking staffs.
  • Farewell dinner in typical Nepali restaurant in Kathmandu.
  • A comprehensive medical kit box

Doesn't Include

  • International airfare
  • Alcoholic beverages, bottle mineral water, soft drinks and snack foods
  • Extra porter for the personal day bag pack
  • Helicopter charter and all accommodation on flight cancellation due to bad weather
  • Cost raised by flight cancellation, emergency rescue charges, landslide, weather, political unrest, illness, re-routing etc which are not within our control
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Tips to staffs
Why Book with Us?
  • Excellent customer service. Our travel experts are ready to help you 24/7.
  • Best price guaranteed.
  • No credit card or booking fees.
  • 100% financial protection.
  • Environmentally-friendly tours.

Stunning Scenery and Rich Culture

My trek to Lower Dolpa was unforgettable! The scenery was diverse, from lush valleys to rugged mountains, and the local culture was fascinating. The trek was well-organized, and our guide ensured we had a safe and enjoyable experience. This is a perfect trek for those looking to explore a less-traveled part of Nepal

D
Daniel Kim
Korea, Republic of
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Equipment List

Here's a general packing list of everything you should remember to carry on your Trekking:

  • A sturdy pair of trekking boots with good ankle support
  • Rucksack or daypack (30 liters) with a waterproof cover
  • Trekking pants and waterproof trousers
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Down jacket
  • Wind/ waterproof light jacket,
  • Sun protection cream, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
  • Inner and outer gloves
  • Towel, flip-flop or rubber sandal, toiletries.
  • Water bottles and water purification tablets
  • T-shirts or shirts
  • Fleece jumper or jacket
  • Headlamp, power bank, and extra batteries
  • Inner Thermal (top and trousers)
  • Socks and underwear
  • Sunglasses, sun hat, woolen cap, or balaclava
  • 4 season Sleeping bag

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Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal