Highlights
- Adventure to beautiful Phoksundo Lake and beyond towards scenic valley of inner Dolpo
- Crossing high Baga-la and Numa-la pass within the pure wilderness and tranquil environment
- Explore lovely impressive villages of Ringmo-Tokyu and Tarakot of great cultural interest
- Enjoy dramatic views of high snow-capped peaks with dramatic landscapes and scenic valleys
- Exciting and smooth flights overlooking awesome views of the high Himalayan range of mountains
Overview
Lower Dolpo Trekking, one of the special and exclusive journey with an adventure that leads you to cross several high passes facing marvelous scenery of Lower and Inner Dolpo fantastic landscapes.
Lower Dolpo trekking, an ever-exciting adventure of more than two-week duration that takes you into the perfect wilderness of high mountains around rolling hills and within a scenic valley, truly a mesmerizing trip for people in search of a fresh new Himalayan destination.
One of the most interesting highlights of this journey is walking into beautiful Phoksumdo Lake and its scenic surroundings and as well soaking into immense cultures of Dolpo villagers adorned with colorful cultures of both Buddhism and ancient practice known as Bon (pre-Buddhism) religions.
An amazing trek that takes you to high passes rewards with the outstanding panorama of dramatic landscapes with white peaks and verdant valley dotted with farm villages and well-tended terraces, certainly makes the country very photogenic to capture in your camera with unforgettable moments of Lower Dolpo Trekking.
The adventure starts from the capital Kathmandu after visiting its interesting places of great heritage wonders, where panoramic flight leads you to Far South West at Nepalgunj city airport within a low and warm country.
From Nepalgunj connecting another flight to reach our destination at Lower Dolpo in Jhupal where adventurous and scenic walks begin heading first to our ultimate goal at emerald-colored Phoksumdo Lake.
With an extra day at Phoksumdo Lake exploring around scenic areas with interesting Ringmo village to witness the culture of Dolpo people adorned with ancient cultures and custom, as the journey continues crossing high passes Baga-la, Numa-la and then over highest Jyang-la to reach back into villages after spending few overnights around isolated Yak grazing fields.
Enjoy walking around the nice lovely village of Tokyu and Dho-Tarap visiting its old monasteries of great old heritage treasured with ancient arts and idols, slowly our adventure leads to the end of this fabulous journey walking within the beautiful valley to reach historical town village of Tarakot.
After exploring interesting places around Tarakot then ending our exciting walks heading back at Dunai, a large town and headquarter of Dolpo then finishing the adventure lastly at Jhupal where air journey takes you to Kathmandu, after great experience on Lower Dolpo Trekking.
Season for Lower Dolpo Trekking:
April to October includes wet monsoon months of June to mid-September, as Inner and Lower Dolpo falls within rain-shadows with less chances of rainfalls are less than other parts of southern Himalaya.
Best time from April to June when most days are clear for views of mountains and pleasant walks with longer sunlight hours due to spring season, when wildflowers are in bloom.
Next best months September and October although cold in the morning and night time with freezing temperatures around the higher area, where days are clear with short sunlight hours due to autumn/fall and pre winter season.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu via various airlines and transfer to the hotel.
On the main arrival at Kathmandu also the only Nepal international airport where you will be received by All Nepal Treks and Excursion staff and guides for a short drive to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu city around the most interesting area in Thamel.
On checking your rooms, getting refreshed join with other trekkers for briefing provided by our guide or leader.
Evening enjoys group dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant with a live cultural program to entertain you with dinner.
Day 02: Morning sightseeing tour and fly to Nepalgunj and transfer to the hotel.
Morning till afternoon free day in Kathmandu, morning tour of Kathmandu famous world heritage sites of great interest led by our expert guide, as Kathmandu city steeped with ancient and old monuments that make the whole valley an interesting place to explore, afternoon transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport where scenic flight reaches you to Nepal Far South West for Upper Dolpo trek.
Day 03: Fly to Jhupal 2,475 m and trek to Dunai 2,140 m -04 hrs.
Early morning depart from the hotel to Nepalgunj airport where the short flight takes to Jhupal at Dolpo to start our walks to Dunai, an administrative and headquarter town of Dolpo area, with time for walks around the market of Dunai to observe interesting tradition and culture of Western Nepalese.
Day 04: Trek to Chhekpa 2,678 m- 05hrs.
From Dunai, morning walk reaches to cross over a bridge above Thulo Bheri River, where climb takes you on a ridge higher from Phoksumdo River valley with views of Kagmara peak.
After the bridge long downhill past farm villages and fields growing walnuts with other basic crops, as the walk gets close to Dhera stream around cattle herder place then a short climb to Raha-Gaon village populated by main Hindu tribe known as Thakuri Malla, as walk downhill into the forest to reach first overnight stop at Chhepka a small farm village near to Ankhe village.
Day 05: Trek to Samduwa 3,038 m -05 hrs.
Morning walks with a short climb and then descend into a forest to reach at a riverbank, from here climb on leaving the small forested area.
The climb continues to reach a high ridge and then descends to a small bridge reaching Ryajik village, where walk follows to Samduwa for an overnight stop close to at the entrance of Phoksumdo National Park.
Day 06: Trek to Phoksundo Lake 3,600m / 11,808 ft -05 hrs.
From here morning walk leads into Phoksundo Lake heading past Pungmo Khola (stream) and the valley, as the route follows Pungmo Khola downstream within pine and birch trees to reach the upper side of Phoksumdo Khola.
After a short refreshing stop continues to walk to Ringmo village, an interesting Tibetan origin village with mud-plastered Chorten and Mani (prayer) walls.
A short walk takes you right near a shore of Phoksundo Lake for an overnight camp of scenic and magnificent Phoksundo Lake.
Day 07: Rest and acclimatization day at Phoksundo Lake.
A great lovely place for rest day within scenic views of the lake, the short walk offers the best views of Kagmara peaks, as well visiting Ringmo village which is close to the lake.
Day 08: Trek to Temche 3,995 m near Ghuchun Khola - 05 hrs.
After an interesting time at Ringmo village and around Phoksundo Lake, today’s walk leads to another side of Dolpo area then head east taking an alternative route to cross over Baga-la and Numa-la passes, morning walk past Muduwa village on a valley gorge to reach a small grazing area at Temche for an overnight stop near Ghuchun Khola (stream).
Day 09: Trek and cross Baga-La 5,167 m and camp at Danigar 4,512 m - 06 hrs.
Start morning walk on a nice gradual trail that leads uphill to cross over Baga-la at 5,169 meters high, a steep climb for about near few hours to reach on top of the pass offers grand views of Phoksumdo lake and Kagmara peaks, after enjoying the beautiful scenery, long descend to our overnight camp at Danigar or Phedi, meaning base or a bottom of the hills and passes.
Day 10: Cross Numa-La (South) 5,310 m and at the base (Phedi) 4,440 m - 06 hrs.
Morning walk to cross Numa-la at 5,309 meters, one of the highest spot of this adventure, climb over grassy slopes for nearly three hours to reach on top Numa-la rewards views of Dhaulagiri mountain range to Kagmara peak and looking down at beautiful valleys and surrounding dramatic landscapes, after an enjoyable moment descends to the base of this high pass, then with few hours of good walk on a gradual path to reach our overnight camp on a summer pasture field at the base or Phedi.
Day 11: Trek to Tokyu 4,240 m crossing Jyang-la pass 5,216m - 06 hrs.
Morning climb to cross over Jyang-la pass with steep uphill all the way to the top of a pass rewards views of Mt. Dhaulagiri range, and then long descend to the base of the pass and continue walk to reach large Tokyu village.
An easy walk to reach at Tokyu Gaon for overnight, an impressive and interesting village around the Dolpo area, consists of more than ten villages with nice tended farm fields with old monasteries.
Day 12: Trek to Dho Tarap 3,944 m - 05 hrs.
After Tokyu Gaon, downhill to Tarap Chu on a wide green valley a scenic and wider valley on walks encounter many Yak herder settlements walk continues to overnight camp at Dho Tarap, another interesting village of mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribe people.
Day 13: Trek to Tarap Khola 3,800m -06 hrs.
Morning walk descends to Tarap valley, a largest and longest valley of Dolpo about 20 k.m. extends all the way to Tarap Chu River that too joins with Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village, walk leads past Langa with beautiful cascading waterfalls heading due south following a trail after Sisaul to a small place of Kesila around Yak herders camps to reach overnight stop at Tarap Khola on the confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, overnight camp by the river.
Day 14: Trek to Khani Gaon 3,150 m -06 hrs.
The journey continues to reach Tarap valley as the walk enters narrow gorge with some green vegetation bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Tol-Tol near a large overhanging cave, within this area chance of spotting some wild-life like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals.
The walk continues to reach where two rivers meet Tarap Chu and Lang Khola Rivers, overnight camp at Khani Gaon by the bank of the river after a long day walk of nearly six hours or more.
Day 15: Trek to Tarakot 2,540 m -06 hrs.
From here to reach the nice village at Tarakot walk lead past smaller villages and then enter into a small forest, following a river all the way to Tarakot, an important and large village of Dolpo with an interesting history.
Tarakot and the village built in an old historical like fortress (Dzong or Kot) to guard the village against outsiders or invaders in past early days.
Tarakot village houses a famous old Sandul Gomba located at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River.
Day 16: Trek to Dunai 2,140 m and drive to Jhupal-06 hrs.
After an enjoyable and exciting walk and overnight in Tarakot, the last day walk takes you back at Dunai, as morning starts walking within several rural farm villages on a wide path includes short uphill and downhill to reach Thuli Bheri River valley and at Dunai.
From Dunai short drive of few hours on winding trail past farm villages and forested area to reach last overnight stop at Jhupal, before heading back to Kathmandu.
Day 17: Flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj and connect flight to Kathmandu.
Morning from Jhupal a short swift flight to land at Nepalgunj airport, here with time to for refreshment and lunch and then catch connecting flight back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel after a great exciting adventure on Upper Dolpo.
Day 18: Spare contingency day in Kathmandu in case of flight delay and cancellation.
Spare or contingency day in Kathmandu where the flight can delay with cancellation at Jhupal in Dolpo can happen sometimes due to bad and unfavorable weather conditions, if all goes well on time as our itinerary days, interested people you can book for an optional tour around Kathmandu at a place of great interest or free for individual activities.
Day 19: International departure to respective countries homeward bound.
Last day in the land of world highest mountains and exciting cultures, as per your time for international flight depart from the hotel, where All Nepal Treks staff and guide transfers you to the airport, with grand experience and wonderful memories of Lower Dolpo Trekking.
What's included
- All Arrival and Departure transfer from airport to hotel and vice versa with our staff to pick you up.
- Full day Kathmandu sightseeing.
- 3 star standard hotel in Kathmandu on Bed / Breakfast basis (Unless booked for Single Room Supplement).
- Twin sharing accommodation at tourist standard hotel in Nepalgunj city on full board.
- Twin sharing accommodation on best Lodge available on treks on full board with breakfast-lunch and dinner.
- Full board camping includes all meals with two men tents, dining tents with kitchen tent includes toilet tents and necessary equipment required on camping.
- Private transportation from after ending the trek to Jhupal.
- Domestic Airfares Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Jhupal-Kathmandu.
- Applicable Special Trekking permits and National Park Fees.
- Group briefing and orientation program on do’s and don’ts of the trip.
- International air tickets re-confirmation.
- Basic First Aid and Medical Kits.
- Experienced and well language skilled guide.
- Porter as on ratio of 2:1 (one porter for two guests).
- All applicable government taxes.
What's not included
- Entrance fees for sightseeing places
- International Airfare-Nepal Entry Visa.
- Personal Travel and Medical Insurance.
- Expenses of Personal Nature-Gratitude-Airport Tax and Meals in Kathmandu as per Itinerary.
- Personal Trekking gear and equipment, down or duvet jackets, sleeping bags.
- Emergency Evacuation by any means of Transportations and personal medical kit.
- Early return from the trips or breaking up the journey due to personal/medical reason clients has to bear extra expenses in Kathmandu or on route with related expenses as there will be no refund from the company in such situation.