Lower Dolpo Trekking

18 Days

Overview

Lower Dolpo trek takes you to the exotic Dolpo region of western Nepal. Lower Dolpo is one of the perfect trekking destinations for trekking fanatics who would opt to enjoy the adventurous trekking experience in the diversified trails of the Dolpo region. The Dolpo region is most remote and least developed region in Nepal. The entire Dolpa district was closed to trekkers until 1989 whereas the southern part of the region was opened only for organized trekking groups. The region is protected as Shey Phoksundo National Park which shelters numerous species of floras and faunas found in the region. Musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan Blue Sheep etc. are some of the rare animals that are found in the region. The region has been featured in many documentaries and movies some of which were even nominated for the Oscars academy award. The region got the international exposure and is gradually attracting many tourists in recent years. The Dolpo region was least explored area before it was opened for trekkers. The notable exploration include the mountaineering expedition led by Dr. Herbert Tichy during 1953 and other visit by John Tyson in early sixties. Lower Dolpo trek not only provides an exquisite trekking adventure but also entices the visitors with its alluring natural beauty and vivid landscapes. The off the beaten trekking trail, beautiful landscapes, high passes and the exquisite natural glamor make the region the perfect trekking destination. The majority of people living in the region follow Buddhism as their main religion. Exploring the traditional Buddhist culture and life style of people living in the region is yet another interesting part of the Lower Dolpo Trekking. There are numerous monasteries and Gompas in the region and some of them are more than 700 years old.

Breakfree Adventures 18 days Lower Dolpo Trek begins with a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu where we visit different cultural and historical monuments of Kathmandu and its vicinity. Next day we will fly to Nepalgunj and stay overnight at the hotel. We then fly to Juphal from Nepalgunj and start our trekking adventure. Few hours of trekking from Jhuphal takes us to Dunai. From Dunai we will trek via deep gorges, hanging bridges and isolated villages and reach the village of Tarakot. We will then trek to Laini, Nawarpani and Dho Tarap. We will spend a day in Dho Tarap exploring the monasteries and natural attractions. We will continue our following day’s expedition via Numa La Base Camp, Pelung Tang, Dajok Tang and Ringmo. We will pass many high passes and walk through the uneven trails of the region. We will spend a day in Ringmo to hike to Phoksundo Lake. Phoksundo Lake is one of the major attraction of the Dolpo region. We will explore the nearby monasteries and the village of Ringmo. We will then trace back to Juphal via Chepka and Shyanta. From Juphal we will board a flight to Nepalgunj and eventually fly back to Kathmandu by wrapping up our expedition. Breakfree Adventures ensures high level of comfort and security during the Lower Dolpo trekking. We have arranged our itineraries in such a way that you get ample time to rest and acclimatize during the adventure trek to the magnetic Dolpo region of Nepal.

Outline Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02 : Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
Day 03 : Fly to Nepalgunj
Day 04 : Fly to Juphal (2475m) and trek to Dunai (2850m) [35 minutes flight, 2-3 Hours walk]
Day 05 : Dunai to Tarakot (2543m) [5-6 Hours]
Day 06 : Tarakot to Laini (3160m) [6-7 Hours]
Day 07 : Laini to Nawarpani (3545m) [5 Hours]
Day 08 : Nawarpani to Dho Tarap (4090m) [7-8 Hours]
Day 09 : Dho Tarap Rest Day
Day 10 : Dho Tarap to Numa La Base Camp (4440m) [6-7 Hours)
Day 11 : Numa La Base Camp to Pelung Tang (4465m) via Numa La Pass (5190m) [6-7 Hours]
Day 12 : Pelung Tang to Dajok Tang (4080m) via Baga La Pass (5070m) [6 Hours]
Day 13 : Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3641m) [3-4 Hours]
Day 14 : Ringmo Rest Day, Explore Phoksundo Lake
Day 15 : Ringmo to Shyanta (2520m) [5-6 Hours]
Day 16 : Shyanta to Juphal
Day 17 : Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
Day 18 : Transfer to airport for your onward destination.

Trip Highlights

  • Enjoy sightseeing tour to various historical/natural/cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu
  • Catch scenic flight to and from Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal
  • Step inside and experience the lifestyle and traditions of people living in the Dolpo region
  • Discover unique Buddhist culture and tradition
  • Explore varieties and floras and faunas
  • Visit Shey Phoksundo Lake and National Park
  • Cross numerous high passes of the region
  • Witness pristine mountains, rivers and other natural attractions
  • Explore numerous monasteries, Gompas, Stupas and religious sites

Itinerary

After your arrival at the airport in Kathmandu you will be greeted by one of our representatives who will later transfer you to a pre-booked hotel in Kathmandu. After hotel check in you can decide whether you would like to have a relaxing rest at the hotel or hang around the streets of Kathmandu (If you have leisure time). O/N you stay at the hotel.

We will organize a guided city tour where you get to discover several historical, cultural and spiritual attractions of Kathmandu. You will be seeing the world heritage sites like historical Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of lord Pashupatinath, Buddhist pilgrimage Swoyambhunath (famous by the name of Monkey temple among tourists), Boudhanath Shrine and many more cultural and natural monuments. The Kathmandu city tour also lets you understand the urban lifestyle of people of Nepal. Later we will have a discussion session where we discuss about our trek plan and preparation. Our trek leader would be obliged to brief you about our expedition and answer your queries. O/N you stay at the Hotel.

We will board a flight to Nepalgunj from the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. Nepalgunj lies in lowlands of Terai in western Nepal. The Indian border is very near from Nepalgunj and therefore it is also a business hub for many merchants and local traders. You may choose to hire a Rikshaw for hanging around in the busy town of Nepalgunj. Bageshwori temple is the religious attraction of Nepalgunj and is worth visiting during your stay in Nepalgunj. Overnight, we stay at a hotel in Nepalgunj.

From Nepalgunj we will catch a flight that will fly over the beautiful Himalayas and land us in Juphal airport. Juphal is a beautiful village surrounded by mountains from all directions. We will start our trekking expedition from Juphal today and walk for approximately three hours to reach Dunai. We start walking through the small path towards Thuli Bheri River. We cross the suspension bridge and enter Shey Phoksundo National Park. Shey Phoksundo is the largest national park of Nepal established in 1984 and covers the area of 3555 square kilometers. The national park is a home for numerous species of floras and faunas found in the region. We will take the permit by paying the entrance fee and continue our expedition until we reach Dunai. Overnight, we stay at a tented camp in Dunai.

The trail continues along the south back of the river and passes through the gorges, hanging bridges and isolated villages. We then pass through the exotic gorge where the path is built about seven meters above the river. Trekking further we reach the village of Tarakot. Tarakot is an old fortress built by local people as Dzong. The village is situated on a hillock to the south of the Bheri River. We set our camps and stay overnight at the camp.

We will be trekking for approximately seven hours to reach Laini today. We continue to walk following the Tarap Chu River upstream. We cross the bridge over the River and continue to the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarapchu River. On our way we will visit the Sandual Gompa. The trail then leads through the farm terraces and rural villages. We take few ups and downs and eventually descend down to our camp at Laini. Overnight, we stay at the camp in Laini.

We ascend up to the gorge of Tarap River through the steep slope. Our expedition becomes more exciting as the valley become narrow. We pass through rural village and terraced farms. We then descend to Chyugur Khola and continue to walk until we reach Nawarpani. Overnight, we stay at a tented camp in Nawarpani.

We will have a long day walk today. We begin our expedition after the breakfast. The trail ascends up to the Kamakharka which is at the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola. The trail then pass through the forest filled with Juniper bush and wild rose. Another few hours of walk will lead us to Dho Tarap. Dho Tarap is a traditional agricultural village surrounded by fields. Overnight, we stay at a tented camp in Dho Tarap.

We have set this day for acclimatization. We will spend the day exploring Dho Tarap and its religious and natural attractions. Dho Tarap is a traditional agricultural village surrounded by fields. People mostly grow barley, buckwheat and potatoes in their fields. People also trade Yak products to earn their living. The people living in Dho are believed to have migrated from Tibet. The houses are made of stone in typical Tibetan style. Ribo Bhumpa Gompa and Shipchaur Gompa are religious attractions of Dho Tarap. Ribo Bhuma Gompa belongs to Nyingmapa Buddhism and it has got a big statue of Guru Rinpoche who is believed to be an important Buddhist saint from the 7th century. Shipchaur Gompa in Shipchok belongs to Bonpo Buddhism and really worth exploring. We will explore most of the attractions of Dho Tarap during the day and spend overnight at a camp.

Today we will be having a long day walk to reach Numa La base camp. The trail continues towards upper Tarap valley. We further continue walking by the side of the river and reach Tokyu. Tokyu has a monastery belonging to Chiba sect. We will explore Tokyu village and pay our visit to the Gompa. We then ascend up the rough track for few more hours and reach Numa La base camp. Overnight, we stay at the camp beneath Numa La.

Today is probably the longest and difficult day of the entire expedition. We will be trekking for almost seven hours to reach our campsite in Pelung Tang. We will our expedition early in the morning and start to ascend the Numa La Pass. The trail ascends steeply to the top ridge of Numa La. The top of Numa La offers magnificent views of Himalayas and surrounding landscapes. We will have a panoramic view of barren mountains of Dolpo along with Dhaulagiri (8167m). We will then descend to the camp at Pelung Tang. Overnight, we stay at the camp.

We will start with a steep climb to reach the top of Baga La pass at 5070m. The top of the pass offers great views of surrounding landscapes and snowcapped peaks of Kanjirowa Himal range. We will spend some time capturing the magical views from the ridge and later descend down to Dajok Tang. It will take us approximately six hours to reach Dajok Tang from Pelung. Overnight, we stay at a camp in Dajok Tang.

We will be trekking for approximately four hours to reach Ringmo today. We will start our expedition passing through the pine forest and continue our expedition until we reach Ringmo. We will then take a short walk to our campsite by the shores of Phoksundo Lake. Overnight, we stay at the camp.

We will have a day full of excursion today. We will explore Ringmo village and hike to Phoksundo Lake. The village of Ringmo is beautiful and worth exploring. The people of Ringmo practice the Bonpo culture. The people are dressed in traditional attire that resembles Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition. The Yak caravans can be seen heading in and out of Ringmo towards the Tibetan border. We will then hike to Phoksundo Lake and explore its majestic beauty. Later, we will get back to the camp for the overnight stay.

We will be gradually wrapping up our expedition in next few days. We will today ascend down to Shyanta. The trail goes downhill to Chepka and pass through traditional villages. We will eventually ascend to Shyanta. It will take is approximately six hours to reach Shyanta. Overnight, we stay at a camp in Shyanta.

Today is the final day of our trek. The trail goes gently upward from Shyanta and then heads towards Juphal via Sulighat. On our way back we will enjoy the majestic natural beauty and spectacular mountain views. We will terminate our trekking adventure upon reaching Juphal. Overnight, we stay in Juphal.

Early morning we will board a flight that will fly us all the way to Nepalgunj. It will take us approximately thirty five minutes to reach Nepalgunj. We can enjoy the alluring views of Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from the flight. We will have a relaxing rest at a hotel in Nepalgunj before boarding a flight to Kathmandu. Later we will fly back to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj. You may choose to hang around in Kathmandu for last minute shopping to your near and dear ones. We will organize a farewell dinner with the team of Breakfree Adventures at an authentic Nepali restaurant later in the evening. Overnight, we stay in a hotel.

Your trip to the majestic country of Nepal comes to an end today! You will be escorted by one of the representatives of Breakfree adventures to the international terminal of Kathmandu airport approximately three hours before your flight schedule. We exchange our last good-byes and now you will be leaving Nepal with all the good memories you had during the wonderful trekking adventure in the Lower Dolpo region. We hope you had a lovely time with us. Breakfree adventures would be obliged to be your travel partner during your next adventure in Nepal. Have a safe flight back home!

Cost

What is Included

  • Airport transfers by private vehicle as per the itinerary.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast as per the itinerary.
  • Kathmandu city tours including all entry fees, tour guide and private vehicle.
  • Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal-Nepalgun-Kathmandu round flight fare.
  • Domestic airport departure taxes.
  • Full board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
  • Accommodation during the trek at Tent/Camp.
  • Highly experienced, helpful and friendly Government licensed guide, cook, porter (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, transportation, salary, equipment, and accidental insurance for all staff.
  • Duffle bag, down jacket and sleeping bag during the trek.
  • First aid medical kit.
  • Lower Dolpo special permit fee.
  • TIMS Fee - Trekkers' Information Management System (Please bring 2 passport size photos for permit)
  • Government taxes & service charge.
  • Breakfree Adventures T - shirt, trekking map and trip achievement certificate.

What is Not Included

  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Monuments entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu if needed.
  • Nepal entry visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs for faster service)
  • International airfare and travel insurance.
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, hot shower etc.)
  • Any kind of drinks (tea/coffee, hot chocolate, boiled water, bottle water, cola, beer etc.)
  • Tips for guide, driver and porter.

 

What is Not Included
We will provide you with comprehensive information on the every trek and tour we arrange. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information or have any questions, we are more than happy to assist you in anyway.

When to go:
Spring (February, March, April, May) and Autumn (October, November) are the best seasons for the Lower Dolpo Trekking. Trekking in summer/monsoon (June, July) will be affected by rain but summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist. The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature.

Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended and is in fact compulsory should you be going trekking, rafting, paragliding etc. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, loss of luggage, etc. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please check with your insurance company that adventure activities and trekking above 3000m are covered in your policy, as some companies do not cover such things. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday; if you cannot provide this at the start of the holiday, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time.

Meals and Accommodation:
In Kathmandu, we normally use 3 stars hotel with breakfast but can upgrade upon request. During the Lower Dolpo Trek, we provide the best available camping tents (twin sharing), kitchen equipment, toilet & dining tents. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a tent with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single tent, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. So in this arrangement overnight halts will be as fully organized camping program.

We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a set menu prepared by our experienced cook & kitchen staff. Cup of tea or coffee is also included with meals. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive but it will be wholesome & nutritious with variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup & seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. You can ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

Fitness and Experience Required:
Our 18 days Lower Dolpo Trekking is very strenuous trek suitable for passionate walkers who have ability to walk at least 6 -7 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitude is physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, you can accomplish the 18 days Lower Dolpo Trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip are good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform us before booking the trek.

The Trekking Group:
For the Lower Dolpo Trekking, there will be one Guide, assistant Guide (8 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porter for luggage carrying (2 trekkers: 1 porter). This arrangement ensures that should any body in the group is sick; the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run the Lower Dolpo trek for group of any size, but generally have a maximum of sixteen people, as weve found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if youd like to make a group booking for more than twelve people together, we can arrange this too.

Trekking Guides and Staff:
The most significant thing that makes your Lower Dolpo Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable is the expert, experienced, courteous and helpful trek and Guide and the crew members who have ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by the best and most professional Guide. All of our Trekking Guides are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, Guiding skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities Breakfree Adventures employs staffs who have plenty of knowledgeable about culture, flora and fauna, geography, and history of Nepal. Trekking Guide of Breakfree Adventures are also trained with following trainings to make them educated on potential medical issues during their trek, biodiversity and environmental issues, English language, etc:

Intensive Wilderness First Aid – KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Governments Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre of Nepal
Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
English Language – KEEP (Kathmandu environment education project)
Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association
Our Trekking Guides obviously speak English sufficient enough to communicate but please consider this is not our mother language. The guides and porters know the routes and locality like the back of their hand, they practice the local culture themselves and they are extremely passionate about their country and its cultural aspects.

Climate and Weather:
The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

Himalayan weather can be unpredictable where nights are generally cooler and days warmer. It’s a bit colder during the winter season (Jan to Feb) but days can be quite warm and lovely if the sun is shining. You can expect a bit of snow in the months of January/February and December. Expect the unexpected! The temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to -15 deg C low.

Safety and Security:
Security and safety are a high priority of our company however there are risks associated with adventure travel, that you should consider before booking .Our trip operators constantly monitor their areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. The decision to travel to a particular country or region is a personnel one.

Responsible Travel
Breakfree Adventures is a leading trekking and travel agency with dedicated travel Professionals who are well trained to give you the best of what Nepal has to offer. Our professional team follows a social philosophy that accepts responsibility for the local people and the environment in which we work. We respect the natural environment and the culture of our country, and we help travellers from around the world discover the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Nepal. We know that responsible travel tries to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment and maximize employment and income-generating opportunities for local communities. The whole of Nepal, including those living in remote rural areas that have very few other opportunities for development, benefits from sustainable tourism.

Breakfree Adventures is passionate about preserving the environment. As responsible tour guides in Nepal, we strive to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the local communities through which we travel. While trekking to different destinations, we choose environmentally- friendly lodges that respect the needs of their staff members. We take care of our staff as well as our valued clients. During our treks and other trips, we follow a zero garbage policy (“pack in, pack out”) and leave nothing behind in the campsites. We always welcome your feedback and comments regarding responsible travel, so please send an e-mail to let us know what you think.

Write a Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your review will appear after admin approves it.

Please fill all the fields.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Lower Dolpo Trekking

Trip Facts

  • Nepal
  • 18 Day(s)
  • February to November
  • Minimum 2 People
  • Tourist bus, Private vehicle & Flights
  • Numa La Pass (5,190 meters)
  • Challenginng
  • Juphal
  • Juphal
  • Cultural Sightseeing & Trekking
  • 6 - 7 hours each day
  • Camping Trekking
  • Dolpo region, Shey Phoksundo Lake, Shey Phoksundo National Park, Numerous monasteries
  • Hotel in Kathmandu, camping during the trek

Why Travel With Us?

Experience matters:
With years of expertise, we know how to create unforgettable travel experiences.

Book Now Pay Later:
Reserve your booking today and pay at a later time with our flexible Book Now Pay Later plan.

Free Cancellation:
Our free cancellation policy gives you the flexibility to change your plans.

Have Any Questions?

Dial us now: +977 9851014557
(Also available on WhatsApp)
Email: info@breakfreeadventures.com

Quick contact

    Sign up to our Newsletter

    Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news, updates and travel deals for the Himalayas.