Lower Dolpo Trek is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the western hills of the beautiful land of Nepal. It is an area where access to Himalayan valleys in the northern part of the country can be difficult, but the remote and rugged protected areas are both scenically and culturally attractive. On this route, the trekker will experience the real adventure of off-the-beaten-track trekking, on steeply-sloped hills. The trek will goes through protected areas and leads to amazing Phoksundo Lake which is surrounded by unusual flora and fauna. There is an opportunity to see a superb combination of mountain views, high passes, amazing glaciers, beautiful landscapes, and lakes interspersed with Tibetan Buddhism. This trekking takes you to some unexplored places in remote Nepal and is as much cultural experience as a physical and visual one. The treks mostly go through the remote and isolated land beyond human settlements for several days.
Lower Dolpo Trek begins from Nepalgunj after a 1-hour flight from the Kathmandu Valley. The trail is a joyful experience passing through traditional villages and farming lands. The dramatic slopes of the mountains create ever-changing compositions of light and shadow. It is not only the scenery that attracts trekkers to this region, but also the remarkable villages, most of which are lands of mystery, panorama, and harmony. The best time for trekking is from March to May and from September to December.
Outline itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Fly to Nepalgunj 1 hour
Day 03: Fly to Jhupal and trek to Dunai (2,850m) 2-3 hours
Day 04: Trek to Tarakot (2,543m) 5-6 hours
Day 05: Trek to Laini (3,160 m) 6-7 hours
Day 06: Trek to Nawarpani (3,545m) 5-6 hours
Day 07: Trek to Do Tarap (4,090m) 7-8 hours
Day 08: Rest Day at Do Tarap
Day 09: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m) 6-7 hours
Day 10: Cross Numa La pass and back Pelung Tang (4465m) 6-7 hours
Day 11: Cross Baga La pass and trekking to Dajok Tang (4,080m) 6 hours
Day 12: Trek to Ringmo (3,600m) 3-4 hours
Day 13: Trek to Phoksundo Lake
Day 14: Trek to Shyanta (2520m) 5-6 hours
Day 15: Trekto Jhupal
Day 16: Fly to Nepalgunj and fly back to Kathmandu
Day 17: Final departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
When you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu there will be a representative from our company to meet you. You will directly drive to the hotel to check in. At night you will meet your guide, hear additional information about the trip, and have dinner.
Day 02: Fly to Nepalgunj 1 hour
If the hotel is able to make breakfast we will have our breakfast and then drive to the airport in order to fly to Nepalgunj. After the 1-hour flight, we will check in at the hotel, explore the area, and spend one night.
Day 03: Fly to Jhupal and trek to Dunai (2,850m) 2-3 hours
After spending one night in Nepalgunj, we will take a 20-minute flight to Jumla, the capital of the Karnali Zone and a gateway for trekkers who want to explore this remote area. And after reaching Jhupal, we will move towards Dunai where we will spend one night.
Day 04: Trek to Tarakot (2,543m) 5-6 hours
We will follow the Lower Dolpo Trek from Dunai to Tarakot, stopping for lunch on the way. We will spend one night in this beautiful land.
Day 05: Trek to Laini (3,160 m) 6-7 hours
This route goes through terraced farming and some beautiful villages. We will have our lunch on the way and also pass through the lush forest of the rhododendron, pine, and the beautiful villages before reaching Laini where we will spend one night.
Day 06: Trek to Nawarpani (3,545m) 5-6 hours
Today’s the trail is quite exciting as the valley becomes a narrow gorge where in some places you can jump from one side to the other. We will have a wonderful view of the mountain and suspension bridges before reaching Nawarpani where we will spend one night.
Day 07: Trek to Do Tarap (4,090m) 7-8 hours
While doing this day’s trek, we will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain and beautiful villages. We will cross many suspension bridges before reaching Do Tarap where we will spend one night.
Day 08: Rest Day at Do Tarap
This day is for the rest day. Early in the morning after wake up, we will have our breakfast and then after we will explore all around Do Tarap. We will explore villages and have an opportunity to spend some time in the monastery which may help provide the mental stamina for further trekking.
Day 09: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m) 6-7 hours
Our trail follows the western trails and slowly ascends upwards into a beautiful forest. We will continue through tranquil wilderness and then onto a downhill path for a couple of hours. We will pass through the cool forest and reach a summer grazing pasture area.
Day 10: Cross Numa La pass and Back to Pelung Tang (4465m) 6-7 hours
In the early morning, we will start our trek towards Numa La Pass. We begin crossing the Numa La Pass on a steep trail all the way up the ridges of the passes. After crossing Numa La pass, we will have our lunch then after slowly move back towards Pelung Tang where we will spend one night.
Day 11: Cross Baga La pass and Trek to Dajok Tang (4,080m) 6 hours
We begin our steep climb up to the top of Baga La Pass and move across high altitudes. After crossing the Baga La Pass, we will head back down to Dajok Tang. On the way, we will have a wonderful view of the mountains and beautiful landscape. It takes almost 6 hours to reach Dajok Tang where we will spend one overnight.
Day 12: Trek to Ringmo (3,600m) 3-4 hours
Today we will travel on a trail to an even higher elevation where the main attraction is a monastery situated at the highest altitude in the world. We will have wonderful views of the mountains and surrounding landscape of this route and spend one night.
Day 13: Trek to Phoksundo Lake
The trail leads upwards through terraced lands with rice fields that seem impossibly green. It is an enjoyable day in preparation for further destinations to come. Wee will spend one night at Phoksundo Lake.
Day 14: Trek to Shyanta (2520m) 5-6 hours
A pleasant and refreshing overnight stop in the high hills and then we walk continue on the main trail. Our trail passes through a dense forest of red rhododendron. We will have our lunch on the way and slowly move towards Shayanta where we will spend one night.
Day 15: Trek to Jhupal
Our trail descends and passes through a lush forest of birch. On the route, we will have an opportunity to see wonderful views of the mountains and open landscapes. We will cross many suspension bridges before reaching Jhupal where we will spend one night.
Day 16: Fly to Nepalgunj and Back to Kathmandu
From Jumla, we will go to the local airport to fly to Nepalgunj. After a 20-minute flight, we will have our lunch and then fly to the Kathmandu Valley. Upon reaching in Kathmandu, we will check into the hotel, spend some time around the Thamel Bazaar, and spend one night in this wonderful valley.
Day 17: Final Departure
We will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport with the hope that you have had a wonderful time in our small country. We will also be hoping that this will not the last chance to serve you.
