The lower Dolpo trek region is situated about 300 kilometers away to the northwest of Kathmandu in the Dolpa district, which is the least developed district in Nepal. Lower Dolpo trek lies in the lower sub-area of Shey Phoksundo National Park which is the largest national park in Nepal.
This national park was established in 1984 to preserve the unique and highly diversified Trans-Himalayan ecosystem with various kinds of flora and fauna. The park features a spectacularly diverse landscape in which five percent of the park is forest area which lies in the southern part of the park.
This remote southern part of Lower Dolpo comprises huge river valleys, beautiful lakes, and scattered isolated villages with monasteries and Tibetan Buddhist culture throughout the region.
Lower Dolpo trekking also passes through ancient villages like Do-Tarap with traditional Tibetan stone house clusters, local fields surrounded by beautiful monasteries, and high passes like Numa-La (5,290M) and Baga-La (5,175M) which add up to some adventures in this trek.
One of the highlights of a trek to lower Dolpo is Shey-Phoksundo Lake famed as Nepal’s second largest lake with magnificent turquoise water located near an outlet of Nepal’s highest waterfall. As well as Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village scenically nestles in the area near a 900-year-old Thashung Gompa as well as the beautiful Kanjiroba Himal.
How to get to the trailhead of lower Dolpo trekking?
To get to the trailhead of the lower Dolpo trek you can either take a flight to Nepalgunj which takes about 55 minutes or take a drive that takes a minimum of 16 hours. Then after this, you have to take a flight to Juphal airport which takes 35 minutes.
Or if you have time, you can even take a flight to Jumla which takes about 6-7 days to reach Juphal. As part of the by-road option, you can take a jeep ride for a few days to get to Dunai however it is not recommended during the monsoon season.
Lower Dolpo trekking Route
Normally the lower Dolpa trek begins from Juphal airport and goes to Tarakot (2543M), Laini (3160M), and Nawarpani (3545M) for the first, second, and third nights of the trek.
Then trek goes to one of the highlights of the trek to Do-Tarap (4019M) where we spend two nights for acclimatization. Do-Tarap is a lovely village with amazing local farmland. This village is considered one of the highest human settlements in Nepal and has a monastery as well.
After this trek goes to a more remote region of this journey and becomes more adventurous. So, next, the trek goes to the Numa-la base camp (4440M) before going over the Numa-la pass (5310M) on the next day.
After the first pass, the trek goes to Pelung Tang (4465M) to get ready for another pass which is Baga-La (5175M). The next day’s trek goes over the Baga-la pass and descends to Dajok Tang (4080M) for the night camp.
After walking in a more desolate region of the trek, the trek descends to greener areas full of vegetation and to one of the main highlights of the trek, Phoksundo Lake (3612m) where we spend our 2 nights for exploration.
After this trek descends to Shyanta (2520M) for another night camp before we head to Juphal (2475M) on our last night of the trek. The trek ends the next morning flying to Nepalgunj and flying back to Kathmandu on the same day.
Lower Dolpo trekking Permits, fees
- “Special trekking permits” costs $20 for a week per person.
- Shey Phoksundo’s national park entrance fee costs 3000 rupees per person.
Included/Exclude
Cost Includes
- Sightseeing around Kathmandu.
- Private vehicle for sightseeing.
- Tour guide for sightseeing.
- Round trip flight Kathmandu-Nepalganj-Juphal by plane.
- One-night hotel in Nepalganj
- All night accommodation in the lodges (wherever available) and in tents (if lodge not available) during the trek on a twin-sharing basis (please inquire if you need private accommodation)
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a cup of tea or coffee during the trip.
- All required permits for trekking.
- Licensed Guide and strong porter (one porter for two people and (we send extra porters to carry tents and supplies to remote areas)
- Accommodation, food, salary, and insurance for guide and porter.
- Farewell dinner at the end of the trip.
- All government taxes
Cost Excludes
- Entrance fees while visiting UNESCO world heritage sites during sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Your trekking insurance and evacuation in an emergency.
- Hard drinks, cold drinks, bottled water, and personal expenses.
- Wi-Fi, hot showers, and battery charging.
- Gratitude for the guide and porter.
Trip Info
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4 Star Hotel
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Availability
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Availabe
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6688m
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Guided
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English, Japanese
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VISA, Master Card
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Bus, Taxi
Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek Overview
The Lower Dolpo Circuit is set in the isolated and remote western region of Dolpo where the landscape and people are more Tibetan than Nepali. This mysterious land has a dry atmosphere and is at high altitude, despite being in ‘lower’ Dolpo. With ever increasing altitudes up to the maximum 5,190m and with days averaging 6 – 7 hours of walking, this two week trek is recommended for experienced and fit hikers. But the rewards are astounding: the crisp, clear blueness of Phoksundo Lake (3,611m); unique flora and fauna; a unique religion; diverse culture; colourful festivals; challenging passes; high snow-covered Kanjirowa Himal peaks and the list goes on!
Tour Highlights
- Cultural tour around UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES in Kathmandu.
- Scenic flight to Nepalganj and Juphal.
- The stunning scenery of the trans-Himalayan region.
- The ancient village of Do-Tarap
- Phoksundo lake and phoksundo waterfall.
- Dense forests and rivers.
- Ancient monasteries.
