Dolpo Circuit Trek
Trekking to the Dolpa Circuit is an unforgettable experience. This affords us the chance to explore living in the isolated highlands. We traverse a variety of settings, from green pastures reminiscent of the European Alps to rocky terrain reminiscent of the Tibetan plateau. The Phoksundo Lake is of remarkable beauty, with its deep blue and green hues and its rugged, precipitous surroundings.
Small Tibetan settlements inhabited by Tibetans' direct descendants are passed by. Buddhism and Bonpo are vital to the inhabitants of these communities and are interwoven into daily life. Tibet's oldest spiritual tradition is Bonpo religion. Dolpa is closely associated with Buddhism, yet its shamanistic and animistic influences lend it a legendary quality.
Due to its distant position, Dolpa is still a "destination off the beaten path." Particularly in the spring and summer, we hardly encounter other travelers. The Dolpa Circuit is a challenging hike with several high ascents. We must traverse two passes, Numa La at 5318 meters and Baga La at 5118 meters. This traverse comprises lengthy ascents and descents. But the landscape along the way, the views from the passes, and our interactions with the Dolpa will make the journey worthwhile.
Dolpo Circuit Trek Highlights
The Dolpo Circuit Trek is a remote and challenging trekking route located in the Dolpo region of Nepal. This trek offers a unique opportunity to explore the culturally rich and stunningly beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas. Here are some highlights of the Dolpo Circuit Trek.
Remote and Untouched Landscapes: Dolpo is one of the most remote and least developed regions in Nepal. The landscapes are untouched by modernization, offering trekkers a rare chance to experience traditional Tibetan culture and lifestyle.
Shey Phoksundo Lake: One of the main attractions of the trek is Shey Phoksundo Lake, a pristine turquoise-colored lake surrounded by rugged mountains and unique rock formations. It's the deepest lake in Nepal and holds religious significance for the locals.
Shey Gompa: This ancient monastery is situated near Shey Phoksundo Lake and is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The monastery's architecture, intricate paintings, and spiritual atmosphere make it a fascinating cultural stop.
Phoksundo Waterfall: As you trek through the beautiful landscapes, you'll come across the stunning Phoksundo Waterfall, which cascades dramatically down a cliff face.
Trans-Himalayan Scenery: The trek takes you through a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, barren landscapes, high mountain passes, and picturesque valleys. The views of the snow-capped peaks and the stark beauty of the terrain are truly captivating.
Unique Culture: The Dolpo region is culturally distinct, with its Tibetan Buddhist heritage and Bon practices. You'll have the chance to interact with the local Dolpo people and learn about their ancient customs, traditions, and way of life.
Challenging Passes: The Dolpo Circuit Trek involves crossing challenging high passes, including the Kang La Pass and the Numa La Pass. These passes offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains but require good physical fitness and acclimatization.
Wildlife: Dolpo is home to various rare and endangered wildlife species, including the elusive snow leopard, blue sheep, and Himalayan tahr. Keep an eye out for these magnificent creatures during your trek.
Limited Tourist Footprint: The Dolpo region has limited infrastructure for tourism, ensuring that the area remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. This adds to the sense of adventure and exploration.
Camping Experience: Given the remoteness of the area, the trek involves camping in pristine wilderness areas. Camping under the starlit Himalayan sky adds to the magical experience of the journey.
The Best time for Dolpo Circuit Trek
The best time for the Dolpo Circuit Trek is during the autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) seasons. These months offer the most favorable weather and trekking conditions for a safe and enjoyable experience. Here's why these seasons are recommended.
Autumn (September to November):
Stable Weather: Autumn is widely considered the best trekking season in Nepal, including the Dolpo region. The weather is generally stable, with clear skies, minimal rainfall, and pleasant temperatures during the day.
Excellent Visibility: The clear skies provide exceptional visibility, allowing trekkers to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and snow-capped peaks.
Vibrant Landscapes: The landscapes are lush and green after the monsoon season, creating a beautiful contrast with the rugged terrain. This adds to the overall visual appeal of the trek.
Spring (March to May):
Mild Temperatures: Spring brings mild temperatures, making it comfortable for trekking during the day and warmer at lower altitudes. It's a great time to experience the outdoors without extreme cold.
Blooming Flora: The rhododendron forests and other vegetation come to life with vibrant blooms, creating a colorful and picturesque backdrop for your trek.
Clear Views: Similar to autumn, spring offers clear skies and excellent visibility, which is ideal for capturing stunning photographs and enjoying breathtaking mountain views.
Both of these seasons offer a unique and rewarding experience on the Dolpo Circuit Trek. However, keep in mind that due to the high altitudes and challenging terrain of the Dolpo region, it's important to be well-prepared for the trek. Acclimatization, proper gear, and a good level of physical fitness are crucial to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Duration : 18 days | Activity : Trekking/Hiking | Trip Date : Flexible |
Private Trip : Available | Group Trip : Available | Stay : Tea House/ Hotel |
Program Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Nepal.
When you arrive at Tibhuvan International Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax for the next journey, see the city's attractions, or shop for adventure gear in one of Kathmandu's many adventure supply stores. We'll assemble our bikes and be ready for the journey in the afternoon.
Day 2 - Trekking permit arrangement, city tour.
Day 3 - Fly to Nepalgunj.
Day 4 - Flight to Juphal (2475 m), then 3 hours trek to Dunai (2140m).
Day 5 - Trek to Lingdo (2,391 m).
Day 6 - Trek to Laina Odar (3370m) 6 hrs.
Day 7 - Trek to Nawarpani (3475m) 4 hours.
Day 8 - Trek to Sisaul (3750m) 4 hours.
Day 9 - Trek to Dho Tarap (4080 m) 4 hours.
Day 10 - Trek to Numala Base Camp (4440 m) 4 hours.
Day 11 - Trek to Danigar (4631 m) via Numa La Pass (5318 m) 6 hours.
Day 12 - Trek to Yak Kharka (3982 m) via Baga La (5190 m) 6 hours.
Day 13 - Trek to Ringmo/Phoksundo Lake (3733 m) 3 hours.
Day 14 - Trek to Chhepka (2838 m) via Rechi (2940 m) 7 hrs..
Day 15 - Trek to Juphal (2475 m) 6 hrs..
Day 16 - Flight to-Nepalgunj and Kathmandu.
Day 17 - Free day in Kathmandu..
Day 18 - Departure from Nepal.
Include/Exclude
Price Includes
- All necessary ground transfers.
- All necessary accommodations as per the itinerary.
- Tea House accommodations during the trek.
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking.
- All necessary paper works.
- All necessary trekking permits.
- Experienced and First Aid-trained trekking guide.
- Strong, helpful porters.
- Comprehensive medical supplies.
- Trekking map.
- Insurance of all local team.
- Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff.
- Sleeping bag and trip duffle bag.
- Trekking certificate issued by us.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
Price Excludes
- Nepal Visa fee.
- International flights.
- All meals not mentioned in inclusions.
- Personal expenses not stipulated.
- Optional add-ons.
- Gratuities.
Guest Reviews
Lisa G
My dad and myself did plan to trek the Annapurna Circuit from Jagat to Jomsom and booked the trip via Raj and Getaway Nepal Adventure. While organizing everything in advance went smooth from the very beginning, we were amazed by the organisation of the whole trip once we arrived in Nepal - starting with a pick-up service in Kathmandu airport, also wisely chosing our guide and our porter (Manisha and Dai) which both were a perfect match to accompany us on our trekking. Both were very thoughtful and we felt like a companionship from the very beginning, but also very professional when it came to all concerns regarding the hike, like proper acclimatisation, the daily hike and everything besides. Overall organisation has been extraordinary and there hasn't been anything where Raj was not able to support (even after the trip has finished).
This really has been a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we were so happy to have this with Manisha and Dai. If ever planning to do a trekking in Nepal again (and we would love to do soon) we definitely would book with Raj again and his company one more time.
Aussie Couple
Raj and his team are awesome. Especially after seeing how other travel companies in Nepal have functioned, not only are they on top of everything, but the guides and porters working with the company are treated really well. The morning we were meant to leave for Lukla, the plane kept getting delayed. By 9 am our guides had a chopper organised to take us, where we later chatted to people who only got on one at around 2 pm and ended up hiking in the dark. We also saw multiple porters carrying more than one duffle bag, however, this company limits it to one, for the wellbeing of the porters. I cannot recommend this company enough.