Lower Dolpo Trek
Lower Dolpo Trek is one of the most interesting and difficult treks located in the western hills of Nepal, allowing trekkers to experience the true thrills of trekking on an untraveled path made of steep, muddy slopes. Lower Dolpo Trek is filled with natural wonders, such as Shey Phoksundo Lake, as well as the pre-Buddhist Bon Po culture.
The 18-day Lower Dolpo Trek begins with a flight via Nepalgunj from Kathmandu to Juphal. This trek's starting location is Juphal. You journey through a semi-desert region with densely forested paths lined with pine, rhododendron, bamboo, and juniper trees, as well as vast meadows, brown scenery, and terraced fields of various hues. You enter Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is home to endangered species such as snow leopards, Himalayan musk deer, blue sheep, etc., while admiring the spectacular rain shadow environment of the Himalayas. The trekkers also climb two high passes: the trek's highest point, the Numa La Pass (5309m), and the Baga La Pass (4610m) (5169m). Kugung La and Khyung La both offer spectacular views of Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m) and the Tibetan mountains. During the summer, we can observe yak and sheep caravans traveling to their destination. A further highlight of the walk is the blue Phoksundo Lake, which is surrounded by cliffs that climb 2,000 meters into the clear mountain sky. Tibetans and Magars continue to practice the pre-Buddhist Bon Po religion in the Dolpo region. In addition, the journey includes visits to the old monasteries (gompas) and Bon Po shrines that surround Phoksundo Lake. Overall, Lower Dolpo Trek is suited for intrepid hikers who enjoy extreme challenges.
Lower Dolpo Trek Highlights
The Lower Dolpo Trek is a remarkable trekking experience that takes you to the remote and culturally rich region of Lower Dolpo in Nepal. This trek offers a unique blend of untouched landscapes, ancient traditions, and a sense of wilderness adventure. Here are some reasons why the Lower Dolpo Trek is worth considering.
Untouched Wilderness: Lower Dolpo is one of the most remote and least developed regions of Nepal. The trek allows you to explore pristine landscapes and experience a sense of untouched wilderness that few other trekking areas can offer.
Diverse Landscapes: Trek through a diverse range of landscapes, including barren highlands, dense forests, alpine meadows, glacial rivers, and surreal landscapes that feel otherworldly.
Shey Phoksundo Lake: Encounter the stunning Shey Phoksundo Lake, one of the deepest lakes in Nepal. The turquoise waters against the backdrop of the surrounding hills and mountains create a breathtaking sight.
Shey Phoksundo National Park: Trek through the Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to a variety of flora and fauna, including blue sheep, snow leopards, and diverse bird species.
Rich Buddhist Culture: Experience the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Dolpo region, characterized by monasteries, chortens, mani walls, and prayer flags. The region's isolation has helped preserve these traditions.
Cultural Encounters: Interact with the local people, mostly of Tibetan origin, and learn about their way of life, traditional practices, and ancient customs.
Remote Villages: Visit remote villages like Ringmo and Tarap, gaining insights into the locals' lifestyle and being immersed in the authenticity of their daily activities.
Challenging High Passes: Cross challenging high passes like Kang La (5,360 meters) and Sela La (5,094 meters), offering breathtaking views and a sense of accomplishment.
Unique Flora and Fauna: Observe unique plant species, such as the rare blue poppy, and potentially spot elusive wildlife like the snow leopard and Himalayan blue sheep.
Spectacular Views: Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including the Kanjiroba range and the Dhaulagiri massif.
Off-the-Beaten-Path: The Lower Dolpo Trek offers an off-the-beaten-path adventure, providing an escape from crowded trekking routes and an opportunity to experience a more remote and tranquil environment.
The Best time for Lower DOlpo Trek
The best time for the Lower Dolpo Trek is during the post-monsoon (autumn) season from September to November and the pre-monsoon (spring) season from March to May. These months offer the most favorable weather and trekking conditions for a safe and enjoyable experience in the remote and pristine Lower Dolpo region. These seasons also align with the accessibility of the region's trails, as the snow has melted, and the paths are more navigable. Given the remote nature of the trek and the challenging terrain, trekking with an experienced guide or through a reputable trekking agency is crucial for a safe and rewarding experience. Proper acclimatization, physical fitness, and appropriate gear are also essential considerations for this trek.
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 - Permit procedure and Kathmandu - Nepalgunj flight.
Day 3 - Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal, trek to Dunai(2,150m), 3 hours.
Day 4 - Trek to Tarakot(2,540m), 5 hours.
Day 5 - Trek to Laina Odar(3375m), 5 hours.
Day 6 - Trek to Toltol(3523m), 6-7 hours.
Day 7 - Trek to Dho Tarap(3950m), 7 hours.
Day 8 - Free day at Dho Tarap to acclimatize.
Day 9 - Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4350m), 4-5 hours.
Day 10 - Trek to Danighar(4510m) via Numa La Pass(5310m), 7 hours.
Day 11 - Trek to Temche/Yak Kharka (4000m) via Baga La Pass (5170m), 7 hours.
Day 12 - Trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake (3600m), 5 hours.
Day 13 - Explore the Shey Phoksundo Lake.
Day 14 - Trek to Chhepka (2678m), 5-6 hours.
Day 15 - Trek to Juphal (2475m), 6 hours.
Day 16 - Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj; return trip to Kathmandu in the afternoon.
Day 17 - Weather-related flight delay and cancellation buffer day.
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.