
The Lower Dolpo trek is one of the famous trekking destinations in the far-west of Nepal which was opened to trekkers in 1989. The Dolpo area is famous for Lake Phoksundo, the deepest lake in the entire Himalayan Region. This remote and rugged protected area is both scenically and culturally diverse and attractive. This region is hard to match for its perfect beauty and rugged charm, where one can still have opportunity to meet the nomadic people and observe their life style almost untouched and unexplored, making it a destination you can visit several times, making new discoveries each time.
The highlight of this trek is to see such natural splendor and culture: the spectacular landscape; unique Tibetan Buddhist and Bon settlements with their fascinating monasteries; and a chance to see Himalayan pheasants and blue sheep; witness yak caravans and primitive agricultural practices.
Facts of the Trek
Total Days: 18 days
Trekking Days : 13 days (Including flight)
Hotel in Kathmandu: 4 days
Trek Grade: Moderate
Altitude Maximum: 5090m (Bogala Pass)
Type of Trek: Camping
Best season: March-November
Walking Time: 4-7 hours each day
Day 01 : Arrival at Kathmandu airport and you will be transferred to the hotel by one of our representatives.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m
Day 02 : Kathmandu: In the morning we will visit Patan, a true open air museum with its pagodas, temples, and monasteries. In the afternoon we will visit Kathmandu's Durbar Square, including the old royal palace and the house of the Kumari (a living goddess who is the reincarnation of Kali).
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation; 1334m
Day 03 : Flight Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (152m): Fly to Nepalgunj for about an hour. Nepalgunj is a small city which lies near the Indian boarder in the Terai region of Nepal.
Overnight: Hotel
Flight time: 45 minutes
Difference in Elevation: -1182m.
Day 04 : Flight Nepalgunj to Juphal and trek to Dunai (2150m): In the early morning you will have a short flight to Juphal with wonderful views of precipitous hillsides and the river valley. Our trek to Dunai (the administrative headquarter of Dolpo region) commences at Juphal.
Overnight: Camp
Flight Time: 35 minutes
Walking Time: 3 hours
Difference in Elevation: +1998m.
Day 05 : Trek Dunai to Tharakot (2700m): We follow our trail eastwards out of Dunai, along the south bank of the Thulo Bheri ascending slowly upstream on a good trail. We will cross the river many times as we will come closer to our campsite below the fortress of Tarakot village. After dropping our luggage at our camp, it is worth a climb to the village for a look around.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 550m
Day 06 : Trek Tharakot to Lahini (3200m): The trek steadily ascends by steep trails through fir and juniper forest before reaching Lahini.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Difference in Elevation: +500m
Day 07 : Trek Lahini to Naure Odar (3100m): Today the narrow trail follows through the Tharap Khola gorge before reaching Naure Odar.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: -100m
Day 08 : Trek Naure Odar to Dho Tharap (4000m): Today's trek starts by climbing gently to two weatherworn chortens atop a ridge. From here the trail is rocky as is traverses beneath cliffs to a bridge (3890m) where we cross to the east bank. We continue climbing up the canyon alongside the river. It will not be long before we see the white Ribo Bhumpa Gompa ahead of in Dho Tharap. We will continue with a short climb alongside a line of ancient chortens to Dho Tharap, where there is a camp site in a grassy meadow south of the village. In this region, men trim their hair with red threads and wear them in a chignon as the Khampas from Tibet, and women wear heavy silver headgear.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: +900m
Day 09 : Acclimatization day in Dho Tharap: During the day we will relax and visit monasteries.
Overnight: Camp
Elevation: 4000m
Day 10 : Trek Dho Tharap to Nun La (4100m): The trek from Dho Tharap provides superb views of the Mt. Dhaulagiri, (8167m), Annapurna and Nilgiri.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: +100m
Day 11 : Trek Nun-La to Ringmo (3500m): Today we will trek to Ringmo via the Bogala pass (5090m). The emerald waters of the Phoksondo Lake and the picturesque village of Ringmo form one of the most beautiful Himalayan landscapes.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: -600m
Day 12 :
Rest days in Ringmo: Today we will have a gentle walk around the lake and visit the Tesu monastery. The monastery leads the whole life of Ringmo, inhabited by 'Bothias', an ethnic group originally from Tibet.
Overnight: Camp
Elevation: 3500m
Day 13 :
Trek Ringmo to Chepka (3090m): This day the trail follows the banks of Lake Phoksundo until we reach Chepka.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 410m
Day 14 : Trek Chepka to Dunai (2150m): We will descend to Dunai crossing fir and juniper forest today.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Difference in Elevation: -940m
Day 15 :
Trek Dunai to Juphal (2550m): On our last day of our trek, we will retrace our steps from our first day's trek to return to Jhupal.
Overnight: Camp
Walking Time: 2-3 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 400m
Day 16 : Flight Juphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu (1334m): In the early morning you will fly to Nepalgunj and then continue to Kathmandu. Your afternoon in Kathmandu is free for sightseeing and shopping.
Overnight: Hotel
Flight Juphal-Nepalgunj: 35 minutes
Flight Nepalgunj-Kathmandu: 45 minutes
Difference in Elevation: -1216m
Day 17:
Kathmandu: Today we will visit Pashupatinath (ancient and holiest temple of Hindu religion), Boudhanath (the largest Stupa of Nepal built in 14th century), Soyambhunath (one of the world's most glorious stupa), famous for eyes of Buddha which seem to be observing the world from four directions.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m
Day 18: Transfer to airport and departure
Special Note:
This Itinerary can be customized according to the duration of your holiday. The Trek can be operated only by Camping accommodation. We have many options for shorter visits based on your interests and budget.
NOTE: The price of the tour will be adjusted according to the group size.