Lower Dolpo Trek

Lower Dolpo Trek

Overview And Highlights

Trip Facts

Trip Type

Camping Trek

Grade

Strenuous

Altitude

5360 m.

Transportation

Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Jumla and Juphal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu by flight

Group Size

2+

Best Season

Spring & Autumn

The Lower Dolpo trek involves crossing two high passes Numa La Pass (5360m) and Baga La Pass (5190m). Both of these passes look out to a splendid panorama of Himalayas in the North including Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Trek highlights include visiting Shey Phoksundo National Park and Shey Phoksundo Lake (3660m). Shey Phoksundo National Park is the largest and only trans-Himalayan National Park in Nepal.

Surrounded by Tibet in North and highest Dhaulgari Massif in South, the Dolpo region is the natural embodiment of high passes, rare flora and fauna and sweeping Himalayan vistas. The medicinal plant, Yarchagumba (Coreopsis sinensis) a type of wild mushroom is found in abundance in this region, oft recognized for its benefits of improving health and fitness.

The trek is best during September to November & March to May.

Itinerary Expand All Close All

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
150

You will be escorted to the airport for the flight to Nepalgunj which lies close to the Indian border in the western Terai. You stay overnight at lodge.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
2700

This morning you fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla. Leaving the airport at Jumla, you cross the Tila Khola and the Chaudabise Khola near their confluence and climb gradually to a fertile valley of rice terraces. The trail continues through several villages before passing through a forest of maple and walnut to a meadow which, in season, is covered in wildflowers. Beyond the meadow, the trail climbs to a small pass before descending again to Gothi Chaur. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
camp
Elevation
3080

Today's walk follows the Tila Khola through fields of corn, potato, buckwheat and barley until the valley narrows and you enter a forest of oaks, spruce and maples. You pass through the village of Chotra with its typical Tibetan mani walls and a short distance come to another Tibetan-looking village, Naphukana. Above this village, there is a large gompa. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
3060

From Naphukana the trail becomes steeper and climbs through a forest to a pass named Mauri Lagna [3820m]. From the pass there are views of snowy peaks to the north and east. Descending from the pass, the trail traverses a steep slope before dropping into a forest of pine and oak. You then enter the Bheri Valley and, after following the trail in and out of side valleys, you come to the village of Chaurikot. Your camp will be near the village.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
2610

Continuing on to the village of Balasa you can see Kagmara peak on the horizon. The trail drops to a stream before climbing through a forest of walnut trees to a ridge. Passing through the apple orchards of Jyakot, you then descend to the village of Rimi before following a rocky trail down to the Bheri River. Your camp will be by the river.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
2900

You stay on the west bank of the Bheri River, passing Hurikot and arrive at the entrance to the Shey Phoksumdo National Park. You then come to the confluence of the Garpung and Jagdula Rivers, which join to form the Bheri River, and follow the Garpung Khola. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
3500

You continue to follow the Garpung Khola, ascending slowly towards the Kagmara La. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
4000

You now cross to the eastern side of the river and where the valley narrows, the river becomes a series of waterfalls. The trail climbs to a moraine below the Kagmara La and you make your camp among the boulders. The views from here of the surrounding peaks are magnificent. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
5115

You get an early start this morning and ascend alongside the Kagmara Glacier to the Kagmara La. This is a good place to spot the rare blue sheep. After a 900m descent, you reach the pastures of the Pungmo Khola Valley. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
3250

The trail now enters birch and juniper forests which soon give way to blue pine. Up the side valleys, there are views of Kanjirolba peak before you reach the fortress-like village of Pungmo, set amidst barley fields. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
3660

You continue downstream to the national park headquarters at Sumduwa before joining the trail up the Phoksumdo Khola to Phoksumdo Lake. You climb through a forest of large cedars to the winter settlement of Palam and continue ascending through the open country to a ridge from which there are good views of the lake in the distance. Close by is a spectacular waterfall, the highest in Nepal. The trail then makes an initial descent before climbing gently to Ringmo village. After crossing a bridge below Ringmo, the trail continues northwards to the shores of Phoksundo Lake. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
3660

It is overlooked on the western side, by a large snowy peak known as Kanjirolba or Kanchen Ruwa. A trail leads through a stand of juniper trees to an old dilapidated gompa which overlooks the lake. As well as Buddhist paintings and statues, there is also evidence of the ancient Bon-po religion within the temple and chapels. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
5170

You retrace your route as far as Ringmo and then follow trail eastwards through forests of juniper and blue pine. The trail follows the river up the valley to a waterfall and you will camp here at the base of the Baga La. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
5190

From your camp it's a steady 3 hour climb to the top of the Baga La, the second of the high passes. The descent is gradual at first but it soon drops steeply to a stream before ascending again to the foot of the Numa La. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
5360

You continue climbing through arid country to the last of the high passes, the Numa La (5360m). It is marked by mani stones and, if it is a clear day, you can see as far as Dhaulagiri. The trail now descends past a huge mani wall to the Tarap region and you walk through the barley fields of the Tarap Valley to the settlement of Do. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
4100

On the ridge above the village is the Ri Bhunpa Gompa and just to the east, the village of Shipchhok has a Bon-po gompa which is certainly worth exploring. There are also opportunities to get great views of the valley and surrounding snow peaks from a number of nearby ridges. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
3560

This morning's walk is almost level and follows the river until it flows into a gorge. You enter the gorge which has large rose shrubs and other wildflowers, and after crossing and re-crossing the river numerous times you finally come to a flat expanse. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
2600

The trail today is steep, narrow and dangerous as it clings to the cliffs. The bridges along here can often be washed out. Eventually, the valley widens and the route becomes easier as you approach the village of Khanigaon. You then climb high above the river before descending towards the Barbung Khola and the fortress village of Tarakot. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
2100

You follow the Barbung Khola downstream along the south bank to the village of Lawan, before crossing to the north bank and walking for several more hours to Dunai. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Accomodation
Camp
Elevation
2600

From Dunai, you continue to follow the river downstream through Roop Ghar and Kala Gaura before climbing up through meadows to the airport at Juphal. Your final night's campsite will be near the airfield. You stay overnight in camp.

Food
Breakfast
Elevation
1400

You catch an early flight to Nepalgunj and from there, a connecting flight back to Kathmandu.

What Is Included ?

  • All airport pick-up and drop-off services by private vehicle
  • Trekking guide 
  • Camping crews (Cook, Sherpa, kitchen helper)
  • Porters (1 porter carries 25 kilograms of luggage)
  • All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner) 
  • Accommodation: Partly in teahouses and most of the nights camping 
  • Required equipments: Tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags, cooking utensil and trekking poles
  • Cooking fuel 
  • Camping charges 
  • Cargo charge
  • Special trekking permit forLower Dolpo 
  • Entry permits for She-Phuksundo National Park
  • Trekkers' Information Management system (TIMS) card
  • Flight tickets: Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Jumla and Juphal – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu 
  • Insurance and equipments for the guides and porters
  • First aid kit
  • Tax, VAT and our service charge
  • Rescue assistance (In case of emergency, we will organize prompt and professional rescue services. To arrange timely evacuation/rescue by helicopter, you must be well insured from a reliable travel insurance company that covers both helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost.)
  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
  • Souvenir

What Is Excluded?

  • Personal nature expenses (Telephone calls, internet, toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beers and any alcoholic beverages)
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for involved staffs 
  • Meals and hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (even in case of early arrival or late departure, early return from trekking due to any personal reason than the scheduled itinerary) 

Lower Dolpo Trek Altitude Profile

Additional Information

Below is a list of equipment and clothing required for trekking. The necessity of these items depends on the type, altitude, timing and destination of trekking. Appropriate trekking gears are not only required for the comfort/pleasure of your trek but also to improve safety factor.  Please have a look over these items in order to fully prepare and thoroughly enjoy the trekking. 

General Items:
Daypack, Rucksack, Sleeping bag, Duffel bag, Walking Poles, walking boots, sandals, Toiletries (Soaps, Toilet papers, Sanitizers, toothpaste, tooth brush, etc.)

Clothing Items:
Thermal underwear, Down jacket, Shorts, Trekking trousers, Towels, Woolen gloves, Gaiters, Fleece jacket or Pullover, Wind/water proof jacket, Raincoat, Warm socks, buff   

Sun-worn Items:
Sun hat, Sunglasses, Snow goggles, Sunscreen, Lip balm

Gadgets:
Headlamp, Flash light, Binoculars, Cameras (chargers and batteries),  

Liquid/Snacks:
Water bottle/bladder, Water purification Iodine tablets, Energy bars and snacks

Medical Essentials:
First Aid Kit 

Optional:
Altimeter, Compass, Binoculars, Books/magazines, GPS, Pocket knife, Candles (for lodges), Notebook with pencil/pen, etc 

Additional items for camping trek:
Tent, Stove and fuel, Utensils for cooking, eating and drinking, sleeping mattresses

Note: We can also provide sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, walking poles, and First Aid Kit in case if you don’t have one. These items are inclusive of total package price. 

Client Reviews

Estonian Groups Kaitti and 6 persons

Denmark

Professional Company, Awesome place and Fabulous Guide

Professional Company, Awesome place and Fabulous Guide. The lower and upper Dolpo trek was amazing. Specially Upper Dolpo,great views, nice people,
 
 

... See more

David

United States

Thank you very much for organizing this wonderful trek

Thank you very much for organizing this wonderful trek and setting me up with Dinesh, the crazy but loveable guide. I was sick most of the time, and Dinesh pushed me just enough so the pain was not completely unbearable. I look forward to coming in a few years.


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