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Hotels & Guesthouse
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Kathmandu
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March to May & Sep to Dec
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Tourist Bus & Private Vehicle
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Moderate
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4500 M
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Eco-Tour, Hiking, Trekking
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2-22
Lower Dolpo Trekking
Lower Dolpo Trekking lies in the far western part of Nepal within the Shey-Phoksundo National Park, 400 km west of Kathmandu. Lower Dolpo & Shey Phoksundo Trekking was restricted to foreigners until 1990. This trek is a beautiful journey over many passes, through jungles, ravines, and across the Himalayan main chain. Lower Dolpo Trekking is designed for real adventurers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. It is home to many rare and endangered animal species, including the snow leopard, musk deer, and blue sheep.
During the Lower Dolpo Trekking, there are two significant passes: Bagala (5190m) and Numa-La (5318m), both with long, steep ascents and descents. The trek features wonderful yak caravans and some of the oldest and largest Buddhist monasteries in the area. This trek also takes you through the flat upper valley, which contains a variety of interesting villages mostly inhabited by people of Magar and Gurung origins. One of the highlights of the Lower Dolpo Trekking is the pristine turquoise Phoksundo Lake, which is split between rocks that rise 2000m into the clear mountain skies.
We begin our 18-day journey in Kathmandu with a visit to UNESCO World Heritage sites before heading on our adventure: Lower Dolpo Trekking.
Aarohi Holiday always believes in providing our clients with the best quality service, making their trip to Nepal joyful and unforgettable.
Lower Dolpo Trekking Highlights
- Explore the far western region of Nepal, within the Shey-Phoksundo National Park, and experience a truly off-the-beaten-path trek.
- Conquer challenging passes like Bagala (5,190m) and Numa-la (5,318m) with steep ascents and descents.
- Spot rare and endangered species such as the snow leopard, musk deer, and blue sheep.
- Discover ancient Buddhist monasteries, traditional yak caravans, and vibrant villages inhabited by Magar and Gurung people.
- Admire the stunning Phoksundo Lake, a turquoise gem surrounded by rugged mountains.
- Start with an 18-day journey from Kathmandu, including visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites before embarking on the Lower Dolpo Trek.
Lower Dolpo Trekking Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, we offer you pick up facility from the airport and manage your stay at the most comfortable hotel in the city. You get to meet the team of trekkers and together we prepare for the trek.
Today would be the most exhilarating day where you will be introduced to the most pious Hindu and Buddhist religious places that are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites and elucidates you to the entire mysticism over its existence Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath stupa, Patan Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath stupa.
Today we take an early flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, located in the western part of Nepal. The hour-long flight is longer than most domestic flights, offering a unique mix of traditional local culture. Stay overnight at a hotel in Nepalgunj.
We fly early morning from Nepalgunj to Jhupal. After breakfast, we explore Jhupal and then begin our trek by heading down towards the Thule Bheri Riverbank, passing through terraced fields and beautiful villages. We continue on a flat path along the river until we reach Dunai. Stay overnight at Dunai.
We start our trek passing along the Thuli Bheri River as we head out of Dunai. The path gradually ascends upstream and crosses bridges to reach the north bank of the river. We continue through deep gorges and remote villages shaded by pine trees, about seven meters above the river, until we reach Lawan, where we cross another bridge to get to the south bank of the river again. As we continue, we'll be greeted by the beautiful terraced fields of Tarakot and the village standing on a mound south of the Bheri River. The village, built as a fort by the local people, offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the region. The night is spent at an inn in Tarakot.
Laini is our destination for the day. Leaving Tarakot, we cross the bridge over the river and gently climb through the fields of buckwheat. We follow a roundabout route, heading south into a side valley and then climbing to the south bank of the Thulo Bheri River. The trail passes through cypress trees and a white chorten, leading to a 120m long suspension bridge at Laisicap. As we cross the bridge, we can spot the village of Kanigaon high above the path and some white-breasted dippers (only found in western Nepal) down below the path, on the river. We continue through cedar forests and the steepest part of the gorge until we reach Laini. The night is spent in a basic tea house.
Nawarpani is the destination for the day. After a short flat walk, we make a sharp ascent to a mini pass. We walk across the steep gorge, descend, and cross the water made by the Tilba River. We climb another ridge, descend to the Chyangru River, and cross it to reach the east bank. Continuing along the river, we cross a side stream, Chaya Khola, and continue to Thanjam. After crossing the Tarap Khola once more, we follow the riverside path to reach Nawarpani. Overnight at Nawarpani.
Dho Tarap is the destination for the day. We continue along the riverside, crossing small caves, camping areas, and the beautiful bridge of the Tarap River, enjoying the barren canyon walls. We climb the east bank of the river and pass through a worn Trans-Himalayan landscape to reach the ridge at Serkam, greeted by a chorten. After descending from Serkam and walking a couple of kilometers, we cross the bridge over the Saul River. We continue along a rocky path below the cliff and then climb gradually along the river past many walls and worn cliffs, reaching a line of ancient chortens. After a 20-minute walk, Dho Tarap arrives, welcomed by Buddhist flags and a monastery. The night is spent at a lodge in Dho Tarap.
Dho Tarap is a village of closely packed stone homes and corrals surrounded by barley fields. The village is inhabited by Tibetans and Magars, who are followers of both Bon PO and Nyingma traditions. The day will be spent exploring nearby monasteries like Doro and Shipchhong and the settlement of Dho Tarap. The night is spent at a lodge in Dho Tarap.
Numa La Base Camp is the destination for the day. Although the distance is relatively short, we make several detours to visit gompas and villages before reaching the base camp. From Dho Tarap, we head back to the ancient Mekyem Gompa. We continue along the river, enjoying the plain valley with yaks and horses grazing on thick green grasses. We cross a bridge and walk towards another bridge at a path junction, continuing southward towards Numa La Base Camp. The night is spent in a tented camp beneath Numa La.
Today is the toughest day of the trek as we aim to cross Numa La. We start early, climbing the ridge on a yak path up a grass-covered slope. The ascent continues up to Numa La, where we are rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding mountains and the barren landscapes of Dolpa. After enjoying the views, we descend into a U-shaped rocky valley and cross the stream and talus slopes, reaching Pelung Tang. Overnight stay at the tented camp in Pelung Tang.
From Pelung Tang, our destination is Dajok Tang. We cross meadows, streams, and ridges, eventually reaching the village of Dajok Tang (4,080m). Overnight stay in a tented camp at Dajok Tang.
Ringmo is the destination for the day. Initially, we walk through pine, walnut, and oak forests. After an hour, we continue through narrow rocky cliffs for about 2-3 hours to reach Ringmo. The remaining day is spent exploring the village. The night is spent at a lodge in Ringmo.
We take a relaxing walk halfway around Phoksundo Lake to explore the lake area. We also visit the nearby temple and the Tibetan Buddhist monastery. If time permits, we explore Ringmo village further. The night is spent at a lodge in Ringmo.
Shyanta is the destination for the day. We walk along the Phoksundo River towards the bridge along Pugma Khola, passing Polam (a winter settlement) and Amchi Hospital. An easy walk on the east bank of the Phoksundo River, through the forest, brings us to Chhepka before climbing to Shyanta. Overnight at Shyanta.
From Shyanta, we descend to Sulighat, passing Raktang where we cross the bridge across the Thuli Bheri River. After exploring the villages, we reach Jhupal after about 4 to 5 hours of walking. Stay overnight at Jhupal.
We take an early morning flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj, and then from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we head to the hotel for refreshment. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner (Nepali Food) to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Your wonderful adventure in Nepal comes to an end today. We wish you all the best. A representative will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.
Lower Dolpo Trekking Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Pick up and drop off from and to International airport.
- 3 night hotel in Kathmandu (first two nights and last one night).
- Dolpo Conservation Park permit.
- Dolpo Especial permits.
- TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System).
- One porter for each two people.
- Accommodation in tea houses twin sharing (private room/ Shared bathroom).
- 3 Meals a day – breakfast, lunch, Dinner during the trek (Anything from the menu).
- Flight ticket (Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Jufal) Both way.
- Sightseeing tour car A/C with driver.
- Farewell dinner at Nepalese cultural restaurant after the trek in Kathmandu.
- All taxes and Company service charges.
Cost Excludes
- Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport size photographs).
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- Monument sites entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and earlier return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet / Wi-Fi, laundry, bar bills - tea/coffee, hot chocolate, juice, beer, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower etc.).
- Tips for guides and porters (Tipping is expected, but not compulsory).
Packing List
Warm Clothing: The weather can be chilly, especially at higher altitudes, so bring warm clothes, including a jacket, gloves, and hat.
Comfortable Footwear: Good trekking boots are essential for the mixed terrain you will encounter.
Daypack: A small backpack to carry essentials like water, snacks, camera, and a jacket.
Snacks: Bring some energy snacks such as nuts, granola bars, or chocolates to keep your energy levels up during the trek.
Water: Stay hydrated by carrying a water bottle and purifying tablets.
Camera: Don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning mountain views.
FAQs
The trek is moderate, with challenging sections at Numa La Pass (5238m) and Baga La Pass (5214m). Expect 3 nights of camping due to the lack of tea houses at Numa La Base Camp, Danigar, and Yak Kharka.
Accommodation on the Lower Dolpo trek is basic, unlike the more developed Annapurna and Everest regions.
There are no tea houses at Numa La Base Camp, Danigar, and Yak Kharka. Trekkers need to camp for 3 nights, with basic Nepalese food and high-altitude supplies like tea and coffee. Expect a simpler camping experience.
Our guide is trained in wilderness and altitude sickness management. In case of an emergency, they will coordinate with us, your insurance company, and arrange for evacuation if covered.
Altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs when ascending too quickly, typically above 3000m. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and headaches. Staying hydrated and acclimatizing properly can help prevent it.
Essential Info
Physical Fitness
Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate) the daily activity will be 7-8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs, and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot from well-trodden paths, to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse.
In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.
Trekking Seasons in Nepal
There are two main seasons in which Nepal sees the most amount of visitors. Fall (September through November) being the most popular, and spring (March to May) coming in close behind. The summer months of June, July and August are the monsoon season and as such the trails are mostly washed out, and roads can sometimes be impassible due to landslide activates. Not to mention the view is non-existent. Still, there are a few places that lie in rain shadow areas and see significantly less rain if any at all, and summer can be a good time to visit these places.
Winter in Nepal is dry, with very cold nights where temperatures can drop to -20°C at the highest altitudes, but the days are pleasant and sunny. Additionally, the trails are much less crowded during this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures reach around 20°C.
Fall is the most popular because it’s after the monsoons, and the air is dry, the days are sunny, and everything is green in the lower valleys from the excessive rains. Spring is a popular choice because some rain returns, but the weather is generally warm and dry, and flowers are in bloom in the lower elevations.
Trekking Day
A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gears in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 am. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we make stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The lunch involves group meals enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach teahouse or camp by 3-4 pm. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day.
Meals and Accommodations
During the length of the trek, the accommodation style is commonly referred to as teahouse. These are family-run basic lodges that fill the role of the restaurant, meeting place, and boarding house for tourists. Electricity can be found in the rooms, which means one light bulb, and one or two outlets for charging electronics. The common areas are also lit by electricity. Teahouses may use solar, hydroelectric, or have electrical lines running into the village, so the commonality and availability of electricity may vary.
Most teahouses have private rooms, though if the trek is in a more remote or high altitude place dormitories are the norm. Each room has 1 or 2 single beds with basic bedding, and the bathroom is shared. Expect a mix of western and squat style toilets in the bathrooms.
Breakfast and dinner are taken at the teahouse and these lodges have large family style dining rooms centered on a stove to provide heat. The menu will have Nepali style western foods such as pasta, pizza, pancakes, burgers, and fries. Also on the menu is the traditional Dal Bhat meal. This is a lentil soup with rice and vegetable or meat curry. Most menus will also offer a smattering of local cuisine.
Internal Flight Delays
Nepal is an incredible country of mountains and valleys, rivers and green rolling hills. With this incredible diversity of landscapes, road travel can be extremely time consuming and flights within Nepal to reach popular trekking destinations is a must. Along with this mountainous terrain also comes the possibility of in climate weather. Not to mention the incredibly high number of visitors during peak seasons makes internal flight delays a very real possibility. To manage this possibility, it may be helpful to have a few extras days on either end of your tour. If any cancellations or flight delays do occur (high chances of flight delays from around Kathmandu to Lukla, Everest region), we also provide services to arrange helicopter to help you to be on your schedule on the premises of Civil Aviation Rules in Nepal which state that helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500m. The cost ranges from USD350 to USD650 according to the number of passengers. The payment can be made either to the helicopter company or to us directly and can be made either by cash or using a credit card. It will also be helpful to purchase and review your insurance as some of the alternative measures for travel may be covered. Flight insurance too may cover changing your international flight if necessary.
Travel Insurance
Many expeditions and tours require that travel insurance is purchased prior to arriving in Nepal, but other treks and tours may not. However, travel insurance is definitely an important consideration. There are a number of reasons to consider insurance. Firstly, it may be required, so check to see what is being asked for by the company. Second, Nepal is a landlocked country, and there are few direct flights. Travel in and out can encounter some disruptions and if purchasing insurance, make sure flight delays and cancellations are included. The next reason to choose insurance is that, though every safeguard is in place during your tour, there are always extenuating circumstances that may result in an accident. Read the fine print of insurance policies to ensure trekking or any other activity you are engaging in is covered, as some policies have stopped covering trekking in certain places. It is impossible to have a relaxing trip without the comfort of good insurance, so do the research and choose carefully.
Nepal Visa Entry Procedure
For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions.
Three options are available for entry
15-day single entry: US $30
30-day single entry: US $50
90-day multiple entries: US $125
Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry, and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.
For the most up to date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute Mountain Sickness is usually seen in un-acclimatized people shortly after ascent to high altitudes. The condition occurs due to the thinning of air as the altitude increases. The condition, if not taken seriously and treated immediately, can be life-threatening and its symptoms can be seen generally above 3000 meters. Some of the symptoms of AMS are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath and cerebral pain. The treks are designed to properly acclimatize you to the change in high altitude climate and sufficient precautionary measures too are taken to take utmost caution. We also equip our staffs with cell phones and satellite phones in occurrence of any emergency cases. We are greatly driven to keep the safety and security of our clients as our foremost concern.
Drinking Water
Water is essential for life, and clean water is imperative while on holiday. When choosing to visit less developed countries it is a concern that all travelers should consider. A few options are available when trekking or traveling in Nepal that will mitigate any chances of drinking contaminated water which could cause disruption of an otherwise fun adventure. The first consideration to take into account is that tap water should not be ingested. That even means when brushing your teeth. Most will choose to buy bottled water and if doing so make sure the cap has not been opened previously. Plastic bottle refuse is a problem, and with that being said there are other options on the market to assist in making water drinkable. Your local outdoor store can help with choosing what option might be best to use in conjunction with a reusable bottle. Your guide can also steer you to water that has been filtered and purified so ask him or her what is available.
Arrival Instruction
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible to escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering you to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications.
Traveler Reviews
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