Lower Dolpa Trek - 18 Days

The Lower Dolpa Trek 18 Days kicks off in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, home to an emerald valley of magnificent historical temples, and charming little winding streets. As you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our representatives will welcome you and escort you to your respective hotels. 

You can spend the day acclimatizing to the high altitude and absorbing the dazzling energy of the city. You can take your time to walk through Thamel, Kathmandu’s buzzing hub for trekkers, or even visit the Garden of Dreams for some much-needed peace. Get some good rest, for tomorrow will be the start of trekking preparations.

Day 2 is the day to be spent for trek preparation activities along with sightseeing. So today, you can do a guided tour of Kathmandu’s cultural landmarks; UNESCO listed world heritage sites. You will start from the beautiful Pashupatinath Temple which may well be the sacred place for Hindus devotees. After that, you will visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, known as the Monkey Temple, as one of the popular local attractions with its panoramic views of the valley.

To finish off your journey, you must see Kathmandu Durbar Square, an important historical bearing witness to the glory that was once the city. In the afternoons, you will meet your trek guide for a briefing. Ensure your gear checks and last-minute preparations to bring you up to date for this high-altitude adventure ahead.

Today, we will seek to start our trek to Lower Dolpa. We will take a morning flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj which makes the way to remote areas in western Nepal. As you onboard a flight, you will be engulfed by aerial views of the terrain of Nepal: terraced hillsides and snowy peaks in the distance.

Nepalgunj is completely different from Kathmandu; it is so hot and humid because of its subtropical climate and really nudges one into the Indian border. So use the rest of the day to either rest or wander in the local markets and experience the different cultures of the Terai.

Day 4: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (2,320m/7,610ft) and Trek to Dunai (2,850m/9,348ft)

An early flight from Nepalgunj to Jhupal offers some of the most beautiful mountain and verdant views of the Himalayan foothills. You will enter Jhupal, which beholds the awesome landforms that stretch into Dolpa region.

Upon landing at Jhupal, our adventure officially begins. A short trekking route leads to Dunai, the administrative center of Dolpa District. We will catch a trail which takes you through the amazing little towns and terraced fields, a glimpse of how life once was for the people who still live an old way in this almost isolated world.

The route leaves behind Dunai and winds into a wonderful valley of the Bheri River. It will take you through deep green hills, with turquoise waters of the river shining the way. The walking path goes through traditional villages where sweet people would welcome you with many sweet smiles along the way. 

After a few hours of trekking, you will reach Tarakot, an old city in Nepal known for old fort ruins. When you arrive, you can take a moment to enjoy the magnificent view of the green hills and distant mountain peaks. Overnight stay at a tea house in Tarakot.

As you trek from Tarakot to Laini, the landscapes become rugged as you will ascend to high altitudes. A series of suspension bridges crosses the Tarap River, which snakes along wound-filling gorges below. 

The deeper you move closer to Laini, the more high and dramatic the high-altitude scene becomes. This last stretch has quite the cool mountain breeze and very attractive scenery. You will spend an evening enjoying the characteristic of pristine Dolpa skies. Overnight stay at a tea house in Laini.

The Laini to Nawarpani trek is undoubtedly the fascinating journey as it passes through the incredibly rugged topography and high and grand mountain passes. The trail runs through deep gorges, the very loud Tarap River close to one-sided neck. You will have to step on very narrow paths cut through steep cliffs, which are exciting but threaten to a great extent as they show you a wonderful view of the valley below.

The small settlement of Nawarpani, wrapped in high cliffs and alpine pastures, is a perfect resting place. The air is crisp and cool and the surroundings peaceful would offer a sense of isolation from the world to add to the wilderness experience.

The eighth day of the Lower Dolpa Trek is an exciting but tiring day hike to Do Tarap – a high valley that is famous for its exceptional Tibetan culture. The uphill-long trail gradually grows more beautiful: it has magnificent views of snow-capped peaks and rolling alpine landscapes. You will see a few grazing yaks and nomadic herders, indicating the traditional livelihood of this region.

Do Tarap is a beautiful village in the lap of mountains, cultural and spiritual highlight of this trek. The village has several monasteries and chortens, with people well known for warm hospitality. You can spend this time to spend some leisurely moments around and absorb the peaceful beauty of this Tibetan-influenced area.

Today is set solely for acclimatization and rest but the mesmerizing views surround and hold you while you acclimatize at Do Tarap. You can spend this day in this beautiful village, meeting some of the friendliest people who live their lives according to old Bon and Buddhist traditions. You can visit local monasteries and understand their spiritual significance. 

Aside from being very beautiful in its ruggedness and having clear mountain air, the sights around you invite quiet contemplation and photography. This rest day is not only good for body acclimatization to altitude but also strengthens your understanding of Dolpa’s rich cultural heritage.

As you leave Do Tarap today, the trail leads uphill to the Numa La Base Camp, which has even more magnificent views of surrounding peaks as one travels along the trek. The scenery is barren but striking; the high-altitude terrain consists of rocky outcrops with scanty vegetation.

The Base Camp is at the foot of the Numa La Pass, surrounded by towering peaks. This place brings a peaceful atmosphere to rest before an early rise for the next hardy, yet rewarding, leg of the trek.

The climb to Numa La Pass is steep and grueling; however, the rewards are beyond any bargained-for expectation. The panoramic view is unusual and mouth-opening, startling trekkers from the summit as one gazes upon the vastness of Dhaulagiri and the Kanjiroba mountain range.

After enjoying the stunning views, descend to Pelung Tang, while getting dramatic high-altitude scenery. This campsite is surrounded by rugged peaks and a nice silence in which to recuperate from that day’s exertion. Overnight stay at Pelung Tang in a tea house.

Today, we will push uphill and come cross at Baga La Pass, a rather strenuous hike which gives trekkers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. Rocky paths and snow-covered sections bring the element of adventure to the trek but you must be both physically and mentally prepared to be at such high altitude.

Coming down steep from the pass, you reach Dajok Tang-a campsite nestled among lush forests and alpine meadows. It strikingly contrasts with the barren landscapes of the high passes against a backdrop of green where the stunning geographical diversity of Dolpa can be fully appreciated.

The road from Syangboche to Ringmo trail leads through thick pine and juniper forests with snow-capped peaks intermittently revealed. Gradually Ringmo transforms this landscape into a peaceful setting of typical traditional Tibetan houses and chortens. 

Here, at Ringmo, the scenery of the beautiful Phoksundo Lake starts to get in view. It is the deepest lake of Nepal, which sits at 3,589 meters above sea level. The peacefulness of the Ringmo village, coupled with cultural sufficiency, becomes a paradise where you can rest before heading out for the last stretch of your trek. You can explore the beautiful and stay overnight at a nearby tea house.

The short trek from Ringmo to Shey Phoksundo lake is what we will do today. Phoksundo Lake, with its turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs, is a natural wonder that leaves visitors spellbound. As you push yourself towards this beautiful lake, every single step brings one face to face with the surrounding peaks, offering views that are truly breathtaking.

You can spend a day exploring around the lake’s shores and admiring its beauty. The reflections of snow-encrusted mountains above on the water’s surface create a surreal ambiance. This is a pure, intimate engagement with all nature and it is undoubtedly one of the “highlights” of the entire trek.

On the fifteenth day of the Lower Dolpa Trek, you will hike from Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta. It is alluring during the descent from Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta where the rainforest and jumping waterfalls come around. Consequently, the trail descends to lower altitudes, while warmer temperatures affect a change of refreshing temperatures. 

Shyanta is mild and cool, with trees and hills establishing a place of rest after the daily slog of trekking. After spending this day exhibiting regional diversity beyond it, travelers can find it to be one such interesting traversing to spot all sorts of birds and wildlife along the journey.

It is your last trekking day to Jhupal, which has you retracing down the steps from Shyanta via the landscapes you are used to. The relatively easy trek will let you take a last, proper look around the sights and sounds of Dolpa’s nature.

From there onwards, upon returning to Jhupal, you can celebrate the end of the trek and reflect on a journey complete with unforgettable moments in amazingly scenic landscapes now two weeks gone. Overnight stay at a tea house in Jhupal.

The seventeenth day of the Lower Dolpa Trek will take you to Kathmandu. You will first take a scenic flight back to Nepalgunj from Jhupal and again take a flight to Kathmandu. As you soar above the mountains, you can take one last look at the awe-inspiring Himalayas. 

Upon reaching Kathmandu, you can get a well-deserved rest or explore the city some more as a fitting tribute to your journey. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Today, you will bid farewell to Nepal and return to your home country after completing the Lower Dolpa Trek 18 Days. One of our representatives from Mountain Treks Nepal will lead you to Tribhuvan International Airport from where you will fly back home.