16 Days
Quick Facts
Ground transportation in Nepal
Hotels & tea-house accommodation
All meals except in Kathmandu
Guided tour & trek throughout the trip
Summer, Autumn, Spring
Moderate
Nepal
5,190 m
Why Lower Dolpo Trek?
Lower Dolpo is more than a trek; it’s a journey into untouched beauty, quiet mountains, and the Himalayas’ soul. Every step leaves memories that stay forever.
- Shey Phoksundo Lake: Nepal’s stunning turquoise alpine lake.
- Phoksundo Waterfall: One of the country’s most spectacular waterfalls.
- Remote Himalayan landscapes: Explore untouched valleys, cliffs, and high mountains.
- Traditional Dolpo villages: Experience the unique Tibetan-influencedculture and lifestyle.
- Ancient monasteries: Discover centuries-old Buddhist traditions and peaceful gompas.
- High mountain passes: Cross challenging passes with breathtaking panoramic views.
- Authentic Himalayan life: Meet warm local communities living far from modern roads.
- Shey Phoksundo National Park: A chance to encounter rare wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard.
Lower Dolpo Trek Overview
The Lower Dolpo Trek is often overshadowed by its challenging terrain. However, if you’re looking for adventure, off-the-beaten-track travel, and hidden gems, look no further! The central part of the Lower Dolpo Trekking route lies in the Shey Phoksundo National Park in western Nepal.
Located in the remote mid-western region of Nepal, vehicles are rare here, as no road connection to Dolpa has yet been established. Trekkers were introduced to this route only in the late 1980s. Since then, it has been on the bucket list of hardcore trekkers who come to the Dolpo region to explore the new Himalayan culture and the entire human civilization of this high altitude.
The Dolpo region is home to the Bon religion, a traditional Tibetan culture, so trekking here allows you to witness a vastly different way of life. In addition to the culture, you will experience incredible flora and fauna as you scale the region’s mountains and visit the Shey Phoksundo National Park – Nepal’s most extensive and only trans-Himalayan national park. Here you will see many endangered animals and birds, along with one of the best examples of a well-preserved ecosystem of plants and wildlife on the planet.
Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek
You will also visit the Wilderness, a place of raw and untouched beauty, featuring Shey Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest and second-largest lake. This stunning turquoise lake is a highlight of your journey, surrounded by magnificent landscapes, mountain views, rivers, and natural springs. You will also encounter flat-roofed houses, charming villages, and monasteries, all set against the backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Kanjoroba and Dhaulagiri ranges, offering spectacular views of the lower Dolpa valley.
We operate the Lower Dolpo Trek in both group and private tours. As with all our treks, we offer a fully customizable itinerary, with personalized travel and accommodation plans available upon request. If you would like to learn more about itinerary options, trek costs, difficulty, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact a friendly team member. You can also choose from Upper Mustang Trek, Kanchenjunga Trek, and other exquisite options.
Lower Dolpo Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
On arrival, you will land at Kathmandu airport, where our friendly team will greet you and take you to your hotel. Depending on what time you arrive, you are free to rest, or if you are itching to start exploring, you can spend the rest of the day soaking up the atmosphere of the Capital. You will then have dinner and an overnight stay in a highly recommended hotel in the city.
Dinner and overnight stay at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu
Dinner
Hotel
1,400 m / 4,593 ft
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley and trek prep
After a welcoming breakfast, today you can see some of Kathmandu’s most famous UNESCO-listed world heritage sights, including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath. Once you return, you will meet your guide and begin preparation for your trek.
Breakfast and overnight stay at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu
Breakfast
Hotel
1,400 m / 4,593 ft
Sightseeing
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Just a short flight today, from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in Western Nepal, so lots of time to explore! It’s a great stopover before the trek begins, a fascinating Terai town hosting a zoo, local market, and chances to explore the nearby villages.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and overnight stay at a 3-star hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel
150 m / 492 ft
Day 04: Fly to Jhupal (Dolpo) and trek to Dunai
Before we can get trekking, we must first fly to Jhupal (45 mins). Resting on the Himalayan foothills, it’s a beautiful place to begin our journey. We start by walking through terraced fields until we reach the narrow gorge of the Bheri River. From here, we continue to Dunai, which offers plenty to explore before we rest for the night.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Teahouse
2,850 m / 9,350 ft
45-minute flight, 2-3 hours trek
Day 05: Trek to Tarakot
Our trek begins by following the Beheri River. We follow upstream on the southern bank, passing deep gorges, hanging bridges, and sparsely populated villages. As we continue along this pleasant trail, we will cross a path built about 7 meters over the river and soon reach the colorful terraced village of Terakot.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Teahouse
2,543 m / 8,343 ft
5-6 hours
Day 06: Trek to Laini
A long day of walking starts alongside the Tarap Chu River. We must cross over to reach Sandul Gompa, at the juncture between Barung Khola and the Tarap Chu River. We then move on through farm terraces and several villages on our bumpy trek that ends in Laini.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Teahouse
3,160 m / 10,367 ft
6-7 hours
Day 07: Trek to Nawarpani
Today’s climb begins with a switchback over the Tarap River. It may be steep, but it is also exciting, as the valley soon becomes a narrow gorge that forces us to jump from spot to spot. The struggle continues with a tough climb and sharp descent before passing through Chyugur Khola to reach our destination of Nawarpani.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Teahouse
3,545 m / 11,631 ft
5-6 hours
Day 08: Trek to Dho Tarap
After breakfast, we slowly hike uphill to Kamattarke. After following the tree line, we must pass over a narrow gorge to be welcomed by many wild roses and juniper bushes. Then, just a few more hours until we reach our resting spot: Do Tarap. Surrounded by an irregular stone wall, this is a fascinating village where the Bon Po and Chaiba religious sects reside.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Teahouse
4,090 m / 13,419 ft
7-8 hours
Day 09: Rest Day at Do Tarap for acclimatization
Time for a well-deserved rest and a chance to acclimatize and explore. Today, we can visit the monasteries around the area, enjoy some short walks, and have an introduction to the history and culture of the area.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Teahouse
Day 10: Trek to Numa La Base Camp
Re-energized from our rest day, we hit the trail again and trek towards the Upper Trap Valley. As we walk alongside the Tarap Chi River, we can enjoy the views of lush grasslands and the vast Tarap valley, complete with wide plains and high mountains. Our next stop is the village of Tokyu, home to a Chiba Sect Buddhist Monastery. After a break to explore, we take the rough trail to Numa La Base Camp, where we rest for the night.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Teahouse
4,440 m / 14,567 ft
6-7 hours walk
Day 11: Cross Numa La pass and trek to Pelung Tang
Get ready for the longest – and possibly the toughest day yet! The adventure begins as we cross the Numa La Pass to embark on a steep trail to the top ridge of the pass. From here, take in the beautiful views from Dolpo up to Mount. Dhaulagiri, before we descend until we reach Pelung Tang.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Tent Camp
4,465 m / 14,649 ft
8-9 hours
Day 12: Cross Baga La pass (5,070m/16,630ft) and trek to Ringmo
Another day of steep climbing, we start with an ascent to the top of Baga La Pass. Once there, we can take a break and observe the dry landscape, contrasting the snowy mountain peaks of Mount Kanjirowa and its fellows. We then begin another descent to our location for the night, Ringmo
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Teahouse
3,600 m / 11,811 ft
7-8hours
Day 13: Walk to Shyanta
Today we swap water for rock as we trek downhill to Cehpka and follow a vast overhanging rock on a route that passes through many villages before a final hike up to Shyanta. On the way, we will also encounter medicinal minerals – infamous in the area for their cure-all benefits.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Teahouse
2,520 m / 8,268 ft
7-8 hours walk
Day 14: walk to Dunai and take jeep to Jufal
It’s our final day of trekking! So muster up the last of your energy as we trek through birch trees toward Sulighat. We will take a break on a ridge and observe the mountains that have kept us company on our journey. Then we continue on the last precarious part of our route to reach Jhupal and explore before finally resting.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Teahouse
6-8 hours
Day 15: Fly to Nepalgunj, Fly to Kathmandu
It’s time to wave goodbye to Shyanta and take two flights – first to Nepalgunj, and then finally to Kathmandu. On arrival, you are free to spend the rest of your day enjoying the excitement of the Capital – either taking a rest or exploring the city’s nightlife for the final night of your trip.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel
1,400 m / 4,593 ft
Day 16: Final Departure
It’s time to fly home! Say goodbye to Nepal and your fellow trekkers! A member of our friendly team will take you to the airport.
Breakfast
Lower Dolpo Trek Map
What To Expect?
What's Included
- Airport/hotel pick up and drop off by private car.
- At least two nights at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu, bed and Breakfast plan
- Meals on the entire board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for the whole trek
- Fly from Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Jhuphal – Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu
- Trekking map
- An experienced Government-licensed guide
- A trekking porter/Sherpa who will carry your bags during the trek
- Insurance, salary, equipment, transportation, local tax for guide and porter
- Group medical supplies (a first aid kit will be available)
- All necessary paperwork and national park entry permits
- Travel and rescue arrangements
- TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
- All government taxes and tourist service charges
What's Excluded
- Meals in Kathmandu before and after trekking, allowing US$ 15 – US$ 20 per day
- Your travel insurance ( Rescue )
- Nepal entry visa fee.
- Tips for trekking staff and driver
- Drinks (hot, cold, and alcoholic)
- Personal shopping, laundry, etc.
- Personal trekking equipment
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Lower Dolpo Trek Additional Information
How can I go to Dolpo, Nepal?
You can reach Dolpo by flight or a small bus (jeep) via trekking.
Dolpo Trek Route 1
Via flight
Flight one: From Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, take 45 45-minute flight that usually operates in the morning
Flight two: Another morning flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla airport is 25 minutes.
From Jumla, you must trek to Dolpo Valley via Maure Langa at 3894m. From there, you can head for the Upper Dolpo Trek.
Lower Dolpo Trek Route 2
Another option is to fly to Pokhara (25 minutes) from Kathmandu and then take a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. From Jomsom, cross the Jungben La pass.
Dolpo Trek Map Route 3
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in the evening and to Talcha airport the following day. Both flights are about 45 minutes. From Talcha, you can trek to Gamadi.
Reach Dolpo Via Bus
Route 1
First, take a bus or a small jeep from Kathmandu to Jumla. It takes 14 to 16 hours to reach Jumla. Then, you can walk to Dolpo via Dailekh.
Route 2
Or, you can drive to Nepalgunj, get a small bus to Talubagar via Rari, and reach Dunai in 3 days.
Route 3
You can also reach Beni via Pokhara in 8 hours and then take a jeep to Takam. From here, you cross the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve to reach Dunai in 10 days. This is a long route, often not frequented by tourists.
Note: Upper Dolpo lies far north of Nepal, and it isn’t easy to get here. If comfort and views are the only things that matter to you, you can charter a helicopter from Nepal to Dolpo. And if adventure is what you seek, it’s preferable to trek up to Dolpo.
Dolpo Trek permit
The first thing you should understand about the Dolpo Trek is that there are two regions of Dolpo, i.e., trekking in Lower Dolpo and Upper Dolpo. And here, we are only talking about the permit you need for the Lower Dolpo Trek. You will need a different license if you want to travel to Shey Phoksundo, specifically the Upper region
For the Lower Dolpo Trek, you need a restricted area permit. The lower Dolpo restricted area permit can only be issued after you book your trek with a trusted travel agency like MyEverestTrip and hire a licensed guide. These permits can be obtained from the immigration department in Kathmandu and cost USD 20 per person for a week, and USD 5 per day after that. You will not need an Upper Dolpo permit, but you might have to issue a Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit from the entry gate.
Best time for the Lower Dolpo Trek
Reaching the peak, both physically and spiritually, because you get above 5,000 meters in the Dolpo trek, it’s evident that this trek cannot be done throughout the year. And sadly, the government or Nepal’s travel agency doesn’t state this fact clearly. Traveling in lousy weather without proper precautions can be deadly.
Reflecting the lifestyle of the Dolpo region. Autumn and Spring are the safest times for the Dolpo trek. Autumn, i.e., October and November, is the best time for all tours in Nepal. The Himalayas’ clear views and the Nepalese’s festive mood make it an excellent time for a Visit. On the other hand, Spring, with magical blooms of wildflowers and little chance of rainfall, is also magical. Spring is the best time for mountain climbing in Nepal, and many climbers travel to areas like Annapurna and Everest.
Summer and Winter treks in Dolpo can be a bit cheaper. But it’s precarious due to the chances of rainfall and snowfall. As the trail gets slippery, it’s not the best time for the Dolpo trek. However, since Dolpo receives less rain, the June and July tours might be possible with the proper preparation. However, the winter trek in Dolpo from December to February is not recommended. The snow covers the entire area, making it hard to trek. However, the views in winter are unbelievably beautiful. If you plan to spend a winter holiday in Nepal, consider staying at a lower altitude in Dolpo and avoiding the high passes.
Accommodation in Dolpo
Despite being remote, there’s quite a comfortable accommodation option up to Dho Tarap, the 9th day of the trek. In Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, you will stay in a 3-star hotel with a private bathroom and all luxurious amenities. From Dunai, we stay in tea houses and local guesthouses, where we have basic accommodation in Dolpo. There are 3-4 hotels in Tarakot, Laini, Nawarpani, and Dho Tarap.
Beyond Dho Tarap, we will be staying in the tented camps. Porters and cooks will carry the tents and food. An entire team will assist you as you stay in tented camps at Numa La Base Camp and Pelung Tang. After these two days, we will again remain in Dolpo’s tea house/hotel at Dajok Tang. In villages such as Ringmo, Phoksundo Lake, Shyanta, and Jhupal, staying at a homestay is also possible. Homestays in Dolpo provide a close insight into local culture and an authentic trekking experience.
Lower Dolpo Trek FAQs
How can I get to Dolpo from Kathmandu?
The most suitable and budget-friendly way to reach Dolpo from Nepal is to drive from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. From Nepalgunj, you can get a morning flight to Jhupal. From Jhupal, you can go to Dolpo in a single day.
Can I trek to Dolpo Nepal Solo?
No, foreigners aren’t allowed to trek in Dolpo solo. Since Lower Dolpo falls within one of the few restricted regions in Nepal, independent travel is not allowed here. This means you must be in a group of at least two people, and hiring a guide for the Dolpo trek is compulsory.
How challenging is Dolpo Trek?
Well, difficulty is a relative word and varies depending on personal experiences. The 18-day Lower Dolpo trek is quite challenging for the newbie who has never trekked at a higher altitude. However, wandering only in the lower region is quite comfortable compared to the very remote and demanding Upper Dolpo trek. Additionally, it’s easier than peak climbing in Nepal, as there’s no need for technical climbing skills.
That said, covering the Dolpo trek’s distance of over 100 km and walking 6 to 8 hours daily in rugged mountain terrain is challenging. Therefore, one must be physically and mentally prepared for the Dolpo trek. Cardio exercises such as cycling, swimming, jogging, and squats have helped develop one’s body’s strength, thus preparing one for the trip.
What is the highest altitude of Dolpo Trek?
Numa La, at 5,238m, and Baga La Pass, at 5,070m, are among the highest points during the Dolpo trek. At this altitude, air pressure drops to half, and breathing becomes tricky. Thus, one must be adequately acclimatized before reaching such a dangerous altitude.
What will happen if I get altitude sickness?
While Nepalgunj is 150 meters above sea level, we fly directly to Jhupal at an Elevation of 2494m. Now, such height has a severe impact on people’s health. Developing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and headaches are common. Therefore, we must climb only 500 meters per day and stay hydrated. Even then, if you catch altitude sickness, our expert guide at MyEverestTrip shall provide you with appropriate medication. We shall also stop climbing if the symptoms are severe and, if possible, walk down to a lower altitude.
Even after all this, if you still catch altitude sickness, you will be taken back to Kathmandu on a helicopter flight in Nepal. Our team will arrange the helicopter evacuation, which is covered by your insurance plan.
How long is Dolpo Trek?
Exploring the Lower region of Dolpo takes about two weeks, and the Upper Dolpo trek is longer than 13 weeks. If you plan to trek only to Numa La Base Camp and then return, the tour typically lasts around 18 days from Kathmandu. However, the trekking days are only 12 days, and the other days are for rest and acclimatization.
Is there Wi-Fi/ internet in Dolpo?
Dolpo camping trek comes with significant challenges you might not have thought of. You will not have any electricity unless you have a solar power charger. The network coverage is only available in some villages, and Wi-Fi is not available anywhere.
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