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Nepal
16 Days
US$2,500
This trip includes
Ground transportation in Nepal
Hotels & tea-house accommodation
All meals except in Kathmandu
Local flights cost covered in itinerary
Guided tour & trek throughout the trip
Summer,Autumn, Spring
Moderate
Nepal
5,190 m
The Lower Dolpo Trek is often overshadowed due to its challenging topography. However, if adventure, staying away from the beaten track, and hidden gems are what you are looking for, then 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, the presence of vehicles here is rare, as no road connection has yet been established to connect Dolpa. Trekkers were only introduced to this trekking route 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 protects the Bon religion of traditional Tibetan culture, so trekking here allows you to witness a wildly 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.
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. So if you want to know more about the itinerary options, trek cost, trek 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.
No. of Tourists | Price Per Person in USD |
---|---|
1 Paxes | $3000 |
2 Paxes | $2500 |
During my vacation, I made a plan to go on the lower Dolpo trek on the western region of Dolpo. During the trek I got to know that Lower Dolpo has a dusty atmosphere with high altitude, I recommend you take the necessary first aid kid. I got a chance to analyze that fresh environment and nature. It gives me...
Al Azmi
Kuwait
During my vacation, I made a plan to go on the lower Dolpo trek on the western region of Dolpo. During the trek I got to know that Lower Dolpo has a dusty atmosphere with high altitude, I recommend you take the necessary first aid kid. I got a chance to analyze that fresh environment and nature. It gives me the motivation to travel to more beautiful places in Nepal. I suggest that March to May and September to November is the best for the Lower Dolpo trek. Going lower Dolpo trek helps to boost my courage. Due to the best guide and best itinerary provided by My Everest Trip, my journey was beyond my expectations.
Al Azmi
Kuwait
My trek to Lower Dolpa with my best friend was challenging but we felt safe and comfortable with our guide and the team of My Everest Trip was concerned about our safety. We choose this trek to explore the second-largest lake in Nepal, Shey Phoksundo. During the route we passes through Phoksundo National Park, we hiked through the desert which...
Pablo Lopez
Spain
My trek to Lower Dolpa with my best friend was challenging but we felt safe and comfortable with our guide and the team of My Everest Trip was concerned about our safety. We choose this trek to explore the second-largest lake in Nepal, Shey Phoksundo. During the route we passes through Phoksundo National Park, we hiked through the desert which was new experience for us, and explore many unique things which is still in my mind and heart. I recommend the Lower Dolpo Trek to someone looking for a unique and remote hiking adventure. It's an experience that allows you to travel back in time, immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
Pablo Lopez
Spain
You can reach Dolpo by flight or a small bus (jeep) via trekking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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