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Lower Dolpo Trek- 18 Days

Trip Introduction


Lower Dolpo Trek
Lower Dolpo Trek route offers an outstanding trekking experience in the remote region of Nepal. Lower Dolpo trek is opened for foreigners since 1989. The Trek begins with visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. The trekking route offers you a remarkable and worthwhile experience of the lifetime. This trekking route begins from the airstrip of Juphal after a scenic flight from Nepalgunj. We get to muse at the yak caravans that maintain the traditional salt trade with Tibet. It is a moderately strenuous walk along the lower part of Dolpo.
Lower Dolpo is the place where Oscar-nominated film “Caravan” brought to fame, Due to Eric Valleys documentation for National Geographic, the Dolpo region of Nepal has been shown for all its integrity and mystical values. The Tibetan culture has been preserved for centuries and has one of the deepest lakes in the Himalayas. The Shey Phoksundo is a beautiful turquoise lake with an abundance of nature surrounding it; see the yak caravans coming through regularly.
This region is popular for being outstandingly unique, containing pristine natural beauty and possessing a rugged charm. You will meet the nomadic people of the region and experience their traditional way of life, almost untouched and unexplored. The people are very pleasant by nature being of Tibetan descent, they follow the Pre-Buddhist Bon religion. The language they speak is closely related to Tibetan. There are 64 large and small monasteries in Dolpo, with most of the monasteries built at the top of the high mountains. Some of them can ever be found around the rocky isolated surroundings. Since it is believed that the followers of the spiritual world should live a peaceful and isolated life, most of the monasteries are found in calm and lonely places. The Himalayas offer an endless variety of landscapes, cultures, traditions, and great people. This unbounded diversity makes it a destination you can visit multiple times, it becomes more interesting and fascinating with every time you return.
The lower Dolpo trek is suitable for the real adventure-lovers who wish to explore off-the-beaten-path treks. The trek passes through Shey-Phoksundo National Park with breathtaking mountain scenery, Buddhist monasteries, beautiful valleys, and yak and Sheep caravans. We would recommend you to arrive in Kathmandu at least two days before the trek starts. This would allow the special permits required for the lower Dolpo trek. We take a spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Juphal via Nepalgunj and then begin a great trek of Lower Dolpo and Phoksundo Lake with the cold and fresh air of the Glaciers of Kanjirowa Himalayas, it truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
 


Group Size : Minimum 02 Pax Max - altitude : 5190m
Destination : Destiny Country Fitness level : Adventure
Arrival : Kathmandu Departure from : Kathmandu
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner whole trekking
Accomodation : Double/Twin Sharing in Hotel/Lodge
Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
Day 02: Pre-Trip meeting in the morning and sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
Day 04: Flight to Juphal (2320m) then trek to Dunai (2850m), Duration: 45 min flight, 3 Hrs trek
Day 05: Trek to Tarakot (2543m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
Day 06: Trek to Laini (3170m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
Day 07: Trek to Nawarpani (3545m)-6-7 Hrs
Day 08: Trek to Dho Tarap (4090m), Duration: 7-8 Hrs
Day 09: Acclimatization day at Dho Tarap
Day 10: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
Day 11: Cross Numa La pass (5190m), and camp at Pelung Tang (4465m), During 6-7 Hrs
Day 12: Cross Baga La pass (5070m), and Camp at Dajok Tang (4080m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
Day 13: Trek to Ringmo (3600m), Duration: 4-5 Hrs
Day 14: Rest Day at Ringmo and hike to Phoksundo Lake
Day 15: Trek to Shyanta (2520m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
Day 16:  Trek to Juphal, Duration: 5-6 Hrs
Day 17: Flight from Juphal –Nepalgunj- Kathmandu
Day 18: Departure to home country
Note: If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences. For more information please contact us at [email protected] 
 

 
Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
 You will arrive in Nepal at Tribhuvan International, Kathmandu. Tribhuwan International Airport is the only airport in Nepal. You can meet our representatives from Swagat Holiday Treks & Expedition outside the airport terminal. A signboard that “Swagat Holiday Treks & Expedition” will help you find these representatives easily. You can check into your hotel with them. You have a couple of options as to how you spend your day/evening. Either you can relax in the hotel or you can go for exploring small towns likes Thamel on your own.
Includes: Bed & Breakfast
                                                                                                                  
Day 02: Pre-Trip meeting in the morning and sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
You will meet our representatives from Swagat Holiday Treks & Expedition in the morning and discuss your Salleri (Phaplu) Everest Base Camp Trek. In this pre-Trip meeting, you will have plenty of information about the weather, difficulty, etc. during the trip. You can meet your guide and meet the various members of your trip.
You will get for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley after the briefing. The many UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu make it a beautiful place for an excellent sightseeing tour.
Pashupatinath Temple:
Pashupatinath Temple lies on the bank of the Bagmati River, is one of the holiest sites in Kathmandu. It is the biggest Hindu temple in the world. The main temple is two-storeyed. It also has smaller monuments as well as places for pilgrimage surrounding it.
Baudhanath and Swayambhunath
Baudhanath and Swayambhunath are the most famous Buddhist temples you will go to on this trip. The feel of the Buddhist culture as well as the peaceful setting of these two monasteries are making for a wonderful visit to these places.
You will also get to two Durbar Squares- Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Square- during this trip. Historical temples like Krishna Mandir, Hanuman Dhoka, museums, and other smaller temples make these two squares some of the most delightful in this trip. You can see the perfect representations of the medieval architecture of Nepal in these two squares.
Includes: Bed & Breakfast
 
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
Today, we fly to the western side of Nepal. It is about a one hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Situated nearby Nepal-India border, Nepalgunj offers you the taste of both Hindu and Muslim culture. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Nepalgunj.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 04: Flight to Juphal (2320m) then trek to Dunai (2850m), Duration: 45 min flight, 3 Hrs trek
After our breakfast, we will catch another flight to reach Juphal. It will consume about 45 minutes to reach to Juphal with a scenic view of mountains. On arriving at Juphal our trekking crew will receive you, these guys have done a tough hike from Nepalgunj with the camping gear and food supply which take about 5-6 days. From Juphal, a short 2-3 Hrs walk from the airstrip takes us to our first overnight camp at Dunai village. Our first day on the trail begins with an hour of downhill hiking through the village below the airstrip, then leading through the terraced fields to the Bheri River and the narrow gorge taking 2-3 hours to camp at Dunai. This is a much larger village or rather, a small township, with a new hospital and is the administrative headquarters of the Dolpo region. Here we have ample time for a leisure walk around the village. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Dunai.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 05: Trek to Tarakot (2543m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
Today’s trek leads through many small streams and then follows the Bheri and Barbung river that runs through a tremendous gorge with pine trees and an ingenious path built about seven meters above the river; after a good walk, we come to Tarakot where colorful terraced fields greet us. Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the local people as Dzong or fort. Tarakot was a capital before the Gorkha Dynasty reigned in Nepal. The famed sandul Gompa lies farther east from Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung Khola (river) and Tarup Chu (river). the village about 150m below the village, near the police post or we, climb a steep ridge for an hour to the village on a spur, where there are chortens and Gompa on the edge of a grassy plateau with solitary trees scattered around. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Tarakot.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 06: Trek to Laini (3170m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
After breakfast, we will leave for Laini which is about 6-7 hours walk. We will catch away following the Tarap Chu River. We have to cross some suspension bridges and the same river again. We can see a famous Gompa named Sandul Gompa little further on a junction where Barbung River and Tarap Chu River meet. The trail goes through terraced farming inside some beautiful villages. Then walking downwards for some time, we will be at Laini. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Laini.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 07: Trek to Nawarpani (3545m)-6-7 Hrs
We will start our trek early morning after our breakfast. We will leave for Nawarpani, we will continue following Tarap Chu River walking on the way made by steep stones. You can feel the different experience of walking today because you will get some narrow gorges on the way where you have to jump from one place to another. On the way, the path disappears in some places where we have to make as a bridge. This will an exciting little furthermore, we will reach Nawarpani. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Nawarpani.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 08: Trek to Dho Tarap (4090m), Duration: 7-8 Hrs
Our morning walk begins with a gradual up leading us to Kamattarka at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, a stream flowing from the east. After few hours of good morning hiking, we leave the narrow gorge & from here the path leads just above tree lines of juniper bush and wild rose, typical of dry inner Himalayan valleys. Another 3 hours or more walking brings us to the village of Dho Tarap surrounded by an irregular stone wall. At Dho, thirty-four houses are divided into three groups and built-in random fashion, it’s pretty interesting! In this valley, both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together. Tarap is also inhabited by a few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 09: Acclimatization day at Dho Tarap
This is a well-deserved rest day free from the hassle of packing today and a chance to make friends with the locals who have hardly seen westerners for ages. It’s always good to interact with the local folks & give the kids some toffees if you have them. The Dolpo people wear homespun clothing that is sometimes dyed maroon and they favor Tibetan style or Dhocha (boots with upturned toes) for footwear. Both men and women often wear religious amulets and strings of coral, amber, and turquoise. The people of the region are both Bon Po and Nhyingmapa of the Buddhist sect. The Buddhist Gompa is nearby to the camp while the Bon Gompa (pre-Buddhist) is about half an hour’s walk away. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Dho Tarap.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 10: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
After exploring Dho Tarap village, our journey heads towards Numa La Base Camp which is about 6-7 hours walk. Going upwards from Dho Tarap village, the trail leads you inside the plain valleys with the view of the river covered by the green grasses on both sides which is a different view than others you can have in this region. We will then follow Tarap Chu upward all the way. After having an hour’s walk, we will be at Tokyo village where we can see a monastery of the Chiba group. We can have some roaming around this village. The trek from here may be a little difficult as we have to walk over a rough path for about 3 hours. Finally, we will be at Numa La Base Camp. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Numa La Base Camp.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 11: Cross Numa La pass (5190m), and camp at Pelung Tang (4465m), During: 6-7 Hrs
Our journey continues with the crossing of Numa La pass at 5190m, the track goes to a steep climb all the way to the top ridge of Numa la with fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes; the scenery of the valleys & mountains including the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif along with other distant snow-capped peaks is so spiritually invigorating. After a glorious moment at the pass, almost three hours of downhill hiking brings us to Pelung Tang (4465m) or further for the overnight camp just before Baga-la or Basi-la pass. We will stay overnight at Pelung Tang.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 12: Cross Baga La pass (5070m), and Camp at Dajok Tang (4080m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
The trek today also goes across high altitude as we have to cross Baga La pass of (5070m). The journey commences with a steep climb up to the top of Baga La which is difficult to climb but worth climbing as you can have the beautiful view of surrounding landscapes and snowcapped peaks of Kanjirowa Mountain range. After spending some time, we will walk downward for about 3 hours to reach Dajok Tang. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Dajok Tang.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 13: Trek to Ringmo (3600m), Duration: 4-5 Hrs
The morning trek starts with a steep climb to reach the ridge top of Baga-La at 5070 meter, which offers fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes and the distant snow-capped peaks of Kanjiroba Himal range, after a great moment here our walk leads to descent for 2 hours through a pine forest; on leaving the forest behind, the country and the vegetation changes for pasture fields and alpine shrubs most of the way to Ringmo on the gradual slopes with few ups and downs as we reach our final destination at Ringmo and the crystal serene Lake of Phoksundo. We crash out in this lovely area with all meals inclusive.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 14: Rest Day at Ringmo and hike to Phoksundo Lake
The nearby Tibetan Buddhist monastery is well worth a visit, as is the village of Ringmo. A walk partway around the lake is also very enjoyable and relaxing. It’s a wonderful place to just chill out & let your spirits go free. You could also perhaps, get rid of your demons down here. We will stay overnight at Ringmo.
 
Day 15: Trek to Shyanta (2520m), Duration: 6-7 Hrs
Today we will descend downwards to Chhekpa after having breakfast. It is believed that we can get many important medical minerals which cure many diseases. Then we pass through some lovely villages. After some more walk, we will reach Shyanta. We will stay overnight in a local lodge at Shyanta.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 16:  Trek to Juphal, Duration: 5-6 Hrs
Today, we trek from Shyanta to Juphal. Form Shyanta we follow the river trail downstream to Juphal. We walk uphill through meadows and past a few houses to the small hotels at Kala Gaura (2090m). After several hours of walking, we finally reach Juphal, which is the endpoint of our trek.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 17: Flight from Juphal –Nepalgunj- Kathmandu
Leaving behind Juphal, we fly back to Nepalgunj taking an early morning flight, as flights are not possible in the afternoon due to the strong winds. After reaching Nepalgunj, we catch another flight back to Kathmandu, relishing the scenic views throughout the flight. We transfer you to the hotel in Kathmandu for the overnight stay.
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 
Day 18: Departure to home country
After breakfast and our last day in Kathmandu, our vehicle and escorts will be on standby to drop you to the international airport three hours before our scheduled flight back home. At Swagat Holiday Treks & Expedition, meeting you has been a great honor and we pray for your Safe journey home and will reflect on the wonderful times we spent together. Bon Voyage!!! We hope to see you again someday…
Includes: Bed & Breakfast


COST INCLUDE
  • Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle. (for both international and domestic flights).
  • Welcome Dinner at Typical Nepalese Restaurant with a cultural dance show.
  • 2 Night standard twin-sharing accommodation in a hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast.
  • Basic guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms.
  • Three meals a day: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during the trekking.
  • A Highly experienced, Helpful, Knowledgeable, friendly, well-trained Government license holding English-speaking trekking guide.
  • We provide an assistant guide for walking with the group to support where necessary as per group size.
  • National Park entrance fee and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS card).
  • The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)
  • Food, accommodation, insurance, equipment, and medicine for all staff.
  • Everest National Park permits and Khumbu permit for trekking.
  • Airfare from Kathmandu – Lukla - Kathmandu including airport departure tax in Kathmandu and Lukla airports.
  • Arrangement of emergency evacuation service (should have insurance for emergency evacuation and will be paid by your Travel Insurance Company).
  • All applicable government taxes, vat, tourist service charges as per Itinerary.
 COST EXCLUDE
  • Your Nepal Visa Fees (should bring small accurate fees in USD and 02 passport size photos)
  • All the International airfare to and from Kathmandu ( no need to pay departure tax for international flight)
  • Lunch and Dinner during staying in Kathmandu
  • Personal travel and Health insurance as well as insurance for helicopter evacuation
  • In case of extra night’s accommodation, Lunch and Dinner in the city due to early arrival or departure as well as early back/return from Mountain/Trekking(due to any reason) than the given time period of Itinerary. We can help you arrange extra nights’ accommodation.
  • Your personal expenses such as (soft beverages, confectionaries, laundries, phone calls, bar bills, Extra porter, etc.)
  • Extra baggage excess while flying to Lukla.
  • Medical expenses and trip cancellation.
  • Any other extended trips and accommodation.
  • Tips of the guide, porters, and driver as a token of appreciation.
     # Any other expenses or charges that are not mentioned in the “cost includes” list.
 

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Important Note:
Your safety is our paramount concern while traveling with Swagat Holiday Treks & Expedition. In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swagat Holiday Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd. for rescue. The charge must be paid by the client or their travel insurance company.
 Please note that your leader/guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails traveling in remote mountain regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health conditions of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc. can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader/guide will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.
 
Note: If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences. For more information please contact us at [email protected]
 

Equipment and Gears
  • Duffle Bag\Rucksack Bag\ Suitcase (We provide one complimentary Swagat Holiday Duffle Bag that is to be returned after the trip)
  • One pair of a walking stick
  • Trekking Shoes
  • Sports shoes or sandals
  • Sun Hat/Cap
  • Basic Medical Kits
  • Head Lamp
  • Hand Sanitizers
  • Trekking towels
  • Sunglasses (UV Protection)
  • Warm Hand gloves ( Inner & Outer)
  • Warm woolen cap
  • Warm fleece jacket or puffy jacket
  • Waterproof Gore-Tex layer
  • Pullover or warm sweeter
  • Raincoat
  • 5/6 pairs of good quality socks
  • 2\3 pairs of trekking trousers
  • 3\4 pairs of trekking shirts
  • 5\6 pairs of underwear( non-cotton preferred)
  • Water bottle
  • Good quality Sleeping Bag
  • Camera and Batteries

Trip Location Map