Lower Dolpo Trek

Lower Dolpo Trek Overview

The Lower Dolpo Trek offers a chance to join Nepal Trekking Experts on a trek through the remote and rugged landscapes of western Nepal. This particular adventure offers an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends stunning scenery with timeless culture. 

Your journey starts in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, where you will be warmly welcomed at the International Airport and soon transferred to a hotel. From the bustling streets of the city, you will soon experience a striking contrast in your surroundings with a short, scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. 

However, the real trekking starts only the next day after an early morning flight to Juphal, which will be the starting point of your trek. Initially, the trekking route will follow the banks of the Thuli Bheri River, leading you through lush vegetation and past charming villages. During this point of the trek, you will walk through dense pine forests and terraced fields, offering stunning views of the traditional settlements. For the most part of the trek through the villages, you will see the trails filled with mani walls, prayer flags, and numerous chortens.

Here, the Dolpo region is linked to Tibetan culture and is well-preserved against the encroachment of the outside world. Hence, the local beliefs and practices showcase the purest form of Buddhism, adding a spiritual touch to your journey. A fun fact; this region is one of the few remaining places where the Bon Po religion is practiced. Furthermore, the whole region is said to have been blessed by Guru Rinpoche during the 8th century and has long been a refuge for devout Buddhists in troubled times.

As you continue your trek, the trail starts to get challenging from Laina Odar, as you will face a steady climb through dense jungle and across picturesque suspension bridges. Additionally, the landscape will start to get dramatic with rugged trails and arid terrain. These semi-arid landscapes occur as the Dolpo region lies in the rain shadow of the towering mass of Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters). 

In fact, you will notice the sudden change in your surroundings in a few days’ intervals as the trekking route shifts from dense forest to barren, high-altitude landscapes. From Tarap Khola, you will also have the opportunity to witness alpine wildlife, and as you reach Nawarpani, it will mark the gateway to the high-altitude trek. 

Soon, your trekking journey will be surrounded by the breathtaking Himalayan views. The trek to Dho Tarap will be a challenging yet rewarding journey. As you reach this village, you will get a rare glimpse into a lifestyle and Tibetan culture that has been left untouched for centuries. 

From this point onward, your trekking journey will feel like a blend of spiritual and natural vacation for relaxation. Therefore, you will take a rest day to acclimatize and explore this unique village. The serene environment, panoramic views of the snow-clad peaks, and rich historical and cultural touches make this journey a worthwhile trek. 

Moving on from Dho Tarap, you will make your way towards Numala Base Camp, followed by the challenging Numa La Pass. Standing at an altitude of 5,309 meters, this pass is one of the highlight points of the trek offering you the views that will last you lifelong. This point will provide you with the dramatic scenery of Mount Dhaulagiri and other surrounding peaks. 

Here, Numa La Pass is the crossing point before you descend to the village of Danigar through terraced fields and yak pastures. Again, the other day starts a high-altitude section, the Bagala Pass (at an elevation of 5,169 meters). Additionally, this point portrays a striking difference in the landscape as your initial trek will comprise a traditional yak trail and a deep gorge while the latter section is composed of lush forest trails. 

This refreshing change of scenery will soon lead you to a major highlighting point of the trek, Shey Phoksundo Lake. At an altitude of 3,600 meters, this lake has a picturesque setting as the turquoise water of the Phoksundo Lake sits amidst the breathtaking mountain scenery. Alongside the natural aura of the point, you will also get a score of cultural side with a side trip to the Bon monastery of Tshowa.

Now, it is time to bid goodbye to the beautiful Phoksundo Lake and descend down following the lush greenery and tranquil streams. During this final stretch of the trek, you will yet again feel the change in your surroundings as you go from a high-altitude landscape to a temperate environment.

Altogether, your return to Kathmandu will mark the end of your trek. Having said that, the changing landscapes, serene beauty, and rich culture of the region will stay with you even after the journey has long ended. During this trek, as most part of the region takes place within the Shey Phoksundo National Park, you may get lucky enough to witness wildlife such as the elusive snow leopard, rare Himalayan blue sheep, goral, thar, Himalayan black bear, langur, and rhesus monkeys, among others. 

After a 16-day long journey to the Lower Dolpo region, we will part ways with a farewell party after reaching Kathmandu. On the 17th day of the journey, we will drop you off at the airport, marking the end of the journey and leaving the doorway open for the next adventure! 

If the Dolpo region has captured your heart and feel it could be explored more, we have yet another trip waiting for you. Embark on the Upper Dolpo Trek and explore more of this region. So, until next time!

Moreover, you may also choose Manaslu Circuit Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, Nar Phu Valley Trek, and many more graceful packages.

Trekking Difficulty In Lower Dolpo

Located in one of the lesser-explored regions of Nepal, the Trek to Lower Dolpo tantalizes the adventurous spirit with its remote beauty and rugged terrain. This particular trek is considered to be a strenuous journey due to its demanding altitude, rugged terrain, and remote location. 

One of the significant challenges of this trek is its dynamic landscape. Here, the Lower Dolpo region is filled with steep ascents with rocky and uneven paths. During the journey, you will witness a quick shift in your environment as you move from lush greenery and terraced fields to alpine surroundings, deep gorges, and high-altitude passes. 

In fact, the Lower Dolpo Region Trek is a journey of contrasts as the trekking trail blends pristine forests, charming villages, alpine meadows, and dramatic high-altitude deserts in a single package. Furthermore, the trail is remotely located as it is less frequented by tourists hence, providing isolation as well as tranquility. Here, trekkers are required to walk for 6 to 7 hours every day on this trek which demands a good level of physical fitness and stamina. 

Similarly, the altitude level might be another concerning point during the Lower Dolpo Trek. While most parts of the journey do not go higher than 4,000 meters in elevation, you will still have to cross two high-altitude passes; Numa La Pass (5,309 meters) and Bagala Pass (5,169 meters). Therefore, with these altitude gains, you might suffer from altitude sickness, if not acclimated properly. 

Generally, the initial symptoms of altitude sickness are nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches. If any of such symptoms prevail, you should stop ascending and listen to your body to rest. Likewise, even after a rest, if your body feels tired and the symptoms worsen, you should quickly descend with the help of your guide. 

Advancing forward, the Lower Dolpo Trek falls in a rain shadow area which keeps the trekking route drier than those that do not fall in rainshadow areas, such as the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, or Everest Base Camp Trek. However, having said that the trail does experience unpredictable weather conditions, especially when you are at a higher elevation. Even a sunny and bright day might get gloomy, filled with clouds or might experience occasional snowfall - all within a matter of a few minutes. Hence, proper gear and preparation are a must!

Despite these challenges, there are numerous rewarding points with Lower Dolpo Trek. Also, remember often difficult journeys are the ones that take you to beautiful destinations. 

Best Time To Trek Lower Dolpo

While you can embark on the Lower Dolpo Region Trek at any time of the year, Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) are the most favorable with clear skies, mild temperatures, and relatively stable weather patterns.

Here, Autumn is the peak season and offers stable weather with crisp air and the best visibility. Additionally, the air is chilly but not cold, providing a comfortable trekking experience. The average temperature during this season ranges between -3 to 14 degrees. 

Moving on, Autumn also brings the clearest skies of the year offering unobstructed panoramic views of the mountain ranges. Trekking during this season also gives you an opportunity to embrace the festive month which adds extra enjoyment to the journey. 

Likewise, Spring is another peak season and a particularly beautiful time to explore the Lower Dolpo region. During this time of the year, the trekking trails are adorned with wildflowers bringing a burst of colors throughout the region. Furthermore, the weather is stable with moderate temperatures ranging between -13 to 14 degrees. 

Similarly, you can also trek this trail during the Monsoon season as this region falls under the rainshadow area bringing little to no rain. Due to this particular reason, the trekking routes are particularly dry and the weather is still amazing. 

However, having said that the Monsoon season brings heavy downpours in the other parts of Nepal which may cause a real challenge at times. These rainfalls may result in landslides which may postpone or cancel certain plans on the schedules. Therefore, if you are traveling during this season, add a buffer period to your itinerary to avoid a rush. 

Lastly, the Winter season brings the coldest days of the year with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. Due to the snowfall, there are high chances of roadblocks which might lead to an early end of your trek. Since this season brings extreme trail conditions and temperatures, this trail is not advisable for beginners. 

Lower Dolpo Trekking Permits and Cost

Given the remote and protected status of the Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek, you will require specific permits to ensure your safety and the conservation of the area. The permits you will need for the journey are the Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit and the Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Entry Permit. 

Furthermore, it is important to note that you will require at least two people in the group to embark on this journey. Well, the Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit will cost you USD 25 per person, and the Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Entry Permit will cost you USD 20 per person per week plus USD 5 per additional day per person. 

To obtain these permits, NTE needs your valid passport copy with a visa copy. You can get the Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit from Kathmandu itself. As for the Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Entry Permit, it is issued by the Immigration Office in Kathmandu and your local trekking agency will get this before you start your trek. 

Booking And Payment With Nepal Trekking Experts

To book your trek with us, you have to send a deposit of 10% of the total cost of the trek. Please also forward a copy of your passport, a passport-sized photo, and full flight details if and when available. For your convenience, you may also forward the deposit to us online through our website. It is completely safe, and as soon as you make it, you will get an automatic receipt in your inbox. The rest of the payment can be paid upon arrival.

Likewise, if you want a longer serene and scenic Himalayan adventure, you should consider combining the Upper Dolpo Trek as well.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us anytime. We are always ready to assist.