Are you a fan of wilderness and the remote nature of trekking? If the answer is yes, the Lower Dolpo Trek could be the right option for you. Located in the remote village of the Dolpo region, the place has chills and thrills at the same time.
Interestingly, the Lower Dolpo Trek provides you with more Tibetan people rather than Nepalese, which is another key aspect to look into. The maximum altitude that we touch down during the trek is 5190m, which will be hard for many.
The temperature here remains dry most of the time, and you get to view a variety of lakes, forests, wild animals, etc, during the trek. Let’s know in detail about the Lower Dolpo Trek.
Lower Dolpo Trek Overview
For the trekkers interested, the Lower Dolpo trek is one of the fascinating journeys into the remote and culturally rich regions of Nepal. You will find a unique cultural experience with the blend of Tibetan culture.
From landscapes, high passes, plateaus, to lakes and gorges, there is much more variety when we talk about natural beauty. The biggest highlight of this trek has to be the Shey Phoksundo Lake with its turquoise waters.
There are days of trek on higher altitudes, and an average of 6 hours daily needs to be trekked through. Physical fitness, along with mental strength, is the key to completing this journey.
An unparalleled adventure through the wilderness with The Trek Nepal could be the right choice for this trekking season.
Highlights of Lower Dolpo Trek
- Explore the beauty of Shey Phoksundo Lake amidst the cliffs, pine forest, and the wilderness of the west.
- Understand the Bon religion mainly in villages like Ringmo
- Quiter trails, along with less popularity, provide an authentic feel of the place
- Variety in natural beauty with landscapes, dense forests, alpine meadows, etc
- Brilliant option for solitude, cultural immersion, and a new experience.
Things to Expect From the Lower Dolpo Trek
The Trek Nepal suggests you keep your expectations lower for the trek to Lower Dolpo. The major reason for that is the fact that this Western region of Nepal is remote.
Similarly, you might have to compromise on food and accommodation most of the time. But The Trek Nepal assures you of providing the best of food and accommodation.
Being an isolated part of Nepal, you will get to experience nature in its truest form with no commercialisation. Anyone who is looking for a trekking opportunity to understand the true side of Nepal can book with The Trek Nepal for this journey.
Why is Shey Phoksundo Lake the highlight of the trek?
Even though we are doing the lower Dolpo trek, it is key to understand that there is much more to the place.
The biggest highlight has to be the Shey Phoksundo. Not only based on the altitude of 3612m this lake is important for both the Buddhist and Hindu religion.
You will find a variety of monasteries and chortens around the shores of the lake, which adds to the beauty. There is Shey Phoksundo National Park in the nearby area, highlighting the ecological importance of the place.
From snow leopard to blue sheep and other varieties of animals, you will find plenty of them in this place. A cultural hideout and a place of harmony, Shey Phoksundo is more than just a natural beauty spot.
Food and Accommodation During the Lower Dolpo Trek
As The Trek Nepal has explained that Lower Dolpo Trek is an isolated and remote land, so trekkers need to adjust to the food and accommodation. In case of accommodation, you will find tea houses and lodges at this location.
Modest room with minimal bedding and attached toilets with shared restroom, you will find everything absolutely basic here. The Trek Nepal would assure you that there is an option of camping for a better experience.
Following the accommodation, the food is also simpler on this journey. From traditional Daal, Bhaat, which is the staple food, to noodles, Tibetan bread, and seasonal vegetables, you will find it all.
The lodges and tea houses find it hard to transport the exotic meats. Therefore, the options in the case of meat are also highly limited. Even with all of this, safety and hygiene will be taken with major care by The Trek Nepal.
Best Time For Lower Dolpo Trek
As you will be hitting the 5000m mark during the trek, choosing the right time for this trek will be the key. Similar to most other treks, autumn and spring are the perfect times for the journey.
With clear skies and the festival vibes, you will find welcoming people all around Dolpo. Don’t worry, even in the peak season, there aren’t too much of crowds in the region.
This allows you to enjoy the closer surroundings and also enjoy nature. During the perfect season, you will also find vivid rhododendrons, pine trees, and much more.
Besides this season, we don’t suggest you choose either of winter or the monsoon season. Being the remotest region of Nepal, unseen circumstances may arise in poor weather conditions.
How Tough Is the Lower Dolpo Trek?
There are a lot of trekkers who are willing to know whether you can perform the Lower Dolpo Trek or not. Well, the answer is it depends on you.
Talking about the difficulty of the trek, the Lower Dolpo Trek is a moderate to difficult trek. You will be crossing the 5000m passes like Numa La and Baga La, providing major challenges.
More than that location the issue comes with the physical strength and stamina. All the trekkers need to be physically fit and acclimatize better to complete this trek.
Having said that, you will have to walk an average of 6 hours every day on the steep and rough trails. Meanwhile, being at a higher altitude, there is also the chance of weather changes.
The long trekking days to go to the remote location and little to no new human interaction could take a toll on your mental health, too.
Meanwhile, the experts at The Trek Nepal will help you with it. Our team of experts has done this route, and we are aware of the fitness, skills, and ways to keep you engaged. You are in safe hands.
Is Lower Dolpo Trek Possible For Everyone?
This could be a very difficult question to answer, even for The Trek Nepal. Based on our experience, we can say that the Lower Dolpo trek can be performed by anyone, but you will need to be strong.
The Trek Nepal strictly suggests you have experience of trekking so that you can handle the tough situation. In like manner, trekkers who have zero experience will find it harder.
As our team of experts will train you right through the process, things do get easier. Similarly also have the physical strength and improve it by doing cardiovascular exercises and strength training.
We suggest that you be mentally strong so that it allows you to trek for 6 hours every day for a period of 15 days. It can be hard for many, but if you are sure to perform, The Trek Nepal will guide you right through.
Permits Required for Lower Dolpo Trek
If you are wondering what the right permits are for the Lower Dolpo Trek, Trek Nepal is right here to help you with it. All the permits will be collected by us from the Nepal Tourism Board.
However, if you are doing it on your own, there are 3 different permits that will be required. They are:
- Lower Dolpo Special Permit
- Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit
- Trekkers Information Management System Card
Cost of Lower Dolpo Trek
The accurate cost of the Lower Dolpo Trek is hard to predict. The major reason for that is the fact that the cost tends to change based on various factors.
From the time of the trek to the facilities and the quality of service, the cost keeps changing most of the time. Choosing a shared package will cost you lower compared to the private trekking option.
The best you can do is come in contact with The Trek Nepal as we help you to choose the right option. From cost assessment to safety and proper results, we are here to help you right away.
Why Choose The Trek Nepal For Lower Dolpo Trek?
Out of all the trekking agencies present in the country, why should one choose The Trek Nepal? Well, the answer is simple. We are the best trekking agency with brilliant results right through.
Our team of experts has performed the Lower Dolpo Trek previously with great results. Not only are we trained in proper acclimatization, along with trekker safety.
Based on your budget or time, we can change or customize the overall package, which allows you to understand the overall trek better and on your personal terms. All of this helps for a better outcome.
Detailed Itinerary for Lower Dolpo Trek
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
As you land in Kathmandu International Airport, a team from The Trek Nepal will be present to guide you to your hotel. You will be provided the SIM card and other details at minimal cost.
As you reach the hotel, all the guests will be shifted to their respective rooms. You can either roam around the city or take the much-needed rest after a long flight.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and trip preparation
After breakfast early morning, the tourists will be guided on the city tour today. From historical temples to monuments, along with the food and people, we will be touring the whole city.
As the guests will be seeing the capital, The Trek Nepal will be busy getting all the permits required for the trek. During the evenings, we will be briefed about the tour, making things very clear.
Day 3: Fly to Nepalgunj
On the 3rd day of the trek, we will be taking the flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. It will be a 60-minute flight with not much elevation. Nepalgunj lies in the Western side of the country.
To the tourists unaware, Nepalgunj is located at the Nepal-India border, which provides you with the right blend of Hindu and Muslim culture. The Trek Nepal will provide you with full board meals and a great place to stay.
Day 4: Flight to Juphal and trek to Dunai
It is on the 4th day of the trek that our actual trekking starts at the Lower Dolpo trek. This particular flight is only 45 minutes, and we start the trek immediately. As the team from The Trek Nepal is present at the airport, we will start the hike afterwards.
Having said that, we will start the 3-hour trek to Dunai, which will be our resting spot for the day. After trekking downhill, we will be reaching the terraced fields of the Bheri River, and a narrow gorge will lead us to Dunai. All the trekkers will have enough time for a visit to the village.
Day 5: Trek to Tarakot from Dunai
Following the early morning breakfast at Dunai, the team will be heading towards Tarakot in the lower Dolpo trek today. As we cross the small streams and follow the Bheri and Barbung rivers will be going through a pine forest today.
It will be a startling journey with the sound of the river. After 6 hours of trek, we will reach Tarakot which is the old fortress. We will be camping for the night, and all the meals will be provided by The Trek Nepal.
Day 6: Trek to Laini from Tarakot
Following the much-needed overnight rest, we start the journey towards Laini today. It will be a 6-hour trek day with views of rivers, forest, and natural beauty. At first, we will be getting views of the Tarap Chu River, which has a suspension bridge.
You will get views of the famous Sandul Gompa and rivers like Barbung in the front. The journey on this day for the Lower Dolpo trek seems easier. From terraced lands to villages, we will reach Laini overnight.
Day 7: Trek from Laini to Nawarpani
Things get interesting on the Lower Dolpo trek as we touch 3000m today. It is an interesting day that starts with an early morning breakfast in Laini. First of all, it will be a hard trek over the Tarap River. We will be jumping over the canyon to reach the other side.
By midday, the trekking team will reach Chyugur Khola. It is an uneven trail up and down, resulting in reaching the outskirts of Nawarpani. A short stroll from here will lead us to Nawarpani, where we will spend the night at the tea house.
Day 8: Trek from Nawarpani to Dho Tarap
The day starts slowly as we will be climbing up to Kamattarka today. It is the meeting point of Tarap Chu Khola and Lang Khola. Leaving Nawarpani behind, he journey goes through the tree line as we cross a small canyon.
Wild rose shrubs and juniper will be leading the way for us. We will continue to move for the Lower Dolpo trek and reach Dho Tarap by the end of the day. Trekkers will meet the Bon Po and Chaiba religions here.
Day 9: Acclimatization day at Dho Tarap
After 8 days of continuous movement for the lower Dolpo trek, we will be moving forward with acclimatization today. We will be staying at Dho Tarap, which is at an altitude of 4090m. You will also have an opportunity to explore the nearby villages today.
It is an opportunity to speak with the locals and also enjoy the culture. Different people from the Chaiba and Ban Po cultures will be part of the village. You can also offer their lovely attire and their local community to feel more welcoming.
Day 10: Trek from Dho Tarap to Numa La Base Camp
A day full of rest and acclimatization is better for the Lower Dolpo Trek. You will start the 10th day with the trek to Numa La Base Camp. Besides the river, you will find green grassland right across. There is much more to explore on this day.
It will be a 6-hour trek leading you to the Chiba Sect monastery, which has massive religious importance. Furthermore, we will hike the terrain above the monastery to reach the place of our stay at Numa La Base Camp.
Day 11: Trek from Numa La Base Camp to Penung Tang
The early morning breakfast at Numa La Base will start the journey to Penung Tang. Don’t get confused, this is the toughest and longest day in the whole trek. We will push forward to Numa La Pass. The high pass will give you a massive amount of cinematic views.
Trekkers will have an opportunity to explore Mount Dhaulagiri, which shows the stunning beauty of the place. After viewing all the beauty, we will push ahead to Pelung Tang by the end of the day. The Trek Nepal team will spend the night either at camp or a tea house.
Day 12: Trek from Penung Tang to Dajok Tang
Similar to yesterday, today will also be tough as we cross the passes to reach the destination. The Baga La Pass is placed at an altitude of 5070m, which is tough on the Lower Dolpo trek. There will be some glimpses of Mt Kanjirowa, providing the aesthetic view of the place.
Crossing through and enjoying the view, we will head on to reach the Dajok Tang. The night will be spent at Dajok at a tea house. Interested individuals are allowed to make tents or camps.
Day 13: Trek from Dajok Tang to Ringmo
This particular day will be all about reaching and crossing through the alpine greenery. The high-flying pine trees on this day will make your Lower Dolpo trek more green and exciting. It will only take you 4 hours of trekking to reach the Ringmo village.
It is a small settlement dominated by the Tibetan civilization. Today will be an easier day of the trek as we stop at Ringmo. By the time the night falls on we will be settled down at our respective teahouses.
Day 14: Trek from Ringmo to Shey Phoksundo Lake
A great morning breakfast will push the day forward. Even though it is the Lower Dolpo trek, we will be hitting the banks of Shey Phoksundo Lake today. This particular lake is situated at an altitude of 3611m, which isn’t too high.
You will get the view of a beautiful lake. The breathing taking surrounding around the lake is one to admire. The Trek Nepal team will be spending the night at the closest teahouse to the lake.
Day 15: Trek from Shey Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta
As we hit the journey back home in the Lower Dolpo trek, the journey becomes slightly easier. Having said that, our destination today will be Shyanta. The early morning breakfast at the scenic outing of Shey Phoksundo will be something to talk about.
The first stop of the day is Chepka. Slowly, we will be touching below the 3000m mark. 8 hours of an easier trek will take us to Shyanta village, where you will spend the night at the teahouse.
Day 16: Trek from Shyanta to Juphal
Following the trails of Sulighat, we will be heading for Juphal today. It is an exciting journey, whereby the trek will be easier. There will be plenty of birch trees and stunning mountain vistas along the route.
As we reach the destination, Juphal, before sunset, we will get proper rest and start exploring the nearby market. A member from The Trek Nepal will take you around the market in order to explore it.
Day 17: Flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and later to Kathmandu
It is the day when we will be leaving all the traces of the Lower Dolpo trek. We wake up lazily and take a flight to Nepalgunj. It will be an easy flight. As we land in Nepalgunj, we will move forward to Kathmandu on the next flight.
By midday, you will be reaching Kathmandu, which will push you to either rest or explore the city. The choice remains with you. Following the tiring trek, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 18: Departure for the home country
Finally, the saddest day comes ahead when we will officially end the Lower Dolpo trek. After the early morning breakfast, we will be ready for the departure.
A member from The Trek Nepal will drop you off at the airport. Following the promise to meet again, trekkers will be boarding the next flight home.