Lower Dolpo Trek
Trip at a Glance
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Country: Nepal
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Trip grade: Strenuous
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Destination: Western Nepal
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Activities: Camp trek
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Accommodation: Hotels/Tented camps
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Meals: Full-board on trek
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Transportation: Private vehicle/Plane
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Maximum altitude: Numa La pass (5,190m)
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Group size: 2 pax min
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Best Season: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Lower Dolpo trek is not a widely recognized trek route in Nepal and is done in the Dolpo region of Nepal. The trek is undertaken in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal and offers the thrill of off-the-beaten-path trekking in the Himalayas. Dolpo is located on the western hills of Nepal in Karnali Pradesh.
Trek to Lower Dolpo offers hiking along with stunning landscapes, passing over deep valleys, crossing high mountain passes, and picturesque villages. Along the route, trekkers will experience the unique culture and traditions of the locals, not to mention the eye-catching Himalayan panorama.
Lower dolpo trek itinerary consists of crossing over high mountain passes like Numa La Pass and Baga La Pass offering spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. You will trek inside Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal, witnessing it’s rare flora and fauna of the region.
Another highlight of the trek is visiting the turquoise Phoksundo Lake located at 3.611 meters. Phoksundo Lake is an alpine freshwater lake located in the Dolpo region. The trekking trails to Phoksundo are difficult and rough, yet the rewards are overwhelming.
Lower Dolpo Trek is a challenging adventure yet rewarding trek high up in the Himalayas suitable for anyone looking to explore remote and isolated areas of the Himalayas.
Lower Dolpo trek Highlights:
- Ideal trip for the long holidaymakers aspiring to take a plunge into the far-flung mystique chunk of Nepal
- Navigate Nepalgunj, the western region hub of Nepal.
- Relish the serene beauty of the milieu as you pass by the turquoise waters of Phoksumdo Lake.
- Explore two of the oldest monasteries in Nepal – Pal Sentan Thansoon Chholing Gompa & Shey Gompa; know some of the most interesting anecdotes associated with them.
- Visit the largest conservation area in Nepal, the Shey Phoksumdo National Park.
- Walk up to the several passes above 5000 metres – Saldang La (5200m), Jeng La (5090m) and Kang La (5360m)
- An exploration day in the lush verdant milieu of the Tibetan-style village, Dho Tarap- interact with the local inhabitants and get a real sense of Tibetan life patterns.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m /1 hour)
Day 03: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo) (2,320m /35mins) and trek to Dunai (2,850m /2-3 hours trek)
Day 04: Dunai to Tarakot (2,543m /5-6 hours)
Day 05: Tarakot to Laini (3,160 m /6-7 hours)
Day 06: Laini to Nawarpani (3,545m /5-6 hours)
Day 07: Nawarpani to Do Tarap (4,090m /7-8 hours)
Day 08: Rest Day at Do Tarap for acclimatization
Day 09: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m /6-7 hours)
Day 10: Cross Numa La pass (5,190m), camp at Pelung Tang (4465m /6-7 hours)
Day 11: Cross Baga La pass (5,070m), trek to Dajok Tang (4,080m/6 hours)
Day 12: Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3,600m/3-4 hours)
Day 13: Hike to Phoksundo Lake (3600m/4-5 hours)
Day 14: Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta (2520m /5-6 hours)
Day 15: Shyanta to Jhupal (2,320m/5-6 hours)
Day 16: Fly to Nepalgunj (150m/35mins) & further flight to Kathmandu (1400m /1 hour)
Day 17: A free day in Kathmandu
Day 18: Final departure
What is included?
- Airport pick-up and drop services.
- Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj with breakfast.
- Kathmandu/Nepalgunj/Juphal/Nepalgunj/Kathmandu round airfares.
- All trekking accommodation (in tented camps) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
- Guide, porters, kitchen staffs and helpers wages for the trekking period.
- Four seasonal sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion) & Marron duffel bags.
- A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide).
- Personal insurance for crew members.
- Lower Dolpo Speical permit & Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit.
- Farewell dinner with live Nepalese cultural program.
- All government and local taxes.
What is not included?
- International airfare.
- Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (USD30 for 15 days)
- Lunch & dinner In Kathmandu.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance).
- Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
- Excess baggage charges (luggage allowance for domestic airlines in Nepal is 15 kgs.).
- Other expenses of personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc.).
- Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the real course of the itinerary because of bad weather conditions, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies.
- Tips for guides, porters & crew (Tipping is expected).
Route Map
Trip Info
Accommodation
While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 4- or 5-star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (4-star), Hotel Manaslu (4-star), Radisson (5-star), Yak & Yeti (5-star), or similar. During the trek, your primary accommodation will be tents. These are typically high-altitude, double-walled tents for better insulation and weather protection. You'll camp in designated campsites along the route. These are chosen for scenic beauty, flat ground, and access to water sources. Your trekking crew will set up tents that include your own personal tent, dining tent, toilet tent and staff tent.
Meals
We never compromise the quality of food or the health of the trekkers as well as the crew members. Expect meals packed with carbohydrates and protein prepared by our trained cook to provide sustained energy for long trekking days. Think along the lines of porridge, pasta, noodles, spaghetti, French fries, soups, and dehydrated meals.
Acclimatization
Altitude sickness is a serious risk while trekking in the Himalayas. It's important to acclimatize properly by spending a few days at lower altitudes before heading higher. By spending time at lower altitudes before pushing higher, your body has time to adjust. Our trekking packages have enough acclimatization days planned where you'll be spending a day or two at lower altitudes, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.
Drinking water
You can fill your bottle with boiling water. To make water drinkable, you can use water purification tablets too. But, due to hygienic issues, you should avoid drinking water from taps, rivers, or wells in trekking areas.
Communication
Our office in Kathmandu is in constant communication with your trek guide. In Kathmandu, you can purchase a local sim card for communication purposes. At high elevations, the mobile signal might not be as strong, though.
Luggage
Our porters are paired with one trekker for every two hikers, and one porter can safely carry 30 kg maximum weight. Therefore, we advise you to fill your duffle bag not more than 15 kg with your belongings. You may carry a small backpack with your valuables and informational documents. The things you are not taking along on the trek can be stored in a hotel in Kathmandu free of cost.
Typical Trek Day
Mostly your trek day starts with breakfast at 7-8 am, followed by a 3-4 hour morning trek. Lunch break is around an hour, then you continue trekking to your destination for the day. After reaching the teahouse lodge, you can relax, explore nearby areas, and enjoy dinner at 6-7 pm. Evenings involve socializing, a trek briefing, and leisure activities before bed.
Travel Insurance
It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both- medical and evacuation costs. Having travel insurance with you makes your trip secure and hassle-free.
Our Guides
Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you can actually connect with nature, culture and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides who are very well-versed in the culture, life patterns and every single detail pertaining to the trek region you are traveling in. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining but also equally informative.
Porter and Staff Care
When it comes to high-altitude trekking, porters and staff members make up a pivot. Marron Treks ensures that all the porters and staff members going to high altitudes are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. All our field staff are covered by insurance.
