Quick Review
- Start:Kathmandu
- End:Kathmandu
- Duration:20 days
- Best Season:Mar-Nov
Introduction
Lower Dolpo is an isolated area that lies in Shey Phoksundo National Park in the western part of Nepal, between the Tibet plateau and the Dhaulagiri range. The trek was opened for foreigner in 1982, since then it has become one of the most popular off-the-beaten-trail treks in Nepal. The main attraction of the Lower Dolpa trek includes Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is the largest National Parks covering an area of 3,555 km of Nepal. It inhabits varieties of flora and fauna. The trek goes through a forest of blue pine, spruce, rhododendron, hemlock, cedar, silver fir, poplar, and bamboo. It inhabits endangered species of wild animals like musk deer, snow leopard, grey wolf, and blue sheep, Goral, great Tibetan sheep, Himalayan Tahr, jackal, leopard, and Himalayan black bear, etc. It is also home to six reptiles, 29 species of butterfly, and 200 species of birds. Blessed with pristine natural and cultural beauty, the trek provides an opportunity to explore the most diverse region of the country. The trek crosses high passes such as Kangmara La, Numa La, and Baga La and also passes through beautiful Tibetan villages. It is one of the best trekking packages which introduces you to unique Buddhist culture, majestic Phoksundo Lake, majestic mountains, remote Himalayan region of Nepal, historical monasteries and pristine nature.
The Lower Dolpa Trek starts with a scenic flight to Nepalganj and Jhupal. Numa La Pass is the highest point of the trek. The trek goes up via Chhepak, Chunuar, Phoksundo, Bagala, Numbala Fedi and finally Numa La Pass. The Lower part Dolpo is beautiful villages of Dunai Bazaar, Phoksundo, Numala Base Camp, Dhotrap, and pristine blue color Shey-Phoksundo Lake with surrounding green valley pine forest. After exploring the best of Lower Dolpa, we descent back to Juphal and fly back to Nepalgunj and Kathmandu.
Trek Highlighgts:
- Buddhist culture and tradition
- Varieties of flora and fauna
- High Passes: Kangmara La, Numa La, and Baga La
- Blue color Shey Phoksundo Lake
- Scenic flight to Juphal and Kathmandu
- Shey Phoksundo National Park
Food
Most of the Teahouses offer you a wide variety of meals whereas teahouses situated at higher altitudes may not be able to offer you the same menu. A variety of bread, cereals and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. Lunch includes a selection of salad, pasta cooked vegetable dishes, and bread, etc. Dinner comprises soup, meat, rice, variety of cooked vegetables, and pasta dishes, etc as per your section and as available. During your stay in Kathmandu, you'll have numerous food and restaurant options to choose from. During the climbing period, there won't be any lodge or teahouse to provide you food, so we'll provide you a kitchen crew to provide you a quality and delicious food.
Accommodation
During Lower Dolpa Trek, you'll find a few clean and friendly Lodges along the trail. Rooms are basic with just a bed with a pillow and blankets. All the teahouses en route the trekking areas are locally run with basic facilities to some even providing luxury options. Nevertheless, these Teahouses are very cozy and comfortable with Showers, Electricity to charge, WIFI is available on most teahouses with an extra charge. You'll also have to spend a few days in a tent until we get the next teahouse or big village to stay at. We'll provide and set a tent for you, it will be of 2-sharing. During your stay in Kathmandu, you'll get a luxurious service.
Day 1 - Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2 - Trek prepare the day
Day 3 - Fly to Nepalgunj , alt 150m.
Day 4 - Fly to Jufal, trek to Dunai , alt 2475m
Day 5 - Trek Dunai to Chhepak , alt 2680m.
Day 6 - Trek to Chunuar, alt 3000m
Day 7 - Trek to Phoksundo, alt 3700
Day 8 - Rest and explore day
Day 9 - Trek to Bagala- high camp, alt 4921m.
Day 10 - Trek to danighar (bagala-pass 5214m)
Day 11- Trek to Nubala fedi , alt 5238m.
Day 12 - Trek to Tarkya (Numala-pass 5238m)
Day 13 - Trek to Dhotarap, alt.3940m
Day 14 - Rest and explore day
Day 15 - Trek to Gyamgar
Day 16 - Trek to Chhyugar
Day 17 - Trek to Tarakot
Day 18 - Trek to Juphal 5 hours-alt.2500m.
Day 19 - Fly to Nepalgunj-55min.alt-150m.
Day 20 - Fly to Kathmandu -alt.1300m.
Day 1 - Arrival in Kathmandu
First day of Lower Dolpa Trek. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives will receive you and transfer you to the hotel. After the check-in process, the hotel staff will serve you dinner and will arrange a meeting right after dinner regarding the trek. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2 - Trek prepare the day
You can say this day as preparation day and valley sightseeing day where you'll make trek preparations and visit some of the historical sites in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. If you haven't bought trekking gear, you can buy in the Thamel market. Overnight stay.
Day 3 - Fly to Nepalgunj , alt 150m.
We leave busy Kathmandu city early morning and fly to Nepalgunj after breakfast. Nepal is another popular city in Nepal and we will have lunch there and spend overnight before we go to the mountain periphery.
Day 4 - Fly to Jufal, trek to Dunai , alt 2475m
Finally, our trek going to start where we fly to Jufal early morning and start our trek to Dunai. It takes around 45 minutes on a flight to reach Jufal from Nepalgunj and we walk for 2-3 hours continuously to reach Dunai for an overnight stay.
Day 5 - Trek Dunai to Chhepak , alt 2680m.
The trek starts early morning from Dunai to Chhepak at 2680m altitude. You'll have an amazing experience if you are trekking in this area for the first time. We spend the night at a lodge in Chhepak with a typical Nepali dinner.
Day 6 - Trek to Chunuar, alt 3000m
Today, the trail goes uphill to 300m altitude high. On the way to Chunuar from Chhepak, you'll able to see different species of flora and fauna towards this destination. Overnight at Chunuar.
Day 7 - Trek to Phoksundo, alt 3700
Day 7 is one of the best parts of the trek as we move towards the deepest lake of Nepal, situated at an elevation of 3,700m above sea level. We can explore the pristine beauty of Phoksundo Lake and its surroundings and capture every priceless moment which will last forever.
Day 8 - Rest and explore day
This is your free day at Phoksundo Lake. The lake falls in Phoksundo National Park which is also home to six reptiles, 29 species of butterfly, and 200 species of birds. You'll get to encounter different species of animals if you're lucky enough. Overnight stay.
Day 9 - Trek to Bagala- high camp, alt 4921m.
Passing through the forest of cedar, silver fir, poplar, and bamboo we reach Bagala, have lunch there and trek to High camp for an overnight stay. The day is going to be a bit tough than previous ones.
Day 10 - Trek to danighar (bagala-pass 5214m)
Crossing Bagala Pass at 5,214, we reach Danighar. Bagala Pass is an interesting pass that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains including Kanjirowa. After crossing the pass, we descend to Danighar for an overnight stay.
Day 11- Trek to Nubala fedi , alt 5238m.
Trekking to Nubala fedi is another challenge for us that takes us to 4,700m altitude exploring some of the highest Himalayas peaks, meanwhile, we capture and relish every single moment and the memories during the walk. Overnight stay at Nubala Fedi.
Day 12 - Trek to Tarkya (Numala-pass 5238m)
Day 12 is very important, challenging, and rewarding at the same time. From Nubala Fedi, the descent is gradual at first but soon it goes steeply to a stream and goes uphill again to the foot of the Numa La. We cross Numala Pass and spend overnight there.
Day 13 - Trek to Dhotarap, alt.3940m
We wake up early morning with scenic views of Dhaulagiri Mountain and start our trek to Dhotarap after breakfast. Dhotarap is an important cultural and political hub of Dolpo also popular as the highest altitude human settlement in the world. Spend overnight at a lodge in Dhotarap.
Day 14 - Rest and explore day
This is your free day at Dhotarap where you can rest, visit ancient monasteries that remind dates back to pre-Buddhist times. The local people of this area follow animistic religion Bon Po as well as Buddhism. From Dhotarap, one can have the jaw-dropping views of western mountains and the sublime Shey Phoksundo Lake. Overnight stay.
Day 15 - Trek to Gyamgar
The trek continues towards Gyamgar at 3,756m altitude. We will be able to witness the snowcapped mountains as well as varieties of flora and fauna on the way to Gyamgar. Overnight stay at Gyamgar.
Day 16 - Trek to Chhyugar
The day starts with lite breakfast at a lodge and we move out and continue towards Chhyugar. After reaching Chhyugar, we spend overnight there.
Day 17 - Trek to Tarakot
We kick-off our journey with an early morning walk on fine trails. The trail passes through several human settlements, a colorful forest of rhododendron and hemlock. Spend overnight in Tarakot.
Day 18 - Trek to Juphal 5 hours-alt.2500m.
Finally, we trek down to Juphal. The trail is relatively easy today. Trek to Juphal rewards us with scenic surroundings. In the meantime, you can interact with local people, know about their lifestyle, culture, and tradition. Overnight at Juphal.
Day 19 - Fly to Nepalgunj-55min.alt-150m.
We fly to Nepalgunj from Juphal which takes around 45 minutes over running clouds and high mountains. Overnight at Nepalgunj.
Day 20 - Fly to Kathmandu -alt.1300m.
This is the last day of Lower Dolpa Trek, after reaching Kathmandu, our representatives will drop you at the airport for your flight back home.