Lower Dolpo Trek has been among the more exciting yet challenging treks in Nepal’s western hills. It provides an experience for the trekker to be part of true trekking adventures on some average off-the-beaten path trails that are very steep with sloppy hills. The Lower Dolpo Trek is full of amazing gifts of nature such as the Shey Phoksundo Lake and the Bon Po culture, which predates Buddhism
You start with scenic southwards journey by air from Kathmandu all the way down south through south-western Nepalese lowlands of Nepal close to the India-Nepal border. The landscape falls sharply down all the way from green mountain ridges of the Kathmandu Basin down through the Terai plain, tropical humid places. Nepalgunj is rich town with Nepali, Indian, and Islamic culture. The afternoon is yours to rest, or explorations of surrounding area local bazaars with colourful cloths and street food—the very last sign of urban civilisation before entering deep into Himalayas
You fly early morning to Jhupal, mountain airstrip situated high above the Bheri River Valley. Short vehicle transfers or easy walks transport you down into Dunai, district headquarter of Dolpa. Dunai is picturesque town on the river with terrace agriculture and pine clad mountains as background scenery. Lodge accommodation is available as is camping on the river. Here you have briefing with your guide before being fully debriefed on the adventure to be undertaken. The mountain air and radical change of scene is the foretaste of things in store on your trek.
Today’s hike is on banks of the Bheri River, scenic countryside with pine forest, rock mountain, and villages. The hike is very moderate with nice views of the hills. Tarakot is ancient Malla fortress town and is on top of hill with view of river. It is historic looking town with ancient Malla dynasty’s Dzong of ancient Bhuriwap royal palace, prayer flags, and pretty stone constructed villages. Locals here are Tibetans with Buddhist religion, and you can be certain of seeing children turning prayer wheels and monks with red robes.
You’ll be going more and more through gorges and gorge-like ridgelines. The landscape becomes rockier as you climb higher and above the final cropped fields. The walks include going across numerous suspension bridges and through herder huts and through Buddhist mantra rock carvings called mani walls. Laini is a waterfalls- and cliff-encircled village that is usually used as a camp. The altitude begins having effect, as does the cold.
Today is going to be a good day since the terrain is through high mountain landscape, down the Tarap Khola (River) through a deep gorge. It leads you through rock canyon walls, rock tunnels as nature provides them to you, and rock outcroppings. The terrain is brutal here in every imaginable way—the ruggedness of terrain is out of science fiction. Nawarpani is a highly scenic river-side pasture, usually reserved for camping. It is here that you start feeling cut off from modern civilization in Dolpo—you’re truly cut off.
As you climb higher into the valley, the vegetation is sparse and air is thin. A couple of hours of walking deposits you in Dho Tarap, possibly the culturally most diverse of Dolpo’s villages. Above 4,000 meters, it is amongst the world’s most elevated villages. The ancestry of people is traced as being primarily Tibetans and Bonpos, and monasteries, prayer stone walls going by the name of ‘mani walls’, and ‘chortens’, Buddhist shrines, streak across the landscape. Wearied dress, prayer flags, and indeed yak caravans crossing distinction Dho Tarap. It is pearl, creaking at once to way of life unspoiled by time
As we head later to the high passes, rest and altitude-acclimatization day is today. Short hikes around the village, visitations of adjacent monasteries such as Ribo Bumpa Gompa, and chatting with villagers smiling can be enjoyed. It is also the day to observe traditional farming techniques, Buddhist prayer rituals, and perhaps play with Tibetan dice. It is rest day because otherwise, one would be afflicted with altitude problems later while heading higher on the next few days.
After leaving the village, it is more expansive and mountainous landscape with stretches of glacier streams and fields of yaks. The climb is gentle but steady as you continue on towards Numa La Base Camp at the feet of the giant Numa La Pass. The landscape is of immense alpine wilderness with rocky peaky mountains shooting straight upabove and starry skies at night. The lodging is by tents and you set yourself and body up for the huge climb of the next morning.
One of the toughest and most exhilarating days of the trek. You start early and climb to Numa La Pass (5190 m / 17,027 ft), one of the high points of the trek. The climb is steep and breathless but the vista of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Churen Himal, and seemingly endless Dolpo valleys is unforgettable. The down-descent is through rocky hill down to Pelung Tang, where you rest and camp after a tough day.
Two ways to travel — on one of our scheduled departures, or a private departure on dates of your choosing. Prices in USD, per person, double occupancy.
No upcoming group departures scheduled. We operate private departures year-round — please inquire.
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