Lower Dolpo Trek

Open each day to see the route notes, overnight rhythm, altitude cues, and the small details that help you understand how the journey actually flows.

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Kathmandu Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft

   Day details

   Welcome to Kathmandu – the capital city of Nepal. Today is your first day with Amigo Treks & Expedition; therefore, we send one of our company representatives to receive you at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), who will further escort you to a tourist standard hotel, booked for you in Kathmandu. If possible, we also schedule a meeting at our office for the briefing regarding the trek followed by an introduction session with other team members (especially Sherpas and guides). Today, we also arrange a welcome dinner in one of the most popular local restaurants, where you can also enjoy the ethnic dance and cultural music along with great Nepali food. If your flight arrives late, both the meeting and the dinner can be scheduled for the following day. Meals included: Dinner                                                         (Highlights of the day: Introduction to Nepali food, Cultural music and Ethnic dance.)

2. Day 2

   Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour and trek preparation Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft

   Day details

   The capital, Kathmandu valley itself, is a big storehouse of exclusive natural, cultural and historical sites. Therefore, today, we take you on a few hour tours of the major attractions of the Kathmandu valley. After spending few hours observing these wonderful sites, we again meet for a few hours to finalize your clothing and trekking gears (down jacket, trekking boots, sleeping bags etc.), required during the trek. The night will be spent at a hotel in Kathmandu. Meals included: Breakfast        (Highlights of the day: World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square (a historical structure offering architectural wonders), the Pashupatinath temple (a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- lord possessing the power of destruction), Swyambhunath and Boudhanath – (a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha- Light of Asia). Optional site: Another World Heritage site ‘Patan Durbar Square’ along with other historical masterpieces like Mahabouddha Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and Kumbeshwor Temple.)

3. Day 3

   Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj Altitude: 150m/492ft Time: 1 hour

   Day details

   Nepalgunj is the destination set for the day. You will be escorted to the airport to catch a flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. After one hour’s scenic flight, the plane lands the Nepalgunj Airport, from where you will be transferred to the hotel. As this interesting Terai town of Nepal offers a number of sightseeing locations like the mini zoo, Muslim bazaar and interesting Tharu villages, the remaining day will be spent exploring the area. Later in the evening, we make preparations for the next day’s flight to Jhupal. The night will be spent at a hotel in Nepalgunj. Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: One hour’s scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj; a tour of some of the major attractions of Nepalgunj like the zoo, Muslim Bazaar and some Tharu villages that exhibit the lifestyle, culture and the religion of the people in Nepalgunj.)

4. Day 4

   Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpa) and trek to Dunai Altitude: 2140m/7,021ft Time: 2-3 hour

   Day details

   Dunai, the district headquarter of Dolpa, is the destination set for the day. After breakfast, an early morning flight, over the high mountains, will first take us to Jhupal from Nepalgunj, where we meet the rest of the crew members (especially porters), awaiting our arrival. The luggage will be prepared for the porters, while you enjoy your lunch. Once everything is set, the adventure begins downhill towards the Thuli Bheri River, past a beautiful village and terraced fields. Once we reach the Thuli Bheri river, we continue on a flat trail, along the river, until we reach Dunai. It will only take about 2-3 hour to reach Dunai; therefore, the remaining day can be spent exploring the settlement, lifestyle and the monasteries in Dunai. The night will be spent at a  lodge in Dunai. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Mind-blowing aerial views of the Himalayas, including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, a beautiful settlement of people that exhibits uniquely built mud and rock houses with Hindu flags flapping on the roof top,  terraced fields and lifestyle of people and the perfect settlement of Dunai with nearby monasteries and temples.)

5. Day 5

   Trek from Dunai to Tarakot Altitude: 2,537m/8,323ft Time: 5-6 hour

   Day details

   Tarakot is the destination set for the day. Initially following the south bank of the Thuli Bheri River, we head east, out of Dunai. The trail gradually ascends upstream to cross the bridge to get to the north bank of the river. We further continue along the deep gorges and remote villages in the shades of pine trees; about seven meters above the river, until we reach Lawan, where we crosses another bridge to get to the south bank of the river again. As we continue, we will be greeted with beautiful terraced fields of Tarakot and the village of Tarakot, standing on the mound located south of the Bheri River. The village was built as a fortress by the local people. The remaining day can be spent exploring the village of Tarakot. The night will be spent at a lodge in Tarakot. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: A pleasant walk through the deep gorges, pine trees, secluded settlement along the roaring Thuli Bheri River and the fortress and the village of Tarakot.)

6. Day 6

   Trek from Tarakot to Laini Altitude: 3,370m/11,056ft Time: 6-7 hour

   Day details

   Laini is the destination set for the day. Leaving Tarakot, we first cross the bridge over the river and gently climb through the fields of buckwheat. Taking a long, roundabout route, south into the side valley, we head forward to cross another bridge across the Yalankot River. We then climb towards the south bank of the Thulo Bheri River. We head further, crossing cypress trees and a white chorten, towards 120m long high-suspension bridge at Laisicap. Before crossing the bridge, we can also see the confluence of the Bharbun River and the Tarap River. After crossing the bridge, we can spot the village of Kanigaon high above the trail and some white-breasted dippers (only found in the western Nepal) down below the trail, along the river. If time permits, we can also visit Chhedhul Gompa, which is just a 15 minute climb from the main trail. We now continue through the cedar forest and the steepest part of the gorge to finally reach the destination, Laini. The night will be spent in a basic teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Amazing view of pink field buckwheat; a beautiful view of Pota Himal; humming rivers like Bharbung and Tarap; a very pleasant chirping sound made by white-breasted dippers; various monasteries including Lam and Chhedhul; cedar forest and cypress trees; the experience of steep gorges and a number of beautiful settlements of people.)

7. Day 7

   Trek from Laini to Nawarpani Altitude: 3,475m/11,400ft Time: 5-6 hour

   Day details

   Nawarpani is the destination set for the day. After about five minutes of flat trail walk, we make a sharp ascent to the mini pass. We then walk across the steep gorge and descend crossing the waterfall created by the Tilba River. Next, we climb one more ridge and then descend to the Chyangru River, spotting some Eurasian Crag Martin, flying high above us. We now cross the river to get to the east bank, continue following the river, cross a side stream - the Chaya Khola and continue to Thanjam; crossing the bridge across the Tarap Khola one more time. Following the riverside trail, we now walk up to Nawarpani. Overnight at Nawarpani. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Experience of a deep gorge, a beautiful cascade of Tilba River, opportunity to spot Eurasian Crag Martin and a  few wall creepers, some stiff climbs and trail accompanied by beautiful small streams.)

8. Day 8

   Trek from Nawarpani to Dho Tarap Altitude: 3,944m/12,939ft Time: 7-8 hour

   Day details

   Dho Tarap is the destination set for the day. Starting Nawarpani, we continue on the west bank of the river, crossing the small cave, campsite and the most thrilling section of the trail, up till another bridge over the Tarap River; enjoying the barren canyon walls. We then climb the east bank of the river and through an eroded Trans-Himalayan landscape, we climb the ridge at Serkam that greets us with a chorten. We descend from Serkam and after walking for about a kilometer, we cross the bridge across the Sisaul River. We further walk towards another bridge at Langa to push ourselves to the east of the river. The walk continues on a rocky trail beneath the cliff. Then, climbing gradually alongside  the river past mani walls and eroded cliffs, we ascend to a line of ancient chortens. From here, after about  20 minutes walk, we reach the settlement of Dho Tarap, which greets us with beautiful crops in the field and the monastery with colorful praying Buddhist flags. The night will be spent at a lodge in Dho Tarap. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Experience of thrilling sections of the trail like barren canyon, eroded Trans-Himalayan landscape and the rocky trail beneath the cliff- all accompanied by beautiful campsites, waterfalls, streams, rivers and the  ancient Chortens, monasteries and Mani walls.)

9. Day 9

   Acclimatization day at Dho Tarap Altitude: 3,944m/12,939ft

   Day details

   Dho Tarap is a village of several clusters of closely packed stone houses and corrals surrounded by the fields of barley. The village is inhabited by a few Tibetans, and more Magars, who are both Bon PO and Nyingma followers. The offers a good number of attractions to spend a worthy day. Therefore, the day will be spent exploring the  nearby monasteries like Doro and Shipchhong and the settlement of Dho Tarap. The night will be spent at a lodge in Dho Tarap. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: An insight on the lifestyle of Tibetans and Magars as well as the Bonpo and Nyingma traditions in Dho Tarap, ancient gompas like Ribo Bhumpa, Doro and Shipchok exhibiting pure culture, architecture, craftsmanship and the  proud history, also the beautiful view of the village from the ridge.)

10. Day 10

    Trek from Dho Tarap to Numa La Base Camp Altitude: 4,440m/14,563ft Time: 6-7 hour

    Day details

    Numa La Base Camp is the destination set for the day. Although, the distance is comparatively short, we make a lot of detours to visit gompas and villages, before reaching the destination. Leaving Dho Tarap, we head towards the century-old Mekyem Gompa, explore and get back to the main trail and continue uphill till Gakar village and Dorje Phurba Gompa. We continue further on the trail along the river, enjoying the plain valley with yaks and horses grazing the patches of thick green grasses,  to cross the bridge across the River. This is the most beautiful part of the entire region. Crossing the bridge, we walk towards another bridge that is also a trail junction, from where we continue following the southern trail heading towards the Numa La base camp. The walk continues until we reach the Numla base camp. The night will be spent in a tented camp beneath Numa-la. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Large statue of Maitreya Buddha in Mekyem Gompa, settlement of Gakar village, Dorje Phurba Gompa that puts up a red mask of Guru Dragpo-a terrible form of Guru Rinpoche-and a collection of ancient weapons in the chapel, small tea houses, the sight of amazing water driven mill grinding barley flour, and the wonderful sight of a large white building of Sherin and Jhyanlung Gompa on the hill across the valley to the north of Nmala Base Camp.)

11. Day 11

    Cross Numa La (5,238m/17,185ft) and Trek to Phelung Tang Altitude: 4,465m/14,645ft Time: 6-7 hour

    Day details

    Today is going to be the toughest day of the entire trek. As we plan to cross Numa La, we start early in the morning. We first climb the ridge on a yak trail up a grassy slope that greets us with a number of Mani walls and a Chorten. We further climb up to the ridge to a grassy mound and a tiny stream, from where a long climb up a moraine will take us to Numa La. The top presents an amazing view of the surrounding mountains and the panoramic view of the barren mountains of Dolpa. We also climb the crest for the best views of the trek. After enjoying the view, we climb down from the pass into a U-shaped, rocky valley. We cross the stream, scree slopes and head towards the point, where the valley meets another valley. We then follow the river downstream past eroded cliffs and gently climb up enjoying the view of river disappearing into the gorge until we reach Phelung Tang. The night will be spent in a tented camp in Phelung Tang. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Magnificent view of She-Shikhar, Kanjirowa Himal, as well as the tip of Dhaulagiri including other barren mountains and the landscape of Dolpa from Numa La, a number of Mani walls and chortens, and the experience of both grassy and rocky slopes. )

12. Day 12

    Cross Baga La (5,070m/16,630ft) and Trek to Dajok Tang Altitude: 4,080m/13,382ft Time: 6-7 hour

    Day details

    Dajok Tang is the destination set for the day. Crossing the stream, we switchback up a slope to a small meadow after which, the trail hitting the snowline climbs a ridge. We then climb up a moraine into a huge bowl that greets us with the chorten of overturned stones. Then a gentle arc around the bowl on a scree slope past several cairn will take us to another high pass of the trek, that is the Baga La. Leaving the pass, a steep descent  at first and a gentle one will bring us high above the right bank of the stream. After crossing the two large streams, the trail enters a huge valley from where, a steep descent will take us to Dajok Tang. Overnight at Dajok Tang. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Beautiful surrounding landscape and the distant view of snow capped peaks of Kanjirowa Himal range from the pass, fine view of Norbu Kang, roaring streams and numerous waterfalls, the experience of snowline area and a few chortens.)

13. Day 13

    Trek form Dajok Tang to Ringmo Altitude: 3,600m/11,808ft Time: 5 hour

    Day details

    Ringmo is the destination set for the day. Initially, we pass through the vegetations like pines, walnut, and willow oak; however, after walking about an hour, we need to continue through the narrow rocky cliffs for about 2-3 hour to reach Ringmogaon. The remaining day will be spent exploring the village of Ringmo. The night will be spent at a lodge in Ringmo. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: A pleasant walk through the forest of Pine, walnut and willow oak, thrilling, narrow and rocky cliff walking, lifestyle, culture, tradition, agricultural practices and the religion of the people living in Ringmo.)

14. Day 14

    Exploration day at Ringmo and a hike to Phoksundo Altitude: 3,600m/11,808ft

    Day details

    The areas offer a lot for trekkers to spend a worthy day. Therefore, we take a relaxing walk part way round the lake to explore the lake area. We also visit the nearby temple as well as the Tibetan Buddhist monastery. If time permits, we spend the rest of the day exploring the Ringmo village. The night will be spent at a lodge in Ringmo. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Truly magnificent oligotrophic lake located at the altitude of 3,611.5m above the sea level in the Shey Phoksundo National Park, a visit to Suva Gompa and other stupas and a deep insight on Buddhism and Bon PO religion that are prevalent in Lower Dolpa.)

15. Day 15

    Trek from Ringmo to Shyanta Altitude: 2,520m/8,265ft Time: 5-6 hour

    Day details

    Shyanta is the destination set for the day. Leaving Ringmo, following the Phoskundo River we walk towards the bridge across Pugma Khola past Polam (a winter settlement), and Amchi Hospital. An easy walk along the east bank of the Phoksundo river, through the forest, will bring us to  Chhepka before climbing to Shyanta. Overnight at Shyanta. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Beautiful view of the waterfall created by Phoksundo River, the lifestyle of people in Polam village, the Phoksundo River, Amchy Hospital, where the monks collect herbs, grind it and distribute it to the people.)

16. Day 16

    Trek from Shyanta to Jhupal Altitude: 2,475m/8,120ft Time: 4-5 hour

    Day details

    Jhupal is the destination set for the day. From Shyanta following the river bank, we descend to Sulighat past Raktang. From Sulighat, we cross the bridge across the Thuli Bheri River and head west enjoying the villages  until we reach Jhupal. The remaining day can either be spent enjoying the market of Jhupal  and surrounding areas or can be spent resting at the lodge relaxing the tired muscles. The night will be spent at a lodge in Jhupal. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Beautiful birch trees, beautiful views of mountains, the settlement and the busy market of Jhupal.)

17. Day 17

    Fly to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft Time: 45 mins (Nepalgunj) 1 hour (Kathmandu)

    Day details

    Kathmandu is the destination set for the day. It is our last day in Dolpa. Therefore, leaving Dolpa, we board an early morning flight to Nepalgunj. After reaching Nepalgunj Airport, we take the next available flight to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel, where you can rest for some time. In the evening, we again meet for the farewell dinner. The night will be spent at a hotel in Kathmandu. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Scenic flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu, and farewell dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Kathmandu.)

18. Day 18

    Departure day Altitude: (1,300m/4,264ft)

    Day details

    This day is the last day of your trip in Nepal with Amigo Treks and Expedition. If your flight is scheduled early morning, then one of our company representatives will escort you to the airport as per your flight departure time. But, if the flight is scheduled later in the evening, you can go shopping and collect a few mementos or simply hang around shopping areas in Kathmandu. However, if you are planning to spend some extra days in Nepal, Amigo Treks and Expedition can also make the arrangements for some other top adventurous activities that you can attend while you are in Nepal. Meals included: Breakfast         (The usual day for a trek: Every day, our guides will come to wake you up at around 7:00-7:30am. In case of special days that require crossing the high passes.  A western breakfast like porridge, oats, toasts, etc. will be served at around 8:00-8:30am. The lunch will be served from a teahouse menu at about 12-1pm. However, the lunch time can also be postponed on request. The dinner will be served at around 8:30-9:00pm. Both breakfast and dinner will be served in the accommodation. Your accommodation is arranged at a lodge, tented camp or also in a tourist standard hotel (subject to availability) where we stop for overnight.