Trip Duration
13 Days
Trip Difficulty
Moderate
Nature of Trip
Trekking
Max. Altitude
5,190m. /17,028 ft.
Transportation
Bus , Flight
Activity per day
Exploring
Start/End
KathmanduTrip Overview
The Lower Dolpo Trek is located within the Dolpa district of Nepal, a trans-Himalayan region that houses the one and only trans-Himalayan national park in the country. This trek is accessible through a series of flights starting from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Juphal. The Dolpo region is one of the least-traveled trekking destinations as it is not as popular as the Annapurna region or the Everest region. However, in recent times, the Phoksundo Lake has been attracting many visitors throughout the year.
The Dolpo region is one of the last places in Nepal that hosts authentic ancient Bon Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. The ancient customs and practices live on in this region, and you will definitely experience them throughout the Lower Dolpo Trek. In addition to that, the remote wilderness featuring the Shey Phoksundo National Park is something to look forward to. This region was only available for public visits after 1990 and still maintains its pristine condition.
Along with nature conservation, villages like Dunai, Chhepka, Ringmo, and more have been conserving their culture and religious practices for centuries. You will get to see Tibetan-influenced traditional costumes, daily practices, and architecture styles throughout the villages we will stay at. We will also visit many gompas and monasteries along the way, notably the Tshowa Gompa, a centuries-old religious site near Phoksundo Lake.
The main attraction of any trekking journey is the nature that you experience along the way. On this trek, you will get to visit the gorgeous Phoksundo Lake, the deepest lake in Nepal and one of the most beautiful lakes. Along with that, we will visit a couple of waterfalls throughout the route, notably the Jharana Waterfall. We might even encounter a couple of wildlife since we will be spending extended time within the Shey Phoksundo National Park.
For a trekker seeking a remote trekking experience, this trek is one of the best options. It is truly a less-crowded alternative to trekking destinations such as Everest, Annapurna, Mustang, Langtang, and more. This Lower Dolpo Trek offers trekkers many chances of interacting with the locals and experiencing their simple lives in the middle of nowhere.
Highlights of Lower Dolpo Trek
- Visit and explore the Shey Phoksundo National Park, experiencing the diverse, lush vegetation with chances of encountering wild animals.
- Visit the 145-meter deep Phoksundo Lake, the deepest in Nepal and probably the most aesthetic lake in the country.
- Experience the Bon-po culture in villages like Ringmo and Chhepka, enjoying the scenery of their aesthetic houses and landscape.
- Visit a number of gompas and monasteries along the route for a religious side tour.
- Experience trekking through remote highlands and traditionally rich villages that offer warm hospitality.
Itinerary of Lower Dolpo Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Your arrival at the capital of Nepal counts as your first day of the Lower Dolpo Trek itinerary. After your flight reaches the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be directed towards the immigration section where you must obtain your tourist visa. For this, you have to fill out a tourist visa application form, which you can get at the immigration desk. After filling it out, you need to pay your visa fees at a nearby banking counter; you will be given a receipt for it.
Finally, you have to submit the receipt, your visa application, your passport, proof of stay, return tickets, and two passport-sized photos in order to get tourist visa approval. This entire procedure should take no more than an hour to complete, but during peak travel season, it can get a little crowded, which adds waiting time.
If you want to avoid long lines during the peak travel season, you can apply for a tourist visa online. For this, you need to visit the official government site, fill out the digital visa application form, transfer your visa fees to the allocated bank account, and wait a couple of business days to receive a barcode. You need to print it out and submit it to the visa officer at the immigration booth.
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 02: Explore Kathmandu
The following day, we will go on a sightseeing tour around the valley of Kathmandu. Our day starts with a warm, relaxing breakfast, followed by getting ready for the day’s tour. Starting off, we will visit the Kopan Monastery, a calming gompa heavily inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, sitting atop a hill. From there, we will visit the stunning Garden of Dreams. This site has been popular recently, featuring a modern garden with pavilions, ponds, and fountains.
Continuing the tour, we will visit the Ranibari Community Forest, which is home to many native birds and seasonal birds. It’s a great scene amidst the bustling city streets. Likewise, we will visit Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and more. If you are up for it, we can also go on a short one-hour hike to Tarebhir or Nagarkot hill. Both of these options offer great views of the Himalayas in the north and the surrounding valley.
While the entry tickets required at some of the aforementioned sites will be covered by the standard Lower Dolpo Trek package, your lunch and dinner expenses are not a part of it. Any extra expenses you incur during the day tour, except transportation expenses, are not a part of the package.
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Day 3 of the Lower Dolpo Trek itinerary takes us all the way to Nepalgunj, a city 500 km east of Kathmandu. This flight lasts about 50 minutes and typically offers a range of time options. Generally, you can find daily flights to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu, starting from 4 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon. This will be a drastic change in atmosphere and climate as we will enter the hot and humid plains.
There is no need to take an early flight, as we will have to wait another day to take a flight to Juphal. This is because flights to Juphal are limited to one single flight every Tuesday and Friday morning, at 06:15 AM. You can choose to spend some time in Kathmandu and take a late afternoon flight to Nepalgunj, or choose to explore Nepalgunj instead. Either way, we will be spending the night in Nepalgunj.
Max. Altitude: 150m./492ft. (Nepalgunj)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 04: Fly to Juphal and trek to Dunai
Starting the day with a filling breakfast, we will move towards the Nepalgunj Airport shortly after. This flight lasts around 45 minutes and offers a scenic overhead view of the Dolpo region. You can even get to see Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and more peaks of the Annapurna region. After we reach the airport in Juphal, we will get our bags, get ready for trekking, and start the trek shortly after. This is our first day of trekking on the Lower Dolpo Trek itinerary.
Since it is our first trekking day, we will take it slow and only cover about 8 km, with an estimated trek duration of 2 to 3 hours. This is an ascending trek, but it is very manageable with an elevation gain of 375 meters. The trek starts from the airstrip, passing by some terraced farmlands with the Thuli Bheri River flowing beneath the hill slopes.
The trail gradually ascends, passing by small settlements, and stays gently ascending for the majority of the way. Following the western slope, the sub-alpine vegetation starts to dominate the surroundings rather quickly as we gain elevation. Before long, we will make it to our destination of the day, Dunai.
Activity: Flight and trek
Max. Altitude: 2850m./9,350ft. (Dunai)
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Chhepka
Today’s elevation change is trivial with a trek distance of 10 km, which can be covered within 5 to 6 hours of trekking. Leaving Dunai, we will cross the Thulo Bheri River over a suspension bridge and reach the village of Suligad shortly. Following the river upstream, we will get to a congested gorge with occasional openings offering a wide view of Mt. Kagmara and peaks of the Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range. Passing this section brings us out to a forest of rhododendron and fir.
After about 4 hours of trekking, we will arrive at the village of Rahagaon, where our lunch will be served. If you are not feeling hungry yet, we can postpone lunch to Kageni village. Following an energizing meal, we will climb a steep ascent and cross the Anke River. This trail leads us to a lush forest that signifies that we are close to Chhepka village. Throughout the day, we will go over many ascents and descents, but the net elevation change remains trivial.
Activity: 5 to 6 hours trek
Max. Altitude: 2838m./9,311ft. (Chhepka)
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 06: Trek from Chhepka to Jharana Waterfall
With a total trek distance of 10 km, today’s trek features an elevation gain of 200 meters, with an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours. The trek starts with a gentle ascent, leaving the Thulo Bheri River valley and entering a forested section full of pine and cedar trees. This initial portion of the trek has many ups and downs, taking us to the village of Renje, reaching 3010 meters above sea level.
We will rest a little at Renje before continuing the trek to Sumduwa village. Following the trial, we will cross a river over a suspension bridge while the vegetation around is changed to thorny bushes, with barren slopes. The lush forests are now behind us, and wide open hill slopes are the new scenes. The final climb of the day features a rocky ridgeline that narrows at some points. Soon enough, we will reach the 300-meter-tall Jharana Waterfall and set up our camp there.
The guides and porters will help you set up your camp for the night and also cook up some delicious dinner every night. For the time being, you can enjoy the great scenes of the waterfall, taking pictures and exploring the site.
Activity: 5 to 6 hours trek
Max. Altitude: 3038m./9,967ft. (Jharana Waterfall)
Day 07: Trek from Jharana Waterfall to Ringmo
Day 7 of the Lower Dolpo Trek is an exciting day as we will reach the Ringmo village, offering the first glimpse of the Phoksundo Lake. This trek is 6 km long with an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours, and a net elevation gain of 622 meters. Leaving our campsite behind, we will start the trek following the Phoksundo River. This part of the route is gently ascending, which turns into a steep track with switchbacks. We will traverse through birch, juniper, and pine forests along the way.
After about two hours of trekking, we will cross a suspension bridge over the Phoksundo River, which is the point where we see alpine meadows for the first time. You will get to enjoy a beautiful scene of the surrounding landscape, waterfall, and cliffs. This part of the route is rocky with huge rocks all along the way. Soon enough, we will arrive at the village of Ringmo, entering the prayer flag-infested gate of the village.
From the village, you can see the turquoise colored water of the Phoksundo Lake, along with the charming stone houses and temples in the village. Tea houses are available there, overlooking the beautiful lake, while camping sites are also a great option. We will arrange whatever you prefer for the night.
Activity: 5 to 6 hours trek
Max. Altitude: 3660m./12,008ft. (Ringmo)
Day 08: Explore sacred Phoksundo Lake and Tshowa Gompa
Today is the one and only exploration day of the Lower Dolpo Trek itinerary. We will spend the day exploring the Ringmo village, visiting the Tshowa Gompa, and exploring the Phoksundo Lake. First off, we will energize ourselves with a hearty breakfast and visit the Phoksundo Lake. Walking along the shores, we will enjoy an up-close view of the lake and take tons of photos to last a lifetime.
Following that, we will visit the Tshowa Gompa, a 900-year-old monastery that sits atop a hill, reaching 4500 meters above sea level. This hike will gain us 840 meters of elevation, spans about 9 km round trip, and takes about 4 hours to complete. Reaching this gompa features the highest point of the Lower Dolpo Trek.
This ancient Bon monastery houses many monks, offers a great view of the lake, and displays many artifacts. The murals and artifacts in the main prayer hall are sure to grab your attention. Some parts of the gompa are free of restrictions, while some religiously important sections prohibit any kind of photography.
After exploring the gompa, we will descend to the lake shore, traversing a narrow ridgeline. After spending some time at the shore, we will hike back up to the Ringmo village and explore the different attractions within. There are a couple of small gompas and temples within the village. We will spend the night at Ringmo.
Max. Altitude: 4500m./14,764ft. (Ringmo)
Day 09: Trek from Ringmo to Chhepka Village
Day 9 of the Lower Dolpo Trek is our first descending day on the itinerary. Leaving Ringmo, we will trek about 19 km, lose over 800 meters of elevation, and trek for 6 to 7 hours to get to Chhepka village. Today’s trek starts with following the borders of Phoksundo Lake and eventually crossing the Phoksundo River over a suspension bridge. Following that, the trail descends gradually towards Chunuwar, reaching 3110 meters above sea level. This part of the route is a forest of pine and birch, providing shade from the sun.
Covering 6 km of distance, takes us to the village of Chunuwar. If you are up for it, we can take a short detour to a viewpoint offering a gorgeous view of the Phoksundo Lake and the surrounding landscape with a couple of mountains in the distance. This is an optional hike. Continuing the trek, we will leave Chunuwar and descend through a lush forest, cross many streams, and arrive at the village of Rechi.
We will stop there for a bit, enjoying the aesthetics of traditional stone houses. After a quick rest, we will head towards the village of Dhera, a small settlement of shepherds. From there, the trail features a series of ups and downs through farmlands and forested sections that lead us to the final leg of the day. We will descend through walnut farms, terrace farmlands, and pass by many chortens to reach our destination of the day.
Activity: 6 to 7 hours trek
Max. Altitude: 2838m./9,311ft. (Chhepka Village)
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 10: Trek from Chhepka to Juphal
This is the last trekking day of the Lower Dolpo Trek itinerary. Losing 363 meters of elevation, we will cover over 14 km of distance and trek for 5 to 6 hours to get to the ending point of the trek. Departing from Chhepka, we will first descend through walnut farmlands following the Suli River downstream. This river is a tributary of the Thuli Bheri River.
The trail is a well-defined path passing through a forest and a meadow. Soon enough, we will arrive at the village of Shyanta, reaching 2520 meters above sea level. From there, we will trek to Kageni, our lunch stop of the day. After a filling meal, we will continue the trek and soon arrive at a checkpost near the Shey Phoksundo National Park entrance. There, the officials will check our permits, but before that, we will have to cross a 99-meter-long suspension bridge over Dhim Khola.
Leaving the national park, we will head northeast and reach Kalagaonda. From there, we will pass by farmlands and forested trails to get to the final ascent to Juphal. This climb is steep but fairly short and very doable. We will spend the night near the airport.
Activity: 5 to 6 hours trek
Max. Altitude: 2475m./8,120ft. (Juphal)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj
Day 11 of the Lower Dolpo Trek starts with a relaxing breakfast at Juphal. Since flights from Juphal are very limited, we will have to time our schedule around it. We will leave Juphal at about 06:15 in the morning since it is the only option. You can also opt for a road ride to Nepalgunj, but it will take you over 12 hours, which is not an ideal transportation condition.
After we arrive at Nepalgunj, we will take the next flight to Kathmandu. There is not much to do in Nepalgunj, which is why we will refrain from spending much time there. After arriving at Kathmandu, our driver will pick you up from the airport and escort you to your hotel room for the night. This will unofficially conclude your Lower Dolpo Trek.
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu )
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12: Contingency day in Kathmandu
The remote regions of Nepal are very unpredictable; natural calamities can often stop a day of progress, or political unrest might keep you from traveling. These things are out of our control and show up unexpectedly, so having a contingency day is very important. This enables trekkers to make up for the loss and not worry about being over the scheduled date. If everything goes right, you can use this day to rest and/or explore Kathmandu more.
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13: Depart Kathmandu
This is the ultimate day of the Lower Dolpo Trek. You will have one last breakfast in Kathmandu and visit our office for the final procedures. After everything is set, we will have a small farewell ceremony, wishing a safe journey ahead, and congratulating you on a successful trek. Following this, we will drop you off at the airport as per your flight schedule or preference.
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- All arrival, departure transfers as per the itineary by car, van or coach.
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking guide, transport and entry fees.
- Domestic airfares and road transportation according to your choice.
- All hotel accommodation with breakfast.
- All meals (3 meals each day) during camping or tea-house trek.
- Full service from our guides, cooks, and porters.
- All camping and kitchen equipments and camp site fees.
- Staff salary, transport and insurance.
- Restricted Area permit fee – US$10 per person per week.
- National Park entry fee.
- Necessery government taxes.
- Company ground handling charges.
What is not included?
- International flights to Nepal.
- Meals not mentioned above or in the itinerary.
- Travel and medical insurance including evacuation.
- Nepal entry Visa fee.
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc and tips for staff.
- Any additional activities not in the itinerary.
Route Map & Altitude Chart
Trip Information
Add-Ons
Upgrade Your Accommodation in Kathmandu
The city of Kathmandu offers many amazing high-end accommodations and luxury staycations. You are free to choose from any of the establishments within the city area. We will do our best to arrange your preferred upgraded accommodation. This service is not a part of the standard Lower Dolpo Trek; it is going to cost you extra. Please note that sometimes your preferred accommodation might be fully booked, in which case you will have to choose a second option or just choose our standard option.
How does our trip start?
The first day of the Lower Dolpo Trek is when you arrive at Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Following that, we will go on a day tour around the Kathmandu valley, visiting a bunch of interesting, beautiful, and historic places. This counts as the 2nd day of the journey. Day 3 is the day of travel, we will take a flight to Nepalgunj and stay the night there. The next morning, we will finally take a flight to Juphal, the starting point of our trek.
Difficulty
Unlike the challenging Upper Dolpo Trek, the Lower Dolpo Trek is a moderately difficult trekking journey. It features fairly medium trekking days with a couple of long days during the descending phase of the journey. The remote terrain of the route along the way is one of the difficult aspects of this trek, but they are very doable with the help of porters carrying your luggage and guides leading the optimal way.
On average, you will trek for just 4 to 5 hours, which is considered easy, but since there will be many ascents and descents, it can be a little physically challenging to some. Other than that, there are no difficult aspects to this trek. Adventure Tansen’s expert guides have rated this trek a 7 out of 10.
Best seasons
The season of spring, when the Rhododendron flowers bloom, is considered one of the best seasons for the Lower Dolpo Trek. The daytime temperature ranges from 14°C to 19°C, which is chilly and perfect for trekking outdoors. But the nighttime temperature goes well below 0°C. So, we recommend trekkers bring along a warm sleeping bag capable of handling extreme cold.
The spring season starts from mid-March in Nepal and ends in May. During this time period, nature blooms gracefully with flowers all over the trail and meadows full of grasses. The skies are generally clear, but it might rain a couple of days within the season.
Likewise, the other best season for this trek is autumn. This crisp, dry period is the most preferred trekking period of all. The visibility of the air is at its peak, the landscape looks extra aesthetic, and there is a very low chance of rainfall throughout the season. The daytime temperature ranges from 12°C to 18°C, while it reaches -11°C during the nighttime.
Autumn is the harvesting season in Nepal, and the fields will be full of lush crops. It is also the festive period in Nepal, which means that you will get to experience the traditional practices of Nepalese communities all along the way.
Altitude Sickness
Most of our nights will be spent below the elevation of 3500 meters, which is where altitude sickness starts. This means that we will be spending the majority of our time safe from altitude sickness. However, even though we will spend a couple of nights at higher elevations, it barely increases the risk of altitude sickness since we will be practicing all the preventive measures.
Even if you get altitude sickness anytime during this trek, it can be cured with just a pill. The effects of altitude sickness on the human body are not serious at such a low altitude. It starts to get serious after we cross 5000 meters above sea level.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
Tea houses and lodges are not available at every nightly stop we make on the Lower Dolpo Trek, so we will be relying on camping for the most part. Villages such as Ringmo, Chhepka, and Dunai have accommodation options, but our primary option will always be camping. If you prefer, we can also arrange stays at tea houses. Any kind of accommodation arrangement we make will be on a twin-sharing basis. If you want a private room for yourself, we can also arrange it for a price.
Most of the tea houses in the region offer only the basic living facilities and charge extra for services like hot showers, laundry, WiFi connection, and more. You can also choose to stay in homestays whenever available.
The breakfast options during the Lower Dolpo Trek are Tibetan bread, flatbread, eggs, muesli, pancakes, porridge, buckwheat bread, and more. Your lunch and dinner options are Dal Bhat, thukpa, noodles, fried rice, pasta, different types of stew, different potato dishes, and more. Meanwhile, the drink options are limited to different types of tea, instant coffee, and locally produced alcohol.
Transportation
First of all, we will receive you at the Tribuvan International Airport and take you to your hotel room, on the first day of the Lower Dolpo Trek. The following day, we will take you on a day tour around Kathmandu valley on a private car or jeep. The next day, we will fly out to Nepalgunj and subsequently to Juphal, the starting point of the trek. At the end of the trekking days, we will fly back to Nepalgunj and get on a plane to Kathmandu. Lastly, we will drop you off at the airport. All of these transportation expenses will be covered by the Lower Dolpo Trek package.
Permit
For this trek, you just need to have the Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and a Shey Phoksundo National Park permit. Both of these permits are a part of the standard Lower Dolpo Trek package. You do not have to pay separately for these permits.
Trip preparation and fitness
For the Lower Dolpo Trek, we recommend that trekkers train at least 5 to 6 times a week, for 6 to 8 weeks before the start of the trek. Your daily goals must be to work out your leg muscles and increase your stamina. Exercises such as sunning, cycling, uphill walking, strength training, and cardio are the best ways to prepare yourself physically. Your physical fitness must be at a level where walking 4 to 5 hours a day does not feel like a huge challenge.
Cost & Budget
Our standard Lower Dolpo Trek package will set you back USD _________ per person, which is a fair price considering that it covers many daily expenses. Your daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trekking days, daily accommodation expenses, daily wages for the porters and guides, their insurances, their daily food, local taxes, permit fees, and more are covered by the trek package.
Gadgets charging & Internet
Charging your devices can be a bit of an issue since this region faces occasional power outages. During such times, the locals rely on solar electricity to go about their daily lives. You can use solar power to charge your devices, but you will have to pay a dollar or two for this service. Internet services are not available at most of the villages, especially after we pass Dunai.
Your Extra expenses
Your personal medical and travel insurance fees, visa fees, additional meals, upgraded accommodation, emergency evacuation services, international flights to and from Nepal, laundry bills, bar bills, and more are not a part of the Lower Dolpo Trek package.
Things to Remember Before Trekking the Lower Dolpo Trek
- Carry enough cash to last throughout the trekking days, as most of the establishments along the way are not card-friendly. Cash is the only form of payment in the remote villages.
- Follow the pace of Adventure Tansen’s trek guide, as it is the optimal pace of ascending. There is no prize for being faster than the guide; it’s only going to induce you to altitude sickness.
- Above Chhepka, you should not expect hot showers or stable electricity availability. A power bank can be really handy in such conditions.
- Most of our nights will be spent camping, which calls for a warm sleeping bag capable of handling sub-zero temperatures.
- Stick to a vegetarian diet for the entirety of the trekking days since freezers are not available at most villages to store meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights to and from Juphal are very reliable, but they can be delayed or postponed if the weather conditions take a worse turn.
Each gompas have different rules, but in general, you can join in on the morning prayers. But you really have to be respectful of the customs and not disturb any meditating or praying monks. They are usually very friendly and offer insights into their lives, but it’s better not to disturb them without any reason.
No, it is legally prohibited to swim in the lake because it is a protected lake. The pristine nature of the lake and its surroundings has been conserved very well over the decades. Moreover, there are no fish in the lake to fish for. The high mineral content in its water prevents any life form from thriving in it.
Yes, trekkers are required to carry all their trash throughout the trek. This initiative has been put in place to make sure that the region maintains its natural beauty for decades to come.
