Best Season: The Dolpa area is located in a rain-shadow area, beyond the massif of the Himalayas which is quite dry. This region gets very little rain, and it receives heavy snow and frost with minimum moisture. Therefore, it is highly recommended that tourists visit the Lower Dolpa region from late spring April through pre-summer June, and early autumn, which is September to October.
Our guide and staff will welcome you in the traditional manner when you arrive at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport. The Himalayan Forever Treks' staff will take you to a short ride to your hotel and you will have some time to explore Thamel, a fascinating area with several top-notch lodging options and hotel services. Our guide or Group Leader will give you essential and helpful information about the route, lodging options, and local inn.
After breakfast, our cultural guide will receive you at the hotel for an exciting Kathmandu tour. You will witness a jaw dropping historical Durbar Squares / Palace Courtyards and Nepalese cultures throughout the valley. This city tour comprises ancient monuments listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Take a 45-minute flight from Nepalgunj to Jhupal after an early breakfast. The short scenic flight will offer a great panorama view of western Himalayan peaks with dramatic landscapes. After landing Jhupal, join our trekking/camping staff/guide, and take a short time for refreshment.
Now, hike for a few hours along the Chepkpa trail to reach Phoksundo Lake. The route goes through farm areas and small dense forest before arriving at the overnight stop at Chepkpa. Finally, tents will be set for camping and the spare time will be spent to explore the stunning villages in Dolpa.
Following a delightful overnight stay in a tent camp, a morning hike leads to a high hill above the valley of the Phoksundo River. As you walk through farming villages wrapped with walnut trees, enjoy the stunning views of the Kagmara and Kanjiboraba peaks. The hike gets close to Dhera, a small settlement of cattle herders and the journey leads to Raha-Gaon village which is mostly inhabited by Thakuri Malla Hindu tribe. The trail passes through a forest area and reaches Chepkpa where you find a nice field for overnight camping. You can stroll around charming farm villages there.
After a fun overnight camping trip in Chepkpa, the hike leads to Ankhe, a lovely farming community. The trail follows a short climb before descending to a riverside and keeps descending, reaching to the thick blue pine tree lines. From there, the trek follows the Phoksundo River upstream to Ryajik Village, for a possible lunch stop. Hike for a few hours in the afternoon to overnight camp in Samduwa, which is close to the Shey-Phoksundo National Park entrance area. Find wonderful grassy areas to set the tent and explore the beautiful area during your spare time.
On this day, you will witness the first major highlight of Upper Dolpa Trek, which is the breathtaking emerald-colored Phoksundo Lake. Pack the tents early in the morning and have breakfast before heading to the Pungmo Khola (stream) valley. You will reach the upper side of Phoksundo Khola after a short hike on the side of the stream full of pine and birch trees. The trail continues for more than five hours before reaching the lovely village of Ringmo. Stay there overnight in the local nice simple lodge, and experience the hospitality of the local Dolpa villagers.
Phoksundo area is a majestic place for rest and acclimatization, before heading towards higher elevation. Enjoy this day with a short hike and witness this unreal lake and its tropical surroundings. Furthermore, visit nearby Ringmo village filled with the ancient culture of Tibetan heritage. Enjoy the stunning views of the faraway snow peaks of Kagmara and the bordering mountain range.
After a memorable night around Phoksundo Lake and lovely village of Ringmo, you will be heading for return journey on an alternative exciting route. The trial leads towards highBaga-La and Numa-La Passes which reaches to the other end of Dolpo.
Travel south through the cold forested areas, and you will reach a summer pasture of yak herder temporary shelters. Hike towards a small village of Timche and set a camp for the night. Besides, Timche is located on an isolated corner close to the base of Baga-La pass.
Start the morning hike as early as possible to cross the first high pass of the Lower Dolpa trek. The trial follows a steep high ridge, and after a strenuous climb, you will reach on top of the Baga-La Pass. From the top, you will enjoy a jaw-dropping vista of Phoksundo Lake and the peaks of the Kagmara range. Enjoy the view and descent towards another yak herder's small summer shelter of Danigar. Camp there for the night which is close to the base of Numa-La pass. The following trial form there goes to the magnificent Dho-Tarap valley and the large community of Dho Tarap.
On this day, you will be crossing Numa-La Pass, the highest pass of the Lower Dolpa Trek. Start a steady climb for a few hours from Danigar campsite, which consists of a steep haul. Finally, you will reach on top Numa-La and the breathtaking views of Dolpo's beautiful country landscapes will reward you for your tough hike. Enjoy the majestic view of the Dhaulagiri Himalayas towards the far eastern horizon, which includes views of Kagmara and Kanjibroba. This region also offers a close view of Daphne Shail Peak towards the west. Downhill to the base of Numa-La and to the route to Dho Tarap village. Finally, after a tough hike through all the high passes of the adventure, set a camp at the base for the night and relax.
Start your hike from Numa-La's base and continue for a few hours to get to Dho-Tarap, a small farming community. The gradual morning hike will lead you to a winding path into lovely pine and spruce forest. This trial goes through a few yak herder camps and then ends after reaching the wonderful village of Dho Tarap.
Dho Tarap is a fascinating and a large settlement, which is inhabited by mixed tribes of people who mainly has Tibetan origin. The Magar tribe from western hilly Nepal makes up the majority of this group. Staying in tented camp or in one of the simple cozy lodges is both a wonderful option to spend the night in Dho-Tarap. You can explore the nice village and its old monastery during the afternoon spare time.
After a great night in Dho Tarap, start hiking west towards the smaller settlements in the morning. This trial goes through farm areas and reaches Tarap Khola / stream. You can catch a glimpse of the stunning surroundings, which are home to a herd of blue sheep, along with mountain goats and other animals. These animals are frequently seen in the vicinity of this remote village where there is plenty of grassland for them to graze.
After a long journey, you will eventually arrive at the little, remote location of Gyagar. The following trail leads to a bridge that spans Chaya Khola to Gyagar and is close to the settlement of Nawarpani. Camp there for overnight stay.
Starting from Gyagar, the trail goes downhill which comprises a number of thrilling suspension bridges. This route enters a river gorge with thick vegetation and continues till it reaches Chyugar or Laini Odar. This place is popular for big overhanging cave, which offers travelers a great place to shelter during bad weather. By the end of the day, set a camp in a grassy meadow.
A morning hike takes you through a mellow path that crosses several streams and follows another short climb. The hike continues for some hours and leaves behind the narrow river gorge. The trail ascends and descends before arriving to Tarakot, a walled settlement built above a beautiful hillside. You can witness the myriad Buddhist prayer flagpoles fluttering up in the houses of Tarakot village. Then, set a camp on a nice field near by the river, and explore this beautiful village of Tarakot.
Additionally, you can explore the well-known Sandul Gompa monastery, which is surrounded by several Chorten and Mani walls and exprence the local lively culture there.
Our Upper Dolpa Hike slowly comes to an end as we leave Tarakot village in the morning and hike towards the forest. Hike gradually in winding path towards the west and which leads you to various small farm villages. After some hours, you reach Dunai, an important town that serves as the administrative center for the Dolpa. Get refreshed and observe the local activities there. Then, board on a local vehicle or a jeep which leads to Jhupal. Stay there for the night.
During the early in the morning, board a short scenic flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. After arriving at Nepalgunj airport, broad another flight for Kathmandu. This scenic flight will get you to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport in less than an hour. From there, take a short drive to your hotel and spent the rest of the day relaxing. You can also do your personal tasks during this leisure time.
Our Himalayan Forever team has planned a free day in Kathmandu so that you can relax and enjoy individual activities or shopping. You can also join us for the exciting sightseeing tour of Patan / Lalitpur and Bhaktapur cities. This visit will surely be worth your time!
This is your last day in Nepal and you should get ready for final departure as per your international flight time. You will be escorted to the airport by the Himalayan Forever Trek guide and team. Our guide and staff will bid you a farewell as you depart for your country. You will surely never forget this wonderful experience and adventure of Upper Dolpa Trekking. Namesty!
279.5 k.m. aerial distance and by drive is 613 k.m. or 381 miles, taking 55 minutes flight to Nepalgunj city airport. From Nepalgunj another 40 minutes connecting flight to Jhupal in Dolpo. From where the trek starts and ends.
Due to its remoteness location of Lower Dolpo, most of overnights in tented camps, carried by Himalayan Forever Treks. Supported by separate kitchen unit of cook and kitchen staff, with guide, porters and mules to carry all camping gears.
In some places like at Ringmo, Dho-Tarap and Tarakot either using the local lodges or in tents. But the food will be from our camping expert cooks.
As season wise, during spring and autumn the best time for trekking, most days are fine and clear. To enjoy views and pleasant walks, however can expect snow on higher altitude sometimes. But bright and sunny days in best seasons from March to May. As well in autumn / fall from September to November, in spring season, above 2,000 m high. Minimum temperatures of minus 0° and maximum of 20° Celsius not adding extra wind-chill factor. In autumn the sun rise late by 5:30 a.m. and sunsets by 5 p.m. makes the morning and night time much colder with minimum temperatures from minus 5° to 10° Celsius.
Depending upon altitude wise. Maximum of 15° to 20° Celsius, around high altitude above 2,500 the sunlight gets bright with strong UV. Trekkers needs to carry sun-blocks and wearing sun-hats to block the sun against the UV rays around higher altitude, especially in direct sunlight of afternoon.
Dolpo is truly a wild country around Nepal Far Western Himalayas, there are more hidden corners of Dolpo, yet to be explored. The wild country of Dolpo extends towards Mugu and Jumla in the west and to Mustang areas in the east.
As well it lies close to Mygdi areas of Dhorpatan due south east of Dolpo region, completely a wild-country. Where few groups of trekkers, adventurers seldom venture the wild areas of Dolpo.
Most villages and settlements have hydroelectricity or solar power, where trekkers can charge electronic items. A fee is charged for each gadgets as per hour basis, the price differs from one place to another. But some areas while camping beyond Ringmo and Phoksundo Lake, trekkers needs to carry a portable solar-panel. Which can be hang on the backpack. Where day time sun will charge the solar-panel for use at the end of walks. Large villages like Ringmo, Dho-Tarap-Tarap and Tarakot till Jhupal have the facilities of Hydroelectricity power.
