Lower Dolpo Trek (18 days)

Itinerary

Day 01:  Arrival Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel

 Day 02 : Kathmandu sightseeing and Trek preparation.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj: 1 hr

Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo) (2,320m) and trek to Dunai (2,850m): 45 mins flight, 2-3 hours walk

Day 05: Dunai to Tarakot (2,543m): 5-6 hours

Day 06: Tarakot to Laini (3,160 m): 6-7 hours

Day 07: Laini to Nawarpani (3,545m): 5-6 hours

Day 08: Nawarpani to Do Tarap (4,090m): 7-8 hours

Day 09: Rest Day at Do Tarap for acclimatization

Day 10: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m): 6-7 hours walk

Day 11: Cross Numa La pass (5,190m), camp at Pelung Tang (4465m): 6-7 hours

Day 12: Cross Baga La pass (5,070m), trek to Dajok Tang (4,080m): 6 hours

Day 13: Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3,600m): 3-4 hours

Day 14: Hike to Phoksundo Lake

Day 15: Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta (2520m): 5-6 hours walk

Day 16: Shyanta to Jhupal

Day 17: Fly to Nepalgunj, fly to Kathmandu

Day 18: Final departure

Detail Itinerary

Day 01:  Arrival Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel

You will be welcomed by the boss of  company at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1300m).After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our company display board at the arrival gate. You will be transfer to Hotel. After check in, you will visit our office; meet your trekking guide as well as other participants. Later in the evening we will organize a “Welcome Dinner” at an excellent Touristic Restaurant where you will enjoy  with a fine meal. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Kathmandu sightseeing and Trek preparation.

Full day of sightseeing in the very famous capital, Kathmandu. We will be visit the famous heritage sites in Kathmandu.

Morning:

We will start from your hotel by a morning walk in the blocked alleyways of Kathmandu. Your first contact with the smiling Nepalese people. We begin to cross the nice area of Thamel, full of nice shops, bars and restaurants.

We will see during this walk many temples and stupas: it will be for you the beginning of religious lessons, making the difference between Buddhists stupas and Hindu temples. You will discover with a great surprise how these two religions live together.

We will make a stop at Thahiti Tole, then in front of Kathesimbhu stupa. Always meeting statues and local shops (suits, spices, incenses, and so on) and listening the noise of bells (and of horns), we will see Asan Tole with wonderful Hindu temples. Then Indra Chowk and Pyaphal Tole. After 2 hours of walk and of wonder, we will arrive at Durbar Square.

Kathmandu Durbar Square situated the center of Kathmandu where you can see the House of Living Goddess “KUMARI” Kasthamandup temple” Said that was built from single tree in 16th century, big bell-big drams, erotic carving in old temple, old palace etc. All the most important monuments of the city are in this area. You will be filled with wonder by all these numerous such majestic and so ancient temples

registered in the Heritage of the UNESCO. It is possible to spend hours, sat on the walk of one of these monuments, admiring architecture, considering the animation of places, dreaming. We will take lunch at the top of a restaurant, with a great plunging view.

Afternoon.

You will begin the afternoon by another walk in the streets of Kathmandu, to look at the real face of this city, with local buildings and narrow streets. Then we will arrive at Swayambunath Stupa (Monkey Temple). Swayambunath stupa has it that Manjushree, found of Kathmandu valley, and discovered the lotus of ancient valley lake on which site the great stupa of Swayambunath was later built. The omni sighted stare of Buddha greets visitors & residents alike compassion. This is one of the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world, which has been registered in UNESCO heritage side.  It is said that Swayambunath Stupa is more than 2,000 years old, and it symbolizes knowledge. At the summit of this hill, the painted eyes on all four sides symbolize the all-seeing power of Buddha. It is an important Buddhist place where pilgrims from all over the world.

From this place we can have a wonderful panoramic view on all the capital. So great at the end of the day, with the sunset. We will come back hotel by bus.

Evening: Time for you to prepare the trek and we introduce in front of you our crew members. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj: 1 hr

After our short excursion in Kathmandu, we take an hour-long flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, located in Western Nepal. Nepalgunj, a town near the Nepal-India border, is also the gateway to Simikot, Humla. The town itself is an interesting Terai town that showcases the diverse culture of Nepal. In Nepalgunj, we visit the local market, mini-zoo and nearby villages. Overnight in Nepalgunj.

Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo) (2,320m) and trek to Dunai (2,850m): 45 mins flight, 2-3 hours walk

We fly to Jhupal after breakfast. The town is beautifully located over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to its north. Here, we meet our trekking staff and begin the adventure. We walk through terraced fields to the Bheri River and its narrow gorge. We continue walking to Dunai which is the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. We explore the small town in the evening and camp there for the night.

Day 05: Dunai to Tarakot (2,543m): 5-6 hours

After breakfast our trek continues along the southern bank of the Bheri River heading upstream on an easy trail. Along the way, we pass through several deep gorges, hanging bridges and isolated villages. Our trail also includes a tremendous gorge with pine trees and a path built about seven meters above the river. After walking for a while, we will be greeted by the colorful, terraced field of Tarakot, a small village that stands on a hillock to the south of the Bheri River. Overnight in Tarakot.

Day 06: Tarakot to Laini (3,160 m): 6-7 hours

We walk alongside Tarap Chu river and cross it twice before reaching Sandul Gompa. The gompa lies at a juncture between Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu river. We continue walking on a trail that takes us through farm terraces and rural villages. After ascending and descending for a while, we finally reach Laini. Overnight in Laini.

Day 07: Laini to Nawarpani (3,545m): 5-6 hours

We climb on a steep trail and walk along switchback above the Tarap River. The walk is quite exciting as the valley becomes a narrow gorge that in some places you can jump from one side to another. Several vigorous climbs and descents will take us to the banks of the Chyugur Khola, from where we reach Nawarpani. Overnight in Nawarpani.

Day 08: Nawarpani to Do Tarap (4,090m): 7-8 hours

We begin today’s trek by gradually ascending to Kamattarka at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola. We cross a narrow gorge and leave the tree line behind us and welcome wild rose and juniper bushes, typical of the dry inner Himalayan valleys. After walking for several more hours, we reach the village of Dho Tarap which is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. In this Valley both Bon Po and Chaiba religious sects reside together. Tarap is also inhabited by a few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations. Overnight in Do Tarap.

Day 09: Rest Day at Do Tarap for acclimatization

The day off will assist with acclimatization and allow some bodily rest. We can spend the day visiting nearby monasteries. During today’s short walks, we also get a chance to get acquainted with the local culture. The Dolpo people wear homespun clothing that is sometimes dyed a maroon color and they favor Tibetan style somba or dhocha (boots with upturned toes) for foot wear. Both men and women often wear religious amulets and strings of coral, amber and turquoise. The people of the region are both Bon Po and Nyingmapa (Buddhist sects). Overnight in Do Tarap.

Day 10: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m): 6-7 hours walk

We trek towards the upper Tarap valley enjoying views of lush grasslands on both sides of the river which is unique to this part of the inner Dolpo. We walk alongside Tarap Chu river and take pleasure in the amazing views of the vast Tarap valley with its wide plains and high mountains. A few hours’ good walk takes us to the village of Tokyu which houses a Buddhist monastery of the Chiba sect. After exploring the monastery, we continue walking up the valley on a rough trail  before reaching the Numa La Base Camp. Overnight in Numa La Base Camp.

Day 11: Cross Numa La pass (5,190m), camp at Pelung Tang (4465m): 6-7 hours

Today is going to be the toughest and one of the longest days of our trek.  After breakfast, we begin crossing the Numa La pass on a steep trail all the way up the top ridge of the pass. From the ridge we get incredible views of the barren mountains of Dolpo up to Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m).  After getting to the top of Numa La, we descend to camp at Pelung Tang.

Day 12: Cross Baga La pass (5,070m), trek to Dajok Tang (4,080m): 6 hours

After breakfast we begin our steep climb up to the top of Baga La pass. From here, we get fantastic views of the dry landscape and the distant snow-capped mountains including Mt. Kanjirowa.  We spend some time at the top of the pass taking pictures and generally enjoying the mesmerizing views. Next, we descend to Dajok Tang for an overnight stay.

Day 13: Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3,600m): 3-4 hours

We spend most of today’s trek on trails alongside beautiful pine forests and alpine vegetation. After trekking for a short while on an easy trail with only gradual highs and lows, we reach Ringmo Village. The village is a traditional Tibetan village of the Dolpo region. Overnight in Ringmo.

Day 14: Hike to Phoksundo Lake

Today we explore the great Phoksundo Lake and camp at its shores. We see yak caravans moving in and out of Ringmo mostly towards Tibetan borders on remote mountain trails. The scene is even depicted in a Hollywood movie ‘Caravan’ shot mostly in this location. On our way to the lake, we also tour a nearby monastery. Upon reaching the Phoksundo Lake, we can enjoy a relaxing walk on the serene lake’s shores. Overnight at Phoksundo.

Day 15: Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta (2520m): 5-6 hours walk

We trek downhill to Chepka. From Chepka the trail follows a massive overhanging rock. During our trek, we find many important medicinal minerals which are believed to cure almost anything in this area. The route then passes through villages, before climbing to Shyanta. Overnight in Shyanta.

Day 16: Shyanta to Jhupal

We march towards Jhupal via Sulighat on a trail surrounded by birch trees. From atop a ridge, we get the most spectacular views of the mountain above us and Jhupal Village below. Utmost caution is required while trekking along this trail. After reaching Jhupal, we can spend our afternoon exploring the busy market town or simply taking a rest. Overnight in Jhupal.

Day 17: Fly to Nepalgunj, fly to Kathmandu

We take the earliest flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. Upon reaching Nepalgunj, we return to Kathmandu on the next available flight. Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, we will be transferred to our hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 18: Final departure

It’s time to enjoy a bit of Kathmandu and the ultimate view of the great mountains! Free time in Kathmandu and transfer to the airport two hours before departure of your flight home, after a final goodbye! On the way back, you’ll have time to plan a new adventure in Nepal, that country so magical!

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