Lower Dolpo Trek

Day By Day

Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj & transfer to Hotel
As per the flight schedule for Nepalgunj you will be transfer to the domestic airport for one and half hour scenic flight to Nepalgunj. We will transfer you to the hotel and rest of the time explores the surrounding southern Nepal border with India and market areas, overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo)(2,320m/7,610ft), trek to Dunai (2,850m/9,348ft), 2-3 hrs walks
After an early breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Jhupal, a super scenic flight of 45minutes brings you at Jhupal over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. On arriving at Jhupal our trekking staffs will receive you. Our first day adventure begins through the terraced fields to the Bheri River and the narrow gorge taking 2-3 hours to camp at Dunai. Dunai is the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. You have time to stroll around for local knowledge. Overnight at the camp.
Day 03: Trek to Tarakot (2,850m/9,348ft), 5-6 hrs walk
After breakfast we start our trek continues along the south bank of the river heading upstream on a good trail. A tremendous gorge with pine trees and an ingenious path built about seven meter above the river, to Tarakot where colorful terraced field greets us. Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the local people as Dzong or fort. The famed Sandul Gompa lies farther east from Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung khola and Tarup chu (river). The village stands on a hillock to the south of Bheri River at one time supervised collection of tolls for the trading caravans. Overnight camp is made by the river about 150 m below the village, near the police post or we climb a steep ridge for an hour to the village on a spur, where there are chorten in a Gompa on the edge of grassy plateau, with a solitary tree. We settle camp for overnight.
Day 04: Trek to Khani Gaon (2,543m/8,341ft), 5-6 hrs walks
After breakfast we continuous our walking to follow the Tarap chu river upstream, crossing by bridge and crossing the same river twice. The path leads through the farm terraces and rural villages of Sahartera and winding gradually towards a small settlement of Kola after 3-4 hrs of good morning walk. From this place descend with few ups to reach our overnight camp at Khani gaun with another 2 hrs of trek and overnight camp near by the village backyard.
Day 05: Trek to Tarap Khola (3,450m/11,316ft), 4-5 hrs walks
After breakfast we continue walking up to the gorge of the Tarap River, rising high above on a trail built out from steep slopes. The walk is quite exciting as the valley becomes narrow gorge that in some places you can jump from one side to another. Sometimes the path vanishes for a while, making our own path across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. The gorge also provides unexpected adventure and thrills. In some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed by the monsoon flood, and we may opt to cross the cold torrent on foot and overnight at camp by the river near before Kamattarka village.
Day 06: Trek to Yak Kharka (3800m/12,464ft), 4-5 hrs walk
After breakfast we start our trek with a pleasant walk and with most scenic landscapes and easily get to the Yak Kharka. We will have lunch at the middle of the way. Camp will set up as before and we overnight at tented camp at Yak Kharka.
Day 07: Trek to Dho Tarap (4,090m/13,415ft), 5-6 hrs walks
Our morning walks begins after breakfast with a gradual up leading us at Kamattarka at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, a stream flowing from the east. After few hours of good morning walk leaving the narrow gorge, from here the path leads just above tree lines for juniper bush and wild rose, typical of dry inner Himlayan valleys. Another 3 hours or more walk brings us to the village of Dho Tarap surrounded by an irregualr stone wall. At Dho, thirty -four houses are divided into three groups and built in a randomly way. In this Valley both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together. Tarap is also inhabited by few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations and overnight Camp by the village yard.
Day 08: Rest Day at Dho Tarap for acclimatization
Today is the pleasant day free from the hassle of packing and chance to make friends with the locals who have hardly seen westerners. The Dolpo people wear home spun clothing that is sometimes dyed maroon and they favour 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 of Buddhist sect. The Buddhist Gompa is nearby to the camp while the Bon Gompa (pre Buddhist) is about half an hours walk.
Day 09: Trek to Tokyu Gaun 5-6 hrs walks
After a wonderful time here at Dho Tarap, our journey continues towards upper Tarap valley, the walk follows in this plain valley with patched of lush verdant grass on both sides of the river, which is completely different from other parts of inner Dolpo. The trek on this pleasant track leads by the Tarap chu upstream all the way. Tarap is certainly a dream valley with vast plains in high mountains extending twenty kilo meters along the river Tarap Chu, having ten villages with cultivated fields of barley, buck wheat, wheat and potato. After 3-4 hrs of good walk in this perfect tranquillity coming to the village of Tokyu, it has a monastery belonging to the Chiba sect. After visit this village our walk continues further up this valley climbing up the rough track for almost another three hours to reach our overnight camp beneath the Numa-la.
Day 10: Trek to Numa La
Today, we start our trek after breakfast with scenic view but gaining high altitudes and feel short breathing. We will have short day but feel little hard during the walk. Even a great day at the high altitude and well reach at the camp for overnight.
Day 11: Cross Numa La (5,190m/17,023ft), and camp at Phedi.
After breakfast our journey continues to crossing of Numa La pass at 5,190m, the track leads to steep climb all the way to the top ridge of Numa la with great views of the surrounding landscapes scenery of valleys, mountains including north face of the Dhaulagiri massif along with other distance snow capped peaks. This is one of the long and difficult days during the trek. It takes 6-7 hrs and after top at Numala we will descends another bottom part known as Phedi and overnight.
Day 12: Cross Baga La (5,070m/16,630ft) and camp on the other side of the Phedi (4,470m/14,662ft)
After breakfast our morning trek starts with a steep climb to reach the ridge top of Baga-la at 5,070m, which offers fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes and of the distant snow capped peaks of Kanjirowa Himal range, after a glorious moment at the pass, almost three hours of downhill walk takes to the Phedi and overnight.
Day 13: Trek to Ringmo (3,600m/11,808ft), 6-7 hrs walks
After breakfast our morning trek starts through the pine forest, on leaving the forest behind the country and the vegetation changes for pasture field and alpine shrubs most of the way to Ringmo on the gradual slopes with few ups and downs as we reach our final destination at Ringmo and the crystal serene Lake of Phoksundo.
Day 14: Rest Day at Ringmo for a hike to Phoksundo Lake
This is the pleasant day free from the hassle of packing and chance to visit the nearby Tibetan Buddhist monastery is well worth a visit, as is the village of Ringmo. A walk part way round the lake is also very enjoyable and relaxing. This is a great day exploring the lake areas and with a great views overnight at camp.
Day 15 : Ringmo (Phoksundo Lake) – Pungmi Village (3320m.)
Day 16 : Pungmi Village – Kagmara Base Camp (5067m.)
Day 17 : Kagmara Base camp – Kagmara Pass (5115m.) – Garpung Khola.
Day 18 : Garpung Khola – Kai Gaun (3000m.)
Day 19 : Kai Gaun – Chouri Kot (3200m.)
Day 20 : Chouri Kot – Churta (3300m.)
Day 21 : Churta – Gothichaur (Lunch Place) – Overnight in Jumla (2300m.)
Day 22 : Jumla – Nepalgunj/Kathmandu. Trek End.