Lower Dolpo trekking:

 

Dolpo is located inside the Shy – Phoksundo National Park of mid–western Nepal, behind the Dhaulagiri massif, towards the Tibetan Plateau. Cut off by a series of very high passes, closed by snow most of the year, Dolpo remains a truly isolated corner of Nepal. Time has stood still here for centuries as the inhabitants of Tibetan stock continue to live, cultivate and trade the way they have done since time immemorial. The finally preserved Eco–system encompasses a wild and wonderful variety of plants and wildlife, including the blue sheep and leopard. A trek through Dolpo is an experience not easily forgotten.


 Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu: 
Arrive Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel. 

Day 02 Kathmandu Sightseeing: 
Half day sightseeing to Swoyambunath and Bouddhanath and trekking permit arrangements. O/N in Kathmandu.

Day 03 Kathmandu – Nepalgunj: 
Flight to Nepalgunj in south –western Nepal and over night there. 

Day 04 Nepalgunj – Jumla – Ghotichour: 
We take flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla, on the banks of river Tila. After meeting up with our trekking crew, we start our trek and camp at Ghotichour.

Day 05 Ghotichaur – Napukhona ( 3000 m ): 
We have a day of steady climbing through small villages dotting the landscape: Kunigaon, Gothigoan, Munigoan. We stop for lunch and then trek along the river to Napukhona, a small Buddhist settlement. 

Day 06 Napakuna – Chaurikot ( 3000 m ): 
We trek through birch and silver fir forest to Chaurikot. Scenic views of Patrasi and Jagadu Himal are visible to the north. 

Day 07 Chaurikot – Veri river Side: 
We hear the roar of the mighty Veri flowing down below and above we are the Quagmire ranges to the west. We pass villages inhabited by people of the blacksmith and tailor casts.

Day 08 Veri River Side – Garpung Khola : 
Today we climb gradually through lots of thorn bushes. We see Hangine Glacie – Peak. 

DAY 09 : We start the trek following the river upstream. We finally cross the river by a small wooden bridge over huge rocks. This is Impeyan pheasant country and just above us is the Kagmara peak ( 5880m)

DAY 10 : We follow the Garpung Khola. The trail becomes steeper and we come to a rocky area. The Himalayan mousse–hare can be spotted here.

DAY 11 : The climb becomes very strenuous now until we reach a pass at an altitude of 4850 m
 We descend following the river and camp on a grassy spot.

Day 12 Pungmo ( 3050 m.): 
We follow a trail parallel to Dorjam Khola and soon cross it. We re-enter civilisation as we see yak herds from nearby Tibetan settlements. The area is covered in Juniper Birch and Apple trees.

Day 13 Pungmo – Phoksundo Lake ( 3600 m): 
Following Dorjam Khola, again we climb to Sumduwa, where we have the headquarters of the Shey – Phoksundo National Park. We need to show our trekking permits to the authorities there. Then we proceed to the ice–cold, turquoise blue lake itself. The lake is surrounded by big red and yellow arid mountains.

Day 14 Phosundo Lake: 
Today we rest to admire the beauty of this great lake. We visit nearby villages inhabited by Bon and Buddhist Settlers.

Day 15 Phoksundo Lake – Bagala Pass ( 5090 mt ): 
We go to the east through the dense forest until we come to a clearing with some villages in it. Proceeding north–east we come to a narrow valley and make our camp here.

Day 16 Bagala Pass – Numla Pass Base Camp (5190 m ): 
The narrow valley becomes wider and is surrounded by glaciers and blade-shaped rock cliffs. We have incredible views of the Kanjiroba massif to the west. We descend to Poyon Khola ( 4450 m ) and proceed on to the next pass which we shall cross the next day. This is blue sheep country.

Day 17 Numla Pass Base Camp – Dho Tarap: 
We ascend to the top of the Numla pass which opens to a beautiful valley of upper Tarap. We proceed on to the village of Dho Tarap and camp near the river. 

Day 18 Dho Tarap: 
We rest today. This is our major encounter with the Dolpo people.

DAY 19: We follow the Tarap Khola as the valley narrows and deep gorges dotted with caves appear
 We shall be camping for the night in one of the biggest caves.

Day 20 To Lahini: 
Although the distance is short to Lahini we will come to the most difficult part of the trek today. We have to descend to a canyon, the trail is normally washed-out. 

Day 21 Lahini – Tarakot ( 2400 m ): 
We come to a wide valley. This is musk deer country. Laskap Khola joins here the Tarap Khola. We climb up to kamigoan ( 2950 m ) the winter residence of the Dho Tarap people. We proceed on to Tarakot at the confluence of the Tarap and Baglung Khola. 

Day 22 Tarakot – Duani ( 2150 m ): 
We continue along the Baglung Khola and across the bridge to reach Laban form where we proceed to Dabung. 

Day 23 Dunai – Jhupal: 
It is a short walk to Jhupal today from where we shall take our flight to Nepalgunj the next day.

Day 24 Jhupal – Nepalgunj: 
We fly to Nepalgunj today and connect with our flight back to Kathmandu next day. 

Day 25 Nepalgunj – Kathmandu: 
We take our return flight to Kathmandu or drive to Chitwan for wildlife activities.

Day 26 Kathmandu: 
Kathmandu & Patan and Bhaktapur sightseeing.

Day 27 Kathmandu: 
Free day in Kathmandu for relax and last minute shopping.

Day 28 Kathmandu Airport Transfer: 
Departure transfer for onward destination.
 

 

Cost Includes:

  • All necessary transportation by private vehicle.
  • Air Fare Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal –Nepalgunj- Kathamndu
  • Hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis with breakfast
  • All accommodation and meals during the trek on Tea House Lodge.
  • A full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley including tour guide and entrance fees
  • An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide), assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage
  • Including staff salary, insurance, equipment food and lodging
  • Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
  • All necessary paper work and permits (National park permit, TIMS )
  • Medical kit
  • All government and local taxes

Cost Does not Includes:

  • Nepal Visa fee
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, heater, etc.)
  • Optional trips and sightseeing if extended
  • Tips for guides and porters