Day 1: Arrival to Kathmandu
Once you land on Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), our representative will be there to receive you. You will be taken to your standard hotel. You can take some rest to overcome your jet lag and tiredness. During the evening, we will have a detailed discussion about the entire trek. Briefings regarding Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek will be explained in brief. In the meantime, you can enjoy the nightlife of Thamel. Or, you have an alternative to research about Lower Dolpo Trek on your own.
Day 2: Fly to Nepalgunj
After breakfast, we will make a small Kathmandu trip. Visiting around Pashupatinath, the holy place of Hindu and Boudha Stupa, a holy place for Buddhists will make you feel that you are really in an amazing place. We then set aside for lunch, and then move towards the airport to fly to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj will be the first place to travel for Lower Dolpo. This will be a scenic flight of around an hour to western Nepal.
Nepalgunj is located near the border of India and is a sub-metropolitan city located in the Banke district of Nepal. During the evening, we walk around to visit the local market there. Overnight at the hotel of Nepalgunj.
Day 3: Fly to Jhupal and trek up to Dunai
We take the first flight from Nepalgunj to Jhupal of Dolpo. This 45 minutes of flight will be filled with scenic beauty as we get to see Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range through the window time and again. Once we land in Jhupal, we interact with people around – manage our luggage and fill the food supply that is required during the trek.
We then begin our trek formally walking above the Bheri River. This day of Lower Dolpo trek of around 3 hours would be easy and interesting. We continue walking till we reach Dunai, the district center. Overnight will be spent at tented camp.
Day 4: Dunai to Tarakot
On this fourth day of Lower Dolpo Trek, we leave Dunai, we walk along with Bheri River. We come across Barbung River gorge and catch the trail that goes through pine woods till we reach to open terraced fields. Tarakot is located in a distance from these terraced fields which is surrounded by fort decades ago. We observe the monastery at the junction of the stream.
This used to be the route for trading caravans at times. We finally reach to Tarakot walking around 6 hours with timely rest. Tarakot is located at a height of 2543 meters. We set up our camp at open space on a spur and spend overnight at the tented camp itself.
Day 5: Tarakot to Khani Gau
This would be the next interesting day to trek in the Lower Dolpo Circuit Trekking trial. We leave Tarakot in the morning. Walking across Bheri River gorge, we then catch up on the line of Tarap Chu stream crossing the bridge. This route will be fantastic with mesmerizing views of terraced farmland, an isolated village. We then reach Kola along stream guided terrain. Finally, we reach Khani Gau – where we set up our camp and spend overnight.
Day 6: Khani Gau to Tarap Khola
On this sixth day, we walk around, pass through steep slopes and come across narrow gorge alongside the river. We then reach small settlements with amazing lifestyles. It’s okay to spend some time here. We then walk further catching the trail which hides at places and then again appears.
So, you can’t even guess how these trails of Lower Dolpo Trek goes ahead. There are some wooden bridges on the way which are broken and then smashed away by the monsoon floods. After around six hours of trek, we finally make it to Tarap Khola. Overnight at tented camp there itself.
Day 7: Tarap Khola to Yak Kharka
This day of Lower Dolpo Trekking will be a normal trek like usual, where we walk around six hours. We start trekking uphill observing scenic landscapes. What makes this day of Lower Dolpo trek more beautiful is the natural flow that we walk along with, where we get the feeling of walking into the wilderness of nature. We then reach Yak Kharka, located at the height of 3800 meters and spend overnight there at tented camp.
Day 8: Yak Kharka to Dho Tarap
On this day we move towards a more isolated region. We reach Tarap Chu and then overcome Lang stream following the trail that will take us through the narrow pathway above tall woods. We then observe bushy plants like wildflowers and Juniper. We gradually walk towards the dry inner Himalayan region observing the natural beauty. Further, we then walk around observing the stone-walled village at Dho.
The architecture of the village would make anyone amazed. Apart, they are highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism culture. We reach our ultimate destination of day Dho Tarap after a short walk and then. Dho Tarap is located at 4090 meters. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 9: Acclimatization Day
With a regular walk, our body will require rest as well. Also, our bodies would require adaption as we gradually ascend to high altitudes. So, this would be our rest and acclimatization day. We walk around Dho Tarap and observe mesmerizing views through the eyes and lens of your camera. A book worm can stay back at camp and go through it, or you can sleep all day in camp as well. We spend the day in the village itself and then spend overnight at tented camp.
Day 10: Dho Tarap to Tokyu Gau
This day, we leave Dho Tarap ascending towards the valley at the upper part of the Dolpo Trekking circuit. We then catch rocky trail near the river and then continue the journey along with the plain track. We walk along with greeneries on the riverside. We visualize fertile lands where barley, buckwheat, potatoes, and Himalayan crops are grown.
We walk uphill and downhill observing fantastic and colorful monasteries. After six hours of trek, we then reach the Tokyu village located at the height of 4200 meters. There we meet people from Chiba sect communities. Overnight at tented camp at Tokyu Gau.
Day 11: Tokyu Gau to Numala Base
Lower Dolpo Trekking route is a natural gift that everyone walking will appreciate. On this day, we walk slowly to the Numala base. We gradually climb to high altitudes. The distance would not belong, but walking uphill with increasing altitude will make the excursion slower. The dotted trail with rocks and steep landscape would be generating energy time and again. Yes, we might need energy drinks this day. We finally reach to Numala base located at the height of 4665 meters and spend overnight there at tented camp.
Day 12: Numala Base to Pelung Tang
This will be the next adventure-filled day and also the most difficult day of the entire trip during Lower Dolpo Trek. We initially climb up to Numa La pass which lies at 5190 meters. What makes this day adventure-filled as the steep climbing route at the top of the ridge is equally difficult. Once we reach to Numa La pass, we then fall downhill, follow gorges and then meet brown landscape.
Seeing Dhaulagiri peak right in front would be something that your eyes and brain can never forget. We then descend downward till we arrive at Pelung Tang. Overnight at Pelung Tang tented camp.
Day 13: Pelung Tang to Dajok Tang
Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek is not all about walking along with the hills, but providing a lifetime opportunity for experiencing the best trekking pattern across. This day proves it all because this day is regarded to be a technical day of entire Lower Dolpo Trekking days. Initially, the trail is steep uphill till the top ridge of Baga La located at 5070 meters.
Here, you get to visualize a good viewpoint of glorious Kanjirowa peak along with its surroundings. And then you decline almost 1000 meters and till you reach Dajok Tang at 4080 meters. Overnight at Dajok Tang.
Day 14: Dajok Tang to Rigmo
This day, we walk gently as we have already crossed the tough parts. This would be a pleasant day in Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek. We first cross the pine forest, and then through grazing meadows. Descending from alpine terrain, we move towards down flat land observing how quickly the vegetation changes with a slight geographical variation. We then descend till we reach Ringmo and spend overnight at tented camp there.
Day 15: Hiking around Phoksundo Lake
This probably would be the best day during the entire Lower Dolpo Trekking. One important reason why people opt for Lower Dolpo Trek is obviously to be around Phoksundo Lake. Shey Phoksundo lake is a freshwater lake among the hills and mountains – and it makes you feel that you are in heaven anyway. We get to observe Yak caravans around, and we will have plenty of time to spend around the lake. It’s okay if we decide to spend overnight at the large platform on the face of the lake itself.
Day 16: Ringmo to Shyangta
Finally, getting towards the end of the Lower Dolpo Trekking route, we trek down to Shyangta. This would be a rocky trail following Chekpa and passing barren hills along with tiny Bon PO settlements. In around six hours, we will reach Shyangta which would be at the height of 2520 meters.
Day 17: Santa to Shupal
We walk among birch trees observing spectacular views of mountains and reach Sulighat. We walk in one of the rough trails of Lower Dolpo Trek this day, following the motor road which makes the trial easy as well. We reach Jhupal on this very day – and if possible, we catch a flight to Nepalgunj, else we stay there at Jhupal.
Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu through Nepalgunj
We fly to Nepalgunj on the very first flight and then switch the plane to Kathmandu gathering all the memories that we gained during Lower Dolpo circuit trek. Once we reach Kathmandu, we take a long rest – till the flight back.
