Wilderness, culture, and breathtaking alpine adventure.
Do you want to go on a journey to the isolated paradise of Nepal? If yes, then this is an ideal trek for you. The Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek is one of the most thrilling treks in Nepal, which takes you inside the Shey Phoksundo National Park to the Lower Belt of the Dolpo region. Dolpo, also known as Dolpa, is located in the western part of Nepal, close to the Tibetan plateaus at high elevation.
Trekking the Lower Dolpo Circuit in Nepal will walk you through some of the highest and most remote settlements in Nepal. You will also pass various mountain passes throughout your trekking journey. Trekking in Nepal allows you to explore remote places with the most humble people residing there who regard guests as gods, due to which they are quite hospitable. Despite the simple living in underdeveloped places, they will make you feel at home with the minimal facilities they can provide. The Dolpo region is one of the most isolated places in Nepal, so the experience of doing the Lower Dolpo Circuit trek will be unique. Walking with your trekking team, eating the food they prepare, and spending the night in the wilderness with nothing but a flimsy tent between you and the magnificent Milky Way is going to be a core memory for anyone who does it. Come along with us on the journey to the Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek, where the pristine nature, fast-flowing rivers, gorgeous lakes, and warm people are waiting for you to explore this remote region of Nepal. This 17-day journey to the isolated part of Nepal will leave you craving for more.
Before you start your trek, you will spend some time in the city area where you will stay before your trek initially starts. During this time, you will visit and explore the ancient UNESCO Heritage sites in Kathmandu, which portray the beautiful yet strong history of the country. While Dolpo used to be the trading route of the western region, Kathmandu was the hub and the major trading center centuries ago, marking its importance and rich diversity. Here you will explore the rustic charm of the ancient city landmarks along with rich modern facilities.
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, which justifies the hustle and bustle of the city. Kathmandu has been a city rich in culture, art, and history since ancient times. Kathmandu is the hotspot of various cultures, people, and food because many people migrate to this capital city every year for better facilities, jobs, and opportunities. Kathmandu city is called ‘the city of temples’ because there are numerous temples scattered everywhere around the city. You will start your journey from the bustling city of Kathmandu by visiting the Durbars, temples, and stupas listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You will start your sightseeing with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is an old Durbar Square, which is called the ‘Museum of Temples’ because there are over 50 temples around the Durbar Square. It will captivate you with its extremely beautiful temples, intricate wood carvings, and rich history. After that, you will be visiting the Swayambhunath, also known as the 'Monkey Temple’, located on top of a small hill. You will have to climb hundreds of stairs to reach this temple that promotes religious harmony by having both stupas and temples in the same place. You will get to see the panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley. Following that, you will be visiting the Pashupatinath Temple, located on the banks of the Bagmati River, which is one of the holiest temples of Lord Shiva. It is a pilgrimage for Hindus, which explains the internal tourists and also the large number of Indian tourists you might see in the temple. Lastly, you will visit the Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the largest stupa in the world. This stupa is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. This stupa attracts numerous visitors daily but one can feel the sense of peace in the bustling crowd while circumambulating around the stupa. It is significant for those who are spiritual. You can also go around the bustling place full of tourists in Thamel. From bars, internet cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, clubs, historical sites, museums, you name it, Kathmandu has it.
During your Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the places that are untouched by the modernization of the current times. The landscapes of the Dolpo region are pristine, as is the culture of the people living in Dolpo, which you will have the opportunity to see and engage yourself in. Travel to the Lower Dolpo to be able to witness it in all its glory. Some of the highlights of the Lower Dolpo Circuit Trekking are listed below.
Juphal Airport is the only operating airport in the Dolpo district. It can be called the gateway to Dolpo/Dolpo district. Juphal Airport serves as the gateway to the Shey Phoksundo National Park, which houses the famous Phoksundo Lake and other natural wonders. One can reach Dolpo by a connecting flight from Nepalgunj, as there are no direct flights from Kathmandu. It is at a notable height of 2,503 meters from sea level where one can witness the beautiful alpine and subalpine vegetation.
Shey Phoksundo National Park is the only Trans-Himalayan National Park in Nepal and the largest of the country's twelve national parks. A big part of Dolpo falls in the Shey Phoksundo National Park and also houses the famous Phoksundo/Shey Phoksundo Lake, the endangered Snow Leopard, and other various animals like Blue Sheep, Grey Wolf, Marmots, and Great Tibetan Sheep. The National Park is also home to some of the most valuable herbs like Yarsa-gumba, Panchaule (Dactylorhiza Hatagirea), Guchi Chyau (Morchella Esculenta), wild garlic (Allium Wallichii), and many more. Besides the rich vegetation, one gets to experience the ancient bon regions in the traditional villages inside Dolpo. The Lower Dolpo Circuit walks you through the parts of Shey Phoksundo National Park.
Phoksundo Lake, also known as Shey Phoksundo Lake, is an alpine lake tucked amongst the hills around Ringmo village. Phoksundo Lake is regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Nepal for its turquoise-colored clear water. Phoksundo Lake is regarded as a sacred lake by the locals and there are various mythological stories on how it was formed. It is indeed a sacred lake for the sense of tranquility you feel when you’re there.
Villages in Dolpo are the major attraction points of Dolpo. Dolpo houses some of the highest settlements in Nepal. The people of Dolpo have flat-roofed, usually 2-story houses with small doors and windows to keep away the cold. Since there aren’t many facilities in the villages, the people in these villages have the most simple lives. Amongst the arid landscapes, the small, scattered villages are a sight to see. You will have a chance to stay in some of the major villages, like Ringmo, which sits beside the beautiful Phoksundo Lake and Dho, which is considered to be a trade center of the Upper Dolpo area. In contrast to the scattered settlements in Dolpo districts, these villages that you will encounter during your trek are on the denser side. The people in these villages welcome everyone with immense warmth.
High passes are the trails through a mountain range so it usually tends to be at a higher elevation. While trekking in Dolpo, one might come across various trekking passes that have to be crossed to reach the destination. Crossing passes are quite challenging due to the uphill climb and altitude which drains the energy quickly. But crossing the passes comes with a sense of victory as it shows that one has made joint efforts with body and mind to be able to conquer the passes. Some high passes are above the height of 5000 meters and it is quite a thrilling experience to cross those high passes. While trekking through the Lower Dolpo region, one has to pass some high mountain passes, they are: Baga La and Numa La.
Bagala Pass is one of the various passes above 5000 meters in the Dolpo region. It is at the height of 5,170 m/16,962 ft. After a significant elevation from Danighar, you will reach Bagala Pass. It takes effort to do Bagala Pass like any other pass due to the high elevation. Another pass that you will be passing is Numa La. After walking past the trade center of the Dolpo region, Dho Tarap, and Tokyu village, you will be ascending to Numa La Pass. There are two Numa La passes: North Numa La Pass, which is at a height of 5,238 meters, and another is South Numa La Pass, which is at a height of 5,310 meters. During this trek, you will traverse through the south pass, which is considered to be easier and also accessible all year round, while the northern pass is only during the months of April to November. One should be fully prepared to do the high trekking passes. The walk to the pass is quite tiring so one should walk slowly while hydrating yourself to be able to successfully complete the pass.
Nepal is a country that is rich in cultural, geographical, and natural features, which is why traveling in Nepal is an incredible experience. Although Nepal is most famous for its varied culture and Everest, there is more to the country than that. Dolpo or Dolpa, which is situated near the Tibetan plateaus in western Nepal, is one of the least visited and known spots that provides one of the most amazing trekking experiences. One of the most difficult and isolated treks in Nepal is the Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek, which will provide you with a glimpse of the country's lesser-known locations, such as Dolpo. You will encounter a variety of aspects of life during this walk, including the simple way of life of the locals, spiritual beauty, and natural beauty. Because you will be traveling to far-flung locations, you will mostly be cut off from the outside world during the walk, but you will completely revive your connection with nature.
Our 17-day Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek starts as you arrive in ‘the city of temples’, Kathmandu. You will get to explore some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sights like the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. Your trekking journey will start as you board a flight to the vibrant city of Nepalgunj. The next day, you will board a scenic flight to the Juphal Airport from Nepalgunj. You will meet your whole trekking team here, which consists of a local guide, cook, and assistant, along with your animal companions, mules. These people will be with you throughout your trekking journey to ensure your smooth trip. You will start your trek with your team from Juphal to Dunai, and as you walk through the landscapes of Dolpo, you will be in awe. For every challenge the geography of Dolpo throws at you, it will also reward you with stunning views of the gorgeous landscapes. You will be camping throughout your Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek. During your stay in the villages, you will have the moment to interact with the locals and observe their simple lives while experiencing the warm hospitality.
Trek to Dolpo is not just a walking journey but a journey of life where you will get to experience a unique blend of nature and culture that you can hardly find anywhere else. You will visit the villages and learn about the Bon religion, which is said to predate Tibetan Buddhism. The Dolpo Trek is quite well known for being a difficult level of trek so it requires you to have a good level of physical fitness or training before the trek. The journey will be quite transitional as you start walking from the lush vegetation of the lower part to the arid landscapes as you walk towards the Dho Tarap Valley. You will be crossing two high passes that are above the altitude of 5000 meters, Bagala Pass and Numa La Pass so the journey is going to be quite action-packed. The trek is not just a journey; it's an experience of a lifetime. Despite the challenges, it welcomes people from all walks of life and offers something for everyone; whether you're a travel enthusiast or want to experience spiritual and natural splendor, Dolpo has it all.
Our Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek walks you through the changing landscapes of Dolpo. Trekking in the isolated region of Dolpo in Nepal is an experience that is both challenging and breathtaking at the same time. Metaphorically due to the stunning beauty of the region and literally because you’ll be out of breath due to the steep uphill climbs. The challenges of trekking in Dolpo are worth the experience. It is a journey of passion, peace, and patience.
DAY 1: Kathmandu Arrival, Welcome to Nepal. [1,400 m/4,593 ft]
DAY 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing, Trek Preparation. [1,400 m/4,593 ft]
DAY 3: Fly to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. [150 m/492 ft]
DAY 4: Fly to Juphal, Trek to Dunai. [2,140 m/7,020 ft]
DAY 5: Trek to Tarakot. [2,540 m/8,333 ft]
DAY 6: Trek to Lain Odar. [3,290 m/10,795 ft]
DAY 7: Trek to Sim Odar. [3,523 m/11,558 ft]
DAY 8: Trek to Dho Tarap. [4,100 m/13,452 ft]
DAY 9: Dho Tarap Exploration Day.
DAY 10: Trek to Numa La Phedi. [4,800 m/15,748 ft]
DAY 11: Trek to Danigad. [4,512 m/14,803 ft]
DAY 12: Trek to Yak Kharka. [3,995 m/13,100 ft]
DAY 13: Trek to Ringmo. [3,641 m/11,946 ft]
DAY 14: Trek to Chhepka. [2,678 m/8,786 ft]
DAY 15: Trek to Juphal. [2,475 m/8,120 ft]
DAY 16: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.
DAY 17: Departure, Farewell!
