Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek

Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (TIA), you will be greeted by our representative & transfer to your Hotel.

Stay overnight in hotel. 

Enjoy early morning breakfast before starting a half day sightseeing tour led by our tour guide who will pick you up from hotel. Later in the afternoon, our trek guide will conduct briefing in hotel.

Stay overnight in hotel.

We take an hour's flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in Western Nepal. Nepalgunj which is a border town near Nepal-India border is the gateway to Simikot of Humla. The town itself is an interesting Terai town of Nepal with influences from both the Nepal hills and plains well as local Hindu & Muslim cultures. Some sightseeing places in Nepalgunj include Mini Zoo, Muslim bazaar, or if possible and interested take a walk into nearby villages. We have to also make preparation for tomorrow's flight to Jhupal.

Stay overnight in hotel.

After an early breakfast, we take a morning flight to Jhupal. The 45minutes flight over the high mountains 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.

Stay overnight in camp 

After breakfast we start our trek continues along the south bank of the river heading upstream on a good trail. Deep gorges, hanging bridges and isolated villages. A tremendous gorge with pine trees and an ingenious path built about seven meter above the river. The colorful terraced field of Tarakot greets us.

Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the local people as Dzong or fort. The village stands on a hillock to the south of Bheri River at one time supervised collection of tolls for the trading caravans. The campsite  is below the Tarakot village.

Stay overnight in camp 

After breakfast, we continue our walking to follow the Tarap chu river upstream, crossing by bridge and crossing the same river twice. The famed Sandul Gompa lies farther east from Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung khola and Tarup chu Rriver. The path leads through the farm terraces and rural villages and after a few ups and downs, you finally descend to reach Laini.

Stay overnight in camp 

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. Descend to Chewar Khola and then go past Nawarpani . From here it takes 1 hr to reach Toltol.

Stay overnight in camp 

Our morning walk 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. In this Valley both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together. Tarap is also inhabited by a few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations.  

Stay overnight in camp.

We spend a rest day in Do Tarap for gradually getting used to the altitude. Time to visit monasteries and enjoy the breathtaking views. 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.

There are three villages in Dho Tarap valley, namely Dho, Lang and Takshi. In Lang village there is a Bon monastery and ruins of ancient castles. When you interact with villagers, you will greet them saying ‘Tashi Delek’. Nowadays locals can speak in both English and Nepali language and they are very friendly. In Dho Tarap valley, there is only one school called ‘Crystal Mountain School’ which is sponsored by Dolpo France Action. 

Stay overnight in camp.

After a wonderful time at Do 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.

A few hours' good walk takes us 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 and after one hour walk we reach campsite in Numa-la. 

Stay overnight in camp.

This is one of the long and difficult days during the trek. 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. 4 hrs to reach the pass and 3 hrs to descend to Dhanighaar. An incredible panoramic view of the barren mountains of Dolpo up to the Dhaulagiri (8167m). After getting to the top of Numa La we will descend to Dhanighaar. If we are lucky, we can see herds of blue sheep grazing in nearby hills. 

Stay overnight in camp.

After breakfast our morning trek starts with a steep climb to reach the ridge top of Baga-la at 5,070m. It takes 3.30 hrs to reach the pass 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 Dajok Tang for overnight. The route along Baga La is also a good section to catch sights of wild blue sheep. 

Stay overnight in camp.

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. The top of the hill offers great views of the Phoksundo Lake and beautiful waterfalls.

Stay overnight in camp.

A rest and exploration day. And of course we sit right on the shore of the spectacular Phoksumdo Lake; remember the harrowing scene in 'Himalaya' when Thinley's yak caravan attempted the 'Devil's Trail'. Yak caravans will be heading in and out of Ringmo on their way north towards the border of Tibet, and our most northerly destinations, Saldang and Thinje. 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 the crystal serene Lake of Phoksundo with a great views.  In the village is a Bon community and a Bon monastery, stupas and beautiful pine forest. 

Stay overnight in camp.

After walking 25 minutes good trail we go downhill for approximately 45 minutes and the way is slippery. After Palam, the trail is good as we walk through dense pine forest and along the bank of a river. We found many important medicinal mineral which is believed to cure almost anything in this area. The trail has some ups and downs. In Chepka, there is electricity and some good lodges and also excellent camping sites. 

Stay overnight in camp.

Following the trail gently sloping upwards, we march towards Jhupal via Sulighat. We go through birch and pine forests on our way with few villages in between. The trail is good and we mostly walk along the bank of a river. From atop the ridge, we can have the most spectacular views of the mountain and Jhupal below. After reaching Jhupal, we can spend our afternoon exploring the busy market town or simply pursuing whatever we feel like. 

Stay overnight in camp.

We take a 45 minutes flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. On reaching Nepalgunj, we return to Kathmandu on the next available flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. You can spend the evening leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping and celebrate dinner together with the staffs.

Overnight at Kathmandu. 

You are saying good bye to the mountains of Nepal as your journey in Nepal comes to an end today. On way home, we hope you will be thinking about your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.