Lower Dolpa Trek 20 Days

Trip Overview

Lower Dolpo Trek is one of the most adventurous ventures into the wild and remote nature of Dolpo region which is full of natural wonders. These wonders are:  massive freshwater lakes, age-old Buddhist civilization and culture, awe-inspiring arid landscapes, historical forts, local villages, unspoiled trekking trails and green hills, protected areas and its serene surrounding with diverse species of floras and faunas and most importantly, the breathtaking mountain views. These charms of nature will, inarguably, stun you during your Lower Dolpo Trek.

More specifically, passing through Juphal via Nepaljung, exploring the pre-Buddhism Bon Po culture, pacing via arid landscapes of Lower Dolpo region, alpine meadows and deep woods of Shey Phoksundo National Park with some of the rare species of flora and fauna including snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer, blue sheep, wild buffaloes and so on will be very fascinating to experience during Lower Dolpo Trek.

Moreover, traversing through two high passes above 5000m:  Numa La Pass (5309m), the highest point of the trek, and Baga La Pass (5169m) will let the trekkers experience an absolute thrills of adventure with fabulous mountain views  of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) and the Tibetan ranges—Kugung La and Khyung La.

Phoksundo Lake is another prime highlight of Lower Dolpo Trek. The turquoise freshwater lake located in the lap of Himalayas in Shey Phoksundo National Park provides an authentic opportunity to celebrate the bliss of being solitude into the wild nature.

The local people especially Tibetan, their day-to day activities, the herd of yaks and sheep heading towards destinations, combination between brown setting of the landscapes and mountain panorama, holy ancient monasteries let the trekkers feel that they are in different kingdom of the world completely isolated from others.

So, Lower Dolpo Trek is very popular among the travelers as an adventure and less crowded area trekking in restricted area of Nepal’s Himalayas bordering to Tibet. One also can experience the blended culture of Nepal and Tibet which is mostly based on Tibetan Bon-Po.

Best Time to do Lower Dolpo Trek

What is the best time of the year for Lower Dolpo Trek? Definitely, this query will be very common and mandatory to be raised beforehand venturing on the trail because one must know the best weather/time of the year so that they can make their Lower Dolpo Trek a memorable and can accomplish comfortably. The best time to travel to Lower Dolpo Region and Shey Phoksundo National Park Area  is between Sep-Nov. These months in Nepal not only offer best time for Lower Dolpo Trek but they also are the finest times of the year for trekking, hiking and all types of jeep tours. The temperature is mild, the region and the trail receives no rain and snowfall and the mountain breathtaking during the months September, October and November.

Similarly, people who are willing to travel to Dolpo  region can find  the months March, April and May equally beautiful as September, October and November. The flowering rhododendron, birch, juniper and other flowering and non-flowering plants in Shey Pokhsundo National Park make the trail and entire trek more enchanting during the trek.

Required Permits

Travelers need to collect three different types of Permits for Lower Dolpo Trek. These are: TIMS Card, Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit and Dolpo Restricted Area Entry Permit. If you have time and idea to visit Nepal Tourism Boar Office, you can collect these permits on your own, or, you can ask your travel operator to collect them for you. Unless you obtain all these required permits, you cannot make your Lower Dolpo Trek.

Lower Dolpo Trek Food and Accommodation

The food and accommodation you are using during the tour will be provided by local lodges/teahouses. They have their own menus and offer what they can prepare for the visitors.

You will get to have Nepali, Asian, Indian, Some Chinese, Continental and Some Japanese items of foods on the way to Phoksundo Lake and two high passes (Numa La Pass (5309m), the highest point of the trek, and Baga La Pass (5169m) and back to Kathmandu. They also offer you some fresh and authentic local dishes which you can enjoy.

You will be using the accommodation on the twin sharing basis. Further, you will be spending the nights at local lodges/homestays. Don’t expect to enjoy luxury accommodation with suite rooms like you do enjoy in cities.

How difficult is Lower Dolpo Trek? Preparations

Lower Dolpo Trek is an adventure trekking in a remote area of Nepal in Dolpo region encompassing Shey Phoksundo. Actually, trekking above 5000m high is considered as a challenging or an adventure trekking. Similarly, the two highest elevations the trekkers will get during the trek are:  Numa La Pass (5309m), the highest point of the trek, and Baga La Pass (5169m).

There are no such technical rocky and slippery trails on the way to Numa La Pass (5309m), the highest point of the trek, Baga La Pass (5169m) and Phoksundo Lake. However, if it rainy and snowy, the ascends and the descends tend to be more challenging.

So, those who have prior experience of some easy and moderate hiking/trekking in the hills up to 4000m and above, going ups and downs, who are doing regular exercises like aerobics and jogging and those who have the stamina of walking 7-8 hours in higher elevation like above 4000m  can do Lower Dolpo Trek. Therefore, one requires preparing accordingly. Prepare with all required trekking equipment as people for an adventure trekking above 5000m.

Getting to the Trailhead and Away

Juphal is the trailhead of Lower Dolpo Trek. To get from Kathmandu, we have to take a domestic flight for 50 minutes to Nepaljung and then another short flight for 20 minutes from Nepaljung to get Jufal. As we arrive at Juphal airport located in Dolpa district in Karnali province, we head for Dunnai commencing our formal walk to higher elevation.

We do the same while returning back to Kathmandu from Juphal and Nepaljung. We take a short flight to Nepaljung from Juphal and and then to Kathmandu to end our Lower Dolpo Trek.

Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness

Actually, yes, there are a few cases of sickness of higher altitude during Lower Dolpo Trek. So, we get the elevation gradually by ascending with the proper pacing. We have an acclimatization day at Phoksumdo (3641m./11945ft.) beforehand ascending up to the two high passes: to Numa La Pass (5309m), the highest point of the trek, Baga La Pass (5169m). This acclimatization is much needed because it is mandatory to have acclimatization properly before ascending above 5000m.  If you ascend quickly while trekking in the mountain, there is high possibility of getting acute altitude sickness.

We have set this Lower Dolpo Trek Itinerary with a day for acclimatization. If you want to add another day for acclimatization, we will set Lower Dolpo Trekking Itinerary accordingly.

Yes, there are some cases of altitude or acute mountain sickness with the trekkers every year while doing Lower Dolpo Trekking. Then, what happen to them? They are evacuated safely or made okay with some first aids taking them to the lower elevation. Acute mountain sickness is sudden so that one has to adopt some important precautions:

• Get elevation gradually with proper acclimatization
• Address your health issues if you have beforehand the trek
• Don’t smoke and drink a lot at higher elevation
• Avoid having impure water and food during the trek
• Use right and reliable trekking equipment
• Have a sound sleep
• Report immediately to the leader if you have any problem during the trek
• Carry first-aid kit with some basic medicines

Internet, Phone and Wifi Services on the Trail

You can simply install local Nepali SIM card in your cell phone and take it to the mountain. You can also buy data pack to run internet on the trail. In fact, for some days at higher elevation, it may not work, but, it will help you a lot during the trek. You can buy either NT or NCELL Sim car and install call and internet on your phone. It will take no more than Rs.100 for you to get it.

You can also have the access of internet or Wi Fi on the trail at local lodges/teahouses. They may charge you Rs. 200-500 per password or per device. Few years back, there wouldn’t be these facilities on the trail and in the teahouses during Lower Dolpo Trekking.

You can even talk to your family, relatives and the friends from the Lower Dolpo Trekking Trail very easily and can share your images and the videos instantly these days.

However, you may not have good strength of phone, Wifi and internet in case of cloudy and snowy weathers at higher altitude.

Can Solo traveler do this Trek?

No. Solo independent traveler cannot do Lower Dolpo Trekking on his/her own. No solo traveler is permitted to do trekking in any area in Nepal by the government. But, it doesn’t mean that, single traveler cannot do this trek; one has to hire either a guide or a porter. Also, the group has to be accompanied at least a licensed guide during the trek. It means, without hiring an authorized and licensed guide, the group is not allowed to go on Lower Dolpo Trekking Trail. This is because of security issue during the trip since the trekking trail is located at the border between Nepal and Tibet . And most importantly, Lower Dolpo trekking is a restricted area trekking and has to obtain special/ restricted area trekking permit to do this trek.

Details Itinerary

Cost Exclude/Includes

Question and Answer

Cost & Date

All set dates are guaranteed departures. If the following dates are not suitable for your travel plans then contact us for your custom trip dates. The private trips are available on any date of your selection at any time of the year.

Trip Map

Client Reviews

Based on 58 reviews.

Alfie Duchars

2022-05-08

We arrived at Kathmandu airport with only the plan that we wanted to do the 3 passes trek, we hadn’t actually organised anything, and were even thinking we would only need a guide for parts of the trek. Milan met us at the airport by chance, rode with us in our taxi to our hotel and said he’d be happy to help us with the whole trek, but without forcing us to use his company. We don’t regret a thing - we paid one very good price which included a guide from Kathmandu for the whole trek, the flights to and from Lukla, accomodation in lodges and teahouses and 3 meals a day. Milan even included paragliding, bunjee jumping and white water rafting in this same price. The trek was stunning, lucky enough to have perfect weather for the most part. We also couldn’t have asked for a better guide, Rajan was perfect for us, took us at our pace and taught us so much about Nepal and the culture that we never would’ve been able to learn without him. He became not only a brilliant companion but a good friend who we hope to see again. Once we arrived back in Kathmandu after the trek he even took us to his sister’s home and we were given a perfect home cooked Dhal bhat - a real treat after all the mountain food we’d been having. Overall, Himalayan Spirit Adventure has turned out to be a very good find, and Milan an excellent organiser and very fair businessman. He’s even taking us out to dinner tonight! We are very pleased and happy that our 2months in Nepal has started so well. Thank you Milan and the team!

Nans Bouissou

2022-04-23

Nice tour very Well organised from Kathmandu I spent 11 days in Langtang which was beautiful going two times over 4000 meters !! The guide was very kind and professionnal and helped me to go through that challenge. Im very thankful to him for that. After I saw beautiful mountain from Nagakrot and had the chance to chill 3 days in Pokhara. The company is very arranging as they accept to change my hotel for a better one in the center. You can trust them for your next trip Nepal if you want to be well accompanied ;)

Bianka Hermanski

2022-04-22

We really liked the trip Milan organized for us. We met him at the airport and we discussed our wishes at his office in Kathmandu. We did a nice hiking tour from Pokhara to Australian Basecamp in the Annapurna highlands. After that we did a nice rafting tour and a safari near Chitwan. Milan was always available for questions and we didn't need to be worry about anything. I can recommend him very much.

Gerrard Ould

2022-04-17

Our trek to Everest Base Camp with Himalayan Spirit Adventure Treks and Expeditions was exceptional! We were lucky to have one of Nepal’s greatest and best known guides - Jagat (“Kaji”). He knew Everest like the back of his hand, having been a guide and Sherpa for over 50 years. Everyone along the trek knew him well and we were warmly welcomed by his colleagues and friends everywhere we went. He was so respected and known that he was able to use his connections to achieve what we simply couldn’t do ourselves (eg. Getting us on return flights from Lukla on a different airline at no cost, when there was no availability with the company we had tickets to). He spoke some English and was able to tailor our trip to our needs. He is an incredibly kind, giving and caring person. Whilst he was much older than us, and we consider ourselves fairly active and fit, he set a comfortable pace and we felt so incredibly lucky to have experienced the Everest trek with him. DB (family to Kaji), organised everything before our trip, including flights and pick up. He set out our itinerary and made sure it was what we needed, and that nothing was left out. He even contacted us periodically through our trek to ensure we were well and didn’t need anything. This company is a LOCAL company, employing LOCAL people, ensuring the money returns to the LOCAL community. Whilst you may be tempted to trek with a big foreign company for peace of mind, I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed by this company as it’s fantastic and the people are genuine and wonderful. Thank you especially to Kaji. We would love to see you soon.

Lucilla Patrizi

2022-04-11

Through our accommodation in Thamel, we were introduced to manager Dh, who immediately informed us about the different trekking options. We went for a drink to discuss the routes again and he told us about the career of the agency. We finally decided on the Manaslu trek, which we unfortunately had to postpone for 2 days due to an illness. Dh was helpful and understanding, so it was no problem to postpone the tour at very short notice. The Manaslu Circuit Tour would have been unimaginable without Madhu, our guide. He organized spontaneously and reliably the accommodations and the daily stages and was always a good companion. Madhu knew the area and the people of the surroundings very well, so he did not have a map with him. If you value getting an overview of the route, you should carry one yourself. On the whole, a good price-performance ratio, a helpful crew who knows their business!

Tomás González

2022-03-01

We arrived to Nepal thinking about doing this trek on our own, but in the end we thought the piece of mind of having everything arranged for us (route, sleeping places, etc.) would make the trip more worth it. We were right! Milan and his team made sure we had all perfectly planned, but also had space to make adjustments based on our adaptation to the altitude and spontaneous decisions based on our interests (I'm a photographer so I took my time on each place.) Our guide/porter made sure we achieved our goal of reaching the Everest Base Camp safely. When I had complications adapting to the altitude of over 5000 meters, he reacted promptly, knowing exactly what to do. As I plan to come back to Nepal in a few years (this time to do a summit), I would trust on this company again and I recommend it whether you want to do a short trek or one of +2 weeks.

Jamie McClenaghan

2021-12-14

Such an unforgettable experience. I arrived to Nepal on a whim with no real plan on what i wanted to get out of the trip. I was introduced to Milan and his team who created a unique and thrilling experience for me which would last the duration of my trip. I paid a single fee and EVERYTHING else was taken care of by Milan and his team. Milan and the team were very flexible and helped me in any way they could with information about Kathmandu, local deals and even arranged my PCR tests. Literally everything was taken care of by Milans team. It was fantastic. I will most certainly come back to Nepal and will 100% be with Himalayan Spirit Adventure Treks & Expeditions again. Though this time i will arrive as a friend rather than a customer. Thank you once again Milan!

Cassidy Newman

2021-12-12

Milan and his team made our trip to Kathmandu unforgettable. My travel partner and I got to the country having no idea what to do and how we would navigate the city until Milan came in and saved the day. His team went above and beyond to make sure we didn't have to do any logistics and could just enjoy our vacation. With knowledgeable tour guides and the best hospitality in the city, Milan gave us an insider's view of Nepal with an experience that left us feeling like family.

Write a Google on Reviews

Cassidy Newman

Milan and his team made our trip to Kathmandu unforgettable. My travel partner and I got to the country having no idea what to do and how we would navigate the city until Milan came in and saved the day. His team went above and beyond to make sure we didn’t have to do any logistics and could just enjoy our vacation. With knowledgeable tour guides and the best hospitality in the city, Milan gave us an insider’s view of Nepal with an experience that left us feeling like family.

Couly Jouce

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.