Lower Dolpo Trek 

After early breakfast, we will head to the airport for another short connecting flight to Jhupal in Dolpo, a 40-minute on-air flight. Upon arriving at Jupal, our trekking staff will receive us, who have traveled here and taken a long overland drive and walks. Jhupal has a motor road connecting Dunai, the town’s main headquarters, to the Dolpa area. From Jhupal, it is a short drive of more than an hour to Dunai. We will stay overnight in the comfort of a cozy local lodge at Dunai. We can take an afternoon walk around Dunai town, an exciting place to observe its culture and daily lifestyle.

After an overnight stay in Dunai, we will begin our trek early. We will take a morning walk past the market, crossing a bridge over the Thulo Bheri River, and then climb over a ridge to Phoksundo River valley with views of Kagmara Peak. From here, the trek leads downhill, passing farm villages with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera, a small cattle herders settlement. Then, we will briefly climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri, a Hindu local tribe. The trail goes downhill into the forested area to reach an overnight camp at Chhepka, a small farm village.

From Chhepka, near the Ankhe area, we will take a morning walk with a short climb and descend through the forest to a river bank. From here onwards, we will begin climbing uphill. After climbing, we will start walking downhill on a forest trail leading upstream to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village. We will then trek further to Samdua for an overnight stop near the entrance of Shey Phoksundo National Park.

The morning walk leads to our first destination, Phoksundo Lake. We will trek past Pungmo Kholas Valley and cross several streams. Then, we will follow Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch trees to reach the upper side of Phoksundo Khola. After a short break, we will continue hiking to Ringmo village, a picturesque village of Tibetan origin with mud-plastered chortens and Mani (prayer) walls.

You can take a short walk to Phoksundo Lake for overnight camp by the shore of beautiful turquoise Phoksundo Lake.

Phoksundo Lake is an ideal spot for a rest day. We can spend the day marveling at the beautiful views of surrounding landscapes and the peaks of Kagmara or visit the attractive Ringmo village and walk by the lakeside.

After an enjoyable and exciting time at Ringmo Village and Phokshundo Lake, it is time to continue our trek. Our morning walk leads us to the other side of the Dolpo area. We head east by an alternative route, crossing a few passes and walking on a pleasant trail leading uphill to cross over Baga-la at 5,070 meters.

Reaching the top of Bangra-La requires a steep climb of 3 hours. The high mountain pass offers a superb panorama of Phokshundo Lake and Kagmara Peaks. We will take a short break before making a long descent that leads to an overnight camp at Phedi (bottom of the hill).

From Phedi, our morning walk leads us to another pass at Numa-La at 5,190 meters, the highest spot of this incredible trip. The trail climbs uphill on the lush grassy slopes for about three hours before reaching the top of Numa-La, offering impressive snow-capped mountains from Dhaulagiri mountain range to Kagmara peak. Looking down, you can also get gorgeous views of beautiful valleys and surrounding dramatic landscapes. After an enjoyable moment, we will descend to the base of the pass, then walk on the gradual path to overnight camp on summer pasture at another Phedi.

After days in isolation away from villages, today’s walk leads to a beautiful town at Tokyu Gaon. It is one of the largest villages in this region. Our morning hike starts with a two-hour steep climb to the top of Jeng-la, with grand views of snow-capped mountains with Mt. Dhaulagiri North Face. After enjoying the fantastic views, we then descend towards Tarap Valley. The valley is one of the longest beautiful green valleys, extending about 20 km along the Tarap Chu River, with more than 10 villages with well-tended farm fields, monasteries, and chortens.

We will stop overnight at Tokyugaon, a charming village with an old monastery. In the afternoon, we will visit the monastery or relax while observing the locals busy with their farming activities.

After a night at Tokyugaon, our morning starts with a downhill walk towards Tarap Chu on a broader green valley.  It is one of the scenic wide valleys with lots of Sheppard’s settlements of Yaks and Sheep. We will continue walking to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, another fascinating village with a mix of tribes of Tibetan origin and Magar hill tribe people.

From here, we will begin a long descent to Tarap Valley, one of the largest and longest valleys of the Dolpo area, which is about 20 km. The valley stretches following the Tarap Chu River most of the way to join with the Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village. The walk then leads us past Langa, with beautiful cascading waterfalls. From here, we will head south, following the trail after Sisaul and the small place of Kesila around Yak herders temporary camps to reach our overnight camp at Ghymagar.

Today’s hike takes us to Tarap’s stunning valley. The trekking route goes through a narrow gorge with juniper bushes and wild roses. The trekking trail leads us past Toltol, with a sizeable overhanging cave. Around this area, we might catch sight of wildlife like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals.

As the walk progresses, we will reach the confluence of the River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola. After a long day’s walk of about 6 hours, we will overnight camp by the river.

We will start our morning walk by passing smaller villages and then into a small wooded area, following the river to Tarakot. The town of Tarakot is a large and incredible settlement with old history and well-maintained terraced farm fields. An old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) is also guarding the village.

Tarakot village houses the famous old Sandul Gomba at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu Rivers, where we will camp overnight.

After a great time at Tarakot, our last day’s walk leads to Dunai for a short while. We then drive to Jhupal for the flight back to Kathmandu.

Our morning starts by following many spread-out villages with tiny traditional houses. Then, we begin hiking on a broader trail with some short uphill and downhill sections towards the Thuli Bheri River valley to reach Dunai. Upon reaching Dunai, we will have some time for lunch. We will take a jeep drive to Jhupal for our next morning flight to Nepalgunj.

We will head to the airport as per the flight time to Nepalgunj and transfer to Jhupal airstrip. After bidding farewell to our camping staff and porters, a short scenic flight brings you south to Nepalgunj for a short transit stop. Then, we will fly back to Kathmandu with panorama views of the mountains during the flight. Upon reaching Kathmandu domestic airport, our staff will help you transfer back to your hotels for a free afternoon at leisure.

Nepal Base Camp Trek reserves this day as a contingency or free day in case of flight delay and cancellation in Jhupal, Dolpo, which can sometimes occur due to bad and unfavorable weather conditions beyond our control.

If all goes well, you can use this spare day for an optional tour of places of interest around the old heritage sites of Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur. The day will be free for individual activities and souvenir shopping.

On your last day in amazing Nepal with an extraordinary adventure around Lower Dolpo & Phuksumdo Lake Trekking, our staff will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final flight back homeward bound or to your respective countries.