Lower Dolpo Trek – 17 days

Best Time for Lower Dolpo Trek

At any time, you can embark on this 17-day Lower Dolpa trek itinerary throughout the year, as every season has its own iconic and mysterious panoramas, where every season has its unique diversity, which can either make you feel thrilled or, at the same time, bring a magical vibe, as it is a wonderful place. Nonetheless, spring and autumn are the best conditions to go.

“Furthermore, the seasons of autumn and spring are among the ideal times to visit, spanning from September to October and from April to May. During these seasons, everything in the Dolpa region is both beautiful and fascinating. In spring, lush foliage with newly emerging buds greets you with a vibrant display of colorful flora and fauna.”

Accordingly, the autumn season is known for its golden hues. Golden-yellow plants cover the hillsides, while birch and juniper trees start to glow in a variety of amber, ochre, and bronze hues. You can also see the barley and buckwheat fields ready for harvest, if you’re fortunate, which almost look like golden, short-stalked, and beautiful flowers as well.

The summer and winter seasons are the least visited due to their harsh temperatures, which can be pretty challenging. Heavy rain can occur, resulting in cloudy surroundings that obscure the vistas. Trails can be muddy and slippery, presenting a danger on steep slopes, and heavy snowfall can block the path, preventing the excursion from continuing. Additionally, hilly areas can be tricky.

However, during the monsoon season, the air feels fresh and clean, with every dust particle washed away after rain, making it the perfect moment for photography. In the cold season, if you are a solitary person who likes quietness as well as tranquility, you can engage more comfortably than in other seasons, as it is less crowded during this period.

Elevation and distance

On this 17-day Lower Dolpo Trek itinerary, you will kick off your exciting journey from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, located at an elevation of 1,350 meters. From here, you will take a flight to Nepalgunj and then to Jhupal in the Dolpo region, which sits at an altitude of 2320 meters, where you will also commence the hiking excursion in the mountains.

You will trek to Dunai at 2850 meters. From here, each day, you will gradually gain altitude. At 4,090 meters in Do Tarap, you will acclimate before continuing to higher altitudes to avoid severe altitude sickness. Numa La Base Camp is located at a height of 4440 meters above sea level.

The highest point you will trek to is when you cross the Numa La Pass, standing at an altitude of 5190 meters or 17,032 feet above sea level. Similarly, you will also cross the Baga La Pass at 5190 meters, the second-highest location of this exciting 17-day itinerary trip.

On the other hand, you will walk a round trip of a total trekking distance of 160 kilometers. Similarly, you will trek 128 kilometers from the starting point of the trek, Juphal, to Shey Phoksundo Lake. On the contrary, when returning from Ringmo Gaon to Juphal, you will hike approximately 32 kilometers to complete the trekking journey in the Dolpo region.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

This 17-day Lower Dolpo Trek itinerary is a moderate to demanding adventure, involving steep ascents and descents. Furthermore, you will have to cross the Numa La Pass and Baga La Pass, which are both 5000 meters above sea level, which drastically increases the risk of altitude sickness if there is no good preparation.

Additionally, the rocky paths, narrow trails, rugged terrain, and long hours of walking, averaging five to six hours, contribute to the increased difficulty level of the trekking journey in the Dolpo region. The weather is also very erratic, which requires a better plan and proper preparation for any kind of circumstance.

However, the most challenging part of the hiking journey in the mountains is the high probability of catching acute mountain sickness, also known as AMS. The AMS isn’t directly related to the physical fitness level of the hikers because anyone can be a victim of altitude sickness when ascending to higher elevations.

So, the best way to prevent this sickness is to know when to stop when your body is failing to handle the change in environment, such as a lower oxygen level. You can recognize altitude sickness by its symptoms, such as nausea, shortness of breath, headache, loss of appetite, and others. You have to inform us quickly so that we can help or get assistance for a helicopter evacuation if the case is severe.

Maximum and minimum walks per day

On this wonderful journey in the Dolpo region, you will need to trek an average of 5 to 6 hours daily to complete the trip successfully, according to the determined itinerary. Your trekking adventure starts in Juphal, where you will walk to Dunai for about 2 to 3 hours.

The highest time you will walk on this 17-day itinerary journey is on the eighth day when you travel to Do Tarap from Nawarpani Village, which is about 7 to 8 hours. Likewise, the lowest time you will walk will be on day 13 when you go round-trip to explore the Shey Phoksundo Lake from Ringmo Gaon Village, which is about 1 to 2 hours.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

Adventure Walk Way will handle all the accommodations in the Dolpo region of Nepal. You will stay for three nights in a standard hotel in Kathmandu with a bed and breakfast plan. Similarly, after flying to Nepalgunj, you will be accommodated in a hotel. However, while embarking on the Lower Dolpo trekking adventure from Juphal, you will spend the overnights in local tea houses and camps.

Most teahouses in Lower Dolpo are family-run. Due to its remoteness, you can expect a simple yet cozy stay in the tea houses. Facilities are elementary and limited, so you will be staying far from luxury for about two weeks while trekking. You can bring sleeping bags, as you will need to stay at the camp in some destinations.

Likewise, most meals are served at local teahouses along the Lower Dolpo trekking trail. The food options are simple, nutritious, and hearty, with Tibetan influences. Dal bhat, tsampa (roasted barley flour), momos, Tibetan bread, thukpas, and soup are some of the most popular dishes.

You’ll be able to drink herbal tea, coffee, and classic butter tea. During your trek, you can purchase bottled water. Local alcoholic beverages are also accessible but are not recommended, especially at higher elevations.

Your Extra Expense

The Lower Dolpo Trek package price does not include international airfare, Nepal visa fees, travel and trekking insurance, or airport departure taxes. Additionally, the offer does not include extra baggage charges on domestic flights exceeding 16 kg for checked luggage, a 5 kg handbag, or accommodation that extends the three-night limit in Kathmandu.

Furthermore, every hot, cold, or alcoholic drink consumed during the journey is not part of the package. Similarly, services not included in the package, as well as airport departure taxes, fall outside the scope of the service. Please note that if you decide to return earlier due to personal reasons, health issues, or accidents, all changes and additions will be at your own expense.

Preparation and fitness

To make the Lower Dolpo Trek most effective and safe, it is advisable to be properly prepared at least 2–3 months before heading out. You can start with cardiopulmonary fitness training by incorporating 30–60 minutes of jogging, cycling, or swimming four to five times a week to build your tolerance.

If you go for weekend walks with a backpack full of gear, it will allow you to become well-adapted to a challenging trail and achieve altitude gain. Make sure to do squats and lunges to work out your legs, and also remember to include core and upper body training, as the backpack will be cumbersome.

Moreover, yoga will help you significantly with your flexibility and decrease the risk of injury to a great extent. The latter can be achieved by being prepared to cope with the challenges of high altitudes and remote landscapes, which include developing patience and resilience towards adverse weather and isolation.

With proper training, you can get a decent fitness level to walk on these challenging trails without having any health problems. Our Adventure Walk Way guides will also help 24/7 during trekking to complete this thrilling journey successfully.

Gadgets charging and the Internet

The electricity in the Dolpo region can be very inconsistent, as it is produced from solar energy. Thus, the electricity depends on the weather. If the weather is sunny, there will be no problem charging your gadgets. However, during bad weather, there could be power outages. Therefore, we recommend carrying a power bank in such situations.

Similarly, internet access is also limited due to the secluded location. Even though lower villages may have Wi-Fi, the internet connection is often sluggish. You may occasionally encounter a disconnection problem, which can be very frustrating. Therefore, purchase a reliable SIM card for data packages to access the internet.

Despite the limitations of electricity and internet access, you may have to pay a small amount of additional charges to use these services if available to charge your devices and use Wi-Fi due to the remote locations. So, make sure you carry enough cash, as ATMs and banks are not available on the trekking trails.

Permit required for Lower Dolpo Trek

You must have the proper permits to travel to a restricted location while on the 17-day Lower Dolpo Trek plan. Permits could be obtained directly from the Department of Immigration in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Below are the two permits, which are described briefly:

Restricted Area Permit (RAP): This permit costs approximately USD 20 per individual for the first seven days, with an additional USD 5 per individual for each subsequent day until you are trekking in the lower Dolpo region. Its funds will help preserve the unique culture, fragile environment, and several traditional communities.

Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit: This permit is required to enter and explore the Shey Phoksundo National Park. The Lower Dolpo Trekking Trail lies within this park, so it is mandatory to obtain this permit as well. It will cost USD 30 per individual as a one-time fee, with the advantage of no time limit.

Transportation

Our agency, Adventure WalkWay, handles all your transportation costs in Nepal, except for international airfare. As soon as you land in Nepal, our representatives will transfer you to your lodging in Kathmandu City. The sightseeing tour is done in our private, comfortable car.

Similarly, we will book all your domestic flights from Kathmandu City to Nepalgunj and then to Juphal, making it a round trip. These domestic flight costs are included in the Lower Dolpo Trek Package. If you like to extend your trip, we will manage our vehicle according to the itinerary and destination in Nepal.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that you buy reliable travel insurance for the Lower Dolpo Trek Package. Having insurance will significantly help in your safety and peace of mind throughout the trekking journey. There are certain risks when traveling to remote locations and higher altitudes.

So, travel insurance will help protect your finances if things don’t go as expected. It will cover you from expensive hospital stays and medical expenses in case you get hurt, injured, or sick while trekking in the mountains. Another critical aspect to keep in mind is that there is a limited number of medical facilities in Lower Dolpo.

Therefore, you may not receive proper treatment for injuries or illnesses, which could worsen your condition and become even more severe. Thus, travel insurance may come in handy for immediate emergency evacuations, which will airlift you to the proper hospitals in a short time for your treatment.

What to expect from this trip?

If you’re looking for a breathtaking journey that you wouldn’t want to forget, you’re in the right place. You will travel through the least visited, yet historically and culturally one of the naturally wealthy areas of Nepal, for seventeen days during the lower Dolpo trek excursion.

In the isolated alpine regions, native Tibetan-like rural people will accompany you, and you will be able to walk on trails you never imagined crossing before, such as Numa La and Baga La. The chance to see spectacular snow-capped peaks, turquoise Phoksundo Lake, and varied Trans-Himalayan species, including blue sheep and snow leopards, who may come into contact with you, is very exciting.

Walk on serene, quiet paths that go through unspoiled rhododendron gardens, beautiful valleys, and small hidden communities where the Buddhist religion has been practiced for hundreds of years.

This challenging track, starting from Kathmandu and venturing into the wild, is a genuine source of authenticity, purity, and inspiration, offering cultural values, unspoiled scenery, and exciting adventure prospects, all supported by the kind and experienced staff of Adventure Walk Way throughout the journey.