22 Days Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake Trek

  • Duration 22
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Grade Challenging
  • Starts at
  • Ends at
  • Meals Full Board During Trek
  • Accommodation 3-star & Tea House
  • Max. Altitude
  • Activity Sightseeing and Trekking
  • Group Type
  • Group Size 1-15(Customize your Trip on Request)
  • Best Season

22 Days Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake Trek Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 22-day adventure with our Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake Trek, a challenging yet incredibly rewarding journey through Nepal’s most pristine and remote Himalayan landscapes. Discover ancient cultures, breathtaking mountain vistas, and the serene beauty of Phoksundo Lake, often called the “Blue Jewel of Dolpo.”

Trip Overview: Explore the Wild West of Nepal

This spectacular Dolpo trek leads you along the historic caravan routes of the Himalayas, offering a rare glimpse into a timeless way of life. Traverse remote villages, deep valleys, and high alpine passes, all set against the majestic backdrop of Dolpo and Tibet mountain peaks. Known for its rich pre-Buddhist Bon-Po traditions and the elusive snow leopard trails, this trek is a true wilderness experience.

The region, nestled in the Himalayas along Nepal’s northern border with Tibet (China), is famously depicted in Eric Valli’s Oscar-nominated film “Himalaya (Caravan),” showcasing the real yak caravans and the tribal peoples’ traditional way of life. Lower Dolpo’s untouched nature feels like time has stood still for centuries, offering an authentic cultural and historical journey.

Trek Highlights & Features:

  • Duration: 22 Days
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Grade: Challenging (suitable for fit trekkers)
  • Max. Altitude: Conquer three high passes: Kagmara La (5115m), Baga La (5090m), and Numa La (5360m)
  • Activity: Sightseeing and High-Altitude Trekking
  • Group Size: 1-15 participants (customize your private trip on request)
  • Best Season: Autumn (Sept. to Nov.) and Spring (March to May)
  • Experience genuine Bon Po religion and culture.
  • Witness a primitive yet friendly local lifestyle.
  • Explore the remote Shey Phoksundo National Park.

Accommodation & Dining: Comfort in the Wilderness

Your Nepal trekking experience includes comfortable stays throughout. You’ll enjoy 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara (3 nights), and cozy teahouse stays during the trek (16 nights). All accommodations are on a twin-sharing basis, with single supplements available upon request for an additional cost. While most lower elevation regions offer rooms with attached washrooms, facilities may vary at higher altitudes. Mountain Expedition Nepal strives to ensure your comfort at all times.

For Meals, we provide full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) during the trek. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, only breakfast is included, along with a special welcome and farewell dinner. Our menus feature a blend of Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, and Continental dishes to cater to diverse tastes.

Is This Trek for You? Fitness & Preparation

This spectacular Dolpo trek is designed for trekkers who can comfortably walk 6-7 hours a day with a light backpack. No specific technical skills are required, but good physical health is essential. We highly recommend starting a regular jogging and exercise regimen at least one month before your trek to build stamina. Please inform Mountain Expedition Nepal of any pre-existing medical conditions.

Best Time to Trek Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake

The ideal times for the Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake Trek are during Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May). These seasons offer stable weather, clear skies, and excellent mountain views. If your schedule falls outside these periods, please contact us for customized trip arrangements.

Detailed Itinerary: Your 22-Day Dolpo Adventure

Day to Day Itinerary
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Welcome to Himalayan country of Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan intl. airport our representative welcomes you and assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, evening you’ll meet and transfer for welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu and briefing about your trip and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast the day will start to our guided trip to cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley; including visits to the pilgrimage sites of Hindus Pashupatinath temple, the world biggest Bouddhanath Stupa, visit Swoyambhunath Stupa also known as monkey temple and historical Kathmandu Durbar Square with temple, unique architectures and Kumari (living goddess) in central Kathmandu. Evening pre-trip discussion and introduce with our fellow trekking staff for your adventure trip.

Today as per the flight schedule for Nepalgunj you will be transfer to the domestic airport for one and half hour scenic flight to Nepalgunj. We will transfer you to the hotel and rest of the time explores the surrounding southern Nepal border with India and market areas, overnight at hotel.

Today after an early breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Jhupal, a super scenic flight of 45minutes brings you at Jhupal over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Himalayan peaks to the north. On arriving at Jhupal our other 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. You have time to stroll around for local knowledge. Overnight at the camp.

Today after breakfast we start our trek continues along the south bank of the river heading upstream on a good trail. A tremendous gorge with pine trees and an ingenious path built about seven meter above the river, to Tarakot where colorful terraced field greets us. Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the local people as Dzong or fort. The famed Sandul Gompa lies farther east from Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung khola and Tarup chu (river). The village stands on a hillock to the south of Bheri River at one time supervised collection of tolls for the trading caravans. Overnight camp is made by the river about 150 m below the village, near the police post or we climb a steep ridge for an hour to the village on a spur, where there are chorten in a Gompa on the edge of grassy plateau, with a solitary tree. We settle camp for overnight.

After breakfast we continuous our walking to follow the Tarap chu river upstream, crossing by bridge and crossing the same river twice. The path leads through the farm terraces and rural villages of Sahartera and winding gradually towards a small settlement of Kola after 3-4 hrs of good morning walk. From this place descend with few ups to reach our overnight camp at Khani gaun with another 2 hrs of trek and overnight camp near by the village backyard.

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. Sometimes the path vanishes for a while, making our own path across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. The gorge also provides unexpected adventure and thrills. In some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed by the monsoon flood, and we may opt to cross the cold torrent on foot and overnight at camp by the river near before Kamattarka village.

After breakfast we start our trek with a pleasant walk and with most scenic landscapes and easily get to the Yak Kharka. We will have lunch at the middle of the way. Camp will set up as before and we overnight at tented camp at Yak Kharka.

Our morning walks 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. At Dho, thirty -four houses are divided into three groups and built in a randomly way. In this Valley both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together. Few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations also inhabit Tarap. Overnight Camp by the village yard.

Today is the pleasant day free from the hassle of packing and chance to 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. The Buddhist Gompa is nearby to the camp while the Bon Gompa (pre Buddhist) is about half an hour’s walk.

After a wonderful time here at Dho 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 extending twenty kilo meters along the river Tarap Chu, having ten villages with cultivated fields of barley, buck wheat, wheat and potato. After 3-4 hrs of good walk in this perfect tranquillity coming 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 climbing up the rough track for almost another three hours to reach our overnight camp beneath the Numa-la.

Today, we start our trek after breakfast with scenic view but gaining high altitudes and feel short breathing. We will have short day but feel little hard during the walk. Even a great day at the high altitude and we’ll reach at the camp for overnight.

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 scenery of valleys, mountains including north face of the Dhaulagiri massif along with other distance snow capped peaks. This is one of the long and difficult days during the trek. It takes 6-7 hrs and after top at Numala we will descends another bottom part known as Phedi and overnight.

After breakfast our morning trek starts with a steep climb to reach the ridge top of Baga-la at 5,070m, 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 Phedi and overnight.

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 and the crystal serene Lake of Phoksundo.

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 with a great views overnight at camp.

From Chepka, the trail follows the massive overhanging rock. We found many important medicinal mineral which is believed to cure almost anything in this area. The route then passes through the villages, before climbing to the pasture at Chepka. We camp at Chepka.

Following the trail gently sloping upwards, we march towards Jhupal. We meet tall birch trees on our way. From atop the ridge, we can have the most spectacular views of the mountain and Jhupal below. Utmost caution is required while trekking along this trail. After reaching Jhupal, we can spend our afternoon exploring the busy market town or simply pursuing whatever we feel like.

We take a flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. On reaching Nepalgunj, we return to Kathmandu on the next available flight. The rest of the day in Kathmandu can be spent shopping and general sightseeing.

This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure and either relax at hotel or explore the city including the temples and sites of Thamel area. At the evening you’ll transfer for farewell dinner in one of the Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

Our team guides, porters and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.

Customize Trip
Cost Includes
  • Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast (3 nights).
  • Guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms (16 nights).
  • All standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
  • Local English-speaking trekking guide having licensed. An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide)
  • The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek. Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff.
  • National Park permits and TIMS permit for trekking.
  • Free T shirt, bag and Hat.
  • Official expenses.
  • Welcome dinner with cultural program as listed in the itinerary.
  • Day guided city tour
  • All Domestic flights and airport tax as listed in the itinerary.
  • Private transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as applicable
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • All government and local taxes
Cost Excludes
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. Depending on your budget, it may cost about USD 15 to USD 20 per person.
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory!), which covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation
  • International airfare and airport departure tax
  • Nepal entry visa – You can obtain the visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days can be obtained by paying USD 25 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days can be obtained by paying USD 40 and 100 respectively. Please bring 2 copies of passport size photos.)
  • Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks.
  • Personal trekking equipment (click on the Equipment tab).
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver (tipping is expected).
  • Any others expenses that are not mentioned in the ‘Price Includes’ section.
  • Any extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary plan
  • Cost arising out of landslides, road blockade, and rescue of any form, cancellation of flight or reasons beyond our control
  • World heritage entrance Fees.
Departure Dates
  • We have daily departures for this trip from March to May and from mid-September to mid-December. You can type in the number of passengers to book a reservation and select a date that is convenient for you. Due to group size, we never cancel a trip once you’ve made a reservation. If you would rather join the group, we will add more travelers on the selected date. You can let us know once you make a reservation or earlier.
Useful Info

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. If you have some query please directly call us at any time. Your happiness is our success.

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