Lower Dolpo Trek

On reaching Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, received by our staff and then transfer to your respective hotels in the heart of Kathmandu city, after getting refreshed our guide briefs with information regarding Lower Dolpo & Phuksumdo Lake Trekking, lodge, camping on route with do and don’ts with evening group welcome dinner.

In Kathmandu morning free with preparation for Lower Dolpo & Phuksumdo Lake trekking, as per the flight time transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for scenic flight of 50 mins towards Far South West Nepal to land at Nepalgunj city, a place with warm semi-tropical temperatures which lies close to Indian border, from Nepalgunj airport a short drive into a nice hotel within the city area, with time for short visit around Nepalgunj of Indian influence and flavor.

Having an early breakfast and the then transfer to Nepalgunj airport for another short flight to reach at Jhupal in Dolpo, on arrival at Jhupal after 40 minutes airborne, here you will be received by our trekking staff who have travelled taking a long overland drive and walks from Kathmandu to reach at Jhupal, around this area at present a motor road has been constructed connecting Dunai the main headquarter town of Dolpa area.

From Jhupal a short drive of more than an hour rides to Dunai for an overnight stop, in the comfort of the nice local lodge, afternoon walk around Dunai town an interesting place to observe its culture and way of daily life.

After overnight in Dunai, morning walk past market crossing a bridge over Thulo Bheri River and then climb over a ridge to Phoksumdo River valley with views of Kagmara peak, from here trek leads downhill passing farm villages with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera, a small cattle herders settlements, from here a short climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri a Hindu local tribe, then downhill walk into forested area to reach overnight camp at Chhepka a small farm village.

From Chhepka near Ankhe area, morning walk with short climb and descend through forest reaching a river bank, from here climb on leaving the forest, from the top walk downhill to forested area leading upstream to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, trek  further to Samdua for overnight stop near the entrance of Phoksumdo National Park.

Morning walk leads to our first destination at Phoksumdo Lake after Pungmo Kholas valley  and crossing streams, following Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch trees to reach at upper side of Phoksumdo Khola, after a  short break continue to walk to Ringmo village, an interesting village of Tibetan origin with mud plastered chortens and Mani (prayer) walls.

From here a short walk to Phoksumdo Lake for overnight camp by the shore of beautiful turquoise Phoksumdo Lake.

An ideal spot for a rest day, marvel the beautiful views of surrounding landscapes and peaks of Kagmara, or visit interesting Ringmo village and walk by the lakeside.

After an enjoyable and interesting time at Ringmo village and Phokshumdo lake, walk leads to another side of Dolpo area heading east by an alternative way crossing few passes, walking on a pleasant trail leading uphill to cross over Baga-la at 5,070 meters.

A steep climb for 3 hours to reach the top offering super panorama of Phokshumdo lake and Kagmara peaks, after a nice stop walk leads to a long descend to overnight camp at Phedi (bottom of the hill).

From here morning walk leads to another pass at Numa-la at 5,190 meters, the highest spot of this awesome trip, walk leads to a climb on the nice grassy slopes for about three hours then reaching the top of Numa-la with impressive views of snow capped mountains from Dhaulagiri mountain range to Kagmara peak and looking down at beautiful valleys and surrounding dramatic landscapes, after an enjoyable moment descend to the base of the pass, then walk on gradual path to overnight camp on summer pasture.

After a steep climb an easy walk today for hours reaching at Tokyu gaon for overnight, this is one of the most impressive and interesting villages of Dolpo area, consist of more than ten villages and nice tended farm fields with an old monastery.

After Tokyugaon, morning starts with downhill walk towards Tarap Chu on broader green valley, this is one of the scenic wide valleys with lots of Sheppard’s settlements of Yaks and Sheep, and walk continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, this is another interesting village with mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribe people.

From here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. which stretches following Tarap Chu River most of the way to joins with Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village, walk leads past Langa with beautiful cascading waterfalls heading due south following the trail after Sisaul and small place of Kesila around Yak herders temporary camps to reach our overnight camp at Ghyamgar.

Today walks on Tarap nice valley, as the trail enters into a narrow gorge with some vegetation of bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Toltol with a large overhanging cave, around this area might see some wildlife like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals.

As the walking progress reaching a confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, overnight camp by the river after a long day walk of about 6 hours.

Start morning walk passing smaller villages and then into a small wooded area, following river all the way at Tarakot, a large and interesting village with old history and well maintained terraced farm fields, Tarakot with an old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) guarding the village.
Tarakot village houses famous old Sandul Gomba located at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where the overnight camp is placed.

After a great time at Tarakot, our last day walk leads to Dunai for short while and then taking a short drive to Jhupal for the flight back to Kathmandu. The morning starts following many spreads out villages and farmers huts, walking on the wider trail with some short uphill and downhill towards Thuli Bheri River valley to reach at Dunai, on reaching Dunai time permitting having lunch. From here jeeps drive to Jhupal to catch our next morning flight to Nepalgunj.

Morning as per the flight time to Nepalgunj transfer to Jhupal airstrip after bidding farewell to our camping staff and porters, a short scenic flight brings your south at Nepalgunj for short transit stop and then fly back to Kathmandu with panorama views of mountains during airborne and then on reaching at Kathmandu domestic airport transfer back to your hotels with afternoon free at leisure.

Awesome Adventure Trek reserves today as contingency day, in case of flight delay and cancellation at Jhupal in Dolpo, which might happen sometimes due to bad weather conditions.

If all goes well per our itinerary days one can use this spare day and join in our tour at places of interest around World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur, with rest of the day free for individual activities and souvenirs shopping.

Your last day in amazing Nepal, the land full of Himalayan wonders after wonderful experience and fond memories of Lower Dolpo & Phuksumdo Lake Trekking around Far North West Himalaya region, our staff transfer you to the airport as per your time for an international flight for your final departure toward homeward bound.