At a glance
Trekking Destination: Lower Dolpo Trek
Transportation: private and public vehicle
Trekking hour: 5-6 hours each day
Duration: 18 Days
Description
Lower Dolpo Trek offers a spectacular trail through a mix of forest and arid countryside in the rain shadow behind the Dhaulagiri range. Dolpo region is sparsely populated but villages offer tantalising insights into the lives of the hardy Dolpopa, built around their Bön and Buddhist beliefs.
Dolpo trekking begins with flights to lowland Nepalgunj and then to the high village of Juphal before an easy walk down to the trading town of Dunai.
Lower Dolpo trekking from Dunai follows an ancient trade route to Tibet; still in use by yak caravans. It gradually ascends through narrow valleys and gorges, past Tarakot (a former regional capital) to the broad, fertile Tarap Valley. An acclimatisation day at Do offers a unique opportunity to mingle with the hardy farmers and pastoralists and visit both Bön and Buddhist monasteries.
From the northern end of this valley, the trail turns westwards and summits two 5000m passes, with an overnight stop between them. This tough route offers spectacular high views and exquisite, pristine alpine valleys: a wilderness highlight.
Beyond the passes, the trail climbs high above the Phoksundo Khola Valley floor, passing Nepal’s highest waterfall. This has cut through the debris of an ancient landslide that dammed the Phoksundo Khola to form the breathtaking Phoksundo Lake just beyond the village of Ringmogaon. Spend a day exploring this region: the village; the White Chholing Monastery; and walk along the narrow cliff-side trail on the route to Inner Dolpo and Shey Gompa.
A two day walk down the forested Phoksundo Khola Valley leads back to the path to Juphal.
We offer a full Dolpo trekking package includes flights, permits, your guide, chef, local porters and donkeys, meals, sturdy tent accommodation, and safe drinking water.