Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake Trekking (18 days)

An adventure in the land of elusive snow leopard and herd of blue sheep.

No-shopping | Group Tour

Overview

The Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake Trek is an incredible adventure across western Nepal’s rocky and hidden environment. This region, steeped in Tibetan-Buddhist culture and natural beauties, provides an unforgettable hiking experience through stunning landscapes. Highlights include Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is home to rare animals, and the gorgeous bluish Phoksundo Lake, regarded as one of Nepal’s oldest and beautiful lakes.

The trail combines difficult sections with the opportunity to see traditional towns, ancient monasteries, and high mountain passes. Lower Dolpo is noted for its cultural history, which includes influences from Tibet, and it offers an authentic peek into the lives of its hardy inhabitants.

This 19-day journey is ideal for anyone wishing to explore Nepal’s remote beauty, which includes a fascinating blend of rough landscape, peaceful lake views, and rich cultural history.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m)

Arrive in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel. Briefing about the trek and preparations for permits. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Day 2Flight to Nepalgunj (150 m)

Take a short domestic flight (about an hour) to Nepalgunj, a city in the Terai region near the Indian border. Explore the bustling town and its cultural diversity. Overnight in Nepalgunj.

Day 3Flight to Juphal (2,475 m) and trek to Dunai (2,140 m)

Early morning flight to Juphal, a small mountain landing strip in Dolpo. Begin the trek with a descent to Dunai, the district headquarters of Dolpa. Walk alongside the Thuli Bheri River and enjoy views of the surrounding hills. Trekking Time: 3–4 hours. Overnight in Dunai.

Day 4Trek to Tarakot (2,540 m)

Follow the Bheri River through beautiful landscapes and Beautiful villages. Pass terraced farmlands and enjoy views of the towering cliffs. Trekking Time: 5–6 hours.
Overnight in Tarakot.

Day 5Trek to Laini Odar (3,370 m)

Gradual uphill walk along the Tarap Chu River. Experience the changing terrain with scenic valleys and narrow gorges. Trekking Time: 6–7 hours. Overnight at Laini Odar.

Day 6Trek to Nawarpani (3,475 m)

Continue trekking along the Tarap Chu River through rugged landscapes. Cross suspension bridges and witness occasional wildlife. Trekking Time: 5–6 hours. Overnight in Nawarpani.

Day 7Trek to Dho Tarap (4,090 m)

Reach Dho Tarap, a high-altitude village inhabited by the Dolpo-pa people. Explore the village, known for its Tibetan Buddhist culture and Bon monasteries. Trekking Time: 6–7 hours. Overnight in Dho Tarap.

Day 8 Acclimatization Day at Dho Tarap

Spend the day resting and acclimatizing to the altitude. Explore local monasteries like Ribo Bumpa Gompa and Bon Gompa. Interact with locals to learn about their unique way of life. Overnight in Dho Tarap.

Day 9Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4,440 m)

Climb carefully through yak grasslands and dry highlands. Approach the base camp of the Numa La Pass. Trekking Time: 6–7 hours.
Overnight at Numa La Base Camp.

Day 10Cross Numa La Pass (5,310 m) and trek to Danighar (4,630 m)

A challenging day crossing the high Numa La Pass with beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri range. Descend to Danighar for an overnight stay. Trekking Time: 6–7 hours.

Day 11Cross Baga La Pass (5,170 m) and trek to Yak Kharka (3,820 m)

Another high pass day as you cross Baga La Pass, enjoying breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks. Descend to Yak Kharka for the night. Trekking Time: 6–7 hours.

Day 12 Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3,611 m)

A relatively easier walk to the stunning Phoksundo Lake. Enjoy blue waves surrounded by high rocks and pine trees.
Trekking Time: 4–5 hours. Overnight by the lake.

Day 13Rest and Exploration at Phoksundo Lake

Take a rest day to explore the area around the lake. Visit nearby Ringmo village and the Tshowa (Bon monastery). Hike to viewpoints for stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Overnight at Phoksundo Lake.

Day 14Trek to Shyanta (2,520 m)

Begin the return journey with a long descent through lush forests and gorgeous.
Trekking Time: 6–7 hours. Overnight in Shyanta.

Day 15 Trek to Juphal (2,475 m)

Complete the circuit by trekking back to Juphal. Enjoy the final glimpses of Dolpo’s beautiful landscapes. Trekking Time: 5–6 hours. Overnight in Juphal.

Day 16Fly to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu

Take a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and connect to Kathmandu. Rest and relax in the capital city after the long trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 17 Leisure Day in Kathmandu

Explore Kathmandu’s markets, heritage sites, or relax at your hotel. Optional guided tours can be arranged. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 18Final Departure

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. Depart with unforgettable memories of Dolpo and Phoksundo Lake.

Whats Included

Whats Excluded

Important News

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Booking

Place Location

Booking

Major Highlights

Phoksundo Lake:
Visit Nepal’s deepest and most stunning beautiful-blue lake, surrounded by Granite peaks and breathtaking falls. The lake’s pure beauty is a photographer’s dream and a spiritual getaway.

Shey Phoksundo National Park:
Explore Nepal’s largest national park, home to diverse Plants, animals, and rare wildlife, including snow leopards, blue sheep, and Himalayan griefs. Witness untouched natural beauty and biodiversity in this protected region.

Cultural Encounters:
Immerse yourself in the diverse Bon and Tibetan Buddhist cultures, as seen in monasteries, chortens, and prayer flags. Interact with local Dolpo-pa communities to preserve old traditions and lifestyles.

Rugged Landscapes and Scenic Trails:
Trek through diverse landscapes, from desert valleys, dramatic gorges, and dense forests to high alpine meadows and desert-like landscapes. Experience panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba Himal ranges.

Shey Gompa (Crystal Mountain Monastery):
A sacred site for Tibetan Buddhism, located at the base of Crystal Mountain. Pilgrims perform “kora” (circumambulation) around the mountain, adding spiritual depth to the trek.

Rain Shadow Region:
Enjoy trekking in a dry, arid climate, shielded from monsoon rains by the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The unique geographical features make this a rare and fascinating trekking destination.

Remote and Untouched Wilderness:
Discover one of the most remote and less-traveled trekking regions of Nepal. Enjoy quiet and beauty away from the congested paths of other famous trekking routes.

High Mountain Passes:
Challenge yourself with thrilling crossings, such as the Kagmara La Pass (5,115 m) and Baga La Pass (5,170 m), offering breathtaking views of the Dolpo region.

Unique Local Livelihoods:
Observe ancient salt trade routes and yak caravans that are still in use, demonstrating a centuries-long way of life.

Authentic Trekking Experience:
With fewer trekkers, the Lower Dolpo trek offers a more intimate and off-the-beaten-path experience. Perfect for adventurers seeking raw natural beauty and cultural richness.

Short Trek Profile

Trekking Mode

Tourist standard to *** Hotels, in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, local lodges where available on trek with tented camping.

Trekking Grade

Moderate to Adventurous walks.

Highest Spot

Numa-La Pass at 5, 190 m and Baga-La 5, 169 m high.

Activities

Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, exciting flights and scenic, cultural walks.

Trek start point

Jhupal-Dolpo district.

Trek ending point

At Jhupal-Dolpo district.

Trekking Routes

Jhupal, Phoksundo Lake, Baga-La-Numa-La-Dho Tarap and Tarakot to Dunai town and back at Jhupal.

Trek duration

13 Nights & 14 Days with flight both ways.

Total Trip

18 Nights & 19 Days from arrival to departure.

Best Seasons

The best time to visit Lower Dolpo and Phoksundo Lake is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These periods offer the most favorable weather and trail conditions for trekking in this remote region.

What to Expect

Nepal is a country of the world’s highest mountain range known as the Himalayas, where 80 % of landscapes are covered by hills. As well as greater ridges and mountains, where one can expect walking ups and downhill.The only flat land of the country is located south, which extends from the Far East to the Far West of Nepal. The low land is known as the Terai belt, of sub-tropical climate, the country with most mid and high hills.The people around Dolpo, are populated by Tibetan origin tribe known as Dolpalese.Practice Buddhism with ancient Bon a pre-Buddhism cult and religion. One can witness the villages with every house festooned with Buddhist prayer flags. As well as a monastery is known as Gomba. Includes long rows of the prayer wheel and religious walls. Nepal has more than 60 ethnic groups and 70 native spoken languages, with a blend of Hindu and Buddhism religions. On this trek expect more uphill and downhill walks, but with constant views of snow-capped peaks. Overlooking famous mountain range of Dolpo like, Kagmara and Kanjiboraba as far to Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.

Extension trips

People with enough time in Nepal, can join in for various adventure sports activities in Pokhara. Likewise Paragliding, Ultra-Light Flight, Bungee Jumping,Zip Flyer, White water or scenic float Rafting. Other extension program is Mountain Biking for few days, and trip to Chitwan National Park for Wild-Life Safari.