Lower Dolpo Trek 18days

Our representative will be there at the Tribhuvan International Airport to receive you and take you to the hotel in Kathmandu. The same evening, you and your team members will be offered typical Nepali food in a fine restaurant. You will also be briefed about the trip, and dropped at your hotel.

After breakfast, you will set out for sightseeing of the culturally and architecturally rich heritage sites of the Valley. Places such as the Pashupatinath, the world-famous temple precinct of the Hindus, the Boudhnath and Swaymbhunath, the world-famous Buddhist stupa precinct, and Kathmandu Durbar Square will open up completely a new cultural world of Nepali art and architecture to you. You will also be taken to the Kumari Ghar, where resides the Virgin Goddess. We will also discuss the trip, and you will be introduced to your fellow trekkers and our crews.

Transfer to the domestic airport and fly to Nepalgunj, about an hour scenic flight brings you to the southern Nepal border with India. This flat land has quite tropical, hot and humid climate. Transfer to Hotel and check-in an air-conditioned room which is topmost necessary to avoid mosquito and heat.

After an early breakfast, we take a morning flight to Juphal. A 45 minutes flight over the high mountains brings you at Juphal over the Himalayan foothills, with the views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. On arriving at Juphal our trekking staffs 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. Explore Dunai in the evening.

After breakfast, our trek continues along the south bank of the river heading upstream on a good trail, deep gorges, hanging bridges and isolated villages. A tremendous gorge with pine trees and an ingenious path built about 7 meters above the river. The colorful terraced field of Tarakot greets us eventually. Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the local people as Dzong or fort. The village stands on a hillock to the south of Bheri River at one time supervised collection of tolls for the trading caravans.

We resume our walk following the Tarap Chu river upstream, crossing a suspension bridge to open lunch spot. The famed Sandul Gompa lies farther east from Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River. The path leads through the farm terraces and rural villages. After a few ups and downs, finally, encounter river bed to reach our overnight camp at Laini.

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. Descend to Chyugur Khola. 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.

Our morning walk 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 nice 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 Himalayan valleys. Another 3 hours or more walk brings us to the village of Dho Tarap surrounded by an irregular stone wall. In this Valley, both Bön Po and Chaiba sects reside together. Tarap is also inhabited by a few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations.

We spend a rest day in Do Tarap for gradually getting used to the altitude. Explore villages, monasteries and enjoy the surrounding breathtaking views. Make friends with the locals who have hardly seen westerners. The Dolpo people wear homespun clothing that is sometimes dyed maroon and they favor Tibetan style somba or dhocha (boots with upturned toes) for footwear. Both men and women often wear religious amulets and strings of coral, amber, and turquoise. The people of the region are both Bön po and Nyingmapa of Buddhist sect. The Buddhist Gompa is nearby to the camp while the Bön Gompa (pre-Buddhist) is about half an hour's walk.

After a wonderful time at Do Tarap, our journey continues towards upper Tarap valley, the walk follows in this plain valley with patches 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. A few hours' good walk takes us 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.

This is one of the long and difficult days during the trek. After breakfast our journey continues to the 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. An incredible panoramic view of the barren mountains of Dolpo up to the Dhaulagiri (8167m). After getting to the top of Numa La we will descend to camp at Pelung Tang.

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 Dajok Tang for overnight.

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.

A rest and exploration day. And of course we sit right on the shore of the spectacular Phoksundo Lake: remember the harrowing scene in 'Himalaya' when Thinley's yak caravan attempted the 'Devil's Trail'. Yak caravans will be heading in and out of Ringmo on their way north towards the border of Tibet, and our most northerly destinations, Saldang and Thinje. 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 partway around the lake is also very enjoyable and relaxing. This is a great day exploring the lake areas and the crystal serene Lake of Phoksundo with a great view.

Today’s trek leads downhill to Chepka. From Chepka the trail follows the massive overhanging rock. We find many important medicinal minerals which is believed to cure almost anything in this area. The route then passes through the villages, before climbing to Shyangta.

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

We take a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. On reaching Nepalgunj, we return to Kathmandu on the next available flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. You can spend the evening leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last-minute shopping and celebrate dinner together with Amazing Nepal’s Trekking staffs.

Yes, we will see you off at the Tribhuvan International airport.