Lower Dolpo is the Himalaya without the crowds. Behind the Dhaulagiri range, in a rain shadow similar to Mustang's, villages of flat-roofed stone houses follow both Buddhism and Bon, yak caravans still cross high passes and a handful of trekking groups pass in a season. This circuit starts with flights via Nepalgunj to the hillside airstrip at Juphal, follows the gorges of the Thuli Bheri and Tarap Khola into the wide Tarap valley, then crosses two passes above 5,000 m before descending to Phoksundo, Nepal's deepest lake.
The trek is strenuous: long days of 5–8 hours, two high passes on consecutive days and full camping between Tarakot and Ringmo, where lodges are absent or very basic. Our crew carries tents, a kitchen and fuel on mules, and the itinerary includes a rest day in Dho Tarap for acclimatisation and another at Phoksundo. You need good fitness, previous trekking at altitude and patience with the Juphal flights, which can be delayed for days.
Highlights
- Remote Tarap valley with Buddhist and Bon gompas and ancient chortens
- Numa La (5,190 m) and Baga La (5,169 m) passes with views to Dhaulagiri
- Two nights at turquoise Shey Phoksundo Lake, Nepal's deepest
- Phoksundo waterfall and Tshowa Bon monastery
- Thuli Bheri and Suli Gad gorges
- Full camping crew, licensed guide and permits
Elevation profile
5,190 mWhere you sleepHigh point of the daySleeping altitude rises more than 500 m above 3,000 mCheck acclimatisation
Day by day
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DAY1
Arrive in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon briefing and detailed kit check with your trek leader: you need a four-season sleeping bag rated to −15 °C, warm down jacket, sturdy boots, gaiters and trekking poles. We finalise the Lower Dolpo restricted area permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park permit, which require your passport.
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DAY2
Fly to Nepalgunj
Fly south-west to Nepalgunj in the hot Terai plains near the Indian border, a contrast to the mountains ahead. Afternoon visit to the Bageshwari temple and the bazaar. Overnight in a hotel with air conditioning; the Juphal flight leaves early tomorrow morning.
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DAY3
Fly to Juphal, walk to Dunai
A dramatic flight over the Mahabharat hills to Juphal's sloping airstrip (2,475 m). Meet the crew and mules and walk down through terraced fields and walnut groves to the Thuli Bheri, then upstream to Dunai (2,140 m), headquarters of Dolpa district. Permit checks at the police and park posts. First night camping or in a simple lodge.
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DAY4
Dunai to Tarakot along the Thuli Bheri
Follow the Thuli Bheri east through a dry gorge, the trail cut into cliffs high above the river in places, past small villages and fields. Reach Tarakot (2,540 m), an old fortified village whose name comes from its dzong, with the Sandul Gompa standing at the junction of the Thuli Bheri and Tarap Khola. Camp by the river.
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DAY5
Tarakot to Laini up the Tarap Khola
Turn north into the Tarap Khola gorge, a narrow, wild valley where the trail crosses the river repeatedly on wooden bridges and climbs over rock steps. Pine and juniper forests cling to the walls. Camp at Laini (3,160 m), a clearing used by herders and caravans. Height gain is about 620 m.
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DAY6
Laini to Nawarpani through the gorge
Continue up the gorge, the walls narrowing so much in places that the trail runs on stone slabs and log bridges just above the water. Look for blue sheep on the cliffs and lammergeiers overhead. Camp at Nawarpani (3,545 m). Nights are now cold; wear a hat and down jacket in camp.
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DAY7
Nawarpani to Dho Tarap
The gorge opens into the broad Tarap valley, with fields of barley, stone villages and chortens on the slopes. Reach Dho Tarap (4,040 m), the main village, home to Buddhist and Bon communities, with gompas of both traditions. Climbing about 500 m to over 4,000 m, today is a significant altitude step; take it slowly.
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DAY8
Rest and explore Dho Tarap
A rest day for acclimatisation before the passes. Walk up to around 4,300 m above the village and return to sleep low. Visit the Bon gompa and the Buddhist Crystal Mountain School, which educates children from across the valley. The people of Tarap weave, herd yaks and trade, and many households welcome visitors for butter tea.
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DAY9
Dho Tarap to Numa La base camp
Walk up the valley past the village of Tokyu and its gompa, then climb into high pasture to the camp below the Numa La (about 4,440 m). An early dinner and bed, because tomorrow starts before dawn. Your guide checks everyone's oxygen saturation and health before confirming the crossing.
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DAY10
Cross Numa La to Pelung Tang
Start at first light and climb steadily on scree and switchbacks to the Numa La (5,190 m), the highest point of the trek. On a clear morning Dhaulagiri and the peaks of the Kanjiroba range line the horizon. Descend steeply to the Pelung Tang valley and camp at about 4,465 m. A tough day of about 750 m up and 725 m down.
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DAY11
Cross Baga La to Yak Kharka
A second high pass on consecutive days: climb about 700 m to the Baga La (5,169 m), with views of Kanjiroba Himal and back towards Numa La. The descent is long, through valleys used by yak herders, to camp at Yak Kharka (about 3,980 m). Expect to feel tired; tonight's camp is noticeably warmer.
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DAY12
Yak Kharka to Ringmo and Phoksundo
Descend through birch and juniper woods into the Phoksundo valley. Near Ringmo the lake appears, turquoise against grey cliffs, about 145 m deep and almost 5 km long. Camp on the shore or stay in a Ringmo lodge (3,611 m). Visit the village, with its mani walls and chortens, in the late afternoon.
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DAY13
Rest day at Phoksundo Lake
A full day at the lake. Walk along the shore to Tshowa Gompa, a Bon monastery where pilgrims circle anticlockwise, and if you are comfortable with heights, follow the start of the cliff trail on the western shore to viewpoints high above the water. In the afternoon sit by the lake and watch its colours change with the light.
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DAY14
Ringmo to Chhepka past the waterfall
Climb briefly to the ridge above Ringmo (about 3,800 m) for a last view of the lake, then descend past the 167 m Phoksundo waterfall, often called Nepal's highest, into forest of pine and birch. Continue down the Suli Gad via Amchi Hospital and Rechi to Chhepka (2,838 m). A long descent of almost 1,000 m; trekking poles help the knees.
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DAY15
Chhepka to Juphal
Follow the Suli Gad down through Shyanta and Kageni to the park office at Sulighat, then climb gently above the Thuli Bheri to Juphal (2,475 m). Final evening with the crew, including the cook and mule handlers who made the camping possible; this is the usual moment for tips.
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DAY16
Fly Juphal–Nepalgunj–Kathmandu
Early flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and connect to Kathmandu, arriving by afternoon. If the Juphal flight is delayed, we wait in Juphal or Nepalgunj; please do not book international departures for less than two days after this date.
Route map
Included
- 15 nights: 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, lodges and full-service camping on trek (twin tents, dining and toilet tents)
- All meals on trek (days 3–15), cooked by our camp crew
- Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal flights and return
- Lower Dolpo restricted area permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park permit
- Licensed trek leader, cook, kitchen staff, mule handlers and pack animals
- Camping equipment including mattresses and kitchen gear
- Satellite communication or local mobile where coverage allows
- First-aid kit with pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen
- Airport transfers and all government taxes
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa fee
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj except listed
- Travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation to 6,000 m (mandatory)
- Personal sleeping bag and down jacket (can be hired in Kathmandu)
- Excess baggage on domestic flights
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Extra nights or charter flights due to weather delays
- Tips for crew
Popular add-ons
- Extra rest day at Phoksundo Lake≈ US$ 140 per person
- Helicopter Ringmo–Nepalgunj instead of walking out (charter)On request
- Sleeping bag and down jacket hire≈ US$ 60 for the trek
Good to know
- Price is per person in a group of 4 or more on full camping; smaller groups pay more because the crew and mule costs are shared fewer ways.
- Permits: Lower Dolpo restricted area permit around US$ 20 per person per week and Shey Phoksundo National Park entry around NPR 3,000. A licensed guide and at least two trekkers are required. Check current status before you travel.
- Juphal flights are small and weather-dependent; delays of a day or more each way are common. Keep at least two spare days before international flights.
- Two passes above 5,100 m on consecutive days: previous trekking above 4,500 m is strongly recommended, and we may turn back if anyone shows signs of altitude sickness.
- Baggage on Nepalgunj–Juphal flights is limited to about 10–15 kg; leave extra gear in Kathmandu.
Trip details
- Starts
- Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport)
- Ends
- Kathmandu
- Stay
- 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, lodges where available and full-service camping between Tarakot and Ringmo
- Transport
- Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal flights and return
- Walking days
- 13
- Styles
- Trekking, Adventure sports, Photography, Culture tours
- January avoid
- February avoid
- March avoid
- April good
- May best
- June best
- July good
- August good
- September best
- October best
- November good
- December avoid
Questions about this trip
How much does the Lower Dolpo trek cost?
Our 16-day Lower Dolpo and Shey Phoksundo trek starts at US$ 2,690 (₹2,25,000) per person in a group of four or more, including domestic flights, permits, full camping crew, meals on trek and hotels. Smaller groups cost more. Flights and camping logistics drive the price. Check current status before you travel.
How hard is the Lower Dolpo trek?
It is strenuous. Days are 5–7 hours, there is full camping in remote country, and you cross the Numa La (5,190 m) and Baga La (5,169 m) on consecutive days. You need very good fitness and previous experience above 4,500 m. Rescue depends on helicopters, so insurance is essential.
What permits are needed for Lower Dolpo?
You need the Lower Dolpo restricted area permit, around US$ 20 per person per week, and the Shey Phoksundo National Park permit, around NPR 3,000. Permits are issued through a registered agency for groups of at least two with a licensed guide. Upper Dolpo requires a separate permit at US$ 500 for 10 days.
Are there teahouses on the Lower Dolpo circuit?
Only in parts. Dunai, Chhepka, Ringmo and a few villages have simple lodges, but the Tarap valley and passes have little or nothing, so the circuit is run as a camping trek with tents, cook and pack animals. Lodges are used where available for variety.
When is the best time to trek Lower Dolpo?
May to June and September to October are best. Dolpo lies in a rain shadow, so June to August is drier than most of Nepal and a good time for the high pastures, though Juphal flights can be disrupted. Snow closes the passes from December to March.
How do I get to Dolpo from Kathmandu?
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (about 1 hour), then from Nepalgunj to Juphal (35–45 minutes) on an early-morning flight. From Juphal, Dunai is a 3-hour walk. A rough road reaches Dunai from Surkhet in about two days but is often blocked in the monsoon.
What is the highest point of the Lower Dolpo trek?
The Numa La at 5,190 m is the highest point, crossed on day 10, followed by the Baga La at 5,169 m on day 11. The highest camp is at the Numa La base around 4,440 m, and Dho Tarap village sits at about 4,040 m.
Can I do only the Shey Phoksundo Lake trek?
Yes. A shorter trek from Juphal to Phoksundo and back takes 7–9 days on foot, or 10–12 days from Kathmandu, with a maximum of about 3,800 m. It is moderate, uses lodges where possible and costs less. We can tailor it on request.
Is Dolpo similar to Mustang?
Both lie in the rain shadow north of the Dhaulagiri range with Tibetan Buddhist culture, but Dolpo is far more remote, has more Bon heritage, no road from Mustang and much less tourism. Mustang is easier to reach, with lodges and roads; Dolpo is wilder and needs camping.
