Lower Dolpo Trekking

Trekkers rarely visit the district of Dolpo and yet it offers a wonderful chance to experience a landscape and culture very different from other parts of the country. Dolpo is rugged and remote and divided into two areas (upper and lower).
The upper region is restricted and requires a permit. The whole of Dolpo is situated in the Shey Phoksundo National Park, 400 km west of Kathmandu. It is a rich and diverse area lying west of the Kali Gandaki valley just behind the Dhaulagiri massif in mid-western Nepal.
Dolpo is home to many rare and endangered animal species including the Snow leopard, musk deer and blue sheep. The Dolpo region has only been opened to foreigners since 1989.
Lower Dolpo is the least strenuous trek of the two Dolpo treks on this web site (see upper Dolpo trek in restricted regions) nevertheless it is not an easy trek. One of the many highlights of the lower trek is the flat upper valley, which contains a number of interesting villages which are mostly inhabited by people of Magar & Gurung origin. There are number of Buddhist and Bon temples to be experienced along the way.

Starting from :

Drive Kathmandu to Beni

Ending at :

Flight Juphal/Nepalgunj/KTM

Grade :

Moderate-Difficult

Highest Access of the Trek :

Numala Cross (5190m), Bagala Cross (5070m)

Best Season :

Gurung, Tamang, Chetri, Tibetan

Trekking type :

Only Camping

Himalayan sights :

Manaslu, Ganesh himal

Most Attraction of the Trek :

Phokshendu lake, water fall, monastary, blue sheep, Landscape

Best Season :

March till May & October till December

Meal :

Breakfast, lunch, & Dinner

Transportation :

Car/Van

Minimum Group Size :

2

Per day Walking :

5 to 7 hours

Itinerary type :

Fixed / Customized

Day to Day Itinerary for Lower Dolpo Trekking

Day 1

Arriving into Kathmandu
Namaste and welcome to Nepal, You'll be met and assisted at the airport by our local representatives who will arrange your transfer and check in to your hotel.

Day 2

Kathmandu Sightseeing, Durbar Square/monkey temple/Boudhanath
In the morning we explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour visiting Bodhnath Stupa & Swoyam,bhu Nath Stupa. Here we may observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the Stupa. where we can visit the surrounding monasteries and perhaps watch the monks as they chant their daily mantras. In addition, we visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we will see Hindu holymen (or Sadhus), pilgrims bathing and, occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats. In the evening, you will be supplied with your trek packs and final departure details for tomorrow.

Day 3

Kathmandu - Gorkha
Drive approximately 4-5 hours to reach Gorkha. In the afternoon sightseeing around Gorkha bazaar and the palace of Gorkha King where firstly brave Gorkha solidiers originated.

Day 4

Gorkha - Kanchowk (956 M.) 6-7 HRS
The trail separates from here north-east toward Budhi Gandaki river. We follow the right trail toward Khanchowk bazaar for the night halt. Khanchowk commands good view of Gorkha himal.

Day 5

Khanchowk - Arughat (530 m.) 5-6 HRS
Continue on to Arukot. The trek today involved little bit of up and little bit of down toward Budhi Gandaki. Arughat is the largest village of this river basin.

Day 6

Arughat - Seti Khola (750 M.) 6-7 HRS.
Follow the river Budhi Gandaki toward its point of origin. We pass the village of Morder and Simre to reach Arkhat river. After Arkhat we ascend slowly toward Kyoropani. Camp today near the confluence of Seti river - an ideal place to take a fresh water bath.

Day 7

Seti Khola - Machha Khola (890 M.) 6-7 HRS.
The trail descends slowly until you climb again to mountain ridge to Almara. Pass the forest trail to arrive at Riden Gaon. The valley here cuts into another side of the river to enter Budhi Gandaki. At Lambesi, the trail follows down to the sandy river bed of Budhi Gandaki. Camp tonight at Machha river.

Day 8

Machha Khola - Jagat (1350 M.) 6-7 hrs.
Cross Machha river and head upstream along the river's edge. After crossing Khola besi, there is a hot spring called "Tatopani". The trail follows forested area after this toward Doban. Below Doban, there is a huge rapid at Budhi Gandaki. As the elevation increases, the rapids and the scenery undergoes a complete trasformation. At Jagat, there is a police check-post where your trekking permit will be checked.

Day 9

Jagat - Ngyak (2300 M.) 7-8 hrs.
Descend to the riverbed again. After crossing the river, ascend to a terraced hill of Saguleri. Sringi Himal (7177 m.) can be seen from here. At Ghatte river, cross the river Budhi Gandaki to continue toward Sirish Gaon. Gandaki valley narrows from herewith soaring precipitous walls.

Day 10

Ngyak
Free for the local excursions.

Day 11

Ngyak - Ghap (2095 M.) 6-7 hrs
Follow the trail upstream of Deng River - a tiny village of 4 houses. We walk through a newly built rock tunnel from here, thus avoiding the traditional steep climb. At Ghap, the Tibetan culture begins with Mani stones and chortens all around.

Day 12

Ghap - Lho Gaon (3150 M.) 5-6 hrs.
Cross the wooden bridge over Budhi Gandaki to follow the path lined with houses interspersed with cultivated fields. At Namru, there is a police check post again. After Namru, across the Hinan river originating from Linda Glacier and continue on to Sho. Naike peak, Manaslu north (9774 m.) and Manaslu (8150 m.) is visible from here. Camp near a spring at Lho gaon - a small village.

Day 13

Lho Gaon - Sama Gompa (3500 M.) 4-5 hrs.
Pass the stone gate and long Mani stone wall of the village after Lho with full view of Peak 29 ahead. You can make a side excursion to Pungen Glacier from here to get a very close up view of Manaslu. Follow the lateral moraine of Pungen Glacier toward Sama. From the village of Sama, it takes another 20 minutes to reach Sama Gompa for night halt.

Day 14

Sama Gompa - Samdo (4000 M.) 3-4 hrs.
Trek along the level table land and skirt around the ridge like lateral moraine heading to Karmo Kharka and Kermo Maman. Climb a terraced hill on the opposite bank of Budhi Gandaki from here toward a most remote permanent settlement - Samdo. Here amid the most sever condition of nature live some 200 villagers in forty houses check-by-jowl. Camp tonight here.

Day 15

Samdo
Free day for local excursion.

Day 16

Samdo - Guest House (4450 M.) 5-6 hrs.
Descend a mountain path from Samdo and until you cross Gyala Khola. Ascend again to the ridge overlooking the remains of a thriving Lyarke bazaar. Cross two small streams before Larke Glacier appears before you. Ascend from here to stirringly built buildings called "Guest House".

Day 17

Guest House - Larke Phedi (4450 M.) 5-6 hrs.
Early morning tea and prepare for the pass. Climb slowly toward Cho Canda and continue on to further ascending steep uphill heading to Larkya la (5135 m.). Magnificent view of Himlung Himal (7126 m.), Cheo Himal, Gyaij Kang, Kang Guru (7010 m.) and Annapurna II are visible from here. It is steep descent again on the other side of the pass covered with full of snow. Tired & exhausted camp at the foot of Larke pass called Phedi.

Day 18

Larke Phedi - Karche (2785 M.) 6-7 hrs.
Descend again to Larcia and to a hill called Pangal. Excellent view in the background from here. At Tangbuche, you descend again toward Bimtang. Climb the lateral moraine for a while until moraine ends to a riverbed. Descend again through Rhododendron forests to Hompak toward cultivated field to arrive at Karche for the night halt.

Day 19

Karche - Dharapani (91943M.) 6-7 hrs.
Ascend through the paddy fields toward Karche La. From the pass the track descends through numerous fields to Tillije. Cross Dudhkhola from here to reach Thonje check post. You will join Marshyangdi valley from here. Camp to night at Dharapani.

Day 20

Dharapani - Chamche (1433 M.) 5-6 hrs.
Follow the trail down stream of Marshyangdi river, passing through the scattered villages to reach Chamche village for overnight camping.

Day 21

Chamche - Ngarri(846 M.) 7-8 hrs.
Ascend gently to Bahun Danda until descend again to Nagatti for the overnight halt.

Day 22

Ngatti - Besi Sahar (823 M.) 6-7 hrs.
The trail runs gently down stream of the river passing the village of Bhulbhule. Camp at Besi Sahar.

Day 23

Besi Sahar - Dumre / Kathmandu
After early breakfast, drive for about 7-8 hours back to Kathmandu.

Day 24

At Leisure in Kathmandu. O/N Kathmandu Hotel.
An opportunity to relax and reflect on your adventures and to complete any sightseeing and last minute shopping. We will also organize an optional flight over Mt. Everest ($130 US) or an optional biking trip around the Kathmandu Valley. Later this evening we'll all meet up for a group farewell Nepali food with typical dance.

Day 25

Departure with warm Bye.
Today is free to relax until departure or to commence any additional trips or activities you may have booked. If departing, you will transferred to the International Airport in time for your return flight home

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