Trip Facts
Duration
18 days
Trip Grade
Expert
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
5,310m
Group Size
2–10
Starts
Juphal
Ends
Juphal
Activities
Trekking, Culture
Best Time
Spring, Autumn
Highlights
- A beautiful flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Juphal the next day
- Explore Shey Phoksundo Lake—Nepal’s deepest and most beautiful alpine lake
- Discover centuries-old Bon and Tibetan Buddhist cultures in isolated Dolpo villages
- Hike through remote valleys, canyons, and high-altitude passes like Numa La (5,190m) and Baga La (5,070m)
- Visit Ringmo and Dho Tarap, traditional Dolpo settlements untouched by time
- Rich biodiversity of Shey Phoksundo National Park with blue sheep, musk deer, and Himalayan griffon sightings
- Off-the-beaten-path adventure in a restricted region with special permit access
Overview
Lower Dolpo & Phoksundo Lake Trekking is a journey into one of Nepal’s most untouched and mystical corners. Nestled in the rain-shadow region behind the Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba ranges, Lower Dolpo offers trekkers an authentic Himalayan wilderness experience with rare cultural depth. This 18-day trek takes you deep into the heart of Dolpo, where the traditions of Bon and Tibetan Buddhism remain well preserved and the landscapes are raw, vast, and dramatic.
The journey start with a short flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and then to Juphal, the gateway to Dolpo. From here, the trail winds through pristine forests, high mountain passes, yak pastures, and serene valleys to reach Shey Phoksundo Lake—a turquoise jewel reflecting cliffs and snowy peaks. The trail also takes you across high passes like Numa La and Baga La, offering sweeping views and a real sense of wilderness adventure.
This trek is great for experienced hikers who want to be alone, enjoy nature, and feel connected to Nepal’s spiritual and remote mountains. Lower Dolpo is a restricted area, so you need a special pass to get there. This makes the experience even more exclusive and one-of-a-kind. With Eco Himalaya Trek’s expert help and advice, you can experience this less-visited area in safety and comfort.
Itinerary
As soon as you reach at Tribhuvan International Airport, someone from Eco Himalaya will greet you and take you to your hotel. There will be time for you to rest, get over your flight, and get an overview of the walk.
Visit important cultural sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square. In the afternoon, your guide will brief you about the Dolpo trek, check your gear, and assist with last-minute shopping.
Take a short flight to Nepalgunj, a busy city in the Terai lowlands. It is very different from the Himalayas because it is warmer and the land is flat. Stay the night in a hotel.
From Juphal, the airport that leads to Dolpo, you can take a beautiful mountain ride. From here, it takes about three hours of hiking through fields and towns to get to Dunai, which is the administrative centre of Dolpo.
Go into the National Park of Shey Phoksundo. Along the Suli Ghad River, the trail goes through dense woods of fir, pine, and birch. Before you get to Chhepka, you'll see small towns and rivers.
Keep going up through trails in the trees and over wooden bridges. Right before you get to Jharana, you'll get to see a beautiful view of one of Nepal's tallest waterfalls.
A great part of the hike. You can see the lake from above as you walk along steep rocks. People go to Phoksundo for its spiritual energy and blue water. Check out the nearby town of Ringmo.
A day of rest to get used to the higher place. Explore Ringmo, a Bon Buddhist village where people still follow old customs, and visit the monastery by the lake. Short walks can be done if you want to.
Get away from the lake and go somewhere more remote. You will walk through woods and then into alpine meadows today. At Sallaghari, you'll set up camp among the pine trees.
Gradually make your way to the base of the Numa La Pass. The trail is rough, and there are views of snow-covered hills. Due to the lack of teahouses, this is one of the few places where you'll probably stay.
Get up early because there is a steep walk to the top of Numa La, which is the highest point of the trek. From the top, you can see the whole Himalayas. After crossing, carefully go down to Danighar to camp for the night.
Another high mountain pass awaits. The trail climbs gradually and offers grand views before descending to Yak Kharka—an open pasture where yaks graze. You’ll camp here under the stars.
A pleasant day descending into the culturally rich village of Dho Tarap. It’s one of the highest year-round inhabited settlements in the world, home to both Bon and Buddhist monasteries.
Descend further along the Tarap River gorge through cultivated lands and yak herders' camps. Tarakot is a historic village with a fortress-like appearance and beautiful terraced fields.
A gentle walk along the Bheri River brings you back to Dunai. The trail passes small settlements, suspension bridges, and riverside forests.
A short 3-hour trek brings you back to Juphal. Spend the afternoon resting or exploring the village. It’s your final night in the Dolpo region.
There was a flight early in the morning to Nepalgunj and then a connection flight to Kathmandu. When you get back to your hotel, you'll take a shower and have a nice dinner to celebrate.
After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Or, extend your journey with more adventures in Nepal.
Cost Details
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Domestic flights: Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal (round-trip)
- All necessary trekking permits, including Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit & National Park fees
- Full-board trekking (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek
- Accommodation in hotels (Kathmandu & Nepalgunj) and teahouses/camping during trek
- Professional English-speaking trekking guide and porter support
- All camping equipment and kitchen staff during the tented trek days
- First aid kit and satellite phone for emergency communication
- Duffel bag and sleeping bag (returnable)
Excluded
- International airfare and travel insurance
- Nepal visa fees
- Meals in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj (except breakfast and dinners as stated)
- Personal expenses (drinks, snacks, tips, etc.)
- Emergency evacuation (covered by insurance)
- Tips for guide, porter, and crew
Useful Information
How Long and How Hard Is the Trek?
This is an 18-day hiking trip, with about 13 days spent walking. You should walk for 5 to 7 hours every day. It’s a difficult trek with two high passes over 5,000 meters (Numa La and Baga La). It should only be attempted by experienced hikers or persons who are in good shape.
Best Time to go:
The finest times to go hiking are in the spring (April to June) and the autumn (September to October). The weather is nice and steady during these months, and the vistas are the nicest. The paths are muddy when it rains a lot, like in August and July.In the winter, the high slopes get snow from November to March.
Required Permits:
This walk is in a restricted area, so you’ll need a Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Permit for Shey Phoksundo National Park, and a TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System): Eco Himalaya Trek takes care of all of your licenses.
Accommodation:
You’ll stay in a combination of basic teahouses and tented camps. Most villages have simple lodges, but during remote sections (Days 9–12), you’ll camp with full support staff and kitchen crew.
Meals:
During the trek, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included. Expect hearty Nepali food like dal bhat, pasta, Tibetan bread, noodles, and soups. Fresh-cooked meals are prepared during camping nights.
Altitude Sickness:
Two days of getting used to the altitude are built in to lower the risk. Still, hikers should be aware of signs like headaches, feeling sick, and being tired. Our group has oxygen and first-aid kits with them and follows a safe climbing plan.
Packing and Gear:
Eco Himalaya gives you sleeping bags, blankets, and duffel bags to help you pack. You’ll be given a list of things you need to bring, such as down jackets, thermal layers, hiking poles, and waterproof gear.
Communication and Power:
In most places, there is little to no mobile service. There is a mobile phone with our guides in case of an emergency. It’s hard to find power, so bring a power bank and a solar charger for your gadgets.
Guides and Support Staff:
You’ll have a qualified, experienced guide, porters, and a cook with you for the nights you camp. During the trip, our team makes sure you are safe, comfortable, and understand other cultures.
Sustainable Travel:
Eco Himalaya helps local communities by hiring locals and reducing plastic waste, and they follow the Leave No Trace principles. Our trips are kind to the environment and focus on helping people.
FAQs
This is a strenuous trek with high passes and remote conditions. Good fitness and some trekking experience are needed.
You’ll need a Restricted Area Permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit. We handle all permits.
Some places have simple teahouses, while more remote spots need full camping support.
Phoksundo is Nepal's deepest lake. It is famous for being a bright turquoise colour and having a Buddhist holy area around it.
Yes. The area is peaceful and our experienced guides prioritize your safety at all times.
Basic gear like sleeping bags and duffel bags are provided. A full gear checklist will be sent before your departure.