Lower Dolpo Trek

Day 2 begins at 7:30 a.m. when you meet our team at your Thamel hotel entrance. We discuss today’s 8-kilometer walking route through UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You wear sturdy shoes as Kathmandu’s stone paths demand light footing. You climb 365 steps to the Swayambhunath Stupa before 9 a.m. This fifth-century hilltop complex sits around 100 meters above the valley elevation.

You circle the white dome clockwise, touching prayer wheels. We explain the proper stupa circumambulation technique requiring three full rotations.

At Boudhanath Stupa by noon, you observe a 246-meter circumference circumambulation. Local Newari women sell marigold garlands at the eastern gate stalls.

You practice butter lamp offerings following our Lower Dolpo Trek guide’s demonstration. Each lamp costs $1 and burns for a solid hour or so, providing light for meditation.

Lunch features vegetable thukpa at a nearby local eatery. This noodle soup delivers 500 calories per bowl, but makes you feel full.

We verify your trekking permits during the meal. Check that your TIMS card matches passport details exactly.

Afternoon gear inspection happens at Kathmandu Guest House. We test your headlamp brightness using. Your sleeping bag must be rated to -5°C per Lower Dolpo Trek guidelines.

We recommend trekking poles rental shops if yours lack rubber tips. We emphasize layering: avoid cotton base layers as they retain moisture.

By 4 p.m., we will confirm your Nepalgunj flight seat. Dinner at Thamel includes momo dumplings. Eat fully to maintain energy reserves.

Day 3 starts at 9:30 a.m. when you leave your Thamel hotel for Tribhuvan International Airport. You travel 5 kilometers in a pre-arranged vehicle included in the Lower Dolpo Trek package.

Domestic terminals open 90 minutes before departure per CAAN regulations. You present your ticket and passport at the check-in counter. Baggage allowance totals 20 kilograms, including 5 kilograms for carry-on.

Flight duration lasts 75 minutes with cruising altitude at around 15,000 feet. You descend through the Terai region, observing rice paddies and irrigation canals below. Nepalgunj Airport sits at 150 meters.

Baggage claim completes within 20 minutes of landing. Exit the terminal to find our waiting vehicle. Transfer to a pre-arranged accommodation takes 15 minutes, covering 3 kilometers.

Hotel elevation matches airport elevation at 150 meters. You receive a room with a cooler/heater and an attached bathroom. Lunch features tasty curry and rice at the hotel restaurant, included in the Lower Dolpo Trek.

Afternoon involves flight confirmation for Day 4 to Juphal. Show your booking reference to our guide. By 4:00 p.m., you rest in shaded courtyard areas.

Daytime temperatures reach 25 to 29 °C in November. Wear light clothing and apply SPF 50 sunscreen. Dinner consists of vegetable pulao.

The 4th day of the Lower Dolpo Trek begins before dawn, with our team meeting you at your Nepalgunj hotel. Mountain flights operate only in early morning hours, so we move fast.

You feel the cool night air as we drive toward the airport. Our guide might share stories while en route. We have even rerouted clients through alternative trails after flight cancellations due to bad weather. Flexibility saves trips when the weather intervenes.

You learn this region demands respect for nature’s schedule, not ours. At the airport, we handle your permits and baggage efficiently. You board the Twin Otter plane feeling secure with experienced pilots.

The flight reveals Nepal’s dramatic transition from flat plains to rugged mountains. Below, you see patchwork fields give way to deep river gorges. You gain significant elevation quickly.

Our guide points out landmarks through the small window. This aerial perspective helps you understand tomorrow’s terrain. Landing at Juphal airstrip surprises first-time trekkers.

The short gravel runway sits perched on a mountainside. You step out directly onto the trail with your daypack. Lower Dolpo Trek porters carry the main luggage ahead. We start walking immediately to maximize daylight hours.

The trail follows the Thuli Bheri River through changing landscapes. You cross sturdy suspension bridges where prayer flags snap in the wind. River sounds accompany your footsteps. We teach you the local greeting “Julley” used when meeting villagers.

Each bridge crossing builds confidence for higher passes ahead. Lunch happens at a family-run teahouse. The owner serves dal bhat on metal plates.

You notice how she refills water bottles from a spring source. We check oxygen levels here as altitude increases. Our Lower Dolpo Trek guides watch for subtle signs of fatigue in every traveler.

Afternoon trekking involves steady climbing through juniper forests. Switchbacks reduce strain on your knees. We stop frequently to adjust layers as temperatures drop.

Trail markers guide your path when fog rolls in unexpectedly. You learn to trust the route even when visibility shrinks. You reach Dunai village before the afternoon light fades.

Our preferred guesthouse owner prepares hot water for washing. Dinner features buckwheat dishes grown locally.

Sleep comes easily after this demanding transition day. This flight-to-trek sequence remains our most requested itinerary segment. Clients remember the contrast between Nepalgunj’s heat and Dunai’s mountain air.

The next day starts at 6:15 a.m. with hot ginger tea in your Dunai room. You pack your daypack while checking water levels.

We confirm your oxygen saturation reads 90 to 96 percent using our pulse oximeter. This measurement meets Himalayan Rescue Association safety thresholds for today’s descent. The trail leaves Dunai village heading east along the Thuli Bheri River.

You walk 15 kilometers today with 305 meters of net elevation loss. River width narrows to 10 meters here. Trail surfaces shift between packed earth and river-smoothed stones, requiring careful foot placement.

We navigate three river crossings before 9 a.m., each uses wooden footbridges secured with ropes and steel wire. Bridge decks measure around 40 centimeters wide. At 10:30 a.m., the path enters juniper forest sections. Tree density decreases with elevation rise.

You identify Rhododendron saplings at 2,700 meters elevation. Trail markers change to blue paint blazes. We practice the zigzag walking technique to conserve energy on steeper slopes.

Lunch occurs at Chharka village at around 12:45 p.m. You eat buckwheat pancakes with honey at a stone hut charging. Rest breaks last 10 minutes to prevent joint stiffness. The final 5 kilometers follow ancient routes.

You pass three mani walls built with slate stones. Villagers greet you with “Tashi delek” as you approach Tarakot. You arrive at a guesthouse by 3:20 p.m., and the elevation reads 2,545 meters.

Rooms feature wood-burning stoves for evening warmth. Dinner includes roasted barley soup; we review tomorrow’s 3170-meter elevation target.

The following day of the Lower Dolpo Trek starts with a gear inspection at a guesthouse at 5:55 a.m. We adjust your backpack strap for optimal breathing during ascent. Oxygen intake increases a certain percent with proper torso alignment.

You ascend 625 meters over 14 kilometers through juniper forest corridors. Trail gradients average 14 percent on the initial 2.5-kilometer climb above Tarakot. Juniper trees measure 3 to 5 meters tall. You identify Rhododendron trees once again at 2,800 meters.

At 7:40 a.m., you navigate the first mani wall sequence. Each stone structure contains 180 to 220 carved slats. Trail markers shift to red prayer flags where forest cover obscures painted blazes.

You cross the Laini Khola tributary at 9:15 a.m. Lunch occurs at 12:05 p.m. near a teahouse in Sermathang. You consume roasted barley cakes with dried cheese.

The final approach follows dirt routes through open meadows. You pass three active yak grazing areas with herds. Trail width narrows to a couple of meters, requiring focused foot placement on exposed roots.

You reach Laini Guesthouse by 3:55 p.m. Rooms feature no heating, just a warm bed and blankets. That’s just how it goes in the remote hills.

Nighttime temperatures drop to -3°C; before that, dinner provides much-needed energy and warmth through potato stew with wild greens. This route reveals Dolpo’s forest ecosystems.

Your safe arrival depends entirely on maintaining precise hydration management throughout the ascent.

The 7th day of the Lower Dolpo Trek begins at 6:45 a.m. when you adjust your headlamp for the pre-dawn trail departure.

We need you to verify your hydration status with urine color charts, matching standards. Clear to pale yellow indicates proper fluid intake before ascending.

The trail climbs steadily from Laini’s stone houses through terraced barley fields. You cover 10 kilometers today, gaining 375 meters of elevation to reach Nawarpani. Rocky sections require precise foot placement on limestone fragments common in Dolpo’s arid landscape.

We practice energy-conserving pacing: 50 minutes walking followed by 5-minute rests. Your pulse stays below 100 beats per minute during these intervals.

You cross three dry riverbeds by 10:30 a.m. Each requires navigating boulder fields up to 1 meter in height. Carved stone cairns act as trail markers above 3200 meters in elevation.

Lunch occurs at 1:15 p.m. You eat filling and energising dal bhat at a teahouse en route.

The final ascent involves traversing a scree slope with loose gravel. You use trekking poles vertically for stability on the 25-degree incline.

Trail markers disappear temporarily, but our Lower Dolpo Trek guide will lead the pack. You arrive at Nawarpani Guesthouse by 4:10 p.m.

Elevation confirms 3,545 meters, and rooms feature stone walls providing natural insulation against nighttime temperatures. Dinner includes potato soup with barley dumplings.

On the 8th day of the Lower Dolpo Trek, the trail demands immediate focus as you start the trek at 6:20 a.m. from Nawarpani. Your body processes oxygen at 80 percent efficiency compared to sea level at 3,545 meters elevation.

You traverse 13.2 kilometers across Dolpo’s high desert plateau today. Elevation gain totals 1,445 meters, reaching Dho Tarap’s 4,990-meter mark. Trail surfaces shift from packed earth to exposed bedrock, requiring ankle-stabilizing movements.

You cross the first high-altitude stream at 10:10 a.m. Water temperature registers 4°C based on our digital thermometer. We test each step using trekking poles before full weight transfer on makeshift bridges. Lunch occurs at 1:00 p.m. near the village of Tshowa.

You consume tsampa porridge with dried yak meat. Pulse oximeter checks happen every 45 minutes. The final approach involves 2.1 kilometers of continuous ascent over moraine terrain.

Loose boulders up to 50 centimeters in diameter demand careful route selection. Trail markers disappear completely above 4,800 meters, but you won’t need them anyway since our Lower Dolpo Trek guide will lead you on.

You enter Dho Tarap Guesthouse by 4:25 p.m. Nighttime temperatures drop to -5°C based on records. We calculate tomorrow’s 5,190-meter pass crossing using elevation gain comparison.

Day 9 of the Lower Dolpo Trek requires complete rest at Dho Tarap’s 4,990-meter elevation. Your blood carries 35 percent less oxygen here than at sea level.

We measure your resting heart rate at 78 beats per minute during 7:00 a.m. checks. Rates above 85 necessitate additional rest.

You perform controlled movement exercises on flat ground near your guesthouse. Complete three sets of 10-minute walks at a 1.5 kilometers per hour pace.

This maintains circulation without stressing your cardiovascular system. Monitor your breathing depth using the talk test: you must speak full sentences without gasping.

At 9:30 a.m., we visit Dho Tarap Monastery’s 15th-century assembly hall. Wall paintings depict Vajrayana deities using natural minerals.

Each mural measures 2.5 meters by 1.8 meters. Monks demonstrate butter lamp preparation using butter in brass bowls. Lunch occurs at 12:20 p.m., featuring barley soup with dried vegetables.

Afternoon involves oxygen saturation monitoring every 2 to 3 hours. You observe traditional wool weaving techniques at around 3:00 p.m. Local women use backstrap looms.

Day 10 of the Lower Dolpo Trek requires precise trail navigation as you descend from Dho Tarap’s stone houses at 4:50 a.m.

Trail conditions demand immediate attention: loose scree covers 60 percent of today’s 12.3-kilometer route to Numa La Base Camp. You lose 550 meters of elevation descending into the Numa Valley.

Griddy rocks create unstable footing with pebbles shifting under each step. We move in a single file using trekking poles horizontally for balance.

You cross a couple of streams by 9:40 a.m. Water temperature averages 2°C based on our field thermometer. Stream beds contain sharp quartz fragments requiring careful step testing with poles. Lunch occurs at 12:50 p.m. near the village of Numa.

You consume vegetable thukpa with dried yak cheese. Pulse oximeter checks happen at every stop en route. The final approach follows a lateral trail across steep slopes.

You navigate 1.8 kilometers of exposed terrain with 40-degree inclines. Trail width narrows to 50 centimeters, requiring focused foot placement.

You reach your tented camp by 3:30 p.m. Nighttime temperatures drop to -10°C per records. Tents feature double-layer construction rated for 50 kilometers per hour winds. Dinner provides much-needed warmth and calories through hot soup and bread with honey.

The following day of the Lower Dolpo Trek starts at 4:15 a.m. when we secure crampons to your boots for chilly trail sections. We distribute iodine tablets for immediate water treatment during the ascent.

You climb 750 meters vertically over 3.8 kilometers to Numa La Pass. Trail surfaces shift from packed dirt trails to loose rocks. Stream bridges span 1.2-meter-wide gaps. You reach Numa La Pass summit at 8:25 a.m.

Elevation confirms 5,190 meters as wind chill registers -12°C. You perform a mandatory 20-minute rest with high-calorie snacks. The descent begins immediately after summit photography. You lose 745 meters of elevation over 5.2 kilometers to Pelung Tang.

The trail features 22 switchbacks on the initial 1.5-kilometer drop with an average 25 percent gradient. Loose rock sections require the zigzag descent technique to prevent momentum buildup.

At 11:40 a.m., you cross the Pelung Glacier outflow stream. Water temperature measures 1°C with silt reducing visibility. Lunch occurs at 1:20 p.m. near Pelung Tang campsite.

You arrive at Pelung Tang Guesthouse by 3 p.m. Nighttime temperatures drop to -7°C. Dinner features hot yak butter soup with buckwheat noodles.

The 12th day of the Lower Dolpo Trek demands immediate snow assessment as pre-dawn light reveals trail conditions at 4:00 a.m.

You ascend 630 meters vertically over 4.1 kilometers to the Baga La Pass summit. Trail gradients peak at 37 percent on the final 800-meter approach above 4,900 meters.

At 6:40 a.m., you navigate steep trails on the pass’s north face. Summit arrival occurs at 8:10 a.m. at precisely 5,070 meters elevation.

Wind speed registers 28 kilometers per hour, creating a -14°C wind chill per our digital thermometer. Descent begins immediately toward Dajok Tang’s 4,080-meter camp.

You lose 990 meters of elevation over 6.3 kilometers through mixed terrain. The first 2 kilometers traverse rockfall-prone slopes requiring 3-meter spacing between trekkers.

At 11:20 a.m., you cross the Dajok Glacier meltwater channel. Lunch occurs at 1:00 p.m. near Dajok Tang.

Day 13 of the Lower Dolpo Trek begins with a trail assessment at Dajok Tang’s stone courtyard at 5:50 a.m.

We check your knee braces for proper tension before the descent. Joint stress increases significantly during downhill walking.

You descend 480 meters over 12.5 kilometers to Ringmo’s lakeside settlement. Loose shale covers 70 percent of this section, requiring controlled heel braking with each step.

At 7:30 a.m., you navigate the first Thuli Bheri River ford. Lunch occurs at 12:00 p.m. near a village. You consume vegetable thukpa with dried fish.

The final approach follows Phoksundo Lake’s eastern shoreline. Trail width narrows to 60 centimeters with 200-meter drop-offs requiring focused foot placement. You arrive at Ringmo Guesthouse by 3:20 p.m.

Morning light reveals Phoksundo Lake’s turquoise waters at 3612 meters. Your boots touch the lakeshore by 7:00 a.m. to avoid afternoon winds. Glacial minerals create this distinctive color visible from 2 kilometers away.

We follow the eastern shoreline trail for 3.2 kilometers round-trip. Loose stones cover 40 percent of the path. At 8:45 a.m., you reach Bon Po Monastery’s ancient stone steps.

The 12th-century structure features 1.8-meter-thick walls built without mortar. Monks perform water offering rituals using copper vessels filled from the lake. Each offering requires three clockwise circumambulations as per Bon religious texts.

You observe lake wave patterns at 10:20 a.m. Lunch occurs at 12:30 p.m. near Ringmo village. You eat local pancakes, soup, and bread with wild honey.

Afternoon involves cultural observation at 2:00 p.m. Villagers demonstrate traditional net weaving using sheep wool fibers.

Each net requires 12 hours to weave 1 square meter, based on our timing. We purchase spare gloves for 350 NPR per pair to handle cold lake winds. You return to Ringmo Guesthouse by 4:00 p.m.

The following day of the Lower Dolpo Trek requires knee brace adjustment at Ringmo Guesthouse before trail departure at 6:00 a.m.

You descend 1,080 meters over 14.3 kilometers through Phoksundo Valley. At 7:50 a.m., you navigate the first Thuli Bheri River tributary crossing. Water depth measures 35 centimeters. Lunch occurs at 12:40 p.m. near Lamjin village.

You consume dal bhat with dried pickles. The final approach follows terraced barley fields carved into valley walls.

You reach Shyanta Guesthouse by 3:50 p.m. Rooms feature mud-plastered walls providing natural temperature regulation. Dinner provides 650 calories through vegetable curry with rice.

We will verify tomorrow’s Juphal flight. Sleep starts by 8:20 p.m. to recover from sustained downhill walking.

Day 16 starts with a trail inspection at Shyanta Guesthouse at 5:45 a.m. You cover 13.8 kilometers descending 55 meters net elevation to Juphal. The Thuli Bheri River width expands to 80 meters.

At around 10 in the morning. You observe traditional fishing methods in the river. Villagers use bamboo traps measuring 1.5 meters long with 10-centimeter mesh openings.

Each trap catches 200 to 300 grams of fish daily. Lunch occurs at 12:20 p.m., and you eat vegetable thukpa with dried fish.

Arrival at Juphal Guesthouse happens by 3:40 p.m. Rooms feature solar-charged battery stations for device charging. This route reveals Dolpo’s river valley agriculture through active terraced fields and traditional fishing practices.

Day 17 of the Lower Dolpo Trek requires permit verification at a nearby checkpoint. You transfer to Juphal Airport by 8:10 a.m. in a pre-arranged vehicle covering 1.2 kilometers.

Check-in completes by 9:40 a.m. Flight duration lasts 46 minutes, descending from 2,475 meters to Nepalgunj’s 150-meter elevation. You lose 2,325 meters of elevation during this segment, verified by flight logs.

Landing at Nepalgunj Airport happens at around 11 a.m. Baggage claim completes within minutes of arrival.

Our vehicle transfers you directly to Nepalgunj Airport’s domestic terminal for the 11:30 a.m. Buddha Air flight to Kathmandu.

After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, you collect your luggage from the carousel. One of our reps meets you in the arrivals hall holding your name sign.

Transfer to Thamel takes 20 minutes. We will have you check into your hotel for the night.