Lower Dolpo Round Trek

Q: What is the difference between Lower and Upper Dolpo?

Lower Dolpo centers on Phoksundo Lake and the Shey Phoksundo National Park, accessible with a USD 20 per week restricted area permit. Upper Dolpo goes deeper into the high Tibetan plateau and ancient communities like Saldang and Yangtser, requiring a much more expensive USD 500 permit for 10 days. Both require licensed guides and are restricted areas.

Q: How long is the Lower Dolpo Round Trek?

The package covers 30 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, including 22 days of actual trekking. The route is a circuit through the Lower Dolpo region, accessing the area by domestic flight to Juphal via Nepalgunj.

Q: What is Se-Phoksundo?

Se-Phoksundo refers to the Shey Phoksundo National Park area around Phoksundo Lake. It is Nepal's largest national park at 3,555 km2, established in 1984 to preserve a unique trans-Himalayan ecosystem including snow leopards, grey wolves, musk deer, and blue sheep.

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Lower Dolpo Round Trek: Phoksundo Lake and Ancient Monasteries of Western Nepal

Lower Dolpo is centred on the Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal's largest national park at 3,555 km2, established in 1984 to preserve a unique trans-Himalayan ecosystem. At its heart sits Phoksundo Lake at 3,611m, a stunning turquoise expanse beneath 300m-high waterfalls at its southern end, surrounded by ancient Buddhist monasteries and the high-altitude communities of the Dolpa people. The region is a restricted area, but with a permit cost of USD 20 per week it is accessible compared to Upper Dolpo, making it the most realistic way to experience the Dolpo landscape for most trekkers.

The 30-day round trek (22 trekking days) accesses the region by flight from Kathmandu to Juphal via Nepalgunj, then circles through the valleys and high passes of the national park. The route visits the impressive Se-Phoksundo waterfall (over 300m high), multiple active Buddhist monasteries, and the diverse wildlife habitats of the park, which is home to snow leopards, grey wolves, musk deer, and blue sheep. The trek is a combination of teahouse and camping sections depending on the exact route.

For a shorter, lodge-based Dolpo experience, see our Phoksundo Lake Lodge Trek. For the more remote Upper Dolpo, see our Classic Upper Dolpo Trek. Browse our full range on our remote Nepal trekking page.

Lower Dolpo Round Trek at a Glance

Duration: 30 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu, 22 trekking days) | Max Altitude: 4,500m+ (high passes) | Trek Grade: Strenuous — restricted area, licensed guide mandatory | Best Season: October-November, March-May | Permits Required: Lower Dolpo RAP (USD 20/week), Shey Phoksundo NP Permit (USD 30), licensed guide required

PROGRAM ITINERARY
INCLUDES AND EXCLUDES
INQUIRY / BOOKING

Lower Dolpo Round Trek Itinerary: Day by Day

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, process for the permits.

Day 03: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj.

Day 04: Nepalgunj to Juphal airport- Dunai.

Day 05: Trek Dunai to Tarakot.

Day 06: Trek Tarakot to Mushi Kharka.

Day 07: Trek Musi Kharka to Kakoat Village.

Day 08: Trek Kakoat Village to Pingdhing Village.

Day 09: Trek Pingdhing Village-Shabha kharka.

Day 10: Trek Shabha kharka to Papta Chanla BC.

Day 11: Trek Papta to Chanla Pass 5200m to Dho Takyo village.

Day 12: Trek Dho Takyo Village to Rest day.

Day 13: Trek Dho Takyo Village to Numala Base Camp.

Day 14: Trek Numala BC to Numala Pass 5190m to Bagala BC Pelungthang.

Day 15: Trek Pelungthang to Bagala 5070m pass to Yak kharka.

Day 16: Trek Yak Kharka to Rigmo Phoksundo Lake.

Day 17: Phoksundo to Rest Day.

Day 18: Trek Phoksundo to Pugmo Village.

Day 19: Trek Pungmo Village to Lasa.

Day 20: Trek Lasa to Kagmara 5115m pass – Kagmara Phedi.

Day 21: Trek Kagmara Phedi to Toijem.

Day 22: Trek Toijem to Kaigaon.

Day 23: Trek Kaigaon Village to Chaurikot 3700m.

Day 24: Trek Churikot- Chatara.

Day 25: Trek Chatara- Gothichaur.

Day 26: Trek Gothichaur to Jumla Khalanga Bazaar.

Day 26: Jumla to Nepalgunj flight.

Day 27: Nepalgunj to Kathmandu travel.

Day 28: Free day in Kathmandu.

Day 29: Free day in Kathmandu.

Day 30: Depart Kathmandu.

Lower Dolpo Round Trek Cost

All of our holidays are completely tailor-made and prices will vary based on things like when in the year you will be travelling (High season, Low season), how far in advance you book, the number of people travelling in your group, the level of accommodation you choose etc. Please click on the next tab (INQUIRY/ BOOKING) and send us your inquiry. We will reply you with cost and other necessary details within 24 hours.

Cost Include(s)

All necessary ground transfers including arrival and departure.
Standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast as per the itinerary.
Guided cultural city tour in Kathmandu with entrance to the monuments.
Tea House accommodations while Lower Dolpo Round Trekking period.
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner during the Lower Dolpo Round Trekking.
All domestic flights as listed in the itinerary with airport tax.
All necessary paper works, Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (USD 20/week), Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit (USD 30). Licensed guide from a registered agency mandatory..
Experienced and First Aid trained trekking guide licensed by NATHM.
Strong, helpful porters (one porter for two people).
Comprehensive medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
Lower Dolpo Round Trekking map.
Insurance of all local staff including porters.
Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff including porters.
Complementary Lower Dolpo Round Trekking T-shirts and trip duffle bag.
Lower Dolpo Round Trekking certificate issued by us.
Travel and Rescue arrangements (paid by your Travel insurance company).
Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

Cost Exclude(s)

Air travel to and from Nepal.
Purchases of bottled water while on the trek, gifts or alcohol.
Entry visas for Nepal (suggest getting 30 day tourist visa for Nepal on arrival into KTM).
Personal clothing and equipment.
Personal expenses whilst trekking such as laundry, showers, internet use.
All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (transport, extra hotel nights, etc).
Personal travel / trip cancellation insurance.
Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 20 kg luggage, cargo charge is around $1.5 per kg).
Any rescue costs.
Gratuities.

Frequently Asked Questions - Lower Dolpo Round Trek

What is the difference between Lower and Upper Dolpo?
Lower Dolpo focuses on Phoksundo Lake and Shey Phoksundo National Park with a USD 20/week permit. Upper Dolpo goes deeper into high Tibetan plateau communities with a much more expensive USD 500 permit. See our Classic Upper Dolpo Trek.

How long is the Lower Dolpo Round Trek?
30 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu, with 22 actual trekking days. The route is a circuit through Lower Dolpo, accessed by domestic flight to Juphal via Nepalgunj.

What wildlife can I see in Shey Phoksundo National Park?
The park is home to snow leopards, grey wolves, musk deer, blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, and Himalayan black bears. It was established in 1984 to protect Nepal's largest trans-Himalayan ecosystem.

Is camping or teahouse accommodation used?
A combination of both depending on the section. Some valleys have basic teahouses; the more remote high-pass sections require camping. Full camping kit and a cook are recommended.