Discover the Hidden Lower Dolpo Trek

Following breakfast the following morning, you will go for a full-day sightseeing trip of the Kathmandu Valley. You may see Swyambhunath, a very old temple that is essentially classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the revered Pashupatinath Temple.

Highlights of our guided trip include the largest Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath and the exquisite artwork and old architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square, which showcase the ancient culture of Nepal.

Patan City’s historic architecture and renowned fine arts will charm you on a visit. You will have time to explore the neighborhood, eat supper, and maybe take a leisurely stroll down the well-known streets when you get back to your hotel. A traditional Nepalese dinner at the Nepali Cultural Restaurant rounds off the day.

Today, we fly to Juphal from Nepalgunj in 35 minutes. Our trekking expedition begins as soon as we land in Juphal. We descend via local communities and terraced fields to the Bheri River. The walk continues down the riverside, passing by the Roop Ghar and its water mill before arriving in the settlement of Dunai. Overnight in the lodge.

Today, we hike to Tarakot along the upstream trail that borders the Bheri River. To get to Tarakot, we hike over a level path with stunning landscapes in the background. As we climb the slope, we see deep canyons, hanging bridges, and isolated communities. As we continue our climb, we are greeted with dry stones and colorful terraced fields of Tarakot, an old fortress town built on a hillock south of the Bheri River. Overnight in the lodge.

Breakfast and hike to Laini Odar via Laisicap (2775m) and Kaigaon (2950m), going through rivers with spectacular views of the Himalaya, including Putha Huinchuli and Churen Himal. Laini Odar is an excellent camping spot with a stunning waterfall nearby.

Today, the trail winds through the deep valley of the Tarap River, ascending high above on a trail composed of rocky slopes. The trail becomes more wide and simple as we progress. We continue on wooden planks and flat stones till we reach Chhyugar. We then cross a small brook and continue on foot for a few hours to Toltol, a winter community for Upper Dolpo residents. Overnight in the lodge.

Breakfast and a wonderful journey along the banks of Tarap Khola, largely through Ghyamghar and Langa. Dho Tarap is a fascinating village that embodies the true essence of Dolpo. Dolpo, a well-known town nestled high above a vast valley, was formerly a popular trading location for Tibetan and Mustang traders.

Rest and explore. Dho Tarap and its monasteries, include Ringo Bumpa Monastery, a sacred monastery constructed 1000 years ago by Jigme Nyima Gyaltzen and Lama Tenzing Tragye to ward off bad spirits in the area. The monastery is similar to Tibet’s Samye Monastery in terms of architecture. Kakarlabrang Monastery Kakar Gompa, a prominent monastery in Dolpo, belongs to the Nyingma-pa branch of Buddhism and dates back to the 12th century. Urgyen Tenzin began construction of the monastery with funds provided by the monarch of Mustang.

Drakmar Dewa Monastery, located high above on a hill southwest of Dho, nestles charmingly among the red cliffs. The nine-hundred-year-old monastery houses images of Sakyamuni Buddha, Dorje Phurba, and Guru Rinpoche’s visions inside. Along with the stupa, there is a book here that has translated 100 words from Buddha.

Many more major monasteries can be found in the neighborhood of Dho Tarap, including Mekhyim Monastery, Dhoro Monastery, and Shipichowk’s Bon Gompa. So, while deciding which monastery to visit from the many options available, make an informed decision.

Today we travel to Numa La Base Camp, following the Tarap Chu River and ascending uphill towards Tokyu, a traditional village with beautiful Kani gaits and old-fashioned dwellings. We cross a bridge to Khanger and go northwest on the main trail. We then continue our walk through the rugged trail to Numa La Base Camp. Overnight at camp.

A difficult day trip to Danighar via Numa La Pass (5310m), a four-hour hard steep uphill hike to Numa La peak with magnificent views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Norbung Kang, and Churen Himal, followed by a somewhat easy trek along the Gyambo Khola.

We leave Danighar and continue towards Temche via Baga La (5170m). We start a tough trek up the scruffy yak track. We may need to exert more effort as we climb higher due to the rapid increase in height. The top of the pass features sacred Chortens and a magnificent view of Norbung Kang (6085m) and other peaks, as well as the enchanting Phoksundo Lake. We then descend into a deep gorge and cross a frozen stream to get to Temche. Overnight at the tented camp.

Trek down to Yak Kharka, then ascend towards Ringmo through the rich foliage of pines, junipers, and cypres, with breathtaking views of towering cliffs and Nepal’s highest waterfall on the right. The trail eventually reaches to Ringmo, a well-known Bon community in the region. The final thirty-minute downhill hike from Ringmo leads us to the breathtakingly gorgeous lake, Phoksundo.

We take another day off from trekking and explore Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo Village. Phoksundo Lake is a gorgeous turquoise-colored lake that is also the deepest in Nepal. The Lake offers a lovely perspective of Ringmo village. We explore the Ringmo town and visit Tshowa (Bon Monastery), which was founded 900 years ago. We also saw numerous lovely glaciers above the lake region. Overnight at the tented camp.

Today’s hike to Chhepka begins with a moderate stroll along the river, followed by a difficult ascent to the top of the hill, which provides the final glimpse of the stunning Phoksundo Lake. We drop for a time before continuing on to Chunuwar. The trail then leads through a forest of pines and birches to Rechi. After a gradual uphill and downhill journey along the trail, we arrive in Chhepka. Overnight in the lodge.

Trek to Juphal from Shyanta and Kalagaonda. Arid landscapes first, followed by gorgeous fields of barley and wheat flanked by powerful trees such as walnut, peach, and apricot. Juphal is a large village with a stunning marketplace.