Lower Dolpo Trek-Cost, Distance, Itinerary, In Nepal

Meet our agent and transfer to the hotel upon arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. After checking in, receive a briefing on the tour and spend the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, we'll go on a guided tour of Kathmandu's most important historical and spiritual sites. The historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famed 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath), and the Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is one of the world's largest stupas, are the all considered World Heritage Sites. A pre-trip meeting will take place at midday when we will meet our trek leader and other team members. Himalayan Glacier will offer us information on our trek as well as an opportunity to ask any questions we may have about our impending experience. In Kathmandu, spend the night.

We fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, which is located in Western Nepal, after our short tour in Kathmandu. Nepalgunj is the gateway to Simikot, Humla, and is located close to the Nepal-India border. The town is an interesting Terai town that displays Nepal's unique culture. We go to the local market, mini-zoo, and adjacent villages in Nepalgunj. In Nepalgunj, spend the night.

After breakfast, we fly to Jhupal (2,320m/7,610ft). The village is nestled in the Himalayan foothills, with views to the north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. We meet our hiking crew here and begin our expedition. We proceed to the Bheri River and its narrow valley amid terraced fields. We keep going till we reach Dunai, the Dolpo region's administrative capital. In the evening, we visit the small town and camp there for the night.

After breakfast, we continue on an easy track along the southern bank of the Bheri River, going upstream. We pass through several deep valleys, hanging bridges, and remote towns along the road. A huge gorge with pine trees and a boardwalk built about seven meters above the river are also part of our trip. We will be greeted by the colorful, terraced field of Tarakot, a little village on a hillside to the south of the Bheri River, after a short stroll. Tarakot is where you'll spend the night.

Before arriving at Sandul Gompa, we walk alongside the Tarap Chu River and cross it twice. The gompa is located at the confluence of the Barbung Khola and the Tarap Chu rivers. We continue going along a path that passes through farm terraces and rural communities. We finally reach Laini after ascending and dropping for a bit. Laini is where I'll be spending the night.

We climb a difficult hill over the Tarap River and go along switchbacks. The hike is thrilling since the valley narrows into a narrow gap where you can jump from one side to the other. We'll reach the banks of the Chyugur Khola, from where we'll reach Nawarpani, after several strenuous rises and descents. Nawarpani is where you'll spend the night.

Today's walk begins with a moderate ascent to Kamattarka, located at the junction of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola. We pass into a tiny ravine, leaving the tree line behind us, and are greeted by wild rose and juniper shrubs, which are common in the arid interior Himalayan valleys. We arrive in the settlement of Dho Tarap, which is enclosed by an irregular stone wall, after several more hours of walking. Both the Bon Po and Chaiba religious sects coexist in this valley. Tarap is also home to a few Tibetans, most of them are Magars who have lived here for centuries. Spend the night in Do Tarap.

The day off will aid acclimatization and provide some physical recovery. We can spend the day visiting monasteries in the area. We'll get an opportunity to learn about the local culture during today's brief hikes. The Dolpo people dress in homespun attire that is sometimes dyed a maroon color, and they prefer Tibetan-style samba or dacha (upturned-toed boots). Religious amulets like coral, amber and turquoise strings are worn by both men and women. Both Bon Po and Nyingmapa people live in the area (Buddhist sects). Spend the night in Do Tarap.

We trek to the upper Tarap valley, passing through beautiful meadows on both sides of the river, a feature unique to this region of the inner Dolpo. We walk alongside the Tarap Chu River, taking in the breathtaking views of the immense Tarap valley, complete with wide plains and lofty mountains. After a few hours of strenuous walking, we arrive in Tokyu, which is home to a Buddhist monastery of the Chiba sect. We continue ascending up the valley on a hard trail after exploring the monastery before arriving at the Numa La Base Camp. Numa La Base Camp is where you'll spend the night.

Today will be the most difficult and one of the longest days of our journey. We start crossing the Numa La pass (5,190m) after breakfast on a difficult track that leads all the way to the pass's upper ridge. We get wonderful views of the desolate mountains of Dolpo all the way up to Mt. Dhaulagiri from the crest (8167m). We descend to Pelung Tang after reaching the summit of Numa La.

We start our ascent to the top of Baga La pass after breakfast (5,070m). We have spectacular views of the parched countryside and distant snow-capped mountains, notably Mt. Kanjirowa, from here. We spent some time at the pass's summit snapping pictures and admiring the breathtaking views. After that, we'll head to Dajok Tang for the night.

The majority of today's hike was spent on pathways that ran alongside gorgeous pine trees and alpine plants. We arrive at Ringmo Village after a short hike on an easy trail with only gentle highs and lows. The settlement is a Dolpo area traditional Tibetan village. Ringmo is where you'll spend the night.

We're going to camp on the beaches of the beautiful Phoksundo Lake today. On distant mountain trails, we notice yak caravans traveling in and out of Ringmo, usually towards Tibetan borders. The scene was even reproduced in the Hollywood film "Caravan," which was filmed entirely in this location. We visit a local monastery on our route to the lake. We can have a pleasant walk around the serene lake's shoreline after we get to Phoksundo Lake. Phoksundo is where you'll spend the night.

We make our way downhill to Chepka. The track follows a big overhanging rock from Chepka. During our hike, we come across a number of essential medicinal minerals that are thought to cure nearly anything in the area. Before climbing to Shyanta, the trail passes through settlements. Shyanta is where you'll spend the night.

On a trail lined by birch trees, we march towards Jhupal via Sulighat. We get the most beautiful views of the mountain above us and Jhupal Village below from atop a hill. This trail should be approached with extreme caution. After arriving in Jhupal, we have the option of spending the afternoon touring the bustling market town or simply resting. Jhupal is where you'll spend the night.

We fly from Jhupal to Nepalgunj on the first available flight. We go back to Kathmandu on the next available flight after arriving in Nepalgunj. We will be taken to our hotel after we arrive in Kathmandu. There's nothing to do besides exchange emails with fellow travelers and organize images. In the evening, we will enjoy a farewell meal to commemorate the successful conclusion of our voyage. In Kathmandu, spend the night.

Today is the last day of our Nepal adventure! About 3 hours before the scheduled departure, a representative will transport us to the airport.