Lower Dolpo & Lake Phoksundo Trekking - 22 Days

After your arrival at Kathmandu 1,400m Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from the travel agency will receive you. The representative will then escort you to the Hotel via a Private vehicle. Upon your arrival at the Hotel, a bellboy will escort you to the lobby. Shortly after you check into your room, the tour guide will inform you about a meeting later that evening. The tour guide will then brief the information about the trek to you and other trek members.

After you have breakfast, the tour guide will escort you to the vehicle outside the Hotel. Today, you will indulge yourself in a short city excursion around Kathmandu city. The excursion begins early in the morning so you will have plenty of time to explore Kathmandu valley. The cultural city tour today includes famous World Heritage Sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. Later this afternoon, you will stroll around for souvenirs at like Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar.

Today, a private vehicle will transfer you to the domestic airport for a 55 min scenic flight to Nepalgunj. You will arrive at Nepalgunj 150m in the late afternoon so you will have plenty of time to look around the town. Nepalgunj lies on the southern Nepal border with India, so the temperature is quite hot and tropical. You will spend the night in your room with Air condition facilities.

After a pleasant stay at the hotel, you will board a 45 min scenic mountain flight to Jhuphal 2,320m from Nepalgunj. The Airport at Jhuphal welcomes you with splendid views of Dhaulagiri peaks 8,167m to the north. Upon your arrival, the rest of the crew will greet you with with the camping gear and food supply. Your 3-hour trek starts from Jamal at Dunai 2,850m for an overnight camp along the village. Your trek leads you to an hour long steep descent through terraced fields to the Bheri River. The trail ahead follows the narrow gorge to the campsite at Dunai village.

Today, your trek starts as you follow the trail ahead through many small streams towards Bheri and Barbung river. Eventually, your trek leads you through a tremendous gorge with pine trees and path above the river. After a good 5-6 hours worth of hike, you will finally arrive at Tarakot 2,850m. Tarakot is a beautiful village surrounded by colorful terraced fields and farmlands. It is an old fortress made by the local people as Dzong or fort. The village of Tarakot lies on a hillock to the south of Bheri River. You will camp for the night at a steep surrounded by trees, chorten and a Gompa on the edge.

The trek route today follows the roaring Tarap Chu river upstream towards a wooden bridge. Further ahead on the trek, you will cross this same river twice on the trail. You will continue the hike through farm terraces and rural villages at Sahartera. The trail then starts to gradually bend towards a small village settlement of Kola. Shortly, the 3-4 hrs morning hike ends after a short descend to. You will camp for the night beside the Kamigaon village (2,543m).

After early morning breakfast, you will continue the trek hiking up the gorge of the Tarap River. The trail rises for a brief moment alongside the river towards a steeper slope. You will see sheep herders with their flocks of sheep’s and goats along this trail. The hike ahead is a pleasant walk through a narrow gorge across a bridge made of stone slabs and logs. It is a thrilling experience as the bridges are damaged or washed by the monsoon flood. The trek ends after a 4-5 hours hike at Tarap Khola 3,250m. You will set up camp for the night on the banks of Tarap Khola.

You will walk away from the banks of the Tarap Khola and head towards the upper valley following the Tarap Chu (river). The trail ahead passes through beautiful summer pasture and farm settlements. Further ahead, you will cross the same river more than once by the help of wooden bridges along the way. The trek for today ends at Yak Kharka 3,850m after 4 hours worth of hike from Tarap Khola. You will camp for the night near the tributary of Lang Chu.

Your trek for today starts early in the morning as you make a gradual ascend towards Kamattarka. It lies between the junction of the Tarapchu and Lang Khola. After 2 hours of hiking, you will follow the path leading through the juniper bush and wild rose. After 3 more hours of hike, you will arrive at the village of Dho Tarap. The village of Dho Tarap 4,090m is divided into three groups. The village of Tarap is inhabited by Tibetans and Magars for many generations. Your 6 hours hike comes to an end as you set up camp for the night beside Dho Tarap village.

Today is the first day of acclimatization on your Lower Dolpo and Shey Phoksundo trek. You will spend the day exploring the villages to make friends. You will have the opportunity to witness the local lifestyle of the people. You will hike for an hour to the Buddhist Gompa and Bon Gompa to speed up your acclimatization process. The short hike enables your body to adapt to the surrounding altitude to prepare yourself for the trek ahead.

After an amazing stay at the village of Dho Tarap, you will start your journey towards upper Tarap valley. The hike ahead is through the plain valley with lush verdant beside the river. Furthermore, you will follow the Tarap Chu upstream for most of the part of the trek. The trek continues for another 4 hours until you arrive at the tranquil village of Tokyu. Upon your arrival, you will also explore an ancient monastery belonging to the Chiba sect. The 5 hour long ends at Tokyu Gaon 4,209m as you take a break in the village. You will enjoy a meal and sleep for the night at a campsite along Tokyu village.

Today, you commence your trek early as the trail diverts North West overlooking great scenery of the surrounding landscapes. You will hike along with beautiful landscapes full of natural and wildlife vegetation. The trail further head towards green pasture lands and alpine shrubs. Your 5-hour trek comes to an end after your arrival at the base of Numa-la 5,190m. You will have plenty of time to explore the surrounding of Numa-La base.

Today, your journey to Shey Phoksundo continues as you make your way up to a steep hill to the top of Numa La at 5,190m. The great mountains and valley surround you as enjoy the incredible 4 hours climb to the high pass. The view from the top is amazing as you gaze upon the magnificence north face of the Dhaulagiri massif 8,167m. After a glorious moment at the pass, you will hike downhill for 3 more hours to Palungtang 4,465m.

Your day begins with a glorious sunrise in the village of Palungtang. You will enjoy breakfast at the camp and start your trek early. You will leave Palungtang behind and make your way to the Baga La pass 5,070m. It is a strenuous 4 hours steep climb before you cross the astounding pass at Baga la. The view from Baga la pass is truly astonishing. After your short magical moment at the pass, you will make a gentle hike downhill to Phedi 4,470m. The trek for today comes to an end after 8 hours of the hike at Palungtang. You camp for the night at Phedi.

Today, your trek begins early in the morning with a steep climb over the green hills. You will overlook the fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes and distant Kanjiroba Himal range 6,883m. Eventually, the trek further leads you to a descend for 2 hours through pine forest. The path then leads to a landscape full of vegetation and pasture field the way to Ringmo. You will hike a few ups and downs until you finally reach the destination at Ringmo. Your 6-7 hours hike comes to an end after your set up camp at Ringo. You stay for the night at Ringmo 3,600m.

Today is the second acclimatization day on your Lower Dolpo and Shey Phoksundo lake trek. You will commence a short hike to the Tibetan Buddhist monastery and explore the village of Ringmo. Ringmo is a small village settlement inhabited by the Gurung and Thakuri communities. The hike is rather relaxing as you walk your way around the Shey Phoksundo Lake 3,612m. Shey Phoksundo lake is the deepest lake in the world. So, it is an amazing experience to spectate the magnificence of the beautiful lake surrounded by hills. You will stay for the night at Campsite in Ringo village.

It is a wonderful experience at the Ringmo village and Phoksundo Lake. However, you will have to leave the serene lake behind and start your journey towards Sumduwa. The trail ahead leads through steep terrains through birch forests to a ridge. So, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the distant Phoksundo Lake on your hike away from the Ringo village. A trek of 4-5 hours will bring you to your overnight campsite in Sumduwa(3,400m).

From the campsite at Sumduwa, your journey begins as you follow the river downstream to a bridge near Ryajik 2,940m. The trail ahead is a collection of rocks and sticks that form a dike along the river bank. You will climb the wobbly stone staircase from the riverbank to a cliff and through the forest. The trail slowly traverses past the grassy slope high above the river. Then, the path leads you through a forest to the entrance of Shey Phoksundo National Park. After trekking for 6 hours, you will reach Ankhe(2,896m).

After having lunch at Dunai, you will commence your journey following a path along a large stream. The trail heads uphill shortly after through the deep dark forest passing another canyon to the Phuksumdo Khola. The hike continues towards the lower part of Rahagaon 2,909m. You will enjoy a great view of the Kagmara peak as you make your way down to the treeless Thulo Bheri valley. After 6 hours worth of hike, you will finally arrive at Dunai 2,000m and stay here for the night.

From Dunai, you will retrace the comfortable 2-3 hours journey back to Jhupal 2,320m. You will enjoy a splendid breakfast in Jhupal. Shortly after, you will start your trek on a trail surrounded by birch forest. You will enjoy the spectacular views of the mountain on your trip to Jhupal Village below. Upon your arrival at Jhuphal, you will have plenty of time to spend exploring the market town or taking a rest.

Today, you will board an early 45-minute morning sweeping flight to Nepalgunj over the Himalayan foothills. You will fly over the stunning views of the snow-capped peaks on your flight from Jhuphal 2,320m to Nepalgunj(150m). On your arrival at Nepalgunj, you will board a connecting 55-minute flight to Kathmandu, 1,400m. A private vehicle will be waiting for you outside the Kathmandu Airport. Upon your arrival at the Hotel, you will trade emails and organize photos with your travel companions. Later that evening, you will celebrate the successful journey with a farewell dinner with your trek team. You will stay overnight at your Hotel in Kathmandu.

Today is the last day here at Kathmandu on your Lower Dolpo and Shey Phoksundo lake trek. You will check out of the Hotel with your belongings and necessary travel documents. A private vehicle will be waiting for you outside to escort you to the airport.