Lower Dolpo Trek

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m/4264ft)
Upon your arrival at the International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Sanctuary who will then escort you to your designated hotel. Take some time to rest and relax before spending the night there.

Day 02: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
After having breakfast, we embark on a day tour to visit the most significant historical and spiritual landmarks in Kathmandu. Many of these sites are considered World Heritage Sites, including Patan Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath), and Boudhanath, one of the world’s largest stupas. In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where you will meet our trek guides and crew members. A representative of Himalayan Sanctuary Adventure will provide brief guidance about the trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj: 1 hour

Once we finish our sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, we will take a one-hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, located in the western part of Nepal. This town offers a glimpse into the diverse culture of Nepal and serves as a gateway to Simikot, Humla. During our stay in Nepalgunj, we can visit the mini zoo, and explore the local market, and nearby villages before spending the night there.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo) (2,320m/7,610ft) and trek to Dunai (2,850m/9,348ft)
We will board a flight to Jhupal, a charming town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Accompanied by our trekking guides, we will trek through terraced fields and reach the Bheri River before arriving at Dunai. We will have some free time to explore this quaint town in the evening before camping overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 05: Dunai to Tarakot (2,543m/8,341ft): 5-6 hours
Following breakfast, we resume our trek by heading upstream along the southern bank of the Bheri River. The trekking trail is easy and provides breathtaking views of deep gorges with pine trees and isolated villages. Along the way, we cross several hanging bridges before finally arriving at Tarakot. Perched atop a hill, Tarakot is a charming small village that serves as our destination for the day. Overnight in Tarakot.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 06: Tarakot to Laini (3,160 m/10,365 ft): 6-7 hours

We trek beside the Tarap Chu River and arrive at Sandul Gompa, located at the junction of the Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu Rivers. Along the way, we pass by picturesque farmland terraces and charming rural villages, navigating through various ascents and descents until we reach Laini, where we will spend the night.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 07: Laini to Nawarpani (3,545m/11,627 ft): 5-6 hours

We trek along a steep and winding trail above the Tarap River, passing through narrow gorges, and making our way up and down the rugged terrain. Eventually, we arrive at the banks of Chyugur Khola, from where we continue our journey. Overnight in Nawarpani.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 08: Nawarpani to Do Tarap (4,090m/13,415ft): 7-8 hours

Ascending towards Kamattarka, we cross a narrow gorge and enter the inner Himalayan valleys, admiring the wild rose and juniper bushes. Continuing for a few more hours, we reach the Dho Tarap village, where we can find people from the Bon Po and Chaiba religious sects, as well as mostly Magars. Overnight in Do Tarap.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 09: Rest Day at Do Tarap for Acclimatization

Take a rest day to acclimatize to the altitude in Do Tarap Valley. Spend the day immersing in the local culture by exploring nearby monasteries, interacting with locals, and learning about their traditional lifestyles and costumes. The residents of this area follow both the Bon Po and Nyingmapa (Buddhist sect) religions. Stay overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 10: Trek to Numa La Base Camp (4440m/14,563 ft.): 6-7 hours 

We trek with joy up towards the Tarap Valley and relish the panoramic view of wide plains and towering mountains while admiring the surrounding lush green grasslands on both sides of the Tarap Chu River. As we continue trekking, we arrive at Tokyu village, where we can witness the Chiba sect Buddhist monastery and explore its beauty. From there, we ascend the valley on a rugged trail until we reach the Numa La Base Camp. Overnight in Numa La Base Camp.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11: Cross Numa La pass (5,360m/17,023ft), camp at Pelung Tang (4465m/14,645 ft): 6-7 hours

After crossing the Numa La Pass, we trek on a steep trail to reach the top. The stunning views of the barren mountains of Dolpo and Mt. Dhaulagiri from the top will take your breath away. We then descend to Peking Tang, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and remote wilderness. Stay overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 12: Cross Baga La pass (5,070m/16,630ft), trek to Dajok Tang (4,080m/13,382ft): 6 hours

After breakfast, we embark on a steep climb toward the top of Baga La Pass. The panoramic view of Mt. Kanjorowa from the pass is breathtaking. We continue on the trail and soak in the stunning views around us before descending toward Dajok Tang. Spend a night here.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 13: Dajok Tang to Ringmo (3,600m/11,808ft): 3-4 hours

After a pleasant walk on a gentle trail with some ups and downs, we arrive at Ringmo village. Surrounded by beautiful pine forests and alpine vegetation, Ringmo is a charming traditional Tibetan Dolpo village. Overnight in Ringmo.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 14: Hike to Phoksundo Lake

The itinerary involves a trek to the stunning Phoksundo Lake, with a stop at a nearby monastery along the way. As we traverse the remote mountain trails, we may encounter yak caravans. Upon reaching Phoksundo Lake, we will take time to explore its shores, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the area. Overnight at Phoksundo.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 15: Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta (2520m/8265 ft.): 5-6 hours walk

We descend along the trail toward Chepka, passing by a hanging rock and fields of medicinal herbs used for traditional healing in the area. Trekking through various villages, we gradually ascend to reach Shyanta. Overnight in Shyanta.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 16: Shyanta to Jhupal

As we walk along the trail surrounded by beautiful birch trees, we will be rewarded with stunning views of the mountains and the village of Juphal. After a while, we will continue trekking and eventually arrive at Juphal. Here, we can take some time to explore the bustling local market or simply rest and relax. Spend a night there.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 17: Fly to Nepalgunj, fly to Kathmandu

After an early morning flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj, we catch another flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. You can spend the day relaxing and resting. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner to celebrate the completion of your trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 18: Final departure

Our driver takes us to the International airport for the final departure.

Included meals: Breakfast

Important Note:  Please note that Trekking Guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep as above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails traveling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Cost Included

• Airport pick up and drop by private car/van or bus (Depends on group size)
• All domestic airfare (Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal- Nepalgunj – Kathmandu) including airport tax
• All the necessary paperwork such as national park entry fees, special trekking permit, and TIMS card fees.
• High-quality north face or mountain hardware or same category camping equipment (Sleeping tent/ Dining tent / Kitchen tent / Toilet tent/mattress and Kitchen utensils)
• All the trekking crews will be insured as per Nepal government regulations.
• Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner during the trekking period with hot tea and coffee.
• All the trekking crews (guide, sherpa, porter, helper, cook) salary/accommodation/food.
• First aid medical kit bag.
• 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu including Breakfast and Guest house in Nepalgunj.
• Supported staff and camping stuff will transfer by bus from/to Nepalgunj and by plane from/to Nepalgunj to Juphal.
• Kathmandu sightseeing in UNESCO world heritage sites.
• All the government taxes and company service charges

Cost Excluded

• Nepal visa which obtained at the airport on arrival {bring 4 copies passport size picture too}
• International airfare – from and to Kathmandu.
• Alcoholic beverages, bottled mineral water, soft drinks, and snack foods
• Any personal medical or evacuation expenses incur and strongly recommend international Travel
• insurance which included rescue
• Extra porter for the personal day bag pack
• Riding horse along the trek
• Extra cost on natural disaster
• Restaurant food bills, if the client decides to go to other restaurant during the trek
• Extra night hotel Nepalgunj due to bad weather and earlier back to Kathmandu
• Helicopter charter and all accommodation on flight cancellation due to bad weather
• Tips to trekking crews.

This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Remember that your luggage will be carried by your porter but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We suggest you that pack only what is necessary. Important documents and items

• Valid passport, 2 extra passport-size photos, airline tickets
• Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
• Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and purchasing your drinks and gifts
• Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.

Head

• Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty conditions
• Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

• Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
• Light and expedition-weight thermal tops
• Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
• Down vest and/or jacket *
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Hands

• 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
• 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
• 1 pair of mittens, consisting of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

 Lower Body

• Non-cotton underwear briefs
• 1 pair of Hiking shorts
• 1 pair of Hiking trousers
• 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
• 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
• 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

Feet

• 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
• 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
• 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)
• 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
• Cotton socks (optional)
• Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

Sleeping

• 1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
• Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

Rucksack and Travel Bags

• 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
• 1 large duffel bag *
• A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
• Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
• 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical

• Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
• Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
• 1 skin-blister repair kit
• Anti-diarrhea pills
• Anti-headache pills
• Cough and/or cold medicine
• Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
• Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
• Water purification tablets or the water filter
• 1 set of earplugs
• Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

Practical Items

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
• 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches
• 1 compass or GPS(optional)
• 1 alarm clock/watch
• 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
• large Ziplocs
• 2 water bottles (1 liter each)
• 1 small folding knife
• Binoculars (optional)
• 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks

Toiletries

• 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
• Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorants
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Female hygiene products
• Small mirror

Personal Hygiene

• Wet wipes (baby wipes)
• Tissue /toilet roll
• Anti-bacterial hand wash

Extras/Luxuries

• Reading book
• Trail map/guidebook
• Journal and pen
• iPod
• Travel games i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses and/or camps)
• 1 modest swimsuit
• Binoculars (optional)
• Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
• Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)

What sort of accommodation can I expect?
We provide basic guesthouses in Nepalgunj on twin sharing basis. Along the trekking routes, we provide the best possible camping service complete with comfortable two-person tents with good mattresses. A kitchen, dining, shower, toilet tents, and chairs with tables are also provided. Refer to the equipment list for items you will need to bring. We usually camp in or near a village, which allows you to buy sweets and drinks, which we do not carry with us.

What sort of food can I expect in trekking?
During the camping, our expert camping cook can prepare normal and special meals upon request. There is a wider variety of food available, including Western-style food, and you may request to eat at any point of the day. The camping price includes an all-you-can-eat food service.

What is the best season for this trekking?
Our trekking season extends from mid-September to May. From early September the monsoonal rains decrease. By the end of September to December, the weather is usually stable with mild to warm days, and cold nights. March, April, May, June, October, and November are the best time to do this trek.

What is the weather & temperature like in trekking?
Generally speaking, the nights are much cooler than the daytime hours in the region. Many first-time trekkers are surprised to learn about the incredible range that may occur on a given day. During the day, the thermometer could reach temps as high as 25 degrees C (77 Degrees F), only to dip down as low as -20 degrees C (-4 Degrees F) in less than 24 hours. While there’s no way to know exactly what each day in the mountains will bring, the weather and temperature ranges tend to be somewhat predictable based on the month and season.

Spring – March / April / May / June
Spring happens to be one of the best times of the year to visit the region, although because of this, it can become somewhat crowded. The beautiful clear blue sky can be seen and the many different species of flowers are visible at the lower altitude. During springtime, the average temperature is 20 degrees C (68 Degrees F), with a maximum of 25 degrees C (77 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -15 degrees C (5 Degrees F), in the morning and at night for areas above 4000 meters.

July / August Through Mid-September is Monsoon Season
There are positive sides to trekking during the monsoon months as the excess rainfall can provide ample chance to see spectacular views of the waterfall and it’s also the best season to avoid the crowds. During springtime, the average temperature is 22 degrees C (71.6 Degrees F), with a maximum of 30 degrees C (86 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -5 degrees C (23 Degrees F), in the morning and at night for areas above 4000 meters.

Autumn – End of September / October / November
The average temperature during the fall is 17 degrees C (62.6 Degrees F), with a maximum temp of 20 degrees C (68 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -15 degrees C (5 Degrees F), in the morning and night, for areas above 4000 meters altitude.

Winter- December/ January/ February
The average temperature during the winter is 10 degrees C (50 Degrees F), with a maximum temp of 17 degrees C (62.6 Degrees F), during sunny days and a minimum of -20 degrees C (-4 Degrees F), in the morning and night, for areas above 4000 meters altitude. The above temperature is based on the outside of the guesthouse temperature. No need to worry about the cold temperature as we provide the sleeping bag plus the extra blanket to make sure our clients are warm enough during their time of need.

Can I charge my digital camera or other equipment on my trip?
These facilities will be available only in a few towns by paying some service charges. Remember to bring TWO and THREE-pin travel adapters! Please bring spare batteries.

Is there any communication while we are on trekking?
There are telephones in some villages along the trekking routes from which you can make international calls. All our guides are equipped with a local mobile phone. You may wish to pass the number of our guide to your family for the callback or you can make a call from the guide’s mobile and pay him directly for the international call too

Can I use credit cards in the places I visit in trekking?
In the cities, yes – to some extent. Once you are out of the cities, all you need is cash. Please change the currency to local Nepali Rupees before you go to the mountains.

How much additional money do I need per day?
It depends on your spending habits. Generally, in Kathmandu, you can allocate USD 10 to USD 15 for lunch and dinner.
During the trekking all the meals and hot drinks are included, however, USD 8 to USD 12 per person a day will be enough to buy chocolates, and a few drinks during the trekking.

Do I need to tip my guide and porters?  How much would that be?
This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 20 to USD 500 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide. However, we recommend you spend a minimum of 10% of your total trip cost for tipping the entire local staff.

What opportunities will I have for showering along the trek?
Yes, we provide you with shower facilities during your trek. We set up a shower tent and provide you with buckets of hot water.

Can I add extra days to my trekking trip?
A holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. Along your trek, we can add days at your request with additional costs to cover guides, porters, accommodation, and food.

Do you use yaks/porters on the trek or do we carry all of our gear?
We normally use Yaks or Jhopkey (strong animals similar to yak) and porters to carry your luggage, food, and, camping equipment. All you need to carry is your small day bag for your personal belongings like a camera, water bottle, sun cream, etc. only

Can I obtain a visa for Nepal upon arrival at the airport?
Yes, you can obtain the visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days can be obtained by paying USD 30 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, a Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days can be obtained by paying USD 50 and 125 respectively. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)

What immunizations will I need?
No vaccinations are compulsory for traveling in Bhutan, but we do recommend you are covered for diphtheria TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio, and tetanus.

We also recommend:

· A dental check-up before traveling.
· That you know your blood group in case of emergency.

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