Lower Dolpo Trek- 15 Days Itinerary

Lower Dolpo Trek is a perfect adventure for any trekking enthusiast. It is a perfect way of viewing and experiencing authentic Nepal. This trek takes you on a beautiful journey amidst vibrant culture and landscapes. 

Lower Dolpo trek is famous among trek enthusiasts as you get to explore and learn about the unique culture of this part of Nepal. The Dolpo region, located in the northwestern part of the Dhaulagiri mountain range, is considered the least developed region. It falls under the territory of the biggest and the only trans- Himalayan National Park in Nepal, The Shey-Phoksundo National Park. 

 The entire Dolpo region is categorized into the Upper Dolpo and the Lower Dolpo region. Right now, we are referring to the lower Dolpo region. Looking at it geographically, the lower Dolpo region is steep primarily land. The renowned Phoksundo Lake also lies in the lower Dolpo region. The Phoksundo Lake is one of Nepal’s deepest and most iconic lakes. It stands as a symbol of pride for the Karnali Province, adding to the allure of the Lower Dolpo Trek.

During the Lower Dolpo Trek, as you venture close to the mesmerizing Phoksundo Lake, you’ll encounter the quaint Ringo Village, also called Bon Village. At the bank of this lake lies the Bon Monastery, also known as Thasung Monastery. The Thansung monastery was established in the 11th century. 

Talking about the religious faith in the lower Dolpo region, people here primarily practice Bon, Buddhism, and Hinduism, which is the perfect example of unity in Diversity. 

In Nepal, the Dolpo region is regarded as a restricted area. Geographically, Lower Dolpo is characterized by dry landscapes and secret valleys. The Nepalese government is essential in managing flooding tourism to protect the country’s ecological and cultural treasures.

Lower Dolpo is a distant area in Dolpo where you are more likely to see Tibetans than Nepalese. In 1989, Lower Dolpo was formally opened to the public. Lower Dolpo is located at a height of 5200 meters.

Lower Dolpo is a part of the Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to several remote settlements with Tibetan-related residents and historic monasteries. These uncommon creatures include the snow leopard, goral, thar, Himalayan black bear, and rhesus monkey.

One of the few locations where Bon Po, a pre-Buddhist religion, is still practiced is here. Buddhism and the Bon PO religion are pretty similar; the only distinction is that the Bon PO religion revolves around stupas and shrines anti-clockwise. 

One of the most challenging treks, the Lower Dolpo trek, passes by the brilliant Shey Phoksundo Lake, the panoramic Himalayan mountains, the Thrilling Terrain, and undiscovered traditional villages.

The Lower Doplo Trek is a daring and thrilling trip in Nepal. This walk offers a lot, from breathtaking mountain views to fascinating Tibetan culture. You will collect beautiful memories hiking through lush forests and alpine meadows. You encounter people from several ethnic groups throughout the trip, including Sherpa, Gurung, Rai, Limbu, and Tibetan.

The Lower Dolpo Trek portrays Nepal’s varied topography and culture. The journey along the hiking routes is worthwhile.

Best Time to Travel to Lower Dolpo Trek

Like any other journey in Nepal, the Lower Dolpo trek is best done in the spring and fall. However, due to unforeseen snowfall, traveling can be difficult in the early spring and late autumn.

The Dhaulagiri Himal Range lies directly below the majority of the Dolpo. As a result, even during the monsoon season, the Dolpo region experiences no rain.

Spring

In the Dolpo region, particularly in the lower section, spring is a great time to travel. The Lower Dolpo Trek is best done from the middle of April to the end of May. The weather is pleasant and steady right now. Beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri ranges can be seen on a clear day.

Autumn

The Lower Dolpo trek is at its best in the autumn. The high mountains’ weather, however, can be erratic. It is therefore advisable to travel prepared just in case. Due to the approaching winter, late November travel might be challenging. The months of September and October are favorable. There are clear skies and mild temperatures.

Travel Insurance for Lower Dolpo Trek

If you’re planning a trip to Nepal, you should know that there are certain things you’ll need to take care of. Things like travel insurance could be one of them, and we’re here to help!

Before you start the Lower Dolpo Trek, make sure you have travel insurance. This is important because if something goes wrong and you need to see a doctor, it can be expensive. Having travel insurance will help you get your money back for those costs. It’s like a safety net to help you if something bad happens during your trip.

Another thing that’s important about having travel insurance before going on your trip is that it can protect you from being legally liable if something bad happens while you’re in Nepal. If something happens to someone else while they’re on your trip, and they don’t have insurance coverage like yours, then they may suffer financial losses because they didn’t have any protection against these types of incidents happening at all!

So what should you look for when choosing a travel insurance provider? First of all, make sure they offer coverage in the country where you plan on traveling. Secondarily, make sure they offer coverage for the type of adventure activity (like trekking).

The difficulty of Lower Dolpo Trek

A longer and more difficult walk at a greater altitude is the Lower Dolpo Trek (more than 4,000 m). Altitude sickness is very likely to strike you as the walk leads you to altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters. Acclimatization is essential for the convenient trek as a result of this. On average, it takes 20 days to accomplish this trek. The length, though, may differ from itinerary to itinerary.

The Lower Dolpo region has few teahouses, similar to other well-traveled hiking routes in Nepal. For your overnight stays, camping tents are available as well. You must become used to the comfortable lodgings along the route. Overall, this walk is physically taxing but rewards you with breathtaking views of the mountains.

Accommodation and Meals During Lower Dolpo Trek

When embarking on the Lower Dolpo Trek, you’ll find that the Dolpo region provides the most basic lodging and food. Following 1989, the government made the Dolpo trekking route accessible to foreigners. As a result, the lodging for this trek is still under construction.

A camping trek is the Lower Dolpo trek. You must therefore get used to the remote facility. In the Dolpo region, you spend your nights in a cozy two-man camping tent. The tent will have a comfortable mattress and a sturdy sleeping bag. There haven’t been many tea houses built recently.

In terms of food, Lower Dolpo trekking offers real Nepali cuisine. The culinary items on the menu include dal, bhat, tarkari, side dishes, bread, butter, eggs, and other Western cuisines.

Permits required for Lower Dolpo trek

A less used route is the Lower Dolpo Trek. Trekking in the Dolpo region requires two different permits. As always, this trek is open to at least two additional groups. As a result, only travel organizations can obtain permits for solo hikers.

The following list includes the two important permits needed for the treks in Lower Dolpo:

• Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Entry Permit
• Shey Phoksundo National Park entry Permit

Acclimatization

Lower Dolpo Trek is a trekking route with several days of walking and camping in the Dolpo region. It is considered one of the most difficult treks in Nepal. Acclimatization is vital for anyone who plans on taking this trek, as it can be very challenging.

The first few days of your Lower Dolpo Trek will be spent acclimatizing to the altitude, weather, and terrain. The key to this process is to eat light meals and drink lots of fluid so you don’t get too dehydrated or overheated. You should also take frequent breaks to rest and allow your body time to adjust to the altitude (which can take up to 48 hours).

If you are planning on taking this trek with others, make sure that everyone follows the same dietary restrictions.

Electricity & Communication

There is no electricity in many areas of Dolpo because it is a very remote region of Nepal. Fortunately, you can get electricity in a relatively limited number of locations to charge your equipment. There is only Wi-Fi connectivity in the Shey Phoksundo neighborhood. You should therefore bring extra batteries and power banks with you.

Trip Safety

Lower Dolpo trek is considered to be the most dangerous trek in Nepal. It is a long trek, and it has many risks involved. There are many natural hazards, such as avalanches, landslides, and flash floods. The danger lies in getting lost or hurt in the mountains due to a lack of awareness on how to handle yourself in case of emergencies like these.

The most important thing for you to remember when you go on the lower Dolpo trek is that you should carry your life-saving items with you. These can include water filters and medical supplies like aspirin or gauze bandages if needed. You should also take extra food supplies with you because there might not be any shops around during your trekking journey.

Because of this, we have a team of professionals that are qualified to keep everyone safe while assisting you in making the most of your trekking experience. Whether it’s making sure everyone is comfortable or offering first aid if someone gets wounded, our expert guides will make sure you have the greatest time possible on your excursion.