Dolpo Trek

                                        
                                        destination
                                        Dolpo Region
                                    
                                        duration
                                        26 Days
                                    
                                        grade
                                        Difficult
                                    
                                        start/end point
                                        Kathmandu/Kathmandu
                                    
                                        max altitude
                                        4400m
                                    
                                        meal
                                        Available
                                    
                                        season
                                        Mar to May / Sep to Oct

Overview

Dolpo Trek is one of the most remote, sacred, spiritual, and less-populated trekking destinations in Nepal. It is situated in the eastern part of Nepal. It is famous for its uniqueness in culture, tradition, and the lifestyle of the people who are still far behind in the development, education, and facilities of modern technology. The people are still following the ancient practices of shamanism (spiritual doctrine). They practice the Bon religion, which is an old version of Tibetan Buddhism so it is also called Pre-Buddhism. Their dialects, lifestyle, and features are very similar to Tibetan origin. In some parts of Dolpo people are still practicing polyandry marriage. They are not well-developed because of the wide distance (and no connection) between the cities and the capital city of Nepal. The trek offers you tremendously beautiful landscapes, settlements of clustered types of houses, green forests, beautiful lakes, and high-class mountain views and to explore ancient culture and tradition. These are the reasons why tourists go there without considering the expenses of transportation, the distance, and the wilderness adventure.
There are two destinations called; Upper Dolpo and Lower Dolpo. Upper Dolpo Trek is more demanding and also one of the special permits required for regions in Nepal so you need a special permit to trek in the region. Lower is moderately difficult. In terms of accessibility, both trips need expensive transportation. The trips start with the flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj first day and then another flight to Juphal in Dolpo, the following day. We complete our trip in the Dolpo region fly back from Juphal or we can trek to Jomsom doing a few passes and fly back from Jomsom to Pokhara or drive back.
In summary, Dolpo Trek is a challenging trip from a physical and economical perspective. However, the trip gives you back the value of the expenses. You will take back lots of memories and great experiences after completing Dolpo Trek. You are heartily welcome to Dolpo Trek.

Trip Highlights

Historical, cultural city of the heritage places in Kathmandu valley
Scenic and thrilling flights to Nepalgunj and Juphal
Wonderful flights between Kathmandu and Nepalgunj with superb views of High Himalayas and the plain Terai region
Phoksundo Lake, which is the deepest and the most beautiful Lake in Nepal
Challenging experiences of high passes
Highland old and unique Monasteries
Bon religion, which is also called Pre-Buddhism
Walk fearlessly in the nature from the embarrassment of rainfall as the region falls under the rain shadow area of Dhaulagiri Range
Unique people and their ancient culture, tradition, religion and lifestyle
Beautiful landscapes and experience of natural and cultural diversities
Flora and fauna

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive to Kathmandu (1350m), transfer to Hotel

You will be greeted by a representative of “Rai Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd”; at Tribhuvan International Airport when you arrive in the country of breathtaking mountains and temple-filled metropolis. Our personnel will accompany you to your Hotel where you will overnight for 2 nights. In the evening, we will host a dinner program in a traditional Nepali restaurant as well as offer you a briefing on the trekking itinerary. Attending the welcome meeting is crucial because this is when we will be gathering information about your insurance and next of kin. Please notify the front desk of your hotel or travel agency if you anticipate being late.
Overnight at Hotel

Day 2: Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu and trek preparation day in Kathmandu

SIGHTSEEING INCLUDES:

PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE

Pashupatinath is one of the most significant and the biggest Hindu temples of Shiva in the world, which is in the heart of Kathmandu nearby the airport. There is no certain data how old the temple is, however; it is believed that the site had been existed since 400 BC. The current temple was built in 1692 CE. Shiva is the God of Gods symbolizing the “destruction” among three main Gods according to Hinduism – Brahma, Bishnu and Maheshwor (Shiva). Brahma creates living things, Bishnu preserves them and Shiva destroys them at the end. Pashupatinath is listed in the World Heritage site in the lists of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was enlisted in 1979 AD. Pashupatinath is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams (Holy Abodes of Shiva)..

BOUDHANATH STUPA

It is also called Baudha, is the larget spherical stupa in the world. It was built in the 6th century CE, in the Licchavi regime. It was expanded around the 14th century. It is situated in the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, about 6 km from far from the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel. It was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979AD. Buadhanath is one of the popular places to visit on your visit to Nepal.

SWAYAMBHUNATH (MONKEY TEMPLE)

It is also called Monkey temple as you can see hundreds of monkeys around there when you visit there, which is the oldest religious site in Nepal. It was built in the 6th century CE, in the Licchavi regime. It was expanded around the 14th century. There is no enough proof when it was built, however; it is believed that it was built around 2500 years ago. It is also believed that it was created itself at the beginning so it is named Swayam (self) bhu (earth) nath (god) – which means it is created itself from the earth. It was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979AD. It is situated around 3 km far from Thamel, in the west direction. Swayambhunath is one of the popular places to visit on your visit to Nepal.

Day 3: Flight to Nepalgunj

Day 4: Flight to Jhupal (Dolpo 2320 m), trek to Dunai (2850 m): 2-3 Hrs. walk

Day 5: Trek to Ankhe (2660 m): 5-6 Hrs.

Day 6: Trek to Renja (3104 m): 6-7 Hrs.

Day 7: Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3660 m): 6-7 Hrs.

Day 8: Explore Phoksundo Lake

Day 9: Trek to Phoksundo Khola (3570 m): 5-6 Hrs.

Day 10: Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4402 m): 5-6 Hrs.

Day 11: Trek to Shey Gompa (4126 m): 6-7 Hrs.

Day 12: Explore Shey Gompa

Day 13: Trek to Namdua Gaon (4400 m): 5-6 Hrs.

Day 14: Trek to Saldang (3903 m): 3-4 Hrs.

Day 15: Trek to Sibu (3942 m): 5-6 Hrs.

Day 16: Trek to the foot of Jeng La (4369 m): 4-5 Hrs.

Day 17: Trek to Tokyu Gaon (4240 m): 6-7 Hrs

Day 18: Trek to Dho Tarap (4090 m): 4-5 Hrs.

Day 19: Trek to Serkam (3630 m): 5-6 Hrs

Day 20: Trek to Khani Gaon (2550 m): 5-6 Hrs

Day 21: Trek to Tarakot (2281 m): 3-4 Hrs.

Day 22: Trek to Dunai (2052 m): 4-5 Hrs

Day 23: Trek to Jhupal (2404 m): 3-4 Hrs

Day 24: Flight to Nepalgunj in the morning

Day 25: Fly back to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj

Day 26: Final departure for your home country

Inclusion / Exclusion

Inclusion

All airport transfers in Kathmandu and in Nepalgunj, on private vehicle
Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu including all transportation and entry permit to enter to the Heritage sites
3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu at Standard Hotel in Bed & Breakfast Basis
2 nights accommodation in Nepalgunj at Standard Hotel on Bed and Breakfast Basis
Flights (Kathmandu- Nepalgunj -Jhupal- Kathmandu) according to the Dossier
Trek on Full Board Basis (BLD - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Hot drink - tea/coffee) and boiled water for drinking
2 Men sharing Tent, Tents (Dining, Kitchen, Toilet), Mattress, Table, Chair
Trekking Permit, National Park & TIMS card fee. For Dolpo, you need Special Permit (Which is US$500 for 10 days and US$50/day for additional day) & for Lower Dolpo, US$20 for 1 week and US$5/day for additional days
1 professional English speaking guide including all his meals, transportation and daily wages
Sufficient assistant guides including all their meals, transportations and daily wages
Sufficient porters including all their meals, transportations and daily wages
All insurance for trekking crew members
Medical kits including basic medicines for the trekking crew members
Trekking Map
Duffel Bag
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu

Exclusion

International Airfare
Nepal Entry Visa Fee, which is USD50 for 30 days and USD30 for 15 days
Personal Insurance (Travel, Emergency Medical, Rescue)
Personal Trekking Gears, extra expenses Phone Calls, Mineral Water, Laundry, Bar Bills, Battery Recharge, Internet etc.
Main meals (lunch & dinner) in Kathmandu and in Nepalgunj
Tipping for guides and porters, which is not mandatory but it is customary in Nepal

Overview

Cheryl Marie Hindle

New Zealand

Many thanks to Rai Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd, for organising a fantastic trek to Dolpo for our group. The trekking crews are just lovely - friendly, caring, and willing to do anything for you, and the food is fantastic. Dolpo is remote and logistically challenging but nothing was a problem for them. So thank you very much! from Cheryl Hindle and Team