The Lower Dolpo trek takes you far away from famous trekking regions like Everest and Annapurna. Trekking in Dolpo is nothing like what you may have experienced or heard about popular treks in Nepal.
On the Lower Dolpo trek, you will travel to the far western region of the Himalayas, which resembles Tibet more than Nepal. Even though the trek name suggests the lower part of the Dolpo region, the climate and altitude are no less than those of the upper area.
During the Lower Dolpo trek, you will explore the BonPo religion, lovely alpine pastures, and the stunning Phoksundo Lake. You will spend nights on peaceful ridges and meadows, under the starry skies. Along the trail, you will meet with Caravan and friendly locals.
The trail ascends above 5,000 meters. You will experience dry, arid environments. The fewer number of tourists, wilderness, adventure, stunning scenery, and the Himalayan mountain ranges are the charms of this trek.
Lower Dolpo is not a beginner-friendly trek, but it is also not as strenuous as the Upper Dolpo trek. If you have done EBC, ABC, Langtang Valley, Annapurna Circuit, etc, you may consider the Lower Dolpo trek as your next voyage in Nepal.
First-time trekkers may also do the Lower Dolpo trek 17 days if they are in good shape and can push themselves. Trekking in the Dolpo region has always been considered exclusive and magical even by the Nepalese themselves.
It is a journey back in time. You will be traversing a part of the Himalayas that remains untouched and rarely explored by travelers. Trekkers looking for an authentic trek in the Himalayas and are ready to get uncomfortable will love this trek.
We do the Lower Dolpo trek in a camping style. So, our Lower Dolpo trek package includes tents and all camping essentials, including food, water, and fuel. Our Lower Dolpo trek cost is also inclusive of guide, porter, and chef.
What to expect during the Lower Dolpo trek 17 days?
The Lower Dolpo trek route was opened in 1982 for foreigners as one of the extreme adventures in Nepal. It is an offbeat trek with many steep uphill and downhill walks.
Most of the trail is within the Shey-Phoksundo National Park, which protects and preserves locals, wildlife, and vegetation. The region is home to rare animals like musk deer, Tibetan wolves, and snow leopards.
The chance to spot these unique wildlife species will make the journey exhilarating and adventurous. Likewise, the very expensive medicinal herb Yarsagumba grows in the upper part of this region.
Yarsagumba, also known as the 'Himalayan Viagra', is highly prized in traditional Chinese medicine and can fetch a high price in the market. The trekking route passes through vast meadows, barren hills, and forests of pine, rhododendron, fir, etc.
People from various communities, such as Sherpa, Gurung, Magar, Limbu, and others, live in Dolpo. They follow BonPo and Tibetan Buddhist religions. Dolpo is located close to the Tibetan border and is also one of the major Tibetan trade routes.
Therefore, the locals are highly influenced by Tibetan culture, norms, values, and beliefs. During the trek, you will spend nights in small villages and explore ancient monasteries and stupas.
We have an acclimatization day in Dho Tarap. This day allows your body to adjust to the high altitude, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. After Dho Tarap, you will cross Namu La Pass (5,290 m/17,355 ft) and Baga La Pass (5,182 m/17,001 ft) to reach Phoksundo Lake (3,589 m/11,775 ft).
Landscapes are usually vast and beautiful, with snow-capped mountains dominating the horizon. You can see mountains like Norbung Kang, Baga La Range, Kanjirowa, Shey Shikhar, Kagmara Himal, Dhaulagiri, etc.
Phoksundo Lake
The Phoksundo Lake is one of Nepal's alpine freshwater lakes. It is located in the Shey Phoksundo National Park at 3,611 meters (11,849 ft). Hiking to Phoksundo Lake is one of the major highlights of the Lower Dolpo trek.
The Phoksundo Lake is known for its heavenly beauty and turquoise color water. Although very few travelers trek here, many who know this lake dream of seeing its mesmerizing beauty once in their lives.
Dho Tarap
The Dho Tarap is a beautiful village situated at 4,090 meters (13,418 ft). It is one of the highest settlements in the world. The Dho Tarap village is located at the heart of Dolpo, where you can see the locals' lifestyle and traditional attire.
The village is surrounded by farming fields, pastures, and lush/barren hills. In this village, you will see Bon, Tibetan Buddhism, and Amchi traditions.
Mountains you will see during the Lower Dolpo trek
- Churen Himal range
- Putha Hiunchuli
- Crystal Mountain
- Mt. Dhaulagiri
- Kanjeralwa Himal
- Shey Shikhar
- Norbung Kang Peak
Lower Dolpo trek difficulty
The Lower Dolpo trek is challenging. However, compared to the Upper Dolpo trek, it is much more achievable, and a beginner trekker with strong fitness can also do it.
Camping is not necessary on this trek, which also makes it accessible. The terrain remains offbeat and steep. Likewise, the number of trekkers doing the Lower Dolpo trek is also much less than that of the famous trekking routes in Nepal.
Even though trekking in Lower Dolpo is a bit more manageable than the Upper Dolpo trek, you will still be exploring a remote and untouched area, so you need proper preparation. The trek crosses two 5,000-meter-high mountain passes, vast meadows, and steep hillsides.
Trek distance: During this 17-day trek, you will spend 5 to 6 hours walking daily, covering 9 to 11 kilometers of distance a day.
Tourist infrastructure: Very limited. You have to be well-packed.
Is the Lower Dolpo trek suitable for you?
- Experience: It depends on your determination and fitness. The Lower Dolpo trek best suits travelers who have previous trekking experience in Nepal. However, this trek is not limited to experienced trekkers.
- Fitness: Rookie trekkers may also do the Lower Dolpo trek 17 days if they properly prepare for the journey. The toughest thing about the Lower Dolpo trek is its offbeat terrain and poor trekking facilities.
If you can deal with these two things, you can not only complete the Lower Dolpo trek but also enjoy it. Even if you do not have previous trekking experience, good physical and mental fitness is required for this adventurous trek.
How to prepare for the Lower Dolpo trek?
The Lower Dolpo trek preparation varies from one person to another. Depending on your fitness, you have to work out to improve your strength and endurance for the Lower Dolpo trek.
- Strength: For strength training, you can visit a gym or do strength exercises at home. Strengthen your upper body, core, and legs.
- Cardio: Cardio is the best way to improve your stamina and endurance.
- Regular walk: Build a long walking habit. During the Lower Dolpo trek, you will trek 5 to 6 hours a day on average. To walk these long hours, you need practice.
- Day hikes: Day hikes are a great way to mimic uphill and downhill walking, along with cardio and strength exercise. If you have hiking trails around your home, we highly recommend going on day hikes.
Lower Dolpo trek permit
First, you need the Shey-Phoksundo National Park permit for the Lower Dolpo trek. Likewise, you will also need a restricted area permit for Lower Dolpo.
We have mentioned the cost of both permits below. Note that you do not have to pay this fee if you buy our Lower Dolpo trek package.
Shey-Phoksundo National Park permit: USD 30 per person
Restricted area permit for Lower Dolpo: USD 20 per person for the first seven days. After that, USD 5 per day per person
Lower Dolpo trek cost and booking with Adventure Magic Treks
The Lower Dolpo trek is one of the expensive treks in Nepal. It is a restricted area trek and requires camping, which makes this trek costly. Still, we, Adventure Magic Treks, have made sure to bring the best Lower Dolpo trek cost for you.
We provide full camping service for the Lower Dolpo trek 17 days. So, trekkers do not need to spend money on tents and other essentials. They only have to bring their trekking clothes, gear, and personal things.
We have private and fixed departures for the Lower Dolpo trek. To book a private Lower Dolpo trek, there must be two trekkers. Solo trekkers can book their seats on one of our fixed departure dates.
If you have any questions regarding the Lower Dolpo trek cost or booking, feel free to contact us anytime. You can also customize the Lower Dolpo trek itinerary or combine the Lower Dolpo trek with the Upper Dolpo trek.
We work hard to bring your dream trip to Nepal to come true. Our dedicated team knows the ins and outs of trekking in Nepal and can assist you on all routes and regions!



