Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative of Kai Expedition. After clearing immigration and collecting luggage, you will be greeted with traditional hospitality and transferred to your hotel. Take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your journey and soak in vibrant atmosphere of Nepal’s capital city. A short briefing about the upcoming adventure will be provided later in the evening.
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Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
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Day 2 Kathmandu sightseeing and trek permit preparation
On the second day of the Lower Dolpa trek, dedicated to securing all necessary permits, such as the Lower Dolpa Restricted Area permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park entry; while your guide handles the paperwork in Kathmandu. With preparation underway, you will have time to explore the city’s cultural highlights, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, or the vibrant streets of Thamel. The day offers a relaxed yet meaningful blend of administrative readiness and enriching sightseeing before your journey into Dolpa begins.
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Day 3 Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Today, you will start the day with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a bustling city in Nepal’s southwestern lowlands. After landing at Nepalgunj, you can settle into your hotel and take a leisurely stroll around the warm, vibrant town, exploring its local markets and cultural mix. This transit day helps you adjust to a different climate and prepares you for the next day’s early flight towards the remote Dolpa region.
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Day 4 Nepalgunj - Juphal (fly) – Dunai (trek)
The trek begins with a scenic early-morning flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal, offering stunning aerial views of the Himalayan foothills. Upon landing at Juphal, you will meet your trekking team and begin a gentle trek towards Dunai, the district headquarters of Dolpa. The trail descends gradually through terraced fields and small villages, following the banks of the Bheri River. After a few hours of easy walking, you reach Dunai, a charming riverside town where you can explore the local monasteries, interact with friendly locals, and prepare for the higher trails ahead.
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Day 5 Dunai to Tarakot
The trek takes you from Dunai to Tarakot along a pleasant trail that follows the turquoise Bheri River. The route winds through terraced farmlands, traditional villages, and pine forests, offering a peaceful introduction to Dolpa’s remote landscapes. As you walk, you will pass suspension bridges and Mani walls that reflect the region’s strong Buddhist heritage. After about 5 to 6 hours of trekking, you reach the historic villages of Tarakot, beautifully perched above the river and known for its ancient fortress and vibrant local culture.
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Day 6 Tarakot to Laini
From Tarakot to Laini, you will follow a scenic trail that winds along the Bheri River before gradually ascending through forested paths and traditional villages. The route offers a peaceful walk through narrow gorges, suspension bridges, and terraced fields, with occasional glimpses of local life. As you trek higher from Tarakot, the landscapes becomes quieter and more remote, eventually leading you to Laini, a small, serene campsite set beside the river, an ideal place to rest and enjoy the solitude of Dopla’s rugged beauty.
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Day 7 Laini to Nawarpani
The trek takes you from Lain to Nawarpani along a gradually rising trail that follows the Tarap Khola through narrow gorges and rocky cliffs. The walk is peaceful yet adventurous, with sections of the path carved into the canyon walls and occasional river crossing that add excitement to the day. As you continue upstream, the landscapes become more rugged and remote, offering stunning views of the surrounding hills. By the time you reach the quiet riverside settlement of Nawarpani, you will feel fully immersed in Dolpa’s wild and untouched environment.
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Day 8 Nawarpani to Dho Tarap
The trek from Nawarpani to Dhjo Tarap on day 08 is a scenic and enriching journey as the trail gradually ascends through a narrow valley lined with rugged cliffs and sparse vegetation. As you follow the Tarap Khola upstream, the landscapes begin to open into wider meadows and traditional stone-walled fields, signaling your entry into the culturally rich Tarap region. Approaching Dho Tarap, one of the highest human settlements in the world, you will be welcomed by ancient monasteries, prayer flags, and the unique traditional of the Dolpa people, offering a memorable blend of natural beauty and authentic Himalayan culture. -
Day 9 Acclimatization day at Dho Tarap
Today is reserved as the acclimatization day at Dho Tarap, which gives you time to adjust to the high altitude while exploring this beautiful traditional village. You can wander through its ancient monasteries, interact with the warm-hearted Dolpa people, and observe their unique customs and lifestyle. This place is surrounded by expansive barley fields and stark mountain scenery; the day offers both rest and cultural immersion, preparing you for the higher sections of the trek ahead. -
Day 10 Trek to Numa La Base Camp
The trek takes you on a steady ascent from the serene valley of Dho Tarap toward the remote Numa La Base Camp. The trail gradually climbs out of the village, passing scattered yak pastures, mani walls, and open high-altitude meadows framed by rugged Dolpa landscapes. As you gain elevation, the air becomes crisper and the scenery more dramatic, with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. By afternoon, you reach the windswept Numa La Base Camp, a simple but stunning high-mountain campsite set beneath the towering pass, where you rest and prepare for the challenging crossing of Numa La the following day.
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Day 11 Numa La Base Camp to Penung Tang
The trek begins with a steep and steady climb from Numa La Base Camp towards the Numa La Pass, one of the highest and most challenging points of the journey. The ascent is demanding but rewarding, offering breathtaking views of rugged Dolpa valleys and distant mountain ranges as you approach the windswept summit. After enjoying the panoramic scenery, you descend along a rocky, winding trail that gradually leads to gentler terrain. By late afternoon, you arrive at Penung Tang, a peaceful campsite set beside open meadows and flowing stream, providing a tranquil place to rest after the day’s high-altitude adventure.
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Day 12 Penung Tang to Dajok Tang
You trek from Penung Tang to Dajok Tang, following a scenic trail that winds through peaceful alpine meadows and rugged high-mountain terrain. The route gently descends along the valley, offering sweeping views of Dolpa’s dramatic cliffs and scattered grazing pastures. As you approach Dajok Tang, the landscapes open into serene, wide grassland where the campsite sits surrounded by quiet Himalayan beauty. It is an ideal place to rest after a rewarding day’s walk.
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Day 13 Dajok Tang to Ringmo
Today, you will trek from Dajok Tang to Ringmo, gradually descending through a beautiful mix of high pastureland, rocky path, and pine-filled valleys. As you continue, the landscape becomes greener, and the trail leads you towards the serene surroundings of Ringmo. Approaching this village, you are welcomed by views of turquoise Phoksundo Lake and traditional Bon houses, making the day’s journey both scenic and culturally rich.
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Day 14 Ringmo to Phoksundo Lake
The trek from Ringmo to Phoksundo Lake is a short but breathtaking walk that follows a peaceful trail through pine forests and along the turquoise shoreline. As you approach the lake, the water’s vibrant blue color becomes even more striking against the surrounding cliffs and snowy peaks. The day offers plenty of time to explore the monastery, relax by the lake, and soak in the serene beauty that makes Phoksundo one of Lower Dolpa’s most iconic highlights.
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Day 15 Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta
The trek from Phoksundo Lake to Shyanta begins with a gradual descent through serene forests and along narrow Cliffside trails, offering final glimpses of the lake’s stunning turquoise waters. The path then drops steadily into greener valleys, passing waterfalls and a small settlement as the landscapes become warmer and more welcoming. By the time you reach Shyanta, you will feel the shift from the high, rugged terrain of Dolpa to a more gentle and lush environment, making it a refreshing and scenic day on the return journey. -
Day 16 Shyanta to Juphal
The final day of the Lower Dolpa trek begins with a gentle walk through pine forests and terraced fields as the trail descends from Shyanta towards the Bheri River valley. Passing small settlements and enjoying the last views of the surrounding hills, the path gradually widens as you approach Juphal. The air becomes warmer and the landscapes more cultivated, signaling the end of the remote wilderness. After a steady climb to reach the ridge-top airstrip, you arrive in Juphal, completing the memorable journey through Dolpa’s rugged and mystical terrain.
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Day 17 Fly back to Nepalgunj and fly back to Kathmandu
On the final day, you take an early morning flight from Juphal, enjoying one last aerial view of Dolpa’s dramatic landscapes as you descend to the lowlands of Nepalgunj. After a brief transit, you board your connecting flight to Kathmandu, where the bustling city contrasts sharply with the quiet trail of Dolpa. By afternoon, you arrive in the capital with a sense of accomplishment and unforgettable memories of the remote and beautiful Lower Dolpa region. -
Day 18 Departure day
Your final day begins with a peaceful morning giving time to pack up, enjoying a last Nepali breakfast and perhaps packing up a few souvenirs. Depending on your flight schedule, you have a chance to stroll around Thamel or have a quiet moment of reflection. Our team member will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport with a heartfelt farewell, making the end of your unforgettable journey through the Lower Dolpa Trek. We hope you leave with lasting memories and deep connections of Nepal’s natural beauty and warm hospitality.