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West Dolpo Trek


“The offbeat trek in Dolpo that treads on one of the least frequented trails of Dolpo, the West Dolpo Trek has not less amazing highlights than any other trekking adventures of Dolpo.” Overview The West Dolpo Trek with Nepal Challenge Trek begins at Juphal, the ancient trading town in Lower Dolpo. Heading west of this fascinating district in the wild west of Nepal, the trek winds through several rural villages and highly revered Hindu Temple of Tripura Sundari. As this wonderful trek in Dolpo goes further, it begins to gain elevation, which goes as high as the top of Kagmara…

“The offbeat trek in Dolpo that treads on one of the least frequented trails of Dolpo, the West Dolpo Trek has not less amazing highlights than any other trekking adventures of Dolpo.”

Overview

The West Dolpo Trek with Nepal Challenge Trek begins at Juphal, the ancient trading town in Lower Dolpo. Heading west of this fascinating district in the wild west of Nepal, the trek winds through several rural villages and highly revered Hindu Temple of Tripura Sundari.

As this wonderful trek in Dolpo goes further, it begins to gain elevation, which goes as high as the top of Kagmara Pass. The major challenge of this Trek- Kagmara Pass leads us to the most beautiful lake in Nepal- Phoksundo. After Phoksundo, the West Dolpo Trek ends at Juphal via Chhepka.

The adventurous trek in Dolpa, West Dolpo Trek is a moderately challenging trek in Dolpo that caters the wonders of barren landscapes, the Himalayan panorama include Kanjiroba and Dhaulagiri and the cultural diversity include Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Buddhism.

Throughout the trek, you’ll also get a glimpse into the unique culture of the Dolpo region. The local communities are primarily of Tibetan origin and follow a traditional way of life. You can visit ancient monasteries, interact with friendly locals, and witness age-old rituals that have been preserved for centuries.

The Trek is a challenging adventure, requiring good physical fitness and stamina. The rugged terrain, high passes, and altitude variations make it a rewarding but demanding experience. Proper acclimatization and a seasoned guide are crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey.

Conclusion and Summary

In conclusion, the West Dolpo Trek is an expedition into a remote and untouched corner of Nepal, offering breathtaking natural beauty and a chance to immerse yourself in the rich Tibetan culture. It’s a journey that will leave you with unforgettable memories and a profound appreciation for the wonders of the Himalayas.

Trip Highlights


The West Dolpo Trek is a mesmerizing trekking adventure in the remote region of Dolpo in Nepal. Known for its pristine natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique landscapes, the West Dolpo Trek offers a truly remarkable experience for trekkers. Here are some of the highlights you can expect during the 15-day trek:

  • Spectacular Landscapes: The trek takes you through diverse landscapes, including lush green valleys, rugged mountain trails, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking snow-capped peaks. You’ll encounter stunning views at every turn, with the impressive Kanjiroba Himal and Dhaulagiri range dominating the skyline.
  • Shey Phoksundo Lake: One of the main highlights of the trek is the visit to Shey Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest lake and a true natural wonder. The crystal-clear turquoise waters of the lake, surrounded by barren cliffs and snowy peaks, create a surreal sight that will leave you awe-inspired.
  • Unique Culture and Traditions: The Dolpo region is home to the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture, and you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local traditions. Encounter remote villages and monasteries, interact with friendly locals, and witness their daily rituals and religious practices.
  • Phoksundo National Park: The trek takes you through the pristine Phoksundo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species like the snow leopard, musk deer, and blue sheep. Walking through this protected area offers a chance to appreciate the region’s biodiversity.
  • Crossing High Passes: The West Dolpo Trek involves crossing high passes like Kagmara La Pass (5,115 meters) and Numa La Pass (5,190 meters). These challenging yet rewarding ascents provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and valleys.
  • Remote and Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience: The Dolpo region is one of the most remote and least explored regions in Nepal. As you trek through this off-the-beaten-path route, you’ll witness untouched landscapes and have a sense of adventure and exploration that is unique to this area.
  • Authentic Trekking Experience: Due to its remote location, the West Dolpo Trek offers an authentic trekking experience with fewer crowds compared to popular routes like Everest or Annapurna. You’ll have the opportunity to trek in peaceful surroundings and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
  • Natural Hot Springs: Along the trek, you’ll come across natural hot springs like the Raha Hot Spring. After a long day of trekking, you can relax and rejuvenate your tired muscles in these warm and therapeutic waters.
  • Panoramic Mountain Views: Throughout the trek, you’ll be treated to stunning views of prominent Himalayan peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Kanjiroba, and Annapurna. The towering mountains, combined with the rugged landscapes, create a picturesque backdrop for your entire journey.
  • Adventure and Challenges: The West Dolpo Trek is a challenging adventure that requires physical fitness, stamina, and a spirit of adventure. The thrill of conquering high passes, navigating remote trails, and experiencing the raw beauty of the Dolpo region makes this trek an unforgettable and rewarding experience.

Itinerary Expand All


As you fly into Kathmandu, the views of snow-capped mountain peaks greet you. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities.

From Kathmandu we take a bus or fly on any domestic carrier to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj , a town in the western Terai , is very close to the Indian border and the Bardia Nationl Park. It is a major transport hub for western, mid-western and far-western regions of Nepal. Overnight at hotel or lodge.

Today we take a 35 minutes long flight to Juphal .Our trekking starts from Juphal .We follow the trail on the banks of the Thulo Bheri river till we reach Tibrikot, a village with an important Hindu shrine. Tibrikot is an old fortress town overlooking the Thulo Bheri Valley. The houses have carved wooden windows and a large shrine and temple is dedicated to the goddess Tripura Sundari Devi. We set up camp at Tibrikot.

Today we hike up a treeless uninhabited ridge. On the way we pass through Para and a few small villages.We ascend up till we reach a forested area known as Kaliban, our camp for the night.

From Kaliban we trek to Kaigaon village.The village has a veterinary station for cattle, a bhatti and shops.In this village the Hindu Chettri people practice Tibetan Buddhism and festoon their houses with prayer flags like the Buddhists.

We trek on the west bank of the Bheri River, passing Hurikot to a sign which says the entrance to Shey Phoksundo National Park. The trail stays high above the river to the confluence where the Jagdula and Garpung rivers join to form the Bheri. We cross the Jagdula Khola and camp near the army post at Toijem (2920m).

We follow the trail up the western side of the Garpung Khola to about 3650m, then cross to the eastern side and continue upstream. The valley narrows and the river becomes a series of waterfalls as the trail climbs to a moraine at 3900m.We make a camp at an elevation of about 4000m.The panoramic views of the peaks are sensational. Wildflowers abound and birds like snow pigeons, redstarts, ravens and griffons can be sighted.

We start early and climb alongside the Kagmara glacier to the Kagmara Pass at 5115m., then descend about 900m alongside a stream to a camp on pastures in the Pungmo Khola valley.There are sweeping scree slopes and massive rock formations. We get spectacular views of the Kagmara Himal, Daulagiri, the Annapurnas, La Shamma and other snow-peaks, a fitting reward for our climb. We descend to a grazing ground called Yak Karka.

Today we follow a trail that stays high above the stream, which eventually becomes the Pungmo khola. The route enters birch and juniper forests. It gives way to blue pine as the trail crosses the river on a wooden bridge. There are views of the Kanjiroba peak in the horizon above the barley fields of Pungmo,a fortress like village. We camp at this village.

From Pungmo village we continue downstream to the national park headquarters at Shumduwa. From here we follow the trail up the Phoksundo khola to Phoksundo Lake. We cross picturesque alpine meadows, flowered pastures, rivers, natural springs and soaring mountain views.

Today we explore the area around the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, which looks like a typical Tibetan village, is scenically nestled in the area. Many beautiful glaciers can be found near and above the lake area. There are many monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of these. The most famous, Shey Gompa was established in the 11th Century. Thashung Gompa located near Phoksundo Lake

After an insightful visit we leave Phoksundo and make our way towards Chhepka.The trail goes down hill through a narrow gorge of Suligad River. We pass Gurung and Tibetan villages surrounded by beautiful fields.

Trek from Chhepka to Dunai (2150m.) takes about five hours. We trek along a gentle ascent path until we reach Raktang. On the way you come across forests covered by pine, oak, juniper, rhododendron, bamboo and other natural vegetation rich in wildlife. After leaving Raktang, we go down steeply for a few hours till our trail moves along a flat land. En route we cross several terraces, villages rich in typical culture, check post and grass land. Dunai is the headquarters of Dolpa. There are administrative offices, lodges, hotels, tea houses, market and many other places to be visited. We trek a few more hours to reach Juphal , our stop.

From Juphal we fly to Nepalganj and then finally to Kathmandu.

Our representative will drive you to the airport for your return flight.

What's Included


  • Airport Pick-up and Drop Off,
  • Licensed and trained trekking guides,
  • potters for carrying goods and supplies,
  • Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) basis during the trek
  • 3 Nights Accommodation in the 3 Star Hotel in Kathmandu with B & B. (Bed & Breakfast) on Twin Sharing Basis.
  • All accommodation on Tent during the trek on sharing Basis.
  • All meals and hot beverages during the trek.
  • Transportation to and from trail head by Private and Sharing Transport
  • All necessary documents and permits for trekking (where applicable)
  • National Park/Conservation Area entry Permit, Insurance, and
    equipment for the staffs.
  • Coordination of quick Rescue service (Costs covered by your Insurance Plan)
  • Trekking staffs wages etc.
  • Welcome dinner in a Nepali Cultural Dance restaurant in Kathmandu.
  • Trekking Map, T-shirt, and Trekking certificate.
  • Exclusive of Medical Kit Bag
  • All Government and local Taxes
  • International Flight ticket re-confirmation.
  • Meals will be Start when your Trek starts.
  • Domestic Flights
  • Domestic Flights for Trekking Guide.
  • Trekking Staff Insurance of $10,000 Per Person.

What's Excluded


  • International Airfares,
  • Travel/Trekking Insurance,
  • Excess baggage charges More than 16kg and hand bag more than 5 kg in domestic flights.
  • Visa fees.
  • Airport Departure Taxes.
  • Drinks (Cold and Alcoholic) Rescue charge.
  • Tips for The staffs.
  • Expenses of Personnel nature and Permit and Liaison officer fee (where Applicable.
  • Meals during stay in the Kathmandu
  • Extra Domestic Ticket  of Jomsom, Pokhara etc.
  • Extra Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Trip Information


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Trip Facts


Duration 15 Day(s)
Activities Trekking
Group Size 2 to 20
Best Season March to May, September to November
Start/End Point Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Difficulty Level Challenging
Max Altitude 4000M
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