Best Season to go for the Lower Dolpo Trek Nepal:
The best season for the Dolpo Circuit is the same as the other treks. You can undertake the trek during the spring and autumn seasons for the best views.
Spring Season (April to June):
During the spring season, the region is in bloom, with moderate temperatures and clear skies. This season is ideal for enjoying the vibrant landscapes and views. Even during the spring, the best time is from May to June. Since the weather is still cold in early April. So, during this period, the trek will offer you excellent visibility and a clear sky.
Autumn (September to November):
During the Autumn Season, the sky is clearest with the best mountain views. The temperatures are pleasant during the day, though it can get cold at night. September and October are considered particularly best time for trekking as the monsoon season has just ended and the weather is dry and clear.
Monsoon (July to August):
The Dolpo region receives rainfall, making the trails slippery and risky, and increasing the chances of landslides. The temperature is warmer during the season, so be prepared for rain and a muddy trail.
Winter (December to February):
The trek is challenging due to heavy snowfall and extremely cold temperatures, making some passes impassable. So, we do not highly recommend the Lower Dolpo trek during the winter season.
Trekking Permits Required during Lower Dolpo Trek:
Since the Lower Dolpo region lies in a restricted and environmentally sensitive area of Nepal, special permits are mandatory to trek there. The trekking routes cross through remote Himalayan landscapes and traditional villages where the local culture has remained isolated for centuries. To protect the fragile ecosystem and the ancient Tibetan-influenced culture, the Nepalese government has enforced strict permit regulations. If you are planning to embark on the Lower Dolpo Trek, you will need the following permits:
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Lower Dolpo:
The Lower Dolpo region is classified as a restricted area by the Nepalese government. This means that independent trekking is not allowed, and you must trek through a registered Nepalese trekking agency accompanied by a licensed guide.
- Cost:
- USD 20 per person per week for the first seven days.
- An additional USD 5 per person per day beyond 7 days
Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit:
The Shey-Phoksundo National Park is Nepal’s largest national park, protecting the unique biodiversity of Dolpo, including the famous Shey Phoksundo Lake, blue sheep, musk deer, and the elusive snow leopard. Trekking inside the park boundaries requires a separate conservation permit.
- Cost:
- NPR 3,000 for foreigners
- NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals.
Important Rules to Know About Lower Dolpo Trek Permits
- Solo trekking is not allowed in the Lower Dolpo region. A minimum of two trekkers (in a group) accompanied by a registered guide is mandatory for obtaining the Restricted Area Permit.
- You must apply for the RAP through an authorized trekking agency in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Passport copies, passport-sized photos, and visa details are needed for the permit applications.
- You will have to present your permits at multiple checkpoints along the trail, including Dunai, Juphal, and Phoksundo.
- Make sure you carry multiple copies of your permits and passport while trekking, as you may need to show them frequently.
Penalties for Unauthorized Trekking
Attempting to trek in the restricted areas of Dolpo without valid permits is considered illegal and can result in hefty fines, forced evacuation, and bans from future trekking in Nepal. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure your documents are complete and properly managed through an authorized agency.
Physical Fitness for Lower Dolpo Trek:
This 15-day Lower Dolpo Trek Itinerary is one of Nepal’s most remote and adventurous journeys, requiring a high level of physical fitness. This adventure not only demands for spirit of exploration but also solid physical conditioning. Unlike the more commercialized trekking regions like Annapurna or Everest, the Lower Dolpo region is wild, rugged, and isolated, which means that trekkers must be prepared to face physical challenges daily over long distances, at high altitudes, and with very limited external support.
Though the Lower Dolpo trek is slightly less extreme than Upper Dolpo in terms of remoteness, it still involves crossing two high mountain passes, Numa La Pass (5,190m) and Baga La Pass (5,070m), and trekking across varied terrains including steep ascents, rocky trails, river valleys, and barren highlands. The trekkers are required to walk for 6 to 8 hours per day, often gaining and losing substantial elevation within a single day. The days crossing the passes are particularly tough, requiring endurance, strong legs, steady breathing, and mental toughness.
So, we recommend all those potential trekkers to start preparing for the trek two to three months in advance. You should mainly focus on:
- Cardiovascular training activities like running, hiking, cycling, and swimming to improve heart and lung capacity.
- Strength training: especially for the legs (squats, lunges, hill climbs) and core muscles to stabilize the body on uneven ground
- Endurance building through multi-hour hikes carrying a backpack weighing 5 to 10 kilograms
- Proper acclimatization during the trek in places like Dho Tarap and Ringmo for better adjustment to higher altitudes.
Additionally, mental preparation plays a huge role. The Lower Dolpo region is remote — basic facilities, no electricity in many places, cold nights, and unpredictable weather are all part of the experience. Trekkers should be ready for discomfort, flexible with plans, and motivated to push through physically demanding days even when conditions are tough.
If you have previous trek experience like Annapurna Circuit, Langtang Valley, or Everest Base Camp, the Lower Dolpo trek will be the next level challenge that you should complete. However, first-time trekkers without adequate preparation could find the combination of altitude, remoteness, and long distances overwhelming. So, we recommend that you inform us before attempting the trek to the Lower Dolpo Region.
Accommodation and Meals During the trek to the Dolpo Region:
The Lower Dolpo Trek offers a truly authentic and remote Himalayan experience, reflected not only in its wild landscapes but also in the style of accommodation and meals you encounter along the way. Unlike popular trekking routes such as Everest or Annapurna, the infrastructure in Lower Dolpo is minimal and traditional, preserving the region’s untouched character. Trekkers should be prepared for a combination of teahouse stays and camping, depending on the area, and meals that are simple, nourishing, and made with whatever is locally available.
Accommodation Facilities at Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek
Accommodation on the Lower Dolpo Trek mirrors the remoteness and isolation of the region. In Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, you will stay in comfortable hotels with modern amenities. As you move to the starting points like Juphal and Dunai, basic teahouses are available offering simple twin-sharing rooms equipped with a blanket and a pillow. These teahouses are often rustic and worn, but they provide a unique glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Dolpo people.
However, as you ascend to more remote and higher parts of the trail, beyond Dunai, the teahouses become rarer, limiting camping as the only means of accommodation. During camping nights, we provide high-quality tents, sleeping mats, portable toilets, and a full support crew including guides, cooks, and porters. The camping setup ensures both comfort and safety even in the harsh conditions of Dolpo’s high altitudes.
Camping during the upper sections of the Dolpo Trek not only provides greater flexibility in itinerary planning but also allows you to experience complete immersion in Dolpo’s vast, untouched wilderness.
Meals at Lower Dolpo:
During the trek, you will be served three meals a day on an American plan basis — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — whether staying in teahouses or camping. At lower elevations, teahouses offer a modest but hearty menu. Expect traditional Nepali fare like Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables), along with noodles, fried rice, Tibetan bread, pasta, potatoes, and occasionally some local meat dishes depending on availability. Hot beverages such as tea, coffee, and hot lemon are generally available and highly recommended to keep warm.
Once you transition to camping, your meals will be freshly prepared by the kitchen team accompanying your trek. Despite the remoteness, our cooks prepare nutritious and calorie-rich meals designed to support trekking at high altitude. Meals may include soups, stews, pasta, rice dishes, vegetable curries, and sometimes even sweet treats like pudding or canned fruits to boost energy and morale. Fresh food is carried as far as possible, supplemented by locally available ingredients.
Since options can become limited, it’s smart to carry extra snacks such as energy bars, chocolates, trail mix, and dried fruits to supplement your diet, especially during long trekking days or while crossing high passes like Numa La and Baga La.
Altitude sickness and the requirement of acclimatization during the trek:
Trekking in the Lower Dolpo region means journeying into some of the most remote and high-altitude terrains in Nepal. Throughout the trek, you will be crossing major passes like Numa La (5,190m) and Baga La (5,070m), and spending several days above 3,500 meters, which naturally exposes you to the risk of altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Altitude sickness occurs when the body struggles to adapt to the decreasing levels of oxygen as you ascend to higher elevations. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and loss of appetite, to serious, life-threatening conditions like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) if ignored. In Dolpo’s remote wilderness, where medical facilities and evacuation options are extremely limited, preventing altitude sickness becomes not just important, but critical.
One of the most effective ways to prevent AMS is by ensuring proper acclimatization during the trek. Fortunately, a well-designed Lower Dolpo trek itinerary includes acclimatization days, especially around Dho Tarap (4,040m). Spending an extra day at Dho Tarap allows your body to adjust to the thin air before attempting the strenuous climbs over Numa La and Baga La passes. During acclimatization days, it’s recommended to engage in light hikes to higher elevations and then return to sleep at lower altitudes—a strategy known as "climb high, sleep low", which is highly effective in aiding your body's natural adaptation process.
Maintaining a slow and steady pace throughout the trek is equally important. Rushing to higher altitudes without allowing the body to adapt increases the risk of AMS significantly. Trekkers should stay well-hydrated, drinking at least 3–4 liters of water per day, avoid alcohol and smoking, and focus on eating high-calorie meals to keep energy levels stable.
In addition, many trekkers choose to carry altitude medications like Diamox (acetazolamide) after consulting with their doctor. While Diamox can help speed up the acclimatization process, it should never replace a properly paced ascent and good hydration practices.
The key to completing the Lower Dolpo Trek without serious altitude issues lies in listening to your body. If you experience persistent headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, or worsening fatigue, it is vital to stop ascending, rest, and even descend if necessary. Your guide will also regularly monitor symptoms, and a reputable trekking agency will always carry basic medical kits, pulse oximeters, and emergency evacuation plans, even in such remote settings.
In short, while altitude sickness is a real and serious risk on the Lower Dolpo Trek, with careful acclimatization, a smart trekking pace, and good self-care practices, it is entirely manageable. Trekkers who respect the altitude and follow acclimatization protocols will not only trek safely but will also be able to fully enjoy the breathtaking beauty, deep spirituality, and raw adventure that Lower Dolpo offers.
