Lower Dolpa Trek (Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek) at a glance
How the grades compare across routes: Nepal trek difficulty grades explained.
Overview
The Lower Dolpo circuit is a two-week loop in Nepal's far west that links the Tarap valley with Phoksundo Lake. From the Juphal airstrip it follows the Thuli Bheri river to Dunai and Tarakot, then climbs a long gorge to Dho Tarap, a cluster of stone villages and gompas at around 4,000 m. From Tarap it crosses two high passes on consecutive days, Numa La and Baga La, before dropping through birch and juniper to the turquoise water of Phoksundo at Ringmo.
It is a shorter, cheaper way into Dolpo than the Upper Dolpo trek: the restricted-area permit here is charged by the week rather than by the day, and the route stays south of Shey Gompa. What it shares with the north is the feel of the place, Bon and Buddhist monasteries, mani walls, yak caravans and very few other trekkers.
The two passes are the crux. Both are above 5,000 m, the days are long, and they come after only a few nights at altitude, so an acclimatisation day in Dho Tarap matters. Lodges exist in Dunai, Ringmo and some villages, but most nights between Tarap and Phoksundo are spent camping or in very basic homestays.
It suits fit trekkers with some high-altitude experience who want a remote route without committing three weeks. Licence-verified guides you contact directly can explain how they handle the camping stretch and the flights.
Deciding between routes? Upper Dolpo vs Lower Dolpo: Which Dolpo Trek to Choose
🌟 Trail Highlights
- Dho Tarap's stone villages and Bon and Buddhist gompas
- Crossing Numa La and Baga La on consecutive days
- First view of Phoksundo Lake from the trail above Ringmo
- Ringmo village and the monastery on the lake shore
- Following the Thuli Bheri gorge from Dunai to Tarakot
- Yak pastures between the two passes with almost no other trekkers
Lower Dolpa Trek (Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek) itinerary
- Day 1
Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
A flight to the plains town of Nepalgunj near the Indian border, where trekking flights to Dolpo leave from early the next morning. Your agency usually completes permit paperwork here.
- Day 2
Fly to Juphal, walk to Dunai
A short mountain flight lands on the Juphal airstrip, and an easy descent through terraced fields reaches Dunai, the district headquarters on the Thuli Bheri.
- Day 3
Dunai to Tarakot
The trail heads east along the river past small settlements to Tarakot, an old fortified village on a ridge above the valley.
- Day 4
Tarakot to Laini
Leaving the main valley, the path enters the Tarap Khola gorge, crossing the river several times on wooden bridges and climbing steadily.
- Day 5
Laini to Nawarpani
A narrow, rocky stretch of gorge with steep sections cut into the cliff. Camp at a meadow beside the river.
- Day 6
Nawarpani to Dho Tarap
The gorge opens into the broad Tarap valley. Walls, chortens and fields lead to Dho Tarap, the main village of the valley.
- Day 7
Acclimatisation day in Dho Tarap
A rest day before the passes. Walk up to the gompas around the village and spend the night at the same altitude.
- Day 8
Dho Tarap to Numa La base camp
A shorter day climbing out of the valley to a high camp below the pass, which helps the body adjust before the crossing.
- Day 9
Cross Numa La to Baga La Phedi
An early start for the climb to Numa La, with views across to Dhaulagiri on a clear morning, then a long descent and a climb to a camp below the second pass.
- Day 10
Cross Baga La to Yak Kharka
The second pass of the circuit, followed by a long descent through high pastures to a herders' camp.
- Day 11
Yak Kharka to Ringmo (Phoksundo Lake)
The trail drops through forest to Ringmo village, with the lake appearing below. Overnight in a lodge or camp near the shore.
- Day 12
Rest day at Phoksundo
Time to walk along the lake, visit the monastery at Ringmo and recover after the passes.
- Day 13
Phoksundo to Shyanta
A descent past the waterfall below the lake and down the Suli Gad valley, with the lake's outflow alongside.
- Day 14
Shyanta to Juphal
The final walk joins the Thuli Bheri valley and climbs to Juphal for the flight out the next morning.
This trek climbs above 3,000 m, where the pace of the climb matters. See our guide to altitude sickness on Nepal treks for how to prevent, spot and respond to it.
Best time to trek
The best months for the Lower Dolpa Trek (Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek) are May–Oct.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
How does it compare with other routes? See our month-by-month guide to trekking in Nepal.
Permits & costs
- Permit & park fees
- US$25 + NPR 5,000 per person (≈ US$57 in total)
- Area
- Restricted: a special permit is required
- Guide day rates
- $30–$40 per day, set by the guides below
- Lower Dolpa Restricted Area Permit: charged by the week rather than the day: USD 20 per person for the first week, then USD 5 for each further week. This two-week circuit therefore pays USD 25. The zone covers Dunai and the Tarap valley.
- Shey-Phoksundo National Park: NPR 3,000 (about USD 19), which covers Phoksundo Lake at Ringmo and the trails around it.
- TIMS card: NPR 2,000 (about USD 13). Lower Dolpo is on the Nepal Tourism Board's list of routes that require a TIMS card and a licensed guide.
- How it is issued: your agency applies to the Department of Immigration; the permit cannot be bought independently, and a licensed guide walks with you. From 22 March 2026 one trekker can hold it alone (two was the previous minimum).
- The weekly price makes Lower Dolpo far cheaper than Upper Dolpo, where every day in the zone costs USD 50.
Every fee and rule, trek by trek: our guide to Nepal trekking permits. Which routes need a licensed guide: do you need a guide to trek in Nepal? What a day rate covers, tips and flights: how much a trekking guide costs in Nepal.
Getting there & back
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then take an early-morning flight of about 35 minutes to Juphal. Flights to and from Juphal are often delayed or cancelled by weather, so plan one or two spare days at the end of the trip. There is no practical road access for a trek of this length.
📸 Trail Checkpoints & Scenery Gallery
Lower Dolpa Trek (Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek) FAQs
How is the Lower Dolpo circuit different from the Upper Dolpo trek?
Lower Dolpo stays in the southern part of the region, looping through the Tarap valley and over Numa La and Baga La to Phoksundo Lake in about two weeks. Upper Dolpo continues north of Phoksundo to Shey Gompa and Saldang and takes around three weeks. Lower Dolpo's restricted-area permit is charged by the week, so it costs much less.
How hard are Numa La and Baga La?
Both passes are above 5,000 m and are crossed on consecutive days, with long climbs on rough trail. They are not technical, but you need good fitness and a few days at altitude beforehand. Snow can make them harder early and late in the season.
Where do you sleep on the circuit?
Dunai and Ringmo have simple lodges, and some villages offer homestays. Between Dho Tarap and Phoksundo most nights are in tents, so agencies bring camping gear, a cook and porters or mules.
Do I need a restricted-area permit for Phoksundo Lake alone?
Yes. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the Lower Dolpa restricted zone covers Thuli Bheri municipality, which includes Dunai, as well as parts of Shey Phoksundo and Dolpo Buddha rural municipalities, so trekkers to Phoksundo also need the permit. A registered agency applies for it.
When should I go?
Dolpo lies in the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri, so the trek is usually possible from May to October, including the monsoon months. Spring and autumn are clearer, and winter brings snow to the passes.
What if my Juphal flight is cancelled?
Delays of a day or more are common because the airstrip is small and weather-dependent. Keep spare days at the end of your trip and avoid tight international connections.
Is there phone signal and electricity?
Dunai has mobile coverage and electricity, and Ringmo has limited service. In the Tarap valley and on the passes there is little or no signal, so carry a power bank and expect to be out of contact for several days.
Guides who lead the Lower Dolpa Trek (Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek)
Every one of them is licence-verified by our compliance team. Open a profile to read about them, then send your dates — they reply to you directly with their own price.
