Nepal19 days
Lower Dolpa Trek: Shey Phoksundo Lake & the High Passes of Far-Western Nepal — 19 Days
Juphal to Phoksundo Lake via Numa La (5,180m) and Baga La (5,170m) passes — 19 days through Shey Phoksundo National Park
The Lower Dolpa Trek covers one of Nepal's most geographically and culturally isolated corridors, traveling from the small STOL airstrip at Juphal through the Bheri River valley, over two passes above 5,000 meters, and down to Shey Phoksundo Lake at 3,730 meters — Nepal's largest lake. The 19-day itinerary is structured around the logistical realities of the region: flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then onward to Juphal, where the trek begins in earnest through terraced farmland and river gorges before the terrain shifts into the arid, high-altitude plateau country of Upper Dolpa's doorstep. The route passes through Tarakot, an ancient fortified village, and Dho Tarap at 4,050 meters — historically a trade junction between Tibet and the Mustang Kingdom — where a full acclimatization day is built in before the two major passes. Numa La (5,180m) delivers panoramic sightlines to Dhaulagiri and the Churen Himal ranges; Baga La (5,170m), crossed the following day, marks the first view of Phoksundo Lake from above. The lake itself, set beneath steep cliffs and surrounded by snow-covered ridges, is reached via Ringmo village, where the Bon religion — predating Tibetan Buddhism — remains in active practice. The return follows a different line through Chhepka and back to Juphal, with flights retracing the Nepalgunj–Kathmandu axis. A contingency day in Kathmandu is built into the itinerary to account for the weather-dependent nature of mountain flights in this sector. Throughout the trek, accommodation is fully tented camp, consistent with the absence of lodge infrastructure in the more remote sections of the route.
Highlights
- Multi-day trekking along the Bheri River corridor, passing terraced fields, gorges, and suspension bridges between Juphal and Dunai
- Exploration of Tarakot village, an ancient fortified settlement occupying a strategic position above the river trail
- Arrival at Dho Tarap (4,050m), a former Tibet–Mustang trade hub reached through forested trails of wild roses and juniper
- Full acclimatization day at Dho Tarap (4,050m) before two consecutive passes above 5,000 meters
- Crossing Numa La Pass (5,180m) with direct views of Dhaulagiri and the Churen Himal ranges
- Crossing Baga La Pass (5,170m) and first sightline down to Phoksundo Lake from the ridge
- Arrival at Ringmo village, where the Bon religion — one of Nepal's oldest surviving spiritual traditions — remains in active practice
- Phoksundo Lake (3,730m): Nepal's largest lake, with deep turquoise water set beneath vertical cliffs and snow-covered peaks
- Dedicated rest and exploration day at Phoksundo Lake, including access to the Phoksundo Waterfall
- Fully tented camp accommodation throughout the trek, reflecting the absence of lodge infrastructure in the remote sections
- Built-in Kathmandu contingency day (Day 18) to protect against weather-related flight disruptions on the Juphal–Nepalgunj sector
Day by day
1Arrival in Kathmandu: Airport Transfer and Hotel Check-InKathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport · the hotel
On arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, the group is met and transferred to the hotel for check-in and overnight.
2Kathmandu to Nepalgunj by Air (150m / 492ft)Kathmandu · Nepalgunj · Hotel Batika
An early morning flight from Kathmandu takes approximately one hour to reach Nepalgunj, in the Terai lowlands of far-western Nepal. On arrival, the trekking crew meets the group and transfers everyone to Hotel Batika. The remainder of the day is free to walk through Nepalgunj's local markets and streets before overnight at the hotel.
3Nepalgunj to Juphal by Air, then Trek to Dunai (2,150m / 7,053ft)Nepalgunj to Juphal · Dunai · Juphal airstrip to Dunai
A 35-minute mountain flight on a STOL aircraft lands at Juphal airstrip. From there, the first trekking day begins through small villages and terraced fields, descending to the Bheri River and following the riverbank to Dunai village. The walk takes approximately 3–4 hours. Overnight is at local teahouses or lodges in Dunai.
4Dunai to Tarakot Along the Bheri River Gorge (2,550m / 8,336ft)Dunai to Tarakot · Tarakot
The trail out of Dunai crosses terraced farmland and passes through scattered villages, traversing gorges and suspension bridges over approximately 10 km and 5–6 hours of walking. The destination, Tarakot, occupies the site of an ancient fortified settlement — the Nepali word 'kot' means fort — and the village retains its historically strategic position above the river corridor. Overnight at tented camp.
5Tarakot to Lahini Kharka via the River Trail (3,450m / 11,318ft)Tarakot · Lahini Kharka · Lahini Odar
From Tarakot, the route follows the river trail to Lahini Kharka. A cave known locally as Lahini Odar lies close to the campsite. The walk takes 4–5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
6Trek Lahini Kharka to Thulo OdarLahini Kharka to Thulo Odar · Thulo Odar
A short trek of 4–5 hours ascends from Lahini Kharka to Thulo Odar, situated at 3,550 meters. The route offers gradual elevation gain through alpine terrain. Overnight accommodation is at a tented camp.
7Thulo Odar to Dho Tarap Through Juniper and Wild Rose Forest (4,050m / 13,288ft)Thulo Odar to Dho Tarap · Dho Tarap
The trail to Dho Tarap passes through forested terrain covered with wild roses and juniper before opening onto the village at 4,050 meters. Dho Tarap served historically as a trade junction between Tibet and the Mustang Kingdom, and its architecture and cultural character reflect that cross-border heritage. The walk takes approximately 5–6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
8Acclimatization Day at Dho Tarap (4,050m / 13,288ft)Dho Tarap · tented camp
A full rest day at Dho Tarap is the only scheduled acclimatization stop on the itinerary. The following two days involve crossing passes above 5,000 meters, and the day at altitude here allows the body to adjust before those demanding sections. The village itself can be explored during the day. Overnight at tented camp.
9Dho Tarap to Numa La Base Camp (4,350m / 14,271ft)Dho Tarap to Numa La Base Camp · Numa La Base Camp
The route continues across rugged terrain for approximately 8 km over 4 hours to reach Numa La Base Camp at 4,350 meters, in preparation for the following day's pass crossing. Overnight at tented camp.
10Numa La Base Camp to Danigar via Numa La Pass (5,180m / 16,995ft) — 18 kmNuma La Base Camp to Danigar · Numa La Pass · Danigar village
The longest and most demanding day of the trek covers approximately 18 km over 7–8 hours. The route climbs to Numa La Pass at 5,180 meters, where clear conditions provide panoramic views across the Dhaulagiri massif and the Churen Himal ranges to the south and east. The descent from the pass is extended, dropping to Danigar village at 4,550 meters. Overnight at tented camp.
11Danigar to Roman Kharka via Baga La Pass (5,170m / 16,961ft) — 19 kmDanigar · Roman Kharka · Baga La Pass
A second consecutive high-pass day covers 19 km over approximately 6 hours. Leaving Danigar, the route climbs to Baga La Pass at 5,170 meters — also referred to as Yak Kharka in local usage — where the first aerial view of Phoksundo Lake becomes visible below to the west. Wide Himalayan panoramas open across the ridge before the descent leads to Roman Kharka at 4,000 meters. Overnight at tented camp.
12Roman Kharka to Phoksundo Lake via Ringmo Village (3,730m / 12,237ft) — 18 kmRoman Kharka to Phoksundo Lake via Ringmo Village · Phoksundo Lake · Ringmo village
The 18 km descent over 6–7 hours brings the route down to Ringmo village, where the Bon religion — one of Nepal's oldest surviving spiritual traditions, predating the spread of Tibetan Buddhism — remains in active practice among the local community. A short walk from Ringmo reaches the shore of Phoksundo Lake, with its characteristically deep turquoise water. Overnight at tented camp beside the lake.
13Rest and Exploration Day at Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo Village (3,730m)Phoksundo Lake · Ringmo village · Phoksundo Waterfall
A full day at Phoksundo Lake allows time to walk the lake perimeter, visit the Phoksundo Waterfall — one of the highest in Nepal — and spend time in Ringmo village learning about Bon religious practice, which continues here in monasteries and in daily community life. The lake sits at 3,730 meters, backed by steep cliffs and high snow-covered ridgelines. Overnight at tented camp.
14Phoksundo Lake to Chhepka via Chunuwar and Rechi (2,670m / 8,760ft)Phoksundo Lake · Chhepka · Chunuwar and Rechi villages · tented camp
The return route descends from Phoksundo Lake through Chunuwar and Rechi villages before reaching Chhepka at 2,670 meters. The walk takes approximately 6–7 hours over 18 km. Overnight at tented camp.
15Chhepka to Juphal via Shyangta and Kageni Villages (2,499m / 8,198ft)Chhepka to Juphal via Shyangta and Kageni Villages · Juphal
The final trekking day follows approximately 18 km over 6–7 hours through Shyangta, Kageni, and further small villages before arriving back at Juphal, the airstrip settlement where the trek began. Overnight at Juphal.
16Juphal to Nepalgunj by Air (35-Minute Flight)Juphal to Nepalgunj
A 35-minute mountain flight from Juphal returns the group to Nepalgunj. The remainder of the day is at leisure for personal activities.
17Nepalgunj to Kathmandu by Air (1-Hour Flight)Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
An approximately one-hour flight from Nepalgunj returns the group to Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is free for personal activities or rest.
18Kathmandu: Contingency Day for Mountain Flight DisruptionsKathmandu · Kathmandu Valley
This day functions as a scheduled buffer against weather-related flight cancellations on the Juphal–Nepalgunj sector, which is susceptible to disruption due to high-altitude weather conditions. If the itinerary has proceeded without delays, the day is available for sightseeing at Kathmandu Valley monument sites, personal shopping, or rest before the international departure the following morning.
19Kathmandu: International DepartureTribhuvan International Airport
An airport representative assists with checkout and escorts the group to Tribhuvan International Airport for onward departure from Nepal.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
- 2Nepalgunj
- 3Dunai
- 4Tarakot
- 5Lahini Kharka
- 6Thulo Odar
- 7Dho Tarap
- 8Numa La Base Camp
- 9Roman Kharka
- 10Chhepka
- 11Juphal
- 12Kathmandu
- 13Tribhuvan International Airport
Activities: TREKING, HIKING