Dolpo is located to the west of the Kali Gandaki Valley, including the Shey - Phoksundo National Park of Midwestern Nepal, in the rear of the Mt. Dhaulagiri, towards the Tibetan Plateau. Cut off by a series of very high passes, covered with snow most of the year; Dolpo remains a truly secluded section of Nepal. The finally preserved Ecosystem encompasses a wild and wonderful variety of plants and wildlife, including the blue sheep and leopard. A trek through Dolpo is a lifetime and larger than life experience. Dolpo is a hidden valley created by a Buddhist deity for his worshippers. Today, it is celebrated as a sample of original Tibet. Blue sheep, Himalayan black bear and the snow leopard are the most talked about fauna of this region. Dolpo is located inside the Shey-Phoksundo National Park of mid-western Nepal, behind the North side of the Dhaulagiri massif towards the Tibetan plateau.

Dolpo trek offers opportunities to visit beautiful lakes, relatively high passes, ancient villages, secluded Buddhist monasteries and also to experience the vast collection of wildlife inhabiting the region, including Blue sheep, Mountain Goat, Jackal, Wolf and the legendary Snow Leopard. The people of this region are a mixture of ethnic groups such as the Magar, Gurung and some Aryans and are quite different in culture and language to their cousins further east. Of particular interest are the Thakuri, the royal family caste. Lower Dolpo is thickly forested with conifers and cut by gushing rivers. Among the possibilities of many interesting animals and great many varieties of birds to be encountered through to the forest of Dolpo the prime attraction is the endangered musk deer, which may be glimpsed along the trails and to a great variety of birds. The upper portion of Dolpo, however, is an extension of the Tibetan Plateau and has the same wild, windswept, open spaces characteristic of Tibet.

Summary of Lower Dolpo Trekking

Fact of Lower Dolpo Trekking

	Title:	Lower Dolpo Trekking
	Category:	Adventurous
	Grade:	Relatively & Difficult
	Total Days:	19 Days
	Group Size:	2 to 12 Pax
	Departure Date:	Everyday During the Season
	Maximum Elevation:	5,315m. (17,010ft.)
	Transportation:	Flights Only
	Accommodation:	Tent (Camping) Trekking
	Trekking Hours:	Approximately 5 to 7 hrs. Each Day.
	Best Season:	Sep. to Nov. / March to May
	Trip cost:	USD 2,490.00

Day to Day Outline Itinerary

Day 01.	Arrive at Kathmandu, Traditional Nepali Dinner
Day 02.	City Tour and freelancing
Day 03.	Fly to Nepalgunj
Day 04.	Fly to Jumla and Trek to Gothichaur
Day 05.	Trek to Churta
Day 06.	Trek to Chaurikot
Day 07.	Trek to Bheri River side
Day 08.	Trek to Kangmara
Day 09.	Trek to Rest day
Day 10.	Trek to Chaurikharka
Day 11.	Trek to Ringmo
Day 12.	Rest day
Day 13.	Trek to Sumdowa
Day 14.	Trek to Hanke
Day 15.	Trek to Juphal
Day 16.	Fly back to Nepalgunj
Day 17.	Fly back to Kathmandu
Day 18.	Free day in Kathmandu, Traditional Nepali Dinner
Day 19.	Departure

Trekking Season for Lower Dolpo Trekking

September to November & March to May is the best seasons for attempting Lower Dolpo Trekking and December, Jan & Feb are consider as a good Trekking months. The weather is sunny and warm, although the nights are cold and temperatures can fall to freezing. Weather can change rapidly and be unpredictable. Please note that when climbing to Lower Dolpo, you will be moving from warmer climates at low levels to conditions of well below freezing. Be prepared for all eventualities! Summer (June, July & August) is finest temperature and trekking can be done without any problem.

Equipments Check List for Lower Dolpo Trekking

The following basic equipments checklist should help you with your packing before you traveling. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your equipments to a minimum while you are in the Trekking. At the start of the trek your packed trek bag should weigh not more then 20 kg.

Trip Cost Includes

Trip Cost Excludes

Pre - Meeting Before Trip

Prior to all our expeditions and treks, we host a Pre-Trip meeting here in Kathmandu on the 2nd day of your itinerary starts in the morning during the breakfast and introduced your trek Leader mean time and it will provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about the your trek and to introduce you to other team members.

Accommodation in Kathmandu and Trekking

Accommodations are included in the trip cost and Clan Treks has chosen accommodation options based on the following criteria; standard of hygiene, standard of service, location, food standards and cost. There are two styles of accommodation and this depends on the itinerary you choose. During the Lower Dolpo Trekking you will spend five nights at 3-star in Kathmandu or Nepalgunj and Thirteen nights at the locally best available Tent Camp in your trekking route. All accommodation is based on twin share, and will provide you single supplement if there is different sex; or Group Leader.

Meals during Lower Dolpo Trekking

All Meal will be provided during the spent on trekking. There are (Nepali, Sherpa, Tibetan, Continental, Italian and Indian cusion) a day will be provided from our own kitchen. Your cook-man offering various different items in a day and will be different each single day menu. Each day dinner and breakfast are used to take in the same Camp, you spend the night. Lunch will be taken on the way to destination.

Trekking Staff:

The Guide is in overall charge of your trip and of looking after you. This is the person you should go to with all problems, concerns and questions. All our guides are highly trained in all aspects of trekking, conservation, and high altitude medicine, first aid and emergency procedures. They are professionals selected for their knowledge and passion for Nepal and its peoples. Remember the trekking guides are local citizens and their English may be basic and limited to trek related topics while the city guide have the excellent English with the broad knowledge of the destination involved. Porters transport your luggage – one porter between every two trekkers.

Clan Treks currently train all their Guides in the following courses and your trek leader will be one of the fully train Trek Leader.

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
• Trekking Guide Training - Nepal Government's Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management & Tourism Training Centre of Nepal.
• Eco Trekking Workshop & Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association Of Nepal)
• English Language
• Conservation & Biodiversity
• Rock & Ice Climbing & Mountaineering (optional) Nepal Mountaineering Association

Acceptance of risk:

The Client acknowledges that the nature of the tour is adventurous and may involve a significant amount of personal risk. The Client hereby assumes all such risk and does hereby release the Company from all claims and causes of action arising from any damages of injuries or death resulting from these inherent risks.

INSURANCE:

It is mandatory that all Clients obtain travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$ 50,000 while travelling with the Company and this insurance must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and emergency evacuation expenses. It is strongly recommended the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, loss of belongings and all other expenses, which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the Client. The Company shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects

Climate:

Nepal has a generally temperate climate, however altitude makes distinct variations.

The monsoon sweeps up from India each summer, making mid June to mid September humid and wet. The three other distinct seasons are all suitable for trekking and each has its own advantages. Changing global weather patterns have had their effect on the Himalayan climate making mountain weather notoriously changeable. Always be prepared for a change in conditions and note that if severe or dangerous weather conditions occur your guide’s decision on any course of action is final.

Autumn (September – November): This season offers excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views.

Winter (December – February): This season is noted for occasional snowfall only at higher elevation. Hence it is ideal for trekking at lower elevations, generally below 3000 meters.

Spring (March – May): Different varieties of wild flowers, specially the rhododendrons make the hillside above 5000 meters a haunting paradise during this season. It is mildly warm at lower elevations and at higher elevation over 4000 meters the mountain views are excellent and temperature is quite moderate.

Summer (June – August): Summer months, continues up to mid September making travel wet and warm. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. It is recommended to carry insect repellent when trekking during summer months.

Health:

There are no specific health requirements for entry into Nepal. Nevertheless, preventive measures such as a thorough medical check up can save you from unexpected hazards. Nepal does not require any particular inoculation but Cholera, Meningitis, Tetanus and Diphtheria, Typhoid and Gamma Globulin are some of the vaccinations that should be considered for your trip. Since the remote places of Nepal are not supplied with necessities that are essential for modern medical facilities, it is imperative to make a comprehensive First Aid Box consisting of basic drugs and accessories as part of the paraphernalia for your trip. Modern dentistry is unknown in the hills of Nepal, so it is advised to have a checkup before departure from home. Tooth fillings sometimes loosen in cold temperature and at high altitudes, so it is recommended having them checked

Altitude Sickness:

Altitude sickness often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is particularly an important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevation above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows:

• Nausea, Vomiting
• Lose of appetite
• Insomnia/Sleeplessness
• Persistent Headache
• Dizziness, Light headiness, Confusion
• isorientation
• Weakness, Fatigue, Lassitude, Heavy legs
• Slight swelling of hand and face
• Breathlessness and breathing irregularity
• Reduced urine output

These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of appearance of any of the above symptoms, immediately contact your travel guide.

Client Details:

In order for the Company to confirm and guarantee the Client’s travel arrangements the Client must provide all Client details with their final payment as per the dates specified. Client details include passport number; passport expiry date and medical form (where applicable), full name as it appears in the passport you are travelling with, date of birth and nationality.