Lower Dolpo Trek

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Area:  1,47,181 sq kms Elevation: 60m to 8,848m above the sea level Natural divisions: Terai region (Plains), Elevated Flatlands and Hills and Mountain region Capital: Kathmandu           Population: 27 million (more than 91 ethic groups and 70 different languages) Language: Nepali (native as well as official) and English Currency: Rupees National  flower, bird and animal: Rhododendron, Lophophorous (Danphe) and Cow Neighboring countries: Republic of India (east, south, west) and Peoples’ Republic of China (north) Popular tourist destinations: Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan, Janakpur, and Gorkha Destinations listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Lumbini, Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park. Mountains: 8 out of world’s 10 tallest mountains including Mt. Everest. 240 peaks over 20,000ft Best travel seasons: Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November) are the best seasons; however, Nepal can be travelled any time of the year. Climate: The climate of Nepal varies according to the elevation. The humid, tropical Terai receives the most monsoonal rain and records the country’s highest temperature. The lower hills (900-2,700meters), including Kathmandu Valley are sub-tropical, with hot summer and moderate winters with only the occasional frost. The higher hills (2,700-4,000 meters) are temperate as the hills get plenty of rain, fog and frost. Above 4,000meters, the mountains  have cooler, drier alpine climate and daily temperatures vary wildly depending on sunshine, wind and altitude. Flora: 6,000 species of plants (out of which 245 species are only found in Nepal), 118 ecosystems, 75 vegetation, 35 forest types, 319 species of orchid, 50 different species of grasses, 30 species of Rhododendron Fauna: Over 500 species of butterflies, 850 species of birds,185 species of mammals Communication Facilities: Postal, Freight and Cargo Services: The Central Post office is located in Kathmandu near Dharahara Tower. It is open Monday to Friday. The opening and closing time from Monday to Thurday is 10:00 am and 5:00 pm respectively; however, on Friday the office is closed after 3:00 pm. Stamps, aerograms and postcards can be purchased from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. You can enjoy the services like registration and insurance of mail and packages and IRCs exchange. Large parcels are handled by the Foreign Post Office, which is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at GPO and at Thamel, Bashantapur and airport postal counters. Postal counters are also situated at the airport in Kathmandu. Telephone Services: Both landline and mobile phone services are available in Nepal. Nepal Telecommunication Corporation located at Tripureshwor is a national service provider that provides telephone, fax, telex, STD, ISD and telegraph services. Some private sectors also provide telephone services. Network coverage is good throughout Nepal except in some rural Himalayan places. Almost all the hotels and private communication sectors provide long distance telephone and fax facilities. During your stay in Nepal, you can buy and use a local SIM card, that is prepaid phone cards (requires 2 passport size photos and passport visa copy to purchase the SIM). The country code for Nepal is 00977 and the area code of Kathmandu is 01. For other inquiries regarding the telephone number 197 can be used. Long distance call rates can be quite expensive, therefore, it is best to use the internet phone. Internet phones are easily accessible in the major cities of Nepal. Internet Services: Email and Internet services are very popular in most part of the country these days. All you need to do is find an internet café. Most of the hotels in the major cities of Nepal provide internet service for the convenience of their guests. The rates in the cities are much lesser compared to the rates in the rural areas. Most of these internet cafes also provide fax, photocopy, and scanning services. Medical Facilities: It is very easy to find a hospital or a private clinic  in the Kathmandu Valley. In fact, Nepal’s top general hospitals and private clinics are located in Kathmandu. These hospitals and private clinics provide top quality service. Other major cities also have a good number of general hospitals. However, in the rural areas of Nepal, health posts have been set up by the government to provide health and medical facilities for both local and visitors. All kinds of medicines are available in Kathmandu.  For the reduction of deaths among trekkers, an association named Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) was founded in the year 1973. The head office of HRA is located in Lazimpat near the north gate of the Palace Museum. During peak season, it operates aid posts in Pheriche (Khumbu region)  and Manang (Annapurna region) managed by expatriate physicians. However, its main job is to provide free advices to trekkers on altitude sickness, equipments and the condition of trekking routes. About Dolpa Situated in western Nepal, Dolpo or Dolpa  is the largest (7,889 sq km) and one of the five districts of the Karnali Zone with Dunai as its district headquarter. It covers 5.36% of the total land mass of Nepal and the elevation ranges from 1,525m-7,625m. With Tibet extending throughout the northern border, the district boarders Jumla and Mugu on the west, Myagdi, Jajarkot and Rukum on the south and Mustang on the east. It is another district that lies beyond the Himalayas and is divided into four valleys: Tsharka, Tarap, Panzang and Nangkhong. Kanjiroba, Mukot and Putha Hiunchuli are the major peaks of the area. Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Shey Phoksundo Lake and the centuries old monasteries and the Bon PO  religion and tradition are the major attractions of the area. Shey-Phoksundo Lake and the National Park “Shey Phoksundo” the name is derived from the 12th century Shey Monastery and the Phoksundo Lake. The Shey-Phoksundo Lake is an alpine fresh water oligotrophic lake located at an elevation of 3,611.5m above the sea level.  The lake is spread around 494 ha in size  and the maximum depth of the lake is 145m, which make it the deepest lake in Nepal. The lake has been designated a Ramsar site since the year 2007. The Shey-Phoksundo National Park is the largest and the only trans-Himalayan National Park in Nepal. It covers the area of 3,555 sq km and lies in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu. The elevation of the area ranges from 2,130m to 6,883m. Along with the spectacular landscapes and the scenic mountain peaks the park also presents the diversity in flora and fauna. In terms of flora, the area is famous for Rhododendron, Caragana shrubs, Salix, juniper, white Himalayan birch, silver fir, blue pine, spruce, hemlock, cedar, poplar, and bamboo. It also contains 286 species of ethno-botanical importance. In terms of fauna, the park provides home to endangered species like the snow leopard, gray wolf, musk deer, blue sheep, Goral, Tibetan sheep, Himalayan thar, leopard, jackal, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten. Moreover, the park is a home of 200 species of birds that include Tibetan partridge, wood snipe, white throated tit, wood Accentor and crimson-eared Rosefinch, 6 species  of reptiles, 29 species of butterflies including Paralasa nepalaica, which is the highest flying butterflies in the world. The park also contains many religious sites and monasteries, among which the most famous ones are the Shey Gompa built during the 11th century and Thashung Gompa built about 900 years ago. The park also homes about 9,000 people, whose lifestyle is typically Tibetan and follow either Buddhism or Bon PO religion. The Park’s headquarter is in Palam, Dolpa. Travel Insurance: This information is for everyone planning the Lower Dolpo Trek in Nepal. You are required to get a travel insurance that covers all the added expenses that might result due to various health issues, injuries or accidents (together with air ambulance, helicopter rescue and other treatment cost). Also, make sure that your insurance policy covers all extra activities that you are planning to accomplish throughout your stay in Nepal. In addition to this, the policy should also cover death, misplaced luggage, theft and liability, cancellations, medical treatment (counting hospital charges, cost of the medicine, doctor’s fees) as well as repatriation cost. This trek takes you above the altitude of 5000m. Therefore, we kindly request you to ensure that your insurance policy covers the given altitude. In short, its client himself/herself has to take the responsibility regarding the entire unforeseen expenses during the trip. Health, fitness and experience requirements: The altitudes in the Lower Dolpa Trek demand excellent stamina, tough determination and the best health condition. Therefore, every interested trekker is suggested to consult their doctor before planning this trip. Trekkers are also requested to take advice, medications and permission from their doctor prior to planning their climb. Also, it is highly recommended to take expert guidance from local General Practitioner regarding the required guide walks. Travel clinics can offer the best assistance in absence of GP.  Some days of the trek require 7-8 hour of walking. Thus, the trek demands excellent stamina, therefore, regular exercise and jogging is recommended to build up the required stamina to successfully complete the trek. It is only suitable for physically fit, healthy and mentally determined trekker. Moreover, the Lower Dolpa Trekking trail takes you to some of the most demanding sections of the Dolpa district. However, no prior experience is required to climb this peak, but if you have some experience in climbing, camping and hiking, then these experiences will be counted as a plus point. Note: Please submit your medical fitness certificate that includes your present health condition, medical situation, the preceding illness and the medication you are taking prior to booking this package. You are also requested to be honest so that, we can prepare ourselves to take quick action in case of emergencies. Accommodation and Food:                               We always make sure that our customers get the right value for their money. Therefore, we always attempt to make some of the best arrangements for our customers. To ensure a comfortable stay, we book a deluxe hotel in Kathmandu, before and after your trek. Basically, the rooms are twin share, where you will have to share your room with another member of your group. However, this totally depends on the size of your group and the availability of rooms in the hotel. On request, triple share can also be arranged. Moreover, if you are looking for a single supplement room, extra charges will be applied. Your accommodation during this trek is arranged local guest houses, lodges, basic tea house and even in a tented camp, where necessary. Most of the guest houses or lodges offer basic amenities. A full board meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and tea and coffee) will be provided during the entire trek. Breakfast and Dinner are provided in the accommodation and lunch is ordered from a teahouse menu. Usually, porridge, toast or chapattis, oatmeal and local bread are served for breakfast. Lunch and dinner are both Nepali and Western (subject to availability) and are simply great. Our attempt while you are on a trek: Most part of this trek takes you to the remote trans-Himalayan region of Nepal, where communication facilities are very less. Therefore, Amigo Treks and Expedition takes all the responsibility and makes attempts to deliver your message to your family, friend, relatives or the concerned person. Our guides are provided with a cell phone and are contacted on a regular basis. You can use the cell phone provided to our guides to send your message to us, which will further be delivered to the respected person. Also, our guides will make every possible attempt to follow the planned itinerary; however, it is kindly requested to be flexible in case of changes in the itinerary caused by extreme weather conditions or bad health condition of a group member. Moreover, we can also help you reschedule your international flight (extra charges applicable) if you need any additional days to complete your trek. We will make every possible attempt to make your trek ‘a grand success’. Why to trek with us?                                                             Amigo Treks & Expedition offers a wonderful opportunity to help you visit those areas, culture and tradition of Nepal that have never been explored before. Your trip itineraries are fully customized in order to meet the individual needs and interests of the member of your group. We also partner with local people to help you get the maximum out of the trip. We are highly dedicated and offer years of experience to plan an outstanding adventure trip for you. Customer service is our top priority; therefore, we cater to every possible need of yours during your stay in Nepal, be it the food, accommodation, varied destination or your communication needs. Despite all these facilities, our best packages are offered at a very competitive rate. When should I plan this trek?             Though Nepal can be visited any time of the year, the best season to plan the Lower Dolpa Trek is spring and autumn. Spring – Mid-March, April and May, perfect months to plan the Lower Dolpa Trek. These months support us with warm weather, clear skies, good temperature and the best visibility. Autumn – Mid September, October and November, perfect months to plan the Lower Dolpa Trek. These months support us with better visibility, clear blue skies and excellent trail. Winter – December, January and February are good months to plan the Lower Dolpa Trek, provided you can stand the extreme cold weather. Summer – Mid June, July and August are also the best months to plan the Lower Dolpa Trek as this area situated in the rain-shadow of the Himalayas and is not affected by the monsoon rain. What should I bring? Along with warm clothes you will also need other equipment for the sufficient protection of your body. Below is the list of necessary items that you need to pack before commencing your trek. Head- Hat (with a wide brim), Sunglasses (with UV protection), Sunscreen lotion and Lip balm Upper body- T-shirts (2), light and expedition weight thermal tops, Fleece jacket and pullover, Fleece wind-stopper jacket (Optional), waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket, down vest/jacket (included) Hands - Lightweight gloves, heavy-weight gloves/mittens with a waterproof outer shell Lower body - Underwear (4), hiking shorts (2), lightweight cotton long pants, light and expedition weight thermal bottoms, Fleece or wool pants, waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants Feet - Thin, light-wear inner socks (4), thick, warm wool hiking socks (4), hiking boots with spare laces, camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals), gaiters. Accessories  - Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F (included), headlamp with spare bulb and batteries, small padlock or combination lock, basic first aid kit, large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag), day pack, water bottles (2), hiking pole/walking sticks, small ear plugs Toiletries – Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, small wash towel Extras - Cameras with extra batteries and cards, binoculars, light balaclava or warm fleece hat, reading books, trip map/guide book, journal & pen, iPod & travel games (like cards, chess, and backgammon) Our legal documents: Registered under the government of Nepal, Amigo Treks & Expedition is a fully licensed and certified company. Therefore, this company holds complete authority to operate treks, tours, expedition, hiking and many other tourism related services in the Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. In addition to this, we are also a very active member of the following organizations. Nepal Tourism board (NTB) Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP) Ministry of Finance, Department of Taxation Company Registration Office, Pvt. Ltd. Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism Industry Passport and Visa Information: It is very easy to obtain Nepal’s visa. You may either apply for a visa at your nearest Nepalese Embassy/Consulate or Mission offices in your own country or you can buy this upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. To apply for a visa, you need 2 passport size photographs, Visa fees in US dollars and your passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the trip. However, nationals of SAARC countries (India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan) and China do not require any visa to visit Nepal. Transit visa for foreign nationalities is only provided for 3 days. Therefore, visa is required for longer stays. However, for the convenience or foreign nationals, a visa is also provided from the borders listed below: Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal) Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal) Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border of Nepal) Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Western Nepal) Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Mid Western Nepal) Mohana, Dhangadhi (Far Western Nepal) Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Far Western Nepal)   Tourist Visa Fees: Transit visa (3 days) – Free of cost Multiple entry (15 days) – 25 USD or equivalent convertible currency Multiple entry (30 days) – 40 USD or equivalent convertible currency Multiple entry (90 days) – 100 USD or equivalent convertible currency (For more information, please contact the Department of Immigration, Maitighar, Kathmandu. Tel: 00977-1 4221996/4223590/4222453. You can also download visa form from – www.immi.gov.np)