Lower Dolpo Trek Cost 2027: From USD 4,680, 15 Days

How much does the Lower Dolpo trek cost in 2027?

Lower Dolpo is the most expensive kind of trek we sell, and I would rather tell you why than hide it. There are two flights each way, a restricted-area permit, a park fee, a camp crew with cooks and tent porters, and a lot of days far from any road. Here are the real numbers for our 15-day trek with flights.

Prices are per person in US dollars and include VAT and our service charge. Larger groups pay less each, and I will send the exact figure for 5 to 20 people on request. A 10% deposit holds the booking and you pay the balance in Kathmandu. We accept USD or EUR, cash or card. A card payment for the balance carries a 3.5% bank charge. There is no fee for cash in Kathmandu.

The solo price is high because the flights, the permit minimum and the crew do not shrink for one person. That is the real cost. If you can find even one friend, the price per person drops a lot.

What the price includes (Standard)

• Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu.
• Flights Kathmandu to Nepalgunj to Juphal and back, for you and your guide, plus one hotel night in Nepalgunj.
• Three meals a day with tea or coffee, and fresh fruit once a day when available.
• Private rooms in the better lodges and tents at the camps.
• A licensed English-speaking guide (one for up to 6 trekkers), a cook and kitchen helper, and porters for tents, food and fuel. One porter for every two trekkers carries your bags, 20 kg at most between two. Solo trekkers have no porter; the guide carries up to 10 kg.
• Lower Dolpo restricted-area permit (USD 20 for the first week, then USD 5 per day), Shey Phoksundo National Park entry (NPR 3,000) and the TIMS card. Fees from the official Department of Immigration and Nepal Tourism Board pages, read 4 Sep 2026.

Not included: Kathmandu hotels, international flights and visa, travel insurance, drinks and tips. An extra personal porter is USD 25 a day plus 13% VAT and the 3.5% bank charge.

The 15-day itinerary with altitudes

Days 9 and 10 are the hard ones, with two passes over 5,000 m. Read more in the Tarakot day 3 guide and the Dho Tarap village guide.

Permits: why you need an agency

Lower Dolpo is a restricted area. Solo restricted-area permits have been possible since 22 March 2026, but only through a registered agency with a licensed guide, with a maximum of seven trekkers per guide. You cannot walk apart from your guide. Details in our restricted-area permits guide. Permits need 48 hours in government working days, so we ask for your passport details well before you fly.

Lower Dolpo or Upper Dolpo?

I explain the choice in the Upper versus Lower Dolpo comparison.

Best time to go

Insurance and safety

Buy insurance at home that covers trekking and helicopter evacuation to at least 5,500 m, as Numa La is at 5,190 m. Never buy cover in Nepal. A helicopter cannot always reach the passes, so rescue may happen from lower ground. Tell your guide at once about any headache or poor sleep.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Lower Dolpo trek cost?

USD 4,680 to 6,735 per person for 2 to 4 trekkers on our 15-day trek with flights, and USD 7,705 to 10,140 solo.

How many days is the Lower Dolpo trek?

Fifteen days, from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 13 days on the ground in Dolpo.

What permit do I need for Lower Dolpo?

A restricted-area permit (USD 20 for the first week, then USD 5 a day) and Shey Phoksundo National Park entry (NPR 3,000). Both are included in our price.

Can I trek Lower Dolpo without a guide?

No. You need a registered agency and a licensed guide, and you must stay with your guide.

How hard is the Lower Dolpo trek?

Hard. You cross two passes above 5,000 m, and several walking days run 6 to 8 hours. Good fitness and earlier high-altitude trekking help.

Why is Lower Dolpo more expensive than Annapurna or Everest?

Flights to Juphal, a restricted-area permit and a full camp crew for remote nights add up. Nothing is cheaper because it is quiet.

When is the best time for Lower Dolpo?

Spring and autumn. Winter closes the passes.

Can I pay a deposit and reschedule?

The deposit is 10% and non-refundable. You can reschedule free within one year with at least 7 days' notice for restricted areas.

Next step

Tell me your dates and group size on WhatsApp at +977 9810351300 and I will confirm the price and the permit timing. Or open the package page and send an enquiry. I am Shreejan and I reply myself.

Last updated 3 November 2026.