Dho Tarap
In Nepali: धो तराप
Dho Tarap lies at about 4,080 m in the Tarap valley of Lower Dolpo, reached through a long gorge from Dunai. Its flat-roofed stone houses, Bon and Buddhist monasteries and chortens sit among barley fields in a wide, windy valley.
The Crystal Mountain School here, supported by international donors, is one of the highest schools in the world. A circuit linking Juphal, Dho Tarap, the Numa La and Baga La passes and Phoksundo is one of the finest treks in western Nepal.
What to see and do
Visit the Bon and Buddhist monasteries, including Ribo Bhumpa gompa, see the village school, and walk the Tarap valley past chortens and mani walls to neighbouring settlements. The approach through the Tarap Khola gorge is spectacular.
Good to know
Permits for Lower Dolpo are required. Accommodation is mostly camping or basic homestays. Weather in Dolpo is usually dry even during the monsoon.
Quick answers
- Where is Dho Tarap?
- Dho Tarap is in Dolpa district, Karnali Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Dho Tarap?
- About 4,080 m (13,386 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Dho Tarap?
- For a 12-day trip from Pokhara, about NPR 128,500 (≈ US$950) per person on a budget, or NPR 145,500 (≈ US$1,080) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food, entry fees, permits, a guide and porter. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 54,500 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Dho Tarap?
- Plan 10 nights there for the trek; with travel from Pokhara and back, about 12 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Dho Tarap?
- Yes. Foreign visitors need a restricted-area permit of about US$20 per person per week, issued only through a licensed trekking agency. You also pay about NPR 3,000 / US$22 to enter Shey Phoksundo National Park (SAARC visitors about half, Nepali citizens a small fee).
- Do I need a guide for Dho Tarap?
- Yes. Restricted areas can only be visited with a licensed guide, in a group of at least two.
- When is the best time to visit Dho Tarap?
- May–October
- How do I get to Dho Tarap?
- 4–5 days' trek from Juphal via Dunai; permits required. It is about 128 km (straight line) from Pokhara, and usually reached by flight.
- What is Dho Tarap called in Nepali?
- धो तराप
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