Upper Dolpa Trekking, Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpa Trekking

Dolpa is the largest district with a high altitude in Nepal located in Karnali zone of Mid-Western development region. Upper Dolpa Trekking is the remotest and under development area of Nepal borders with the Tibet on the northeast, Jumla and Mugu districts of Karnali on the west, Myagdi, Jajarkot and Rukum on the south and Mustang on the east. In another way, Dolpa is also known as Dolpo. Dolpo is Tibetan standard name which mostly denotes the upper area of the district whereas the locals themselves call their area as Dhol-wa.

Dolpo Trek is famous for its natural beauty, cultural aspects, monasteries, wildlife and their villages.

The major  attraction or highlights of Dolpa Trekking are as follows:

1. Dho-Tarap valley implicates two settlements one is Dho and another is Tarap. Later on, they are nestled together in the Dho Tarap Valley at an altitude of 4080m. Dho-Tarap is famous for its traditionally built houses and monasteries. The local over there are good in wood carving. During your visit to this valley, you will observe the houses and monasteries are traditionally carved by wood.

2. Shey Phoksundo Lake is one of Nepal’s deepest lakes (146m) and it’s a jewel of Dolpa.  The lake stands as a major highlight for trekking and lies at an elevation of 3620m within the Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest national park in Nepal.  The lake is clearly observed with turquoise colour and star-like twinkling on the lake due to the reflection of the sun. Phoksundo Lake is surrounded by forests and snow-capped mountains. Due to this lake, the area has been described as one of the world’s “Natural Hidden Wonders”. This lake is fully protected by locals of Ringmo Valley a follower of Buddhism and Bön-po religion, so it is regarded as a sacred lake and taking a dip in the lake is discouraged.

3. Phoksudo Waterfall is one of the country’s tallest waterfalls. As the water flows from the lake so the waterfall is named after the lake. Suligad is another locally Nepali name for this waterfall (167m). The waterfall is surrounded by glacier and pine forests. Trust us, by seeing this waterfall and Phoksundo lake you feel like staying more.

4. Dolpo is famous for Bon culture and it is around 5.05% are Bon followers. Through the journey, you will encounter practitioners of the ancient Bön religion. Bön is a spiritual tradition of Tibet which origins predate Buddhism. The religion followed its devotees to the Nepali Himalayas centuries ago and is still practised in the isolated higher altitudes of Mustang and Dolpa. Ringmo, a hamlet just above Phoksundo Lake will give visitors a rare chance to witness its ancient practices.

5.  Shey Gompa is one of the 1000 year -old Buddhist monasteries of Dolpa district, it is of 12 century. Shey Gomba is the main Gompa of Kakyupa sect, one of the four major sects of Buddhism while it has a high significance in Buddhism. Drutop Shinge Yeshe has meditated in the cave near the Shey and achieved enlightenment. Shey Gompa is also known as younger Brother of Mt. Kailash. Most of the Dolpo people gather on the full-moon day the throng begins its trek, which is on the months of July/August before the barley harvest to do circle (kora) Crystal mountain. Then chief priest scrapes rock dust from the sacred mountain and swallows with water.

6. Kanjiroba is a mountain of Dolpa district standing at an elevation 6,883m above sea level. It is a stunning wonderful mountain with its unique peak worthwhile climbing to experience the high degree of alpine and extreme wilderness.

7. The Shey Phoksundo National Park is home to a rich ecosystem with a wonderful variety of flora and wildlife including exciting creatures like the blue sheep and wild yak. If you’re very lucky you may even spot the very elusive snow leopard.

8. Dolpo is also famous for medicinal herbs. Yarcha gumba and Panchaunle is the major herb of that area. Yarchagumba is the income source of the locals. This ploughing Yarchagumba season takes in the month June and July.

9. Dolpo region has given birth of Peter Matthiessen’s bestselling book’ Snow Leopards’ and Eric Valli’s Oscar-nominated movie CARAVAN (HIMALAYA) was featured in this isolated Himalayan sanctuary.

HOW TO GET INTO ENTRY POINT:

As Dolpo region is opened for trekkers in 1989. One needs to get trekking permit from Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara to visit this fascinating region. So after that, to access into the entry point first, you will have a flight from Kathamndu to Nepalgaunj which will take 45min and overnight at the hotel of Nepalgaunj. On the next day early in the morning, you will again have a flight from Nepalgaunj to Juphal airport (35min) which is sited on the lap of Juphal village. From there your journey starts.

WHEN IS BEST TIME TO TRAVEL:

Dolpa trek the best favourable time is March to October. You may also travel in the monsoon season (June to August) as Dolpo region lies in the rain shadow area formed by Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range.