Dolpa region

Dolpa region | The hidden valley | 2021

Dolpa region leads through scenic, hidden valley and ancient shrines like Shey Gompa. Enjoying  views of the pristine waters of  Phoksundo Lake, encountering yak caravans that cross the high-Himalayan passes and mountain people who live in some of the highest settlements on earth like the Dho-Tarap valley.

Hidden treasure of nature was exquisitely captured in the Oscar nominated film “Caravan”. Dolpo is confined by the Dhaulagiri range in the south and east, Mt. Sisne and Kanjiroba in the west and the Tibetan plataeu towards the north. Lake Phoksundo’s shimmering turquoise waters never fails to fascinate visitors, making it one of the major attractions of Dolpo. Trekking in this Himalayan region is an unforgettable adventure.

People are devout Buddhists who have been trading with Tibet for centuries. There are 130 Buddhist monasteries in Dolpo which speaks volumes for their religious fervor.

Dolpa region is a distant region of Nepal and the central point of this area is Shey Phoksumdo National Park. The east and south of Dolpa are surrounded by the Dhaulagiri and Churen Himal ranges and to the west is the Jumla district. Trekking to Lower Dolpa region offers you the remarkable and breathtaking experience of a lifetime. The notable features seen here are snowy peaks, ancient and remote villages, rich wildlife, lovely Buddhist monasteries and wonderful lakes. The people of this area are simple and warm-hearted with an enthralling culture and traditions. The cultural traditions of this area are basically linked with the Tibetan culture.

Trekking into Dolpa region presents an exposure to the high and remote Himalayan valleys, resembling the Tibetan highlands. The main highlight of Dolpa region trekking includes “Shey Phoksundo National Park” which is one of the major National Parks of Nepal. “Shey Phoksundo Lake” is another famous feature of this region. The lake is totally free of aquatic life, which the crystal waters clearly demonstrate. Surrounded by rocks, forests, and snow-capped peaks, the area has been described as one of the world’s “Natural Hidden Wonders”.

The Dolpa region trekking starts at Juphal and follows the track to Dunai, then continues to Tarakot, way up to Bang la Camp, the uppermost point of this trekking. After passing through Sanu Bheri village, we then descend to the good-looking Phoksundo Lake, which is a piece of the Shey Phoksundo National Park.

Geography and climate

Dolpa is the largest district of Nepal and covers 5.36% of the country’s total land mass. The elevation ranges from 1,525 to 7,625 m (5,003 to 25,016 ft). The district borders in the north and northeast on Tibet (China), in the west on the districts Jumla and Mugu in Karnali, in the south on Myagdi, Jajarkot and Rukum and in the east on Mustang.

A large portion of the district is protected by Shey Phoksundo National Park. The name is derived from the 12th century Shey Monastery and the deepest lake in Nepal, the Phoksundo Lake, both of which lie in the district. The park protects endangered animals like the snow leopard, musk deer and the Tibetan wolf. Shey Phoksundo is the largest and the only trans-Himalayan National Park in Nepal. It is the biggest area occupying district of Nepal.

The district distances an altitudinal range of over 5,000 m (16,000 ft) from a little over 1,500 m (4,900 ft) at Tribeni in Kalika VDC to 7,381 m (24,216 ft) meters at the peak of Churen Himal. Kanjiroba (6,221 m (20,410 ft)), Mukot (6,638 m (21,778 ft)) and Putha Hiunchuli (7,246 m (23,773 ft)) are other renowned peaks.

Physiographical the smaller ranges of the Great Himalayas comprise the southern border of the district. Between these and the border mountain ranges of Gautam Himal and Kanti Himal to the north, Dolpa district is a labyrinth of often wide glacial valleys and ridges. Kanjiroba Himal and Kagmara Lekh running northwest to southeast separate the valleys of the Jagdula in the west from the rest of the district.

Following are the best hiking and trekking experiences in Dolpa region: