Dolpo (Dolpa) in far northwestern Nepal is the country's most remote and extraordinary region – a Tibetan plateau landscape at 3,500–5,000m that preserves a Bon Buddhist culture largely unchanged for centuries. The region gained global attention through Peter Matthiessen's book "The Snow Leopard" and the IMAX documentary "Himalaya" about the ancient salt traders of Dolpo. The landscape of ochre cliffs, turquoise glacial lakes, ancient monasteries and vast open plateau is genuinely unlike anything else in Nepal.
Upper Dolpo requires a restricted area permit (USD 500 per person for 10 days) and is a full camping expedition. The ancient Shey Gompa monastery and the Crystal Mountain are the region's most sacred destinations. Lower Dolpo's showpiece is Phoksundo Lake – Nepal's deepest lake at 3,611m, its extraordinary turquoise colour created by glacial mineral deposits. Dolpo's trekking season is April–June and September–October; the rain shadow region is also possible in summer. Our Dolpo trekking programmes cover both upper and lower Dolpo.
Trek through the hidden valleys of Dolpa, visit the ancient Shey Gompa (The Crystal Monastery), touch the icy waters of Phoksundo Lake, see yak caravans cross high-Himalayan passes, visit some of the highest settlments on earth like the Dho-Tarap valley; Dolpa will never cease to amaze you.
Dolpa or Dolpo was popularized by the film “Caravan” which showcases the extraordinary untouched beauty of the region. It is remote and fascinating, confined by the Dhaulagiri range in the south and east, the mountains Sisne and Kanjiroba in the west and Tibet towards the north. Lake Phoksundo with its turquoise waters is the major attraction in Dolpa.
The people of Dolpa generally settle at altitudes of 3,660 m to 4,070 m and these are probably one of the highest settlements in the world. There are 130 gompas in Dolpa which speaks volumes for the religious nature of its inhabitants.The trek is enlivened by the sight of yak caravans that even today travel long distances through difficult terrain to barter goods.
Closely linked with Tibet, the people speak Tibetan, have strong Mongoloid features, maintain their Tibetan culture with monasteries that follow closely the Buddhism of Tibet. The proximity with Tibet has ensured that little has changed since their forefathers crossed the border into Nepal.
These unexplored, high altitude valleys were not opened until 1989. Isolated by the difficult topography, the people in this region have preserved their lifestyle, remaining almost untouched by the trappings of modern society. This trek is an opportunity to meet people who follow a lifestyle that goes back centuries.
Dolpa falls among Restricted Areas. Therefore, trekkers require Trekking Permit from the Department of Immigration in addition to the TIMS card to trek to this region. Trekkers should be physically fit as there are long and strenuous stretches en route.
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