Exploring the unexplored
Standing in the midst of the rugged natural landscape of Dolpa in all its beauty, and experience its remoteness you cannot help but feel that this is Shangri-la – a region with an aura of mysticism about it. Dolpa, also called “Ba Yul” or the Hidden Valley, has fascinating villages and is still a land of mystery, scenery and peace. Isolated and secluded from the outside world by spiraling high mountain passes and restricted entry, mysterious Dolpa had long fascinated and frustrated travelers.
The newly promoted Dolpa Experience Circuit links Phoksundo experience with the natural beasuty and cultural experience of Dho. There are altogether 130 gompas in Dolpa, some of their histories going back to very early times. Shey Phoksundo National Park, Lake Phoksundo and Shey Gompa are the prime attractions of this region.
Dolpa Experience Circuit
The Lower Dolpa circuit Trek is one of the most popular treks as it passed through Phoksundo Lake, featured in Erik Valley's Oscar nominated movie "Caravan". Phoksundo, aslo called as the Blue Lake, cuts of the deepest gorges in Nepal but contains no aquatic life.
It is possible to visit Phoksundo Lake on a one-week trek, but taking the 15 day trail is more satisfying. Beginning from Juphal the trail continues to Dunai and then heads north along the Dho-Tarap Khola (river) to Dho Tarap village (4,040 m) - an area inhabited by people practicing the pre – Buddhist religion Called “Bon Po”. The trail crosses the two high passes of Numa La (5,160 m) and Baga La (5,070 m) before reaching the hamlet of Ringmo on the Southern end of the lake. The hikers’ first glimpse of Lake Phoksundo, set in a cleft between rocks that rise 2000 m into the clear glimmer mountain skies reveals a scene of unearthly beauty – a white glimmer of silver birch edges the lake’s radiant turquoise-blue waters. Kanjiroba (6,883 m) one of the highest mountains in the region, can be seen from the tops of the surrounding peaks.
The trail back to Dunai is along the Phuksundo River as it flows aouth carrying the waters of Lake Phoksundo on their long passage via th Ganges into the Bay of Bengal. The river cuts a narrow gorge - by early May rimmed with primulas, violets and gentians and shaded by tall spruce, a magnificent waterfall tumbles 1,670 m down a series of rock shelves. Blue sheep, musk deer, goral, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr and bear inhabit the Shey Phoksundo National Park set aside to protect an ecosystem typical of the high arid Tibetan plateau.
People
While Lower Dolpa is home to Thakurs, Chhettris, Brahmins, Upper Dolpa is home of the Bhotiyas and Sherpas. While much of Northern Dolpa is the domain of Buddhism, Both Hindus and Buddhists revere areas in Southern Dolpa, such as the temple of Bala Tripur Sundari in Tripurakot VDC where a large number of devotees from the surrounding region offer worship.
Dolpa are inhabited by people practicing the Pre-Buddhist religion called “Bon Po” that disappeared from Tibet in the 9th century. The inhabitants of Lower Dolpa subsist on buckwheat, wheat and potatoes, a prosperous existence compared to the people of Upper Dolpa who depend on barley as sole crop. The stalwart is a vital source of food, transport and dung fuel. They also trade salt for grain with those from far away Hurikot and Jumla to compensate their dwindling winter supply of food.
The remoteness of the area has helped conserve ancient cultural traditions of Buddhists and can be experienced firsthand. The local people still dress in religious and traditional costumes during times of feasts and festivals. The medicinal plant, Yarchagumbu (Coerdiopsis sinesis) a type of wild mushroom is found in abundance in this region. Extracts from Yarchagumba are believed to significantly improve health and fitness.
Added Attractions
Shey Phoksundo National Park
The Shey Phoksundo National Park is in one of the most remote districts of mid-western Nepal and is the largest national park. With diverse terrain and altitude variation, the Park, established in 1984 with an area of 3,555 sq.km., spreads over Dolpa and Mugu districts and supports a broad range of wildlife and vegetation.
It is one of the few areas protecting trans-Himalayan ecology. Phoksundo Lake is one of the deepest and the second largest lake in Nepal. The entrance to the Shey Phoksundo National Park is at Suligad. The park office is at Sumduwa. The ancient settlements of Jagdullah, the Shey Phoksundo national Park, ancirent monasteries over 700 years old and other high altitude lakes, hot water springs, wide glacial valleys, high passes and crystal blue fresh water lakes are the main attractions of Dolpa.
Dho-tarap Village
Dho-tarap Village (believed to be one of the highest human settlements of the world) is situated in 3 days walking distance from Sahartara. The altitude of the village ranges from 4000m to 4200m from the sea level. Unique Bhotia culture, famous Buddhist and Bon-po monasteries are the prime cultural experience of the region. In addition to that, spectacular view of rugged terrain, green valley and pasture give wonderful natural experience to the visitors. Ribumba and Jhampa are famous Buddhist monasteries. On the other hand, Sihok gomba is famous Bon monasteries. The villages are pre-occupied by Bhotia people and are practicing Buddhism and Bon-po religion.beautiful and breathe taking topographic feature along the trail and valley make people come again and again. Dho village is important place for the cross border business between Dolpa and Tibet. It is the trade centre for the Upper Dolpa.
Trekking permit and entrance fee
Dolpa is controlled area. Trekking permit fee to visit Phoksundo Lake region is equivalent to US $ 10 per week for the first four weeks and US $ 20 per week after that. However, trip to Upper Dolpa to visit Shey Gompa has higher permit fee. The national park entrance fee is rs.100 for SAARC nationals and RS.1000 for other nationals.
How to get there?
Dolpa is in Karnali zone. Regularly and chartered flights to Juphal airport from Pokhara are avialble. From Juphal, district headquarters Dunai is 3 to 4 hour walk. One can take a scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj or travel by public bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Source: Nepal Tourism Board
Standing in the midst of the rugged natural landscape of Dolpa in all its beauty, and experience its remoteness you cannot help but feel that this is Shangri-la – a region with an aura of mysticism about it. Dolpa, also called “Ba Yul” or the Hidden Valley, has fascinating villages and is still a land of mystery, scenery and peace. Isolated and secluded from the outside world by spiraling high mountain passes and restricted entry, mysterious Dolpa had long fascinated and frustrated travelers.
The newly promoted Dolpa Experience Circuit links Phoksundo experience with the natural beasuty and cultural experience of Dho. There are altogether 130 gompas in Dolpa, some of their histories going back to very early times. Shey Phoksundo National Park, Lake Phoksundo and Shey Gompa are the prime attractions of this region.
Dolpa Experience Circuit
The Lower Dolpa circuit Trek is one of the most popular treks as it passed through Phoksundo Lake, featured in Erik Valley's Oscar nominated movie "Caravan". Phoksundo, aslo called as the Blue Lake, cuts of the deepest gorges in Nepal but contains no aquatic life.
It is possible to visit Phoksundo Lake on a one-week trek, but taking the 15 day trail is more satisfying. Beginning from Juphal the trail continues to Dunai and then heads north along the Dho-Tarap Khola (river) to Dho Tarap village (4,040 m) - an area inhabited by people practicing the pre – Buddhist religion Called “Bon Po”. The trail crosses the two high passes of Numa La (5,160 m) and Baga La (5,070 m) before reaching the hamlet of Ringmo on the Southern end of the lake. The hikers’ first glimpse of Lake Phoksundo, set in a cleft between rocks that rise 2000 m into the clear glimmer mountain skies reveals a scene of unearthly beauty – a white glimmer of silver birch edges the lake’s radiant turquoise-blue waters. Kanjiroba (6,883 m) one of the highest mountains in the region, can be seen from the tops of the surrounding peaks.
The trail back to Dunai is along the Phuksundo River as it flows aouth carrying the waters of Lake Phoksundo on their long passage via th Ganges into the Bay of Bengal. The river cuts a narrow gorge - by early May rimmed with primulas, violets and gentians and shaded by tall spruce, a magnificent waterfall tumbles 1,670 m down a series of rock shelves. Blue sheep, musk deer, goral, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr and bear inhabit the Shey Phoksundo National Park set aside to protect an ecosystem typical of the high arid Tibetan plateau.
People
While Lower Dolpa is home to Thakurs, Chhettris, Brahmins, Upper Dolpa is home of the Bhotiyas and Sherpas. While much of Northern Dolpa is the domain of Buddhism, Both Hindus and Buddhists revere areas in Southern Dolpa, such as the temple of Bala Tripur Sundari in Tripurakot VDC where a large number of devotees from the surrounding region offer worship.
Dolpa are inhabited by people practicing the Pre-Buddhist religion called “Bon Po” that disappeared from Tibet in the 9th century. The inhabitants of Lower Dolpa subsist on buckwheat, wheat and potatoes, a prosperous existence compared to the people of Upper Dolpa who depend on barley as sole crop. The stalwart is a vital source of food, transport and dung fuel. They also trade salt for grain with those from far away Hurikot and Jumla to compensate their dwindling winter supply of food.
The remoteness of the area has helped conserve ancient cultural traditions of Buddhists and can be experienced firsthand. The local people still dress in religious and traditional costumes during times of feasts and festivals. The medicinal plant, Yarchagumbu (Coerdiopsis sinesis) a type of wild mushroom is found in abundance in this region. Extracts from Yarchagumba are believed to significantly improve health and fitness.
Added Attractions
Shey Phoksundo National Park
The Shey Phoksundo National Park is in one of the most remote districts of mid-western Nepal and is the largest national park. With diverse terrain and altitude variation, the Park, established in 1984 with an area of 3,555 sq.km., spreads over Dolpa and Mugu districts and supports a broad range of wildlife and vegetation.
It is one of the few areas protecting trans-Himalayan ecology. Phoksundo Lake is one of the deepest and the second largest lake in Nepal. The entrance to the Shey Phoksundo National Park is at Suligad. The park office is at Sumduwa. The ancient settlements of Jagdullah, the Shey Phoksundo national Park, ancirent monasteries over 700 years old and other high altitude lakes, hot water springs, wide glacial valleys, high passes and crystal blue fresh water lakes are the main attractions of Dolpa.
Dho-tarap Village
Dho-tarap Village (believed to be one of the highest human settlements of the world) is situated in 3 days walking distance from Sahartara. The altitude of the village ranges from 4000m to 4200m from the sea level. Unique Bhotia culture, famous Buddhist and Bon-po monasteries are the prime cultural experience of the region. In addition to that, spectacular view of rugged terrain, green valley and pasture give wonderful natural experience to the visitors. Ribumba and Jhampa are famous Buddhist monasteries. On the other hand, Sihok gomba is famous Bon monasteries. The villages are pre-occupied by Bhotia people and are practicing Buddhism and Bon-po religion.beautiful and breathe taking topographic feature along the trail and valley make people come again and again. Dho village is important place for the cross border business between Dolpa and Tibet. It is the trade centre for the Upper Dolpa.
Trekking permit and entrance fee
Dolpa is controlled area. Trekking permit fee to visit Phoksundo Lake region is equivalent to US $ 10 per week for the first four weeks and US $ 20 per week after that. However, trip to Upper Dolpa to visit Shey Gompa has higher permit fee. The national park entrance fee is rs.100 for SAARC nationals and RS.1000 for other nationals.
How to get there?
Dolpa is in Karnali zone. Regularly and chartered flights to Juphal airport from Pokhara are avialble. From Juphal, district headquarters Dunai is 3 to 4 hour walk. One can take a scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj or travel by public bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Source: Nepal Tourism Board
