Exploring Dolpa
Situated at the north of the mid-western part of Nepal, Dolpa is the largest district surrounded by the Dhaulagiri Mountain range at the south and east, Churen Himal range at the west, and the Tibetan Plateau at the north. Accessible through land and air, the journey can be taken by a flight to Jumla and then a trek to Dolpa or a bus ride to the nearest urban centre of Dolpa.
This region features a series of treks that help you explore the last of the virgin land of Nepal. These far-off adventures take you miles from the urban settlement where life seems to have stood still. The dense forestry is home to pristine flora and fauna, and the crown jewel is the beautiful lake of Shey Phoksundo. The rugged plain rocky landscape, religious shrines and ancient monasteries are something out of the world. The amalgam of which help create an experience of a lifetime.
The treks of this region fall into the category of difficult to extreme. A trekker needs to be in the best possible shape to conquer the seemingly endless stretch of land. A direct escape to Shey Poksundo doesn't require any camping. The longer route, however, features some areas where camping is required.
Along the dense hills of the National Park lies the alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake, Shey Phoksundo Lake, the deepest lake in the country. The emerald blue crystal clear waters elegantly reflect the snowy peaks, serve a heavenly experience of nature amongst the mystical frontier land of Dolpa. As per local lore, a wicked demoness flooded a village to let the saint Padmasambhava know of her existence. The remains of this old village are still visible in relics that surround the area. Dispersed near the shoreline are small gompas, stupas and shrines of this arcane village. The new settlement rests atop the dam that created the lake of Shey Phoksundo.
The area is also home to a 900-year-old Pal Sentan Thasoon Chholing Gompa, an ancient Bön-Po Gompa. The region is also home to more than a hundred gompas resonating the religious and structural astonishments of the Buddhist and Bon-Po fusion. The most sacred natural element is the crystal mountain. The trekking route to and around it is known as the Crystal Mountain Trek. It is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. A standard itinerary for Crystal Mountain is a minimum of 27 days. The mountain receives its name through the abundance of various crystals. The three enshrined Gompas of Shey Village are Komoche, Sel Sumdo, and Tsakhang Gompas that offer a spiritual adventure under the alluring roof of nature.
The forestry protects a long list of endangered fauna such as the snow leopard, Tibetan wolves, the Himalayan tahr. The flora protected by this region is Rhododendron, Salix, white Himalayan birch, silver fir that shadow this region.
The native inhabitants of this valley are former Tibetans who over time became Nepalese. Their outlook resembles the features of mongoloid, and their best trait is a beautiful smile. Due to the remoteness of this region, they still live by the ancient ways. This region preserves the last of the Bon-Po religions relics and scripts. Generations have grown up in this natural yonder, and still, for some, the world ends beyond the mountains. The lower periphery of Dolpa features Hindu inhabitants. Whereas in the north, people follow Buddhism and few elements of Bon-Po.
Agriculture, animal husbandry, collection and trade of yarsagumba, along with rare fungus, help sustain their livelihood.
Folk tales present Dolpa as Beyul, a secret valley created by Guru Rinpoche to hold uniquely pure minds. Tucked under the artsy and heavenly Himalayan rage, the northernmost part of Dolpa is home to Rokpa farmers and Drokpa nomads from Tibet.
Today, Dolpa holds a magical escape to travellers and explorers.