The Dolpa region is a
natural collection of high
passes, rare fauna, and
sweeping vistas which is
enriched by the traditional
Tibetan cultural heritage.
This region, surrounded by
Dhaulagiri and Tibet from
south and north
respectively, is regarded as
a blend of natural and
cultural phenomena. Before
1989 this region was not
open for the foreigner and
was aloof from the outer
world. It was declared as
open for a limited number of
trekkers only in 1989. But
the trekkers interested in
making a trekking tour in
this region must go through
trekking agencies in order
to get the trekking
permission. As this region
lies on the north side of
Himalaya, it is also a rain
shadow area and the climate
is similar to Mustang.
This region is considered to
be one of the most remote
places of Nepal. Abundance
of Himalayan peaks, hidden
lands, the villages and
rural communities, this
trans-Himalayan region are
quiet, peaceful and full of
curiosity. It is said that
the religious leader of
Tibetan Buddhism
padmasambava (Guru Rinpoche)
created this place as a
shelter for Buddhist
refugees during the crisis
originated because of
religious intolerance in
ancient time. Because it is
that part of words which
could not be penetrated very
easily by outsiders and even
in the present time you can
experience the natural
solitude ness and enjoy it.
Here the meaning of modality
and development has yet to
be explored. The biggest
national park of Nepal, shey
phoksundo spread in an area
of 3555 sq. km. In this
national park, the blue
sheep, musk dears, ghoral,
thar, and very dangerous
snow leopards and many other
alpine flora and fauna exist
in abundance. Surrounded by
the snowy peaks, including
the giant Dhaulagiri
(8167.mt), Phoksundo Lake
(200sq.mt) - the deepest
lake of the world lies in
this region. Spread in an
area of 200sq.mt. The
Phoksundo Lake is surrounded
by rocky cliffs and its
turquoise fresh water can
touch the very depth of
human heart wandering all
around in search of peace
and tranquility. Such
natural phenomena of this
region are not a story full
of exaggeration rather a
reality based on a
meditative perception. After
watching the ancient
monasteries of this region
that you encounter on the
way and the semi-nomadic
life style of the populace
based on agriculture and
animal husbandry you can
develop in you perhaps
another conviction and
interpretation of life and
its reality linked with the
extremity of the nature and
its surroundings. The many
rural communities above
4-000mt.are unique examples
of the human civilization in
such a high altitude, the
people here lice from the
staple foods such as wheat,
millet, barley, and
potatoes. From linguistic
point of view they are
different from other ethnic
groups of Nepal since they
speak Tibetan, Mager and
kaike languages.
From trekking point of view,
this region is divided into
upper and lower Dolpa.
Ringmo, Phoksundo Lake is
the tourist destination of
lower Dolpa whereas the
highland above Ringmo and
Phoksundo Lake is regarded
as upper. Dolpa the famous
shey Gompa lies in upper
Dolpa. The northern side of
shey phoksundo is a
restricted area and the
trekkers are not permitted
to trek around there.
