UPPER DOLPO TREK

The Upper Dolpo is the remote and hidden valley but much loved destination among the adventure seekers. This far western region between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range is one of the Nepal’s tranquil and natural heavens but yet unexplored area. It is the home of herbal land, unspoiled trans-Himalayan culture, Buddhist monuments; unique human civilization at high altitude is worth a visit.

Trekking around the upper Dolpo is an unforgettable journey in every visitor's life. It is also restricted area and opened for trekkers only in the late eighties. Dolpo region protected under Shey Phoksundo National Park covering 3,500 square kilometers of land, mostly above 4,000 meters. It is one the highest inhabited land of the world and the villages in Upper Dolpo are 4,300m and above. The traditions and way of life have remained intact in Dolpo Region since decades. This is only the place that the people still practice the pre-Buddhist Bon Po religion.

In the early 9th century was almost entirely replaced after the Buddhist belief to spread across Tibet. Peter Matheson’s, the snow Leopard and David Snell grove’s Himalayan Pilgrimage have contributed to the mystique and attraction of Dolpo. Shey Gompa, to the north of the Phoksundo Lake and Inner Dolpo was visited by both writters. The first English subtitled movie on Dolpo “The Caravana” or “The Himalaya” of Nepal was a huge success and was nominated for the Oscar Award in the best foreign language film category.

Upper Dolpo is a region of mystical beauty and its remoteness adds to the sense of adventure among its visitors. The Upper Dolpo trekking route passes through beautiful valleys, interesting places, people, gigantic mountains and greenery forest of Pines, Rhododendrons, Oaks etc. Trekkers are enthused greatly about the wild remoteness, the stunning mountain scenery and innocent friendliness peculiar people who live in excessively remote mountainous regions in this trekking route.
The main highlights of the trek is an ancients, spectacular landscapes, the gigantic mountain ranges of Mt. Kanjiroba , Dhaulagiri and Mt. Annapurna, mesmerizing Shey Phoksundo lake, Kang La (5350m) pass, wildlife, isolated villages of Ringmo and the centuries old monasteries. Shey Phoksundo is the deepest lake of world with its 145m depth and Shey Gompa is century's old Buddhist monastery. The wild life includes Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep and the legendary elusive Snow Leopard. The customs and traditions seems here are quite similar to those of Tibet.