Dolpo is a remote district in western Nepal, renowned for its high-altitude, Tibetan-influenced culture, situated in the upper part of the Dolpa region. It shares its northern border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. For much of the year, Dolpo is cut off from its southern neighbors by snow-covered high passes, keeping it isolated and preserving its traditional way of life. The region remains culturally and economically tied to Tibet, with its hardy inhabitants living in one of the most rugged and spectacular corners of the Himalayas.
For many years, Dolpo was isolated from the rest of Nepal, but since it opened to tourism in 1989, Upper Dolpo Trekking has become a popular destination, attracting adventurers keen to explore its breathtaking landscapes and unique culture. The region’s sparse, agro-pastoral population is known as Dolpa in standard Tibetan and Dhol-wa in the local dialect. Despite its remoteness, Dolpo is now connected to the rest of Nepal via the Jufal airport.
Upper Dolpo is a fascinating and challenging place to explore, with rugged terrain, diverse landscapes, and a deep sense of cultural mystique. The region is historically divided into four valleys: Tsharka (“good growing place”), Tarap (“auspicious excellent”), Panzang (“abode of monks”), and Nangkhong (“innermost place”). These valleys are part of the seven village development committees (VDCs) that were established in 1975. The valleys to the south of the watershed drain into the Bheri River. Dolpo is known as a beyul, or “hidden land,” in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, a term that evokes the region’s mystical and spiritual significance. This allure has been popularized in Western literature by books such as Peter Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard and David Snellgrove’s Himalayan Pilgrimage, which have cemented Dolpo’s reputation in Western minds as a land of mystery and beauty.
Phoksumdo Lake:
One of Dolpo’s most spectacular natural wonders is Phoksumdo Lake, which is both beautiful and mysterious. The lake is 4.8 km long, 1.8 km wide, and said to be 650 meters deep. Its brilliant aquamarine color, reminiscent of a special Tibetan turquoise, makes it one of the most striking landscapes in the region. The water is exceptionally clear, and the absence of aquatic life gives it a unique stillness—if you drop a rock into the lake, you can watch it sink to the bottom for a long time.
According to local legend, Phoksumdo Lake was created by a spiteful female demon. David Snellgrove recounts in his writings how the demon, fleeing from the saint Padmasambhava, gave the villagers a turquoise, instructing them not to reveal that she had passed by. When Padmasambhava transformed the turquoise into a lump of dung, the locals, enraged, broke their promise and disclosed the demon’s whereabouts. Seeking revenge, the demon caused a flood that formed the lake. It is also believed that the submerged ruins of a village lie beneath the lake’s surface, adding to the mystical allure of this stunning body of water.
Trip Info
Trip duration = 27 Days
Max elevation = 5106 meters
Difficulty = Strenuous
Activity = Sightseeing & Trekking
Transportation = Flight, Private car and tourist bus
Trek type = Fully Organized Trekking
Accommodation = Hotel & Camping
Starts in = Kathmandu
Ends in = Kathmandu
Average Walk = 4 – 6 Hours