In the mid-western part of Nepal, there still is a land sparsely populated and known for its remoteness as well as people who seem to be practicing a lifestyle – centuries old. This is the Dolpo Region, a mystical land which does seem to have a lot on offer.
In the rain-shadow area and thus receiving only a few sporadic drizzles every year, The Dolpo Region, ranging is altitudes between 1,525 m and 7,625 m, arguably offers the best for a remote Himalayan experience. The towering Kaniroba (6,221 m), Mukot (6,638) and Putha Hiunchuli are no miserly; neither is Shey Phoksundo Lake, filled with turquoise blue waters fed by the Himalayas and surrounded by rocky elevations almost on all sides; nor are the high altitude pastures in the Himalayan valleys and on those rolling hills or the vegetation from the subtropical to the alpine or those rivers and rivulets. This trans-Himalayan Shey Phoksundo National Park also presents opportunities for an encounter with the musk deer or the snow leopard (if extremely lucky).
The Region is also ideal for a very different cultural experience, face to face withone of the few remaining ways of life. Most people, with their lifestyle demonstrating their long ties with neighbouring Tibet, practice a belief known as Bon, a faith believed to predate Buddhism. The fluttering of the prayer flags in all their five colours near respectfully placed cairns often on the ridges as well as the revered Shey Gompa and Tsa Kang monasteries do present those willing with the opportunity to enquire. Still living a way of life similar to the agro-pastorial nomadic one, the people and their caravans of yaks with loads on their backs remain proof that the business with neighbouring Tibet, even today, continues like in the good old days.
This is the Dolpo Region that opened for trekking only a few decades ago. Requiring a special permit for a peek into the Upper Dolpo Region, the Lower Dolpo Trekking, Upper Dolpa Trekking, Inner Dolpa Trekking or the one that also includes Mustang are some of the trek options for those seeking a rendezvous with DOLPO.