General Overview
Dolpo Trekking is in the West-North part of Nepal. This is a very charming place in Nepal Himalaya. This trek was closed for trekkers until 1989. Eventually, it is open now although it is in the list of restricted area of Nepal. In order to preserve nature, culture, flora, fauna of this region it is termed as a restricted area. If you want to explore this area you need a special permit for a certain time.
As this trekking route is full of natural resources and vegetation heart of nature lovers, trekkers can't fulfill at once. Lying in the rain shadow area of the Himalayas, the landscape resembles that of the Tibetan Plateau, instead of the lush green monsoon watered hills elsewhere in Nepal, at comparative altitudes. The great people, very pleasant nature and unique culture, Tibetan descent who follow the Buddhist religion are the highlights of Dolpo Trekking. Their language is closely related to Tibetan. The elevation of the trails is from 1650 meters to 5136 meters above sea level.
In the south, there is a large east-west valley, Lower Dolpo and to the west is Mugu. It lies beyond the sacred Crystal Mountain and the Kanjiroba massif. To complete Dolpo’s isolation, the Khyaklum and Mt. Dhaulagiri create a natural border to Mustang and Annapurna to the east. A combination of ancient animist beliefs, Tibetan Buddhism, and Bon religions predominate throughout the region.
The best season for this trekking is Spring and Autumn.
There is also a number of trekking options that run through Dolpo, they are all magnificent and provide some wonderful scenery. Trekkers enter and exit Dolpo via dirt airstrip which is at Juphal in Lower Dolpo. Alternatively, experience groups also consider committing routes from Mustang (east) or Mugu (west). They found this trail as more acclimatized with more additional challenges. Phoksundo Lake, a beautiful lake and attractions of this place lies in the center of Dolpo. This trail combines to Shey (Crystal Mountain) to access Bhijer, Saldang, and the northern villages, or Dho Tarap and the valleys to the east. Other routes that also follow the Bharbun Khola, through Chharka Bhot and also Hidden Valley to the north of Dhaulagiri.
Most part of Dolpo Trekking lies on Dolpa and eastern Mugu district. Shey Phoksundo National Park and Buffer Zone help to protect this trekking area. It also covers a massive 3555 km2 and is the largest such park in Nepal. Referred to as a Trans-Himalayan Ecosystem (the lower, lush valleys of the mid-hills are linked with the arid Tibetan plateau), this is a culturally and environmentally sensitive and also fragile region, which demands the utmost respect and care.
"Nepal, the synonym of "Nature, Culture, and Adventure"
once is not enough"