Key Facts

The lower Dolpa circuit trek is one of the most popular treks as it visits Phoksundo Lake, featured in Éric Valli Oscar nominated movie "Himalaya/ Caravan". Phoksundo also known as the Blue Lake cuts one of the deepest gorges in Nepal but contains no aquatic Life. It is possible to visit Phoksundo Lake on a one-week trek but taking the 15-day trail is more satisfying. Beginning from Juphal the trail continues to Dunai and then heads north along the Dho Tarap Khola (river) to Dho Tarap village (4040m) an area inhabited by people practicing the pre- Buddhist religion called "Bon Po". The trail crosses the two high passes of Numa La (5190) and Baga La (5070m) before reaching the hamlet of Ringmo on the Sothern end of the lake. The hiker's first glimpse of Lake Phoksundo, set in a cleft between rocks that rise 2,000 meters into the clear mountain skies, revels a scene of unearthly beauty- a white glimmer of silver birch edges the lake’s radiant turquoise- blue waters. Kanjiroba (6,883 m) one of the highest peak in the region can be seen from the top of the surrounding peaks. The trail back to Dunai or Juphal is along the Phoksundo river as it flows south carrying the waters of Lake Phoksundo on their long passage via the Ganges into the Bay of Bengal. The river cuts a narrow gorge by early May rimmed with primulas, violets and gentians and shaded by tall spruce magnificent waterfall tumbles 1670m down a series of rock shelves. Blue sheep, musk deer, goral, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr and bear inhabit the Shey Phoksundo National park set aside to protect an ecosystem typical of the high arid Tibetan Plateau.

MEET THE LOCALS OF DOLPO

While lower Dolpa is home to Thakuris, Chhetris, Brahmins, upper Dolpa is home of the Bhotiyas and Sherpa. While much of Northern Dolpa is the domain of Buddhism, both Hindus and Buddhists revere areas in southern Dolpa, such as the temple of Bala Tripura Sundari in Tripurakot, where a large number of devotees from the surrounding region offer worship. Dolpa is inhabited by people practicing the pre- Buddhist religion called "Bon Po" that disappeared from Tibet in the 9th century.

The inhabitant of lower Dolpa subsist on buckwheat, wheat and potatoes, a prosperous existence compared to the people of Upper Dolpa, who depend on Barley as sole crop. The stalwart yak is vital source of food, transportation and dung fuel. They also trade salt for grain with throw from far away Hurikot and Jumla to compensate their dwindling winter supply of food. The remoteness of the area has helped conserve ancient cultural traditions of Buddhists and can be experienced firsthand. The local people still dress in religious and traditional costumes during times of feats and festivals. The medicinal Plant Yarchagumbu (coerdiopsis sinensis) a type of wild mushroom is found in abundance in this region. Extracts from Yarchagumbu are believed to significantly improve health and fitness.