Dolpo Region Trek(Best off the beaten path trek in Nepal)
Dolpo is one of the remote areas of west Nepal where peoples are dwelling some of the most glorious places without being remotely aware of it and preserving their cultures, traditions, costumes, religions, and ethnicities. Dolpo region has many trekking routes known as Lower Dolpo Trek, Upper Dolpo Trek, and Dolpo to Mustang trek although the Inner Dolpo trek is being very popular among the trekkers due to its natural beauties and the wide diversity of gobble position.
Dolpo is divided into the four valleys known as Dho (Tarap valley), Saldang (Nankhong valley), Tinje (Panjang valley), and Chharka (Tsharka valley), which are inhabitant by the Tibetan people although, they would like to introduce themselves as Dolponese people instead of Tibetan. Most of the people from Dolpo region are practicing Buddhism, shamanism and Bon-Po doctrine so during the trekking period trekkers may get great chance to learn Tibetan culture, tradition, customs and exploration of pilgrimage sites as monasteries, historical places, and mystic caves, gigantic pastureland and one of the pristine Lake called She-Phoksundo Lake.
The inner Dolpo trek start from Jhupal airport where can reach a short and scenic flight from Nepalgunj then the trail passes continuously through the Juniper scrub, River valleys, wide meadows, canyons, pasturelands, deep gorge, and impressive hidden valleys to get higher region. The higher region commands to see massif view of Dhaulagiri, Kanjirowa, ancient settlements, dozens of sacred sites and a beautiful Lake called Phoksundo, which is known as the deepest lake of Nepal. Apart from the High Himalayan view and natural beauties the Upper Dolpo region offers to see some wildlife such as Deer, Blue sheep, Musk deer, wild yak, wild goat, Marmot, snow-leopards, and many species of butterflies and birds such as Babbler, Golden eagles, and vultures.
Peoples and their income source
According to the Nepal census of 2011, there are 36700 peoples are living in the Dolpo district. Although; the population would be more than the declared number. Most of the settlements are settled between 3600 meters and 4700 meters above the sea level. People grow only the cabbage, Wheate, Buckwheat, Garlic, carrots, and barley which won’t be enough for the whole year so peoples are depending on herbs. They collect many kinds of herbs from the forest like Panch Aule, Tin Aule, Nirmasi, Jatamasi, Shilajeet, Himalayan salt, and Yarshagumba and they sell it to Tibet and they buy all eatable things from Tibet.
Major Festivals of Dolpo region – Shey Festival
is one of the most important festivals in the Dolpo region which is held every twelve years in the month of August in the Dolpo region during the ‘Dragon year’ of the Tibetan Calendar. It is a grand celebration for including Upper Dolpo people and all Tibetan Buddhist followers. In this festival, people make circumambulating the holiest Crystal Mountain. Many devotees and pilgrimages from different places and countries come here to participate in the festival. Apart from She Festival, there are hundreds of festivals in the Dolpo region known as Losar, Sagadawa, Yungney, Chhaye chu, Tse Tar, Chhaigo, Chhaiti, Keja, Yachha, and Rungma which are celebrated in different places of the region with different ways.
Highlights of the Dolpo Region Trek.
Living antique of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon
Tibetan Buddhism and Bon – Po religion still exists in the Dolpo region so during the trek, trekkers can explore Bon Monasteries and hermitages to see ancient Buddhist manuscripts and textAncient Buddhist texts and as well as Bon religion follower’s culture, society, costumes, festivals, and rituals.
Diverse Biodiversity
Dolpo region purpose to see great global diversity, it is expanded very low areas to the high Himalayas where can be seen different species of Flora and Fauna depending on the elevation. The Phoksundo national park is the biggest preserving area of Nepal and well known as the habitat of many different species of flora and fauna.
Strenuous High Passes
Dolpo region winds through the traversing across strenuous high passes above 5000m several times. So, one should be full of courage and mentally and physically fit. All of the high passes commands to see mind-blowing mountain views, glaciers, glacial lakes, and charm landscapes.
Beautiful hamlets
During the trek in the Dolpo region, trekkers pass by several villages which are inhabitant by Tibetan Buddhist peoples, therefore; travelers get a great chance to explore very old monasteries, Mani walls, Kani Gates, mystic caves, Chhortens, villages and, interesting houses which are well decorated with colorful Buddhist prayer flags.
Caravan of Yaks, Mules, Horses, and Tzopas
The people from the Dolpo region grow only the potatoes, buckwheat, barley, cabbage, garlic, and some seasonable vegetables but it won’t be enough for a whole year so they bringing eatable things from Tibet by Yaks, Horses, Mules, and Tzopas(Hybrid between Yak and cow) so during the trading time travelers can see the caravan of these animals are going to Tibet and coming back from Tibet.
