July 8, 2008
Dolpo Travel Guide
Dolpo located in western Nepal is considered to be one of the most remote places and known for its many isolated high Himalayan valleys. Deep in the Himalayan mountains, this hidden Trans- Himalayan region is quite peaceful. The landscape here is dry and arid, filled with ancient caves and nomadic lifestyle with big herds of yak, sheep and mountain goats. Even in the monsoon season, this region has blue sky and splendid mountain views as it lies in the rain shadow area. Surrounded by snowy peaks including that of Dhaulagiri (8167mt.), Kanjiroba (6883m) and Annapurnas, this region has one of the deepest lake in the world. Phoksundo lake, spread over an area of  200 sq.km, is surrounded by rocky cliffs and its turquoise fresh water, which is a complete wilderness setting. The region is sub divided into two parts ‘Upper Dolpo’ and ‘Lower Dolpo’. Trekking to both the areas undoubtedly gives you a lifetime experience.

Climate, Flora & Fauna : Temperate to Alpine vegetation and climates are found changing with elevation in this region. Usually the weather remains fine during spring season (March-May) although high passes still remains covered with winter snow. This region lies in rain shadow with desert-like barren tundra, barely getting 250 mm of annual rainfall. Monsoon rainfalls from June till September and the weather usually remain clear as it receive much less rain being generally high, dry, windy and cold even in summer.

The dolpo area in particular, has rich variety of flora as it is filled with ground orchids, edelweiss, corydalis, campanulas, anemones, forget-me-nots, impatiens and roses. At the higher part of the regions, larkspurs, geraniums, poppies, sedums and saxifrages proliferate are found.Common vegetation in this region is primarily from the legume family, such as the spiny caragana and astragalus, and lonicera from the honeysuckle family.

The region is the habitat of Himalayan black bear, Blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, spotted leopards, jackal, wolves, snow leopard, Himalayan griffon and other migratory birds. Yaks, horses, mountain goats, zos and asses are commonly found.
Kanjiroba Massif : Situated in the remote Dolpo region, west of Nepal, Kanjiroba massif is another major attraction of the region to the visitor. The Kanjiroba Himal provides you a panoramic backdrop to complete your experience. It truly provides a lifetime experience to those who are longing for a challenging and adventurous trek in the remote Himalaya. It offers a spectacular view of neighboring peaks such as
Tripura Hiunchuli (Hanging Glacier Peak) - 6,553m ,Tso Karpo - 6,518m Palta Thumba (Milchberg) - 6,126m ,Kangmara -5960m,Kanjeralwa – 6612m,Kanjiroba (main) – 6883m.

People & Places
The people living around the region are Bhotia and they have close ties with the people of Tibet. Some practice Buddhism while some, the Bon religion (a Shamanistic religion that pre-dates Buddhism). The Dolpo-pa (people of Dolpo) are unique in their cultural and social tradition. They are gradually becoming Hindus and Buddhist, adding Chhetri, Gurung, Sherpa etc surnames to their Tibetan names. They speak kaike language which is believed to exist only in Dolpo. As the Dolpo-pa are from Tibetan origins they speak Tibetan language too. Normally, they are farmers, traders and shepherds, often all in one because this is the only way to survive. Agriculture on a large scale is impossible because fertile land is scarce. Most of them depend on animal husbandry and trade. ‘Losar’ , the Tibetan new year is their main festival which is celebrated in February. Another ceremony they celebrate is ‘Yul-lha’ ceremony, a ritual to appease Gods.

Nepalgunj
It is situated in the western region, which is famous for the adventurous treks to Dolpo, Jumla and Mount Kailash. Nepalgunj is a district headquarters of Banke District in the Bheri region of Mid Western Nepal. It is the industrial and transport hub for western, mid-western and far-western regions of Nepal. Nepalgunj has a diverse culture as there are many ethnic groups living around. The region consists of highest percentage of Muslim religion.

Jumla
Located in west Nepal, Jumla is the zonal headquarter of the Karnali zone. Compared with other areas, the development process in the region is slow and tourism is yet to pick up. This zone is regarded as one of the world’s highest rice growing area. The people in the region are Thakuris, a Chhetri sect that has the highest social, political and religious standing. The origin of Nepali language is Sinja which is spoken in Jumla.

Shey-Phoksundo Lake
Shey-Phoksundo Lake is one of Nepal’s most spectacular and second largest lake. This lake is considered sacred by the locals of Dolpo. The lake is 4.8km long, 1.8km wide and said to be 650m deep. It spreads to an area of 3627m. Ringed by snow-capped mountains and verdant trees, this turquoise lake can be considered the jewel of Dolpo. There is no aquatic life in the lake, which makes the water brilliantly clear.

Shey-Phoksundo National Park
‘Shey-Phoksundo’ is situated in Dolpo district, near Phoksundo lake and spreads in an area of 3,555Sq Km. It was established in the year 1984 with an objective to preserve the unique Himalayan ecosystem with its typical  flora and fauna, and to protect endangered species such as the snow leopard and musk deer. Much of the park lies north of the Great Himalayan Range, locally represented by Kanjiroba Himal, at the southern edge of the trans-Himalayan region of the Tibetan Plateau. The park has 20 mammals, 176 species of birds, a total of 28 species of butterflies and various varieties one of wild flower.

She-Re Drugda (Crystal Mountain)
‘Crystal Mountain’, one of the sacred mountains and the major attraction of Dolpo lies beyond the Tso Kava Le lake which is several days’ walk north of this lake. This mountain is known as She-Re Drugda translated as Crystal Mountain. Locally, it is known as “Shey”. There are lots of religious and marvelous sites around this sacred mountain: ‘Dorjee cave’ where Senge Yeshi retreated for nine years and gained the highest attainment of enlightenment, ‘Chod Ten’stupa,  Gomoche Monastery.

Dolpa Festival from September 8th – 12th, 2008
With the objective of promoting Dolpa as a tourist destination in Mid-Western Nepal, Dolpa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) is organizing a five-day long Dolpa Festival from September 8th-12th in Dunai.
The festival will showcase the cultural heritage of the ethnic communities who reside in this remote corner of Nepal. Exhibitions of local products and cuisine, native sports and cultural performances by popular artistes will be the major highlight of the fest. Likewise, trekking to different parts of the district, rafting in Bhairavi River, Tripura Marathon, photo and book exhibition on Dolpa, and documentary show are the other attractions of the festival. More than 25 stalls will showcase handicraft items, rare herbs and other local products of the district. Yeti Airlines is adding extra flights to Dolpa from Nepalgunj during the festival.

The Major Treks
Upper Dolpo
It offers an exploration to the Western Himalayan terrain, the people, their culture and their rugged yet beautiful surroundings. Trekking in this remote region is certainly challenging with high mountain passes and difficult terrain.

Dolpo to Jomsom (Lower Dolpo)
This trek truly provides an opportunity to experience life in the remote highland. Lying in the western Himalayan region, it is windy, arid and dry. Its unbearably cold in the winter months. Almost cut off from the development of the 21st century world, this region is a living example of a tough struggle between man and the harsh forces of nature. The trail passes through some high mountain passes and scarcely populated local villages, with beautiful mountains towering above in the background.

Lower Dolpo (Dolpo-Tarap- Shey-Phoksundo)
Lying north to the Himalayan mountain range is a high altitude arid land known as Dolpo.  This land can be described as true Himalayan wilderness. Blessed by an exceptional natural beauty, this region provides one of the best opportunity to view the survival of the few men who dare to live in and off, this harsh land.

Caravan Trek to Dolpo                                                                                                        
This trek offers you the chance to experience the whole surrounding of Dolpo region. Those who are for challenges and adventure are highly recommended to visit this remote corner of the country, where time seems to stand still. The trek starts from Juphal and ends in Juphal. The trial passes through ethnic Thakuri villages in a high and remote alpine area. Witness and experience the lifestyle of this hardy people whose everyday existence is a hard battle against the harsh forces of nature. The route goes through high passes like Numala and Bagala and very remote area of the country, and finally ends at the  Shey Phoksundo Lake (3627m). Eventually, we head back to Juphal.

Best time to visit
The appropriate time to visit this region is between March-May and June-September.

July 5, 2008:
Nepal Government Revises Trekking Permit Fee in Controlled Areas & Tourist Visa fees –  Effective from 16th July'08
The Govt. of Nepal has revised trekking permit fees for the controlled areas, in a bid to attract more trekkers to these areas. The notice was published in Nepal Gazette (Volume 58 No 10) which states that the revised permit fee will come into effect from 16th July , 2008.( More...)

As per the new provision, a trekker in Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo will now have to pay US$ 500 or equivalent foreign currency per person for first 10 days. For trip extensions, the extra fee per extra day fee per person has been fixed at US$ 50 or equivalent foreign currency. The fee for trekking in Manaslu region has been fixed at US $ 70(per person) for a week and US $ 10 per person for each extra day during September to November. However, only US $ 50 is charged per trekker per week from December to August and additional US $ 7 per trekker per each extra day. Similarly, permit fee for Humla (Simikot-Yari) has been fixed at US $ 50 per person per week and US $ 7 per person per extra day.

 Permit fee for Kanchanjunga, Lower Dolpa and Gaurishankar and Lamabagar has been fixed at US $ 10 per person per week. However, permit fee for Chekampar and Chunchet of Gorkha district (Sirdibas-Lhokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule) has been fixed at US $ 35 per person for eight days during September to November and US $ 25 per person for eight days during December to August.

 The government has also revised existing tourist visa fee to be effective from 16th July, 2008. As per the new fee structure, US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency is required to obtain Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 15 days. Likewise, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entry for 100 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100.

 The government has also revised the fee required for extended stay in the country and visa renewal. According to the revised fee structure, Tourist Visa can be extended by paying US $ 2 or equivalent Nepalese currency per day. Likewise, Multiple Entry facility can be obtained only for the extension period by paying an additional US $ 20 and visa fee for the extended period. Similarly, tourists can renew their visa by paying Nepalese currency equivalent to US $ 3 on the regular visa extension fee.