The Upper Dolpa Trek

#getgoing2025 The Upper Dolpa Trek is one of Nepal's most remote and culturally rich trekking experiences, taking you through the hidden valleys and ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Dolpa region. Here's a detailed overview to help you plan: Location & Overview** - **Where**: Upper Dolpa lies in **Dolpa District**, western Nepal, bordering the Tibetan Plateau. It’s part of the **Shey Phoksundo National Park**, Nepal’s largest national park. - **Remoteness**: This area was closed to foreigners until 1989 and remains one of Nepal’s least-visited regions, offering an "off-the-beaten-path" adventure. --- ### **Trek Highlights** 1. **Phoksundo Lake** A stunning turquoise alpine lake (3,611m), Nepal’s deepest, surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls. A major highlight of the Lower Dolpa section. 2. **Shey Gompa (Crystal Monastery)** A 12th-century monastery near the sacred **Crystal Mountain**, a pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The area is central to the spiritual significance of Upper Dolpa. 3. **Landscapes** Trek through diverse terrain: lush valleys, arid high-altitude deserts (resembling Tibet), and snow-capped peaks like **Dhaulagiri** and **Kanjirowa Himal**. 4. **Culture** Encounter **Bon Po** (pre-Buddhist) and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Villages like **Ringmo** and **Dho Tarap** showcase traditional stone houses, chortens, and prayer flags.