Trekking in Dolpo region is difficult level by the point of view of accessible. The settlement in this area is started in the 10th century by farmers and Tibetan nomads. Shey Phoksunmdo National Park covers and protects the most of the part of Dolpa.
The attraction of this land is landscape, people around, wilderness region and Shey Phoksumdo lake that changes its color with the change of weather. While the sun disappears lake becomes dark blue/ the turquoise color. Popular and preservative land of Bon-po symbolism which was a system in Tibet before Buddhism was established. Bonpo is developed from the animist group.
Most monasteries in Dolpo are either Bon or Kagyupa, although there seems to be a trend to convert to Nyingmapa
Phoksundo Lake
The lake is spectacular, it is 4.8km long, 1.8km wide and said to be 650m deep. It is known for its aquamarine color a greenish blue similar to a special Tibetan turquoise .There is no aquatic life in the lake, which helps to make the waters brilliantly clear. If one tosses a rock in, one can watch it for a long time as it sinks to the bottom. According to legend, Phoksumdo Lake was formed by a spiteful female demon.
In Buddhist Himalaya, David Snellgrove recounts how the demon was fleeing from the saint Padmasambhava and gave the village people a turquoise after they promised not to tell that she had passed by. Padmasambhava turned the turquoise into a lump of dung, which upset so much the local people and they revealed the demon's whereabouts. She, in return caused a flood. It is said you can see the remains of a village below the lake's surface.
Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa
Upper dolpo region is situated in the northwestern Nepal. It is the upper area of the Tarap Khola and Shey Phokundo lake. The route passes through dry land of the valley snow-capped peaks and the desolate plateau.
Trekking into the Jumla region is one of the most astonishing and charming treks This trek requires very good experience of trekking and good physical condition. Attraction of this region is the landscapes, flowers, Rara lake, flora and fauna, Jumli culture and villages. Rara lake is surrounded by the forest of Oak, Juniper, blue pine, spruce and cypress. The route passes through villages, several rivers, forest of fir, walnut, birch, juniper and pine, treeless meadow. Rara, the largest Lake in Nepal is in the high elevation towards the north west of Nepal with it's unique culture, dramatic landscape and some historically important place on the way.
