28/01/2021
Upper Dolpo trekking is situated in the Karnali zone at the border of Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Traditionally, Dolpo is known to be one of the ancient lands in which ancient human civilization originated. According to the historical record of Tibet, Dolpo was a province separate from Tibet during the period of the Yarlung dynasty (6th - 9th century AD). We also have a reference from PT 1287, an Old Tibetan Chronicle preserved until the beginning of last century in Dunhuang library. This chronicle also suggests that Dolpo was a province separate from Tibetan imperial control. Therefore, Dolpo was neither a part of Tibet nor of Nepal, but it was an independent province already during the eight century. It is recorded in an early 14th century medical text written by Braun tied Pal ldantsho bayed. According to that record, a Dolpo physician named Khyol MA Ru rtsi (8th century) was invited by the king Khri srong lde btsan (reigned 756-797AD) among the other delegations of medical doctors from the neighboring countries such as India, China and Nepal.
After more than six hundred years of annexation by foreign rulers, Dolpo was finally able to become an independent kingdom, probably from the fifteenth century (1440 AD). The Dolpa kingdom was then said to have been ruled by one of the kings in the lineage of the Ra nag dynasty. In the history of Dolpo, this dynasty seems to be the most influential and powerful one. Even more interestingly, this is the only dynasty that has been ever known to us having reigned the independent kingdom of Dolpo although it is only for about a hundred years. Since the 16th century, Dolpo became a province under the rulers of Mustang king until its annexation by Gorkha king of Nepal in 1769.
Trekking in the upper Dolpa or Dolpo region has only been permitted since mid 1989. There are many routes to explore the Dolpo region for instance upper Dolpo trekking, Lower Dolpo trekking, Rara Lake trekking. To visit Dolpa state necessary special permits from immigration in Kathmandu through a trekking agency. The cost for permit US$ 500 per person per week, if more than a week per day US$50. It also needs a lower Dolpo permit which costs per week US$20 per person.
Dolpa trek is highlights for Isolated Himalayan valleys, resembling the Tibetan highlands culture, flora and fauna. We take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, next day flight to Jumla than start trek to Upper Dolpa, returning to same way or you can continues trek over high pass of Sandang and end trek in Jomsom.
