About Dolpo
DISCOVERY OF THE HIDDEN COUNTRY AND HIS TRADITIONS
Dolpo refers to a geographical and cultural region between Lo Manthang and Mugu, south of Tibet and isolated from the lower valleys of Dolpa district. The culture is distinctively Tibetan with steppe terrain typical of the trans-Himalaya. In local dialect, Dolpo region is known as Tholbo, from which the name Dolpo/Dolpa seems to have been derived.
Legend says Dolpo is one of the "hidden valleys" created by Guru Rinpoche as a refuge for devout Buddhists in troubled times. Surrounded by high mountains including the Dhaulagiri massif to the south-east and cut off by high passes closed by snow half the year, Dolpo's easiest access is from Tibet, where its people emigrated from perhaps
1,000 years ago.
Upper Dolpo shelters about 6.000 people only, and their villages (over 4.200 meters) are among the highest settlements on earth. Upper Dolpo is difficult to reach and very arid, the climate very harsh. The people 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. In the southern parts of Dolpo one finds more varied vegetation, farmers can plant a large variety of fruits, vegetables and grain. This contrast will probably have an effect on the culture and the people themselves, and the different scenery should also make our trip very interesting.
