Dolpo is the traditional Tibetan name for a vast area of Nepal immediately north of Dhaulagiri Himal. It is a harsh land of rugged topography and arid climate. Population is sparse and settlements are scattered in isolate villages where irrigation is possible. However, this remote area supported a rich tradition of Bonpo religion in the 16th century. Its vestiges are still found in the various gompas in Dolpo. The people are much depended on livestock raising and trade. They have close ties with people of Tibet. One of the attractions in Dolpo is Phoksundo lake and its waterfall. The lake, at 3,627 m, is a blue stretch of water in a deep valley surrounded by snow peaks. On its south end is a high moraine bank from which the lake outlet is in the form of a waterfall cascading down 1,670 metres.

The trek to Dolpo involves about three weeks. It commences at Jomsom in Kali-Gandaki Valley after a 20 minutes flight from Pokhara. The first high pass is at Sandga (5,124 m) on the western edge of Mustang district. Then it climbs to another pass at Mu La (5,700 m). The next village Mu-Kot is at 4,054 metres. The trade follows west along Barbung Khola to Dhaulagiri peaks. The trek continues west into Thuli Bheri valley. From Dunaihi, Phoksundo lake is about three days journey to the north. The westward trek passes through Tibrikot village, Balangra pass (3,877 m) and Maure pass (3,916 m). The villages en route to Jumla town are Matwali Chhetri who do not wear sacred thread. There are regular flights from Jumla to Nepalgunj. Dolpo also has a STOL field at Juphal near Tibrikot with connection to Nepalgunj.