Opened to trekking in 1989, the Dolpo region is hard to match for its pristine beauty and rugged charm. Lying in the rain shadow area of the Himilaya, the landscape resembles that of the Tibetan Plateau instead of the lush green, monsoon watered hills, elsewhere in Nepal, at comparative altitudes. Pholksumdo Lake, Lower Dolpo Region Possibly the last sanctuary of Bon Po, a Shamanistic religion that pre-dates Buddhism, the home of rare Himalayan animals like the shy Snow Leopard, Tibetan Hare and the Himalayan Weasel it falls within the Shey-Phoksumdo National Park in western Nepal. Lake Phoksumdo, the Blue Lake, and the ancient monasteries in the villagesaroud it are the focal point of a trip to this region. The KanjirobaHimal provides a panoramic backdrop to complete the experience.