Monasteries of Dolpo: Sacred Gompas of Hidden Nepal

Monasteries of Dolpo: Sacred Gompas of Hidden Nepal

In the far northwest of Nepal lies Dolpo, one of the last truly untouched corners of the Himalaya. Beyond its turquoise Phoksundo Lake and trans-Himalayan landscapes, Dolpo is a stronghold of the ancient Bon religion and centuries-old Tibetan Buddhism. Each of its monasteries is a living museum, preserving its own art, architecture and rituals. If you travel here for more than scenery, if you come for wisdom, culture and stories painted on stone, the gompas of Dolpo will stay with you long after you leave. As a Nepali-owned team, sharing places this sacred and remote is exactly why we do what we do.

Below is our guide to the monasteries worth seeking out on a Dolpo journey.

Ringmo Bon Gompa

Just above Ringmo village, on the northern shore of Phoksundo Lake, stands the serene Ringmo Bon Monastery, also called Tshowa Bonpo Gonpa. Believed to be over 800 years old and founded by a lama from the Pungmo Valley, it is framed by rows of ochre and red chortens and mani walls. A smaller three-level structure, the Puja Gonpa, sits to the west under the spiritual leadership of Menri Triten Rinpoche. Reaching it is a peaceful 25-minute walk around the lake through pine forest. It is a rare chance to witness a tradition older than Buddhism itself, still practised in its purest form.

Shey Gompa, the heart of Upper Dolpo

Built in the 11th century near sacred Crystal Mountain, Shey Gompa (locally Shelri Sumdho Gonpa) is among Dolpo's most revered sites. "Shey" means crystal, and the monastery belongs to the Kagyu lineage. It comes alive during the famous Shey Festival, held once every 12 years in the Tibetan Dragon Year. The complex includes three gompas:

• Shel Sundo Gonpa — directly facing Crystal Mountain, a Kagyu-Nyingma temple with sacred statues and thangkas of Shakyamuni Buddha, Green Tara, Milarepa and more.
• Komache Gonpa — at the village edge, founded by the tantric master Druptop Singhe Yeshe, preserving his footprint and a "complete victory" stupa.
• Tsakang Gonpa — perched on red-brown cliffs as a meditation retreat for Shey's lamas.

Reaching Shey requires an Upper Dolpo permit (around USD 500 for 10 days), and the journey through Shey Phoksundo National Park is as uplifting as the destination.

Namgung Monastery

Tucked into the Nangkhong Valley, Namgung Monastery (Pal Namgung Jangchub Ling Gonpa) is one of Dolpo's three original "mother monasteries," belonging to the Kagyu sect. Its prayer hall holds images of Sakyamuni, Guru Rinpoche and a bronze Dorje Chang. The surrounding cliffs and caves served as meditation retreats for centuries, and the monastery was historically supported by the kings of Jumla and Mustang. It remains a quiet sanctuary where devotion and tradition still thrive.

Samling Gompa, sacred lookout above Bhijer

Above the village of Bhijer in Upper Dolpo, the 800-year-old Samling Gompa is one of the most significant Bon institutions in the region, founded by the Dzogchen master Tangton Gyaltzen Rinchen. Affiliated with the Nyingma school, it houses ancient thangkas, weathered murals and a large statue of Guru Rinpoche, along with striking guardian figures at the entrance. Its elevated position gives sweeping valley views, and its remoteness ensures few crowds.

The monasteries of Saldang

At 3,770 m, Saldang is one of Upper Dolpo's largest and most culturally rich villages, home to several small monasteries:

• Samye Choling Monastery — a Nyingma temple over 500 years old, with statues of the Buddhas of past, present and future and a central Guru Rinpoche, plus a walk-through stupa and large prayer wheel.
• Jovo Monastery — said to be over 800 years old, preserving the Ngagpa traditions brought to Dolpo by the yogi Milarepa, with chortens adorned in turquoise and coral and a rich collection of sacred figures.

Yangtsher Gompa, hidden jewel of Nisal

In remote Nisal village, Yangtsher Gompa is lesser-known but deeply spiritual, approached along long rows of mani stones and chortens. Simple in architecture yet rich in wall paintings, it holds statues of Guru Rinpoche, Shakyamuni, Chenrezig and the Eight Medicine Buddhas. Visiting requires an Upper Dolpo permit, and the journey from Saldang or Sibu crosses high passes with dramatic trans-Himalayan views.

Champa (Jhampa) Monastery

In Tokyu village stands Champa Monastery, devoted to the Future Buddha, Maitreya. Restored in the 15th century by the King of Mustang, this Nyingma gompa centres on a towering one-storey statue of Maitreya, surrounded by sacred figures and protected by a charming local legend of a master builder who rode a blue, hornless yak in search of materials. It holds a wealth of ancient scriptures and tantric texts.

Ribo Bhumpa Monastery, Dho Tarap

In the scenic village of Dho Tarap, Ribo Bhumpa is built in the sacred vase (bumpa) style, one of Buddhism's eight auspicious symbols. Founded over a thousand years ago in the Nyingma tradition and modelled on a chorten at Samye Monastery in Tibet, it is known for its vibrant monk community and beautifully painted prayer halls. Located in Lower Dolpo, it needs only a standard permit (around USD 20 per week) and is easily reached on treks through the Tarap Valley.

Sipchok Bon Monastery

Also in Dho Tarap, this active Bon monastery (Sipchok Dedhen Phuntsokling) was founded 800 years ago and rebuilt around 500 years ago. Its name means "sheltered place." Inside are sacred images and scriptures, including 1,000 Buddha-like images, while 15 chortens arc across the surrounding meadows. The monks still perform rituals for local villagers, making it a key highlight for anyone drawn to Tibet's indigenous faith.

Why Dolpo's monasteries move people

These gompas are not just places of worship, they are living guardians of Himalayan heritage, wisdom and resilience. From ancient Bon practice to vibrant Buddhist art, each one tells a timeless story, and visiting them deepens your connection to the land and its people. For the practical side of getting here, read our essential Dolpo trekking guide.

Walk the spiritual heart of Dolpo

A Dolpo journey is for travellers who want solitude, culture and landscapes few others ever see. If you would like to build a trek that takes in these sacred monasteries, our senior local guides will design it around your time and permits. Explore comparable remote-region routes like the Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek and Rara Lake Trek on our packages page, or contact us to start planning.