Sightseeing · Dolpo
Ringmo Village
A timber-and-stone Bon and Buddhist village above Phoksundo Lake, the gateway hamlet into Upper Dolpo.
Ringmo is the small Tibetan-Buddhist and Bon village perched at about 3,640 m just above Phoksundo Lake in Dolpo, the last permanent settlement before the trails climb north into Upper Dolpo. Its flat-roofed houses of stacked timber and stone, ringed by barley terraces, chortens and mani walls, make it one of the most atmospheric villages in Nepal's far west.
What to expect
Ringmo is a working highland village, not a resort — yaks and goats move through narrow lanes, and daily life turns on barley and buckwheat farming, herding and seasonal trade with Tibet. The houses are built from stacked timber and stone with flat earthen roofs used for drying crops and stacking firewood against the long winter. The village is a stronghold of the ancient Bon faith, and the old Tshowa (Bon) gompa near the lakeshore is one of Dolpo's most important religious sites, hung with weathered prayer flags and surrounded by carved mani stones.
From Ringmo the classic Lower Dolpo route reaches the lake viewpoint, while longer expeditions push on over high passes to Shey Gompa and Crystal Mountain. Because it is the last permanent settlement before the high country, Ringmo is where many treks take a crucial acclimatisation day, exploring the turquoise Phoksundo Lake on its doorstep before climbing higher.
Life in a Dolpo-pa village
The people of Dolpo, the Dolpo-pa, are ethnically and culturally Tibetan, and Ringmo offers one of the most accessible windows into their world. Households are largely self-sufficient, growing hardy grains at the limit of cultivation and keeping yak-cattle hybrids for milk, wool and transport. Salt and grain traditionally moved along trans-Himalayan trade routes between the Tibetan plateau and the lower Nepali hills, and that trading heritage still shapes the region. Winters are severe enough that some families historically migrated to lower valleys with their herds, returning when the snows cleared.
Good to know
- Acclimatise: At 3,640 m, take it slowly on arrival — see altitude sickness in Nepal.
- Respect: This is a deeply religious place; walk clockwise around chortens and mani walls and ask before photographing people or shrine interiors.
- Context: Ringmo features among Nepal's most beautiful villages, and sits at the heart of Dolpo's Bon and Buddhist monasteries. Plan a bed via where to stay in Dolpo.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Ringmo village?+
Ringmo, also spelt Ringmu, sits at about 3,640 m just above Phoksundo Lake in Dolpa district, Karnali Province, inside Shey Phoksundo National Park. It is the last permanent village before the lake and the trails north into Upper Dolpo.
What is Ringmo village known for?+
Ringmo is known for its cluster of flat-roofed timber-and-stone Tibetan houses, its mix of Bon and Tibetan-Buddhist faith, and its position as the gateway settlement to Phoksundo Lake. The old Bon Tshowa gompa near the lake is closely tied to the village.
Can you stay in Ringmo village?+
Yes. Ringmo has simple homestays and basic lodges used by trekkers, plus camping ground. Facilities are very basic given the remoteness, so most organised treks carry their own supplies and a support crew.
Is Ringmo a Bon or Buddhist village?+
Both traditions coexist here. Dolpo is one of the strongholds of the pre-Buddhist Bon religion, and Ringmo blends Bon practice with Tibetan Buddhism — visible in its monasteries, chortens and mani walls around the village and lakeshore.
