Tsho Rolpa, Glacial lake in Dolakha District, Nepal
Tsho Rolpa is a glacial lake sitting at 4,580 meters (15,026 feet) in the Rolwaling Valley of Dolakha District, Nepal. It is fed by meltwater from surrounding glaciers and enclosed on multiple sides by high ridges and peaks.
The lake was much smaller in the mid-20th century and grew steadily as the glaciers above it retreated over the following decades. The receding ice left behind moraines and bare rock that now frame the water on several sides.
The name comes from the Sherpa language, where "Tsho" means lake and "Rolpa" refers to the surrounding valley, home to Tamang and Sherpa communities. Visitors today can still meet local herders and porters along the trail who carry knowledge of the mountain routes passed down through generations.
Reaching the lake requires a multi-day trek through the Rolwaling Valley, typically starting from Charikot or Simigaon, and the trail demands good physical condition. Hiring a local guide is strongly advisable, as the high-altitude path is not well marked and conditions can change quickly.
The lake is also known locally as Chhuygima Pokhari and can exceed 100 meters (330 feet) in depth in places, despite appearing shallow from the shore. A control structure was built at its outlet to reduce the risk of a sudden glacial lake outburst, making it one of the few lakes in Nepal with such infrastructure in place.
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