Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

Trip Facts
Accommodation:	Hotels in Cities & Tea Houses or Tented Camp on Trek
Grade:	Moderate
Max Altitude:	3,800 m/12,465 ft
Meals:	As Mentioned In The Itinerary
Transportation:	Private Vehicle/Flight
Group Size :	2 to 15 People
Duration:	11 Nights/12 Days

Highlights of The Trek

Enjoy Trekking to the Shey National National Park and Visit Shey Phoksundo Lake at 3,610 m
Enjoy the Wilderness of Dolpo with many Endangered Wild animals including Blue Sheep and Snow Leopard
Visit Bon Village of Ringmo and Thasung Choling Bon Gompa
Witness Suligad Waterfall of 167 m, one of the Highest Waterfalls
See the Winter Settlements of people of Upper Dolpo and Yak Caravans
Visit Sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu
Pay Homage to living goddess, Kumari in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Enjoy Nepali Food, Hospitality and Culture

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/4,430 ft)

Day 02: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square

Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj (150 m/ 492 ft)-50 Minutes

Day 04: Fly to Juphal (2,500 m/8,202 ft) and trek to Dunai (2,000 m/6,560 ft)-3 Hours

Day 05: Trek to Chhepka (2,670m/ 8,760 ft) via Shyanta (2,490 m/8,170ft)- 6 Hours

Day 06: Trek to Jharana Hotel (3,170 m/10,400 ft) via Reychi (2,960 m/9,710 ft)-6 Hours

Day 07: Trek to Ringmo Village (3,635 m/11,925 ft) /Phoksundo Lake (3,610 m/11,845 ft)-3 Hours

Day 08: Explore Shey Phoksundo Lake

Day 09: Trek back to Chhepka -6/7 Hours

Day 10: Trek back to Juphal -6/7 Hours

Day 11: Morning Fly back to Nepalgunj and connect to Kathmandu

Day 12: Departure from Kathmandu

Overview

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is one of the Off the Beaten trekking routes in western Nepal which takes you to the beautiful turquoise Phoksundo Lake. Shey Phoksundo Lake is one of the beautiful lakes in Nepal having alpine fresh water which lies in Lower Dolpa at Shey Phoksundo National Park at an elevation of 3,610 m. This lake is sacred to the Buddhist and Bon Po Religions and thousand of trekkers visit this lake every year to indulge in beauty of nature and its mix culture. This trip starts from city flight to Nepaljung in Terai and to Jhupla in Dolpa by early morning flight crossing Mahabharata Range. The trail passes through beautiful villages, rivers, dense forest, water fall, rocky trail and mix culture of the people. This area is equally important for wildlife with an opportunity to witness musk deer, blue sheep, snow leopard, Tibetan Sheep, Himalayan Thar and many more. The beautiful Phoksundo Lake, Thasung Choling Gompa; a Bon Monastery, Ringo Village, peak of Kanjirowa Range in the back drop from the Monastery, various monasteries, chortens reward the trekkers with the beauty of nature and long back culture. The water of the lake fall over a 167 m tall Suligad Waterfall and its view from the view point (3,700 m) makes you to pitch your tent and stay forever. Passing of Mules, Horses and sometimes Yaks on the way adds the beauty of the Phoksundo Lake Trekking.

Nepaljung is a big city in western region of Nepal which is a business hub of the area and is close to Indian border. It is famous for Bageshwori Temple, Shiva Temple, local food and Tharu people and their culture. This city is gateway to Juphal Airport, only airport in Dolpo at an elevation of 2,500 meters. The small flights operate only in the morning as there will be too wind in Juphal airport.

Best time to visit Shey Phoksundo Lake is Spring and Autumn but we can travel around the year.
This area is still unexplored and only limited tourist visit this lake.There are few Tea Houses along the trek route and we can do Fully Organized Camping Trek as well.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/4,430 ft)

After arriving at Kathmandu International Airport, our office representative welcomes you with Garland and takes you to hotel in Kathmandu. In the evening, we will have briefing on trek and equipment check by our Trek Manager and Trek Guide. Then, we will take you for dinner to make you introduced with Nepalese food habits and Culture.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

Day 02: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square

After breakfast, we will take you for guided tour of Kathmandu city. We will begin with Pashupatinath Temple which is famous Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva at the bank of holy Bagmati River. After this, we continue to Boudhanath Stupa, which is giant Stupa in Asia and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu. Then, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square where Nepalese Kings used to get Throne. Interesting places to see here are Taleju Temple, Statue of Kal Bhairabh and Hanuman, Temple of Jagannath (Erotic Temple) and Kastamandap Temple from which Kathmandu got its name. We visit Kumari Temple and pay homage to the living goddess, Kumari and also walk around the Freak streets which was famous during Hippie Era in 60's and 70's.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj (150 m/ 492 ft)-50 Minutes

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to domestic airport for 50 minutes flight to Nepalgunj. This is one of the biggest towns in western Terai and business hub of the area. Upon arrival at Nepalgunj, transfer to hotel. Later on, roam around Nepalgunj town and to Bageshwori Temple, a very famous Hindu temple of Goddess Bageshwori, Durga and also another famous temple of Lord Shiva with mustache next to her.

Accomodation: Overnight at Soaltee Hotel in Nepalgunj.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 04: Fly to Juphal (2,500 m/8,202 ft) and trek to Dunai (2,000 m/6,560 ft)-3 Hours

After breakfast at hotel, we drive to airport for 35 minutes scenic flight to Juphal passing Mahabharata Range and beautiful landscape. Upon arrival at Juphal, we prepare for the trek and commence our trek to Dunai which is the administrative capital of Dolpo. We walk descend passing by beautiful villages alongside of the Bheri River. In the evening, walk around Dunai town.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge in Dunai.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 05: Trek to Chhepka (2,670m/ 8,760 ft) via Shyanta (2,490 m/8,170ft)- 6 Hours

After breakfast, we start our trek to Chhepka via straight walk up to Sulighad where Phoksundo River and Bheri River confluence. After few minutes of walk, we get to Shey Phoksundo National Park Check Post. After entry, we continue our ascend trek passing by rocky trail until we reach Kageni for lunch. Via passing by views of lush greenery, we reach to Chhepka village through the tropical forest. Before Chhepka, we pass Shyanta where there is small hydro power in Ankhe Khola. From here, we enter Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge or Tented Camp in Chhepka.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 06: Trek to Jharana Hotel (3,170 m/10,400 ft) via Reychi (2,960 m/9,710 ft)-6 Hours

After early breakfast, we start our trek to Jharana Hotel. Our trail ascends through the big forest of cedar, big hemp farm and the winter settlement of people of Ringmo Village. We continue to Reychi for lunch. Before crossing the bride to Jharana Hotel, we pass by Tapriza Secondary Boarding School at Saijal.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge or Tented Camp in Jharana Hotel.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 07: Trek to Ringmo Village (3,635 m/11,925 ft) /Phoksundo Lake (3,610 m/11,845 ft)-3 Hours

Today is the most rewarding day and difficult part of the entire trek though it is short. After breakfast, we continue our easy trek to another winter settlement for the people of Upper Dolpo and Ringmo. Immediately, we follow narrow and steep with confusing way of muddy path and rocks passing by highest point of the trek at 3800 meters. Just below the highest point, there is a rest point from where you can see the highest waterfall of 167 meters which falls from Phoksundo Lake. Spend few times here at the rest point to witness the beautiful waterfall and prepare for another beauty, the first view of Phoksundo Lake. When we walk 5 minutes up from the rest point, we get the first view of magical Phoksundo Lake.Then we gradually descend down to the wide meadows located up of George of Phoksundo River to our camp at Ringmo Village for lunch. Evening, go to the Thasung Choling Gompa; a Bon Monastery, at the bank of lake. We will arrange chat with the monk on Bon Religion.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge or Tented Camp in Phoksundo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 08: Explore Shey Phoksundo Lake

Today we spend the day exploring Ringo village and the area nearby the tranquil Phoksundo Lake. We can walk (6 hours total) with pack lunch to the View Point passing by Yak Drop Point at Eric Valley’s CARAVAN Documentary. From view point, we can see the entire ‘r’ shape lake and the Kangirowa Peak. Phoksundo is a beautiful alpine turquoise colored freshwater lake. With the view of Kanjirowa Himal (6,612m) in the background, we relish the sheer beauty of Phoksundo Lake. We also visit several monasteries and Bon-Po religious sites inside the park.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge or Tented Camp in Phoksundo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 09: Trek back to Chhepka -6/7 Hours

Leaving behind the beautiful Phoksundo Lake, we head towards the village of Shyanta following the same way. We ascend along the steep trail for half an hour until we reach the top of the hill which offers the last view of Phoksundo Lake. We then descend to the village of Chunuwar (Jharana Hotel), followed by Rechi. From there, we walk along the river bank and keep descending until we arrive in Chhepka.

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge or Tented Camp in Chhepka.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 10: Trek back to Juphal -6/7 Hours

Today we trek through rocky path alongside the Bheri River. We will have lunch in Kageni (2,270 m). Accompanied by the beautiful landscape in the background, we continue to trek and leave the Shey Phoksundo National Park. From Suligad, we then head east towards Juphal Airport passing through the small village of Kalagauda. After 2 hours of uphill walk, we finally arrive in Juphal

Accomodation: Overnight at Lodge in Juphal.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 11: Morning Fly back to Nepalgunj and connect to Kathmandu

In the morning, we fly to Nepalgunj and connect to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, we will host farewell dinner to mark the great success of your Trek.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B D

Activity Duration:

Day 12: Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast at hotel, we will transfer you to airport before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Cost Info

Cost Includes:

Garland Arrival transfers and departure transfers with Office Representative.
3 Nights accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
1 Night Accommodation at Soaltee Hotel in Nepaljung with dinner, breakfast and applicable taxes.
Kathmandu/Nepaljung/Kathmandu flight with transfers in Kathmandu and Nepaljung.
Nepaljung/Juphal/Nepaljung flight with necessary transfers in Nepaljung.
All Inclusive Phoksundo Lake Camping Trek (7 Nights/8 Days) with Experienced Trek Guide, Cook and Kitchen Team, porters and other necessary support team.
Comprehensive First Aid Kits.
Meals, Accommodation and Insurance for Trek Team.
Shey Phoksundho National Park Fees and Special Permit for Restricted Phoksundo Area.
24/7 Assistance from Kathmandu Office.

Cost Excludes:

International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
Nepal Visa fee, USD 30/- for 15 Days.
Any accommodation in Kathmandu.
Mobile/camera charges during the trek.
-Personal nature of expenses like bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
Tips to Guides and Porters (It is not mandatory but highly recommended).
Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
Cost for Emergency Helicopter Evacuation Charges in case of emergency.
Other than in our include section.