Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek | Dolpo Region, Nepal

Trip Facts

Trip Duration 14 Days

Trip Difficulty Moderate

Maximum Altitude 3,608 m/11,837 ft

Best Season To Visit March, April, May, September, October, November

Trip Highlights

Beautiful Shey Phoksundo lake- located at an elevation of over 3600m and largest and only trans-Himalayan National Park in Dolpo
Dolpo is popular for walnut and cultivated in many areas including Juphal.
Dolpo has been captured beautifully on film by the famous director Eric Valli in his movie “Caravan

Trip Overview

Shey Phoksundo Lake lies in Shey Phoksundo National Park, so while on your trek to the lake, you will also go through the park. Shey Phoksundo National Park is the largest and the only trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal. The park will give you a diversity of spectacular and beautiful landscapes and ranks among the most scenic mountains in the whole world.

This trek takes you to a different region with unforgettable moments. Shey Phoksundo Lake is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake, which is located at an elevation of 3,611.5 meters/11,849 ft. in the Dolpa District. You will also find a traditional village of Dolpo called Ringmo at the southern end. The village lies on the 30,000 to 40,000-year-old landslide dam that formed the lake. While you pass the dam, you will see a waterfall of over 167 meters/548 ft tall. Yearly, hundreds of pilgrims visit this sacred lake to have a bath in the holy water of this lake. The religion of Dolpa is divided into two parts, in the upper Dolpa, one can find the privilege of traditional Tibetan culture, and in lower Dolpa, there are Buddhism and Bon including the Ringmo Village.

Shey Phoksundo Park has many religious sites, including gompas. The most famous one is Shey Gompa, built during the 11th century. Near the lake of Shey Phoksundo, there is Thashung Gompa which was built about 900 years ago.

This is a sample itinerary, and we shall customise the program as per your needs and preferences. For further information, please write to us at info@nepalsanctuarytreks.com

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Note: below trekking hours, altitudes and distances are approximate, and absolutely for general ideas only.

Trip Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu airport

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Driving Time: Approx. 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle. Our staff will accompany you and help you with the check-in at your accommodation. Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Day 02: Local Market Tour and Explore Cultural Heritage Sites

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Tour Duration: 8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu or similar

Meal: Breakfast

9:00 AM: After breakfast, you start a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. Experience the numerous colors, sounds, and tastes of authentic Kathmandu and its surroundings. Our experienced tour guides will tell you all you need to know and answer all your curiosities regarding those sites.

Local Market Tour

Take a short drive to Ason. Then, start wandering Ason and Indrachowk marketplaces to get a glimpse of traditional Nepalese life. Witness the bustle of the market, see how locals purchase the products, and haggle for a bargain. Whilst walking around, enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere this local market has to offer. Observe firsthand the local produce people from Nepal actually purchase. You will also take in the sights and smells of the market. Your friendly tour guide will explain in full detail all the products and procedures you will see. There are lots of photo opportunities to capture with your camera.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Next, head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. This ancient site used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. It incorporates an architecturally extraordinary complex of ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and shrines dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The prominent sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square are Kumari Ghar or the house of the living goddess. Kasthamandap is a huge rest house that is said to have been built with wood from a single tree and is the source of which Kathmandu valley got its name. Other sites around Kathmandu Square are the ferocious Kal Bhairab – the red monkey God- Hanuman, hundreds of erotic carvings, temples, and statues dedicated to different deities.

Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath (monkey temple), is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and center of faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Swayambhunath is the ideal place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. In the shadows of the imposing structure and besides the integrated architecture can be found the daily surge of devotees faithfully offering their prayers to the gods. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist song “Om Mani Padme Hum” resounds everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

PM: Boudhanath

Thereafter, take a short drive towards Boudhanath. From the moment you step into the sanctuary, you’ll immediately feel the spiritual energy that comes from the place. Boudhanath is one of the biggest stupa in Nepal built in the 5^th century and listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979. The surrounding area is a central spiritual hub of Tibetan life and culture in Nepal. Observe a beautiful dome-shaped structure stupa surrounded by brilliant colorful prayer flags. It is believed that prayer flags convey mantras and prayers into the universe while fluttering in the wind. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

Witness monks draped in maroon robes rolling the prayer wheels, burning incense, and flickering butter candles. Moreover, it’s fascinating to see the people feeding grains and maize to hundreds of pigeons around stupa areas. The devotees turn the prayer wheels & chant, which is humbling to see such dedication to their beliefs.

Delight in the serenity as you hear the Buddhist mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ being chanted by devotees, alongside the echo of music streaming out from the nearby shops.

Pashupatinath

Moving on, visit Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the bank of the Bagmati River. The word Pashupati means “the king of animals” and the temple is famous for its monkeys. You will be visiting the Pashupatinath area to indulge in a spiritual journey.

Pashupatinath is more than just a religious destination. It is a combination of religion, art, and culture. The temple, spread across 246 hectares of land, abounds in temples and monuments. Hundreds of rituals are performed here every day. Witness people performing the religious ritual and funeral pyres burning at open-air cremation. Also, see elaborately dressed holy men meditating outside the temple and pilgrims placing offerings at the shrines. After touring around prominent sites, you will be transferred safely back to your hotel.

Day 03: Flight Kathmandu- Nepalgunj

Altitude above sea level: 150 m

Flight duration: 45 minutes approx.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Nepalgunj. If it’s a clear day, then you will be able to see amazing views of the Himalayan range. After landing in Nepalgunj you will be escorted to your hotel. You will have the afternoon to yourself to explore Nepalgunj or relax at the hotel.

Day 04: Flight Nepalgunj-Juphal - Trek Dunai

Altitude above sea level: (2,475 m) Juphal, (2,145 m) Dunai

Flight duration 35 minutes approx.

Hiking duration: 3–4 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Juphal. Throughout the flight, you will see amazing views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Once we land at Juphal, we will meet our accompanying trekking crew. Then we set off our today’s trek from Juphal- the starting point for the trek to Phoksundo Lake. As we begin, the trail goes through terraced fields by the southern bank of Thuli Bheri River. Further, you pass Roop Ghar and descend into maize fields before reaching Dunai. Dunai is headquartered in the Dolpa district which has a hospital, school, administration, and police station.

Day 05: Trek Dunai-Chhepka

Altitude above sea level: 2,670 m

Hiking duration: 6–7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After having breakfast, we will leave Dunai behind and cross the suspension bridge over the Bheri River. Then you continue trekking through the northern bank of the river before heading north to Shey Phoksundo National Park check-post. Thereafter, climbing along the rock-strewn path, you will pass through a series of hemp trees to Kagbeni. Along the trail, you get to enjoy the magnificent views of cascading waterfalls and lush vegetation. Further, you will then trek through the tropical forest and then ascend along the narrow trail that brings you to the village of Chhepka.

Day 06: Trek Chhepka-Amchi Hospital

Altitude above sea level: 3,130 m

Hiking duration: 6–7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we walk into the alpine forest. Take a gradual ascent to Renje which is the small village between Chhepka and Amchi. We will continue to trek along the Phoksondo River. Before you get to Amchi hospital, there is a boarding school with more than 300 students. Thereafter, you follow Phoksondo Khola heading north where we reach a bridge that takes us to Amchi hospital.“Amchi” is the name for traditional Tibetan medicine.

Day 07: Trek Amchi hospital-Phoksondo Lake

Altitude above sea level: 3,608 m

Hiking duration:5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, you will hit the trail again, passing the Palam village. Then you continue to take incline trail to the ridge at about 3,800 m. From the ridge, you can observe the cascading Phoksondo waterfall flowing out from Phoksondo Lake. It is also considered one of the longest waterfalls in Nepal. After a short ascend, you will then descend through birch forests that take you to Ringmo, a Tibetan Bon village. From here, we take a short walk and reach the shore of Phoksondo Lake.

Day 08: Exploration Day around Shey Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo village.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is important for acclimatization as we will be trekking to a higher altitude. Altitude sickness can be a problem, so to avoid it, we stay back and let our body adapt to the altitude.

You can explore the area around the beautiful freshwater Phoksundo Lake as well as Ringmo village. You can explore the culture and traditions of the local people and know about their lifestyle and practices. It is worth visiting Tshowa Gompa, a 900-year-old Bon monastery on a ridge above the lake.

Day 09: Trek Phoksondo Lake- Renji

Hiking duration:5-6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you hike alongside the Phoksondo river. The trail is steep, and you will gradually descend through the beautiful green pasture that comprises the Renji village.

Day 10: Trek Renji - Kageni

Altitude above sea level: 2,228 m

Hiking duration:6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, we will follow Phoksondo Khola all the way back down to Kageni.

Day 11: Trek Kageni-Juphal

Altitude above sea level: 2,475 m

Hiking duration: 4–5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Camping

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is the last day of the trek. After having breakfast, you set off for today’s hike to Juphal through splendid forests, fields, and villages.

Day 12: Flight Juphal - Nepalgunj-Kathmandu

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Flight duration: 35 minutes approx. (Juphal-Nepalgunj), 45 minutes approx. (Nepalgunj-Kathmandu)

Accommodation: *** Hotel Manaslu or similar

Meal: Breakfast

After having breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Nepalgunj and on to Kathmandu. After landing, our representative will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 13: Leisure day in Kathmandu

Accommodation: *** Hotel Manaslu or similar

Meals: Breakfast

It’s also a spare day in case of bad weather in Jomsom if we could not fly on the scheduled date and time.

Day 14: Final Departure

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check-in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.

Price Included

What's Included

Private airport transfers,
Internal Flight Ktm- Nepalgunj- Jhupal
Internal Flight Jhupal-Nepalgunj-Ktm
4-night ***Hotel Tibet or similar in Kathmandu with breakfast,
1-night hotel in Nepalgunj with breakfast,
8 days Tented camp during the trek on full board
Trek Permits, National Park Fee & restricted area fees
Staff insurance on the trek
Trek guide, cook, porters, and other supporting staff
Duffel bag

What's not Included

Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj (approx. US$ 20 per day)
Beverages
Personal equipment,
International airfare
Extra night accommodation in Nepalgunj because for any reason
Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
Excess baggage beyond 15 kilos, including day pack
Visa fee: US$ 30 for 15 days and US$ 50 for 30 days for multiple entries
Insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects) and Public Liability Insurance
Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (GHT)

Trip Facts

Trip Highlights

Trip Overview