Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

139 reviews
46 reviews
Recommended by 99% of travelers
At a Glance
12 Days
Duration
Moderate
Trip Grade
Nepal
Country
3,641m Shey Phoksundo Lake
Maximum Altitude
2 - 10
Group Size
Juphal
Starts
March to November
Best Time
Overview

At an elevation of 3,611.5 m (11,849 ft) above sea level in Shey Phoksundo National Park, which has Tibet to the north and Dhaulagiri to the south, you can find the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek in the western region of Nepal. This is home to the most popular actor’s Thinle, who had a great role in the Oscar-nominated movie Caravan. Dolpo is one of the small numbers of valleys in the Himalayas that are considered to be a Beyul (Hidden Valley blessed as refuges by Guru Padmasambhava, aka Guru Rinpoche) by the people of Tibet.

The turquoise Lake Dolpo Shey Phoksundo called mostly ‘Phoksumdo’, is just beneath the majestic Kanjiroba Himalayan range. The entire Dolpo region is full of enchanted landscapes and scattered pieces of stunning ancient villages and people, and mountains, lakes, hills, etc. are abundant enough to overwhelm every tourist who embarks on a voyage to this magical land. Nowadays, Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is sorted out as tea house basic for 12 days as the shortest time from the capital city Kathmandu, but it can be extended to 18 days for the Lower Dolpo Trek and 25 days for the Upper Dolpo Trek in the natural embodiment of high passes, unique flora and fauna, and widespread panoramas. The Shey Phoksundo Trek officially opened to trekkers in 1991, offering a unique cultural experience and a captivating view of Mother Nature.

Dolpa is most recognized for the medicinal plant Yarsagumba (Cordyceps sinensis, the magical caterpillar fungus), known as an immune booster. The rarely specie wild mushroom half plant and half animal “Yaragumba” are as great an aphrodisiac as Viagra. If you trek between May and June before starting the monsoon, you will see tens of thousands of people crowd over the Himalayan foothill collecting Yarsagumba. During the short trek in Shey Phoksundo National Park, you have enormous experience in the natural and cultural phenomena of Tibetan tradition. As Shey Phoksundo is located behind the great mountains in the rain shadow area, it is easy to access during the monsoon season with less rain.

Certainly, Shey Phoksundo is one of the deepest lakes in Nepal, with its tranquility in the splendid dwelling. This is a recently developed teahouse trek whole in the Dolpo region. So Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek, also known as Dolpo Tea House Trek, is one of the most picturesque and fine-looking natural tourist destinations in Nepal. The most well-known director, Eric Valli, used companies based in France to fund his 1999 film "Caravan," which brilliantly captured the exotic locations and natural scenery. The reflection of the snowy Peak Kanjiroba (6612 m) massif can be seen in the turquoise Phoksundo Lake as a piece of heaven. No wonder this lake is naturally blessed, and it is the holy serenity of locals who are practicing Bon-Po Buddhism.

Phoksundo Lake Trek is neutrally easy, as there are no high passes and many ups and downs the entire trek. The 12-day trip begins in Kathmandu and continues the next day with a flight to Nepalgunj, the lowland of western Terai, just 8 kilometers from the Indian Border. After an overnight stay in Nepalgunj, we fly the next morning to Juphal, from where our Phoksundo Lake Trek starts. The trail goes through magnificent Himalayan woodlands and charming antique hamlets like Dunai, Chhepka, Jharana Hotel, and Shyanta, then gets in magnificent Lake Phoksundo. We often visit Buddhist monasteries and Mane Wall on the trek.

Where the rivers are raging and a magnificent view of a 330-meter-high waterfall graceful over boulders and tumbling down from a cliff makes your trip most magnificent. Likewise, the natural exquisiteness and rich flora and fauna, such as endangered species such as snow leopard, musk deer, blue sheep, great Tibetan sheep, Himalayan tahr, etc., make our trek pleasant. Previously, you had to catch the connecting flight in Nepaljung, but recently, Summit Air has introduced a direct flight from Kathmandu to Juphal airport at Dolpa.

As Shey Phoksundo Trek is on a teahouse basic, we will stay overnight at the teahouse or lodge and take simple fresh and hygiene meals in the dining hall throughout the trek. 12 Days Shey Phoksundo Lake Trekking is less costly due to tea house facilities and taking a shorter track. We at Nepal Mother House Treks are glad to organize Shey Phoksundo Trek according to your requirements and time schedule by expert local guides and porters. We are here to make your trip lifetime unforgettable.

Highlights

  • Wilderness trip in far western Nepal, in Shey Phoksundo National Park.
  • The hike is the Deepest Lake of Nepal, “Phoksundo Lake.”.
  • Amazing scenery of Churen Himal ranges and endless formation of landscapes.
  • Nomadic people with their pristine Tibetan culture and unexplored lifestyle by anyone.
  • Sacred hidden valleys, ancient monasteries, and Bonpo Buddhism were established by Guru Rinpoche.
  • The Places mentions the infamous books Honey Hunter of Nepa and "Himalaya Caravan" Move by Eric Valli.
  • A lifetime experience in pure nature, which recharges your soul and makes your mind peaceful.
Day-to-day

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek Itinerary

The snowcapped mountains welcome you to the North direction to land at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Our support team from Nepal Mother House will be waiting for you at the arrival terminal displaying your Name Plate. Our assistance is great to you and transfer to your designated Hotel. After giving a short brief about your further plan and activities, you will be free of your own world. 

Day Highlights

Today, we organize trekking permits and trek preparation, meanwhile, we introduce you to our Guide and other crew for your supporter on the trek. We need all of your name details or passport copy with PP size pictures for the permits and make sure your gears for the trek and settled the remaining balance. Please, make sure that you have a travel insurance policy and provide a copy of them for us if in case we need to consult with them. In the evening, we come back to you with permits and give every detail about the next-day plan. Stay at the hotel for the night. 

Day Highlights

Our Guide will come to your hotel transfer to the domestic airport for the Nepalgunj flight according to your flight schedule. It is forty-five minutes to an hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj has located nearby the Indian border and Bardiya National Park in the western Terai low land. This is the business center of many regions of Nepal and a transport hub. Rest of the day, we are wandering around the City. Stay overnight at Hotel. 

Day Highlights

Juphal Airport has located Bank of Thuli Bheri River with an elevation of 2,475 meters in the Dolpa Districts. The weather in this area is tricky, it might be change any time after midday. So, all the flights to the Juphal operated in the morning. This will be 35 minutes to 45 minutes scenics exciting flight enjoying with might snowcapped mountains view and amazing landscape. After collecting our bags and arrangement for porters, we start our trek at Juphal. In the begging, the trail climbs southeast high above the river and gets in Kalagaunda an hour walk. Then we follow the southern Bank of Thuli Bheri River through the Roop Gar and get in Dunai Bazaar (2,145m). As Dunai is, headquarter of the Dolpa districts, there are several government offices, schools, health posts, lodges,s, and shops. We will stay overnight at the hotel.

Day Highlights

After having breakfast, we start our day trip descending down through the streets and cross the Bheri River bridge end of Bazaar. Then, walk about an hour through the northern bank of the river, get to Sulighat. After for while walking the trail brings us to the Shey Phoksundo National Park Check Post, where we need to check in our permits. Now, the trail progressively ascending along the rock scattered trail above the winding Suli Ghad Khola. The trail keeps on higher along the river bank through the series of hemp trees and gets in Kageni Village. We enjoy further on our walk pass by a beautiful waterfall, the sound of the river-ranging, birds chirping, and lush vegetation, and walk in the tropical forest to the C Shyanta Village (2,520m). Then about one and a half, an hour uphill walk on the narrow trail, we get in Chhepka (2,670m). We are staying overnight at a tea House. 

Day Highlights

We commence our day trip to the Jharana Hotel. The trail goes along the Bank of Phoksundo Khola through bamboo forest and conifer. After crossing the bridge, the trail heading up to the Rehci Village in the gorge, often you will hear the sound of the river-ranging and various birds chirping melody. After Rechi Village the valley becomes wider with an easy trail. Now we are ascending on the hill in the narrow valley and dropped till the union of Phoksundo River and Pungma Khola at Samduwa. From Sanduwa, the trekking trail ascends gradually through the exposed territory, from where we can see a spectacular waterfall view (the highest waterfall in Nepal 330-metre) and a faraway view of Phoksundo Lake. Staying overnight at Tea House at Jharana (waterfall) Hotel.

Day Highlights

The day starts at Phoksundo Lake after breakfast. At the begging, the trail steeply descends through the birch forest nearby Phoksundo Khola via Polam Village. We walk continue upwards to the river bank before crossing the bridge and get the ranger check post and walk further to the lake shores near the point where the river flows out from tranquil Phoksundo Lake. Finely the trial ends Phoksundo River gorge, and start to see yak pasture land with traditional houses at Ringmo Village. We are staying overnight at a tea house.

Day Highlights

As today is a leisure day to explore; we will walk around the beautiful turquoise blue lake Phoksumdo, from where you have magnificent views including Kanjirowa Himal (6,612m), other snowcapped mountains, and wonderful landscape. Rigmo Village is a typical Tibetan village with unique culture, beliefs, traditions carrying out from centauries. The people of here are following Bonpo-Buddhism; we will visit one of the oldest monasteries “Tshowa” built 900 years ago, located on the top of the ridge above the Phoksundo Lake. Today is the most remarkable day to explore ancient’s sacred sites, people's cultures, and enjoying Mother Nature. This is a peace of heaven on the Earth. We are staying the night at Tea House.    

Day Highlights

After having breakfast in the beautiful morning, we retrace the trail to the Shyanta. The trail gently taking elevation to the top of the ridge, from where you have a last glance of tranquil Phoksundo Lake. Then follow down along the Bank of Phoksundo Khola to making a twisting trail through the gigantic hanging rock to the Polam Village (3,397m), beautiful waterfall, Amchi Hospital (one of the oldest remedial traditions of the world, most practice in Tibet, Nepal, Himalayan regions of India and few parts of former the Soviet Union), and Samduwa and Rechi Village. Today the trail descends along with the river bank sometimes ups and few flat through the different vegetation to the Shyanta via Chhepka. We are staying at the tea house for the night.  

Day Highlights

Today is the last walking day of the trip, and your leg might be tried due to more than a week-long walk. At first, we follow the trail riverbank downwards from Shyanta, you will get in Kageni in an hour walk and keep on fall away through the jungle with whisper sound of Suli River Bank (the same river originated from Phoksundo Lake but known as a different name here.) and playful birds sounds. Then get in National Park Check post at Army Camp at Sulighat. Then, we are heading to Juphal through a wide road via Kalagauda, Rupghad Village Thuli Bheri River Bank. In conclusion, we get in Juphal Bazaar after 5 to 6 hours of effort and check in to the Hotel for an overnight staying.

Day Highlights

Today is the last day of the trek in the mystic Himalayan at Dolpa. Before breakfast, you may walk around the village to catch a glance at sight. Or transfer to the airport according to your flight time. Most of the flights are operated in the morning time from Juphal due to unpredictable weather after mid-day. Sometimes the weather does not give permitted to fly to Nepaljung due to not favorable weather. So, you are advised to put on the list an extra day to get back to Nepaljung to catch your further plan. It will be about a half-hours scenic exciting flight to Nepaljung and waiting for connecting about an hour flight to Kathmandu. After land in Kathmandu, you will transfer to your hotel and have free time for the rest of the day. Staying at the hotel in Kathmandu. 

Day Highlights

Today is you final day of your Nepal trip. You may spend some time at the last minute shopping for souvenirs. We hand over all permits and trekking applications cards before your home departure. If you have any suggestions for us, it would be appreciated while giving feedback to our entire team of Nepal Mother House. Our assistance will come to your hotel transfer you to the International Airport according to your flight schedule. It is advised to check-in airport at least 2 to 3 hours earlier than your flight time. For your note, it takes a 20 to 30 minutes drive from touristic hub Thamel to the airport. Flay back to home/your own destination collecting lifetime memory from the Himalayan.  

Day Highlights
Custom Adventures Await
For over 15+ years, we have been pioneers in small group adventure travel, transforming how travelers experience the Himalayas. Discover how we are shaping the future of travel.
Included

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek Cost Details

Includes

  • Arrival and Departure of all transportation (airport to Hotel to airport).
  • Star Level 3 night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu twin bed sharing basic.
  • All ground transportation by private vehicles, local bus, or Comfort Tourist bus.
  • Transportation from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Jhupal and Jhupal to Nepalgunj and Kathmandu by plane (weight limit: 10 kg main baggage and 5 kg hand per passenger/flight).
  • Dolpo Restricted Area Permit Fee.
  • Warm-down jacket and sleeping bag for the trek.
  • Government license holders are experienced local guides with English-speaking skills and are friendly regarding their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
  • Porter (between every 2 person basis) Max.20-25 kg. Plus their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
  • One Sherpa (assistance guide) if the group size is more than 6 people. Plus their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
  • Duffel Bag during the trek.
  • First Aid medical kid.
  • Full board meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with tea and coffee each meal.
  • Tourist service charge, VAT, government tax, and official expenses if necessary.
  • Welcome and Farewell program.

Excludes

  • All kinds of beverages, including mineral water, phone calls, laundry, and hot showers during Trek.
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance (compulsory).
  • Tipping to crew and your meal at Kathmandu.
  • Personal expenses like shopping, souvenirs, or gifts.
  • Personal mountaineering gear.
  • Optional trips and sightseeing if extended. 
  • International airfare and airport departure tax.
  • Visa fee, you obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu.
  • Not to mention the above services.