Shey Phosundo Lake Trek

Duration: 12 Days
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: By Air
  • Food: Full Board Plan
  • Accommodation: Hotel + Tea House
  • Group Size: 1-16
  • Max Elevation: 3650 m

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek offers the real thrill of adventure throughout the majestic Dolpo region of Nepal. This isolated vicinity, made famous by Peter Matthiessen’s book 'The Snow Leopard,' and first Nepali Oscar Awards nominated film 'Caravan' shot exclusively on the rough mountain terrains of Dolpa. Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek has only been open to trekkers in 1989.

Shey Phoksundo Lake is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic Lake situated at 3,612 m above sea level. The pristine lake has been designated a Ramsar site in 2007 and falls within Shey Phoksumdo National Park. The lake is believed to have been formed some 30,000 to 40,000 year ago. Ringmo village with as many as 20 stupas and a Bön Gompa (temple) also named Ringmo is accumulated on the southern end of the Lake over the landslide dam that formed Phoksundo Lake. The heart-melting ethereal sight of the lake brings a sense of tranquillity and peace to any trekkers passing hemmed by high and rugged mountains on three sides and the lake plunge into an impressive 167 m waterfall on its south side. The lake is regarded by Dolpo people, who practise Tibetan Buddhism, sacred and offer their worship annually to the lake.

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek takes you on a journey to see and experience Phoksundo, a natural miracle in the heart of Himalayas. You will require a special permit to enter this region. The trail starts from Juphal, which is just a half an hour flight away from Nepalgunj and follows the ancient trade route used primarily to transport salt and wool from Tibet to this region.

Phoksundo Lake Trek is the most appealing but relatively easy and short attraction excluding high-passes of Nepal Himalaya, stroll through alpine forests and traditional Tibetan villages.

Highlights

  • Trek through trans Himalayan region of Dolpo
  • Immerse yourself in Tibetan culture, lifestyle and Buddhism in Ringmo Village
  • Visit 900 years old Bon Monastery - Tshowa Gompa along with numbers of Stupas
  • Walkthrough Shey Phoksundo National Park, rich of flora and fauna
  • Discover sacred (in the Bonpo religion) Shey Phoksundo Lake
  • Admire the beautiful Mountain view along with Mount Kanjirowa (6612m) surrounding the lake
  • Enjoy the spectacular Waterfalls

Outline Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days
Day 01: Arrival and transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu (1,350 m)

Upon scheduled arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by Global Adventure Trekking Company (GAT) personnel and transferred to the hotel. Checking in and if time consent visit GAT’s office for pre-trip briefing and meet the Guide. Then free to wander around Thamel.

  • None
  • Hotel

We take an hour-long flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. It is an interesting western Terai town of Nepal nearby India border. We visit the local market, explore the diverse culture of locality, mini-zoo and nearby villages.

  • Full Board
  • Hotel

We take half an hour morning flight to Juphal, the starting point for the trek to Phoksundo Lake. From here, we begin our trek ascending to southeast over Thulo Bheri Valley then stroll over pretty fields to the village of Kalagaunda. We follow the Bheri River and pass Roop Ghar and finally get the Dunai village.

  • Full Board
  • Teahouse

We depart Dunai after breakfast, trekking down to Bheri River, cross a suspension bridge, follow the river bank to Sulighat, head north and pass through Shey Phoksundo National Park check-post. The rough trail climbs up to the windy Suli Ghad River and walks through a tropical walnut and maple forest. We enjoy the flapping prayer flags, pleasant waterfalls, verdant flora to enter Shyanta village then climb final hour uphill along the narrow trail to reach the Chhepka village.

  • Full Board
  • Teahouse

Today we walk through cedar forest crossing Rechi and Samduwa to get Jharana literally means waterfall, where we enjoy in front of the fantastic 303 m Waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal and a distant view of Phoksundo Lake.

  • Full Board
  • Teahouse

Today we have a short walk through the birch forest, crossing a suspension bridge and pastureland to a Bon Village Ringmo on the southern end of the Phoksundo Lake.

  • Full Board
  • Teahouse

Today we hike around the dazzling Phoksundo Lake which is sacred by Buddhists followers of Bonpo religion. Inspect Ringmo village along with more than 20 Stupas and Tshowa Gompa, a 900 years old Bon monastery on a ridge above the lake. Then we take pleasure in the impressive 167 m waterfall on its south side.

  • Full Board
  • Teahouse

We trek back to Shyanta Village today, following our footprint via polam, jharana, Samduwa, Rechi and Chhepka.

  • Full Board
  • Teahouse

This is our final leg of our Phoksundo Lake Trek. We just follow back our trail from Shyanta crossing Sulighat, Dunai and reach Juphal.

  • Full Board
  • Teahouse

Take an early morning flight to Nepalgunj and then a connecting flight to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

This is a free and Leasure day in Kathmandu. You are free to walk around Thamel or we can arrange the Kathmandu city tour includes UNESCO world heritage sights - Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupati Nath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

Depending on your flight schedule, our staffs will take you to international airport. 

  • Breakfast

What's included

  • Airport picks up and drops off by private vehicle
  • Three Night twin sharing stander Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast
  • One Night twin sharing stander Hotel in Nepalgunj with breakfast
  • Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu regular flight ticket with departure tax
  • Nepalgunj-Juphal-Nepalgunj regular flight ticket with departure tax
  • 15 kg luggage plus 5 kg hand bag allowance with all domestic flight 
  • An Experienced English Speaking Trekking Guide with equipment
  • One porter per two trekkers
  • Food, accommodation, Insurance, Transportation and salary of Guide and Porter
  • Rara National park Entry Permit
  • 7 Nights mountain accommodation with full board meals
  • TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System)
  • All Government and Local Tax and VAT
  • Nepalese visa fee, Visa can be obtained on your upon arrival in Kathmandu Airport. Visa cost 25 USD, 40 USD, 100 USD for 15, 30 and 90 days respectively
  • Excess baggage charge(s)
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
  • International flights Tickets
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s)
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s)
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