Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

You may arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport at any time. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by one of our airport representatives. He will help you get transferred to the Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, you will fly to Nepalgunj- famously known as the Gateway to Nepal's Far West. It is about a 2 and a half hours flight. Upon reaching, you will be dropped off at your hotel. After lunch, you can visit some of the famous sites of Nepalgunj- like the Bageshowri Temple, the Grasscutter’s Lane, and the market areas bordering India. If there is time left before dinner, you can also choose to have a short visit to the Bardiya National Park. Overnight stay at Nepalgunj.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for an early flight to Juphal, a small village that is often the starting point of Phoksundo Treks. From Juphal, you will start your trek and head to Dunai for an overnight stay. The trail meanders along the banks of the Bheri River, passing by Roop Ghar, which is famous for its watermill. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Dunai.

You will start your trek with a hike along the banks of the Bheri River. After leaving Dunai, you will cross the river and head north, following the trail that leads to the first village- Sulighat. From there, the check post of Shey Phoksundo National Park is located a few miles ahead. After showing your permit, you will walk through walnut and maple woods. Tibetan villages like Shyanta also embed the terrain before finally reaching Chhepka. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Chhepka.

After an early breakfast, you will continue on the trail that leads to Jharana. The pathway traverses through cedar forests and you can see amazing views of the Bheri Valley. The trail then starts an uphill slope and you can see Phoksundo Lake’s gorge forming the valley ridge. Before you reach Jharana, you will pass by a small settlement that is mainly used as a winter commune by the herders. Along the journey, you will also come across Jharana- one of the highest and the most beautiful waterfalls of Nepal, formed by the draining of the Phoksundo Lake. The village, named after the waterfall, is located just a few kilometers further. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Jharana.

From the village, the trekking trail coruscates through the grasslands of the Dolpa valley towards Ringmo- a traditional village occupied by people of Tibetan ethnicity. Most of the people of Ringmo follow the Bönpo faith and are mostly engaged in trading, yak herding, and tourism. Ringmo sits on a landslide dam that forms the Phoksundo Lake and presents good views of the ravines that form the Phoksundo Gorge. Ringmo is a lively place with children herding goats, and baby, kids skipping through the village. You can see women sat on the ground in front of the stone and mud houses (often with a yak parked in a stone corral) weaving on long, narrow looms. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Ringmo.

Following the chartreuse landscape with the path going under shimmering gossamers of rhododendron groves, you will reach Phoksundo Lake. It is a beautiful sight to behold; the glimmering lake is a deep turquoise color and presents an almost mirage-like ambiance. The lake is also a great place to experience Bön culture. You will also visit the Tshowa Gompa that stands in a magnificent location overlooking the Lake. The Gompa is occupied by Bönpo monks in red woolen tunics with yellow caps and bead necklaces. The Gompa holds vivid wall paintings similar to those in Buddhist Gombas, as well as wooden statues of deities. It also harbors a carved, painted post resembling a totem pole. After exploring the lake and the Gompa, you will return to your guesthouse for an overnight stay.

You will have an early breakfast and leave the beautiful lake behind, following the trail that ascends to a hill. The sight of the entire Lake can be seen for the first time from the hill ridge. From there, you will slowly descend to the banks of the Phoksundo River. Along the way, you will pass by villages like Chunuwar and Rechi before finally reaching Chhepka. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Chhepka.

The trail follows the Phoksundo River once again. Crossing the river, you will enter the Bheri Valley where you can enjoy the rocky landscape. The valley is a huge blanketing pasture where herds of goat and yaks graze under the warm sun. You will trek along the banks of the Bheri River, heading east through maple and walnut woods. Along the way, you will pass by villages like Dunai and Kalagauda. Overnight stay at the guesthouse at Juphal.

You will bid the Dolpo valley goodbye and take a flight back to Nepalgunj. From there, it's another short flight back to the capital. Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.