Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek
Detailed 10-Day Itinerary
Your Journey, Step by Step
Arrive in Kathmandu & Trek Preparation
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are surrounded by a whirlwind of ancient temples, vibrant bazaars, and crazy streets. The day is spent preparing for the trek – permits, any additional equipment, and a briefing session with your guide, who is going to guide you across the Himalayas. If you have an early morning flight out, why not get some of Kathmandu’s amazing UNESCO landmarks off the agenda? Stroll through centuries-old palace structures at Kathmandu Durbar Square and see Newari architecture in its best light. Tonight, enjoy a fine welcome dinner on which we will organize the fine adventure to come.
Fly to Nepalgunj (150m/492ft.)
Take a panoramic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj today! See how quickly the scenery changes from Kathmandu’s soft rolling hills to Nepalgunj’s flat plains along the Indian border. Our multicultured city is our gateway to western Nepal’s adventure.
Here on this arrival, go for a walk with a walk through the Nepalgunj markets where Hindu and Muslim tastes blend in unusual ways. Feel the temperature change as the tropical heat closes in. Cozy night in your hotel tonight – off to the mountains tomorrow!
Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2,850m/9,348ft) and trek to Dunai (2,320m/7,610ft.)
The adventure begins with a bang and an early morning 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Juphal. Buckle up as we touch down at this small Himalayan airstrip surrounded by awesome Himalayan vista in every direction. We commence your trek immediately from the airstrip, descending through graded field and nice villages and scenic Bheri River to Dunai.
Dunai is Dolpo’s jewel – a small town where rock towns congregate under multicolored prayer flags fluttering in mountain breezes. Walk through bazaars, interact with the hospitable locals, and acclimatize the body to higher elevation before proceeding with the trek to this mysterious world.
Trek to Chhepka (2,838m/9,311ft.)
Today’s hike takes us hiking through the scenic Phoksundo River as we make our ascent via pine and fir forests filled with fragrances. We take a break at Sulighat where we are processing permits at entrance gates of Shey Phoksundo National Park. Keep camera handy as vista opens up to massive cliffs and waterfalls plunging.
Take care for wildlife along the way – naughty langur monkeys, lovely Himalayan monals, and if we are very fortunate, even a glimpse of the snow leopard! We will reach somewhere in mid-afternoon the village of Chhepka, a serene village with enormous pine forest where the peacefulness of the villagers and welcoming smile on their face makes it an experience which no one can ever forget.
Jharana Waterfall Trek (3,369m/11,056ft)
We move higher today into the pristine wild of Dolpo along magical rhododendron, birch, and juniper forests. The soothing gurgle of Phoksundo River shall be our loyal friend as we climb higher. Feel the air dry and clean as giant snow-white giants dominate the horizon.
The piece de resistance of the day is reaching Jharana Waterfall – Nepal’s highest waterfall, which falls 330 meters from the way-down-through-harsh-cliffs. Being in front of this mighty fall as it roars into jade canopies is a memory that will last a lifetime. We sleep in a lodge nearby, with the roar of the waterfall in the background as we sleep.
Trek to Ringmo Tibetan Village & Shey Phoksundo Lake (3,600m/11,811ft)
Finally, we make it to the best part of the trek – breathtaking Shey Phoksundo Lake! Our walk consists of boulder-field and pine forest trails to get to Ringmo, a real Tibetan village filled with Bon and Buddhist tradition. Walk past old mud-brick homes, ancient chortens, and prayer flags with blessings on them floating in the sky.
Just beyond Ringmo, be ready to be mesmerized by the vision of Shey Phoksundo Lake – its heavenly turquoise water surrounded by perpendicular cliffs and snow-covered mountains. The color of the lake miraculously shifts with the color of the sun. We will be staying overnight on these sacred shores, surrounded by the profound peace of this Himalayan treasure.
Visit Shey Phoksundo Lake & Tshowa Gompa
Spend a full day exploring this magical country! We will hike up to 900-year-old Tshowa Gompa monastery beautifully sitting above the lake. This monastery is holy for both the adepts of Buddhism and Bon. The hike pays off with such breathtaking views over the lake and the surrounding glaciers.
Take some time strolling along the lakeshore, in awe of harsh contrast of rock cliffs and beautiful blue lake. There is something intensely poignant in Shey Phoksundo – perhaps it’s the spiritual energy or perhaps only the untainted beauty which few tourists ever have the opportunity to witness. Following a day of mystical exploration, we return to our lakeshore lodge.
Return to Chhepka (2,670m/8,758ft.)
Recalling Shey Phoksundo fondly, we set off again in our direction back, taking the same path downwards to Chhepka. Descent is enriched by stunning Himalayan vistas, green forests, and the Phoksundo River that still stays with us on our journey. Once again, we are going through Ringmo village, with yet another chance to enjoy its unique cultural flavor.
The hike leads us through dense pine and fir forests, that nourish body and spirit. We might meet local shepherds with their yaks who accompany them on the trek – a glimpse of a life so little changed from centuries ago. Late afternoon we arrive at Chheppa, where we camp and exchange tales of our incredible journey.
Juphal Trek (2,320m/7,601ft.) and fly to Nepalgunj & Kathmandu
We begin our trek with a morning hike early from Chhepka to Juphal on a downhill scenic trail going through villages and dense forest. We go past Sulighat and Dunai, experiencing the final views of remote Dolpo. We spend midday in Juphal, the portal of the outside world, and bid farewell to the trails which have led us to this grand region of Nepal.
Without delay, we board our afternoon flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and enjoy the bird’s-eye view of the diverse landscape below us. We fly out of Nepalgunj on our connecting flight to Kathmandu, and the gentle contrast of tranquil Himalayas and city sidewalks welcomes us home. On board the flight, rest at your hotel or visit the capital city for the final time before our celebratory farewell dinner, at which we commemorate our successful expedition and the friendships we have formed along the way.
Departure from Kathmandu or Tour Extension
Your Nepal experience ends today. Depending on flight schedules, you may have time to fit in some last-minute shopping or take part in any of the Kathmandu sightseeing activities that didn’t fit your itinerary. Want more? Tour extensions are available – an optional trek, cultural observing, or Chitwan National Park wildlife safari. When the time finally comes to depart, our representative from Bold Himalaya will escort you to the airport, bidding farewell to an adventure that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Inclusions
What’s Covered in Your Adventure
- All ground transportation
- All Domestic flight tickets (Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Jhuphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu)
- One Experienced Mountain Guide with their (food, accommodation, salary, Insurance)
- One assistance guide (If group are more than 6pax)
- One porter to carry luggage of two guests with their(food, accommodation, salary, Insurance)
- All accommodation during the trip(4-Star accommodation in Kathmandu, 3-Star accommodation in Nepajung & Local Trekking lodge in Shey Phoksundo trekking route)
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with tea or coffee)
- Necessary equipment Down Jacket, Trekking Pole, and sleeping Bag(Return after Trek)
- Necessary permits: Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit, TIMS Card(Trekkers Information Management System) Restricted Area Permit
- One special welcome cultural dinner show and farewell dinner program
- Duffle Bag, T-shirt, and Trip certificate
- First Aid items
- Emergency Evacuation and Support
- All Government, Local taxes & Service charges
- International Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Tips for the trekking crew
- Dessert and Bar Bills
Good to Know Before Trekking to Shey Phoksundo Lake
Things to Remember
Expect to pay $1,300 to $2,000 for this journey, depending on how comfortable you want to be. This variation in cost is your accommodation choice (budget teahouses or more up-market lodges), air travel costs, eating style, and whether you use porters. A group trek will be less expensive than a private trek. Your package typically covers permits, internal flights, meals, and accommodations – but have some additional cash for individual spending, trail snacks, and any extra sightseeing in Kathmandu.
The whole trek is around 70-80 km (44-50 miles) round travel, and it will take about 10-11 days with rest days for acclimatization. You’ll be walking 5-7 hours daily in remote villages, dense forest, mountain ridge, and along spectacular waterfalls. You’ll start from Juphal and ascend slowly to 3,600m (11,811ft) at Phoksundo Lake, walking on a mix of easy trails and steeper ascents on diverse landscapes. It is all so very worth the effort!
From Pokhara? You would have to first take a 1-hour flight from Pokhara to Nepalgunj, and then another flight to Juphal (35 minutes), approximately. There is no direct flight from Pokhara to Juphal. If you are on a very limited budget, you can travel from Pokhara to Nepalgunj by jeep, or bus (10-12 hours), and then fly to Juphal. It takes around longer time but is less expensive.
Yes, you can drive to Shey Phoksundo fully by road, but hold your breath for a ride in itself! Drive by jeep or bus from Pokhara or Kathmandu to Surkhet or Nepalgunj (10-15 hours), and another dusty jeep ride (10-12 hours) to Dunai or Jajarkot. And then a 3-4 days trek to Shey Phoksundo. This one saves you money but is time-consuming and tests your patience with a bumpy off-road drive.
No extravagance on this trek! There’s everything from crude teahouses to comparatively nicer lodges. Basic family-run places are most prevalent in the villages, with twin beds, blankets, and communal showers. The fare is hearty and filling – lots of dal bhat (rice and lentils), noodles, momos (dumplings), chapati, eggs, potatoes, and even yak meat in some establishments. As you go higher, the options diminish. Smart trekkers carry energy bars and comfort foods to serve quick pick-me-ups along the way.
Time to disconnect! Cellular coverage is sporadic at best in the Shey Phoksundo region. Ncell and NTC SIM cards will probably work in smaller villages, but after Dunai, signals fizzle out or disappear. There are a few teahouses that offer satellite Wi-Fi as an added fee. Solar charges are accessible for most lodges, but there will be $2-$5 per charge for charging your equipment. A working power bank is a definite necessity for this hike!
This trek is in the difficult to challenging category. Why? Long days of walking, high altitude, and remote from anywhere. While Shey Phoksundo Lake is at 3,600m, which is not high for altitude sickness, some trekkers still become a bit sick. The trail toughens you up – steep ups, river crossings, rocky trails, and forest trails. Some experience of trekking is helpful, but good fitness is essential. Get fit before you get here!
In a hurry or lacking energy? Go on a helicopter tour to this amazing lake without trekking all the way there. The tours leave from Pokhara or Kathmandu and are 3-4 hours round-trip and give you stunning helicopter vistas of the Himalayas, Dolpo river valleys, and that amazingly blue lake. A private flight will cost $2,500 to $4,500, depending on how many you have with you and where you are leaving from. It is perfect for people who are time-strapped or who are immobile.
- Permits Required: Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Dolpo ($20/week) and Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit ($30/person).
- ATM and Money: No ATMs past Dunai! Bring plenty of Nepali rupees.
- Drinking Water: Bottled water gets expensive up here. Bring water purification tablets or a filter.
- Guide and Porter Hire: Solo is possible, but a guide ($25-$30/day) and porter ($20-$25/day) do much to ease it and benefit local families.
- Cultural Sensitivity: You’re visiting a Tibetan-influenced region – greet locals with “Tashi Delek,” and don’t touch sacred things without permission. Respect works miracles here!
FAQs
Your Questions, Answered
Yes! You will need a Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit and a Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit. Don’t even bother filling out the forms – these are arranged through any licensed trekking agency.
You’ll be at a bit over 3,600m (11,811ft) at Shey Phoksundo Lake itself – high enough to have super views but not too high.
No experience is necessary! But you should be in top physical shape because you’ll be trekking several hours each day and doing a lot of climbing.
You can trek on your own, but we really recommend it with a guide and porter. Not only will they guide you down the trail, but they’ll also impart some of that interesting cultural knowledge and carry those monster backpacks so you can sit and enjoy the views.
Be careful of cold nights! It gets cold at night, especially during spring and autumn. Bring the warm clothing along!
As you will be walking at an altitude of above 3,500m, yes, you will get altitude sickness. Ascend gradually, drink plenty of water, and stay hydrated, and adhere to your acclimatization rules as advised by your guide so that you don’t risk your life.
You cannot – the lake is holy to the locals, Buddhists and Bon adherents as they are. Have respect for such a culture when you are there.
No ATMs after Nepalgunj! Make sure that you have sufficient cash with you with which to cover all the expenses of trekking.
Be on the lookout for Himalayan blue sheep, musk deer, yaks, and avifauna at altitude. If really fortunate, you might even get a glimpse of the snow leopard (no guarantee on this one).
Yes! Trekkers and adventurers can explore Upper Dolpo, trek to Rara Lake, or even connect with sections of the Great Himalayan Trail for a premier adventure.
Reviews
What Our Travelers Say
Based on 0 ratings
0
View OurSimilar Packages
Discover our top tours, loved by thousands of travelers annually. Choose the adventure that inspires you and embark on a journey tailored to your desires.
Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek Via Upper Dolpo
Highligh Graze over the turquoise waters of Lake Phoksundo One of...
Nepal Tour Packages
5 (149)
24.0 DaysPrice Upon Request
The Great Himalaya Trail
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) is one of the highest and... Nepal Tour Packages 88.0 DaysPrice Upon Request
Rara lake short trek
The short and easy trek to Rara Lake is a wonderful... Nepal Tour Packages 5.0 DaysPrice Upon Request
Rara to Upper Dolpo Trek | Jumla Rara Dolpo Trekking
Highlight- ü Explore remote areas of western region. ü Visit ancient monasteries of... Nepal Tour Packages 28.0 DaysPrice Upon Request
Save 25%
10 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp is the base camp of the world’s 10th highest... Nepal Tour Packages 10.0 Days
