Shey Phoksundo Trek, trek to one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in Nepal which is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and spectacular scenery. You’ll be completely immersed in the beauty of the lake that changes its colors throughout the day. The scenic beauty surrounding the lake is no less than the beauty of any mountain. 

Shey Phoksundo Trek Introduction

Shey Phoksundo Lake, which lies inside the Shey Phoksundo National Park is one of the most iconic tourist spots in the Dolpo region. The district is also a significant territorial district among many beautiful places in Nepal. The beautiful blend of nature and culture can be a once-in-a-lifetime must-experience destination.

The trek is completely in the remote area of the country which falls among the fairly easy trek in Nepal. It is a 9-day long trip from Kathmandu which can be longer or shorter depending on the hours you’ll want to spend on the walk.

Dolpa, the home to the Shey Phoksundo Lake and beautiful gompas is among the few places that might steal your heart. The place is also home to Tsowa Gompa, the last remaining monasteries of the ancient Bonpo culture. 

The mesmerizing Phoksundo Lake has a splendid beauty due to the reflecting backdrop of the Kanjirowa massif. The wide range of spectacular and beautiful landscapes offered by the lake can make your journey worthwhile. 

Shey Phoksundo Trek: Highlights

• Experience the beauty of the most iconic Phoksundo Lake.
• Explore the holiest land of Bonpo.
• Be a part of the culture of Tibet in the Ringmo village.
• You can also witness the crystal clear waterfall.
• Roam around the 800-year-old monastery of the Tsowa Gompa.
• An important place in nature is a habitat for diverse flora and fauna.
• Ideal for those who want to study botanical science.
• Witness the Blue Sheep, Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, and Tibetan Argali.

When is the best time to visit Shey Phoksundo Lake?

The best time to visit the Shey Phoksundo Lake is especially in the Spring and Autumn season. You can plan your trip as the seasons:

1. Spring Season(Mar to May): Most of the trekkers claim that spring is the best season for the lake. With the best climatic conditions, you can also get the best views of spectacular and colorful rhododendrons blooming in the season. You will experience a beautiful temperature during this season, and the weather is also perfect. You will get the fascinating aspect of Dhaulagiri and other mountains during this period.
    
2. Autumn Season(September to November): Autumn season can be the best trekking season for Shey Phoksundo Lake because of the lovely weather and moderate temperatures. In this season, the days are usually sunny, which allows you to look at the superb view of the mountains and the beautiful landscapes. 
    
3. Winter Season(December to February): It is well known that winter is always hard in Nepal, especially in the higher altitudes so it might be hard to trek to the Shey Phoksundo Lake in the season. Shey Phuksundo Lake is situated at an altitude of 3,600 meters high, so the trek won’t be much challenging since the trek isn’t at higher altitudes. It might be cold, but Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek will be still feasible.
    
4. Summer Season(June to August): The Summer season in Nepal is in the rainy season. The rainy season brings hot, humid weather, with most trekking areas seeing cloudy skies and rain. The path to the lake might also get damaged due to the rain which might make the trek difficult. 

As a result, we can claim that the best seasons for a trek to Phoksundo Lake are during the spring and autumn season. The Dolpo region trekking is the best destination to avoid crowds on the most popular trekking trails of Nepal.

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek Permit Cost

As the restricted areas ask for entry permits, Shey Phoskundo National Park also requires specific entry permits. The Shey Phoksundo National Park is a large national park that covers a wide area from Lower Dolpo to Upper Dolpo. The costs for Lower Dolpo Permit costs US$ 20 per week, whereas the Shey Phoksundo National Park entry fee is US $30 per person. 

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek Map

Shey Phoksundo Trek Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival day at Kathmandu (1,300m/4,265ft) 

Accommodation: Overnight at a 4-star Hotel

One of our representatives will be waiting for you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. After short introductions, you head to your hotel and go for refreshments. After refreshing, you will join the representative and guides for the dinner and short introduction session. 

Day 2:Kathmandu to Nepalgunj by flight (150m/492ft)| 1 hrs. 

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house

You will take an early flight to Nepalginj from Kathmandu. You will get some time to refresh yourself in the hotel. You will have plenty of time to explore the famous sites of Nepalgunj. Some of the famous places in Nepalgunj are the Bageshwori Temple, the Glass Cutters Lane, and the market areas bordering India. If there is time left before dinner, you can also go for a short visit to the Bardia National Park. Overnight stay at the Nepalgunj.

Day 3:Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal /35 mins. and trek from Juphal to Dunai (2150m/7054ft)| 3 hrs. 

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house

After an early breakfast, you will go to the Nepalgunj airport to catch an early flight to Juphal. It is a small village that is the starting point of our Phoksundo Trek. You will meet your local guide at the airport. We will start our trek and head to Dunai further. The trail will lead you to the banks of the Bheri River, passing by Roop Ghar, which is famous for its watermill. Overnight at Dunai.

Day 4:Trekking from Dunai to Chhepka (2670m/8760ft)| 6-7 hrs. 

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house 

After an early breakfast, we will start our trek. We will walk once again along the banks of the Bheri River. After you leave Dunai, you will cross the river and head north of the river to reach the first village of the trek which is named Sulighat. You can see the checkpoint of the Shey Phoksundo National Park located there. From here onwards, you will walk through the walnut and maple forests, and come across Shyanta before finally reaching Chhepka. 

Day 5:Trekking from Chhepka to Jharana Hotel (3038m/9967ft)| 5-6 hrs. 

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house

You will be following the trail leading to Jharana after an early breakfast. The trail will take you along with cedar forests to experience the amazing views of the Bheri Valley. The trail goes uphill eventually. You can also see the beautiful Phoksundo Lake’s gorge from here. Once you take some time to witness the beautiful Jharana- one of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Nepal, you will then head to the Jharana village for an overnight stay.

Day 6:Trek from the Jharana Hotel to Shey Phoksundo Lake (3,612 m/11850ft)| 5-6 hrs 

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house

You will trek to the main destination- Phoksundo Lake on the sixth day of the trek. You will have an early breakfast which will be then followed by the trail that goes through birch forests. Then the trail takes you along the Phoksundo River. Eventually, after crossing the river, you will reach Ringmo, a rustic Tibetan village. You will have your lunch in the beautiful Tibetan village. After resting for a while, the trek continues along the banks of the river.

Day 7:Exploration day at the Shey Phoksundo Lake- Rest day

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house 

This will be a rest day around Shey Phoksundo Lake. You will explore the surroundings of the turquoise-colored lake on a beautiful day. From here, you can also see the amazing views of Mt. Kanjirowa and other peaks. Enjoying the serenity of the lake and its surroundings can be the best activity for you. You can spend some time exploring the Tshowa Gompa, located at the ridge of the lake, which is an important site for Buddhists. You can also visit the monasteries and religious sites of the neighboring villages like Ringmo in the remaining time. 

Day 8:Trek from the Shey Phoksundo lLaketo Shyanta (2520m/8268ft)/ 6-7 hrs 

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house

You will have an early breakfast near the lake and leave the beautiful lake behind to follow the trail. The trail will first ascend to a hill where you can see the entire lake for the last time. From the hill, your trail will start to descend to the banks of the Phoksundo River. Along the way, you will then pass by the villages like Chunuwar and Rechi. After crossing these places, the trail will then descend to Chhepka and finally reach Shyanta.

Day 9:Trekking from Shyanta to Juphal (2475m/8120ft)| 5-6 hrs

Accommodation: Lodge/tea house

After having an early breakfast, you will hit the trail again. The trail will take you alongside the Phoksundo River. Again, crossing the river, you will enter the Bheri Valley once again. You can also enjoy the rocky and picturesque views of the landscape on the way back. Trekking along the banks of the Bheri River, we will again enter maple and walnut forests, walking eastwards. Along the way to Juphal, we will again pass by villages like Dunai and Kalagauda to reach Juphal. 

Day 10:Flight back from Juphal to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu(1300m/4265ft) 

Accommodation: Overnight at 4-star 

From Juphal, you will take the first flight back to Nepalgunj. After reaching Nepalgunj, you will have your breakfast there. After taking breakfast, you will then catch the flight back to Kathmandu. Our staff will transfer you back to the hotel. You can choose to relax in your hotel. Or you can also go shopping for souvenirs before ending the day with a farewell dinner in one of the typical Nepal restaurants.

Day 11:Final Departure from Kathmandu

Finally, ly the trek is completed. Make sure that you have all your belongings with you. Our staff will drop you bidding-ding goodbye-bye at the airport as per your flight schedule. 

Finally, the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek completes. The amazing journey to the beautiful lake is a journey you must take. Plan your trip with Nepal Vision Treks to explore the Dolpo region and its unexplored beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Shey Phoksundo National Park famous?
   Phoksundo Lake is well-known for its stunning turquoise hue, and the breathtaking views place it among the world's most picturesque mountain parks. A typical Tibetan settlement called Ringmo is picturesquely tucked away. Near and above the lake area, there are many stunning glaciers to be seen.
    
2. How come Phoksundo Lake is blue?
   The lake's absence of any animal life makes it intriguing. A remarkable characteristic of the Lake is that it can change color. Despite being known for its rich aquamarine hue, the lake's color varies depending on the amount of light that hits it.
    
3. What is the depth of the Shey Phoksundo lake?
   145 m
   The Shey Phoksundo Lake is 14in 5m depth.
    
4. Is Shey Phoksundo Lake the deepest lake in Nepal?
   The Shey Phoksundo Lake, located in Shey Phoksundo National Park, is the deepest in Nepal at 145 meters.
    
5. How difficult is the Shey Phoksundo Lake trek?
   The Shey Phoksundo trek is one of the easiest treks as it doesn’t takes you to a very higher altitude.