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Phoksundo Lake Short Trek

Phoksundo Lake, Phoksundo, Nepal

Trekking in Nepal

Duration

12 Days

Trip Difficulty

Easy

Group Size

Unlimited

Max.altitude

3611.5 M

Trip Overview

Phoksundo lake short trek is a short 12 days trek in Nepal. This trek lets you indulge yourself in the beauty of Phoksundo Lake. Also, it lets you taste the magnificence beauty of Shey Phoksundo national park and other glories of the Dolpo region. You can avoid the most common trekking routes like Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and try less crowded but interesting places like the Dolpo region. Phoksundo Lake is one of the most treasured tourist destinations in Nepal. In addition, the azure lake of Phoksundo with the mirroring image of Kanjirowa massif looks very heavenly. Its beauty is beyond any words of description.

As a matter of fact, during the trek, you can get insights into the diverse nature and culture of the Dolpo region. The lush Himalayan forests and traditional style houses are one of the many things to cherish. You can see Tibetan style houses built-in these areas. And the Bon Po religion practiced in this area is unique in its own kind. The trekking route to Phoksundo Lake can be considered relatively easy as you will not have to pass through any high passes in the Himalayan region. The untouched pristine nature with the views of Mt. Kanjirowa looks splendid. As well the route which passes through Shey Phoksundo National Park which is home to many rare species of birds and animals. If lucky, you may encounter blue sheep, jackal, mountain goat or snow leopard. Therefore, Shey Phoksundo National Park is also popular for the medicinal herbs it possesses.

So, are you ready for this mystical journey to Shey Phoksundo Lake with Himal Eco Treks? Phoksundo Lake short trek is an ideal trek for you if you want to visit the Dolpo region of Nepal with some time constraints. Your journey starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, one of the hottest cities in Nepal near the Indian border. The flight is followed by another flight that takes you to Juphal from where you start your actual trekking journey. You pass places like Suligad, Cheka, Amchi Hospital to Shey Phoksundo Lake. You wander around the lake and spend your time applauding the beauty of Phoksundo Lake and Mt. Kanjirowa. Therefore, after having enough of appreciation, you retrace your journey back to Kathmandu city via the same route.

Trip-related travel blog: Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek – Travel Blog

Highlights

Walk along the spectacular landscape of the Trans Himalayan mountains
Visit the pristine and azure lake of Shey Phoksundo
Get some insights into the unique Bon Po religion
Experience the rural areas of Nepal and learn about their traditional culture and lifestyle
Nepal’s highest waterfall – Suligad waterfall
An opportunity to encounter unique species of floras and faunas

Cost Include

Accommodation for nights spent at the hotel in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj inclusive of breakfast at the hotel.
Flight to/from Nepalgunj and Juphal.
All the road transport along with pick up and drop at the airport upon your arrival and departure.
Kathmandu Sightseeing tour inclusive of the entry fees, a travel guide and a private vehicle.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek.
The accommodation in tented camps throughout trek.
A guide and a porter to assist you throughout your journey and permit to all the park
Permit fees of Shey Phoksundo National Park/ restricted area of Upper Dolpo.
Fees to be paid for Trekkers Information Management System – TIMS. (Note : You are required to bring two passport size photo for this purpose)
All other government fees and taxes.
All Nepali staff insurance
All necessary trekking gear
First aid safety kit with basic medicines essential

Cost Exclude

Nepal Entry visa fees.
Meals (lunch, dinner) during the stay in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj
Airfare from your country to Nepal.
Snacks, soft drink during the trek.
Personal trekking equipment are not provided by HET
Tips to the guide, porter, driver or any other trekking staff
Excess baggage charge
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, early departure from the trek or due to any reason from the planned itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day

Arrive at the Tribhuwan International airport in Kathmandu. A representative from our team will pick you up at the airport and escort you to the hotel for check in. Enjoy rest of the day by discovering around thamel. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu airport to Nepalgunj

We take an early flight to Nepalgunj. Upon your arrival, you will be escorted to a hotel in Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is one of the hottest places in Nepal. It is also a border city near India. In the evening you can wander around the city. If interested, you will be escorted to a popular temple in Nepalgunj called Bageshwori temple. Overnight at a hotel in Nepalgunj.

Day 3: Nepalgunj – flight to Jhupal – Trek to Suligad

We start our day with a flight to Juphal. A flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal is short and you will be pleased with the journey as you can get beautiful views of snow caped mountains from your set inside. Upon arrival, you will be glad to see the drastic change in climate, atmosphere and landscape in just short period of time. From a hot plain land you will find yourself amidst the mountainous villages with cool air. We initiate our trekking journey from Juphal with a walk down the fields to Thuli Bheri river. We cross a long suspension bridge over Dhim Bridge and enter Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP). We continue walking until we reach Suligad for our night stay. Overnight in a teahouse (hut) in Suligad.

Day 4: Trek to Chekpa(2720msl)

Today, we pass Suligad and follow Suli Khola River. On the way, we can get a glimpse of Dhaulagiri Range. We further pass villages like Kageni and Sangta. We pass through forest of wild flowers, pine tree, spruce, fir, juniper and small bamboo forests. We cross other side of river and climb up high rocky slope and continue until we reach Chhepka. We will stay at a teahouse at a small beautiful village in Chhepka for the night.

Day 5: Trek to Amchi Hospital(3110msl)

We continue walking through lush pine forests with some bushes and birches. Our trail follows a river for most of the time and the path goes easy and flat. Some ups and downs may be encountered in between. As we move ahead, valley gets narrower at some point with rocky towering walls on both sides. We may encounter dzokpas hauled up with goods and traders on the way. We walk for around four hours to Rechi village from where our trail continue to other side of river to Chunuwar. We visit Amchi hospital on the way where Tibetan medicines and local herds are prescribed to patients. The popular Tibetan acupuncture treatment is provided here and many local rely on the treatment of this hospital. We will stay at a guesthouse for overnight.

Day 6: Trek to Phokshundo Lake(3600msl)

Today we take a long and steep climb up to Rigmo and then to Phoksundo lake. It takes around two hours to reach there. We will encounter a stunning waterfall before reaching the Phoksundo lake. It is the highest waterfall in Nepal and is also popularly known as Phoksundo Waterfall or Suligad Waterfall. As we cross the pass, we get a glimpse of beautiful Phoksundo Lake. As we continue along our trail, we reach Ringmo. Rigmo is a beautiful village where we will find traditional people who practice Bonpo religion and preserve their culture that goes thousands of year back. The religion holds a history marked 18000 years back and was founded by Buddha Tonpa Shenrab Miwo. In ancient time, Dolpo being a Bon kingdom, there were people who practiced this religion. Today we stay at a guesthouse in Ringmo for the night.

Day 7: Rest day at Phokshundo Lake

As we move higher, we need to adapt ourselves with the rising elevation. Therefore, today, we spend our day in Ringmo for acclimatization. We spend our day wandering around the azure high altitude Phoksundo Lake in the backdrop of beautiful mountains. After that, we explore the Ringmo village, interact with the locals and get some insights on unique Bon religion practiced in this area. We spend another day at Rimgo at a guesthouse.

Day 8: Trek to Chekpa(2720msl)

In the morning, we walk up to the Phoksundo Lake and explore around the beautiful scenery around. The azure lake in the pristine environment looks fabulous. We walk for around three and half hours to Rechi and then again for another three and half hours to Chhepka. Our walk for the day is wonderful as we walk through the beautiful forest most of the time amidst the pine and birch forests. We will stay at a teahouse in Chhepka for the night.

Day 9: Trek to Dunai

Leaving Chekpa, we retrace our journey back to Dunai. We walk along the beautiful forests of wild flowers, pine tree, spruce, fir, juniper and small bamboo forests. We retrace our steps through Kageni and Sanga villages to Suligad to Dunai. Overnight stay at Dunai. Dunai is a headquarter of the Dolpa district. Overnight stay at a guesthouse.

Day 10: Trek to Jhupal(2475msl)

Today we bid goodbye to Shey Phoksundo National Park and retrace our steps back to Jhupal. Overnight stay at Juphal in a guesthouse.

Day 11: Nepalgunj to Kathmandu

Today, we take a flight back to Nepalgunj. As soon we arrive in Nepalgunj, we take another flight that takes us to the capital city – Kathmandu. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and take rest for a while. You can spend rest of the day on your own. Stay at the hotel for the night.

Day 12: Departure day

After 11 days long companionship, it’s time to bid you a goodbye! Your guide will escort you to the airport for your journey ahead. Hope you had a good time with us.