The Phoksundo Lake Trek escapes the clamor of modern life, nestled in Nepal’s remote Lower Dolpo district. It is one of the most isolated hiking trails in Nepal’s far west. This trekking zone is secluded, unspoiled, and untanned, with just a few trekkers passing through, making it one of Nepal’s most calm and serene treks. It is a short and very simple hiking path that leads to Nepal’s enchanting and pristine Phoksundo Lake.
The Lower Dolpo trail is unquestionably a hidden gem, renowned for its secluded high Himalayan valleys, you’ll pass through picturesque traditional villages such as Dunai, Chhepka, Jharana, Ringmo, and Jhupal on this enchanting trek. Shey Phoksundo National Park and Phoksundo Lake are the highlights of the 10-day Phoksundo Lake Trek. Aside from unrivaled natural beauty, you’ll get the opportunity to witness the pre-Buddhist Bon-Po religion. Phoksundo Lake Journey is a wonderful choice for true explorers who wish to enjoy an off-the-beaten-path trek in a short amount of time.
Overview
Unlike the other far west trekking trails, the Phoksundo Lake Trek starts with a flight from Terai city Nepalgunj, to tiny mountain airstrips, and then to Jhupal, the trek’s primary starting point, you’ll begin your journey from Jhupal to Dunai hiking along the Beni River’s bank.
The Phoksundo trip passes across a variety of scenery, including high river basins and alpine meadows. Further, you will trek from Chhepka village to Phoksundo Lake, an enigmatic lake hidden deep in the rugged highlands of the lower Dolpo valley.
You’ll come across Jharana village, where you will be treated to a magnificent vista of the glistening waterfall. From here, continue your journey to Ringmo, a Tibetan village, encountering primitive lifestyles here, and the only way to learn about them is to walk across this territory, so you may go to the village and engage in conversation with the inhabitants. The majority of the people that inhabit this village are Tibetan descendants. They used to travel here to trade, and Tibetan influence may still be seen in their culture, language, and religion.
Phoksundo trail
A laid-back Phoksundo hiking route is also an excellent choice for people looking for solitary hikes off the main path, you’ll continue your journey from Ringmo village via the scenic Phoksundo trail, which will take you to Nepal’s secluded and tranquil Shey Phoksundo region. Shey Phoksundo region is regarded for its enticing natural beauty, breathtaking mountain vistas, and vibrant culture. You’ll enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience here, with unique surroundings and an awe-inspiring ambiance with plenty of time to tour the Phoksundo Lake area and Tshowa monastery, you’ll travel back through the less crowded trail after exploring and absorbing the spectacular snowy peaks and Phoksundo lake scenery.
The Phoksundo trekking path leads you deep into Nepal’s far western region’s unspoiled and wilderness areas, where you can experience the true beauty of nature and learn about the people’s unique culture. This brief adventurous Phoksundo Lake Trek will conclude with flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj and then a flight to Kathmandu.
Meals and Drinking Water:
Trekkers in Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, and Manaslu can choose from a menu featuring both international and ethnic Nepali cuisine. Local lodges, staffed by well-trained cooks, prioritize hygiene and freshness, offering delicious meals prepared with fresh ingredients. All teahouses provide safe drinking water, either filtered or bottled. If you buy a water purification tablet from Kathmandu you can take water from the tap and purify it by yourself, this will be cheaper and control plastic pollution as well.
Travel Insurance:
All clients participating in any activity must have travel insurance. Personal injury, death, hospital expenditures, repatriation fees, helicopter rescue, and any other disease covered by the insurance plan will be given, we highly advise you to acquire a comprehensive insurance plan from a trustworthy insurance company.
Passport and Visa
Every client must have a valid passport from the return date with a 6 months prior validity by the Nepalese consulate in your country or immigration office at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Equipment lists
- Find the guidelines regarding essential trekking gears.
- Daypack above 40 liters. (Must be waterproof)
- Down jacket (rental available)
- Warm sleeping bag (rental available)
- Sun head, gulf cap, sunglasses, headlamp, and torchlight.
- Ear-muffs, sun Lotions/sun cream.
- One pair of liner gloves is thin wool and synthetic.
- Cotton t-shirts, Synthetic t-shirt.
- Two Long sleeve polyester or synthetic lightweight for sunny days.
- One Soft-shell jacket water & wind resist.
- One swimming dress.
- Inner clothes as your requirement.
- Liner socks, woolen socks.
- Proper trekking shoes.
- Imodium or Pepto Bismo capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Diamox for altitude sickness. The guide will help you to take it.
- One small personal-sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as moleskin, bands, anti-infection ointments, muscle relief ointments.
Important Note:
Your safety is of paramount importance to us at the Female Guide Holiday. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary. If necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake we will cancel the trip. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full cooperation to the trusted leader appointed by FGH. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.
Itinerary
Nestled in a deep valley, Kathmandu is surrounded by rolling green hills. The city is a collection of traditional and contemporary, with historic areas dating back to the Middle Ages as well as modern city architecture. Once you arrive at the airport terminal, our representative will welcome you assist you to the hotel, and help you to check in. Your trekking guide will give you a pre-hike briefing later that evening. Check your trekking gears, and if you've missed anything, you may rent or buy it from any of it from shops around Thamel. Thamel, a major tourist attraction, boasts a range of shops selling and renting hiking gear.
Today you'll board a morning flight to Nepalgunj, which takes around 45 minutes. Once you arrive at the airport, you'll be transported to your accommodation, and you'll have plenty of time to explore the city
After breakfast, drive to Nepalgunj's airfield to board an early morning flight to Juphal, you'll begin your trek after landing at Juphal airfield following the path to Dunai. The path gradually changed as it passed through verdant meadows and softly descended to Kalighat, continue walking down Thulo Bheri's riverside, passing Roop Ghar's watermill, and arriving at Dunai. It is the district headquarters and the largest settlement in the Dolpo district bordered by verdant hills on the banks of the Thulo Bheri River. Explore the village and learn about the residents, their culture, and their way of life by visiting the local marketplace in Dunai.
You'll begin your hike on a wooded trail with breathtaking natural landscapes along the Bheri River's banks, cross the river, and head north of it to Sulighat, a small but lovely hamlet, after a short hike, you will reach the Shey Phoksundo National Park checkpoint. Shey Phoksundo National Park is Nepal's only trans-Himalayan national park and one of the nation's largest, then proceed downwards to a little settlement called Cheepka, following the woodland route.
Early in the morning you'll leave Chhepka village and proceed to Jharana, one of the significant waterfalls in the Dolpo region. The picturesque view of the Bheri valley can be admired while hiking through the cedar forested route, you'll continue your ascent while taking in the breathtaking views of Phoksundo Lake's gorge, proceed your walk to Jharana village admiring the spectacular beauty of Jharana, one of Nepal's highest waterfalls.
Today you'll hike to Shey Phoksundo Lake from Jharana waterfall, first descend a steep downhill trail to Ringmo, a Tibetan settlement after that follow the trail and you'll arrive at Ringmo village passing through a dense birch and coniferous forest, as you pass the forest you'll reach the settlement of Ringmo, which is nestled in the remote mountain hillsides away from the effects of urbanization, locals' houses and lifestyles have been conserved in this community making it a yet another sight observe.
The glamorous Phoksundo Lake is just across the corner from Ringmo Village. Today, you'll explore the turquoise blue Shey Phoksundo Lake, which is 3,660 meters above sea level, several endangered species, such as blue sheep and musk deer, maybe seen grazing near the waterfront. You'll have an entire day to sunbathe while admiring the tranquil waters of the lake and also explore Tshowa Gompa, a 900-year-old Bonpo monastery having historical significance which is situated on the Phoksundo Lake ridge.
You will leave Ringmo village with an exhilarating and unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime after a hearty breakfast continues on the trail, this time walking alongside the Phoksundo River, the trail is rugged and descends gently through magnificent green meadows, passing past Renji village, the spectacular snow-capped mountains will accompany you on your journey You'll travel along the Sulighat River until you reach Chhepka village, passing through pine and juniper forest areas.
Finally, the adventure comes to an end, continue the downhill journey route to Juphal after breakfast in Chhepka, upon arriving at Juphal hiking through amazing landscapes of the mountains and captivating meadows, stunning pastures, terraces, farms, and villages will make this a journey to remember.
Early in the morning, you'll catch a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj, and then to Kathmandu, both flights provide stunning scenery of snow-capped peaks, verdant hillsides, and scenic valleys. Our representative will receive you at the airport and transport you to your accommodation. You may spend the remaining of your day relaxing or strolling around Thamel for some last-minute shopping. Later in the evening have an authentic dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant, while taking part in a cultural event with our representative and your trekking guide.
Three hours before your flight's departure, our representative will drop you off at the airport. Please do let us know if you want to experience more of Nepal. Choose from one of our pre-planned itineraries or let us create a journey just for you. Note: All of the above-mentioned trekking hours and distances are estimations and should only be used as a general guideline.
