Phoksundo Lake (3,611.5 m), located in Dolpo, is considered one of the most captivating and exotic tourist destinations. The trek to Phoksundo Lake is a short and easy route to one of Nepal’s most beautiful and deepest lakes. This trek combines Western Nepal’s great cultural diversity with a wide variety of biodiversity. During the Phoksundo Trek, you can see various rivers, streams, cascades, temples, stupas, monasteries, lakes, waterfalls, terraces, and lush alpine forest ecosystems. Shey Phoksundo Trip is a short trek through Nepal’s less developed areas, allowing you to see unspoiled Tibetan culture and customs, rural beauty, and the heavenly views of Shey Phoksundo Lake.
Dolpa’s religion is categorized into two sections: upper and lower Dolpa. Upper Dolpa has traditional Tibetan culture, while lower Dolpa has Buddhism and Bon, including the Ringmo Village. Many religious sites, including gompas, may be found at Shey Phoksundo Park. Shey Gompa, which was established in the 11th century, is the most well-known. Thashung Gompa, located near Shey Phoksundo Lake, was erected around 900 years ago.
Shey Phoksundo National Park offers a diverse range of flora and animals in addition to stunning vistas of the Himalayas. This region’s flora is exceptionally diversified. The park’s northern section is made mainly of the rugged upper Himalayan terrain. Caragana Shrubs, Rhododendron, Salix, Juniper, White Himalayan Birch, and the occasional silver fir cover the trans-Himalayan slope, which largely covers the Himalayan high meadows. Blue pine, hemlock, cedar, spruce, silver fir, bamboo, poplar, and rhododendron grow in the Suligad Valley. There are additionally 268 ethnobotanical species in the park.
In terms of wildlife, the region is home to a number of endangered species, including the grey wolf, musk deer, snow leopard, and blue sheep. A jackal, Himalayan black bear, leopard, Himalayan Tahr, and goral are among the other species found in the park. Yellow-throated marten and great Tibetan sheep There are also six different reptile species and 29 different butterfly species. Paralasa nepalaica, the world’s highest-flying butterfly, is among the 29 species of butterfly. A white-throated tit, wood accentor, Tibetan partridge, and crimson-eared rosefinch are among the park’s approximately 200 bird species.
Ways to get to Phoksundo Lake
By Air
Take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Juphal
Juphal Airport
By Road
Drive to from Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Jajarkot (Local Bus) – Radi Bazaar (Jeep/bus)
Drive from Rari – Tallubagar – Mulbazar – Lamachaur – Karapgaad – Khadang (Need to change jeeps on each stop)
Drive from Khadang – Tripurakot – Suligaad ( Need to change jeeps on each stop )
Local Jeep
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Drive to Nepalgunj from Damauli
Day 02 : Nepalgunj – Jajarkot – Rinma (Drive)
Day 03 : Rinma – Rari – Tallubagar – Mulbazar – Mulbazar – Lamachaur – Karapgaad – Khadang (Drive, Need to change jeeps on each stop)
Day 04 : Khadang – Tripurakot – Suligaad (Drive)
Day 05: Suligad – Kageni
Day 06: Kageni – Chhepka
Day 07 : Jharana Hotel – Phoksundo (Ringmo village 3460m)(Trek)
Day 08: Explore around Phoksundo Lake and viewpoint (4100m)
Day 09 : Ringmo – Kageni (trek)
Day 10: Trek from Kageni to Suligad and drive to Juphal Airport
Day 11: Fly to Nepalgunj (flight)
Day 12: Drive or flight from Nepalgunj – Kathmandu Drive
People of Dolpo
The folks of Dolpo are another reason you ought to go to Dolpo. They have a wide smile on their face and a big welcoming heart. Always! It’s the kind of smile that makes your heart melt. They’ll make you feel at home. Despite the difficult life, they seem to be the happiest people.
Permit required for Lower Dolpo Trek
Dolpo is located next to the Tibetan border. Because it is a restricted region, this has always been a sensitive place that requires special attention. Trekkers must obtain special trekking permission from the authoritative entity to serene hiking experience in the region.
- Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit
- Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit