Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek
The Shey Phoksundo Trek takes you into the remote and pristine landscapes of Upper Dolpo, located in northwestern Nepal. Centered around Phoksundo Lake, the deepest lake in Nepal and one of the country’s most spectacular natural features, this trek offers a combination of high-altitude wilderness, Tibetan-influenced culture, and untouched Himalayan scenery. Phoksundo Lake, with its striking turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs, lies within Shey Phoksundo National Park, a protected area that preserves not only the lake but also a unique ecosystem of alpine forests, rare flora, and wildlife, including snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and various pheasants.
The trek follows remote trails through sparsely populated villages, crossing high passes and river valleys, offering trekkers a true sense of adventure and isolation. Along the way, travelers encounter traditional Bon and Tibetan Buddhist settlements, where centuries-old monasteries, chortens, and prayer flags highlight the spiritual and cultural heritage of the region. Villagers maintain ancient customs and subsistence lifestyles, relying on animal husbandry, barley cultivation, and yak herding. This cultural immersion, combined with the raw natural beauty of the region, makes the Shey Phoksundo Trek one of the most authentic and off-the-beaten-path treks in Nepal.
From a trekking perspective, the route is moderate to strenuous, with altitudes ranging from 2,000 meters in lower valleys to over 4,000 meters at high passes, such as Kang La Pass. Trekkers traverse rivers, dense forests, alpine meadows, and rocky ridgelines, often with panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges, including Dhaulagiri, Kanjiroba, and Saipal peaks. The remoteness of the region means that lodges and teahouses are limited, particularly in higher areas, so self-sufficiency and careful planning are essential. The trek rewards those who endure with spectacular landscapes, spiritual encounters, and the serenity of one of Nepal’s most untouched wilderness areas, offering not just adventure but also profound mental rejuvenation.
Highlights
- Visit Phoksundo Lake, turquoise-blue and surrounded by cliffs
- Explore Ringmo Village and traditional Bon monasteries (Tshowa Gompa)
- Trek through Shey Phoksundo National Park, rich in flora and fauna
- Remote highland villages and alpine landscapes
- Forested trails, terraced farmlands, rivers, and waterfalls
- Optional photography, cultural immersion, and lakeside exploration.
Basic Information
- Destination
- Duration
- Start / End Location
- Accommodation Type
- Difficulty Level
- Max Altitude
- Age Limit
- Transportation Mode
- Shey Phoksundo
- 12 Days
- Kathmandu / Kathmandu
- Teahouses/Lodges during trek,Hotels in KTM & Nepalgunj
- Strenuous
- 3635m
- -
- -
Best Season
Spring (Mar–May), Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Inclusions
- Domestic flights Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu
- 3 meals/day during trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Lodge/Tea House accommodation in trek
- Hotels in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj
- Licensed English-speaking guide & porter service
- Trekking permits & TIMS
- First-aid kit
Tour Plan
- Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport
- Transfer to hotel; rest or explore Thamel
- Highlights: Evening stroll in Thamel for shops and local atmosphere
- Meals: Not included
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast at hotel
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Cultural sightseeing with guide
- Meals: Breakfast included
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
- Explore the lowland city near the Indian border
- Meals: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner
- Overnight: Hotel in Nepalgunj
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Short mountain flight to Juphal
- Trek descend through fields and forest to Dunai
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Scenic valley views, forested trails, first glimpse of remote Humla region
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Dunai
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek through Suligad River gorge and forested trail
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Pass Shyanta, enter Shey Phoksundo National Park, scenic valley views
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Chhepka
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Follow Phoksundo River valley through forest and cliffs
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Phoksundo Waterfall views, alpine valley, entering highland terrain
- Dinner at tea house
- Overnight: Tea House near Jharana
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek alongside waterfalls and cliffs to Ringmo village
- Lunch
- Highlights: Turquoise Phoksundo Lake, traditional Ringmo village, Himalayan views
- Dinner
- Overnight: at Ringmo Village / Phoksundo Lake
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Lakeside hike and exploration of Ringmo village
- Visit Tshowa Gompa, a 900-year-old Bon monastery
- Lunch
- Highlights: Panoramic lake views, cultural immersion
- Dinner
- Overnight: at Ringmo Village / Phoksundo Lake
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Retrace steps through forests and villages to Chhepka
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Forest trails, terraced fields, local village encounters
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Chhepka
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Gradual climb back to Juphal
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Last Himalayan vistas of Humla region, forested trails
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Juphal
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Early morning mountain flight to Nepalgunj
- Connect flight to Kathmandu
- Lunch in Kathmandu
- Highlights: Mountain flight views, plains of Nepalgunj
- Dinner at hotel
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport
- Farewell and end of trip
- Meals: Breakfast