Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek
A deep fresh-water lake in the Himalayan foothills, the holy Shey Phoksundo Lake is a pilgrimage site where Hindu and Buddhist devotees flock during the celebration of festivals like the Janai Poornima. Located in Dolpa within the Shey Phoksundo National Park, the lake holds a unique Himalayan wilderness and hosts a myriad of trans-Himalayan habitats.
The Shey-Phoksundo National Park is one of the very few protected areas in the Nepali Himalayas big enough to secure a viable population of the critically endangered snow leopards. As such, the Shey-Phoksundo Lake Trek presents a remote and little-known off-beaten trekking path to enjoy.
Starting the trek with a short flight to Nepalgunj, the trip takes you meandering through Dolpa's remote ethnic settlements. Dolpa is among the last few places on Earth where authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture is still thriving. Due to the region's remoteness and relative isolation, the cultural ambiance of the place has not changed for centuries. The trek is a perfect way to experience this wonderful culture firsthand.
With regard to the region's alienation from outside destinations, one might say that magic still lives in the hills of Dolpo. The remote country through which you will be trekking through is full of evidence of the ancient animistic religions practiced by the hill people, despite their sometimes nominal adherence to Hinduism and Buddhism. All along the journey in several villages, you can experience the old traditional customs that come in many forms, like crudely carved wooden effigies set before front doors to ward off evil spirits.
Likewise, the region also harbors a very rich and vivid ecosystem. The thriving wildlife presents you with a chance to lose yourself in nature. Vast woods and alpine wetlands embed the terrain, serving several species of animals and birds as their natural habitats. The pathway traverses through the lower Himalayan foothills of the region, under canopies of emerald forests where the peal of birdsongs fill the atmosphere. It is a beautiful trekking journey that presents wonderful natural landscapes, perfect for an off-beaten trip.
The trail follows a wildly turbulent, crystal-blue river through vast forests of conifers. You will be trekking to Inner Dolpo where the sacred lake is situated. The very presence of the lake when seen for the first time, with the lake's intense ultramarine edged with turquoise and deep purple tincture toward dusk, is indescribable in its beauty and other-worldliness. Above the lake stand cliffs of rust-colored rocks streaked with blue. Beyond, the great snow-covered peaks rise out to the sky.
For over a decade, Trek Central Nepal Pvt. Ltd. has been accompanying trekkers and adventurers around the Himalayas. Our packages are created by consulting local travel experts and certified guides. We aim to offer the best travel experience to all our clients.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu [1300m]Day 02: Fly to Nepalgunj, gateway to the Far West
Day 03: Fly to Juphal and trek to Dunai [2140m] 3 hours trek
Day 04: Trek to Chhepka Village [2520m] 6-7 hours trek
Day 05: Trek to Jharana Waterfall [2670m] 5-6 hours trek
Day 06: Trek to the Tibetan village of Ringmo [3641m] 5-6 hours trek
Day 07: Explore sacred Phoksundo Lake [3600m] and Tshowa Gompa
Day 08: Trek to Chhepka Village 6-7 hours trek
Day 09: Trek to Juphal 6-7 hours trek
Day 10: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
Day 11: Departure day