Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

Major Attractions of Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

• Shey Phoksundo Lake
  

Shey Phoksundo Lake is the major highlight of the trek, famous for its rich turquoise color blending nicely with the snowy peaks of the surroundings. The lake is situated at an altitude of 3,611 meters with cliffs all around it, hence promising tranquil surroundings and peaceful grounds. The clear waters of the lake reflect the snow-capped peaks with lush greenery, thus making this site heaven for photographers. A view of sheer beauty in the area around the lake, particularly during sunrise and sunset, is witnessed when both water and mountains wear golden color.

• Bon Monastery
  

The Bon Monastery near Shey Phoksundo Lake is one of the most important cultural and spiritual attractions of the area.Bon is one of the ancient religions in Tibet, and this monastery is considered one of the most important centers of Bon. The monastery stands in the village of Ringmo itself and can be reached by a short stroll from the lake. This is where tourists often get enchanted with the peculiar culture of Bonpo: numerous prayer flags, intricate mural paintings, and religious rituals. It creates an atmosphere in the monastery which adds to its spiritual relevance along with the remoteness of its location-a very culturally enriching experience for the trekkers

• Phoksundo Waterfall

One of the highest waterfalls of Nepal, the Phoksundo Waterfall is one of the key attractions along this trek. Lying near the lake, the Phoksundo Waterfall falls dramatically from a steep cliff to a deep gorge, making it an enchanting scene. With nature’s beauty surrounding the waterfall, along with the serenity of the place, it just happens to be one of the perfect spots to rest and enjoy the surroundings by the trekkers. The fall is very powerful during the time of the monsoon when water bursts down the rock face

• Dolpo’s Unique Culture

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek offers an opportunity for trekkers to get closer to Dolpo’s culture. The place belongs to indigenous people who belong to the Tibetan-speaking people; their way of life is untouched by modern influence. The locals are warm and welcoming, and trekkers can witness daily life in remote villages like Ringmo. The old practices, religious beliefs, and Tibetan influence reflect in their architecture, the prayer wheels, and the rituals. Since the area lies far away from modern life, trekking herein gives a glimpse into typical traditional Tibetan lifestyles.

Best Time for Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

Spring and autumn, in that order, are the best times for the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek. It is substantially clear during these months, with moderate temperatures and fantastic mountain and landscape views. The weather is stable; trekking conditions are at their best during spring with flowers in bloom and autumn with a riot of colors.

• Spring Season:

Spring-which falls from March to May-is one of the best times to visit Shey Phoksundo Lake. The trails showcase a rhododendron bloom, and generally, the weather is pleasant along with clear visibility. The temperatures are moderate, and one will have a bigger chance to witness unique flora and fauna since the animals are more active.

• Summer Season:

Monsoon/Summer – The months starting from June until August receive heavy rainfall that makes the trails slippery and difficult. This season creates more beauty with greenery all around. Due to the location in a rain shadow area, Dolpo does not receive that much rain like the rest of Nepal, although experienced trekkers can travel during this period as well.

• Autumn Season:

Autumn, from September to November, is also the ideal time for this trek. Skies are clear, and one gets a marvelous view of both the lake as well as mountains. The temperature remains cool, comfortable, yet dry, so it’s pretty easier to go through the trail. Festivals like Dashain and Tihar give cultural color to the trek.

• Winter Season:

Winter is the coldest season, starting from December and ending in February, with heavy snowfall in higher altitudes. Trails are tougher to walk, and teahouses hardly open or operate in this extreme condition. This season is preferred by trekkers looking for complete solitude, and a true winter adventure-the landscapes are untouched, pure, and offer a tranquil time in the hills.

Route of Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj en route to Juphal, the entry point to the Dolpo region. The trek begins with a descent toward Dunai, the district headquarters of Dolpa, passing through terraced fields and small villages. It continues along the Bheri River and leads to Suligad, a place where the entrance to Shey Phoksundo National Park is.

The trek from Suligad goes uphill through forests and villages like Chhepka and Rechi in complete wilderness, showing various flora and fauna. The trail then follows the Phoksundo Khola and goes through a forest of blue pine and rhododendron until it reaches Ringmo, a traditional Bonpo village on the shores of Shey Phoksundo Lake. This turquoise-blue lake is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and snow-capped peaks, one of the most beautiful sights in Nepal.

From sightseeing over the pristine beauty of Shey Phoksundo Lake, it is very famous for Tshowa Gompa, a 900-year-old Bon monastery above the lake. The trekkers get an opportunity to feel the spiritual ambiance, and traditional lifestyle of the Dolpo people. Further from here, the journey traces back through the same route passing through Ringmo, Rechi, and Chhepka before descending to Juphal.

The last stage of the trekking goes down to Juphal for the return flight to Nepalgunj and on to Kathmandu for the culmination of a memorable journey through the backcountry wilderness of Shey Phoksundo National Park.

Typical Day in Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

A typical day on Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek begins with a warm breakfast between 7:00 and 7:30 am to get the trekkers ready for the whole day’s hike. The actual trekking is started at about 8:00 am, which covers 5 to 7 hours of walking per day depending upon the covered distance and the terrain used. Short breaks are taken in between to capture breathtaking views.

At around midday, the trekkers take a halt for lunch either at a teahouse or at a campsite, where after an hour’s rest, the afternoon session starts. Gradual ascents and descents on the route include river crossings, forest trails, and much more. The evening stop would generally be reached late in the afternoon, giving ample time to get on with exploring and mingling with the locals.

Dinner is served from 6:00 to 7:00 pm and includes a variety of food ranging from local to international, using freshly prepared ingredients. During the evening, trekkers usually discuss something, go through trip briefings, or simply stare at the stars and then go to their beds early for a good sleep for the next day.

Trekking Difficulties on Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek lies in the Dolpo region of remote areas of 2,500-3,600 meters above sea level. Major high factors of difficulty in this trek encompass high altitude, steep ascend and descend, unpredictable weather, and long distances in trekking.

It has a moderate threat of altitude sickness since the top elevation of this trek is at an altitude of approximately 3,600 meters above sea level. Proper acclimatization, maintaining fluid intake, and walking at a constant pace will be some necessary precautions for trekkers. Further, this area consists of rugged terrain, narrow trails, and rocky pathways, making good physical endurance obligatory for trekkers.

The total length of the trek is about 100 km, which calls for 6 to 7 hours of walking every day. The trail goes through areas of dense forest, high cliffs, and river crossing; such paths are really tricky to negotiate. The remoteness of the area entails scarce opportunities to make use of modern facilities; thus, one should be fully prepared for primitive conditions concerning accommodation and nutrition.

The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek might be considered reasonable for trekkers with certain prior trekking experience due to its moderate trekking grade. Proper fitness and mental determination together with preparation play a key factor in successfully overcoming this incredible wild and untouched area of Dolpo.

Guide and Porter

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with nature and escape the pressures of everyday life. Whether you’re traveling with colleagues, friends, family, or as a solo female trekker, this trek is a great choice for those with moderate fitness levels. Please note that according to local regulations, foreign visitors are required to have a guide and porter during the trek.

At our company, we are proud to offer highly qualified and experienced guides and porters who are fluent in English. Our team is renowned for their kindness and professionalism, ensuring that you have a safe and enjoyable trekking experience. We can also arrange for a translator, if necessary, to facilitate clear communication and enhance your cultural immersion.

Our comprehensive …-day trekking package is designed specifically for group treks. As each porter can carry up to 25 kg, efficient packing is essential. We provide porters to assist with carrying warm clothing and personal belongings, and the number of guides and porters we assign depends on the size of your group. Our priority is to ensure that you have the necessary support for a successful and memorable trek.

The number of guides and porters we provide will depend on the size of the group as follows:

Number of Trekkers Numbers of Guide Numbers of Porter

In summary, our Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek package offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural immersion in the Himalayas. Our friendly and experienced team is dedicated to ensuring that you have an unforgettable adventure, and we look forward to providing you with an enriching and safe trekking experience.

Acclimatization

It was Nepal’s diversity in geography and altitude that drew trekkers from all over. The Shey Phoksundo Trek spans about 110 km with an altitude of up to 3611 meters above sea level and thus poses quite a different kind of challenge for trekkers, especially for those unprepared for such heights. Not being extremely difficult, the sudden climatic change and increased altitude may give some mild symptoms to trekkers, such as headache, fatigue, or dizziness, if acclimatization is not done properly.

For most trekkers, but principally for those coming from low-altitude areas, the major problem is the adjustment to the reduced oxygen level above 3000 meters. This might develop into altitude sickness if one goes upward very rapidly and the body isn’t given any time to adjust. For that, we schedule acclimatization days at Ringmo Village, an ancient settlement just next to Phoksundo Lake with rich cultural and spiritual value. The days spent here at rest will be employed in sightseeing of landscapes lying around them and visiting some old Bon monasteries along the way observing living style of the people followed by the residents in Dolpo. During acclimatization hikes, one can make short trips around Phoksundo Lake and get stunning views of Kanjirowa Himal and the turquoise waters of the lake. This is also a chance to see some of the rare wild animals, including blue sheep and Himalayan griffon vultures. Gradual ascent and resting allow the body to become accustomed to altitude, immersed in the rich culture and nature of Dolpo.

Appropriate guides with experience are always there to ensure trekkers maintain good hydration through proper fluid intake that includes plenty of water, herbal tea, and soup, thus easing altitude sickness. The itinerary for the trek has been planned in a way that, every day, there is a gentle rise of about 300 to 700 meters to help the body get acclimatized. We prefer going slowly and steadily and taking proper acclimatization breaks, since even the physically fit can suffer from discomforts caused by high altitude.

By considering the altitude sickness factor, our guides are well-trained and fully equipped, keeping every trekker’s safety and health in mind. Whatever first-aid treatment is necessary, and what immediate emergency action should be done to continue the trek further safely is dealt with accordingly. With better planning and gradual acclimatization, the Shey Phoksundo Trek becomes an exciting journey into one of the remotest parts of Nepal, yet breathtaking.