Phoksundo Lake Trek - 11 days

Phoksundo Lake Trek - 11 days


Detached from the modern world's chaos, Phoksundo Lake Trek lies in Nepal's lower Dolpo region. It is one of the most extremely remote trekking routes of far western Nepal. This trekking region is isolated, untouched, and untanned and receives very few trekkers, making it one of Nepal's tranquil and serene treks. It is a short and relatively easy trekking route leading to the stunning pristine Phoksundo Lake in Nepal. 

Undoubtedly, the Lower Dolpo trail is a hidden treasure and famous for the remote high Himalayan valleys. During this magical trek, you will pass through the picturesque traditional villages like Dunai, Chhepka, Jharana, Ringmo, and Jhupal. The main attractions of 10 days Phoksundo Lake Trek are Shey Phoksundo National Park and Phoksundo Lake. Apart from unmatchable natural beauty, you will also get a chance to be part of the pre-Buddhist Bon-Po religion.

For real adventurers, who want to experience off-the-beaten trek in a short period, Phoksundo Lake Trek is an excellent option.  

How Much Does This Trip Cost?

The trip's price depends on the type of services chosen by our clients and the group size. The cost of each trip we organize is different because we see travelers as individuals having their own particular needs and preferences.

Get ready for an incredible journey tailored to your interests and preferences, whether you're looking for a budget-friendly adventure or a luxurious getaway. Leave the planning to us as we take care of all the details, ensuring your dream trip becomes a reality. You can relax and focus on creating unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever.

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Trip Highlights

  • Trekking into the Dolpo region, one of the most remote and isolated trails
  • Explore Dunai village, the only gateway to Dolpo district
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park, the largest trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal
  • Encounter exotic flora and fauna
  • Trek to Phoksundo Lake, the deepest and scared lake in Nepal
  • Explore Tshowa Gompa, a sacred monastery in the Bonpo religion
  • Adventurous hike through the remote picturesque classical Himalayan trail
  • Witness the spectacular Jharana waterfall
  • Enjoy splendid 360 degrees views of the Dhaulagiri mountain range
  • Walkthrough the off-the-beaten trail 
  • Be a part of the history, myths, and adventure of far-western Nepal 
  • Discover the country’s long preserved Bonpo culture and tradition
  • Interact with local villagers, who are descendants of Tibetans

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - Transfer to Hotel and Trek Preparation
Day 2 Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m/ 492ft) - 45 minutes flight
Day 3 Fly to Juphal (2,502m/ 8,210ft) and Trek to Dunai (2,144m/ 7,035ft) - 45 minutes flight and 2 to 3 hours trek
Day 4 Trek from Dunai to Chhepka Village (2,670m/ 8,760ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek
Day 5 Trek from Chhepka Village to Jharana Village (3,370m/ 11,056ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 6 Trek from Jharana to the Tibetan Village of Ringmo (3,459m/ 11,350ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 7 Explore sacred Phoksundo Lake (3,660m/ 12,007ft) and Tshowa Gompa
Day 8 Trek from Ringmo to Chhepka Village (2,670m/ 8,760ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 9 Trek from Chhepka to Juphal (2,502m/ 8,210ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 10 Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu - 1: 30 hours flight
Day 11 Final Departure

Trip Overview

Phoksundo Lake Trek is Nepal's most pristine and untouched trails that take you to the gorgeous Phoksundo Lake. On this memorable trip, you will get a fantastic opportunity to explore the country's long preserved sacred lakes, medieval villages, Buddhist monasteries, high glaciers, hidden valleys, culture, and tradition. 

Unlike other far west treks, Phoksundo Lake Trek also begins flying to small mountain airstrips from terai city, Nepalgunj, and then to Juphal, the main starting point of the trek. You will start your trek from Juphal to Dunai along the bank of the Beni river. The Phoksundo trekking route traverse through diverse terrain with high river valleys and alpine pastures. 

From Dunai village, you will walk forward to Chhepka village, the Shey Phoksundo National Park's entry point. Some exotic rare wild species like Red Panda, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Thar are found in the national park territory. On the way, you will enjoy the majestic views of the Dhaulagiri range to the east and the Kagmara range to the west. 

Furthermore, from Chhepka village, you will trek towards Phoksundo Lake, a most beloved, mystical lake tucked away deep in the barren mountains of lower Dolpo valley. At first, you will come across Jharana village, where you will witness the splendid view of the shimmering waterfall. From here, you will continue your trek towards the Tibetan village of Ringmo. Here, you will experience primitive lifestyles, and there is no other way besides trekking in this region to explore them. You can explore the village and interacts with the locals. In this village, most of the people are inhabited who are descended from the Tibetans. They used to travel here to trade, and their culture, language, and religion still have Tibetan influence.

Moreover, a tranquil Phoksundo trekking route is a perfect option for those seeking solitary walks on an off-the-beaten trail. From Ringmo village, you will continue your journey on the picturesque Phoksundo trail, which will take you to Nepal's peaceful and calm Shey Phoksundo area. It is best known for its irresistible natural beauty, captivating mountain views, and rich culture. With surreal surroundings and an awe-inspiring backdrop, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience here. You will get adequate time to explore the Phoksundo Lake area, and you will also visit a Tshowa monastery.

After exploring and enjoying extraordinary snowy peaks and Phoksundo lake views, you will trek back through the less touristic trail. Once again, the Phoksundo trekking route leads you deep into Nepal's far western region's unspoiled and wilderness areas, where you will discover the true beauty of nature and unique culture. From Juphal, you will fly to Nepalgunj, and another flight to Kathmandu will end this short adventurous Phoksundo Lake Trek.

Route Map

Phoksundo lake trek route map Phoksundo Lake Trek Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - Transfer to Hotel and Trek Preparation

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, a representative from Third Rock Adventures will escort you to the hotel in Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you will attain the trek brief in the hotel or our head office. During the short brief, you will meet your trip leader other team members. Your trek leader will shortly brief you about the upcoming trek. You can interact with other team members. Later, you can visit a nearby place and get familiar with the surroundings, and if you want to do some shopping for trekking gear and equipment, you can visit the Thamel, a vibrant and busy area. 

Overnight stay in Kathmandu. 

Day 2
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m/ 492ft) - 45 minutes flight

Today you will catch the scenic flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. It is located in the western Terai region, near the Indian Border and Bardia National Park. It is also a commercial and central transportation hub of the country. Later you can visit the Bageshwori temple, one of the oldest temples in Banke District. Explore nearby places; being a small city, you can see a lot around the area and taste the local cuisines. You will embrace cultural diversity from different ethnicities living together within mixed communities. 

Overnight stay in Nepalgunj.

Day 3
Fly to Juphal (2,502m/ 8,210ft) and Trek to Dunai (2,144m/ 7,035ft) - 45 minutes flight and 2 to 3 hours trek

Juphal Airport Dolpa Airort also called Juphal Airport

After breakfast, you will drive to the airstrip of Nepalgunj to catch the early morning flight to Juphal. Upon landing at Juphal airstrip, you will start your trek following the trail to Dunai. Gradually the path diverse through green meadows and gently trek down to Kalighat. Continue your walk along the riverside of Thulo Bheri, pass Roop Ghar with the watermill, and finally arrive at Dunai. It is the biggest town in the Dolpo district and serves as district headquarters. It lies around the bank of the Thulo Bheri River and is surrounded by green hills. You can visit the local bazaar at Dunai and get familiar with locals, culture, and lifestyles. 

Overnight stay in Dunai. 

Day 4
Trek from Dunai to Chhepka Village (2,670m/ 8,760ft) - 6 to 7 hours trek

You will start your trek through the forest trail with the pristine views of nature along the banks of the Bheri River. You will cross the river and head north of the river and reach Sulighat, a tiny beautiful village. After walking for a while, you will get the check post of Shey Pohoksundo National Park. It is one of the largest and only trans-Himalayan national parks in Nepal. The park consists of an abundance of magnificent sites that enchants the soul. Next, you will follow the forest trail and continue a downhill walk to a small village of Cheepka.

Overnight stay in Chhepka Village. 

Day 5
Trek from Chhepka Village to Jharana Village (3,370m/ 11,056ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek

After leaving Chhepka village, you will head toward one of the best natural waterfall (Jharana) located in the Dolpo region. Walking along the cedar forest trail, you will enjoy the enchanting view of the Bheri valley. You will continue your uphill climb and enjoy the mesmerizing view of Phoksundo Lake's gorge. Enjoying the spectacular view of Jharana, one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal, you will continue your walk to Jharana village. 

Overnight stay in Jharana village. 

Day 6
Trek from Jharana to the Tibetan Village of Ringmo (3,459m/ 11,350ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek

From Jharana waterfall, you will move towards the destination of your trek, Shey Phoksundo Lake. At first, you will make your way to the Tibetan village of Ringmo through the steep downhill path. Passing through the dense forest of birch and coniferous, you will reach Ringmo village. In this Tibetan village, locals' homes and lifestyles are retained securely in the rural mountain hillsides away from the impacts of modernization, a unique site to experience.

Overnight stay in Ringmo village. 

Day 7
Explore sacred Phoksundo Lake (3,660m/ 12,007ft) and Tshowa Gompa


From Ringmo Village, the glorious Phoksundo Lake is right around the corner. Today, you will explore turquoise blue Shey Phoksundo Lake, located at an altitude of 3,660 meters from sea level. You will encounter several endangered species like blue sheep musk deer grazing around the lake. You will get a whole day to soothe yourself by observing the lake's tranquil waters and the various wildlife inhabiting its premises.

Further, you will also explore a historically significant 900-year old Bonpo monastery named Tshowa Gompa. It lies on the ridge of Phoksundo lake. Later you can also visit the ancient monasteries and religious sites around the village. 

Overnight stay in Ringmo village. 

Day 8
Trek from Ringmo to Chhepka Village (2,670m/ 8,760ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek


Today you will leave Ringmo village with a memorable experience full of thrill and amazement that will stay with you for a lifetime. After having a good breakfast, you will hit the trail again, walk alongside the Phoksundo river. The trail is steep, and you will gradually descend through the beautiful green meadows and encompasses the Renji village. Along the route, the majestic snow-capped mountains will accompany you. Passing through the fir and larch forest, you will trek along the Sulighat river until you reach Chhepka village. 

Overnight stay in Chhepka village. 

Day 9
Trek from Chhepka to Juphal (2,502m/ 8,210ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek

Finally, the trek comes to an end with a bunch of memories. After having breakfast at Chhepka, you will continue the downhill excursion on the same forest trail to Juphal. After passing through the beautiful meadows, terraces, fields, and villages, you will reach Juphal. The enchanting vista of the mountains and vibrant meadows will make for an unforgettable trek. 

Overnight stay in Juphal. 

Day 10
Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu - 1: 30 hours flight

Early morning, first you will catch the flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and then finally to Kathmandu. Both flights offer some fantastic views of the snow-capped peaks, green hills, and beautiful valleys. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, a representative from Third Rock Adventures will escort you to your hotel. The rest of the time, you can enjoy leisure time or stroll around the Thamel area for some last-minute shopping. 

Overnight stay in Kathmandu. 

Day 11
Final Departure

Our representative will drop you at the airport three hours before your flight departs. If you want to explore more of Nepal or the neighboring Himalayan countries- Bhutan, Tibet, and India- do let us know. We have a range of specially designed itineraries for vacationers looking for a fun-filled vacation or adventurers willing to explore uncharted territories.



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Latest Trip Reviews

Travel experiences of our clients who recently returned from their trips.

Mason Cumbrae-Stewart
flagsUnited States of America
Mar 07, 2021

Good Days in Nepal

Did some other trek than regular Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek, primarily for two reasons: 1) isolated and less-crowded trail 2) Phoksundo Lake. The consultant wrote many features of this trek and we couldn't agree more! The remote trail is completely different and offers tranquility. We loved the view of Dhaulagiri range. The trek is moderately difficult. One of the best part of this trek is that it passes through remote high Himalayan valleys. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. He spoke good english and managed everything. He would say yes to every request. At times, we wanted to rest for more than 10 minutes, and he would share his stuff.
Luca Ellery
flagsUnited States of America
Mar 07, 2021

Good Service

Third Rock provided us the best guide we could expect. The guide was decent, friendly and knowledgeable. He explained most part of the trek. Everything we experienced was magnificient. At times, I patted on myself for selecting the trek. I was offered great food, and accomodations. Everything was beforehand managed. I didn't have to say single word for anything. I am writing this service to reflect the good service I was offered during the trek. Third Rock has my 5-star for their service.
Samuel Seppelt
flagsAustralia
Oct 14, 2020

Beautiful Trek

I loved the adventure to Phoksundo lake. Didn't know when the 11 days finished. Every day was a new day for me. I traversed isolated trails and remote valleys. The people there seemed people from another world. The local people were cheerful and lovely. I got to experience their lifestyle in a few days. Undoubtedly turquoise blue Shey Phoksundo Lake, located at an altitude of 3,660 meters from sea level is the main highlight of the trek but there are a lot this trek has to offer.
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