Lake Phoksundo Trek

You’ll be welcomed by views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks as you take off towards Kathmandu. At the airport, your representative will greet you and drive you to your accommodation.

You might be able to do some sightseeing on your own depending on when you arrive. A nice place to start is the centrally placed Kathmandu Durbar Square, or you can explore Thamel’s stores and eateries.

You’ll be picked up this morning to go on a full-day cultural tour of the Kathmandu Valley. Visit Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Patan Durbar Square during the course of the day.

On this meticulously planned day, you will accomplish quite a bit, yet the agenda doesn’t overwhelm you with too many sights. You can take as much time as you want at each temple because this is a private trip, but most guests prefer to stay for approximately an hour.

Swayambhunath Stupa is a magnificent location to take in the views of the Kathmandu Valley below. It is located a short distance from the city center, high on a hill. One of the most historic locations in this region of the world is the stupa, a Buddhist building with a dome shape. Rotate the prayer wheels while taking in the stupa’s exquisite murals and sculptures.

The Pashupatinath Temple Complex, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River and has been a destination for devotees for at least 1,500 years. Visitors can tour the area and pass through Buddha and Brahma statues from the sixth and seventh centuries, respectively. Explore the complex’s majestic temples, other buildings that are home to numerous deities, and the skeletal statues that guard the temple gates.

You will next proceed to Patan Durbar Square, which is a stunning living square with numerous temples and the wonderful Patan Museum. Furthermore, the renowned Golden Temple is nearby.

Take a morning stroll through Thamel while your guides organize your trekking permits, then gather your paperwork and travel to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu. You will take a flight out of Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a border town in the Terai region near India and Bardia National Park.

After your hour-long flight, check into your lodging and unwind for the evening in Nepalgunj.

You’ll take a 35-minute flight this morning to Juphal (8,120 feet/2,475 meters), where your walk to Lake Phoksundo will begin.

Following an hour-long walk through corn fields to reach the settlement of Kalagaunda, the trail ascends to a high altitude above the ThuloBheri Valley as you start the trip. As you continue your ascent along the river’s southern bank, you will pass RoopGhar and its water mill before arriving at the village of Dunai (7,037 ft / 2,145 m).

There are schools, a health center, government buildings, a police station, and decent hotels in the sizable mountain town of Dunai. Walk the streets, eat a traditional dinner, and take in the scenery while sipping Nepali tea and putting your feet up.

Trekking time: 3 hours

Start your hike today by leaving Dunai and going through the Bheri River Bridge. After then, follow the river’s northern bank for an hour to get to Sulighat.

From here, travel north until you arrive at the SheyPhoksundo National Park entry checkpoint, where you must present your permits. Beyond the checkpoint, a rock-strewn trail ascends gently above the sinuous SuliGhad River.

You’ll reach Kageni as the trail ascends through groves of hemp trees. The first indications of Tibetan culture will soon start to appear as you continue through woods of walnut and maple trees. On the journey to Shyanta (8,267 ft / 2,520 m), there are stunning vistas of waving prayer flags, natural biodiversity, flowing waterfalls, and lush flora. From there, it will take you another 90 minutes of arduous uphill hiking on slender pathways to reach Chhepka (8,759 ft/ 2,670 m), where you will spend the night.

Trekking Time: 6-7 hours

Get up early this morning and head to the Jharana Hotel. The trail ascends via a large cedar forest and a Ringmo village resident’s winter settlement. The path progressively gains altitude across open terrain until it reaches 11,056 feet (3370 m). Get a close-up look at a magnificent 1,082-foot (330 m) waterfall, the tallest in Nepal, while traveling. You’ll also catch your first glance of Lake Phoksundo in the distance.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

This morning, you’ll make your way to Ringmo via a steep descent through birch forests, to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo River. After you cross a bridge, you’ll follow a trail north to the ranger station at the stunning Lake Phoksundo.

After a final push through the Phoksundo River Gully, emerge to the yak-filled meadows of Ringmo (11,351 ft / 3460 m), a village home to the ethnic Bon community.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Today, spend time visiting the area near Lake Phoksundo and Ringmo.

You will first travel to Tshowa, a fascinating, nearly 900-year-old Bon monastery situated next to a lake. Then, you will descend along sheer cliffs to the lake. The stunning surroundings and blue color of Lake Phoksundo have made it famous.

In order to assist you adjust to the environment and properly explore the region, it is advised to include a few extra days in any Dolpo itinerary in case of airline delays. The good news is that this valley has a lot to offer.

Stretch your legs on a hike to a viewpoint over the lake today, or simply relax and take in the scenery. You can spend some time engaging with the locals or partake in some cultural and creative pursuits like painting and photography. You might even take a quick swim in the lake’s chilly water if the weather is nice.

Today you’ll trek back to Ringmo and continue toward Sulighat, following the stream that originates from the lake. You’ll then pass through the village of Renje. After a meal break, you’ll continue through fir and larch forests, and you hike along the Sulighat River before you reach Chhepka (8,759 ft / 2,670 m) for the night.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, you’ll continue retracing your steps along the trail through forests, fields, and charming villages. You’ll end your trek in Juphal, where you can celebrate with a local meal before spending a final night in the mountains.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Any Dolpo itinerary should include a few extra days to help with acclimatization and to adequately explore the region in the event of aircraft delays. Fortunately, there is a lot to see in this valley.

Today you can relax and take in the scenery, or you can trek to a viewpoint over the lake to get some fresh air. You can also engage in some artistic and cultural pursuits, like painting and photography, or spend some time mingling with the people. You might even take a quick dip in the chilly lake water if the weather is nice.

Depending on when you leave, you could have some time left today to squeeze in some last-minute souvenir buying, a final dal bhat lunch, or some delectable Nepalese momo. After that, a ride to the airport will be provided so you can catch your trip.