Phoksundo Lake Trek

DAY 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere. PLEASE NOTE: A special permit is required for this trek. In order for us to obtain permits for you, we have to present hard copies of your passport (scans are not accepted) by 1000 hrs. to the permit issuing office. The permit office is open Sunday-Thursday, Friday Mornings, and all day Saturday. The permit office is also closed on Nepali Public holidays. Please anticipate that you may require extra days in Kathmandu as a result so that we can obtain your permit.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
Included Meals: None

DAY 2

Fly to Nepalgunj

The short flight to Nepalgunj is usually in the afternoon. So, unless the schedule is any different, we should be able to get your special permit in the morning and in time for you to make this flight. But, as mentioned in Day 1, the permit office is sometimes closed, so if you arrive on a day when the office is closed or closed the following day, an additional night in Kathmandu will probably be necessary. A private transfer to Kathmandu Airport will be provided, and about an hour after takeoff, you’ll be landing in Nepalgunj, where a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Nepalgunj. This rather uninteresting place is down in the Terai region, not too far from the Indian border. It's not a place foreign tourists visit unless they are heading to Bardia or taking other internal flights the following day to Simikot or Juphal to go trekking in the remote Dolpo region. It's an unavoidable consequence to spend a night in Nepalgunj, and as this is not a touristy place, the accommodation is rather basic. However, it's likely to be warm in the Terai, so at least you can enjoy some warmth.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel - Nepalgunj
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 3

Fly to Juphal and trek to Dunai

It's usually a very early morning flight into the mountains. The flight is only 35 minutes or so, but very dramatic. Juphal airstrip is at 2475 m, and once your porterage is all loaded, it’s time to head off on your journey to Phoksundo Lake. It’s a relatively straightforward day down to Dunai (2140m), which is the administrative centre for Dolpo. The trail from Juphal descends through maize fields and local villages. Reaching the valley floor, you’ll walk along the Bheri River and pass the Roop Ghar watermill to finally arrive in Dunai. Lodges here in Dolpo are much simpler and more basic affairs than those in the likes of the Annapurna and Everest regions, providing just minimal creature comforts in very limited supply. Private rooms may not be available. Walking time is around 3 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Dunai
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Find out more about Trekking Lodges

DAY 4

Trek to Chhepka

An initial descent from Dunai leads to a bridge and the crossing of the Bheri Khola Around 5–6 hours walking. You’ll then follow the course of this river to Sulighat. Soon after you reach the entry point check post for Shey Phoksundo National Park, once the permit checks are completed, you begin to ascend up a rocky trail to Kageni. Continuing upstream, you pass by a number of hemp farms as you head upwards through sub-tropical forests to reach Chhepka (2720m). Walking time is approximately 5–6 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Chhepka
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 5

Trek to Jharana

Continually gaining height, you head up through fragrant cedar forests and beyond a seasonal settlement to then climb up above the Phoksundo River gorge. There’s a particularly good view of an impressive waterfall, as well as a tantalising glimpse of the still distant Phoksundo Lake. A bit further, and you reach Jharana (3040m). Around 4-5 hours of walking.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Jharana
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 6

Trek to Phoksundo Lake

The gradient now becomes much steeper as you make the final push to reach Phoksundo Lake. Climbing up through birch forest to descend and then follow the course of the upper Phoksundo Khola, passing the Suligad waterfall along the way. A bit more ascent and descent, and before you know it, you’re at Phoksundo Lake! It’s a relatively short walking day, meaning you should reach the village of Ringmo (3640m), which is right by the magnificent Phoksundo Lake, with plenty of time to appreciate the wonder of your surroundings. Walking time is approximately 3–4 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Ringmo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

Explore Phoksundo Lake area

Obviously, this is what you made the effort to come here and see, so today can be spent marvelling at the amazing sight of Phoksundo Lake, surrounded by steep-sided mountains that run right down to the impossibly turquoise waters of Nepal’s deepest and most impressive lake. With Kanjirowa Himal (6612m) as the backdrop in this wondrous high alpine, tranquil setting, you’ll be able to spend the day exploring on foot. While a circuit of the lake is not feasible (you’ll see why), you might want to follow a trail that would take those heading deeper into Dolpo and across high passes to Shey Gompa and climb up above the lake for views from a higher vantage point. The trail itself is a little precarious in places and isn’t known as “The Demon’s Trail” for nothing. Time spent exploring Ringmo itself is seldom wasted. As well as a couple of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, there are also ancient Bon Po sites. The Bon Po faith is actually much older than Tibetan Buddhism, and here in Dolpo is one of the last places where it can still be found.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Ringmo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Back down to Chhepka

Sadly, it’s time to turn around and head back down, although there is some climbing to do along the way after Shyanta. Still, from the highest point of the climb, you’ll get a final view of Phoksundo Lake. It’s then pretty much all downhill to Chunuwar, then Rechi, and a more gradual descent to Chhepkpa once again. Walking time: approx. 6 hours.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Chhepka
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 9

Trek to Juphal

Heading down to the Bheri Khola and leaving Shey Phoksundo National Park, hopefully you haven’t forgotten that from the river valley floor there’s a final stiff climb to get back up to Juphal. Walking time: approx. 6 hrs.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge - Juphal
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 10

Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj

The weather-dependent flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj is always in the morning (to avoid the daily anabatic winds), and so it is usually possible to connect with the Nepalgunj to Kathmandu flight. A private transfer will take you from the airport back to the KGH Hotel. However, you may wish to seriously consider some additional contingency for this trek, whether it be for any delays or cancellations that can and do occur for flights both to and from Juphal and Nepalgunj or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11

Depart Nepal

A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Of course there's no reason to depart today, your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made