Phoksundo Lake

Phoksundo Lake, also known as Shey Phoksundo Lake, is a high-alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake located inside Shey Phoksundo National Park in the Dolpo district. It is one of the most breathtaking lakes in Nepal, with a beautiful bright turquoise color that looks out of the world.

Phoksundo Lake is one of the major highlights of the Shey Phoksundo National Park. The name Phoksundo Lake is derived from the Tibetan language. It combines three words: ‘Phok’, which means expand; ‘Sung’, which means three; and ‘Du’ means stone. When all three words are combined, the lake 'expands on three sides and is surrounded by stones’. It is located in the lower Dolpo region. Shey Phoksundo Lake is located approximately 3,600 m above sea level. It is the second largest and one of the deepest lakes in Nepal, which is considered sacred by the followers of the Buddhist and Bon-Po religions. Phoksundo Lake is deemed to be the most beautiful lake due to its striking turquoise colour and unique location.

Phoksundo Lake Facts

Here are some of the facts related to Phoksundo Lake:

Location	Dolpo District, Karnali Province, West of Nepal
Local Name	Phoksumdo Lake
Altitude	3,611.5m/11,849 ft
Area	7, 889 km2
Maximum Depth	145 Meters (Approx)
Lake Type	Freshwater Oligotrophic Lake
Color	Turquoise color
Protected Area	Shey Phoksundo National Park
Cultural Significance	Sacred landmark for the natives and Tibetan Buddhist
Nearby Settlement	Ringmo Village
Accessibility	Accessible via Juphal Airport and trek from Juphal
Best Time to Visit	Spring (May) and Autumn (August to October)
Special features	Second Largest Lake / Pilgrimage Site

Phoksundo Lake as an Attraction

Phoksundo Lake is located in the north-west region of Nepal, in the Dolpo district. It falls in the Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is also one of the major highlights of the park. Research indicates that due to the landslide forming a natural dam resulting from a mountain collapse, the beautiful Phoksundo Lake originated. The lake's distinctive color and shape—its deep turquoise color and Y-shaped area have contributed to its popularity. Tucked among the high mountain passes, it looks like a jewel from afar. Another unique aspect of the lake is that its color varies throughout the year according to the seasons, and its charm is enhanced from all angles as one can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the lake from various vantage points. Although there is no concrete proof, its distinctive shifting color has mesmerised tourists from all over the world. According to a local legend, the lake's color deepens or changes color whenever lightning strikes it. Although the lake looks full of life, it’s an oligotrophic lake with no trace life forms due to its poor nutrition deposit.

For the inhabitants and Tibetan Buddhists, the lake is a holy landmark with deep religious and cultural significance, making it a site with immense spiritual value. Due to its religious values, thousands of people visit this place along with nature enthusiasts every year. Even though the lake is at a high elevation, it never totally freezes, maintaining its allure throughout the winter. It is one of the must-see places in your lifetime, which is a visual and spiritual feast. It is also the source of Suligad Waterfall in addition to being the main attraction of Shey Phoksundo National Park. You will be astounded by Phoksundo Lake’s beauty, which is truly a piece of heaven on earth that will take your breath away, literally.

How to Reach and Best time to visit?

Juphal Airport, the only airport in operation in the Dolpo region, provides access to Phoksundo Lake, which is situated inside the Dolpo. To travel to Juphal, one can take a jeep from Surkhet for the road trip, a connecting flight from Nepalgunj as there are no direct flights from Kathmandu or the luxurious option of chartered helicopters. Reaching Phoksundo Lake is simple once you arrive in Juphal; however, there are no facilities for transportation up to the lake, which leaves you with only one option, i.e., trekking. One has to cover approximately 38 km on foot through the pristine jungle and a few traditional villages, adding charm to one’s journey.

Besides the kind of transportation you choose, the season also affects how smoothly your trip goes. And the best time to visit Phoksundo Lake is in the spring and fall, specifically in May, August, September, and October. During these months, the weather and visibility of the surrounding landscapes are ideal, making the journey or exploring Phoksundo Lake perfect. Because of the clear weather, Phoksundo Lake is seen in all its splendor.

Conclusion

Visiting Phoksundo Lake is a journey worth taking, as you will be witnessing the pure beauty of nature right in front of your eyes. The beauty of the lake will captivate you with its deep turquoise color that changes throughout the year, adding a touch of mystery to the celestial place. From being the second largest lake in the country to serving as a peaceful spiritual center, the lake has many significance. Its surreal turquoise water surrounded by high mountains creates an otherworldly experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. This lake provides a glimpse into Nepal’s untouched wilderness, alongside the raw nature and ancient culture. It is nature's treasure that every adventure should witness at least once in a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek:

Where is Phoksundo Lake located?

Phoksundo Lake is located in the Dolpa district, in the north-west part of Nepal. It falls in Shey Phoksundo National Park, specifically in the lower Dolpo region.

When is the best time to visit Phoksundo Lake?

The Spring and Autumn seasons—more specifically, May, August, September, and October are an ideal time to visit Phoksundo Lake, also known as Shey Phoksundo Lake. One will be able to see the glorious Shey Phoksundo Lake with stunning surrounding landscapes without any intervention of fog. The trails and temperature during these seasons are just right.

How long does it take to reach Phoksundo Lake?

You must first arrive at the trek’s beginning point, which is either Suligad if you’re traveling by Jeep or Juphal Airport if you’re traveling by airplane or chartered helicopter, depending on where you are traveling from. Ringmo village, which is the settlement nearest to Phoksundo Lake, is 38 kilometers away from Jupal Airport and 31 kilometers from Suligad. You need to hike approximately 2 days from both locations to reach Phoksundo Lake.

Is the Shey Phoksundo Lake trek difficult?

The Phoksundo Lake trek is considered to be of moderate level of difficulty, which means you need a certain level of physical condition and mental preparation before trekking. It is recommended to train before the Phoksundo Lake Trek. 

How to go to Phoksundo Lake from Kathmandu?

There are three ways to go to the starting point of the Phoksundo Lake from Kathmandu. Firstly, you can board a flight to Nepalgunj Airport from Tribhuvan International Airport and take a connecting flight from Nepalgunj Airport to Juphal Airport since there is no direct flight. Secondly, you can go to Surkhet via flight or vehicle and take a jeep from Surkhet to Suligad (place in Dolpo). Lastly, you can take a luxurious chartered helicopter from Kathmandu to Juphal Airport. After that, the Ringmo village, which is the nearest settlement to Phoksundo Lake, is 38 kilometers from Juphal Airport and 31 kilometers from Suligad. It will take you approximately 2 days to hike to Ringmo Village.

Are there fish in Phoksundo Lake?

Phoksundo Lake has been identified as an oligotrophic lake, meaning that it has poor nutrient content/deposit. Also, the lake is exceptionally deep, approximately 145 m deep, along with very cold water and high mineral content, which directly affects its water chemistry, creating unsuitable conditions for aquatic life forms. Besides that, its isolated location and height above 3600 m further limit biodiversity; however, there are some forms of life, such as certain types of plankton and algae. 

Can you swim in Phoksundo Lake?

Unfortunately, swimming in the Phoksundo Lake is not allowed, as it is regarded as one of many holy landmarks to the natives and an important religious site for Tibetan Buddhists. Besides the religious region, swimming is prohibited in the lake since it is one of the largest and deepest, raising safety concerns.

How to reach Shey Phoksundo Lake by road?

Depending on the starting point of travel, you need to get to Surkhet via either flight or vehicle. You have to get on a small Jeep from Surkhet to Suligad, which is the starting point of your trek to Phoksundo Lake. The closest settlement to the Phoksundo Lake, Ringmo village, is 31 kilometres from Suligad, which means you will reach Ringmo village after an approximately 2-day hike.