Breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, beautiful lake, and unforgettable experiences.
Are you thinking of visiting one of the deepest lakes in Nepal? If yes, then our Phoksundo Lake Trek is an ideal choice for you. The magnificent lake is tucked among the picturesque hills that look so surreal with their bright turquoise color and unique charm. Phoksundo Lake, also known as Shey Phoksundo Lake, is widely known as ‘the most beautiful lake’ for its distinct color and the surrounding landscapes. Phoksundo Lake is located in the Dolpo or Dolpa district in the western part of Nepal. It is the second deepest lake in Nepal after the Rara Lake. Phoksundo Lake falls inside the Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is the largest National Park in Nepal. While the lake is quite gorgeous in itself, the journey to Phoksundo Lake is mindblowing. Walking along the flowing river, past the chortens and prayer wheels, is a peaceful journey. This 8-day trek to Phoksundo Lake will take you on a journey through the rugged trails of the Lower Dolpo, where you will be able to witness the landscapes of this region while also experiencing the unique culture of this region. Join us on the journey to the mesmerizing Phoksundo Lake, which is a feast to eyes as well as hearts. This trek is the perfect option if you want to experience hiking while you are already in Nepal.
During the trek, you will witness the unique settlements of western Nepal, their equally simple way of living, settlements, and most of all, their ancient and sacred culture. Phoksundo Lake is one of the most revered monuments for the locals, especially the Bon Po people, as it is not only a popular destination in Shey Phoksundo National Park but also an ancient site of pilgrimage. The location and the beautiful history make the walk even more unique, as you will see and experience several beauties on the way to the destination. Some of the beautiful features and attractions that you will witness there are listed below.
Suligad Waterfall is a magnificent waterfall that you will encounter on the way to Phoksundo Lake. The Suligad waterfall originates from Phoksundo Lake. It is a 167-meter-tall magnificent waterfall that adds to the beauty of the trails. The rainbow on the waterfall is like the cherry on top. Looking at the Suligad waterfall on the uphill hike is exhilarating.
Phoksundo Lake, also known as Shey Phoksundo Lake, locally known as Phoksumdo Lake, is one of the deepest lakes in Nepal. Phoksundo Lake is located in the Shey Phoksundo National Park of Dolpo or Dolpa District in Nepal. Phoksundo Lake is known for its surreal turquoise color and unique Y shape. From afar, it looks like a priceless jewel tucked amongst the hills. The lake pops with its vibrant color among the high hills, providing a breathtaking vista of the lake and the surrounding landscape. Since the lake is freshwater and oligotrophic, there aren't many or any life forms, like fish, although there may be bacteria and other organisms, which results in its pristine purity and deep color. In addition to being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, it has deep religious significance because it is associated with Bon culture, one of the oldest faiths, and is regarded as one of the most significant religious landmarks for the local people. The lake’s color changes depending on the season and the angle you look at it. There are several legends regarding its changing color, making this place mysterious and that's how the lake keeps its baffling beauty.
Ringmo Village is the nearest settlement to Phoksundo Lake. Its original name is Ryangba village. The population of Ringmo village has around 65 houses with a population of approximately 600 people. The traditional houses are 2.5-story roofed, rammed earth houses with small doors and windows to protect from cold outside. You will encounter the simple yet comfortable way of life of the people here in the villages. You will feel at home here because everyone is kind and giving. Even though these historic towns lack luxurious amenities, you will still be able to enjoy the peacefulness of the location. The people follow the Yungdrung Bon religion and it has a 15th century Thasung Tso Ling Gompa, which is a sacred Bon monastery sitting on the ridge overlooking the Phoksundo Lake. Exploring the village and visiting the nearby attractions will open up many learning opportunities where you can experience the slow life of the village. Ringmo village is rich in flora and fauna, and one might get to witness the wild animals closely. Immersing in the culture and interacting with the locals is a wonderful experience.
Thasung Tso Ling Gompa is a Bon gompa that is nearly 600 years old. It is also known as Tso-wa Gompa, where “Tso” means "Lake", and "wa," which means "side" in Tibetan, and also Ringmo Gompa, as it's on the outskirts of Ringmo village. This gompa is situated on the steep shore of Phoksundo Lake. The sight of this gompa is quite picturesque. According to the oral records, Thasung Tso Ling Gompa was established to save the animals, as the hunters used to chase them to the rocky steep where they couldn't escape. So the Lama Treton Tshewang Tshultrim founded this monastery to end hunting and further protect the place. The monastery means "preserving the surrounding," as "tha" means surrounding, and "sung" means conservation or protection. Thasung Tsholing is a cluster of nine private monasteries and one community gompa, which is 15 minutes walk from Ringmo village.
Trekking in Nepal, although challenging, is a whole different experience than trekking in any part of the world. Especially in the western part of Nepal, where the regions are remote, trekking is a challenging and equally awesome experience. Trekking in Dolpo is physically demanding but it comes with a sense of achievement. The trek to Phoksundo Lake is considered to be the easiest among all the trails of Dolpo, but it is still a moderately difficult level trek. Amongst the other treks in Dolpo, the Phoksundo Lake Trek is a trek that provides relatively better facilities, especially in terms of accommodations. Although during trekking, the facilities are quite limited, you will have the opportunity to experience walking amongst the stunning landscapes in the remote part of Nepal.
Your 8 days Phoksundo Lake Trek will start with a flight to Nepalgunj and the next day, a scenic morning flight to the gateway of the Dolpo region, Juphal Airport. During your overnight stay at Nepalgunj, you can tour the area and discover Indian-influenced cuisine and some local culture. Once you arrive in Dolpo after a scenic flight, you will continue your journey. You will get a small Jeep that will take you to Suligad, which is the starting point of your wonderful journey. You will have a transitional journey from the lush lowlands to the stunning alpine and sub-alpine landscapes around Phoksundo Lake. According to a quote, the journey is better than the destination, but throughout this walk, you will experience the beauty of the wilderness as the trail will offer you glimpses of the breathtaking scenery, and the reward—the wonderful lake—will relieve all of your fatigue once you see the pristine beauty. Along with the stunning scenery, you will also have the opportunity to experience something new: the old Bon culture, a religion that has been practiced for generations in Dolpo. It's a journey to paradise since the quiet walks and stays in the villages will offer you a sense of tranquility that is hard to find in the bustle of the city.
The Phoksundo Lake Trek takes you on a journey to the stunning lake and diverse landscapes of Nepal through the trails in Dolpo. Walking through the rugged trails of Phoksundo Lake is an experience to take. Of course, it isn’t easy, especially for those who’re doing it for the first time but witnessing the sight of this sacred lake is a must for a moderately trekking enthusiast. If not now, then when? If not Phoksundo, then where?
Day 1: Fly to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. [150 m/492 ft]
Day 2: Fly to Juphal, Drive to Suligadh, Trek to Chhekpa. [2,678 m/8,786 ft]
Day 3: Trek to Jharana Hotel. [3,133 m/10,279 ft]
Day 4: Trek to Ringmo Village. [3,641 m/11,946ft]
Day 5: Explore Phoksundo Lake and Thasung Tsholing Gompa. [3,720 m/12,303 ft]
Day 6: Ringmo to Chhekpa. [2,678 m/8,786 ft]
Day 7: Trek to Juphal. [2,475 m/8,120 ft]
Day 8: Fly to Nepalgunj, Fly to Kathmandu. [1400 m/4593 ft]
