Phoksundo Lake Trek 9 Days

Reasons to Trek to Phoksundo Lake

A trek to Phoksundo Lake goes beyond a standard Himalayan lake visit. It lets you traverse into the most remote regions of Nepal with beautiful scenery, diverse culture and pristine nature. The region is almost the total opposite of the Everest and Annapurna regions in terms of commercialization and development. Traditional villages and ways of life intermingle with cultured religiosity, old growth forests and the soaring Himalayas.

Phoksundo Lake’s turquoise waters, ringed by the towering walls of Phoksundo Park, dominate the landscape and take your breath away. The neighboring Ringmo Village gives you a peek into the cultural ways of the people of the region. The trek offers a good blend of landscapes, culture and adventure for photographers and travelers looking for something off the beaten path.

Phoksundo Lake – Most Famous and Deepest Lake of Nepal

Phoksundo Lake is one of the best, most unusual, and mesmerizing natural attractions of Nepal and is considered the deepest lake in Nepal. Phoksundo Lake is situated inside Shey Phoksundo National Park and surrounded by high, rugged mountains and steep cliffs. This magical lake is considered to be part of the Trans Himalayan mountain range. The water of this magical lake is of multiple shades of blue and turquoise and contrasts beautifully against the surrounding rocky and rugged mountains of Dolpo.

The lake has cultural value for the local community as well. The Dolpo region of northwestern Nepal is home to mixed Buddhism and Bon traditions and practices. Spiritual and cultural importance combined with the physical beauty and remoteness makes Phoksundo Lake one of the best attractions of western Nepal.

Ringmo Village and Dolpo Culture

Phoksundo Lake trip takes hikers to one of the more culturally rich areas of Nepal, the Tibetan-influenced Dolpo region. The village of Ringmo is located on the shores of Phoksundo Lake and is considered by many to be the highlight of the trek. The typical stone-masonry houses, cultivated land, and religious stupas (chortens) all contribute to the character of the settlement. While many of the practices of Dolpo appear to the outside to be relics of a bygone era, in reality, many are still heavily practiced.

In recent years, the region has slowly opened up to outside influence. Buddhism and the Bon Po tradition have shaped the religiosity of the people of the area. In recent years, there have also been efforts to bring better health and educational resources. Trekkers will have the opportunity to witness these traditions as well as understand the harmonious relationship of the people of the area and their environs, especially with a visit to Ringmo.

Shey Phoksundo National Park

The Shey Phoksundo National Park is an important area of the trek and one of the more remarkable protected areas of Nepal. This park was established to protect the unique ecosystems and the wildlife of the Dolpo region. The park covers large altitude habitats and varies from wooded valleys to high mountains, rivers, and lakes. The area contains Phoksundo Lake.

The park contains a wide range of vegetation and fauna, including the Himalayan blue sheep, Himalayan Tahr, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and other animals. The park has many medicinal and aromatic plants. Dolpo is well known for its collection of wild plants, but sightings of wild animals cannot be guaranteed. This park gives hikers the chance to see a Himalayan wilderness area.

Difficulty Level to Phoksundo Lake journey

The difficulty level for the trek to Phoksundo Lake is rated moderate to difficult for various reasons. First, the location of the trek is remote. Second, there are long days of walking, about 6 to 7 hours on most days. The trail is rough, with ascents and descents, rocky and uneven, and includes river crossings. The trek passes through changing and unpredictable weather conditions. Unlike some of the longer Upper Dolpo treks, this trek does not have high-altitude pass crossings. However, a good level of physical fitness is still needed.

Those who have prior trekking experience have an advantage on this trek. However, it is not completely necessary. For physically fit first time trekkers, walking, hiking, or running regularly helps build up your stamina and fitness for the demanding daily treks. On the trek, it is important to maintain a pace, drink plenty of water, eat enough, and get enough rest.

Best Time to Trek to Phoksundo Lake

There are two main seasons to go trekking to Phoksundo Lake – Spring and Autumn. In Spring, starting from March, days begin to warm up and visibility of mountains increases, making it easier to take pictures and making it a nice time for trekking. For the next few months, the landscape continues to green up and plants and flowers start to bloom, making it even more beautiful and adding even more color to the trek.

Autumn, starting from September, brings about clear skies and even more picturesque views of the mountains because of the monsoon season. Cooler temperatures make trekking even more enjoyable. For trekking in the Dolpo region, this season is even more popular.

Trekking during the other seasons of the year can be more of a challenge because of the monsoon season and the possibility of floods and a wintry mix. Also during these seasons, especially during the monsoon, flights can be unpredictable and disruptive, so there’s a good chance your trekking itinerary may need to be altered.

Phoksundo Lake Permits

Phoksundo Lake Trek is made up of two permits. The first is the Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit. The second is the Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit.

Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit: This permit is required to access Shey Phoksundo National Park. The park is home to Phoksundo Lake. The park is home to a variety of wildlife and scenic views and is home to numerous glaciers and high altitude lakes. Trekkers are free to explore the park.

Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit: This permit is required since the trekking trail goes through the Lower Dolpo restricted area. The trekking agency is required to arrange the permit. Trekkers are expected to follow the regulated route.

The permit process is lengthy and complicates the trekking process. Therefore, our team takes care of this process. This allows you to focus on other aspects of the trek like remote areas and scenic views. Permit fees are subject to change. We always confirm the requirements before the trek.

Accommodation on Phoksundo Lake Trek

Accommodation in the Dolpo region is basic because of its remote location. Compared to the more developed teahouses on the Everest, Annapurna and Manaslu trekking trails, the teahouses in Dolpo are less developed.

Most teahouses have twin sharing rooms, and additional mattresses and blankets are provided. Some bathrooms may not be available, so you may need to use nature’s bathrooms. Electricity and heating may not be available in some of the villages, and the same is true for hot showers.

We recommend that you bring a good quality warm sleeping bag with you as the nights can be very cold. If you don’t have a sleeping bag, we can also provide you with one.

The authentic experience of staying at basic teahouses in the Phoksundo Lake region makes your trek to the region worthwhile and adds to the experience of your adventure.

Food During the Trek

Food on the trek is simple, nutritious meals designed to provide enough energy to trek for days at a time. Dal bhat, rice, vegetables, noodles, pasta, potatoes, eggs and soups are served at different settlements along the way. Tibetan influenced food is also available along the trail. Tea and other hot beverages are especially enjoyed during the colder months.

As the area is remote, the food options can be fewer than what’s available on Nepal’s more popular trekking routes. Trekkers should be aware that they may only find simple meals and may consider bringing personal snacks to gain extra energy during the day, such as energy bars, dried fruit and nut bars or chocolate.

How much does a Phoksundo Lake Trek cost?

There are multiple factors that can affect the Phoksundo Lake Trek cost. These include the number of trekkers, the kind of accommodations in Kathmandu and Nepalganj, the use of guides and porters, the cost of domestic flights, permits, meals, transportation and the service of the trekking company. The cost of flights to Juphal and the availability of accommodations in remote areas can also vary and therefore affect the cost of the trek at different times of the year.

A package may include the cost of the domestic flights, the accommodations, the meals, the services of a licensed guide, porter service, permits, ground transport and staff costs. The cost of international flights to Nepal, the visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, equipment, tips, and the cost of an evacuation are usually not included in a package.

Guide and Porter

It is wise to hire a guide for the Phoksundo Lake Trek as the area can be difficult to navigate. Your guide will help sort out your permits and arrangements, provide local communication and ensure safety.

While you don’t need a porter, trekking comforts include having your main luggage carried by a porter, while you freely use a daypack. This helps the local economy and communities as well.

Phoksundo Lake Trek vs Upper Dolpo Trek

While the journey to Phoksundo Lake and the Upper Dolpo Trek cover a lot of the same region, they differ in many aspects of the trek. The Phoksundo Lake Trek focuses on the region of Phoksundo Lake National Park and Ringmo Village, providing a short trek that gives visitors a short glimpse of the natural and cultural aspect of the Dolpo region.

An Upper Dolpo Trek, however, focuses much farther north in the region and is a longer and more difficult trek due to high mountain passes and more remote villages. Travelers who wish to see Phoksundo Lake and don’t have a lot of time to travel may want to take the Phoksundo Lake Trek, while travelers who want to take a long and remote wilderness expedition may want to look into an Upper Dolpo Trek.

Is the Phoksundo Lake Trek Difficult?

The Phoksundo Lake Trek is suitable for beginners who are physically fit and prepared, however it should not be considered as an easy trek. Many days of this trek consist of about 6 to 7 hours of trekking on steep and rugged Himalayan trails, and because of the remote region, travelers should be ok with basic trekking conditions.

Before the trek, beginners should build up their stamina for walking by going on a few good long day hikes. You should prepare yourself for changes in the weather, basic and simple accommodations, as well as very few to no facilities. An experienced guide is always valuable to first time trekkers as they can aid in managing logistics, as well as keeping a decent and comfortable pace.

Safety and Health Considerations While Trekking

Safety is always a concern in remote Himalayan treks in Nepal. Besides worrying about high altitude, trekkers have to consider changing weather conditions, dehydration, fatigue, and walking on uneven terrain. Itineraries to remote areas are, by their nature, high altitude treks, and gradual acclimatization is important. Ensuring adequate fluid and nutritious food intake, as well as adequate rest is important.

Weather can also impact flights to and from Juphal. Mountain flights are more dependent on visibility and weather conditions. The flights typically have a fair amount of flex in the schedule, and some travelers prefer to arrange their travel insurance to have a similar amount of flex. Travel insurance should cover trekking and also have an emergency evacuation component.

Responsible Tourism in Dolpo

Dolpo is culturally and environmentally diverse. It requires special attention to the promotion of responsible tourism. Trekkers should behave appropriately while visiting culturally sensitive sites such as local customs, religious sites, monasteries and monks. Consideration should be given while photographing religious ceremonies and residents.

Travellers should preserve the environment by avoiding littering and damaging plants and animals. Tourism should bring benefit to the local community. Local tourism means using local facilities (lodges, porters and guides). Tourists can appreciate the beautiful environment of Dolpo and make it beneficial to local residents at the same time.