Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek: Ultimate Travel Guide to Dolpo’s Turquoise Jewel 2026/2027

Shey Phoksundo lake trek is one of the most incredible trekking trails which takes you to the heart of remote Dolpo region of Western Nepal. Phoksundo lake, also popular as the deepest lakes of Nepal is a fresh alpine water oligotrophic lake.

Shey Phoksundo lake, is a jewel of the Himalayas offers an incredible journey to mesmerizing turquoise-blue waters, dramatic cliffs, centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist culture, and untamed natural beauty. If you are in search of less-crowded and peaceful trekking trails, Shey Phoksundo lake trek is waiting for you to explore its peaceful routes, authentic mountain villages, ancient monasteries, and spectacular Himalayan landscapes in 2026.

So, let’s dive deeper about the Phoksundo lake trek:

Where is Shey Phoksundo Lake Located?

Shey Phoksundo Lake is located inside the Shey Phoksundo National park territory in the Dolpa district of Karnali Province, in Western Nepal. Phoksundo Lake is an alpine freshwater lake which is situated at an elevation of 3,611 meters.

The Y-shaped lake is formed by melting glaciers from the Kanjirowa range. The lake stretches approximately 5 km in length and 800 meters width. It is Nepal’s only true trans-Himalayan lake which is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and dramatic mountain surroundings.

Shey Phoksundo Lake has a depth of 145 meters which makes it the deepest lake in Nepal and one of the deepest high altitude lakes in the world. The vivid turquoise hue of Shey Phoksundo lake was designated as a Ramsar Wetland in 2007.

Why is Shey Phoksundo Lake Turquoise?

The turquoise color of Shey Phoksundo lake is the result of a combination of natural factors. The deepest lake of Nepal is primarily fed up with glacial meltwater which has extremely small particles of rock rock known as glacial flour or rock flour.

These flour particles are too fine so they neither settle nor dissolve in water and are scattered throughout the lake. When sunlight hits these particles they reflect the light in the specific wavelength which forms the water turquoise.

In addition to this, the lake is free from aquatic plants or algae and its high mineral content also adds the turquoise blue color. The crystal clear water of these glacial lakes is so extraordinary that you can even view the depth of more than 5 meters from the surface. Its extreme depth does not absorb light particles which create a striking visual effect.

The color of Shey Phoksundo lake constantly goes on changing and it appear:

• Dawn: Light, pale, and ethereal
• Mid-Day: Deep and saturated
• Dusk: Silver and steel

Facts about the Phoksundo Lake Trek

Highlights of Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

The Phoksundo Lake Trek also known as Shey Phoksundo trek is best suited for those who are in search of an off-the-beaten-path Himalayan adventure 2026. The trail takes you through Shey Phoksundo National Park which is one of largest protected areas of Nepal. The Phoksundo lake trek is far away and peaceful than the busy routes of Everest or Annapurna. Here, you will walk through small villages where you will get the insight of ancient Bon religion in their simple lifestyle.

The Magical Turquoise Lake

The magical turquoise lake is one of the main attractions of the Phoksundo lake trek. The mystical atmosphere of the lake removes all your tired leg muscles and soul. Watching the reflection of the surrounding snow-capped Kanjiroba massif on the surface of water is almost surreal experience.

Shey Phoksundo National Park

Phoksundo Lake Trek makes you explore the largest National park of Nepal, Shey Phoksundo National Park in 2026. The park is home to diverse eco-system ranging from subtropical forest to alpine meadows which is a habitat of several rare and endangered wildlife such as:

• Blue Sheep
• Snow Leopard,
• Great Tibetan Sheep (Ovis ammon),
• Great Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus),
• Tibetan Antelope (Pantholopus hodgsoni),
• Himalayan Tahr
• Musk Deer
• Himalayan Black Bear
• Jackals and foxes

If you enjoy birdwatching you may get chance to encounter numerous bird species like:

• Himalayan monal (Nepal’s national bird)
• Blood pheasant,
• Cheer Pheasant,
• Tibetan Partridge,
• White-throated Tit,
• Snow cock,
• Himalayan griffon vulture,
• Snow partridge.

Shey Phoksundo National Park is also famous for the popular non-timber forest products and medicinal plants such as:

• Yarsagumba (Ophyocordiceps sinensis): Popular for its aphrodisiac properties.
• Shilajit : A natural tar like substance which is rumored to cure almost all diseases even if consumed in small amount.

Authentic Dolpo Culture

The villages along the Phoksundo Lake Trek preserve centuries-old Tibetan traditions. Local communities of the Dolpo trekking trails still practice Bon religion alongside Tibetan Buddhism which surely offers visitors a rare cultural experience.

You will encounter influences of both religions when exploring stone houses, colorful prayer flags, mani walls, and ancient chortens decorated with colorful symbols that make every village feel timeless. When traversing across the trekking trails of the Phoksundo, you will encounter how people are spending their day to day life by:

• Animal herding
• Farming, and
• Trade.

You will also encounter how locals are deeply influenced with Tibet either it is by their culture, language or way of their wear. Even though, people live in remote region, you may see them enjoying their life and they welcome you with face filled with smiles no matter how tired they are from working in their fields.

Nepal’s Spectacular Waterfall

Phoksundo Waterfall, also known as Suligad Waterfall, is one of the tallest waterfalls in Nepal. It plunges with a height of 167 meters and is located in the southern end of the turquoise Shey Phoksundo Lake. Exploring the cascading waters which create a dramatic gorge before joining the Thuli Bheri River is highly advised.

Ringmo Village

When trekking to Phoksundo lake, Ringmo village is a small settlement which is located at the northern end of the shore of this pristine lake. There are approximately 50 houses in the village where you can find many teahouses and lodges.

The villagers mostly practice Bon and Buddhist religion which can be reflected in the religious architecture of Ringmo, chortens, prayer flags, mani walls.

How to reach Phoksundo Lake, Nepal in 2026/2027?

Phoksundo lake is one of the most popular attractions of the Dolpo trek in Nepal. Reaching Dolpo region is not as easy as reaching the base of Annapurna or Everest. As it is located in the Dolpo region of Western Nepal, you need to depend on both transportation options like flight, roadways and via trekking for multiple days.

Flight

First, you will board a flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. Within 50 minutes of takeoff, you will land at Nepalgunj airport. Then, you will take another flight to Juphal, as most of the flights operate only in the morning, you have to spend a day in Nepalgunj.

Flights to Juphal are similar to Lukla airport which is highly dependent on weather conditions and anytime it gets cancelled or delayed.

It only takes 25-35 minutes to reach Juphal and then you will start your trekking journey to reach Nepal’s deepest lake, Shey Phoksundo lake.

• Kathmandu to Nepalgunj Airport Ticket Price: USD 168 per person for foreigners. (one-way)
• Nepalgunj to Juphal Airport Ticket Price: USD 218 per person for foreigners. (one-way)

Roadway

If you want to avoid the airway, road transportation is also available for you. Kathmandu is 530-kilometer far from Nepalgunj and the private jeep- journey lasts more than 14 hours.

As you reach Nepalgunj, you will again head on the road journey to Sulighat which demands one and half days. During the trip, you will pass districts like Surkhet, Jajarkot, Rukum, before finally reaching Dolpo regions.

Public Bus

If you do not want to spend money on hiring a private jeep then, you can simply take a public bus from Balaju Bus Park, Kalanki, or Gongabu (New Bus Park) which will take you to Nepalgunj. From there you will take a bus to Dunai, also known as the headquarters of Dolpa.

And, the journey to Dunai will take at least 22 to 24 hours. From, Dunai you will start your trekking journey to Shey Phoksundo National Park.

• Kathmandu to Nepalgunj Bus ticket: NPR 2300 to NPR 3000 per person.
• Nepalgunj to Dunai Bus Ticket: NPR 3500+ per person.

Shey Phosksundo Lake Trek

Best Time to Visit Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

The best time to visit Shey Phoksundo lake or to do Phoksundo lake trek is during Pre-monsoon and post monsoon season. These seasons help you have best experiences in the remote trekking trails of the lower Dolpo trek in 2026.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the best time to do trekking in the remote mountainous region of Nepal like Shey Phoksundo lake trek. The season offers moderate temperature, clear skies which is best for longer hour walks inside the territory of the Phoksundo National park.

Also, you will get the best mountain views of Kanjiroba Himal (6,883 m) and freshly bloomed Rhododendron and alpine flowers will make you forget tired leg muscles and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Autumn (September to November)

It is another best month for Phoksundo trek because it also offers crystal clear skies and breathtaking views of Himalayas. The stable and mild temperature also favors longer hours of multiple day trek.

Winter (December to February)

When doing Dolpo trek in Nepal, Winter months offer extreme cold weather. There are also high chances of blocked trekking trails due to extreme snowfall.

You can plan a Lower Dolpo trek in winter if you are in search of solitude and want to explore yourself amidst the beauty of nature. But, you need to prepare yourself both mentally and physically.

Monsoon (June to August)

Monsoons offer hot weather conditions and excessive rainfall, this is why trekking is not recommended in this season. Even though Dolpo is a rain shadow area, it receives less rainfall, but the lower trekking trails become slippery and you have to suffer from flight cancellation, disrupted trails due to flood and landslides, and have to deal with leeches and mosquitos.

Difficulty and How to Handle the Altitude

The Phoksundo Lake Trek is considered moderate as you don’t need to cross any high mountain pass, you can easily complete this trek if you have prior physical fitness. The trekking trails of the Shey Phoksundo Lake Nepal demand you to do regular hikes of 5 to 7 hours for more than a week.

Also, you have to walk in a rocky terrain filled with steep ascents and descents. It takes you to a maximum elevation of 3,611 meters at Phoksundo Lake, you must have a reasonable fitness to complete the trek.

In addition to this, trekking demands a slower pace, if you avoid rushing and walk at your own pace while resting. You can deal with the increased elevation easily and to do so, you have to prepare yourself both mentally and physically by:

• Doing regular exercise,
• Hiking with heavy backpack in weekend,
• Focusing on cardio such as walking uphill and downhill, etc.

Permits and Accessibility

Phoksundo Lake Trek takes you to the heart of Lower Dolpo of the Western Nepal. As it falls under the restricted trekking trails in the Dolpo region, you need to have an entry permit as well as a restricted area permit as well.

• Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit cost : NPR 3000 per person.
• Restricted area permit for the Dolpo Region cost: USD 20 per person.
• TIMS Card (if required under current trekking regulations) cost: NPR 2000 per person.

Make sure you always check the latest permit requirements and if you booked with Awesome Holidays Nepal, all of your logistics will be managed by our trekking and team leaders on your behalf.

Accommodation and Teahouse

Accommodation in the Phoksundo Lake Trek mainly consists of basic tea houses and simple mountain lodges. When planning off-the-beaten-trails of Nepal, you need to remove expectations regarding luxurious services inside the remote teahouses and should focus on exploring local culture and how they spend their day to day life in this remote region. 

Most of the teahouses and homestays have increased the level of comfort you will get as compared to 10 years ago, and you will get facilities which include:

• Twin-sharing rooms with basic bedding,
• Shared bathrooms without hot showers,

If you want to take a hot shower, you will get a bucket of hot water. Only a few teahouses have installed Wi-fi services but it is not reliable as it depends on solar power. Everything like using hot water for showers, charging your electronics, and using wi-fi facilities comes with extra cost in the remote trails of the Phoksundo Lake Trek. 

If you are planning to visit Shey Phoksundo lake in peak season like Autumn and Spring, in order to get a private room you need to book the accommodation more than 5 to 6 months in advance. We also suggest you pack your own sleeping bag, night gets too cold in higher elevation of the Dolpo trek in Nepal.  

Those who are seeking to get cultural immersion, make sure you spend overnight in following villages: 

• Juphal for best view of Putha mountain,
• Dunai best hotel nearby airport,
• Kageni
• Shyangta
• Chhepka for best view of river 
• Rechi  Village
• Saijol
• Ringmo Village

Foods and Drinking Water

The teahouses and homestays of the Phoksundo lake trek offer limited items on the food menu but they are enriched with nutrition. Nepali staple food, Dalbhat and tarkari is the best food to have when trekking to the remote Himalayas because it gives you sufficient energy to walk for longer hours.

We suggest you to have Dalbhat in both lunch and dinner as most Nepali do so. For breakfast, you will get options like Tibetan bread, roti, pancake egg, and cooked vegetables with jam or honey served with tea and coffee whereas Dal bhat, fried rice, noodles, Tibetan bread, momos, soup are available in lunch and dinner.

There are multiple natural water sources like river, stream, waterfall which you can consume after purification. You can bring your own reusable water bottle and refill it with hot water in teahouses or lodges if you want to avoid the hassle of purification.

Phoksundo Lake Trek Route and Itinerary

At Awesome Holidays we believe in deeper immersion and slow travel. When doing Phoksundo Lake trek, you will be traveling via following common route:

• Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal → Dunai
  Dunai → Chhepka → Rechi → Ringmo Village
  Ringmo Village → Shey Phoksundo Lake → Return

Our sample itinerary of 11 days to Phoksundo lake is designed in such a way that you will get deeper cultural immersion and also focusing in proper acclimatization:

• Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)
• Day 2: Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150 m)
• Day 3: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2,475m)
• Day 4: Trek to Dunai (2140m)
• Day 5: Trek from Dunai to Chhepka (2,680 m).
• Day 6: Trek from Chhepka to Rechi also known as Jharana Hotel (3110m )
• Day 7: Trek through Ringmo Village (3660 m)
• Day 8: Trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake (3611m) and exploration of nearby attractions
• Day 9: Trek back from Phoksundo Lake to Chhepka
• Day 10: Trek from Chhepka to Juphal via Dunai.
• Day 11: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj and then connect to Kathmandu.

Packing List for Shey Phoksundo Lake

Phoksundo lake trek also demands a proper packing list in order to complete the trek without any suffering in 2026/2027. Make sure you have following packing list:

Footwear

• Waterproof, well broken-in trekking boots
• Sandals for teahouses
• 3 to 4 pairs of trekking socks
• Gaiters(for off-season)

Clothing

•  Moisture-wicking T-shirts 
• Long-sleeve trekking shirt 
• Trekking pants 
• Thermal base layers 
•  Fleece jacket 
• Down jacket 
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Waterproof trekking pant
• Multiple pair or undergarments

Headwear

• Warm hat or beanie
• Sun hat or cap
• Scarf
• Buff or neck gaiter

Handwear

•  Lightweight gloves 
• Warm insulated gloves

Essentials

• 40–60 L trekking backpack 
• Rain cover for backpack 
• Daypack (optional) 
• Sleeping bag (rated to -10°C or lower) 
• Trekking poles 
• Headlamp with extra batteries 
• Reusable water bottles 
• Water purification tablets or filter 
• Sunglasses with UV protection 
• Toiletries, 
• First aid kit
• Prescribed Medication, etc.

Practical Travel and Trekking Tips for 2026/2027

When planning for the Phoksundo Lake Trek, one of the most pristine landscape of the Dolpo region make sure you follow these tips so that you can have smoother and more enjoyable journey:

• Book domestic flights 3 to 6 months in advance.
• Always carry sufficient cash, as teahouses and homestays do not accept digital transactions.
• Stay hydrated by drinking more than 3 liters of water daily.
• Acclimatize properly by resting enough, eating a balanced meal and drinking fluid even though the altitude is moderate.
• Respect local customs and religious sites.
• Pack reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic bottles.

Planning a Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek in 2026?

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• Allow extra days in your itinerary for potential flight delays.
• Make sure you carry your trash in your trashbag.
• Avoid single-use plastics and throw waste only in designated bins only.
• Respect wildlife and spot them in their habitat without disturbing them.
• Support locally owned lodges by eating in the same place where you are planning to stay overnight.
• Always follow “Leave No Trace” principles.

Go on Nepal Hidden Lake Trek to Shey Phoksundo

The Phoksundo Lake Trek is not all about a hike, but it is a journey which takes you to one of the last truly wild Himalayan landscapes of western Nepal. The trek makes you witness dazzling turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake located at an elevation of 3,611 meters and with a depth of 145 meters it is considered as the deepest lake of Nepal.

From witnessing deeper cultural immersion in local teahouses to spotting endangered wildlife, the peaceful trails of Phoksundo Lake Trek offers you an unforgettable experience filled with pristine wilderness, breathtaking mountain views, and spectacular Phoksundo waterfalls.

If you are planning to step in this remarkable trail make sure you contact Awesome Holidays Nepal as our experienced guides and teammates will make sure that you will have memories that will last a lifetime.