Shey Phoksundo Lake is a beautiful high-altitude lake in the mid-western region of Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of 3,611 meters and is surrounded by big rocky hills, snowy mountains, and steep landscapes inside Shey Phoksundo National Park. Located in the remote Dolpo region near Ringmo village, the area is rich in natural beauty with forests of pine, hemlock, and fir trees. Because of its stunning beauty, it is often referred to as a “heaven on earth” or “paradise.”
Every year, a limited number of visitors visit here to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Shey Phoksundo Lake. Your 11-day trekking journey starts with a domestic flight from Kathmandu airport to Nepalgunj (45–55 minutes), followed by a short flight of about 50 minutes from Nepalgunj (KEP) to Juphal, Dolpa (DOP). From Juphal, you officially start your trek toward the Shey Phoksundo Lake.
On the way, you will pass through several villages like Sulighat, Chhepka and the Tibetan village of Ringmo. From Ringmo, the lake is just a short 1.5-kilometer walk. Once you reach the lakeside, you will witness the turquoise lake. The peaceful atmosphere, soul-healing scenery with spiritual energy are the main highlights of this Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek.
Even though it is located far from Kathmandu city, with a flight option, you can complete this lake trek within 11 Days. On average, you will walk for 5-6 hours, so trek is possible for both beginner and first-time trekkers.
In September 2007, Phoksundo Lake was recognized as a Ramsar Site, which means it is an important wetland of international importance. To conserve various flora and fauna, unique high altitude ecosystems, and their natural beauty Nepal government listed them as restricted trekking Areas in Nepal. Which means travellers must obtain the restricted permit and should follow the park rules to visit the lake responsibly.
This special place is a must-visit destination if you are a nature lover. Also, those who are looking for a peaceful place with a transformative journey. Book the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek – 11 Days Package with us and secure your seat. High Route Adventure will handle the rest for you.
Shey Phoksundo is more than just a lake—every moment here is an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Although Shey Phoksundo is located in one of Nepal’s most remote regions, it is not only a natural wonder but a culturally rich place. It lies within Nepal’s largest national park – Shey Phoksundo National Park. This lake is a sacred site to local communities.
It is believed that the locals here are from the Tibetan-descended community. They follow Tibetan Buddhism and ancient Bon belief(a pre‑Buddhist spiritual tradition). They take Phoksundo as a sacred site, and there is a Shey Gompa monster on the bank of this lake. Locals often visit here for worship and meditation.
The nearby village located near the Phoksundo Lake is Ringmo. Around 200 people live in this village. Locals here are mostly engaged in the seasonal trade, yak herding, and increasing tourism/hospitality. This village is also called Bon Village, as it is a living museum where you can witness locals following bon traditions. During the Yarsma Gumba harvest season people go picking this up to earn some money to earn additional income and support their livelihoods.
Rare cultural events like the Shey Gompa Festival—held every 12 years—celebrate spiritual heritage through ceremonies, prayers, traditional dances, and local customs that honor mountains and sacred sites.
Shey‑Phoksundo Lake shows how nature and human belief remain connected to each other. People not only visit to enjoy the beautiful sight of the lake but also to witness the centuries-old stories and village lifestyle.
In other places, we visit for photos and videos, but here the lake teaches us how we should respect nature, and in return, how nature supports us.
Standing at the edge of the Shey‑Phoksundo, enjoying the peaceful nature, cool mountain fresh air, crystal clear mirror view from the lake and snow-capped mountain touching the blue sky is an experience that will connect nature and people. This place reminds us that the hidden gem is always located in a remote region. We need some courage to visit it. Even though it is far from modern conveniences, it is always worth visiting.
Our 11-day Shey Phoksudo Lake trek price starts from USD 1,400 USD per person. We also offer a group discount on the package. Solo Shey Phokundo lake trek is also possible, but it is mandatory to hire the licence guide with you. Our package includes permits, guide, porter, food, accommodation, logistics, domestic flight and a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Let’s see the cost according to the group size.
| No. of Person | Price in USD |
| Solo/Private | 1500 |
| 2-4 | 1450 |
| 4-8 | 1400 |
| Above 8 | 1350 |
If you feel called to experience this sacred lake, here are some mindful travel tips that honor its religious and cultural weight:
It is compulsory to have the trekking permit before heading out for the Shey Phoksundo Lake trek. For this trek, you will need:
Note: High Route Adventure will arrange all these permits for you. To obtain the permit, you need to provide us with a passport copy and a passport-sized photograph.
Highlights: Check in hotels, explore nearby Thamel, obtain permits
Travellers' note: We suggest you obtain the local SIM ( NTC) from the airport so that you can use it for communication while staying in Nepal. Also, exchanging currency as ATM/Credit cards is not available in the trekking routes.
Flight from: Domestic TIA terminal to Nepaljung airport
Flight duration: ~50 minutes
Highlights: Aerial close-up views of the Himalayan range, mountainous terrain, rivers and clear view of Kathmandu Valley.
Flight from: Nepaljung Airport to Dolpa (Juphal) Airport
Flight duration: 45 minutes
Trek duration: 2 to 3 hours
Highlights: Aerial views of the far western, start your first trek
Trek duration: 5–6 hours
Highlights: lush forests, Suli Ghad River, Suspension bridges, enter the Shey Phoksundo National Park, Scenic villages
Trek duration: 5–6 hours
Highlights: Spot wildlife inside Shey Phoksundo National Park, explore Jharana Waterfall
Trek duration: 5–6 hours
Highlights: Alpine scenery, rhododendron forests, Tibetan culture
Trek duration: 3–4 hours
Highlights: Turquoise lake, spiritual sites, panoramic views
Duration: 6–7 hours
Highlights: Retracing scenic trails, forest landscapes
Duration: 6–7 hours
Highlights: Riverside trails, local settlements
Flight Route: Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu
Highlights: Scenic flights, trip conclusion
All foreign citizens who are travelling in Nepal for the Phoksundo Lake Trek must obtain a Nepal tourist visa. You can obtain a visa from your home country, but getting an arrival visa will be easier. You can get the visa in just around 5 minutes after the submission of the form and pay fees. The cost of the tourist visa depends on the number of days that you spend here.
There is no mandatory health insurance from the government for the Phoksundo Lake Trek. But when you travel with High Route Adventure, it is mandatory to have insurance, and you must show proof of insurance. Your insurance must have:
All foreign citizens who wish to buy a local SIM during their stay in Nepal can purchase one from the airport or an authorized vendor. Getting the SIM is very easy here. You have to fill the form, submit your passport copy and a 2 pp size photograph. Then pay a fee of around 1 USD. For the datapack and other services, you can load them later.
The easiest place to exchange your foreign currency is at the airport. Also, there are several money exchange counters in the Thamel area. In some city areas, you can also find the exchange counter. For the best rate and convenience, we recommend that you exchange from the Thamel area.
To book the Shey Phoksundo Lake trek with High Route Adventure, you can click on the " Book Now " button. Then fill out the form and make a payment of 20% to confirm the booking. After making a payment, send us the screenshot and then after that, we will send you official confirmation. For the cancellation, we suggest you read our company policy in detail.
For the payment, we accept:
The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is graded as moderately challenging, with a difficulty rating of around 5–6/10. This trek is in the moderate range, so it's a good choice for both beginners who are in good shape and experienced trekkers. You don't need any technical climbing or mountaineering skills, but you should be ready to walk 5 to 7 hours a day on different kinds of terrain that isn't always smooth.
The highest point on this trek is about 3,600 meters, which is lower than many other Himalayan routes. Because of this, there is a chance of getting altitude sickness, but it is usually easy to avoid with the right acclimatization.
The Dolpa region is far away, which makes this trek hard. The travel logistics are longer, the infrastructure is limited, and the trails are sometimes steep or rough.
In short, the trek doesn't require advanced trekking skills, just good stamina and consistency. This makes it perfect for people who want a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path Himalayan adventure without the stress of high mountain passes.
You need to get stronger, more fit, and more endurance before the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek because you'll be walking for hours every day on different types of ground. Here's a simple and helpful way to get in shape:
Do things that help you breathe better and last longer, like:
Do it for 30 to 60 minutes four to five times a week. Gradually increase the intensity so your body can get used to hiking for long periods of time. 2. Do long walks as practice (Trek Simulation)
Once a week, go for a walk that lasts between 5 and 7 hours. Start with a light load in your backpack and add weight until it weighs 5 to 8 kg. Try walking on stairs, hills, or paths that aren't level. This helps your body get used to carrying things around all the time. 3. Getting your legs and core in shape
To get better at balancing and feel less tired on rocky trails, work out two to three times a week. 4. Work out on hills
Stretch after every workout. Do some yoga or simple balance exercises. 6. Follow your plan for six to eight weeks. Begin training at least one to two months before your hike. Don't push yourself too hard too soon; instead, slowly raise the intensity.
In short, you should work on your endurance, leg strength, and hiking skills on a regular basis. You don't have to be an athlete to enjoy the hike, but being in good shape will make it more fun and less tiring.
During the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek, you will stay in simple, traditional places that are very much a part of life in the remote Dolpa region, especially around the lake.
The tea houses and homes you see are one of a kind and well-suited to the harsh Himalayan climate. They are usually one or two stories high and are made of mud and stone. The roofs are flat and are made of wood, mud, and sometimes stone slabs. These roofs have many uses: they keep the cold out, protect against strong winds, and are used to dry crops like barley and buckwheat.
The way these houses are set up is useful and traditional:
Even though they are simple, these buildings are surprisingly strong and protect against strong winds and heavy winter snow.
Being on the most remote trek in Nepal, you will not find a wide variety of meals as you can find in the tea houses of Everest base camp and Annapurna in the Phoksundo Lake Trek. In this trek, you will stay in a simple room and eat simple but fresh and nourishing items. Veg and non-veg items can be found, but gluten-free items are not guaranteed. We recommend that you carry cash from the lower regions, as shops are also limited in this region.
During the trek in the Dolpo region, you can find a natural source of water. But we recommend that you use the water purification tablets to make it safe for drinking. Also, you can buy the water bottle from the tea house or the local shop. Water might be a luxury due to the remote location. Make sure to carry a reusable water bottle.
Compared to other high-altitude trekking destinations in Nepal, the chances of altitude sickness(AMS) are low, but we still need to take care of it. The early symptoms of AMS are headache, dizziness, vomiting, etc. If you feel any of these symptoms during the trek, make sure to inform your trekking guide.
With proper acclimatisation tips, you can easily cure AMS, and here is how:
If you make us the travel partner for the Shey Phoksundo Lake trek, we will provide you:
Wifi can be found in the tea house, but is limited to some villages. Also, the wifi might be slow and unreachable due to the remote location. For the internet, relying on the mobile internet will be the best idea. We recommend that you carry a local NTC SIM and use it during the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek.
Kathmandu to Nepaljung: Your first journey of the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek starts from Kathmandu with a short flight to Nepaljung. The flight duration from Kathmandu to Nepaljung is around 50 to 60 minutes. For the Nepaljung flight, our team will transfer you to the domestic terminal of TIA on our private vehicle. The flight fare from Kathmandu to Nepaljung costs around NPR 10,000+ for a one-way ticket for foreign citizens.
Nepaljung to Dolpo (Juphal) Airport: The Nepaljung to Dolpo (Juphal) Airport distance is around 150–180 km. The flight duration is around 35–45 minutes.
Note: All the domestic flight fares will be included in the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek package. We will handle the ticket for you to make your journey hassle-free.
Here’s a comprehensive packing list to ensure you are well-prepared for the remote Dolpa region and variable Himalayan conditions:
