Day 1
Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 150 m
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (1 hour), the gateway to Western Nepal.
Dolpa
Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek
Journey to Nepal's deepest lake in the remote Dolpa region. Shey Phoksundo Lake's stunning turquoise water, the 167m Phoksundo waterfall, and ancient Bon monasteries create an otherworldly experience in one of Nepal's most pristine areas.
Moderate10 days3,612 mMar - May, Sep - Nov
Photo: Sandesh Giri / Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Shey Phoksundo Lake (3,612m)
- 167m Phoksundo waterfall
- 900-year-old Bon monastery
- Remote Dolpa cultural immersion
Journey to Nepal's deepest lake in the remote Dolpa region. Shey Phoksundo Lake's stunning turquoise water, the 167m Phoksundo waterfall, and ancient Bon monasteries create an otherworldly experience in one of Nepal's most pristine areas.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 10 planned days, 70 km of walking, and 3,400 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Shey Phoksundo Lake (3,612m), 167m Phoksundo waterfall, 900-year-old Bon monastery, Remote Dolpa cultural immersion.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Nepalgunj to Juphal
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 2,475 m
Early morning flight to Juphal (Dolpa) - one of Nepal's most scenic short flights over the hills of western Nepal.
Day 3
Juphal to Dunai
3 hrs / 7 km / sleep 2,140 m
Descend to the Thulo Bheri valley, passing through terraced fields and villages. Dunai is the district headquarters of Dolpa.
Day 4
Dunai to Chhepka
6 hrs / 12 km / sleep 2,670 m
Trek along the Bheri River through Suligad - the Shey Phoksundo National Park entrance. Continue through walnut and maple forests to Chhepka.
Day 5
Chhepka to Jharana Hotel
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,110 m
Continue along the Phoksundo River through birch forests. The trail gradually ascends with increasingly dramatic scenery.
Day 6
Jharana Hotel to Ringmo (Phoksundo Lake)
4 hrs / 8 km / sleep 3,612 m
A spectacular day - trek through birch forest and along the Phoksundo River to Ringmo village on the shore of Shey Phoksundo Lake. Views of the 167m Phoksundo waterfall.
Day 7
Ringmo acclimatization
5 hrs / 8 km / sleep 3,612 m
Exploration day. Hike along the lakeshore, visit the 900-year-old Thashung Bon monastery, and enjoy viewpoints overlooking the turquoise lake and snow-capped peaks.
Day 8
Ringmo to Chhepka
6 hrs / 18 km / sleep 2,670 m
Begin the descent, retracing steps through pine forests with scenic views of the lake from above.
Day 9
Chhepka to Juphal
6 hrs / 19 km / sleep 2,475 m
Continue descending along the Phoksundo River and Thuli Bheri River back to Juphal.
Day 10
Juphal to Kathmandu
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 1,338 m
Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj, then connecting flight to Kathmandu.
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
1,338 m
Start
3,612 m
Highest sleep
3,612 m
Max altitude
10
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
Route preview
Route map not published yet
Day-by-day itinerary is available below. GPX/KML for this trek will appear here when published - always verify the trail locally before walking.
GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
GPX/KML files are not published for this route yet. Itinerary data is available now.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Altitude
- 3,612 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek runs 10 days and covers 70 km of walking. That includes 1 acclimatization day where you sleep at the same village instead of climbing higher. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek go?
The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek tops out at 3,612 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 3,612 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek?
The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek normally requires: Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit, TIMS Card. Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek?
Mar - May, Sep - Nov is the usual window for the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek?
The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is rated moderate, with 3,400 m of total ascent over 70 km. Walking days are roughly 3-6 hours. No technical climbing skills are required on the standard route.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek?
Yes. The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek reaches 3,612 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days (1 on this itinerary), and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Where does the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek start and finish?
The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek starts and finishes at Juphal, in the Dolpa region.
Is there phone signal on the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek?
Coverage on the Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is: variable by village and carrier. Assume you will lose data for long stretches - download map packs, the GPX track and the forecast before you leave the last town, and carry a power bank.
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Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
Get it on Google Play
Ready for your next Nepal & mountain adventure?
Download map packs on Wi‑Fi, pull weather while online, then use GPS altitude, planner & safety tools on trail - free on Google Play. Not a guide or rescue service.
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