Mountain Trek / Dolpo Region / Nepal

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

9 days

Moderate

USD 1640

Traverse through stunning green forests and along a gushing river to Dolpo's Shey Phoksundo Lake on an adventure of a lifetime!

Overview

9 days Total Duration

Juphal Trip Start Point

Dunai Trip Finish Point

Moderate Difficulty Level

	Price per person*
4 - 7 people	USD 1640
8 people and above	USD 1540

	1 hotel, 7 mountain lodges
	9 breakfasts
	Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu flights Nepalgunj-Juphal-Nepalgunj flights Reserved vehicle

Valid until Dec 31st, 2025

Prices for expats is less by USD 100

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The Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is a moderate trek that is suitable for trekkers with a reasonable level of physical fitness. The trek involves walking for about 4 to 6 hours each day on mostly rocky and rugged trails. The terrain is generally not too steep, but there are some gradual ascents and descents as you walk through the beautiful landscapes. The risk of altitude sickness is very low as you will not reach a significant elevation.

Dolpo region is very remote and a big part of the trip is just getting to the trailhead, and back. The teahouse accommodations along the route are much more basic compared to more popular trekking areas but you will be provided with basic food and lodging. Our experienced and well equipped team of guide and porters will help you navigate the trails easily and connect to this culturally rich land and its people.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

JanFebMarAprMayJun

JulAugSepOctNovDec

Spring is one of the best times for this trek. The weather is warm during the day and cold at night. The average daytime temperature is 12°C to 20°C (54°F to 68°F), and it can drop during the night. The forests are green, and rhododendrons bloom, making the trail vibrant. It is a busy time of the year, and the trails will be full of trekkers. As the accommodation options are limited, it’s important to prebook the lodges.

This lower region receives a lot of rainfall, so monsoons will be extremely wet, with temperatures ranging from around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The downside of the monsoon is the hovering clouds affecting visibility and slippery trails with leeches. The roads leading up to the trails can be affected by rockfall and landslides. The risk of flight cancellation is also very high. It is not advisable to trek during the monsoon.

Fall is the most popular time of the year to trek with clear skies, mild temperatures, and relatively stable weather conditions. The monsoon rains will have subsided, and visibility of the mountain ranges is excellent. There’s a perfect mix of greenery and colors in the hills and forests. The temperatures range between 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F) and drop lower with increasing elevation. As the accommodation options are limited, it’s important to prebook the lodges.

As we don’t reach significant elevation, trekking in the lower Dolpo region during early winter is a good experience. The mountains look gorgeous in white on non-gloomy days. The temperatures range between 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F) during the daytime and can go lower at night. It is cold but still very doable with the right preparation. The trails are not very busy, and a few lodges are operational.

Itinerary

Download Map

Day 1	Kathmandu - Nepalgunj
Day 2	Nepalgunj - Juphal - Dunai
Day 3	Dunai - Chhepka
Day 4	Chhepka - Jharana
Day 5	Jharana - Ringmo (Shey Phoksundo Lake)
Day 6	Ringmo
Day 7	Ringmo - Chhepka
Day 8	Chhepka - Juphal
Day 9	Juhpal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu

Day 1

Kathmandu - Nepalgunj

Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj 55 mins

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2

Nepalgunj - Juphal - Dunai

Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal 20 mins

Trek from Juphal to Dunai 3 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 3

Dunai - Chhepka

Trek from Dunai to Chhepka 6 to 7 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 4

Chhepka - Jharana

Trek from Chhekpa to Jharana 5 to 6 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 5

Jharana - Ringmo (Shey Phoksundo Lake)

Trek from Jharana to Ringmo (Shey Phoksundo Lake) 4 to 4.5

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 6

Ringmo

Explore Ringmo and Shey Phoksundo Lake

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 7

Ringmo - Chhepka

Trek from Ringmo to Chhepka 6 to 7 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 8

Chhepka - Juphal

Trek from Chhepka to Juphal 6 to 7 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Day 9

Juhpal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu

Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj 20 mins

Fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu 55 mins

Meals Included: Breakfast

Expand | Download Map

Accommodation & Logistics

Overnight accommodation included on this trip:

Hotel

Mountain Lodge

Sharing rooms Accommodation is on twin-sharing basis, which means there will be two people to a room. If you are travelling solo, we can assign a room partner (with someone of the same gender if you so prefer) or if you are travelling with someone you know, you can share the room with them. For families with kids, room allocation depends on your preference and room availability. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge – please find details in the Prices section above.

Battery Charging The charging station is usually at the reception area in the dining hall and each device is charged on a timely basis (e.g. USD 1-2 per hour). The rates are higher for more powerful devices (e.g. power bank, camera batteries, etc). A portable battery charger (15,000-20,000mAh) is highly recommended as it will allow you to charge your devices 3-4 times between recharging the battery pack at a teahouse.

Cellular Network For cell service, consider purchasing an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. Not only does this save you the hassle of searching for a local SIM card, but it also works just as effectively as the local networks. If you plan to get a sim card, Nepal Telecom (NTC) network works better in most areas compared to Ncell in most remote areas. Having said that, please bear in mind that the process of buying an NTC sim card is more time-consuming.

Wifi If you have a sim card or roaming service, you can buy an internet data pack. In several remote parts of Nepal, both the cell network and the internet can be patchy. Teahouses have local wifi installed in different parts of the Everest and Annapurna region. Rather than getting a prepaid card that they sell, we recommend purchasing wifi as per your need each night directly from the lodges. Please note that the internet can be very limited and slow.

Hot Showers Hot showers (solar/gas heated) are available for an extra fee. In elevations above 4000 meters, you only have the option of bucket shower.

Toilets Toilets are usually common to a floor and could either be western or squat style. In lower elevations, attached toilet options are available. However, the options get limited to shared toilets as we go higher (above 3000m/9850ft) and may not even have running water. Make sure to bring your own toilet paper and soap.

Transportation

City Flights Flights between Kathmandu and Nepalgunj operate throughout the day. The planes are bigger than the mountain aircrafts and accommodate 42-80 passengers. Buddha, Shree and Yeti Airlines are some of the common carriers.

Mountain Flights Mountain flights operate only in the mornings and will provide you with a scenic yet exhilarating experience. The mountain planes used in Nepal are Twin Otter with a capacity to accommodate around 18 passengers. Some of the common carriers are Summit, Tara, and Sita Air.

Vehicle We provide reserved private vehicles to drive you around for pick-ups and drop-offs as per the itinerary. The vehicle type (car, jeep, van, etc) will be allocated depending on the number of people and terrain.

Food & Water

Food Lunch and dinner are left out from price includes to give you full flexibility on meals, depending on your appetite and preference. The lodges have a decent selection of food and drink options. For vegetarians and vegans, or if you have any other dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking so we can make arrangements.

Water Carrying your own water bottle/ hydration pack is mandatory. It is always best to have a bottle (1.5-2 liters) and a thermal flask (1 liter or smaller) during the trek. You can refill your bottle with boiled or bottled drinking water available at lunch spots and hotels. We highly discourage buying plastic water bottles during the trek for environmental reasons.

Snacks to carry It is recommended to bring snacks (like chocolates, dry fruits, etc) and energy bars to munch on during the trek.

Shops along the way You will come across several well-stocked shops on the trails (especially in the lower elevations) to buy water, snacks and toiletries. There are also shops selling tea and beverages in between lunch stops.

Crew

Guide One lead guide and assistant guides (depending on the number of trekkers) will accompany you on the trek. All our team members are highly experienced in the mountains, with adequate trail knowledge and first-aid training. Feel free to reach out to the team for any kind of queries or emergencies as we leave no stone unturned to give you a great mountain experience.

Porter A porter is someone who carries your luggage. They are generally locals of the region and will accompany you directly on the day of your trek. The maximum weight one porter carries is 25kgs/55lbs.

Money

Extra Costs to Expect Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, laundry, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the Prices section thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while travelling.

Emergency Fund Our trips are planned to the last detail. However, there might be unforeseen circumstances arising from factors beyond our control (like political unrest, strikes, bad weather, natural calamities, bad road conditions, airport closures, flight cancellations, etc). For this reason, please set aside Rs. 20,000 as reserve fund.

Currency You are advised to carry the local currency (Nepali rupees) for the trails, as all the service providers transact in rupees.

ATMS and Credit cards In most areas outside the cities, cash is the more reliable and widely accepted payment method. While you will have the option to pay by card at some hotels and eateries in popular towns, it’s important to note that card transactions can sometimes be unreliable. Additionally, you will be charged an extra 3-4% transaction fee on top of the amount if you choose to pay by card. As for ATMs, you will come across a few in major towns but we recommend you to carry enough cash during the trek.

Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills. You are welcome to give some gratuities to the trekking crew if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 10-15 per day for the guides and USD 5-10 per day for the porters. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service. You can tip either in Nepali rupees or US dollars. Generally, you chip in money as a group and tip your guides and porters on the last day of your trek over dinner.

Cancellations and Refund In case of flight delays/cancellations due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will reschedule at no extra cost. However, any extra cost incurred and extra charges because of the changes, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation and food, will be the responsibility of the trekker.

Health & Safety

Altitude sickness

We take altitude sickness very seriously and all our itineraries are designed to go on a slow pace, covering short distances as we go higher. With the increase in every thousand meters, we stay an extra night at the same stop or place with a similar elevation to acclimatize our bodies to the altitude.

During the trek, we will also take precautions by staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol consumption, and going for acclimatization hikes as needed. Our guide will check your vitals with oximeter every evening during the trek so we know how your body is reacting to the changing elevation. If you see any symptoms of AMS or have a headache, please contact our guide immediately. In most cases, mild headaches can be tackled with food, hydration and rest. We don’t recommend diamox (pills for altitude sickness) but you can take it as precaution starting a day or two before the trek if you are coming from sea level.

Trail Safety

Our guide will have a well-equipped first-aid kit at all times. Please go through our equipment and medical checklist for better preparedness as the common problems like foot blisters and knee pain can be tackled with proper packing. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, kindly let us know when booking.

Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewellery etc or a large sum of cash while travelling for security reasons.

Insurance You must obtain travel insurance for the trek. This should cover emergency evacuation (including helicopter rescue) and medical expenses up to 5,500m (18,044ft) above sea level.

Drinking Water Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases, and you don’t want that. We recommend drinking only boiled water or using one of steriPEN, LifeStraw, or purification tablets during the trek.

Immunization The immunizations recommended before trekking in Nepal are Hepatitis A, Typhoid fever, and chickenpox. There’s no specific checking but it is for your own safety.

Emergency Contacts If you have any issues or emergencies while trekking, please contact the lead guide or anyone from the team. They will help you contact the nearby hospitals, transport, ambulance, police office, army checkpoints, embassy, and even facilitate rescue operations. We will also send you a list of relevant emergency contacts before the trip.

Hiking and trekking with vonKathmandu has been the highlight of my life since moving to Nepal. The trek I went on with this company was an amazing experience and I can’t say enough about how wonderful everything was planned.

Cameron Monti

VonKathmandu provides a personal touch. They want you to have a wonderful time because they are passionate about the mountains and trekking themselves.

Tom Pellens

They really went above and beyond to ensure we had an epic journey, from making sure we had all our needs met, to celebrating special occasions, to making sure we had the closest table to the warm stove!

Cabaku

I have used several other trekking guides in Nepal and although nearly all of them have been very good, vonKathmandu is the best.

Sally Templeton

I’ve been taking hikes with them for three years, and they just keep getting better. Always great views and great company. Totally recommend vonKathmandu.

Bindi Borg

Thank you introducing us to Tanzing. We had awesome time with him. He is a great guy and so much fun. Rich

Rich and Pat

We had the most fantastic time! Thank you so much for everything!!!!! We are blown away by the beauty of the country, the hospitality of the people, the rich culture and nature. Phunu is just fantastic!!!

Verena Eberhard

Von Kathmandu was so good to us and took us on so many fun adventures. We hiked with them to Namobuddha, Bungamati, and Pilot Baba Ashram, all of which were stunning

Georgia R

Wonderful experience and exceptional organization! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and will definitely be signing up for another hike.

Curiosity30697130296

We had a most outstanding 9 days trip to Mohare and around Pokhara. Congrats also for the very knowledgeable and smart organizational skills of team vonkathmandu that made these days very special to us. We will come back!

Stephan and Malena Grabherr

Von Kathmandu looked after every detail from the start to the end of our wonderful trek up to Kanjin at the top of the Langtang trail. We had an excellent guide (Ramesh Tamang who spoke good English and was extremely knowledgeable). We will come again and use their great services soon.

Andy Brown

The hike was absolutely fantastic. Great team, great views and landscape, professional organization, super care… You guys do a perfect job. It can’t get more professional than that.

Carolin Spannuth Verma

Outside the busy season, we had the opportunity to sit with the locals around the wood fire ovens and to listen to their stories about bears raiding the village..

Sabrina Schmidt Koschella

And we received the best care ever from our guide Phura Sherpa as well as the porters Suresh and Uttarman. (While I don’t speak Nepali, I loved listening to Phura sing while we hiked. An added bonus!)

Anna Ruth

Amazing hikes with great people. You can tell a lot of thought and planning goes into creating the most interesting route possible.

Chris Hofmann

Good friendly and safety conscious guides and the bonus is that the guides are snapping away all day taking high quality photos which they share after the walk.

David Masters

They were well-organized, effective, and fun in their approach!

Sonya Martin

Super well organized- you don’t have to think- just enjoy the incredible scenery. Great chance to meet new folks. What a great way to spend the day- out of the city in nature.

Kimberly Waller

Vonkathmandu knows how to accommodate your wishes and tailors the programme accordingly with great flexibility and a personal touch. We had a great trek to Pikey Peak!

Arjanne Rietsema

They know the best trails in Kathmandu valley, honed with week after week of recce hiking. Together they bring some of the best crew and do not compromise on the quality of service.

Raj Gyawali

The thing that I love about vonKathmandu is that they take care of each and every small detail for you, you just have to show up for an adventure. They know the hills / mountains, they know the good spots to take in the views and they really make the whole thing worth your while.

Shruti Sharma

Throughout the whole trip I always felt well supported by vonKathmandu, whenever I had a question they answered it right away and they were always caring about how I was doing. I would highly recommend to do your Nepal trip with those guys, they are just great

Milan Marck

Glad to discover new places to hike through local villages and the different ridges, very professionally done from the pre-trip info, briefing, logistics etc! Thank you!

Katherine Mah

Huge fan of the day hikes! They offer a fantastic break from the city to hike for hours through beautiful, pristine landscapes, but you still sleep in our own bed afterwards.

Erika Hoffman

Well organized, friendly people, great safe trails and you get to meet lots of interesting people. Plus the views are always spectacular!

Tara Ealy

Stunning views of sprawling terraces and seas of yellow mustard flowers. Highly recommend, and will be certain to travel through von Kathmandu on my next trip.

Nathaniel Glidden

Amazing experience! One of the most beautiful hikes I’ve been on, and I never would have been able to find it by myself.

Anna Hamilton

Fun hike, the crew members are very accommodating participants’ needs, well-organised, great way to discover the beauty of the Valley. Highly recommended!

Pungky Utami

Great team and amazing landscapes! Highly recommend this experience. Very well prepared guides were always kind and helpful.

Gabriel de Carvalho Morand

Perfect intro to the wonders of Kathmandu Valley and surrounding moutain ridges. A nice, friendly and well organised group.

Rob Fielding

•	Free Wi-Fi	•	Room Service	•	Balcony
•	Private Bathroom	•	Hot Shower	•	Free Toiletries
•	Towels	•	Slippers	•	Power Socket
•	Daily Housekeeping

•	Restaurant and Bar	•	Garden	•	Laundry
•	Outdoor Seating	•	Lake Views

	Accommodation 6 nights in mountain lodges (twin sharing) 1 night in hotel (twin/double sharing)
	Transportation Airport pick up and drop off on a private vehicle Kathmandu to Nepalgunj flight Nepalgunj to Juphal flight Juphal to Nepalgunj flight Nepalgunj to Kathmandu flight
	Meals 9 breakfasts
	Crew An experienced guide and an assistant guide with medical kit Porters on all trek days (one porter for two trekkers) Salary, room, board, insurance and any expenses for all crew members
	Permits Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit
	Misc 13% Government taxes

•	Hiking Boots with a good grip
•	Rain gear (for you and your bag)
•	Comfortable hiking pants
•	Quick dry, breathable T-shirts
•	Windproof Jacket
•	Sleepwear
•	Trekking Socks (thick)
•	Underwear
•	Neck buff/ gaiter
•	Sun hat/cap

•	Downjacket
•	Thermals (top and bottom)
•	Fleece jacket
•	Sleeping bag
•	Sleeping bag liner
•	Gloves
•	Woolen hat/beanie

•	Day bag
•	Duffel bag (for porter)
•	Quick dry towel
•	Extra pair of shoes (preferably, slip-ons)
•	Water bottle or camel bladder (1.5 litres).
•	LifeStraw filter or purification tablets
•	Flask (for hot water)
•	Walking Poles
•	Sunglasses (Polarized, with good UV protection)
•	Locks for your backpack/luggage
•	Waist belt
•	A pair of binoculars
•	Trail snacks and energy bars

•	Head lamp (with extra batteries)
•	Camera with charger and extra batteries
•	Phone with charger
•	Power bank
•	Travel adapter (type C, D and M)

•	Sunscreen (SPF 30 or above)
•	Sanitizer
•	Wet wipes
•	Toiletries (incl toilet papers, soap, etc)
•	Personal first aid kit
•	Rehydration salts/tablets
•	Throat lozenges
•	Prescription Medications
•	Lipbalm (SPF 30 or above)

•	Passport with visa
•	A copy of Work ID (for expats)
•	A copy of Insurance papers
•	Permits (carried by guide)
•	Flight tickets (carried by guide)
•	Money
•	Credit Card

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek

Overview

Is this trip for me? What kind of fitness and preparation is required?

Best time to go

Itinerary

Customize this trip

Take a heli back.

Kathmandu Hotel and Transfers

Prices

My Own Room

Includes

Accommodation

Transportation

Meals

Crew

Permits

Misc

Excludes

My Own Room

Extra Expenses

Important Details

Accommodation & Logistics

Hotel

Mountain Lodge

Transportation

Food & Water

Crew

Money

Health & Safety

Checklist

What to pack

Outfit

Warmth

Accessories

Electronics

Toiletries & Meds

Documents & Money

How to pack

Duffel Bag

Day Bag

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