Route · Mustang & Dolpo
Kathmandu to Shey Phoksundo
Phoksundo Lake in Dolpo is reached by flying from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then on to Juphal, and walking three days up the Suligad valley to Ringmo. The journey covers roughly 550 km by air and trail and usually takes four to five days from Kathmandu.
Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in about an hour and spend the night there. Next morning take an early flight of about 45 minutes to Juphal, at about 2,499 m. From Juphal walk down to Dunai, the district headquarters, then up the Suligad valley via Chhepka and Amchi Hospital to Ringmo and the lake at about 3,612 m, gaining about 1,100 m over three days.
Jeep roads now reach Dunai from the south, so it is possible to drive from Nepalgunj in two to three days and walk from there. The road is long, rough and often blocked, especially in the monsoon, and there are few places to stay. We use it only as a backup when Juphal flights are suspended for days. Check current status before you travel.
Charter helicopters can fly from Nepalgunj or Juphal towards Phoksundo in clear weather. It is expensive and brings you to about 3,600 m with no acclimatisation, so we suggest it only for the return or for medical evacuation. Make sure your travel insurance covers helicopter rescue above 3,000 m before any Dolpo trip.
Worth a stop on the way
- Nepalgunj
- Juphal (Dolpa Airport)
- Dunai
- Chhepka
- Amchi Hospital
- Ringmo
Local tip
Keep at least two spare days in your plan, because Nepalgunj–Juphal flights are often delayed by weather at either end.
Questions
How many days does it take to reach Phoksundo Lake from Kathmandu?
Usually four to five days: a flight to Nepalgunj and a night there, an early flight to Juphal, then three days on foot via Dunai and Chhepka to Ringmo at the lake. Delayed flights are common, so plan spare days. The return takes about as long, which is why even the shortest Phoksundo trek needs 10–12 nights.
What permits do I need for Phoksundo Lake?
As we understand it, you need the Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permit, about NPR 3,000 for foreigners, and the Lower Dolpo restricted-area permit, about USD 20 per week, arranged by a registered agency for at least two trekkers with a licensed guide. Going on to Shey Gompa needs the costlier Upper Dolpo permit. Check current status before you travel.
Is the trek to Phoksundo Lake difficult?
It is a moderate trek with long days rather than technical sections. You walk 5–7 hours a day, gaining about 1,100 m from Juphal to the lake, with a steep climb past the 167 m waterfall below Ringmo. Lodges and teahouses are simple and fewer than in Annapurna or Everest, and beyond the lake most routes need camping.
When is the best time to visit Phoksundo Lake?
May to June and September to October are the best months, with open trails, clear skies and green pastures. Dolpo lies partly in the rain shadow, so July and August are also walkable, but Juphal flights are less reliable. From November to March snow, cold and closed lodges make the trek hard. Check current status before you travel.