Phoksundo Lake Trek

Best season for Phoksundo Lake trek (PLT)

The ideal seasons for the PLT are:

Spring Season: The time of March to May have very clear and clean weather for PLT, the weather remains good and stable most of this season in Dolpo region with forests blooming with national flower rhododendrons as well. If you want to witness beautiful rhododendron flowers, you must choose this season as it is a treat to have a glimpse of.

Autumn Season: The months from September to November do have blue skies, the weather is clear, clean and weather conditions remain stable with best visibility of picturesque scenes and the whole scenery looks so majestic and breathtaking at the same time. For best visibility and scenery, you must choose this season.

Monsoon season: We suggest you to not travel or just avoid this season for PLT. The time of June to August, it remains very rainy, the trails are very slippery and muddy. Leeches trouble your walking. Still it has positive sides too. The clouds look fascinating, and the bloomed flowers make whole of the grasslands look so beautiful. The hills are decorated with monsoon flowers and its chilled atmosphere makes you feel serene.

Winter season: We also suggest you to not travel or just avoid this season for PLT. The time of December to February, the weather remains extreme cold, snowy everywhere, the trails are very slippery due to snow. Still if you prefer snow, it is the best ever season. The snowy hills looks so beautiful and crystals of ices on lakes, rivers just make the trails more interesting to walk on.

Trek Difficulty of Phoksundo Lake Trek

This Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT) is considered as a moderate trek as it is not that easy and not that challenging, does not include technical climbing. Very suitable for experienced trekkers also to explore the destination thoroughly. The average time of daily hiking ranges from 5 to 7/8 hours. No prior high-altitude experience is needed but a commendable physical and mental fitness is required.

Cultural relevance of Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT)

The Phoksundo lake which holds the deep cultural significance which lies on the Dolpa region of Nepal, with the Tibetan Buddhist and Bonpo communities. The lakes cultural significance is highlighted with the present of tshowa gompa, monastery where monks perform rituals for the guardians of lake. The lake is not just natural beauty but is the place which holds local tradition and daily life.

Phoksundo lake holds the importance for different religious practices. The lake helps to keep the culture alive, where people still speak their traditional language and also build the old Tibetan style houses. The people preserve their old tradition in village like Ringmo and make the handmade crafts which reflect the culture. The world can see the unique way of living in the remote area in Phoksundo lake. The lake beauty and stories help us to be connected with the past and present, which make the place truly special.

Festivals and rituals

The Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT) deeply connect us to spiritual life with the vibrant festivals and holy rituals done for the divine significance. The Shey festival is importantly celebrated nearby Shey gompa monastery, where the masked dances are performed by monks to oppose the spirits and bring peace blessing. The visitor across Dolpa gather to watch dance, receive blessing from lamas and circle the lake in ritual to purify their karma.

In the believe to protect the lake they incense and pray to nag and the local people offer grains to the Nag puja in order to make the nag happy listen the prayer. The drums, bells and chanting ceremony conducted by the priest inorder to maintain peace between human and nature using the drums, bells and chanting. In the Tibetan new year families offer the lake shores, hang prayer flag and light butter lamp. These traditions keep the cultural sprit alive in the Phoksundo, local folklore, blending Buddhism in the Himalayan.

Influence on art and media

The numerous artistic media have inspired to represent beauty of lake, bringing the global attention to the Nepal hidden beauty of dolpa. The dolpa landscape which follow traditional way of salt trading and have the spiritual aura of lake can be clearly observed from the 1999 Oscar nominated film Himalaya (caravan). The lake has also been featured in documentaries The Last Honey Hunter which highlight the indigenous tradition and the BBC planet earth series shows the pristine natural beauty. The artists draw the dramatic scenery and creating the work that reflects the cultural and ecological significance.

Indigenous communities and traditional life styles

The different village around Shey Phoksundo lake like Ringmo are occupied by the people of Tibetan descent who are into the old ancient customs. The efforts made by the locals and NGOs to preserve the bon rituals tied to lake, traditional medicine and the oral storytelling of the lake legends. The Tibet-Nepal trade route which is used for traditional way of trading by leading by the yak caravan to barter the Himalayan salt, wool and herbs.

The Tibetan Buddhist and bon influence villages consist ancient stone houses with flat roofs, mani walls which are stone prayer walls and stupas influenced with Buddhist rituals. The communities protect the handicraft woolen dokos and striped aprons worn by women.

Sacred myths and legends

The living legends that transform the lake from geographical miracle into the spiritual landscape where every aspect carries meaning and the boundary between myth and reality. The villager performs annual koras around the lake shore, hang the prayer flags at the edge and avoid swimming. The myths stories continue to guide the effort for conservation and cultural practices, seeing the natural and spiritual belief.

 Ecological and environmental relevance of Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT)

Phoksundo Lake Trek is main aspect that make the Shey Phoksundo national park eco-friendly and renowned for the unique biodiversity. The turquoise color water derived from different dissolved minerals like calcium carbonate, create the unusual lacking the aquatic animal and plats but yet rich in ecological significance. The surrounding area contain different endangered animals like snow leopard, blue sheep and migratory birds like ruby shelduck.

We can observe the presence of the rare medial herbs in the alpine forest. There is the high risk of water over water supply in the climate change due to the melting glacier like rigmo glacier which risk the lake solidity. Phokshundo gives you the plastic free policies by which visitor can observe the un touched beauty of nature. The lake is making the polies in order give the same beauty in the upcoming future generations.

Biodiversity hotspot

The phoksundo area consist rare wildlife with different endangered species of animals like snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep and Tibetan wolf. We can see the clear beauty of migrating bird serving as a seasonal habitat like ruddy shelduck and Himalayan griffon. The alpine forest adds the beauty in the high altitudes place and gives the rare medicinal herbs.

Dolpa unique grassland contain thirty-five plus medical plant species used in traditional way of providing treatment. There is different policy that make the biodiversity look natural and always make the species protected.

Climate change indicator

The climate change is seen momentous in Himalayas of phoksundo, changes occur in rising pace which doesnot let us know the climate. The seasonal patterns are unpredictable and affect the nature with ice cover in winter and in monsoon rain trigger frequent landslides. The phoksundo ecosystem responds these shifts, no data about the climate change on high altitude and fresh water system. The different strategies to protect the value of nature is important to protect the ecosystem and to keep the nature natural.

Unique freshwater ecosystem

The place known for its fishless and aquatic plants less rare freshwater is lake phoksundo, which is rich minerals and in unreal turquoise hues. The water of Lake is glacier meltwater which come from the rigmo glacier where the color varies seasonally with minerals deposits. The crystal-clear water off lake allows the sunlight to penetrate deep into the water which gives the unique feature in the nature.

The precious ecosystem of the lake provides the extreme freshwater environments and gives us the early sign for the environmental change in the high-altitude regions.

Geographical relevance of Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT)

Phoksundo lake is the place that gives the remarkable geographical wonder which is located on Nepal dolpa district with the elevation of 3611.5 meters. The lake lies within the shey phoksundo national park which is largest protected area showing the Himalayan biogeographical regions. The surrounding shows the stunning biodiversity in various elevation from the alpine meadows to coniferous forest and lake is the mirror for the kanjiroba himal range.

The combination of different geography, altitudinal variation and other characteristics make phoksundo lake the natural library full of natural resources and the sensational beauty with the different species of plant and animals. The geographical beauty of shey phoksundo adds the destination in the bucket list to visit in Nepal.

Remote and pristine wilderness

The journey of the Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT) helps to witness the beauty crossing the 5151 meters kang la pass where there are prayer flags flutter and the scene of untouched glacier. The place with the less developed route cannot offer lodges by which visitor should adjust in the tea houses and shearing the space with the yaks.

The phoksundo lake provide us one of the clearest views of 20 meters depth which we observe rarely in the Asia. The surrounding like alpine, pine forests and barren cliffs are those which create the place untouched and full of natural beauty.

Unique geological setting

Phoksundo lake landscape shows different geographical story surrounded by the steep cliffs and rocky moraines with the stunning view of the 6883 m kanjiroba himal towering near the place. The region is the part of rain shadow region receiving the less amount of rainfall then the southern Nepal which create the place semi alpine landscape. There is no secondary water source for phoksundo lake the fresh melted glacier water is the dependent source with no other way out.

High altitude freshwater lake

The place above the 3000 meters in dolpa region, phoksundo reflect one the best beauty with a remarkable high-altitude freshwater ecosystem. There is no any fish in the lake due to its natural isolation and the mineral found in the water.

The lake contains ultra-cold waters average 4-8 degree which remain same whole year. The high-altitude landscape with the remarkable memory which make the place special and the magical water resources the lake.

Hydrological significance

The Phoksundo lake serve the hydrological importance in the Himalayan region with the natural water towers for local communities and the ecosystem to help in water resource. The primary source of water is glacier and snowmelt and the lake work as the seasonal reserve water. The water from the glacier provides yearly fresh water for the villages and support in the agricultural works for the farmers to grow crops for the local authentic taste and livelihood.

The moderate local climate of Phoksundo moisture the evaporation creating the fogy pattern weather. As the demand of to see the beauty of lake Phoksundo provide the irreplaceable experience and plays vital role for the regional water supply.

Traditional relevance of Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT)

Phoksundo lake deeply holds the spiritual belief and traditional beauty of the dolpa district which serve the tourist with the ancient Tibetan Buddhism and Bon communities. The lake has been admired as the Tsho Phagmo showing the believe and the energy of the Bon cosmology. The lake is purely ritual and used in monasteries for the blessing and the traditional way of preparation due to fishless water.

The Tibetan new year (Losar) is festival, villager hang the prayer flag in the believe that wind carry their petitions across Himalayas. The oral history of the Bon monastery by the elder still claim the temple bells can be still heard during the full moons. The traditional way grazing the yak is still followed by following the ancestral route around the lake.

Living tradition

The phoksundo lake still follow different ancestral tradition which reflects the cultural and spiritual aspect. The local communities people still there to protect their culture by hosting annual ritual to protect the lake in tshowa gompa monastery.  In the belief of carrying the pray across the Himalayas villager still ties prayer flags along the with shores.

The ritual to purify the karma is performed every year in clockwise circumambulation which last for 38-days is known as koras. There are strict cultural taboos prohibit fishing, swimming, washing from lake water to preserve the purity. The old myths of lake are shared to younger generation with the stories and song.

Scared spiritual sites

Phoksundo lake shows the Nepal most scared spiritual sites deeply reflecting the religious tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the ancient Bonpo faith. Its pure water has made the pilgrimage destination for centuries with full myth, ritual and the natural wonders. The lake shows the beauty of the high-altitude landscape which is full of natural beauty where nature and divinity are friendly. The place is heaven with the beauty and the spiritual power and the cultural place full of blessing.

Mythological heart

Phoksundo lake holds the ancient legend stories that form the backbone of the dolpa cultural identity which is observed while visiting the place. The most enduring myth of Ringmo village divine punishment when the greedy villager denied to help lama with the saying that he spawned blue dragon that flooded valley. There are different practices like throwing the barley flour to honor the dragon legend, shamans perform nag puja to maintain the purity of water and avoiding the loud noises to prevent awaking sprits. The lake myths are the saying of elder people about what they heard in their childhood.

Rooms and facilities during PLT

Room facilities (Accommodation)

1. Basic rooms with basic furnishing in the teahouses
2. Shared Dining room / table in the teahouse
3. Blankets and stove / firewood heaters available in dining room
4. Electricity is available as basic necessity
5. Some of the guest houses provide Wi-Fi connection for some fees / payments. But, the connection usually remain slow and sometimes inactive in the higher altitude.
6. Laundry facility is not available, if available need to pay.
7. Very fundamental medical facility might be available like: bandages, paracetamol, painkillers, joint spray etc. in the guest houses. Self-dependent with your regular medicines is a great aspect.
8. Toilets are communal at higher altitude. Toilet papers are available, but self – dependent with toilet tissues is a great aspect too.
9. Hotels on the city have more facilities.

Water Facilities plus Proper hydration during PLT

Proper hydration is important for Phoksundo Lake Trek. Dehydration might be a major cause of altitude sickness too and also may affect your locomotive health. You cannot drink or carry water from resources wherever you see.

Water purification is crucial while travelling through the remote trails and routes. For your safety, the tap water, lake and stream water is not healthy to drink. There are some techniques to purify the water.

• Ask for boiled water at hotels / guest houses / tea – houses, they will give it for free but some might charge you a little.
• Apply iodine, chlorine and UV treatment, use purification tablets, squeeze filters, sterilizers on the way.

Packing list for Phoksundo Lake trek (PLT)

• Trekking bag, large enough to fit all your requirements
• Regular medicine (if prescribed by the doctor)
• A windproof jacket
• Basic toiletries such as: toilet paper, sanitizer, soap, face wash, shampoo, towels, toothpaste, toothbrush, body spray, lip care etc.
• Sunglasses and sun protection cream
• Trekking shoes with good grip and multiple pair of socks
• Raincoat is a necessity, a torch light, trekking pole, water purifiers, power bank
• Abundant inner wears.
• 4- 5 passport sized photographs
• Thermos / Water bottle ( min/max. 1 liters )
• Mini bag for daily purpose, to keep energy bars, chargers, extra batteries
• Important identifying documents
• Cash in hand

Dietary Restrictions during Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT)

If the travelers hold any dietary restrictions like being vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or allergen to lactose, this thing is very important as trekkers to give detailed information to trek / travel agency or the guide or the cooks.

The menu has to be changed with choices. We recommend the travelers in order to carry their preferred snacks on hand to avoid such problems.

Booking Phoksundo Lake Trek (PLT) Package with us

If you ever wish to book a package of PLT, Info Nepal Tours and Treks has brought you with exciting offerings and services. For all trekkers and travelers who are very excited to visit and explore the sublimity of PLT, we are for your service. In the package, we provide a complete range of services you will need and want, assuring your good journey to be very smoothly operated from the starting point to the ending point, beginning with an airport arrival pick-up, or managing permits, transportations, assist in various shopping or anything to your departure drop-off, in our own style of Nepali hospitality and authentic tradition.

Commence your fantastic journey with a lot of enthralling experiences on the way, you can either drop us an email or give us a quick call at (+977) 9841936940 or Whatsapp the same number or [email protected]. The specialty of our Info Nepal Tours and Treks team is based on responding quickly to the interested trekkers and travelers.

We’ll work closely with you to tailor our services and make sure everything is customized to meet your specific needs, if you wish to extend the trip we will customize the itinerary accordingly. Our goal is to turn your vision into reality and ensure that your adventure is everything you’ve dreamed of and more. We will serve with every ability we do possess, either you are a beginner trekker or a seasoned trekker, we got you covered.

If you have any questions before making your decision, don’t hesitate to reach out. Info Nepal’s supportive staff is always available to answer queries, offer advice, and provide any additional information you might need.