Shey Gompa (Crystal Monastery) was established in the 11th Century and is considered the spiritual heart of Upper Dolpo. Thashung Gompa located near Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago to conserve wildlife. The park contains many Gompas (Monasteries) and religious sites. showcasing rich cultural and religious values and beliefs of locals. The Magnificent turquoise color Phoksundo is an alpine freshwater lake at an elevation of 3,611.5 m above sea level and is the deepest and second-largest lake in Nepal. The water flow from the lake’s outlet, 167M Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Nepal. Ringmo village nested by the lake adds charm and beauty to the area.  With the combined name of Phoksundo Lake and Shey Gompa, to preserve these cultural, alpine topography and to promote sustainable tourism the Shey Phoksundo National park was established in 1984 AD.

Shey Phoksundo National Park is situated in the Trans-Himalayan region of northwest Nepal. It is Nepal’s largest National Park established to preserve a unique Trans-Himalayan ecosystem with a diversity of flora and fauna. Elevations of the park range from 2,130m in Ankhe to 6,883m at the summit of Kanjiroba Himal which means a diversity of spectacular landscapes. The park provides important habitat for endangered species including the snow leopard, gray wolf, musk deer, blue sheep, Goral, great Tibetan sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Leopard, jackal, and Himalayan black bear. The park is home to six reptiles and 29 species of butterfly, including the highest flying butterfly in the world, Paralasa nepalaica. The park is a habitat for over 200 species of bird species. In Dolpa Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba himal ranges stand as the boundary fence preventing most of the rain from reaching the Trans-Himalayan area creating trans-Himalayan high altitude dry land. As a result of its spanning both the northern and southern aspects of the Himalayan crest, the park experiences a wide climatic range. Most of the precipitation in the area occurs during the monsoon (July-September).

At an Altitude of 3511 M, Phoksundo Lake ‘Gem Of Dolpo'' is a 147 M deep turquoise water lake that is one of the main attractions of this trek, A Ramsar site of natural importance, which is also the source of  167M waterfall, the highest in Nepal. Situated at Ringmo village, a farming village, famous for pasture land and an important place of Tibetan Buddhism, Phoksundo Lake (Ringmo) is also the gateway to Spiritual Shey Monastery and Holy Crystal Mountain and Upper Dolpo circuit trek. At Phoksundo we will come across a tree line. Here the lower part of the Lake is with tall evergreen trees whereas the upper part of the lake has a brown barren landscape. Well known for wildlife conservation, in this trek, we will have the opportunity to get sight of endangered musk deer, snow leopard, blue sheep, Tibetan sheep, Himalayan Tahr, and Dhaphe, Monal, and other more than 200 species of birds.

Visiting the various monasteries surrounding the lake, walking to the top view of Phoksundo Lake, and walking through village farms and houses, cool fresh breeze, and warm hospitality of Ringmo will remain fresh in your mind forever.  Locals in Ringo practice The Bon Po, shamanistic pre-Buddhism. Bon Buddhism, an ancient religion with roots in Animism and Buddhism. The Bon-Po religion, which forms the entire cultural base for Tibetan Buddhism.

Tentative Phoksundo Lake trek plan 

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2: Kathmandu preparation for trek, Afternoon flight to Nepaljung

Day 3: Fly to Juphal -  20 min drive to Dunai - rest day and preparation trek

After a 30 mins mountain flight  we will rest at Dunai and prepare for the trek. Dunai is the district headquarters of Dolpa district. The gentle Thulo( Big) Bheri River flows in the middle of town. We will spend a day exploring different aspects of life in Dunai.

Day 4:  Trek to Chepka

Today morning we will cross the suspension bridge to reach the other side of Bheri River. The trail from Dubai connects with the trail to Phoksundo at Suligard. The  trail  by the river coming from Phoksundo is easy. The breeze from the flowing river creates much easier walking. We will reach Chepka to enjoy the surroundings.

Day 5: Trek to Ranchi/Jharana

This beautiful trail crossing the River several times is as pleasant as any trekking trail. The serenic surrounding, uphills and coming down to cross River, walking closeby river is ultimate travel fun.

Day 6 : Rigmo

Today's half day walk will take us to the turquoise paradise. On the way we will stop to enjoy the 167M waterfall. After lunch we will explore Ringo village and Thashung Gompa.

Day 7: Rigmo 

In the morning we will follow the trail to upper Dolpo to reach the other side of Lake. If you have watched the Caravan movie the salt route then you will notice different plots of the movie.

At the view point,the view of Rigmo village, the tree line and the lake will be mesmerizing. 

Day 8: Trek to Chepka

After spending two beautiful nights at Rigmo we will head back to the beautiful trail that brought us to a small paradise. On the way we cross the trail that connects to Jumla. Same trail followed by  ‘The Snow Leopard’  writer Peter Matthiessen in 1978. 

Day 9: Trek to Jhupal

From Chepka we continue our journey to Jhupal.

Day 10: Fly to Kathmandu

Connecting flight will reach Kathmandu to reflect back to reflect a wonderful journey. 

Day 11: Kathmandu

Free time

Day 12: Onwards