Why does the Peak Core India itinerary start from Lucknow instead of Kathmandu?

Starting from Lucknow provides a direct, highly efficient overland connection to Nepalgunj (the flight hub for Dolpa) without requiring expensive domestic Kathmandu connection flights or unnecessary transit days in Kathmandu.

What happens if the Nepalgunj to Juphal mountain flight is delayed or cancelled?

Juphal flights depend strictly on weather and mountain visibility. Peak Core India maintains an operational contingency buffer in Nepalgunj and Juphal. If flights are held due to cloud or wind, the team awaits the next weather clearance window safely.

Is swimming or entering Shey Phoksundo Lake permitted?

No. Shey Phoksundo Lake is deeply sacred to the local Bon and Buddhist communities. Swimming, bathing, washing, or entering the lake waters is strictly forbidden by park regulations and local spiritual customs.

Home/Treks/Nepal Circuits/Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) (11 Days / 10 Nights)

11 DAYS · 10 NIGHTS · LUCKNOW TO LUCKNOW · LOWER DOLPO

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo)

Follow the river. Find the blue beyond.

Shey Phoksundo Lake lies inside Shey Phoksundo National Park in remote Lower Dolpo. Its crystal-clear aquamarine waters, ancient 900-year-old Bon monasteries, sheer mountain cliffs, and sacred living traditions create one of the most mystical trekking journeys in the Himalayas.

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3,611 m / 11,847 ft (Ringmo sleep ~3,640 m)

11 Days / 10 Nights

ALL-INCLUSIVE FIXED TARIFF

₹78,500₹98,000/ trekker

Advance Slot Booking: ₹15,000

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Preferred Date

Number of Trekkers

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Transparent All-Inclusive Pricing

Nepalgunj ⇄ Juphal flights are strictly weather-dependent. Peak Core India builds mandatory contingency buffers into every departure.

Safety-First Policy Active

TOTAL DURATION

11 Days / 10 Nights

Fixed itinerary & buffers

MAXIMUM ALTITUDE

3,611 m / 11,847 ft (Ringmo sleep ~3,640 m)

Condition dependent

BASE / SLEEP ALTITUDE

2,961 m / 9,715 ft

Highest overnight stay

APPROX. TRAIL DISTANCE

60–70 km

Excluding transfers

TERRAIN & DEMAND

Moderate to Challenging

Well conditioned hikers

OPTIMAL WINDOW

April–May (Spring) and September–October (Autumn)

Stable mountain weather

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

The Journey & Landscape

Travel from Lucknow to the far-western edge of Nepal, fly to Juphal and trek through the Suli Gad gorge to Ringmo and the deeply sacred turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake.

Sacred Waters Conduct

No one is permitted to enter, bathe, or wash in Shey Phoksundo Lake. Visitors must treat the lakeshore, monastery, homes, and prayer structures as living cultural spaces with complete reverence.

Why This Journey Feels Different

Lucknow overland access route eliminating expensive Kathmandu transit flights.

Twin Otter mountain flight landing at Juphal airstrip overlooking Dolpo valleys.

Walking alongside the wild turquoise Suli Gad river and 167m waterfall gorge.

Ancient Bon culture and 900-year-old Thasung Gompa on the lakeshore.

Expedition Field Gallery (5 Photos)

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Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) - Photo 1

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) - Photo 2

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) - Photo 3

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) - Photo 4

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) - Photo 5

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) · Photo 1AUTHENTIC

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

Expedition Highlights

Vivid deep turquoise waters of s...

Vivid deep turquoise waters of sacred Shey Phoksundo Lake (3,611 m)

Streamlined 11-day / 10-night Lu...

Streamlined 11-day / 10-night Lucknow-to-Lucknow overland & flight itinerary

Two dedicated nights in Ringmo v...

Two dedicated nights in Ringmo village exploring Bon cultural heritage and Thasung Gompa

Spectacular 167-meter Suligad wa...

Spectacular 167-meter Suligad waterfall and dramatic pine-forested Suli Gad river gorge

Scenic mountain flights between ...

Scenic mountain flights between Nepalgunj and the mountain airstrip at Juphal

Authentic trans-Himalayan trail ...

Authentic trans-Himalayan trail life in remote Lower Dolpo

STAGE-BY-STAGE PROFILE

Route Map & Altitude Visualizer

DYNAMIC ELEVATION PROFILE · 11 STAGES

Peak Altitude: 3,640 m

D1: Lucknow to Nepalgunj150 m

Overland border crossing & hotel night

D2: Fly Juphal (2,475m) → Sulighat2,100 m

Mountain flight + descent to Suli Gad

D3: Sulighat to Chhepka2,750 m

Night 3: Dense pine gorge trail

D4: Chhepka to Jharana3,110 m

Night 4: 167m Suligad waterfall view

D5: Jharana to Ringmo (Lake)3,640 m

Night 5: Arrive at turquoise lake

D6: Phoksundo Lake Exploration3,611 m

Night 6: 900-yr Thasung Bon Gompa

D7: Ringmo to Chhepka2,750 m

Night 7: Gorge descent

D8: Chhepka to Dunai2,150 m

Night 8: District headquarters

D9: Dunai to Juphal2,475 m

Night 9: Ridge ascent to airstrip

D10: Fly Juphal to Nepalgunj150 m

Night 10: Hotel & buffer day

D11: Nepalgunj to Lucknow120 m

Return overland; trip concludes

Detailed Stage Logistics

Day-by-Day Trek Itinerary

11 Days / 10 Nights • Total Distance: 60–70 km • Max Elevation: 3,611 m / 11,847 ft (Ringmo sleep ~3,640 m)

DAY1

Road transfer5–6 hrs drive

Lucknow to Nepalgunj (Road Transfer & Briefing)

Duration:5–6 hrs drive

Stay:Hotel in Nepalgunj (Night 1 of 10)

Depart Lucknow by road to the India–Nepal border at Rupaidiha/Nepalgunj. Complete immigration checks, meet the Nepal expedition team, check permits, repack duffels, and attend a detailed flight and mountain safety briefing.

Meals: Dinner included

DAY2

6 km3–4 hrs walk + 35m flight

Fly Nepalgunj to Juphal; Trek to Sulighat

DAY3

11–13 km5–6 hrs

Sulighat to Chhepka

DAY4

8–10 km4–6 hrs

Chhepka to Jharana / Active Intermediate Lodge

DAY5

4–7 km3–5 hrs

Jharana to Ringmo and Phoksundo Lake

DAY6

4–6 km exploration loop3–5 hrs gentle walking

Phoksundo Lake Exploration and Bon Culture Day

DAY7

14–16 km5–7 hrs

Ringmo to Chhepka

DAY8

14–18 km5–7 hrs

Chhepka to Dunai

DAY9

★ Summit Push7–10 km3–4 hrs

Dunai to Juphal

DAY10

35m flightMountain flight

Fly Juphal to Nepalgunj

DAY11

Road transfer5–6 hrs drive

Nepalgunj to Lucknow; Expedition Concludes

RISK MITIGATION STANDARDS

Safety & Contingency Protocols

Acclimatization & SpO2 Logs

Structured elevation ascent profiles with twice-daily resting pulse and blood oxygen saturation logs monitored by lead guides above 2,500m up to 3,611 m / 11,847 ft (Ringmo sleep ~3,640 m).

High-Altitude Medical Equipment

Every expedition carries certified portable medical oxygen cylinders, automated external diagnostics, trauma first-aid kits, and high-altitude emergency medication.

Emergency Evacuation Network

Direct communication protocols with regional emergency rescue operations and 24x7 basecamp operations for condition-led rapid contingency response.

SACRED HERITAGE & CONSERVATION

Mountain Ethics & Trail Conduct

Leave No Trace Standards

All non-biodegradable waste is packed out of the wilderness. Trekkers use bio-friendly toiletries and avoid single-use plastics along trails and campsites.

Sacred Alpine Water Ethics

Glacial tarns, rivers, and alpine lakes across the Lucknow / Nepalgunj / Juphal / Ringmo circuit are culturally revered. Entering or polluting water bodies is strictly forbidden.

Local Community Dignity

Always ask permission before photographing local residents or spiritual ceremonies. Support mountain communities with fair wages and mutual cultural respect.

TARIFF BREAKDOWN

Inclusions & Exclusions

What Is Included

Round-trip road transport: Lucknow to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Lucknow

Round-trip domestic mountain flights: Nepalgunj – Juphal – Nepalgunj

2 Nights standard hotel accommodation in Nepalgunj (twin/multi-share)

8 Nights basic teahouse/lodge accommodation on the trek (twin/multi-share)

All meals on trek and in Nepalgunj as specified in the day-by-day plan

Shey Phoksundo National Park entry permits and local area charges

Experienced, licensed English/Hindi speaking Nepal mountain guide and assistant guides

Trek porter service for personal baggage (up to 10–12 kg per trekker)

Comprehensive medical first-aid kit and daily health/altitude monitoring

What Is Not Included

Travel from home city to Lucknow and return from Lucknow

Nepal visa fee (if applicable for non-Indian passport holders)

Emergency medical rescue, helicopter evacuation, and mandatory travel insurance

Personal trekking gear (down jacket, sleeping bag, trekking poles, boots)

Hot showers, device battery charging, and Wi-Fi charges at teahouses

Tips and gratuities for guides, porters, and drivers

Any additional costs due to flight cancellations, road blocks, or severe weather

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Need to Know Details

For Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) (3,611 m / 11,847 ft (Ringmo sleep ~3,640 m)), trekkers should have solid cardiovascular stamina (able to jog 5km in under 30 minutes) and comfort walking 5–7 hours daily with elevation gain.

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Bookings for Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek (Dolpo) are capped per batch to ensure comfortable seating, verified boutique stays, and personalized trip coordination.

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