Nepal13 days
Lower Dolpa Trek: Shey Phoksundo Lake & Bon Country — 13 Days
Kathmandu to Juphal via Nepalgunj — trekking the Bheri River corridor to Nepal's largest lake at 3,730m
The Lower Dolpa Trek covers some of the least-trafficked terrain in the Nepalese Himalaya, moving through the Bheri River valley and into the protected wilderness of Shey Phoksundo National Park over thirteen days. The route begins with a short flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a thirty-five-minute mountain flight into Juphal — a high-altitude STOL airstrip that serves as the trek's starting point at 2,150 meters. From Juphal, the trail passes through terraced fields, suspension bridges, and deep gorges before entering the national park and arriving at Ringmo village, one of the few remaining settlements where the Bon religion — a pre-Buddhist spiritual tradition — is still actively practiced. A short walk from Ringmo reaches Shey Phoksundo Lake at 3,730 meters, the largest lake in Nepal, known for its deep turquoise water set against bare cliff faces and sparse high-altitude forest. The itinerary includes a dedicated rest and exploration day at the lake, allowing time to observe the Ringmo community and its monastery before the return trek along the same corridor to Juphal. A contingency day in Kathmandu is built into the schedule to account for weather-dependent flight cancellations on the Nepalgunj–Juphal sector — a practical safeguard for onward international travel.
Highlights
- One-hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m), with time to walk Nepalgunj's local markets
- Thirty-five-minute mountain flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal, landing at a high-altitude STOL airport at 2,150m
- Multi-day trek through the Bheri River corridor, passing terraced fields, deep gorges, and suspension bridges
- Transit through traditional villages including Shyngta, Kageni, Chhepka, and Rechi along the approach route
- Entry into Shey Phoksundo National Park — a protected area supporting rare Himalayan flora and fauna
- Arrival at Ringmo village, one of Nepal's few remaining communities where the pre-Buddhist Bon religion is actively practiced
- Shey Phoksundo Lake at 3,730m — Nepal's largest lake, with deep turquoise water and cliff-face surroundings
- Dedicated rest and exploration day at Phoksundo Lake, including time in Ringmo village and its monastery
- Contingency day in Kathmandu to safeguard against weather-related flight disruptions on the Juphal–Nepalgunj sector
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduKathmandu · Tribhuvan International Airport
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, representatives transfer the group to the hotel for check-in and an overnight stay in Kathmandu.
2Kathmandu to Nepalgunj by AirKathmandu to Nepalgunj · Hotel Batika · Nepalgunj's local markets and streets
An early morning flight covers the roughly one-hour journey from Kathmandu south to Nepalgunj at 150 meters. On arrival, the trekking crew meets the group at the airport and transfers everyone to Hotel Batika. The remainder of the day is available for walking through Nepalgunj's local markets and streets — a useful orientation to the lowland Terai region before the mountain stages ahead.
3Nepalgunj to Juphal by Air, then Trek to DunaiNepalgunj · Juphal · Bheri River · Dunai village
A thirty-five-minute mountain flight from Nepalgunj lands at Juphal's high-altitude STOL airport. From Juphal, the first day of trekking descends through small villages and terraced fields to the Bheri River, then follows the riverbank to reach Dunai village at 2,150 meters — a walk of three to four hours. The night is spent at local teahouses or lodges.
4Dunai to Chhepka Along the Bheri CorridorDunai to Chhepka · Chhepka
The trail from Dunai passes through terraced fields, crosses suspension bridges over gorges, and moves through the villages of Shyngta and Kageni before arriving at Chhepka at 2,670 meters. The day's walking takes five to six hours, with accommodation at local teahouses or lodges.
5Chhepka to Chunuwar via Rechi VillageChhepka to Chunuwar · Chunuwar · Rechi village
Departing Chhepka, the route passes through Rechi village and continues upward to Chunuwar at 3,130 meters — the last settlement before Shey Phoksundo National Park and the lake. The six-to-seven-hour day ends at local teahouses or lodges.
6Chunuwar to Phoksundo Lake via Ringmo VillageChunuwar to Phoksundo Lake via Ringmo Village · Ringmo village · Shey Phoksundo Lake · local teahouses or lodges
A shorter day of three to four hours leads from Chunuwar into Shey Phoksundo National Park and up to Ringmo village. Ringmo, comparable in religious character to Luphra in Mustang, is one of Nepal's few remaining communities where the Bon religion — predating Buddhism in the Himalayan region — is still observed. A short walk beyond Ringmo reaches Shey Phoksundo Lake at 3,730 meters, its deep turquoise water set against cliff faces and sparse forest. Overnight at local teahouses or lodges.
7Rest and Exploration Day at Phoksundo Lake and RingmoPhoksundo Lake · Ringmo village · local monastery
A full day at Phoksundo Lake at 3,730 meters allows time to walk the lake perimeter, observe the surrounding landscape, and spend time in Ringmo village. The local monastery and the continued practice of the Bon religion within the village offer context for understanding this remote community. Accommodation is at local teahouses or lodges.
8Phoksundo Lake to ChhepkaPhoksundo Lake to Chhepka · Chhepka · Chunuwar · Rechi village
The return journey begins with a six-to-seven-hour descent from the lake back to Chhepka at 2,670 meters, passing through Chunuwar and Rechi village along the way. The night is spent at a tented camp.
9Chhepka to Juphal — Final Trekking DayChhepka to Juphal · Shyangta · Kageni
The last day of trekking covers six to seven hours, retracing the route through Shyangta, Kageni, and smaller villages before reaching Juphal at 2,499 meters.
10Juphal to Nepalgunj by AirJuphal to Nepalgunj
After completing the trek, a thirty-five-minute flight returns the group to Nepalgunj. The remainder of the day is at personal discretion.
11Nepalgunj to Kathmandu by AirNepalgunj to Kathmandu
A one-hour flight from Nepalgunj returns the group to Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is available for personal activities and rest after the trek.
12Contingency Day in Kathmandu — Sightseeing or RestKathmandu · Kathmandu Valley
This day functions as a planned buffer against potential weather-related cancellations on the Juphal–Nepalgunj mountain flight sector, where delays are not uncommon. Its inclusion in the schedule helps ensure that disruptions on the inbound mountain legs do not affect onward international departure. If no delay has occurred, the day is available for personal activities, shopping, or visiting monument sites within the Kathmandu Valley.
13Departure from KathmanduTribhuvan International Airport
An airport representative assists with checkout and transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for the final departure from Nepal.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
- 2Tribhuvan International Airport
- 3Nepalgunj
- 4Juphal
- 5Chhepka
- 6Kathmandu
- 7Tribhuvan International Airport
Activities: TREKING, HIKING