Phoksundo Tea House Trek - 11 Days

Dolpo · 11 Days

Phoksundo Tea House Trek - 11 Days

· Moderate · Max altitude 3,640m (11,942 ft) at Ringmo / Phoksundo Lake · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

11 Days

Max Altitude

3,640m (11,942 ft)

at Ringmo / Phoksundo Lake

Grade

Moderate

Lodging

Teahouse / Lodge

Overview

The Phoksundo Tea House Trek is the budget-friendly, lodge-based introduction to Dolpo - Nepal's remote western Tibetan-cultural region. Unlike the longer camping expeditions to Upper Dolpo or the high-pass circuit, this 11-day trip stays in teahouses throughout and never climbs above Phoksundo Lake itself. It is the most accessible way to see the turquoise lake, the 330m Suligad waterfall and the Bon village of Ringmo.

You fly from Kathmandu via Nepalgunj to Juphal, then walk the salt-trade trail up the Suligad and Phoksundo river valleys through cedar and pine forest. The pace is gentle, the lodges are simple but functional, and the highlight is two nights at Ringmo on the lake shore - long enough to explore the village, the 900-year-old Tshowa Bon monastery and the lake's western cliff path. Perfect for first-timers to Dolpo or trekkers without the time or fitness for a full circuit.

Highlights

  • Stand at the turquoise Phoksundo Lake (3,600m) - Nepal's deepest at 145m
  • See Suligad waterfall (330m) - the country's highest
  • Stay in the traditional Bon village of Ringmo
  • Visit the 900-year-old Tshowa Bon monastery
  • Walk salt-trade routes used by yak caravans
  • Trek inside Shey Phoksundo National Park - Nepal's largest
  • Lodge-based (no camping) - lighter pack, more comfort
  • View Mount Kanjirowa (6,883m) from the upper lake
  • Tibetan-speaking guide bridges the cultural gap
  • All permits, flights and lodging arranged in advance

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport pickup and trek briefing.

Day 2

Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m)

⏱ 1-hour flight 🍽 Breakfast, Dinner

Connecting flight day. Overnight in Nepalgunj near the airport.

Day 3

Fly Nepalgunj to Juphal (2,475m), trek to Dunai (2,145m)

⏱ Flight + 3 hours trek ↔ 5 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Scenic STOL flight. Easy walk along the Thuli Bheri river to Dunai.

Day 4

Dunai to Chhepka (2,670m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 14 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk up the Bheri river valley through tropical forest and prayer flag villages.

Day 5

Chhepka to Jharana Hotel (3,000m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 12 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb through cedar forest, first views of the 330m waterfall.

Day 6

Jharana Hotel to Ringmo (3,640m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 6 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Steep descent through birch forest, lake comes into view, arrive at the Tibetan-style village of Ringmo.

Day 7

Exploration day at Phoksundo Lake

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the 900-year-old Tshowa Bon monastery, walk the lake's western cliff path, photograph the lake at different times of day.

Day 8

Ringmo to Chhepka (2,670m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 18 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long descent retracing the route.

Day 9

Chhepka to Juphal (2,475m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 19 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final trek day back to the airstrip.

Day 10

Fly Juphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu

⏱ 2 flights 🍽 Breakfast

Two connecting flights back to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.

Day 11

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

Ready to walk this?

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What's included

Included

  • Round-trip Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal flights
  • All airport pickups and drops
  • 2 nights' Kathmandu accommodation (3-star, BB plan)
  • 1 night Nepalgunj hotel
  • Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit
  • Senior English-speaking guide (Tibetan-speaking on request)
  • 1 porter for every 2 trekkers (max 20 kg load)
  • Twin/double sharing teahouse accommodation on the trek
  • Three meals a day throughout the trek
  • Group first-aid kit
  • HHT company duffel bag
  • All applicable government taxes

Not included

  • Nepal visa fee
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance (compulsory - must cover trekking to 4,000m)
  • Meals in Kathmandu outside BB plan
  • Hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging in lodges
  • Bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Tips for guide and porter
  • Any cost arising from flight delays or weather

Trek guide

The Cheapest Way Into Dolpo

Dolpo is one of Nepal's most expensive trekking regions because of restricted-area permits, the long flight chain (Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal) and the camping logistics of the longer routes. The Phoksundo Tea House Trek removes the camping requirement and shortens the route - delivering the lake, the waterfall, the Bon culture and the wildlife within an 11-day window.

What You See vs the Longer Routes

Trek Days Cost Phoksundo Lake High Passes Shey Gompa Saldang
Phoksundo Tea House 11 $$ Yes No No No
Lower Dolpo Circuit 18 $$$ Yes Numa La, Baga La No No
Upper Dolpo to Mustang 25 $$$$ Yes Four 5,000m+ Yes Yes

Phoksundo Lake

145m deep, mineral-stained turquoise, ringed by cliffs. Sacred to Bon practitioners. The classic Eric Valli film "Caravan" (Himalaya, 1999) was filmed at Ringmo. Cliff-edge trails on the west shore lead to good photo viewpoints.

Ringmo Village

A traditional Bon village (Bon is the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, still practised here). Flat-roofed stone houses, prayer wheels, the Tshowa Bon monastery on the hill above. Roughly 50 families live here year-round.

Suligad Waterfall

330m of single-drop water - the highest waterfall in Nepal. Visible from the trail on Day 5. The locals consider the waterfall sacred.

Wildlife

Shey Phoksundo National Park is one of the best snow leopard habitats in the world (though sightings are extremely rare). More commonly seen: blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan monal, golden eagle, lammergeier.

Permits

  • Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (USD 10/week)
  • Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit (USD 30)

The restricted-area permit requires a minimum of two trekkers and a licensed guide.

Best Season

  • Spring (March-May): Warmer, wildflowers in May
  • Monsoon (July-August): Rain shadow makes this possible
  • Autumn (September-November): Clearest lake colour, drier

Fitness

Moderate. 5-6 hour walking days, no passes above 4,000m, lodge-based comfort. 2-3 months of consistent cardio is sufficient preparation.

Packing list

Clothing: Down jacket -5C, fleece, waterproof shell, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal base layers, 5 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, neck buff, lightweight gloves

Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots, camp shoes

Accessories: 35L daypack, 65L duffel for porter, -10C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp, polarised sunglasses, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank, adapter

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance certificate, 4 passport photos

Medical: Diamox optional (max altitude 3,640m), painkillers, blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm

Frequently asked questions

Is this trek really cheaper than other Dolpo treks?
Yes - lodge-based, fewer permits, no kitchen crew or mules. Roughly half the cost of Lower Dolpo Circuit.

How fit do I need to be?
Moderate. Days are 5-7 hours, altitude tops out at 3,640m. 2-3 months of cardio prepares most people well.

Are lodges comfortable?
Basic but functional. Plywood rooms, foam mattresses, simple dal-bhat menus. Hot showers occasional. Wi-Fi rare.

Can I do this in monsoon?
Yes - the rain shadow means very little rain. July-August are realistic months.

Why a permit if I am not entering Upper Dolpo?
The whole region (Lower and Upper) is gazetted as restricted area. The Lower Dolpo permit is cheaper but still required.

Can I extend to Dho Tarap or the high passes?
Yes - add 7-10 days for the Lower Dolpo Circuit. Speak to our office.

How reliable are flights to Juphal?
Weather-dependent but more reliable than Lukla. We recommend a buffer day at each end.

Wildlife sightings?
Blue sheep, Himalayan tahr regularly. Snow leopard extremely rare.

Is there mobile signal?
Patchy. NTC works at Dunai. None above Chhepka.

Can solo travellers join?
Permit minimum is two trekkers. Join one of our group departures or pair with another solo traveller.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $1295

per person

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