Shey Phoksundo National park

Shey Phoksundo National park is the largest national park in nepal which  is established in 1984AD. With an area of 3555 km square in the Midwestern region the national park covers Dolpa and the Mugu district of Nepal. 

The Shey Phoksundo lake is famous for its depth, hence color of the lake and the scenery with the most beautiful mountain peaks of Nepal.

National park is covered with the Himalayas and the Trans-Himalayan slope on the northern side. Famous Dolpo trekking route lies in Psey Phoksundo national park.

The national park provides shelter to different endangered species which includes snow leopard, grey wolf, musk deer, blue sheep, and many more. We can find 29 species of butterflies and 200 species of birds inside Shey Phoksundo National park. Not only to animals and birds the park is home to more than 9,000 people and their remote village’s area.

In the history the area is famous as a salt trade route for caravans from Tibet to Nepal and from Nepal to entire Asia.

Features

The Park’s elevations range from 2,130 meters in Ankhe to 6,883 meters at Kanjirowa Himal’s top. Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest and second-largest lake is located in Suligad’s upper reaches. SheyPhoksundo National Park is noted for its beautiful landscapes and magnificent mountain panoramas from famously named Dolpo region.

Numerous trekking passes of upper dolpo trekking route are – Tudje La Pass 5185m, Shimen la (4270m), Sela La (5095m), Kangla pass (5360m) are famous for adventure trekking in the region.

Climate of Shey Phoksundo National park

The Shey Phoksundo National park experiences a broad range of climatic conditions due to its location on both the northern and southern sides of the Himalayan crest. Although the Dhaulagari and Kanjiroba Ranges provide a tremendous barrier keeping most of the rain from reaching the Trans-Himalayan area during the monsoon (July-September), the area receives the majority of its precipitation at this time.

While precipitation exceeds 1,500 mm in the park’s southern part, it is less than 500 mm on the park’s northern slopes. The park’s winters are severe, with snowfall occurring above 2,500 meters. The park’s temperature drops below freezing at elevations above 3,000 meters.

Flora and Fauna

The vegetation in Shey Phoksundo National park is highly diversified. The top Himalayas and Trans-Himalayan slope are barren, with just a few rhododendron and pine trees., Less than 5% of the national park forest is wooded, with the majority of it being in the south.

Blue pine, spruce, hemlock, cedar, silver fir, poplar, rhododendron, and bamboo make up the SuligadVally’s flora. In addition, there are 286 botanical species inside the national park.

Yellow-throat marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snip, white-throat tit, wood accentor, and crimson-eared rose finch are among the more than 200 bird species found in the protected area.

Culture in Dolpo regoin inside Psey Phoksundo national park

More over 9,000 people live inside the protected area of national park, and their communities are among the world’s highest altitude resident communities.

The majority of the park’s residents follow Bon Buddhism, an ancient religion having origins in both Animism and Buddhism.

How to get there

The quickest method to get to the national park is to fly from Nepalgunj to Dolpa’s Juphal airport, and then walk for half a day to Suligad’s park entrance gate. Another option is to take a helicopter flight, which is much easier but surely expensive.

Thousands of national and international tourists complete their trekking journey around different routes here over a year and some of the adventurous routes are:

• Phoksundo Lake Trek
• SheyGompa Trek
• Helicopter Ride over the Park

Shey Phoksundo National Park is one of the most wonderful Tourism area in Nepal and it should be promoted, preserved and protected by us.

Best time to visit Shey Phoksundo National Park is Spring & Autumn

Spring (Mar to May): According to the trekkers experience, spring is the best season for the Shey Phuksundo Lake Trek. the best views of spectacular and colorful rhododendrons blooms in this season. The temperature is moderate and the weather is perfect.

Autumn (September to November): Because of the lovely weather and moderate temperatures, autumn is another best trekking season throughout Nepal – so as in this Dolpo area. In autumn, days are usually sunny, which allows you to look at the superb view of the mountains and the beautiful landscapes. The autumn season is perfect for both Upper dolpo & the Phoksundo lakes trek in lower part of Dolpo region.

Winter (December to February): Winter is always thick snow in Nepal, and especially in the higher altitudes, it is nearly impossible to trek. Specially upper Dolpo trekking in the winter is nearly no option. However the lower dolpo trekking till Phoksundo lake is still do-ale in the winter season. Lower part trek is risk free even in the winter season. But winter trekking is surely cold. Shey Phuksundo Lake is situated at 3,600 meters above the sea level, and so it’s not going to get challenging since the trek isn’t considered at higher altitudes. Despite of the cold, but Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek is still feasible in winter.

Summer (June to August): Summer is the rainy season since it brings hot, humid weather, with most trekking areas seeing cloudy skies and rain. At this time of year, choose a trek in the “rain shadow” such as Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, or Nar Phu. You can also go for rain season festival in Nepal as the Yarthung Horse Festival that takes place either in Manang or Mustang in June.

Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek Permit Cost

Visiting the Shey Phoksundo National Park is also require special entry permits. Remember that Shey Phoksundo National Park covers both Upper Dolpo Trek & lower dolpo circuit trekking trail. Dolpo region trekking is restricted region trekking in Nepal.

The Lower Dolpo Permit cost is US$ 20 per person per week, whereas the Shey Phoksundo National Park entry fee is US$30 per person.