A typical Phoksundo trip takes about nine days: two travel days to reach Dolpa, around four days of trekking in and out, and a day at the lake. Heights and times are approximate.
The shape of the trip
A typical Phoksundo plan takes about ten days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu: two days of flying, five days walking in and around the lake, and a buffer day for flights. Heights and times below are approximate and vary a little with the route chosen.
Days 1 and 2: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj to Juphal
Fly to Nepalgunj in the hot plains of the south-west, a flight of around an hour, and on the next morning take the short mountain flight of about 40 minutes to Juphal at roughly 2,500 m. Flights to Juphal run in the morning and are weather-dependent, so delays happen. Many itineraries use Nepalgunj as an overnight stop.
Day 3: Juphal to Dunai and on
From the airstrip you drop to Dunai, the district headquarters at about 2,150 m, in around three hours. Dunai has shops, permit offices and a bank branch. Some groups walk further the same day.
Day 4: toward Chhepka
The trail follows the Thulo Bheri river upstream and then turns into the Suligad valley. A typical day takes six to seven hours, reaching Chhepka at roughly 2,670 m. The forest here is thick, and the first big views of the gorge appear.
Day 5 and Day 6: to Ringmo and the lake
The next section passes the high waterfall and climbs to the Phoksundo outlet, followed by a walk to Ringmo at around 3,330 m. A rest day at the lake is common, and it can include a walk toward the Bon monastery and viewpoint ridges. Highest point is about 3,660 m on the approach ridges.
Day 7 onward: return
Most groups retrace to Dunai and Juphal in two to three days and fly out. The return is faster because you are descending, and you have more time for photographs. Keep a spare day for the return flight.
Keep in mind
Altitude here is moderate, so the main risk is weather and the remoteness. Read the difficulty guide and the season guide.
