Phoksundo Lake

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Phoksundo Lake

Lake

Phoksundo Lake is a high-altitude alpine freshwater lake in Nepal's Dolpa District, valued for its intense turquoise water and remote mountain setting. Travelers come for the scenery, Tibetan Buddhist sites and the dramatic waterfall below the lake.

Phoksundo Lake NepalgunjBirendranagarDhangadhiBardiya DistrictBhimdattaRara LakeBanke National ParkRara National ParkPhoksundo Lake

Phoksundo Lake essentials

Address: Ringmo, Dolpa District, Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal

Phoksundo Lake sits at about 3,611.5 m elevation inside Shey Phoksundo National Park in the Dolpa District of Far West Nepal. It is an oligotrophic freshwater lake formed behind a very old landslide dam, covering roughly 494 hectares with a very deep basin (surveys have measured maximum depths around 136-145 m).

The southern end is occupied by the village of Ringmo, which stands on the landslide dam that created the lake; below the dam the outflow drops over a high waterfall. The area has strong Tibetan cultural influences: there are many small stupas along the northern shore and a gompa on the eastern side where locals perform annual prayers.

Visiting feels remote and high-altitude - expect clear, brilliantly colored water, steep valley walls and sparse alpine vegetation. Facilities are minimal around the lake, so the visit is essentially natural and cultural experience rather than a developed tourist site.

  • Ringmo village: A small settlement on the natural landslide dam with traditional houses, mani walls and local life linked to Tibetan culture.
  • The waterfall below the dam: The lake’s outflow plunges over a very high cascade just past the dam and is dramatic from viewpoints above.
  • Tibetan stupas and the gompa: More than 20 stupas and a small gompa punctuate the northern and eastern shores and are active places of worship.
  • Turquoise shoreline: Clear, deep water with striking blue-green tones is best seen in calm weather from the lake edge or nearby viewpoints.
  • High-altitude landscape: Open alpine slopes, rocky ridges and sparse shrubs make the surroundings striking for short walks and photography.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Phoksundo Lake#

Clear weather and trail access are the main considerations; monsoon months bring heavy rain and some routes can be muddy or blocked.

Late spring (best)
April - May · 1°C - 18°C (34°F - 64°F)
Warmer daytime temperatures and generally stable weather make spring a favorable time for trekking and clear lake views before the main monsoon.
Autumn (very good)
September - November · -3°C - 16°C (27°F - 61°F)
After the monsoon clears, autumn usually offers good visibility and stable conditions for walking, though early September can still see residual rain.
Winter (quiet)
December - February · -7°C - 6°C (19°F - 43°F)
Winters are cold with possible snow and much lower visitor numbers; access may be harder but the landscape is quiet and stark.

Weather & Climate near Phoksundo Lake#

Climate

Phoksundo Lake's climate is classified as Subarctic (Dry Winter) - Subarctic (Dry Winter) climate with cool summers (peaking in June) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (658 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 72 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
NovemberJuneSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
18°
Warmest Month
-34°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -7° - 4° -4° 52 mm partly cloudy 56% 2.2 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.4h
February Poor -6° - 6° -3° 49 mm overcast 63% 2.2 m/s 1.3 high 11.0h
March Acceptable -1° - 10° 2° 62 mm overcast 66% 2.8 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
April Acceptable 1° - 15° 6° 38 mm overcast 67% 2.8 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.8h
May Good 4° - 18° 11° 30 mm overcast 71% 2.6 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.5h
June Good 7° - 20° 13° 20 mm overcast 76% 2.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.9h
July Acceptable 8° - 17° 13° 139 mm overcast 84% 2.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 13.7h
August Acceptable 8° - 17° 12° 126 mm overcast 85% 1.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.1h
September Good 6° - 17° 11° 59 mm partly cloudy 80% 1.9 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.2h
October Good 1° - 14° 6° 39 mm some cloud 62% 2.1 m/s 1.7 very high 11.3h
November Very Good -3° - 8° 0° 11 mm some cloud 48% 2.0 m/s 1.2 high 10.6h
December Acceptable -6° - 6° -3° 33 mm partly cloudy 44% 2.1 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Phoksundo Lake#

The lake lies well inland in Dolpa; the closest local settlement and administrative center is Dunai (Dhauwali) in Dolpo, while regional air hubs used by most visitors are Nepalgunj and Pokhara. Domestic flights run from Nepalgunj to small mountain airstrips serving Dolpa (for example, Juphal Airport) and, from those airstrips, the last part of the trip is by jeep and trek.

There is no nearby railway in this part of Nepal; most travel to the Dolpa region combines a flight into Nepalgunj (or road travel from larger Nepali towns such as Pokhara, Birendranagar or Butwal) and then onward small domestic flights or long overland journeys, with the final approach on rough roads and walking or trekking into the national park.

Tips for Visiting Phoksundo Lake#

  • Acclimatize gradually to altitude before attempting long hikes; Phoksundo sits above 3,600 m.
  • Check park entry requirements and permits locally - Shey Phoksundo is inside a national park and regulations apply.
  • Bring cash and basic supplies from larger towns; services around the lake are very limited.
  • Be prepared for strong sun by day and cold nights; weather can change quickly at high elevation.
  • Respect local religious sites: remove hats and act quietly at stupas and the gompa.