Both local and international tourists have been advocating for improved infrastructure to facilitate access to Shey Phoksundo Lake, with the belief that enhancing facilities along the route from Suligad to the lake could significantly boost the region’s allure.
Presently, visitors to the lake undertake a journey through the Jajarkot district and the Mid-Hill Highway, which includes an overnight stop in the Dolpa district headquarters before finally reaching the lake. This route requires crossing approximately twelve aging wooden bridges over the Suligad River, which can be a precarious undertaking, according to Ram Prasad Khatri from Nalgad Municipality-8.
Reaching Dolpa’s Dunai requires some form of transportation, followed by a two-day trek to reach the lake. Stakeholders have emphasized the need for a concrete bridge over the Suligad River and a reliable trekking route to better accommodate both domestic and foreign tourists.
Shey Phoksundo Lake, located at an elevation of 3,600 meters above sea level and covering an area of 4.94 square kilometers, is situated near Rigmo village in Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality-8. It is known to have a depth of 145 meters, although local residents suggest depths of up to 650 meters. The lake’s unique feature is its ever-changing colors, influenced by the weather. Its distinctive Y-shape is often likened to a human lung.
Tourists frequent the footpath leading to Shey Phoksundo Lake, Shey Phoksundo National Park, Phoksundo Waterfall, and Upper Dolpa Suligad. Local names such as Kathepul, Thoso, Lapku, and Sankul are used for specific areas along the way.
While suspension bridges have been constructed over many rivers in Dolpa, wooden bridges are still utilized to access the lake from Suligad to Phoksundo. Nima Lama, the ward chair of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality, emphasizes the importance of preserving these traditional wooden bridges alongside the construction of suspension bridges to maintain the area’s appeal as a popular trekking destination.
