Shey Phoksundo Lake Helicopter Tour, Dolpo

Shey Phoksundo Lake is one of the most striking sights in Nepal: a turquoise lake at about 3,611 m, ringed by cliffs and forest in the heart of Dolpo. It is the deepest lake in Nepal, measured at between 136 and 145 m, and lies inside Shey Phoksundo National Park, the country's largest national park.

Reaching it normally means flying from Nepalgunj to Juphal and then walking for about three days. The helicopter tour flies from Nepalgunj directly to the lake and lands near Ringmo, the Tibetan-influenced village at its southern end, giving you time to walk to the shore and look out over the water.

Because the helicopter starts in Nepalgunj, most travellers from Kathmandu take a scheduled flight to Nepalgunj first. The tour can be done in a long day from Kathmandu or with a night in Nepalgunj for an early start.

Shey Phoksundo Helicopter Tour Highlights

• Landing near Ringmo village beside Shey Phoksundo Lake (about 3,611 m)
• The deepest lake in Nepal, famous for its changing turquoise colour
• Flight over the remote hills and valleys of Dolpo
• Inside Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal's largest national park
• Tibetan-influenced village life in Ringmo
• A three-day walk from Juphal covered in one flight

Flight Route and Landing

From Kathmandu, fly to Nepalgunj on a scheduled flight of about an hour. The helicopter tour starts in Nepalgunj early in the morning and flies north over the hills of Karnali and Dolpo to Shey Phoksundo Lake, landing near Ringmo village. After time at the lake, the helicopter flies back to Nepalgunj.

Flying time and ground time depend on the weather and the helicopter's fuel plan. We confirm the exact schedule, and your connecting flights, when you book.

Best Time for a Phoksundo Helicopter Tour

The best months are April to June and September to November, when the valleys are usually clear. Dolpo lies partly in the rain shadow, but monsoon cloud over the southern hills can still delay flights from Nepalgunj between July and August. In winter the lake can freeze and mornings are very cold.

Itinerary: Shey Phoksundo Lake Helicopter Tour

Day 1 – Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

Scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (about one hour) and overnight in Nepalgunj. Travellers with an early flight can do the tour on the same day.

Day 2, 06:30 – Take-off from Nepalgunj

Fly north over the hills of Karnali and Dolpo towards Shey Phoksundo National Park.

Landing near Ringmo

Time to walk to the lake shore, photograph the lake and visit Ringmo village.

Return to Nepalgunj

Fly back to Nepalgunj for your onward flight to Kathmandu. Times are approximate and depend on weather.