Dolpa - Mugu:Shey Phoksundo |
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Nepal Information |
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Shey
Phoksundo
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Shey
Phoksundo ist the largest National Park in Nepal, covering an area of 3,555
sq km. The Shey Phoksundo Tal (Shey Phoksundo lake) inside the Shey
Phoksundo National Park area is the country's second largest one. Shey
Phoksundo takes its name from the famous Shey Gompa. The Park includes
the Kanjiroba Himal range with numerous peaks above 6000 m. Its
northeastern areas share the arid mountainous topography of neighbouring
Mustang District. |
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This
is a remote and rugged area, which resembles the high plateau of Tibet
with typical flora and fauna and arid landscape. The area has been declared
a national park namely Shey-Phoksundo National Park (the biggest
national park of Nepal) that covers an area of 3555 square kilometers.
In this national park, blue sheep, musk deer, ghoral, thar, and snow leopards
and many other floras and fauna have been sighted. Visiting of Phoksundo
Lake - one of the deepest lakes in the world and experience of crossing
high passes thrill you throughout the trek. |
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Valleys contain luxuriant vegetation
including blue pine, spruce and cypress and there are good views of the Annapurna
Range and Dhaulagiri peaks.
Trekking
to Shey Phosundo National Park |
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The
trek to Shey Phoksundo Lake starts from Dunai, the district headquarters
of Dolpa district and takes a little over 20 hours spread over three days to reach there. It is a tiring walk: first, all along the Bheri river and
then the Phoksundo Khola from Suligad all the way to the top.
The trail
from the gateway of the Park to the lake is striking. The lake's surface
is azure and pure on clear days. In addition, the lush green surroundings,
the mountains, the cool breeze all combined to reach us to the height of
3660 m.
Before the lake you will have a glimpse of the breathtaking waterfall,
just 10 minutes from the turquoise lake.
The
lake is surrounded by hills on all sides. You will feel in the pristine
and unspoilt beauty of the lake which is the highest and deepest and second
largest (after Rara Lake) lake of he country. On clear sky it is possible
to see the three glaciers . |
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The sight is really breathtaking. You can sit
there for hours, gazing at the lake and enjoying the serene surroundings.
The good part about the lake is that it is still free from any pollution
and any filth. There is no ugly littering around.
The lamas of the Shey
Monastery have forbidden anyone from having any bath (holy or otherwise)
or washing their clothes.
On
the way back you will have a view of the big waterfall.
Former Maoist
area
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Dolpa
was one of the districts most affected by maoist activities during the civil war which ended 2006. The Communist
Party of Nepal (Maoist) was collecting "taxes" and issuing trade
"guidelines". The
rebels had colleceted "taxes" and "trade license fees" in the areas falling outside
the district headquarters at this time. The rebels had imposed a "tax" on Yarsagomba
(Cordyceps sinensis) - the "Himalayan Viagra"-, which has a big market
in Tibet, India and in South East Asia for its use as an aphrodisiac, among
other uses. It is found in the Shey Phoksundo National Park area and outside.
More
information and pictures |
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