LARGEST NATIONAL PARK OF NEPAL
The Shey Phoksundo National Park (Nepali: शे-फोकसुण्डो She-Phoksundo) is the largest and only trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal. It was established in 1984 and covers an area of 3,555 km2 (1,373 sq mi) in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu in the northwestern part of the country. The protected area ranges in elevation from 2,130 m (6,990 ft) to 6,883 m (22,582 ft). Phoksundo Lake is the park's prominent feature, located at an elevation of 3,612 m (11,850 ft).[1]
The park's headquarters are in Palam, Dolpa District: ACTIVITIES:Trekking, mountaineering
The Shey Phoksundo National Park (Nepali: शे-फोकसुण्डो She-Phoksundo) is the largest and only trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal. It was established in 1984 and covers an area of 3,555 km2 (1,373 sq mi) in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu in the northwestern part of the country. The protected area ranges in elevation from 2,130 m (6,990 ft) to 6,883 m (22,582 ft). Phoksundo Lake is the park's prominent feature, located at an elevation of 3,612 m (11,850 ft).[1]
The park's headquarters are in Palam, Dolpa District: ACTIVITIES:Trekking, mountaineering
ACCESS: Fly to Dolpa's Jufal Airport from Nepalgunj (20 minutes) and then a three-day walk.
WILDLIFES: Sheep, ghoral, musk deer, leopard, wild dog, marmot, weasel, mouse hare, rhesus and langur monkeys, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear and jackals; 6 species of reptiles.
BIRDS: Over 200 species of birds including yellow throated marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snipe, white-throated tit, wood accentor and crimson-eared rose finch, impeyan pheasant, cheer pheasant, chough, raven, Tibetan snow cock, Tibetan twit, Himalayan griffon and lammergeier.
BUTTERFLIES: 29 species of butterflies
VEGETATION: 286 floral species of botanical importance: pine, walnut, willow, oak, cypress in the lower altitude and pine, spruce, juniper and birch at higher regions; berberis, wild rose and caragana are seen in alpine areas while the regions higher up are mostly arid with grass alpine meadows with barely any trees
BEST SEASONS: March-May and September-October
BEST SEASONS: March-May and September-October
ADDED ATRACTION: Lake Phoksundo, Dho village (one of the highest settlements in the world)
ACCOMMODATION;Camping is most but In the towns of Dunai, Sangta, Chhepka and Ringmo some accommodation is available. These are basic trekkers lodges where food and limited supplies are available. Throughout varies spots within the National Park there are camp sites with toilets and shelters available. Park offices are to be found in Suliga, Chhepka, Palam Ringmo and Toijem. In Palam there is also a small visitor centre. Due to the limited facilities it is highly recommended to take tents, food, fuel, first aid kits and all other materials needed for a trekking trip.
