Shey-Phoksundo National Park is situated in he mountain region of Western Nepal, covering parts of Dolpa and Mugu Districts. Gazetted in 1984, it is the largest national park in the country with an area of 3555 sq. km. The main objectives of the park are to preserve the unique trans.- Himalayan ecosystem with its typical Tibetan type of flora and fauna, and to protect endangered species such as the snow leopard and musk deer.

Much of the park lies north of the Great Himalayan Range. Kanjiroba Himal lies at the southern edge of the trans.-Himalayan region of the Tibetan plateau. The high Dolpa plateau in the north-east of the park is drained by the Langu (Namlang) River. The southern catchment of the park is drained by the Jugdula and Suligad Rivers, which flow south and drain into the Bheri River. Nepal's second largest lake, Phoksundo, lies at 3660 m. in the upper reaches of Suligad.

Vegetation and Animals

The vegetation found in the park is divers due to the influence of two different micro-climates. The southern river valleys along Suligad contain luxuriant forests mainly comprising blue pine, spruce, cypress, poplar, deodar, fir and birch. The Jugdula River valley consists mostly of Quercus species. The trans.-Himalayan area has a near-desert type vegetation comprising mainly dwarf juniper and caragana shrubs.

The park provides prime habitat for snow leopard and blue sheep. The blue sheep are mainly concentrated around Shey Gomba and Dolphu. Other common animals found in the park are; goral, Himalayan tahr, serow, leopard, wolf, jackal, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan weasel, Himalayan mouse hare, yellow-throated marten, and languor and rhesus monkeys.

The park is equally rich in birds. The commonly seen birds are Impeyan pheasant (danphe). blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, red and yellow-billed choughs, raven jungle crow, show partridge and many others.

Seasons

Spring season (March-May) usually has fine weather although high passes still remain covered with the winter snow. Being located behind the main Himalayan range, the park is little affected by monsoon rain from June until September and weather usually remains clear. The alpine flowers are at their best color during the months. The winter temperatures drop below 0 C. Occasional heavy snowfall in mid-winter closes the trails for several days.

Places of Interest

Shey are is interesting for religions and wildlife. Phoksundo Lake also known as Ringmo Lake, is the most interesting site of the park. The lake is drained by a waterfall from a height of nearly 150 m. making it the highest waterfall in the country.

• There are a few Buddhist monasteries near the lake in Ringmo and Pugmo villages.
• There are a few Buddhist monasteries near the lake in Ringmo and Pugmo villages.

How to Get There

The easiest and shortest route to reach the park is to fly to Jufal airstrip in Dolpa from Nepalgunj or Pokhara. From there , it is an easy one day walk to reach the park guardpost at Suligad and three days walk to reach park HQ. at Sumduwa.

Alternate routes are to fly to Jumla and trek about one week to the park. An adventurous route begins in Dhorpatan crossing several high passes before reaching Dunai, the District HQ. of Dolpa.

Park Regulations

All visitors must pay a park entry fee at Ankhe- guard post of park HQ or at National Parks' ticketing counter at the Dep. of Immigration in Kathmandu.

• Adults RS. 650/-
• Children (below 10 years) Free
• Be sure to keep your entry permit as it might be checked later by park personnel.
• Flora and fauna are fully protected and must not be disturbed.
• Visitors should be self-sufficient in fuel supply entering the park. Use of firewood is strictly prohibited.
• Rubbish must be buried or disposed of in a designated place.
• Movement in the park between sunset and sunrise is prohibited.