Shey Phoksundo National Park is only the trans Himalayan national park. This National Park is the largest national park.This park was established in 1984. National park conducts community development activities together. It manages the natural and cultural resources. The park contains many monasteries(Gumba) and religious areas. The buffer zone is managed by community. This area consists of forests and private lands. There is a Phoksundo lake above 3000m . This park is establish in order, to protect the endangered animals,plants ,species.. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenically nestled in the area. Many beautiful glaciers can be found near and above the lake area.
Location of Shey Phoksundo National Park
It is located in mid western region. It covers an area of 3555 square km. Park is located under Mugu and Dolpa districts. The headquarter of parks are located in Palam, Dolpa district. Nepal’s’ deepest and second largest Phoksundo lake lies here. Shey-phoksundo National Park is in the Trans-Himalayan region of northwest Nepal.
Flora and Fauna
Shey Phoksundo National Park provides a diversity of spectacular landscapes. This national park provides habitat to endangered species of animals and plants. It is call home of habitats. There are 200 species of birds, 286 species of botanics ,etc. The flora found within the park is exteremely diverse. Blue pine, spruce, hemlock, cedar, silver fir, poplar, rhododendron, and bamboo are in this park.
This region consists of Tibetan sheep, Ghoral, Mountain tahr, Musk deer, Snow leopard, Blue sheep, Grey wolf,etc. Northern part of this region is find barren in upper hills. Rhododendron, Caragana shrubs, White Himalayan birch can be seen. 29 species of butterfly, including the highest flying butterfly in the world, Paralasa nepalaica. The park provides habitat for over 200 species of birds, among which include yellow-throated marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snip, white-throated tit, wood accentor, and crimson-eared rosefinchl.
The local people works as farmer and grows potato, buckwheat, mustard, beans,etc. There are 5% of area cover by forest and fauna.
Climate
The climate of national park differs to the altitude range of monsoon. The park experience a wide climatic range. In winter, it freezes above 3000m.
Facility
There is more proper facility of local accommodation. There is small visitor center in Palam. Trekking lodges are located. Park offices are located. Campsites are available throughout park. At the headquarters in Palam there is a small visitor center.
Best Time to Visit
There is several seasons in Nepal like spring, summer, autumn and winter. The best time to visit Shey Phoksundo National Park is spring and autumn. You can even visit in any season if you prefer.
How to Reach Shey Phoksundo National Park?
We can reach Shey Phoksundo National Park by your choice , road or air transportation. Air transportation takes few time. Road transportation takes long time. Road transportation is adventurous. The distance between kathmandu to Shey Phoksundo region is 317km. The easiest way to reach the park is by air from Nepalgunj to the Juphal airstrip in Dolpa followed by a half day walk to the park entrance at Suligad.
It takes 55 min to arrive Nepalgunj from Kathmandu through flight. It takes around 3 hrs 40 mins – 4 hrs to reach Shey Phoksundo National Park from Kathmandu by road.