Ringmo is the village on the shores of Phoksundo Lake in Nepal's remote Dolpo region, its traditional Bon and Tibetan Buddhist community set against the backdrop of one of the most strikingly beautiful lakes in the entire Himalaya. Phoksundo Lake's vivid turquoise waters, fed by glacial meltwater and held within a dramatic valley of steep cliffs and pine forest, have made it one of the most photographed natural destinations in western Nepal despite the considerable effort required to reach it.
The village of Ringmo retains strong Bon religious traditions alongside Tibetan Buddhist practice, reflected in its chortens, prayer flags, and the historic Bon monastery perched above the lake, offering visitors a rare glimpse of this older, pre-Buddhist Tibetan spiritual tradition still actively practised. The lake itself is considered sacred by local communities, and certain traditional restrictions around fishing and boating reflect this deep religious significance.
For trekkers who make the demanding journey into Lower Dolpo to reach Ringmo and Phoksundo Lake, the reward is one of the most visually spectacular and culturally rich destinations found anywhere in Nepal's more remote trekking regions, a landscape that featured prominently in Eric Valli's acclaimed film "Himalaya" and continues to draw a small but dedicated stream of visitors seeking genuine wilderness and cultural discovery far from the country's more famous trekking corridors.
Local guides with specific knowledge of this stretch of trail add real value, both for navigation and for the cultural context they can offer along the way.
A gradual, well-paced ascent through this section remains the best defence against altitude-related discomfort further along the route.
Basic but adequate teahouse facilities are typically available, offering a hot meal and a simple bed for trekkers passing through.
Facilities along this stretch of trail remain simple, and trekkers should carry sufficient cash, since cards are not accepted and ATMs do not exist beyond the larger towns.
Mobile signal in the area is patchy at best, and travellers should not rely on constant connectivity once they are this far into the trail network.