Dudh Kunda Trek 6 Days Itinerary

Trek Duration

6 Days
Trek Distance

57 km
When to Go

Spring/Autumn
Avg Walking Hrs

6-7 hrs
Transportation

Flight/Public/Private Vehicle
Accommodations

Hotel/Lodge/Tea House
Difficulties

Moderate
Viewpoint

Dudh Kunda
Max Altitude

4561 meters

Overview

No place in the world is as exciting as Nepal to experience wild trekking. The country alone can defeat many hiking trails in the world both in terms of complexity and spectacle.

From the sky-scraping mountains of the east to the central wilderness, you can experience so much here. If that was not enough to excite trekkers, Nepal also has mystical lakes to offer its guests.

Statistically, it’s impossible to make count every single of them. But among hundreds of them and counting, one to stand out for every right reason is Dudh Kunda. This glistening glacial lake in the Everest region proves how splendid the creation of nature can be.

Although it has been newly discovered, Dudh Kunda Trek has already made a good first impression. Everything from its unique formation to translucent water and jaw-dropping backdrop has astounded hikers.

Hailed as one of the divine places, Dudh Kunda puts nature at its truest and raw form. It lies at an altitude of 4561m and is least visited by the hikers that hold it back.

Regarded as an abode of Lord Shiva, Dudh Kunda carries a religious significance. There is a belief among locals that whoever dunks into the lake will have their wish granted.

For such an adventurous trip, the start should be as grand as the end would. Hence, you’ll make headway from Kathmandu Valley on a regular flight to Phaplu.

The flight is going to be quite exceptional as it takes you to the vivid valley and snow peaks of the Himalayas. After taking down the Phaplu airport, you’ll be heading to Ringmo and Sansar Beni on a well-marked trail.

This takes about three days and by that time you’ll be already glaring at magnificent Dudh Kunda. Back on your way from the lake, you’ll come across many villages including Junbesi.

From there, it’s a straight walk to Phaplu which is also where you’ll catch your flight to Kathmandu.

Highlights of Dudh Kunda Trek

Exquisite view of the surrounding with see-through lake
Blessed with dramatic natural scenery and unique landscapes
Pitch camp under the crystal clear sky and sparkling stars of thousands
A glimpse of breathtaking Annapurna and Mt. Kanchenjunga
Explore the culture and values of Buddhist inhabiting in the region
Visit sacred monasteries like Thubten Choling and Chiwong

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Day 1 :

Fly to Phaplu and trek to Ringmo

Flight Distance: 123 km

Trek Distance: 11.7 km

Flight Duration: 30 minutes

Trek Duration: 3 hours

Maximum Altitude: 3660 meters

Well, if you’re ready for the trek then why not make it happen as early as possible. So for the first day of Dudh Kunda Trek, we go an easy way and take a flight to Phaplu from Kathmandu valley.

Since the trip is coming early in the morning, the views from the sky are clear, bright, and beautiful. You can already get the glimpse of unique landscapes and vibrant valleys before even reaching Phaplu.

Just in case for the refreshment, you’ve a combination of unique landscape and mountains like Lhotse and Pumori to sight. After taking down in Phaplu airport, you’ll meet with the other team member and your porter who’ll help you succeed the trip.

Between the village and Ringmo, there is a subtle trail that’ll take you almost 3 hours to traverse. The classic route that hardly sees travelers will once and for all give you a scenic sight to relish.

On the side cliff road is a majestic valley while on the top is snow-capped mountains overlooking the village. Walk a few miles ahead on a lush green pasture and a dense forest and you’ll reach Ringmo.

As it gets too late by the time you reach the village, it’s wise to spend the night at a lodge here.

Day 2 :

Trek from Ringmo to Sarsar Beni

Trek Distance: 6.4 km

Trek Duration: 2-3 hours

Maximum Altitude: 3800 meters

Just the next day of hike, you’ll wake up to the icy wind and endless buzz of locals in Ringmo. Not to miss the wonderful view of snow peaks, freshen up and join the rest of the members on the breakfast table.

As you still have a trek to make, get all the stuff and start walking the trail to Sarsar Beni. The hills go upside from here so it’s best that you take a gentle step and not run through energy.

Having to ascend the hills and walk the meadows, you may feel the day too long and tiring. But for the nature enthusiast, the route unfolds a lot of surprises.

Possibilities are high for them to witness a wide species of vegetation and wildlife on the way through forest. The place has also got ample monasteries which are open for everyone to visit.

Hike a little further and it turns out that the place also has dazzling snow peaks to offer travelers. On your last stop at Ringmo, you’ll spend the night at a guesthouse.

Day 3 :

Sarsar Beni to Dudh Kunda: Back to Sarsar Beni

Trek Duration: 6 hours

Maximum Altitude: 4561 meters

The third day of Dudh Kunda Trek is on which the success of your trip relies. Given that, there is nothing to feel the stress rather stay as relaxed as you can.

Since there is no guesthouse or lodge after Ringmo, you’ll have a full meal breakfast here. After you finish the meal, start ascending the steep hill to Dudh Kunda aka Milky Lake.

No short of magnificence, the route will introduce you to Kalo Pokhari for the very first time. The pokhari is a bit unusual than your regular lake with dark blakish water and towering hills in the background.

Locals here have a long credence that travelers must visit the lake before walking to Dudh Kunda. Keeping everything aside, this is a great deal as you’ll get to visit two lakes for the cost of one.

After the exploration is over, you’ll head towards Dudh Kunda, an absolute masterpiece on earth. On your arrival here, you’ll find that the water on the lake is pure blue and bewitching.

Beyond this incredible lake, you also get to witness the soaring Numbur and Karyolung in the background. Trip like Dudh Kunda doesn’t happen time and again so it’s smart of those to capture the moment.

Accept or not but it’s impossible to stay too long at the spot as you also have to make the way down. Hence, after traveling over the lake and surrounding, retrace the step back to Sarsar Beni.

With this, one terrific day at Dudh Kunda comes to an end. To spend the night warm, put a tent or else you’ll have to put with the cow shed.

Day 4 :

Sarsar Beni to Junbesi

Trek Distance: 7.8 km

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Maximum Altitude: 2700 meters

Finally after making a victorious move to Dudh Kunda, it’s time to head back to the village. Thereby, without delaying much of the time, you’ll start walking to Junbesi from early in the morning.

Clambering the trail, you’ll come across a ridge called Pare Danda and follow that green meadow. On the way down, you also get to enjoy a picturesque view of the snow peaks and diverse geographical features.

The scenic path to Junbesi also unfolds the historic and cultural side of the Himalayan region. Next it’s a mesmeric Junbesi Village which is largely inhabited by Sherpa people.

The place is deep-rooted with the ancestral rite and culture of Sherpa which easily comes to notice. The locals here are very genial and welcoming to the guest so there will be no problem finding a guest house.

Day 5 :

Junbesi to Phaplu

Trek Distance: 13.2 km

Trek Duration: 5 hours

Maximum Altitude: 2469 meters

A day trek from Junbesi to Phaplu is when you’ll get to encounter the local culture at most. Starting from the village, the route goes downhill to Basa River that’s looked across by the mountains all the time.

Without a doubt, the sublime view of the valley and landscapes are a major draw of the region. Nonetheless, the hospitable and affable treat of locals will as well fill your heart with delight.

Descending further, you’ll come across a green pasture mostly fed by yaks. The place is also rich with wide vegetation and floras out of which some are just found in the region.

As for the night, you’ll stay at a lodge in Phaplu. Following this, you don’t have to rush the next morning and can easily catch a flight to Kathmandu from Lukla airport.

Day 6 :

Fly from Phaplu to Kathmandu

Trek Distance: 123 km

Trek Duration: 30 minutes

Maximum Altitude: 1400 meters

It’s the sixth day of Dudh Kunda Trek and for most of you it might be quite hard to accept that it’s all to end today. In fact, it’s just a matter of hours before the trip will officially put an end.

In the early morning at Phaplu, you’ll have breakfast and then walk the way to the airport. The flight takes about 30 minutes to reach the valley. But even in the span of time, it will take you through the scenic landscapes and mountains like Cho Oyu and Everest.

As soon the flight lands, our representative will escort you up till to the hotel. After that exhausting flight, we’re sure you need a proper rest. Hence we’ll leave it then and there so that you can enjoy your privacy.

Best time for trekking Dudh Kunda

For a glorious lake like Dudh Kunda, any day would be the best day to embark on a trip. Still, if you want to get it perfect in every way, rather plan it during spring or autumn.

The seasons are enough to make everyone go crazy. But when nature adds flavor to its belle, the outcome is something different and overwhelmingly impressive.

Spring marks the new beginning of everything, be it wildlife or nature. Flowers of different breeds start to bud in the season making the whole valley look stunning.

With winter just fleeing the region, the weather in the early month of spring is fairly cold. The temperature starts to heat up as the season gradually shoves to its end.

Autumn is the other time of the year that is just perfect to travel Dudh Kunda. The weather during the season is mild as it falls in-between monsoon and winter.

The temperature during the early month of autumn is warm but as months go, it starts to get cool. Another highlight of the season is that the leaves begin to change their color and eventually fall off the shoot.

The colorful leaves will even then do the task by cloaking the trails and causing it look phenomenal. After autumn, it’s winter which entices travelers to visit the lake back and forth.

The season may not be the best of all but the views that winter provides are still magical. In the season, the whole valley, as well as the surrounding nearby lake, turns white.

There is so much to keep busy in winter, whether it’s sightseeing the snow peaks or frolicking in the snow. Monsoon, on the other hand, is mediocre compared to other seasons.

The temperature here is unpredictable in Monsoon ranging from 25 to -15 Degree Celsius at any time of the day. The season brings a lot of rain with itself and lets the trail be slippery.

Dudh Kunda Trek Cost

The cost for Dudh Kunda trek basically counts on how long you’re willing to stay in the region. The most travel packages for the lake comes with a 6-day trek for the best deal of $3300.

But as soon as the length of your stay starts to extend, the cost also starts to tilt making the trip pricey. Apart from that, if you’re not satisfied with the arrangements made and want something high-end then be open to spending extra bucks.

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Is trek to Dudh Kunda possible in June?

Yes, of course, you can hike to Dudh Kunda on any day of June. But we would still recommend that you don’t until out of desperation or pushed for time.

Monsoon hasn’t much of a good reputation amongst tourists and even locals visiting Everest region. The season brings heavy rainfall with it in and across the country.

Taking it to notice, the trails are often wet and little can you expect to get it dry the next day. Henceforth, it would be best if you plan the trek during March or October instead of June.

Is it practical for Dudh Kunda Trek to be done solo?

For anyone who’s new in the country, I’m sure it’s hard to put up with the cultural difference. Even if you leave this thing aside, how tough it is to navigate the way all through Dudh Kunda. For this reason, an offcomer to Dudh Kunda and surrounding might struggle to travel alone.

Are trekkers likely to have altitude sickness during Dudh Kunda Trek?

In a trek like Dudh Kunda, probabilities are always there for hikers to undergo altitude sickness. For anyone to instantly adjust with the temperature and weather at 4561 meters is quite troublesome.

It is because of which many travelers fall sick or have breathing problems and nausea. However, in the case of Dudh Kunda, the trek doesn’t last long with just 6 days itinerary. Also, we’ve medical facilities on the line so the situation will never go out of hand.

What is the highest altitude that trekkers can reach while on Dudh Kunda Trek?

The highest altitude that hikers will be looking to reach is 4593 meters on the trek to Dudh Kunda.

How difficult is Dudh Kunda Trek?

There is no way anyone can find Dudh Kunda Trek as difficult as any other trek in the Everest region. The trip is rather arousing and full of excitement with natural magnificence all around. The routes are well-defined and can be easily steered with mere help of a guide.

Also, Dudh Kunda is a lesser-known trekking spot having just been discovered. Hence, the route witnesses fewer travelers than anywhere in the Everest region. This means you can simply explore the place without any hassle and presence of crowd.