Lack of Telephone Service Along Phoksundo Trail Troubles Locals and Tourists

Dolpa, October 26 

The absence of telephone connectivity along the Phoksundo Trail, stretching from Suligard to Sainjhal, has created serious difficulties for both locals and tourists in one of Karnali Province’s prime travel destinations.

Despite being part of Thulibheri Municipality and Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality, no telecom company has extended phone services to this section. Apart from limited internet access in a few scattered locations, the route remains largely disconnected, leaving domestic and international travellers unable to communicate while journeying toward the iconic Shey Phoksundo Lake.

The trail, which passes through the Shey Phoksundo National Park area, completely lacks mobile and internet coverage. “The moment you leave Suligard, phones stop working. For nearly ten hours, tourists are completely out of contact,” said Binod Budha, a tourist from Surkhet. “You can neither reach your family nor call for help in an emergency. If anything happens, there’s no way to arrange rescue.”

Budha also emphasized the need to upgrade the trekking route, widen difficult sections, and develop better lodging options to support the growing number of visitors.

Several villages along the trail including Kagani, Sangta, Chepka, Rochi, Sumduwa, and Sainjhal remain outside the communication network. “It’s ironic that while much of Nepal now has high-speed internet, tourist hubs like Chepka don’t even have basic phone service,” said Nima Gyalzen Lama, a hotel operator in Chepka. He added that although a telecom tower was built in the Lek area of Parila village, it has yet to become operational, urging the authorities to clarify the delay.

The communication gap has also hindered the daily functioning of the Shey Phoksundo National Park Office. “Even our office lacks phone connectivity,” said Nurendra Aryal, Senior Conservation Officer at the park. “We’ve repeatedly requested Nepal Telecom to extend services, but have received no response so far.”

Locals and tourism entrepreneurs alike have called on the government and telecom providers to prioritize establishing reliable communication facilities along the Phoksundo Trail, citing both safety concerns and tourism development needs.