SOLUKHUMBU: “The path vanished along with the shadow of the water and mountains. There was no mobile signal, only fog all around. Even the sky seemed lost,” recounted Dennis Magar of Okhaldhunga.
Magar and his team went missing for about 10 hours while attempting to reach the renowned religious and tourist site, Dudhkunda, in Solukhumbu district.
The group had set off from Salleri last Monday, heading toward Dudhkunda via the Kamodanda area of Solududhkunda Municipality-1. They began their hike in the morning but took the wrong turn at a fork in the trail. Soon, the path disappeared atop a cliff, and mobile signals were lost, leaving them stranded.
Local hotelier Milan Karki said, “Tourists frequently take wrong paths due to the lack of signboards and proper guidance.” The search and rescue efforts were complicated by challenging terrain and poor communication.
With help from local tourism entrepreneurs and youth, Magar and his companions were eventually rescued after around 10 hours. Locals note that such incidents have become increasingly common in the Dudhkunda area.
At 3,860 meters, Kamodanda—on the main trekking route to Dudhkunda—has emerged as a hotspot for lost tourists. The trail leading to Dudhkunda requires a left turn here, which many domestic and foreign hikers miss, inadvertently heading toward Lukla.
This misdirection often leaves trekkers wandering through dense forests and steep terrain for hours. Local tourism entrepreneur Phurba Sherpa said, “Most tourists get lost because there are no clear signs indicating which path leads where.”
Weak network complicates rescues
Dudhkunda lies in steep Himalayan terrain, where telephone networks are extremely weak. Snow, fog, and strong winds further complicate navigation. Mingmar Sherpa, a local resident, said, “If someone gets lost, rescue teams cannot start immediately. In many areas, there is no network, so rescuers must travel on foot.” Other locals echoed that the poor communication links make timely rescues difficult.
Bhabiswar Sampang, a devotee from Sunsari, added, “The road to Dudhkunda is extremely challenging. The mountains seem to speak, yet you can’t see the path. There are no information boards along the way.”
TR Senehang, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Tehrathum, noted, “Dudhkunda is not only a religious site but also a location with the potential to become an international trekking and spiritual destination. Yet, it has received little priority from authorities.”
Similarly, Amrit Poudel of Dhankuta recalled getting lost for six hours due to absent signage, questioning whether tourists should be expected to navigate such trails without guidance.
Dudhkunda: A sacred milky white lake
Located at 4,700 meters in Solududhkunda Municipality-1, Dudhkunda sits at the foot of Numbur Himal (6,958 meters). Locals call the mountain ‘Numbur Himal Mata’. The lake, named for its milky white waters, attracts thousands of devotees annually, especially during the Janai Purnima festival.
Bathing in Dudhkunda is believed to purify the soul, fulfill desires, and cleanse sins. The site holds religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Kirats alike, combining natural beauty with spiritual reverence.
Recently, Dudhkunda gained further international attention when three foreign climbers from Italy, Germany, and Poland successfully summited Numbur Himal via the Seven Summit Trek route, opening the door for international trekking tourism in the region.
Local tourism entrepreneur Phurba Sherpa said, “A destination where visitors can experience Numbur Himal, Dudhkunda, and the surrounding rural lifestyle is rare globally. With proper management, Solukhumbu could become a ‘sacred trekking circuit.’”
Although Solududhkunda Municipality invested in the Dudhkunda trekking route a few years ago, critical infrastructure—including information and communication systems, altitude markers, and security checkpoints—remains lacking.
Deputy Mayor Gandhimaya Tamang said, “The municipality is focused on upgrading and promoting the trails, but little attention has been given to detailed tourism maps and a proper signage system.”
According to officials, a plan has been initiated under the ‘Dudhkund Tourism Promotion Program’ to establish signboards and a tourism information center within this fiscal year. However, local tourism entrepreneurs say delays in implementing the plan have so far prevented tangible results.
The Dudhkund region holds immense potential to boost the local economy. Tourism here can directly benefit hotels, dhabas, transportation services, and the handicraft sector. Yet, unsafe trekking routes and a lack of information often force some tourists to turn back midway.
Tourism entrepreneur Bal Darnal emphasizes that with coordinated investment from the local government and the private sector, the region could emerge as a national hub, blending religious tourism, hiking, and mountain trekking.
Karma Sherpa, senior vice-president of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), says, “The Dudhkund Circuit Trek is a rare destination where mountains, lakes, and culture come together. The federal, provincial, and local governments must adopt a unified approach to promote it.”
Experts stress that permanent signboards, emergency rescue centers, and regular guide training are essential for safe tourism management. Dudhkund is not just a lake; it is a Himalayan symbol of Nepali identity and faith, whose conservation is a collective responsibility.
Tourism entrepreneur Ang Phurba Sherpa adds, “With timely improvements in signage, security, and communication networks, Dudhkund can transform from a challenging trek into a revered journey of faith. Joint commitment from government and private sectors can positively impact not just the district, but the national economy.”
Local experts also argue that a dedicated development blueprint for Dudhkund could attract both domestic and international tourists, bringing religious and sightseeing experiences together in one destination.
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