• Duration 7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Price from $499 / person
  • Difficulty Level Medium Hard
  • Max Altitude 4500m

Rolwaling Valley trek, located in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area (GCA) is a moderately difficult teahouse trek nestled between Langtang National Park and Khumbu (Mt.Everest) in Nepal. It forms part of The Great Himalaya Trail. The Rolwaling Valley trek is a comparatively less visited and quiet trekking route that runs parallel to Tibet. The Sherpa village of Beding (a 3-day walk from Gonghar Khola) is the largest settlement in the Rolwaling Valley. It is possible to combine this trek with Everest crossing Tashi Lapcha La (5755m), nevertheless, it requires basic climbing experience and good guides to complete this and another Pachermo  Peak Climbing permit. Tsho Rolpa (4580m) is one of the largest glacial lakes in Nepal. This is the point of a turnaround if returning to Gonghar Khola.

How to get to Rolwaling Valley? 

There are direct local buses that leave from Kathmandu to Singati-Lamabagar. Local buses leave at 5 am and 6 am. Alternatively, we can arrange a private jeep on request. The package cost we have offered includes local bus only. The beginning of the trek is at Chhechhet, 25km north of Singati. We will have to make sure if the bus goes all the way there. The journey takes approximately 9 to 10 hours on dirt roads.

Rolwaling Valley Trekking Permit

Gauri Shankar Conservation GCAP Permit NPR 3000.00 per person
TIMS Card NPR 2000 per person though there is no check post, TIMS is recommended for you and your guide safety and security.
Na Village and Chhorolpa Lake area: Per week per person USD 20.00

How are the logistics and facilities in the Rolwaling Valley Trek Route? 

There are basic teahouses along the route and homestays offer verities of food including Dal Bhat, fried rice, noodles, etc. No extensive menus like standard Annapurna and Everest routes etc, which makes package cost cheaper compared to other well-established major trekking routes. You won't come across many shops once you leave the road so bring adequate supplies with you. Limited lodges, teahouses, and homestays are available in the area.

Acclimatization day in Beding and explore around Rolwaling Valley Trek.

Beding - Tsho Rolpa - Beding. (10 to 11 hours) is a long (22km) and tough day. It is possible to stay at Na on the way back which makes it shorter by 4km however this might not be possible in winter as the lodges will be closed. We will have to check in Beding before heading to Tsho Rolpa.

Short itinerary for young and fitter people (Cost US$ 469 per person)

Day 1: Kathmandu to Simigaun (drive & trek)
Day 2: Trek Simigaun (2036m) to Dongang (2791m)
Day 3: Trek from Dongang to Na Village (4180m)
Day 4: Excursion to Tso Rolpa Lake and trek to Thangdingma (3100m)
Day 5: Trek from Thangdingma to Simigaun (2036m)
Day 6: Trek to Chhechhet and drive to KTM.

Long itinerary with side trip to Yalung Ri base camp (Cost US$ 569 per person)

Day 1: Drive to Chhochhot (1377m) from Kathmandu and trek to Simi Gaun
Day 2: Trek to Dongang (2790m), 6 hours from Simi Gaun.
Day 3: Trek to Beding (3740m), 6 hours walk from Dongang.
Day 4: Trek to Na (4180m), and afternoon excursion to Tso Rolpa (4500m), 6 hours walk.
Day 5: Hike to Yalung Ri Base Camp (4900m), 5 to 6 hours for round.
Day 6: Trek to Dongang (2791m), 6 hours.
Day 7: Trek to Chhechhet (1377m), 5 hours.
Day 8: Drive to Kathmandu by public bus

Highlights

  • Trekking trip in the route where less people visits.
  • Walk through the lush green jungle along the Rolwalng Khola (River)
  • Rolwaling; the home of Sherpas who involve in mountaineering most.
  • Prayaers engraved mani walls and rocks.
  • Tso Rolpa Glacier Lake and Dudh Kunda.
  • Splendid View of Mountain Vista from Yalung Ri Peak
  • Peaceful and tranquil route without crowed and inclusive package trip.

Itinerary

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This is our standard itinerary. It can be customized or slightly changed if required considering your pace and trekking habit that cause to change of day to day plan

We take an early local bus to Jagat today; it is about 196 km to east from Kathmandu, takes 9-10 hours via Lamosangu (750m.) Charikot (1980m.).After about ten minutes you'll get to the bridge that crosses the Tamakoshi River. As soon as you cross you start ascending. Follow the trail until you get to the lovely village of Simigaon. The lodges are on the ridge at the top of the village, so you still have about 40 minutes of walking the minor trails through the village until you get to the lodge. The village itself is beautiful. It is spread all over the side of the hill, and you can spend the rest of the day walking around. There is also a monastery on top of the ridge. Overnight in lodge or home stay.

  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Teahouse
  • 2036M
  • Simi Gaun

As you start walking from Simigaon, you take the trail the heads out towards the other side of the ridge and up the Rolwaling river valley. Most of the day you'll be walking inside a forest, but the way is rather clear, and if you stick with the main trail there is little chance you'll get lost. After about one hour of ups and downs you'll see two small shacks. This is a good place to refill some water since from here you are only ascending and there won't be too many places to rehydrate on the way. From here you enter a Rhododendron forest and you star ascending. It is a rather steep way up and after about two and a half hours and a couple of small bridges you get to a small teahouse where you can take a break. This teahouse is not open all the time so don't count on it for food or supplies. From here you keep ascending. The higher you go the more the forest is governed by Juniper and Rhododendron. After about three hours you'll get to Gyalche. There is a lodge here, and it is possible to stop here for the night if you wish. Half an hour down the trail is Dongang, which is located on the bank of the river. There are two places to stay in Dongang, and both of them are run by very nice ladies. The one run by Zangmu Sherpa is lovely. overnight in lodge or homestay. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House
  • 2791M
  • Dongang

This is also a day long ascent, and possibly the hardest day of this trek because of the altitude gap. Although most of the maps may suggest otherwise, since 2010 the wooden bridge crossing from Dongang is almost out of use and there is a new bridge up the valley. As you leave Dongang you head north along the main trail and past the scolding NMA sign ("no one profits from illegal mountaineering. So stop doing it right now."). After about two hours you get to a bridge and cross the Rolwaling Khola. From here the valley starts opening up a bit, and you get some nice views of Chekigo (6257m). After about one hour you cross the Themlung Khola which comes down straight from Gaurishankar, and you get a chance to look up the Themlung valley and get a close look of Gaurishankar. From you here soon enough you'll start passing some random houses, most of them probably locked and the owners are grazing their yaks somewhere higher. It is still three hours of ascent up to Beding, passing the villages of Jobalu, Nyiamare, Ramding and Chhimu Golche before reaching Beding. If you are trekking in spring, these villages will probably be empty since their residents are grazing their yaks in higher pastures or working as climbing Sherpas for the season. 40 minutes before Beding you pass the regional Lama Monastery School, and they'll want to see your permits. From here it's a rather short walk to the village. Beding itself is beautiful and the valley starts widening up at this point, giving you some fine views of the mountains surrounding it. It is also the biggest village in the Rolwaling valley. Overnight in lodge or home stay.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House or Home Stay
  • 3740M
  • Beding

This day depends a lot on how you acclimatized. If you are well acclimatized, then this walk should not be a problem. If you are not sure, or wish to make a short day, it is possible to go up to the lake the next morning and then just keep going down from Na. The trail from Beding is clear, and this part of the trek is just spectacular. As you ascend, the valley slowly opens up, and from a V-shaped valley it is gradually becoming a U-shaped valley. The sides of the valley are filled with icefalls and waterfalls, and at this point there are no trees, only grassland and some Juniper bushes here and there. After about two hours you reach the village of Na, which is situated on the north bank of the river. You can put your backpack at one of the lodges in Na, and take only water and warm clothes up to the lake. From Na you take the trail that goes north up the valley. After ten minutes you cross the Rolwaling Khola and from there you keep walking for about an hour on the right (south) bank of the river. After one hour of walking you'll get to second bridge and cross the Rolwaling Khola again - still one more hour left to get to the lake. From here you keep going on the bank of the river, until the main trail forks left and up to the lakeshore. To get back to Na you take the same trail you took on the way up. It should take about an hour and a half to reach Na. *There are two interesting side trips around Na. One is to another alpine lake called "Dudh Pokhari" (27°53'28.388"N, 86°27'57.278"E. Meaning 'milky lake'), which is located up the Ripimoshar Glacier. It is possible to do a one day round trip to both lakes from Na. This would be a long day, and you should consult locals in Na about the condition of the trail from Tso Rolpa to Dudh Pokhari, which is not very clear and is changing all the time since it is over the end of the Ripimoshar Glacier. The second is to the small monastery located about 30 minutes before Na, a bit northern to the trail. There is also a big Mani Wall and a mural on one of the big boulders.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Gauri Shankar Lodge
  • 4180M
  • Na Village

This is the day you start descending, following the same trail that you took on the way up. Those of you who wish to go up towards Dadlung La should turn at the bridge after Niyamare.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House
  • 2791M
  • Dongang

Still on the same trail back. Ask the lodge owners to sort out your bus ticket to Kathmandu for the following morning. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House
  • 1377M
  • Chhechhet

We take the local bus to Kathmandu, this is a long day ride. It could be about 11 hours bus ride to Kathmandu. 

  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Not Included
  • 1300M
  • Kathmandu
Customized Trip

What's Included

  • A registered, experienced, English speaking local trekking guide.
  • One sharing porter between two trekkers to carry your main pack.
  • Necessary Rolwaling Valley Trekking permit.
  • Ground transportation by public bus or jeep to and from trek.
  • Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners.
  • Guide and porter wages with all their expenses.
  • Taxes and service charges etc.

What's Excluded

  • Transfers,accommodation and meals in Kathmandu.
  • Bar bills and beverages like coke, fanta, sprite, mineral water.
  • Personal nature expenses, toiletries, hot shower, laundry, internet and phone calls.
  • Personal travel insurance and rescue operation charge in case of emergency.
  • Expenses of extra adventure, if the trip is extended.
  • Tips for your guide and porters.

Availabilities

Wilderness Excursion (P) Ltd is a local tour operator so we guaranty small private groups departures any dates that suits your date and time.
Start Date End Date Status Note Price  
March 23, 2024 March 29, 2024 Available US$499
March 30, 2024 April 05, 2024 Available US$499

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