The trek to Rolwaling Himal west of Everest and near the Tibetan border offers fascinating experience. Golden chance for trekkers who do not want to encounter a mass influx of tourist but equally enjoy mother nature and splendid views of Himalayas & exploring beautiful waterfalls, Chorolpa Lake, monasteries and landscapes.
Rolwaling is a wild and little-frequented East - West valley located in the East of Nepal, just south of the Tibetan border, below Gauri Shankar (7145m). Our journey begins with a scenic drive on the Katmandu - Lhasa highway to the ancient trading town of Dolakha. The trek leads through one of most remote and beautiful parts of Nepal, past picturesque Sherpa, Tamang and Chetri villages with their typical terraced fields, through dense, gloomy primeval forests and over broad ridges with wonderful views. It is a palpitating adventure over dizzy suspension bridges, impressive gorges and steep paths. We reach the Tashi Lapsa pass (5755m), in the glaciated wilderness of the very heart of the Himalayas. The mountain scenery is stunning: Tengi Ragi Tau (6943m), Bisphero Go Shar (6729m), Dragkar Go (6793m) and countless snowy peaks. After Tashi Lapsa we enter the Khumbu valley, land of the Sherpas. This trek is strenuous and requires fitness and basic mountaineering skills.
Detail Itinerary
» Where are you going?
Day 01: Sight seeing:
Around Kathmandu valley: The holy place of Pashupatinath temple, Shoyambhunath temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Kathmandu Darbar Square), arrange the necessary permit for Trekking and Climbing. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: Sight seeing:
Around Kathmandu valley: The holy place of Pashupatinath temple, Shoyambhunath temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Kathmandu Darbar Square), arrange the necessary permit for Trekking and Climbing. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Katmandu - Dolakha (1650m)
About 5-6 hours drive. Overnight at camp.
Day 04: Dolakha - Shigati (1020m)
Our trek starts with a long descent to the river, through scattered villages and terraces. Afterwards, we head up, crossing many tributaries of the Thamba Khosi river. This is a pleasant walk as we gently gain height, following the course of the river. Overnight at camp.
Day 05: Shigati - Gongar (1350m)
We carry on along the Bhote Kosi river north, along the bottom of its deep valley which gradually becomes more gorge-like. We crisscross the hectic river on picturesque suspension bridges and pass a few hamlets and villages. The forest sometimes will give way to nice views of the Gaurishankar (7145m). This area is still Hindu although signs of Buddhism, with prayer flags and Chortens, begin to mark the route. Overnight at camp.
Day 06: Gongar - Simigaon (2020m)
Short stage. After a 2-hour walk, we leave the valley to continue east. The path slowly gains altitude on an impressive slope, and later crosses terraces. Simigaon is a Sherpa village, marked by its Tibetan monastery, perched above the houses on top of the hill. Overnight at camp.
Day 07: Simigaon – Donga (2800m)
We now enter the Rolwaling valley. Through a gorgeous rhododendron forest, the path steadily climbs towards Gyalche. Eventually, we descend back down to the river and establish the campsite on the Rolwaling Khola bank, beside a few teahouses. Overnight at camp.
Day 08: Donga - Beding (3690m)
We gradually climb the forested valley, with superb mountain scenery surrounding us. Arriving at Beding, we can glance at the Melungtse (7181m), Rolwaling’s highest summit. Tibetan-like people who rarely see visitors inhabit this remote village. They will probably invite you to sample their chang (barley beer) or yak butter tea. Overnight at camp.
Day 09: Beding - Na (4180m)
A short walk will take us to Na. A tiny alpine hamlet only inhabited during summer months. Na is situated in a beautiful valley overlooked by some very impressive peaks with Chobutse (6685m) and Chugimago (6259m). Overnight at camp.
Day 10: Na. Acclimatization day
We can either take a rest or organize an excursion towards the Yalung La pass. We climb steadily, the path taking us to a vast amphitheatre at 4900m, situated just below the pass, and furrowed with streams. In every direction we get a stunning view: eastwards the Yalung Glacier, south the Ramdung Peak (5930m), westwards the Yalung Ri (5630m) and to the north the summits of the Tibetan boarder. Overnight at camp.
Day 11: Na – Nyiduk Kongma (4750m)
We climb up to the dam that holds back the Tsho Rolpa lake. A Dutch team is actually in charge of the dam work, necessary to prevent the lake splitting the thin moraine and flow down the valley. We progress along the south bank. The ancient route, marked on all maps, following the northern bank and passing through Chobu, no longer exists. In fact, the moraines boarding the lake have all collapsed into it. After a 300m climb, we come across a chaotic moraine area and scramble down the height we walked up. We establish our campsite in a sandy amphitheatre on the border, between the Tsho Rolpa and the Trakarding glaciers. Overnight at camp.
Day 12: Nyiduk Kongma – Drolumbau Glacier (5200m)
The path plunges towards the Trakarding glacier. This is an impressive and vast rocky area that gives way, from time to time, to large sections of bluish ice. We struggle on towards a rocky spur, just beneath the Dolumbau glacier. It is now quite a venture to access the glacier. We need to climb up a rock face and to set a rope for the porters, helping them to scramble up the 160m before accessing the campsite area. This provides a fantastic panorama with the Trakarding glacier below and the great glacial wall of the Drolumbau glacier to the north. An incredible spot, we are in an ideal position for the permanent spectacle of countless streams running down the glacier and falling rocks. Overnight at camp.
Day 13: Drolumbau Glacier - Tashi Lapsa (5755m) - Camp at 5200m
The only route to get a foothold onto the Drolumbau glacier is tricky and fairly steep. Our effort is rewarded by a unique view towards Tengi Ragi Tau (6943m), Bigphero-Go Shar (6729m), Dragkar-Go (6793m), and a background of myriad peaks towards the Tibetan boarder. We progress steadily through moraines and gentle slopes, crossing, from time to time, some glacial areas. We establish our campsite about 100m below the Tashi Lapsa pass, just underneath an impressive rocky section coming down from the Tengi Ragi Tau. Overnight at camp.
Day 14: Camp at 5200m - Thame (3800m)
An easy and pleasant descent. Just before arriving in the tiny Sherpa village of Thame, we can visit its picturesque monastery perched on the hillside. Overnight at camp.
Day 15: Thame - Namche Bazar (3440m)
This is a short and relaxing day. Many of the typical mani walls and prayer wheels are spread on the trail to Namche, the Sherpa capital. We have plenty of time to explore the bustling local market and admire the beautiful vistas of Thamserku (6608m), Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8511m). Overnight at camp.
Day 16: Namche Bazar:
Visit to Khumjung and Khunde village. Nice views of Mt. Everest and other mountains. Overnight at camp.
Day 17: Namche Bazar - Lukla (2800m)
We descend through the forest and continue along the Dudh Kosi banks. A short climb takes us to Lukla. Overnight at teahouse / camp.
Day 18: Kathmandu
Morning fly to Kathmandu and free day for shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 19: Kathmandu
Free day for shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 20: Drop to the international airport for final departure.
