Rolwaling Camping Trek

We will have time to explore the higlights of the valley in Kathmandu and Patan. You will see Durbar Square and the Temple of the Living Goddess in Kathmandu, Boudhanath containing one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, Pashupatinath Temple on the river Bagmati complete with burning ghats and the remarkable Hindu and Buddhist temples of Patan.

Early in the morning we drive up the 114 km long Arniko Highway which connects Kathmandu to the Chinese border. Built many years ago with Chinese aid, this road follows the Sun Koshi River until we come to Barabise Bazar (3 hours driving) where we stretch our legs. One hour later we reach our camp at the Last resort (1170m) which is famous for the highest bungee in Asia. If you are not a thrill seeker, it is also a great place to enjoy the views over the Bhote Kose River and to relax in the cozy garden or bar and to take a massage in the beauty parlor. Tonight we stay at comfortable tented camps accommodated by The Last Resort.

Today our Rolwaling Camping trek starts. For many of you the first three days will be hard as we steadily climb to Tinsnag La Pass which we reach before lunch on the third trekking day. Of course you will walk at your own pace and you’ll have plenty of time to take a breath, drink a tea and enjoy the scenery. From the Last Resort we cross the bridge and climb for half an hour stone steps to Tyanthali village (1390 m). We walk the trail to the village school and climb 40 minutes up hill to Sakhuwa village. After crossing scrabbly wooded forest we reach Cati village (1520 m) meter and further Mandre (2180 m). After a lunch break we walk another 1 ½ hours to a saddle between the Khagdal Khola and Gulche valley. Here we camp at the scenic saddle or terraces situated at 2285 m. Walking hours today: 5.5 h.

After breakfast, we head up to a large forested ridge which ultimately leads to Tinsang pass. Take your time and enjoy the views, and if you begin early each day there is a good chance of seeing red panda. We follow a trail eastwards and as we climb the forest becomes thicker. After 400 m of ascent (1 ½ hours) we reach the northern slopes of the Nambarjun Danda. After reaching a dry watercourse (1h), the trail continues east back up onto the forest ridge from where you can enjoy views on the Khagdal river below. After 40 minutes you reach a dry watercourse which you should climb to another saddle and potential campsite at Sindurche Kharka (2780 m, 1 hour). The trail from the Kharka continues east, back up onto the forested ridge. The trail sometimes edges against the precipitous edge of the ridge, with views down to the Khagdal Khola 700 m below. As you continue along the ridge the trail rises and falls for short sections and there are small seasonal shelters used by locals when they take their cattle to the high pastures during the monsoon months. After about 2 h we arrive at a Sana Jyandan (3127 m) where we camp near rhododendron forest. Walking hours: 5.5 h.

Start to walk to Palati Jyandan (3210 m, 30 minutes) and enter a forest. We follow a dry watercourse (25 minutes) into an old-growth rhododendron forest. Soon after we reach Marmin Jyandan (3250 m) which has a few stone shelters. From this pasture the trail heads out across a steep rocky hillside. After we connect with a long north-south ridge, which leads to the Tinsang La (3350 m). Once we join the main ridge we are back in rhododendron forest and descend until a large trail that swings east, away from the ridge. From here we drop down to a series of plateaus that lead to our campsite at Tinsang Kew (3266 m). Walking time: 4h

Today we frequently cross the road as you descend via multiple short cuts through forest. In 2 ½ hours you will reach the hamlet of Rupthan (2400 m). From here the trail begins to climb back into the forest on an easy gradient. After 4.30 h walking today we reach Bigu Gompa where we put up our tents. In the afternoon you can visit the nunnery of Bigu Gompa which is dedicated to the Buddha of compassion, who is all-seeing and all-knowing remover of obstacles. Bigu is one of the most fascinating Buddhist nunneries in Nepal. Built in 1933 is houses about 35 nuns, most of them are Sherpas. The nuns are happy to receive visitors, also allow us to attend morning prayers. The walls inside the gompa are lined with interlacing statues of Buddha of compassion, each with eleven heads and 1000 arms, hands and eyes.

From the Sherpa village of Bigu Gompa two routes lead to Loting. We choose the main trail that descends to Pegu (Amatol) river (1700 m, 2 ½ hours and a bridge over the Sangu river before climbing to Loting (1768 m, 1 hour and 20 minutes). Or head east and gradually descend to the village of Alampu, which covers the southeast-facing hillside above the Kotheli Khola. Here a steep trail descends through the village to a bridge (1732m, 2 hours), which you should cross to a small hamlet. Follow the river downstream for about 30 minutes to just before the confluence with the Sangu Khola and veer left to climb about 200 m through scrubby forest. In 1 hour you round the hillside and enter the village of Loting which is inhabited by Gurungs. Enjoy the teahouse and campsite in Loting. Walking hours: 4 h.

We descend slightly to the Dorun river and climb a hill past a large chautaara. After we descend to and to a seasonal watercourse before climbing up an easy trail to Chilingkha (2 h). From here we climb to another scrub-covered hillside, which was affected by a bushfire at the beginning of 2009. The trail traverse around the hillside to the small village of Chyasarpa (2020 m, 1 h 20m) where we descend to a small river and forest. From here we climb smoothly up to our campsite and the teahouse at Laduk (2050 m, 2 ½ hours). Walking hours today: 6 h.

A broad trail climbs an easy gradient from Laduk through pine forest that covers most of the hillside above. In 1 hour and 20 minutes you will reach a ridge above Bulung where you might be lucky and catch your first views of the Gaurishankar Himal. Descend to the village (1890 m, 15 minutes) and again up to the small village of Yarsa (2020 m, 45 m). After climbing 50 minutes through terraced fields, we reach our destination, the ridge-top village of Orangdanda (2029 m). From here we enjoy great morning view of the Gaurishankar Himal from this village. Gaurishankar (7134 m) is the second highest peak of the Rolwaling range behind Melungtse peak (7181 m). Gaurishankar has deep religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhist. Jumbled rock escarpments sweep upwards into knife-edged and corniced iced ridges which finally merge at Gauri Shankar’s double summit. The North summit, is the Hindu god Shiva married to goddess Gauri, the south summit. The Rolwaling Sherpas call it Jomo Tseringma and throughout Buddhist Lamaism, to as far away as Sikkim, Tseringma is considered the most holy mountain of the Sherpas.

On our drop down to River Camp we enjoy plenty views of Gaurishankar. We descend terraces to a stream and climb a little to the village of Deulang (1900 m, 1 ½ hours). After we soon reach the top of large village of Thare where we take our time to observe a Tamang village. Tamang people are believed to have come from Tibet, possibly around 3000 years ago, and are Nepalis largest ethnic group. Tamangs have their own history, religion, culture, costume and living style which make them different from others. The people here are friendly and love to sing and dance. We descend into the valley below to the village of Gongar (1430 m), about 2 h 15 m walking. From here we follow the road to the bridge in Chetchet (1377 m) and cross the Tama river to a campsite on the far bank. Walking time today: 4h 45 m.

Today we make a moderate length hike. From the campsite we follow stone staircases to the lower homes of Simigaon village (2 hours). Once we reach the first terraces the gradient eases as the trail winds between homes. We walk another 1 ½ hours to reach the few teahouses and campsite at 2036m on the ridge above the village. After lunch you can visit the local Buddhist monastery. Walking hours today : 3.5 h.

We start the day descending from a nearby minor ridge to a small yak pasture and walk alongside Rolwaling River (40 minutes). From the yak pasture we climb sometimes steep climb through forest. After 2 hours we take a break at a large waterfall, where you can soak your feet in a pool of cold water if it is a warm day. Heaven! Another 2 hours climbing brings us to Gyalche Kharka (2832 m). After an easy descent through forest (40 m) we reach the settlement of Dokhang where we camp (2791 m). Walking hours: 6h.

After the steep climb of yesterday, the trail today is much easier as it winds a course along the south bank of the Rolwaling river. Enjoy the rhododendron, pine and juniper forests and the river cascades beside the trail. After 2 hours you reach the bridge to the north bank of the river. Soon after the bridge over Themlung river. Enyoy here the views over the steep ravine to the north and Gaurishankar. We climb to the glacial valley above. Juniper and fir trees become more common now, and snow and ice covered bulk to Tsoboje peak fills the end of the valley ahead. Breathtaking! The gradient eases and we reach the village of Nyamare (3550 m) in another 2 hours. Beding (3750 m)where we camp tonight, is a small Sherpa village with perhaps 200 families living in stone houses, is now less than 1 hour away. Walking time today: 5 h, 15 m.

The trek today from Beding to Na (4180 m) takes about 5 hours. Before starting our trek, we visit the monastery and the small hermitage set in a cliff above the village. Here Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated 2000 years ago. We leave the narrow gorge of Beding and from here we start to hike up the Upper Rolwaling valley. After 2 ½ hours the valley becomes U shaped and some large boulders dot the landscape. One of the boulders has been carved with Buddhist prayers and must be the largest single mani stone anywhere. Just beyond is another boulder with a large painting of Padmasambhava and a small shrine. After another 2.5 h we reach the summer village of Na at 4180 m, a pleasant scattered village where we camp tonight.

We take a day to acclimatize in Na which offers good day trip options to explore the stark moraine of Upper Rolwaling Valley with tangle of ice peaks, glaciers and little used passes. Today we recommend you to visit the spectacular Yalung Base camp and glaciers (4200 m, 5 hours walking).

Early morning push towards Lake Tsho Rolpa (4540 m), 2 to 3 hrs walk. The trail first goes through the plain valley and then climbs to the lake. The large glacial lake is dammed by the great Ripimo Shar glacier,lies between the majestic Langtang and Everest ranges and is surrounded by snowcapped mountains and glaciers. Mountain vistas from here are unsurpassed. Return to Na, lunch there and head down to Beding for night stop.

From Beding we walk gradual downhill to Thanthing where we have lunch. After lunch we walk up to Kyalche which is situated on a 30 min walk from Dongang where we camp. Walking time today: 4.30 h.

From Kyalche we walk down to Surmuche along Rolwaling river to Simi Gaon. Walking time:

Return to Kathmandu in 5 h with private jeep. Farewell diner in Kathmandu.

Day of leisure in Kathmandu.