Rolwaling Valley Lodge Trek
Tour Details
This trip features 2 nights in Kathmandu and a 10 days lodge trek into the remote Rolwaling Himal. This neighboring valley of Solo Khumbu (Everest region) lies just a few miles of the Tibetan frontier. The Rolwaling, literally known as “The Furrow” in the Sherpa language has always held a mysterious fascination. Here British Mountaineer Eric Shipton first photographed a yeti track in 1951. Later in 1960 Sir Edmund Hillary 1960 led an expedition on the Rolwaling peaks to search for the yeti.
Rolwaling specifically applies to a white water mountain river that is nourished from glaciers around Tsho Rolpa Lake. But also includes 7000 m high Gaurishankar and Melungtse ranges, 50 additional peaks over 6 000 m, uncontaminated valleys, glaciers and vibrant Sherpa and Tamang villages which are rarely visited. For this reason visitors are often blown away by the immense beauty of this mythical but less know region. The trek is non-technical and suitable for anyone in good shape who likes to hike over mountain trails and camp out.
Short Itenary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu 1340 m
Day 2: Drive to Chetchet & Trek to Simigaun 2037m
Day 3: Trek to Dhokhang village 2790 m
Day 4: Trek to Beding 3740 m
Day 5: Trek to Naa village 4180 m
Day 6: Day Hike to Tsho Rolpa Lake 4540 m & Dudh Kunda Lake 4600 m
Day 7: Trek to Kyalche village 2760 m
Day 8: Trek to Chetchet 1440 m & Drive to Shinghadi village
Day 9: Drive to Kuri village 3440 m with magnificent view point – Kalinchwok Hill station 3842 m
Day 10: Drive to Dhulikhel & Sightseeing in Namo Buddha
Day 11: Drive to Kathmandu
Day 12: Fly Back Home
Itinerary
Pick-up at Tribhuvan International Airport, meeting with your guide and transfer to the hotel. First impressions of Kathmandu (1 350 m) – walk to medieval Kathmandu Durbar Square and explore the beautiful complex of palaces, temples, shrines and courtyards built by the ancient Nepali kings between the 12th and 18th century. We bring you to our office and Thamel – the vibrant tourist area with hotels, restaurants, bakeries and outdoor shops. We get to know each other over a welcome dinner, check formalities and equipment and discuss your itinerary.
After breakfast our private bus will take us to ChetChet village where our Rolwaling trek officially will start. In Charikot town we will have our lunch break (5 hours’ drive from Kathmandu) and 2:30 hours further drive to ChetChet village. From here 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.
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.
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.
From Na we walk gradual downhill to Thanthing where we have lunch. After lunch we walk up to Kyalche where we camp. Walking time today: 5 hrs.
All the way down to ChetChet village & drive to Singhadi Bazaar.
After breakfast we will start to drive to Kuri Danda and it’s about 4 hours drive. Enjoy the amazing view from the Kalinchowk Hill (30 min climb from our hotel).
After breakfast we will drive back to Dhulikhel for lunch & visit sacred site of Namo Buddha. Tonight at Himalayan Horizon Resort, Dhulikhel.
On the way back to Kathmandu we will visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square & check in Potala Guest House. In the evening we will have farewell dinner at ThirdEye Restaurant, Thamel.
Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport – We hope you enjoyed your stay!
Trip Format
You should be in good physical shape for this trip and feel comfortable hiking 12-20 km per day on a trail while carrying a day pack of about 5kg. In general this is a moderate trek but with several long strenuous days. While the trip has been designed to gradually acclimatize you to altitude, four of our camps will be above 3750 m, and our highest camp will be at almost 4200 m. On some days altitude gains and losses of up to 900 m be expected, and there is one day when a descent of 1.2 km is called for. One rest day is planned and at least four half moving days are planned where we will be in camp by lunch leaving ample time for relaxing. While the trip is rated as moderate overall, two days will be strenuous and good conditioning is essential to your enjoyment of the trek. Strengthen your knee muscles and prepare for at least two steep descents of anywhere between 1 km to 1.2 km depending on availability of campsite.
A program of cardiovascular conditioning such as running, swimming, biking or aerobics is essential, but try to supplement your exercise with hiking on steep hills or running up and down steps. The more you can condition by closely simulating the activities of trekking, the better off you will be. While the trip is rated as moderate, good conditioning is essential to your enjoyment of the trek.
The pace on the trek will be leisurely and unregimented. You are encouraged to walk by yourself or in small groups. Take time to visit local houses and temples, share a cup of tea or rakshi with our porters and the locals in the many chia houses. Pursue interests in photography, bird-watching and botany, and sample the culture of the area you are traveling through. The trip will emphasize cultural interaction with both our staff and local villagers. You will quickly learn to love both the graceful and dervish-type dances of our Tamang porters.
Remember that Nepal has the same latitude as Miami. Daytime temperatures will be 10°C-15°C at the lower elevations (20°C – 25°C the spring trip) and 1°C-5°C at our highest elevations. Temperatures at night will in general be cool ranging from 1°C-5°C except for the nights in the upper Rolwaling Valley. Below freezing temperature -5°- -10°C can be expected at our two highest camps during the night, although the temperature rapidly climbs once sun reaches our camp. The weather is generally sunny with the day often starting out cloudless. During the afternoon clouds can start to build up. Rain showers in the afternoon are more likely on the spring trip.
Personal gear will be carried by porters. They will carry three members’ duffel bags. Since their load is 30 kg, this means that your duffel cannot exceed ten kilos. Tents are provided and are carried separately. We use roomy 3-person quality tents that are dome style. You will be expected to share your tent with one other person.
This is not a tour where everything can be planned in advance to run like clockwork. You probably won’t experience exactly what is written in the daily itinerary. Often adjustment must be made in the field. We want you to participate in the trip with the clear understanding that things can go wrong. Adventure travel does involve certain risks both emotional and physical. One has to be flexible when traveling in Nepal and have a cheerful attitude.
The Price Included:
In Kathmandu
- Two nights in Hotel Potala Guest House Deluxe room (with breakfast)
- Welcome dinner at Nepali Chulo (Authentic Newari food and cultural dance party) & Farewell Dinner (Third Eye Restaurant Thamel).
- All Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel (Himalayan Horizon Resort stay), Namo Buddha Sightseeing. All the entry fees at world’s heritage sites.
- Private car during the tour and pick up and drop to TIA Kathmandu
In Rolwaling Valley
- Return private transportation to Rolwaling Valley
- 8 nights lodge accommodation and 3 meals every day during trek (fixed menu).
- During the meals we provide coffee and tea.
- Traveltimes Treks will provide water for purification after breakfast, lunch and dinner at the participants needs *Assistance staffs *Professional trekking guide, necessary porters as well as their expenses including travel insurance *
- All fees and administration costs for Gaurishankar conservation area *TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System), local government taxes.
- Kalinchwok Hill 1 night stay with meals and accommodations ($13 per person extra for cable car!)
- Dhulikhel 1 night stay at resort with Namo Buddha Sightseeing etc.
The Price Does Not Included:
- International flights, airport taxes, visa fee for Nepal.
- Personal items, travelling insurance including emergency helicopter rescue/evacuation.
- Tour gear, appropriate clothing, and meals in Kathmandu except welcome/farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- Cold drinks or bottled/canned beverages including soft drinks, alcoholic beverages 0and water (bottled).
| Start date | End date | Price | Status | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2024 | October 12, 2024 |
$1520 Per Person
|
available | Book Now |
Map
Fantastic times in Nepal
Over April and May a group of us were guided through Rolwaling Valley, Poon Hill, Chitwan and Tekanpur by Dawa and his company. He enabled us to pack a huge amount into a short time. Superbly organised, nothing was a problem, we had so much fun. Absolutely recommend Dawa and his team.
Doug,
NZ
Fantastic guides, great treks, good value.
Professional Bespoke Tours With a Smile
Dawa tailored a trip for us visiting four different areas. He is quick to adapt to the needs of every individual. His understated professionalism shines when things don’t go quite smoothly as everybody would like. As an example, when one of our flights was cancelled, he quickly arranged ground transport and even refunded the cost difference.
I highly recommend Dawa and his team for any trip in Nepal.
Yvette, NZ