Rolwaling Valley Trek
Rolwaling Valley Trek is a unique and less crowded trekking route in Nepal, known for its natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and Sherpa culture. The valley is in the northeastern part of Nepal, sharing a border with China to the north and separated by the famous Tashi Lapcha Pass to the Everest region in the east. The valley is also known as the land of Yeti, and the villagers still share stories of its existence.
The Rolwaling Valley is home to many prominent mountain peaks, including Mount Gaurishankar, Pharchamo Peak, Ramdung, Chekigo, Nachugo, Khangtari, Bamongo, Khang Karpo, Chobutse/Tsoboje, and the most complicated route to climb, Mount Tengi Ragi Tau. The valley is also home to the famous glacier lake Tso Rolpa and the religious lake Omi Tso, the lake of milk.
Despite being at high altitudes, Rolwaling has diverse flora and fauna, with thick forests at the base of mountain slopes and a variety of seasonal flowers. The valley also has white langurs (grey monkeys), snow leopards, and yaks.
Rolwaling Valley is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination due to its natural beauty and less crowded trekking routes. It is best for seasonal activities like a flower viewing trek in June and July, ice climbing from November to February, and peak climbing and trekking from March to May and September to November.
Unlike Annapurna and Everest Base Camp Trek, the trekking to Rolwaling Valley is less crowded and equally beautiful. The trekkers can enjoy the Nepalese traditional way of living during this trek. The valley is also known as the home of Everest summiteers because once you reach Beding, you will find at least one climber in each house who has made it to the summit of Mount Everest.
The trekking route to Rolwaling Valley is an excellent opportunity to explore the Sherpa culture and its traditional food. Sherpa people are known for their hospitality and kindness towards tourists. The trekkers can enjoy the Sherpa culture by visiting monasteries, attending traditional festivals, and staying in local homestays.
Fixed Departure Dates
| Trip Date | Seats Remaining | |
|---|---|---|
| September 12 - January 1 | 10 Seats Left | Book Now |
Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Everest View Land-only package services begin with the evening meal. The hospitality continues as you are whisked away to your accommodation in Kathmandu and meet your fellow travelers at our welcoming dinner. Airport transfers are provided.
Drive Kathmandu to Chhet Chhet, Trek to Simigaon
Today is the day you start your trekking adventure in Nepal. You will drive from Kathmandu around 5:30 AM towards Dhulikhel and continue to Chhet-Chhet via Dolakha. The total distance from Kathmandu is around 180 km, usually taking 8-9 hours. From Chhet-Chhet, take the trekking trail on the right towards the suspension bridge. Just after crossing the bridge, the trekking trail begins a long and rapid zigzag ascent on the cemented stone steps and takes you to a small settlement called Simigaon. It usually takes 3 hours from Chhet Chhet to your lodge at Simigaon.
Trek to Dongang
Today, we will be trekking from Simigaon to Dongang. The trail begins at the lodge and veers right, passing through the rhododendron forest. After half a kilometre, the trail climbs gently and drops down to the river bank, where you can see the suspension bridge that takes you to Riku village. Without crossing the bridge, continue on the right and continue your ascent to Surmuche, where you will stop for lunch. The trial is mostly zigzagged, wired stone steps. After a couple of uphill climbs, you will reach Kyalche, where only one lodge exists. From Kyalche, walk straight and descend to the village of Dongang, just beside Rolwaling Khola. Again there are only two lodges available here!
Trek to Beding
Today's trek will take you through the Rolwaling Valley, home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Nepal. You'll start in Dongang at the confluence of two rivers—the Rolwaling Khola and the Tsho Rolpa. From there, you'll head upriver until you reach Thangdingma, where you'll stop for lunch at a teahouse. After lunch, your trek takes you further upriver, past Nyamare village, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2015. The trail then follows a gentle climb from Nyamare to Changmi Kha Gateway, where you'll see giant trees that used to be part of a canopy forest before it was destroyed by logging. From Changmi Kha Gateway, it's just about 45 minutes until you reach Beding.
Hike towards Dolma Khang BC, Overnight at Beding
Today we will retrace the trail toward Nyamare until you see the giant tree in the area and a Kani gateway. From there, take the narrow trail on the right towards the right side of the waterfall. Then, climbing sharply above the waterfall, follow the River towards the corner of the mountain where the Dolma Khang BC is located. The hike is about 6.83 km, taking 5-6 hours from Beding to Dolma Khang, BC and back to Beding.
Trek to Naa Gaon & Explore the village.
Today is the most accessible day of the trek. You'll be hiking to Naa village from Beding, which will take about 3-4 hours and will have countless gentle switchbacks on the left side of a roaring Rolwaling Khola (also known as River) flowing from Cho-Rolpa Lake. Along the way, you'll encounter prayer flags surrounding what is said to be the most significant rock in Rolwaling. And if you look uphill to your left, you'll see a painting of Guru Rimpoche painted on that rock.
Hike to Dudh Kunda & Tsho Rolpa Lake.
The day hike of today will be an adventurous and tiring hike that will take between 5 and 6 hours to discover the splendor of Rolwaling Valley. This hike is the best part of the trek when we visit two renowned lakes, The holy Lake Omi Tso (milk lake) and the famous glacier Lake Tso Rolpa. After breakfast in the lodge, we'll take a packed lunch from the lodge and head out to these magnificent lakes. We will be able to see not only the lakes but also the beauty of the Himalayas and enjoy an air of freshness and mountain breeze. Holy Lake Omi Tso is a sacred spot for locals, and the globally renowned glacier lake Tso Rolpa is a popular tourist spot. There will be ample time to visit these beautiful lakes, snap photos, and take our lunch somewhere in the wilderness. The day's hike will be unforgettable, and we'll return to the lodge at night with lasting images of this beautiful valley.
Trek via Beding to Dongang (2800m).
Today we will be trekking from Beding to Dongang (2800m). Today is more extended than usual regarding distance covered, but the trekking is easy downhill along the Rolwaling Khola. After a couple of leisurely hours, we reach Beding and continue for another 2-3 kilometres. We pass through several hamlets and isolated farms along the way. The route stays on the north side of the river until just before Thangdingma, when it crosses to the south side. We may stop for lunch at Thangdingma before returning to complete our day's walk to Dongang.
Trek to Simigaon.
We begin by skirting above the Rolwaling Khola, passing the isolated lodge at Kalche, and descending via several long sections of stone steps towards Simigaon.
Trek to Chet-Chet and drive to Kathmandu.
From Simigaon, we descend to the bridge over the Tama Kosi River and cross it. Then, we continue to Chetchet, where we'll board our vehicle for our 8-hour journey back to Kathmandu. We arrive in Kathmandu by late afternoon.
Final Departure
At the end of your program, we will arrange for transportation to the airport, and your guide will go to see you off. Flight check-in times vary based on the airline but are typically three hours before flight time.
Includes/Excludes
- Kathmandu Service includes arrival & departure transfers, domestic airport transfers, and two nights in a Kathmandu hotel with breakfast and a welcome dinner.
- The government fee includes all the necessary trekking permits and entry fee required for the trek.
- Trekking service includes all the necessary arrangements required during the Trek: i.e., domestic transfers to and from Chet-Chet, accommodation and three meals a day in local lodges, a trekking guide and portage of personal trekking & climbing gear.
- High Altitude Safety Equipment includes a group first aid kit, one oxygen set, a satellite phone (remote area) and a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) where necessary.
- Assistant guide in the ratio of one guide per 4 participants and porters in the proportion of one porter for 2 participants, including their daily wages, meals, accommodation, transfers, and insurance.
- Fresh fruit after dinner everyday & 1pc snicker or Mars chocolate each person every day.
- Trekking Kit Bag(Should Be return after Trek)
- First Aid Kid
- Nepal Visa fees on your airport arrival (You should bring accurate USD cash and two passport size picture)
- Personal expenses (Shopping, Laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, mineral water or boiled water, Phone calls, hot shower etc
- Your Lunch and dinners in Kathmandu (This apply also early come back from trek then the fixed itinerary)
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu than above itinerary
- Tips for guides and porters
- Rescue in case of emergency