ROLWALING HIMAL (HIDDEN VALLEY TREK) TASHI LAPCHA (5755M)
The Rolwaling trek is ideal for those who wish to experience a secluded part of Nepal. Ensconced in the shadow of the Rolwaling Himal, this remote valley lies on the east of Kathmandu and west of Solukhumbu. A minimum of twenty four days are required for this trek. The Rolwaling trek is one of the most difficult treks in Nepal. Therefore, a well equipped and experienced staffs are required. The trek starts from Charikot. The most popular villages in the valley are Beding ( 351'm ) and Na Gaun 412'm ).
The trail starts from Charikote, which is a days drive away from Kathmandu then it leads up along the Tama Kosi river banks under the shadow of Mt. Gauri Shanker (7,145m), the holy mountain to Bhote Kosi river. From Simigaon, the trail turns right along Rolwaling Khola running deeply below ahead and parting from the old trade route to Tibet. Views of Melungtse (7,181m) appear proceeding further through the village of Beding (3,69'm) with its monastery. From the village of Na (4,183m) the trail ascends through grass-covered valley to Tso Rolpa then traversing the moraine on the north side of the valley onto the snout of the Tram Bau Glacier, which feeds the Rolwaling river. The route up Prachormo is highly crevasseous. After assault, the trail drops to Thame, from where the route along Bhote Kosi river leads to Namche Bazaar and onto Lukla for flight to Kathmandu.
Above Na Gaun , the trail meanders up to a glacier called Tsho Rolpa ( 454'm ) and up to the lateral moraines of the Rolwaling glacier below the Rolwaling icefall ( 5181m ). After two days of rugged glacier walking you now reach to Tashi Lapcha Pass ( 5755m ). Crossing the pass the trail descends to Thame village on the Khumbu valley. From here you can trek to the Everest Base Camp. (Refer to Everest Base Camp
Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to hotel. O/N Hotel.
Day 02: Full day sightseeing Kathmandu valley. O/N hotel.
Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Dolkha Bazar. O/N Camp.
Day 04: Dolkha Bazar to Pikhiti bazaar. O/N Camp.
Day 05: Suri Doban (1130m) Walking hrs. 8. The track follows the western bank height through terraced fields and thin pine forests for about 3 hrs. trek. Lunch stop is suggested at Singati village. From there to Bareley suspension bridge takes about 3 hrs Walk and after crossing walk for another hour along Right Bank to reach Suri Doban. The cool breeze of Bhote Kosi compensates the day's unpleasant trek in the narrow valley. Camp.
Day 06: Jagat (2235m) Walking hrs. 8. After walking along the Right Bank for about 2 hrs. Tatopani village is reached. The hot spring is on the other side of the river. It takes another hour to reach Mandali village 1245m. The people living in these areas are all Tamangs. Have lunch stop by the Spring Khola beyond Mandali. It is a nice bathing spot. Now a steep ascent of about 1000m starts from there through nice pine and rhododendron forest. Camp.
Day 07: Shakpa (2650m) Walking hrs. 6. After climbing a little, the track descends gradually round a spur and reaches a Patti (rest place) 2310m.from where one see the confluence of Bhotekosi and Rolwaling Kosi. Lambagar (Choksom in Sherpa) can also be seen. There is a Police Post and wireless station. From the Patti the track becomes quite dangerous while crossingthebig rocky hill and then descends through a thin forest to Senbigaon 21/50m. Have lunch stop by the stream.
Day 08: Ramding (3000m) Walking hrs. 7. From Shakba the track passes through rhododendron, bamboos and some portions of burnt forests. You can see Gauri Shanker 7145m and many smaller peaks. Have lunch stop by the streams at Dongkhang Dzong 3100m. The track climbs gradually up to a new bridge and after crossing follows the western bank, passes Nimerey cattle houses to Ramding. The people of Rolwaling move down to these settlements from Nangon and Beding for winter and in summer these houses are empty.
Day 09: Beding
Day 10: Na gaon (4150m) Walking 1 hrs. After passing Jomogunjo, you will reach Beding 3800m. in an hour time. Beding is the biggest village and the centre of Rolwaling valley. There is a nice Buddhist Temple. The houses are nicely built on the hillside. Chang (local beer) and raksi are available for sale in Sherpa house. Have lunch near the big Stupa. It is a steady ascent of about 3 hours along the left bankof the stream to Nangaon. This is the last settlement of yak and sheep rearing. All the houses are made of stones. One has to stock one's food supplies here before going further.
Day 11: Rest and acclimatization and excursion.
Day 12: Rest and acclimatization and excursion.
Day 13: Tsho Rolpa Lake (5000m) Walking hrs. 6. From Nangaon the track to Ramding Himal and Tashi Lapcha separates. After gradual ascent through the valley Tsho Rolpa Lake is reached in about 3 hrs. Have lunch there. The track beyond has to cross a dangerous stony area, camp at the foot of the glacier. There is a pass leading towards 'Phaplu to the right via Chhujamo pass. The mountain scenery is beautiful throughout the day.
Day 14: Tram Bau Glacier (5400m) Walking hrs. 5. Cross the moraine to the right and climb on ice and snow for about 300m to be on the flat Tram Bau Glacier. Walk for about 3 hrs gaining steady altitude of 100m on the glacier and climb to the camping area 350m short of Tashi Lapcha Pass 5755m.
Day 15: Tashi Lapcha (5755m) Walking hrs. 4. Climbing to Tashi Lapcha and descending towards Khumbu area involves technical gear and skill. The view from Tashi Lapcha is beyond description. You can see Mt. Everest Khuande Range, Damserku, Ama Dablam and numerous peaks are surrounding Tram Bau Glacier.
Day 16: Thame (3800m) Walking hrs. 6. Descend all along on steep slopes up to the yak pasture at Thengpo 4320m for lunch stop. The track now descends very pleasantly to Thame village. Above the village, you will pass the Thami Monastery, beautifully built on the rocky feature. Thame is a big Sherpa village, where you can buy raksi, Chang, vegetables, meat and butter etc. Campsite is better by the stream.
Day 17: Namche Bazar (3440m) Walking hrs. 5. It is a very pleasant walk of about 3 hours from Thami to Namche.The police post en route may check your trekking permits. During the entire walk you are in view of Kunde Range on right and Damserku in front. At Namche, the camping site is preferable above the bazaar in the flat grazing ground.
Day 18: Namche Bazar / Thyanboche Walking hrs. 8. Those who are interested to visit Thanboche monastery shall take pack- lunch and proceed with the guide to Thanboche and return to the camp. It takes about 4 hrs going. The others could conveniently visit Khumjung, Kunde and Hotel Everest View at Shanboche and return to camp.
Day 19: Phakding (2652m) Walking hrs. 6. After breakfast descend to Hillary bridges and then follow Dudhkosi to Joresale for lunch stop. Camp near Ghat by the stream. The walk along the stream through lovely pine forests and scattered Sherpa settlements is very pleasant.
Day 20: Lukla (2800m) Walking hrs. 4. After breakfast ascend gradually to Lukla Camp near the landing strip. Have a farewell dinner and campfire in the evening for your trekking crew.
Day 21: Kathmandu. Have early breakfast and be prepared to fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. Free day.
Day 22: At leisure Kathmandu for independent activities. O/N Hotel.
Day 23: Transfer to airport for next destinations.
