Rolwaling Tashi Lepcha Walking route starts from Singati Bazar, the usual starting point for the Everest region. We climb over the Chordung Danda to Suri Dobhan on the banks of the Tamakoshi. After the small village of Simi we follow a steep climb through beautiful forests to the Daldung La (3976 meters). On this pass, we get a taste of what to expect: the depth of the Rolwaling valley below you and the high white peaks in a vast panorama around you. The stipulation here is the main Sherpa village at 3600 meters where we arrive two days later.
An acclimatization period is necessary on this trek as we later make camp at 5700 meters. So, Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition leader make arrangement for acclimatization as and when necessary. We will also attempt to climb Yalung La at the end of this side of the valley. We camp along the mountain lake Tso Rolpa towards Tashi Lepcha. We walk on and off moraines and climb the Turd Ambu Glacier in an environment of high Himalayan peaks. In tough conditions, we also use crampons and rope (in the run-up to the pass we practice this and previous experience is not necessary). When we reach the Everest region we find the world of lodges with extensive menus and hot showers. From Namche we walk to the airfield at Lukla and fly home.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1337m)
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1337)
Day 03: Kathmandu-Singati Bazaar (950m) by bus 6-7 hours
Day 04: Singati Bazaar- Jagat (1030m) 4-5 hours
Day 05: Jagat- Gongar Khola (1440m) 5-6 hours
Day 06: Gongar – Simi Gaon (2036m) 4-5 hours
Day 07: Simi Gaon- Dongang (2791m) 4-5 hours
Day 08: Dogang-Beding (3740m) 4-5 Hours
Day 09: Beding-Na (4180m) 3-4 hours
Day 10: Na Rest day/ acclimatization
Day 11: Na -Tsho Rolpa (Chhyugima Pokhari) (4540m) 4-5 Hours
Day 12: Tsho Rolpa – Glacier Camp (Trakarding Glacier) (4980m) 3-4 hours
Day 13: Glacier Camp -Tashi Lapcha pass – Ngole (5130m) 7-8 Hours
Day 14: Ngole – Thame (3820m)5-6 hours
Day 15: Thame-Namche Bazaar (3440m) 3-4 hours
Day 16: Namche Bazaar( 3440m) Rest/ Explore
Day 17: Namche Bazaar – Lukla Bazaar (2840m) 5-6 hours
Day 18: Lukla – Kathmandu (1350m) 35 minutes flight
Day19: Rest/Shopping in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur Sightseeing 3-4 hours
Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu (1337)
Our Guest’s security is of dominant concern to Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition. Please understand that the HV Treks trekking leader has the authority to adjust or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is found prudent. Unfavorable circumstances may occur during the trek. Dangerous weather conditions, the condition of a group member, natural events such as landslides can force changes in the itinerary. All efforts will be made to keep to the planned itinerary. The HV Treks leader will try his/her best to ensure that the trip goes smoothly and according to plan, but please be ready to be flexible if necessary.
Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition is capable, experienced, and prepared to give a 24-hour emergency response to an accident or condition that requires attention or evacuation.
The Lukla Airport is at high-altitude and flights in or out are prone to delays due to weather conditions. In the wetter, cloudy months, flights coming from Kathmandu are often delayed or canceled until next day or when the weather permits. Guests should please make sure their timetable for the trip to Lukla and Everest Base Camp allows for these possible delays. There are available also helicopter charters to and from Lukla which are not as dependant on clear weather. However, they are more expensive.
Himalayan Vacation Treks & Expedition requires that trekking and expedition guests have Insurance Policies. A Travel Insurance Policy should cover the cost of emergencies (including altitude sickness), injuries, and evacuations. Please, it is essential to bring your Travel Insurance Policy, or copies of your pertinent existing insurance coverage with you to Nepal. HV Treks will require a copy for our office records. We, as well, advise you to inform your existing insurance agent/company of your itinerary, including trekking, climbing, and hiking, and insure your current policy provides sufficient coverage.
You are welcomed to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal renowned for historical monuments, Hindu Temples, and Buddhist Stupas/Monasteries. We meet our guests at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A representative will be waiting with a Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition placard with our guests’ names displayed. After dropping luggage at the hotel, guests are taken for a short sightseeing tour. In the evening, guests are invited to a Welcome Dinner at a Nepali restaurant.
A local guide will be available. According to your wishes, the guide will escort you for sightseeing. Sightseeing may include the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupati, Boudhanath, Patan Durbar Square, and the Swoyambhunath areas. Starting after breakfast, usually at 9.00am, the exploration of Kathmandu Valley can continue until 5.00pm. Lunch and dinner, you will be responsible for.
Today we wake up early morning and have breakfast before we get on the bus/private vehicle. We head to Singati Bazaar from Kathmandu following the famous road to Jiri Bazaar through Araniko Highway. We cross Sunkoshi River at Dolalghat and reach Khadichaur. From here the road splits for Tibet and Charikot. We head to Charikot. There is a viewpoint for the Himalayas of Everest region at the place called Mudhe. We reach Charikot, the headquarter of Dolakha District, crossing the several passes. From Charikot the road splits again; one goes to Jiri Bazaar, we head to Singati Bazaar. The drive will take about 7 hours. On the way, we enjoy the view of the jungle, terraced farmland, small and beautiful villages, streams etc beside view of the mountains. We have a camp at Singati Bazaar beside the Tamakoshi River. We have to go through a police check post here.
From today our trekking starts. We walk through the trail along the Tamakoshi River in the beginning. We cross several hamlets and terraced farmlands including jungles on the way. We walk for 5/6 hours and reach Jagat, irresistible Camping site at the confluence of two rivers; Khare Khola and Tamakoshi River. We can have a bath/swim and clines ourselves in the rivers.
Even today we walk through the trail that goes along the Tamakoshi River in the beginning. We cross small villages on the way where the tribes called Chhetri and Brahmans live. We see the beautiful waterfalls in every now and then on the way. Finally, we reach Gongar, a village where the Sherpas, Buddhist people, live. Hence, we see the chyorten and gompa here.
Still, our trek starts through the trail that goes along the Tamakoshi River, now the Rolwaling Khola is also mixed with the river. After one and half hours’ walk, we cross Tamakoshi River through a suspension bridge and we climb to Simi Gaon, a Sherpa village. The village has a viewpoint especially for Gauri Shankar Himal and other mountains. Rhododendron forests add scenic beauty to the viewpoint. We can visit the gompa of the village. We have to go through a police check post here.
In the beginning, we follow a flat trail. Then we climb up slightly through the Rhododendron forest. We see no human settlements in this area except a few tea shops on the way. After lunch, the trail goes steep ascent continuously to Dogang. We enjoy the picturesque view of beautiful waterfalls and Mount Gaurishankar while climbing. There is Sherpa Gumpa at a hillside. After about 5 hours’ walk, we reach Dogang.
We slightly climb through the trail that goes along the Rolwaling Khola. Today is the day on which we enjoy the view of waterfalls emerging from the glaciers every now and then. No human settlements are seen on the way until we reach Beding but some tea shops for the passersby. Finally, we reach Beding, a big and beautiful Sherpa village above the Rolwaling Khola. This is the largest human settlement in this of the Rolwaling region. The village is called Hillary village too. We can visit the beautiful Gaurishankar temple and gompa of the village. We can enjoy the picturesque Yalung Ri and Dorje Phagmu from the viewpoint in the village.
We walk almost flat trail toady crossing the terraced farmlands for the potato and millet near the village. We see no jungles now but barren landscapes everywhere. We cross big pastures for the Yaks on the way. From the various points, we see fabulous views of the mountains of Rolwaling Region. We finally reach Na, which is also known as Old Settlement of Guru Rimpoche Rock. Our campsite, with a few tea shops for the passersby for summer. No people live here in the winter. The houses are made of wood.
Since we are walking in the high altitude the rest is a need for acclimatization today. We check all our climbing gears, make preparation and practice for climbing Tashi Lapcha pass which we climb after a couple of days. In the afternoon we will make extensive equipment and exercise for climbing by walking on the rope in the instruction of climbing guide of Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition.
We start our walking today crossing Rolwaling Khola today. Then we walk along the Rolwaling Khola from the other side. We cross several small streams on the way. We sometimes walk through the moraines. Finally, we reach the beautiful Tsho Rolpa, a lake made from Drolambaul and Trakarding glaciers. We camp beside the lake.
Today we walk heading to Drolambaul glacier in the beginning. The trail ascends then drops to the surface of the Trakarding glacier. Since we are walking in the very high altitude the walking will a bit hard today. We walk taking our time. Finally, we camp at the Glacier camp beside Trakarding Glacier.
Today is the day of our goal of this entire trek. We slowly ascend through beside the ice-fall area. The trail goes through steep elevation but not too difficult because we have help from our climbing guide, Beyond the ice-fall, we continue along the Drolambaul glacier, but not very steep but the trail goes through the short of crevasse-before turning to make the final ascent of the Tashi Lapch pass (5755m). We keep left once we have crossed the pass. Following rock terraces, we descend to a gulley. After about 2 and a half hours we reach below the pass. No doubt, we feel very cold due to cold windy weather. We slowly walk to the base camp and head to Ngole, a Yak pasture, for the camp at night.
The trail descends from Ngole to Thame. We cross several yak pastures on the way. No human settlements, not even tea shops most probably until we reach Thayangbo. The landscape is totally barren, no jungles. We walk leisurely due to high altitude. We cross sometimes small glacial streams. Finally, we reach the village of Thame where we will spend the night. Thame is slightly off the main trail to Everest Base camp. From here we enjoy vistas looking back to the vast mountain ranges ahead of us. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition trekking guide will take us to the Gompa for our visit. We have to go through a check post where our permit cards will be examined by the authorities.
Today we will have a pleasant walk to Namche Bazaar because the trail descends through some pine forests and beautiful views of the peaks poking out from the clouds above. This particular hike is a really beautiful one since the trail goes through a few smaller dwellings and pine forests. There are some impressive mani-walls and scripted paintings on the cliff along the way. The hike into and downwards towards the Namche is again really rewarding with parts of the river frozen below and the mountains that engulf the village covered in snow.
Since we are in the Everest Region Trek, we can view the Mt Everest almost from everywhere. We rest in Namche Bazaar today especially to have the last view of the mountains enjoy full heartedly in the Everest region. The tribes living in Namche Bazaar are the Sherpas in a majority. We can experience somehow the lifestyle of Sherpas who has a closed culture with the Tibetan. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition guide will let us free to spend the day on our own. We can visit the various places including the museum about the Himalayan people. This is the place with army camp, health post, school, police check post, bakeries, internet cafes, discos, bars, snooker, pool, foreign money exchanger etc. We can have a taste of local wine, alcohol, food etc. Number of shops and lodges welcome the tourists over here. Many trekkers stay here at least one or for several days for acclimatization. Especially the Friday and Saturday markets are very famous here. People from far and near come to make their business. Various things (local and imported) are displayed for sale. Especially people from Khumbu area (upper Namche Bazaar) come for shopping here on those market days.
The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky land. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level and natural. By today, we start to get warmed up by the light breeze. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today as we pass through this charming mountain air. Although we are traveling the same route down, we feel completely different views. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. We walk through the Sherpa villages’ noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag. On arrival in Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound. We stay overnight in Lukla. Every Thursday the local people around Lukla gather here for the weekly fair for their marketing/business and get together.
Today we wait for the plane to fly Kathmandu. Who knows, we will come back to this region again or not in our life. So we may have look around for the last view of the Everest region. The flight depends on the weather condition. Flight delay or cancellation is a common phenomenon in this region. So, we may have to pay extra charge USD 250-350 for the plane charter so that we will not miss our flight to our home country from Kathmandu.
This day is free too. If you wish, a sightseeing trip to the ancient temple/king’s seat of the world heritage site of incredible Bhaktapur can be arranged. The tour lasts 4 hours and will cost an additional upcharge. In the evening, a Farewell Dinner is given by Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition.
Today, we check the list of all necessary documents and goods of our guest. We confirm the flight tickets before 72 hours of departure flight. We advise our guest to put passport and tickets at their handbag for convenience. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition staff representative will take our valuable guests to the airport (3 hours prior to your flight) and bid goodbye. It will be not only goodbye but also the welcome for next visit to Nepal.
Max Altitude: 5755 meters
Best Season: Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September and October)
Difficulty Level: Hard
It is called the winter season in Nepal. It is a season for snowfall in mountain region above 4300m in Nepal. So trekking is possible below 4500m during this period. This season is noted for occasional snowfall at higher elevations in the Himalayas. Though it gets colder in a night, often it offers the clear day / blue sky and relatively fewer trekkers on the trail. Sunrise and Sunset are seen very clear and beautiful in this season. So tourist who wants to pass short holidays during this period Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes to see a splendid view of nature. During this period, we arrange a family tour to experience natural beauty with short hikes and cultural tour. It is suitable for homestay tour through which different rituals and culture can be experienced during this period. The famous homestay like Sailung Timal homestay,Timal homestay, Tamang Heritage Homestay, Ghalegaon Homestay are the special places to visit. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges a tour for these places.
It is spring season which is known as trekking season in Nepal. A smooth wind and gentle breeze are felt all over the country. Sunny days and clear weather are the supportive factors for trekking in this season. Presence of a cloud can be seen in the sky during this season. So a short rainfall can be felt during this period. It is the season of an expedition and climbing high peaks in Nepal. So many tourists from different parts of the world come to climb peaks above 7000m in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and journey for climbing during this period. Peak climbing period can be in length up to June so Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition arranges attractive programmes during this period. This period offers plenty of opportunities for clear mountain views. It is also the time for flowers to blossom, and the national flower of Nepal – rhododendrons – coat the mountainsides with its colorful beauty throughout the spring.
It is rainy season in Nepal. As it is the season of heavy rainfall. it is also known as the crops harvesting season in Nepal. In this season, trekking is slightly difficult in Nepal. These times are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. Trekking in the rain-shadow (places are out of reach of the rain clouds because of the high mountains) areas north of the Himalaya like Upper Mustang and Dolpo could be an ideal trek selection. However, Himalayan vacation Treks and Expedition arranges tour and trek during this period in dry areas. We arrange treks and tour in dry areas like Mustang, Upper Dolpa, Leh Ladakh (India) and Tibet.
Moderate temperatures, clear sky with outstanding views, making it a great time to do any of our treks. Occasional short storms may dump snow at high altitudes. This is the season of feast and festivals. This is also known as the special season for flowers in Nepal. Marigold is popular and found best in this season. Temples and holy places are visited during this period. Festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath are celebrated during this season. Long national holidays are offered for this festival for civil workers. This season is known as the king of the season. No rainfall, sunny days and moderate temperature are the most favorable factors of this season for treks and tours in Nepal. Every kind of treks and tours can be done during this period. So many tourists come to see beautiful Nepal in this season. Many trekking routes are full of tourist during this season. Peaks 6000m to 7000m is the best destination for climbing in this season. Himalayan Vacation Treks and Expedition welcomes tourist to feel the splendid view of the nature of Nepal in this season.
This list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Please understand that the items listed below will vary according to the season and the duration of the trek. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 12 kg. Your gear will be carried by your porter and you will be required to carry your own day-pack (with your valuables and things of immediate importance to you). We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary. Our list of equipment is prepared on the basis of our long experience. The Himalayan Vacation Trek & Expedition Team leader will check your gear to ensure you have all the necessary equipment at the start of the trek. If necessary, the HVTreks’ guide will request additions of necessary equipment when and where it is available.