Rolwaling Valley Trek Overview
Rolwaling Valley is a great combination trekking that takes you traverse from one beautiful side of scenic Rolwaling to reach at high Khumbu valley at Thame village with an old 500 years, the oldest monastery of
Everest region.
To start wonderful adventure to Rolwaling valley and its beautiful areas where exciting overland journey takes you towards east from Kathmandu past nice town and farm villages of Banepa and Dhulikhel and over Sun Kosi River. Then leaving the main old Friendship Highway of Lhasa / Tibet and Kathmandu towards high cooler hills of Dolakha to nice town of Charikot.
On drive facing spectacular panorama of high Himalayan mountain range from Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang Himal extends to Jugal Himal with towering Gaurishankar and Melung-Tse peaks, from Charikot drive takes down to Tama Kosi River that flows from the glacier of high Central Mountain range.
Ending the drive at small farm village of Gongor within low warmer areas which falls on the route to Rolwaling valley and towards the border of Tibet where Gongor stream meets and joins the Tama Kosi River.
Walk from warm farm villages heading high past Sherpa village of Simi-Gaon and into cool shade of alpine woods lined with tall rhododendron, magnolia, pines and fir tree lines then soon green lush vegetation and tree lines drops to sheer wilderness as walk enters into a wide magnificent Rolwaling valley at Beding village.
Spending time at Beding within Sherpa village exploring around scenic view points and soaking with local culture of Buddhism religion. Visit its old monastery and small primary school built by late Hillary and its Foundation.
From Beding, walk high towards the end of valley rim to reach the last human settlement at Na, a summer pasture field for yaks and other domestic animals. At present more houses has been built growing potatoes and barley.
After Na, into complete isolation within rugged country of high rocky mountains and snow capped peaks as route leads beyond Rolwaling valley reaching an icy frozen lake of Tsho-Rolpo at a place called Kabuk and then at Dorlambu glacier on the base of high Tashi Labtsa at the height of 5,400 m high.
Well hidden area enclosed within high mountains with moraine and ice where next early morning a long haul with climb to the top of Tashi Labtsa-La, festooned with rock cairns and Buddhist prayer flags to mark and honor the pass.
The pass in Sherpa of Tibetan origin language called as La a sign of respect instead of pass of a mountain or ridge, where most trekkers thinks La as Pass only, instead of respect to holy abode of god and mountain spirits.
The top of pass rewards you with spectacular panorama of high peaks of Rolwaling to Everest region with close views of Pachermo which is one of trekking peaks of Nepal. From the pass a steep descend takes you into west of Khumbu valley area within Everest region.
After a hard tough climb and descend reaching at quaint village in Thame, an interesting place to explore and its old monastery of great interest. Thame falls on route to
Gokyo Valley crossing Renjo-la pass as well as located on the old caravan trail to Tibet border.
After enjoying pleasant time at Thame village, walk through the nice winding path back into trees and lush green vegetation to reach at famous Namche Bazaar. Namche is the hub of Khumbu Sherpa as well for trekkers where one can find nearly all types of modern facilities from lodge to restaurants, café with well stocked shops, stores, banks and ATM.
Namche tagged with Bazaar as the place holds Saturday market once a week. From Namche, walk downhill to reach at Lukla, a popular and busy town with an airstrip. Next early morning, scenic sweeping short flight takes you to Kathmandu after a most mesmerizing adventure and experience on Rolwaling Valley Trek.
Rolwaling Valley Trek Highlights
- Beautiful, scenic Rolwaling valley around hidden corners of Nepal Far Mid-Eastern Himalaya
- Explore remote Rolwaling areas and beyond over high Amphu-Labtsa La Pass to Khumbu region
- Fabulous views of stunning views of Central and Eastern Himalaya range of high mountains
- Beneath towering Mt. Gaurishankar and Melung-Tse at Beding and Na settlement and village
- Walk into nice villages of highlanders of Himalaya the Sherpa people adorned with Buddhism
- From beautiful green tree lines to scenic wide valley unto remorseless fields of ice and glaciers
Rolwaling Valley Trek Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Gongar (1,400 m) via Charikot from Kathmandu - 07 hrs.
Day 02: Trek to Simi-Gaon (1,980 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Dovan (2,500 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Beding (3,693 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 05: Rest day for acclimatization and short hikes.
Day 06: Trek to Na-Gaon (4,183 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Glacier camp (5400 m) at Kabuk near Tsho Rolpa - 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Drolambau Glacier at Tashi Labtsa Base of (5,400 m) high - 05 hrs.
Day 09: Cross Tashi-Labtsa La descend to Thengpo (4,370 m) - 08 hrs.
Day 10: Trek on route to Thame and camp after 4-5 hrs walks.
Day 11: Trek to Thame (3,820 m) - 05 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) - 04 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Lukla (2,820 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu & Transfer to hotel
Rolwaling Valley Trek Day by Day Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Gongar (1,400m) via Charikot from Kathmandu - 07 hrs.
Rolwaling valley trek starts with morning drive on interesting highway over Himalayan foothills past farm villages and towns to reach nice town at Charikot.
From here, route diverts from main Jiri road to reach high Rolwaling area. The drive leads past farm villages around warm places to reach at Gongar.
Gongar is a small farm village situated on the bank of Tama Kosi River, which flows from the mountains of Tibet as the border is, located a mere distance from Gongar first overnight camp.
Day 02: Trek to Simi-Gaon (1,980 m) - 05 hrs.
In the first day walk of the adventure, cross Tama Kosi into a gorge to reach Chetchet facing cascading waterfall. From here walk leads into cool area on leaving warn rice fields of sub-tropical area as route climb into alpine region on gradual path, with last climb to Simi-Gaon village for overnight stop.
Simi-Gaon inhabited by Sherpa people is a village that yields corns, potatoes, wheat, barley and millets. Visit old monastery with views of the Mt. Gaurishankar and Melung-Tse peak in the afternoon.
Day 03: Trek to Dovan (2,500 m) - 05 hrs.
Morning walk starts heading North East with climb past farm fields and into serene rhododendron, oaks, magnolia, and pine forest within summer pasture grazing area.
Continue walk to reach over a hill side with downhill to a river at Gyalche and then an hour walk to overnight camp at Dovan located at the bank of a river that flows from high mountains. Dovan is a small settlement in the midst of forest with few houses.
Day 04: Trek to Beding (3,693 m) - 05 hrs.
In the morning cross Rolwaling khola (stream) and then climb into forest, as path winds up to reach Nyimare and Ramding a small farm and temporary settlements.
Walk continues with climb to reach at Beding village for overnight camp. Beding village is the home of large Sherpa community and last village within Rolwaling Valley.
This village is placed in a gorge of a river valley with an old monastery situated on top of a village with small primary school built and supported by Hillary foundation.
Day 05: Rest day for acclimatization and short hike around.
It is an important and necessary rest day for acclimatization before heading to higher destinations and towards high pass of Tashi Labtsa La.
Take a short hike and visit around Beding village for best views of Mt. Gaurishankar and Melung Tse (Jobo Garee).
Day 06: Trek to Na-Gaon (4,183 m) - 04 hrs.
Morning walk takes you at the end of beautiful Rolwaling valley beneath toweringMt. Gaurishankar (7,145 m) and Melung Tse (7,181 m). After leaving Beding village, walk on gradual uphill views of Gaurishankar, Melung Tse, Ramdung Go (5,930 m), Chukyima Go (6,259 m), Tabayabyum (5,558 m), and Yalung Ri (5,630 m).
As walk progress to reach at the end of Rolwaling valley where mountains surround and then after pleasant walks reach Na-Gaon, a temporary settlement of Beding cattle herders. Na-Gaon is a wide summer pasture where people grow potato, wheat and barley with time to relax, catch up with the dairy and for short walks.
Day 07: Trek to Glacier camp (5,400 m) at Kabuk near Tsho Rolpa - 06 hrs.
After Na-Gaon adventure continues at the end of Rolwaling Valley and then crossing small streams to Sangma, a yak grazing pasture area. Cross a wooden short bridge, the steep climb over moraine and streams to reach at a dam of Tsho Rolpa.
The glacial lake also called Cho Pokhari, camps is set on sandy level ground on southern bank of Tsho Rolpa at Kabuk with views of Tsoboje (6,689 m) and Dragker Go (6,793 m).
Day 08: Trek to Drolambau Glacier at Teshi Lapcha Base of (5,400 m high) - 05 hrs.
Enter into pure wilderness with morning climb above moraine to northern bank of Tsho Rolpo. From here, walk above glacier to the centre of rocky glacier then reach to set camp right at the bottom of Drolambu icefall.
After camp is set, guides will check and scout around for best route to reach on top of Tashi Labtsa –La. Sometimes trail can change due to movement of glacier and rock falls.
Day 09: Cross Tashi-Labtsa La descend to Thengpo (4,370 m) - 08 hrs.
Major adventure morning climb towards glacial section for an hour and then climb to a spur over upper glacier, from here requires ropes to be fixed making ledges for staffs and porters.
Climb to the pass is not that difficult except in snow conditions but one have to be careful avoiding some fatal accidents from loose rock falls that might occur sometimes around this area of high mountains.
After the strenuous climb of about four hours, reach at Tashi-Labtsa above 5,755 m high. Crossing pass could be similar like small mountaineering adventure; some time might require crampons and ice axe to make the route to the top and descent much accessible.
After a nice stop, enjoy super views of surrounding peaks with close views of Mt. Pachermo at 6,273 meters high and north of Teng Ragi Tau rises at 6,940 meters. The top of Tashi Labtsa pass is decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and cairns.
Journey continues to reach Khumbu and Everest region with long descend to camp at Thengpo for overnight stop. Thengpo is a summer pastures area for cattle and yaks herders of Thame and surrounding near villages.
Day 10: Trek on route to Thame and camp after 4-5 hrs walks
Enjoy your time on reaching around Khumbu area of Everest region after a hard tough struggle crossing Tashi-Labtsa pass.
From here on, nice gradual descend towards Thame village with overnight camp in between to make the walk easier after a long trek of previous day.
Day 11: Trek to Thame (3,820 m) - 05 hrs.
From the isolated camp, take a morning walk on much easier route with gradual downhill most of the way to Thame village. A good and enjoyable walk takes you at nice Thame village for overnight stop in the comfort of nice cozy lodge.
In Thame visit old monastery, one of the oldest Gompa of the region. From here on you will be staying in the lodge till Lukla.
Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) via Thamo - 04 hrs.
Walk down and up on nice trails reaching back into green vegetation and tree lines to reach
at Namche Bazaar after walking past nice Thamo village.
In the afternoon, free for rest and short walks to enjoy visiting the streets of Namche lined with shops and stores with nice café and restaurants, a heaven after being in complete isolation. Stay overnight at lodge in Namche.
Day 13: Trek to Lukla (2,820 m) - 06 hrs.
From Namche, walk downhill to Sagarmatha National Park onto Phakding. Few hours
walk from Phakding with last final climb to reach at Lukla.
At Lukla, transfer into a nice cozy lodge for last night within Khumbu and around Everest region before flying back to Kathmandu.
Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu and Transfer to hotel.
After breakfast in the morning, fly to Kathmandu. A flight of around 35 minutes will take you to Kathmandu from Lukla facing grand panorama of snow-capped mountains.
On reaching Kathmandu, transfer to hotel with evening free at leisure. You can either rest or stroll around the streets of Thamel.
Rolwaling Valley Trek Difficulty
It is an amazing and wonderful adventure to the Rolwaling Valley. The trekking grade is from moderate in the beginning with adventurous walks around Rolwaling valley up to Na Gaon.
Then the grading will be challenging and demanding crossing high Tashi-Labtsa La pass. It can be challenging and demanding in heavy snow condition.
All the trekkers should be in good physical shape and sound health to encounter the tough challenge crossing over high Tashi-Labtsa pass and as well with cold temperatures on walks within high areas of Rolwaling valley to Khumbu area.
Best time for Rolwaling Valley Trek
April and May are the best time for walks around Rolwaling valley and to cross the high pass. During this period, the flowers in lower hills are bright with flowering trees and bushes of rhododendron and other wild flowers. It can snow sometimes around higher elevation on walks.
Other best months are from September till November months with clear blue sky for views and walks but with shorter day lights due to autumn / fall season. One can expect snow sometimes during walk around higher areas, with much colder morning and night times.
Conclusion
Rolwaling Valley Trek is a perfect adventure for veteran trekkers and as well for beginners who are interested in pure wilderness. This trek takes you around seldom ventured by visitors due to its remote and isolated region and leads to very adventurous walks and climb.
Due to isolation and remoteness, tented camping is required till walk to Thame village which falls on the main trails of Everest all the way to Lukla. Rolwaling Valley is a high altitude walks with proper planning having enough space for rest days to get acclimatize where all fit trekkers can join on this adventure.
Marvel Adventure organises Rolwaling Valley Trek with a very well-designed itinerary, professional trekking guides and all the necessary arrangements. We can also customize the itinerary to accomodate your special requirements. Feel free to contact us for any query regarding the trek.
