Introduction

This is one of the most outstanding and spectacular high alpine valley treks in the northeast of Nepal. The Rolwaling valley is surrounded by steep hills and covered with thick forests; therefore the ascents are sheer upright. But this is going to be one of the finest watershed crossings ever made in the entire of Himalaya. One of the highlight of the trip is the camp beside Bigu Gompa, which is an unusual and beautifully situated nunnery. Further walk leads through the summer pasturelands and narrow valleys that opens up to a wide bowl; gives us our first taste of open mountain scenery—totally unique and mystical.

The trek leads to Beding, the last village of Rolwaling along this trail. An adventurous journey continues further east to scale the Ramdung Peak 5925m. The climb is not technically hard, but it is certainly challenging on account of the altitude and the peaks remoteness. Ramdung offers an excellent view of Everest, Melungtse and Gaurishankar amidst an array of other snow peaks.

On leaving Rolwaling Valley after having climbed the highest point of this adventure, you still may feel like the trek is only just beginning. The trek back continues downwards to the lower region to Dolakha and Charikot for the drive back to Kathmandu.

Outline Itinerary:

TRIP DOSSIER

Day 01: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Arrival .
Welcome to the Himalayas! Our staff will receive you at Kathmandu international airport and transfer you to the hotel where you will be briefed you about Kathmandu, the hotel, trekking, some do's and don’ts along with other things that you might require to know, also you will be briefed about tomorrow’s half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 02: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Sightseeing tour.
A half-day guided tour of Kathmandu, visit places of cultural, religious and historical importance and experience the sights and sounds of the city. Kathmandu is a medieval city, with an interesting history, where myths and legends blend seamlessly and modernism and traditionalism coexist in stark harmony offering a startling travel experience. The city has lots to offer to keen visitors.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 03: BARABISE 860m/2822ft
4-5hrs drive. 65km.
After breakfast a bus ride from Kathmandu to the town of Barabise, in the Bhote Koshi Valley, just 10km away from the Tibetan border, on the only motorable highway that connects Lhasa-Kathmandu. After some preparations we commence the trek from the bazaar area and head towards Simle. The first trek day starts quite slowly as the porters and staffs have to sort out the loads, in any case it’s a short distance walk to the overnight camp site. The trail climbs above the busy Barabise bazaar for an hour, then 3-4 hrs of walking on a gradual path leads to our night camp between the rural villages of Simle and Budipa (1130m/3707ft).
Overnight camping.

Day 04: DOLANGSA 2510m/8235ft
4-5 hrs trek.
Today’s trail passes through number of farm villages, terraced fields and a small patch of cool forest then climbs gradually and crosses many streams until we reach Dolangsa, a small village on the bottom of the Tinsang-la where in the yard of a primary school yard we’ll camp overnight. It’s a Sherpa village with a small monastery just above the settlement.
Overnight camping.

Day 05: TINGSANG-LAi 3319m/10889ft
4 hrs trek
The route climbs steeply above Dolangsa village, passes the monastery and goes beyond prickly-leaved oak and rhododendron forest coming to a clearing with a small settlement of cattle herders after two hours.
We can notice remarkable changes in vegetation as we gain altitude every hour or so and then reach the top ridge of Tingsang-la pass from where we can enjoy an excellent view of Gaurishankar and further to Tashi Lapcha. After a good hard climb up the pass and a short descent on the grassy meadow we reach the overnight camp spot.
Overnight camping.

Day 06: BIGU GOMBA 2310m/7579ft
4-5 hrs trek
The early morning caters a superb view of the surrounding scenery; our journey continues with a 1.5 hrs descent to the settlement of Ruphtang situated on a small hill top amongst the terraced fields. After a brief stop here, walk continues on the downhill slope path to a small stream. From here nearly 2 hrs of gradual climb will take us to our campsite on the large grassy field just few minutes away from the Bigu Gomba premises. From the camp we can see large stupas of a nunnery, each stupa houses about 30 nuns who are mostly Sherpa women. We’ll have ample time to visit Bigu Gompa, an interesting monastery set amongst junipers on a terraced hillside. The building which houses the nunnery was built around 1933.
Overnight camping.

Day 07: CHILANGKA 1930m/6332ft
5-6 hrs trek.
From here it’s a long 2 hrs descent through terraced fields towards Sangwa Khola, which later joins with Tamba Khola in the relatively warmer region. The path then gradually climbs after crossing the bridge and winds up through Lading and continues to Chilangka after 2-3 hrs of walk to the overnight camp high above the river. It is a lovely spot with splendid views across the terraced hillside with Bhote Kosi flowing down below.
Overnight camping.

Day 08: GONGAR KHOLA 1430m/4692ft
6 hrs trek.
From Chilangka the route heads eastwards above Sangwa Khola, after crossing several tributary streams the path becomes gradual with some ups and downs in between and then comes to a Chautara with well-decorated religious paintings. Chautaras are traditional resting spots found throughout the trek. From Bulung village the trail heads northeast along the trail above the Tama Koshi river through the villages of Yarsa and Warang, along a seldom used path first, but after an hour of good trek the trail becomes a broad winding road with excellent views of Mt Gurishanker. Then the trail traverses through intensively terraced farmlands, then skirts past the village of Orang and comes to a few small ridges and finally leads to a steep downhill path to the junction of the Gongor and Tama Koshi rivers.
We’ll camp overnight by the river on the wide valley floor after a good walk of six hours.

Day 09: SIMIGAON 2000m/6562ft
4-5 hrs trek
Leaving Gongar, the trail continues along the west bank of Tama Koshi, which narrows into a gorge then at Chetchet becomes a beautiful waterfall. Having descended for an hour or more you’ll notice it’s a bit warmer and slightly humid. Shortly afterwards we cross the Tama Kosi river and walk steep uphill for an hour. After the steep portion the path becomes a gentle ascent to the village of Simigaon, where camp will be setup for the night beside a gompa that is 20 minutes above the the main village with more fabulous views of Gaurishanker.

Day 10: DOVAN 2850m/9350ft
5-6 hrs trek.
From Simigaon, the trail heads northeast and the walk begins on a gradual slope that passes through thick rhododendron and magnolia forests and pasturelands with numerous grassy clearings used for summertime cattle grazing. Here, you can notice the distinct contrast between the lush Tama Koshi and mountainous Rolwaling Valley. Depending upon the season, if the monsoon flood has washed much of the trail, which usually happens, we shall either take the high path that climbs steeply towards the ridge of the Sambur Danda or cross from Daldung la (3976m/3015ft) as a safer alternative. The trail continues contouring above the hillside and then descends to the river passing more huts in an area called Gyalche. After reaching the valley floor we cross a small wooden bridge to the camp site at Dovan, a small unlikely clearing in the dense forest of the valley with steep sides.
Overnight camping.

Day 11: BEDING 3690m/12106ft
5-6 hrs trek.
Today, we cross the Rolwaling Khola and walk through the northern jungles as the trail climbs gradually and comes to a clearing along little settlements of Nyimare, Ramding and continues through farm fields and reaches Beding for the overnight halt. Beding is the principal Sherpa village in the Rolwaling Valley area, situated in a narrow gorge enlivened somewhat by its well-positioned Gompa. There is a school made by Hillary in Beding.
Overnight camping.

Day 12: NA GAON 4180m/13714ft
3-4hrs trek
From Beding onwards you can feel the increasing altitude and the cold chill of the surrounding high mountains. Our trek today will be a relatively short one of 3-4 hrs walk along the Rolwaling River so we’ll take it easy on this high altitude terrain and its impressive scenery of the surrounding landscapes and the snowcapped peaks. Walk proceeds slowly for proper acclimatization and reaches Na that spreads out in a classic u-shaped glacial valley. On reaching the overnight campsite at Na, is a scattered village and a temporary settlement of villagers from Beding and beyond, it is a summer yersa (grazing pasture) and place for potato farming. There is a roughly built monastery here. Our camp will be set up on a grassy field and you’ll have ample time to relax and marvel the surrounding beauty. Up ahead, beyond the valley and beyond Na, the majestic summit of Chobutse (6689m/21946ft) rises above Tsho Rolpa at the confluence of the Ripimo Shar and Trakarding glaciers.

Day 13: RAMDUNG BASE CAMP 4750m/15584ft
3-4 hrs trek
Ramdung Peak is situated on the south of Na in the upper section of Rolwaling Valley. Ramdung, also called Ramdung-Gho on the Schneider map, is one amongst a cluster of peaks around the Yalung La (5310m/17421ft), a pass giving access to the upper Rolwaling from the south, via the Khare Khola. Although the peak is not high the approach from Na covers a good distance, making two high camps for the climb. From Na the route crosses to the south bank of the river and follow it east to where the trail near Kyiduk climbs south toward the Yalung La. Suitable campsite can be found at around at 4900m (16000ft).

Day 14-15: RAMDUNG BASE CAMP 4750m/15584ft
Rest & acclimatization
This will be an important day of acclimatization for the climb and for going through Tashi Labtsa Pass. From the base camp, Yalung Ri is easily climbable from its eastern glacier and attractive snow ridge.

Day 16: HIGH CAMP 5500m/18044ft
3-4 hrs trek
From the camp our route climbs towards the snowy pass and broad glacier slopes Seast of the pass. Our overnight camp will be pitched here in front of the glacier at about 5500m/18000ft).

Day 17: RAMDUNG PEAK 5925m/19439ft
Climb Ramdung Peak & return to Base Camp (4750m/15584ft)
In the early morning we climb the slopes of Ramdung Glacier, southwest of the subsidiary peak (5766m/18917ft) and gain on the saddle at its head where it forms a junction with Yalung Glacier (5650m/18537ft). From the saddle, turning right, we climb gradually, at first southwards to the foot of the block that forms the Ramdung summit then the climb becomes steeper as we proceed towards the summit.
It takes more than 4 hrs to reach the summit, depending on snow conditions, from our high camp.
After a great memorable moment at the summit and relishing the surrounding scenery we shall descend via the same route towards the Base Camp.

Day 18: DOVAN 2850m/9350ft
5-6 hrs trek via Beding (3690m/12106ft)
From Base Camp we retrace our journey back on a downhill slope to Dovan for the overnight camp.

Day 19: SIMIGAON 2000m/6562ft
5 hrs trek
We continue the return trek on the downhill slope with few uphill climbs till we reach Simigaon for the overnight camp.

Day 20: JAGAT 1150m/3773ft
4-5 hrs trek
From Simigaon, the trail heads downhill for an hour or more to the bridge, from where the trail becomes a gradual winding path and diverts from near Gongor Khola leading straight ahead south following the River Tama Koshi all the way to our campsite at Jagat, a farming village. We will have ample time for a walk and to refresh ourselves in the cool river near the campsite.

Day 21: SHIGATI 950m/3117ft
5 hrs trek
Today we walk on a gradual path, passing through numerous rural villages and farm fields; it’s a gradual trail most of the way with a few ups and downs.

Day 22: RATOMATE 900m/2953ft
5 hrs trek
From the warm region of the lower Rolwaling Valley, the walk leads on a gentle path most of the way passing through several farm villages and country bazaars finally reaching Ratomate where the overnight camp will be set up by the riverside.

Day 23: DOLAKAHA 1560m/5118ft & KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
2-3 hrs trek to Dolkha & 5 hrs drive to Kathmandu
We head for Dolakha in the morning on an uphill trail passing through a thinly patched forested area of pines, oaks and sal trees and arrive at our destination after 2-3 hrs of good walk. Dolakha is the headquarter town of the district with the same name from where we get on the 4-5 hrs drive to Kathmandu.

Day 24: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Leisure day. Options: mountain flight or sightseeing tour
A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go for a short tour of the city in and around Kathmandu Valley or for a scenic mountain flight to view Mt Everest and other Himalayan giants.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 25: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
International departure
As per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from the land of Himalayas.
Farewell and see you again!