Rolwaling Trek – 19 days

  • Duration 19
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Grade strenuous to extreme trek
  • Starts at Kathmandu
  • Ends at Kathmandu
  • Meals Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • Accommodation Tea Houses/Lodges/Hotels
  • Max. Altitude 5,755 m
  • Activity Trekking
  • Group Type Trekking
  • Group Size 1-12
  • Best Season Autumn (September to November)
Highlights

The Rolwaling Trek stands out for its breathtaking natural wonders and deep cultural roots, dominated by the staggering wall of Mt. Gaurishankar (7,134m)—a peak deeply revered by both Hindus and Buddhists that commands the valley’s skyline. The ultimate crown jewel of the journey is Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake, sitting at an isolated 4,580 meters; its eerie, milky-turquoise waters are locked in by massive moraine walls and towering ice sheets, offering one of the most raw alpine views in the Himalayas. Along the trail, you pass through the ancient Sherpa villages of Beding—renowned for producing an incredibly high concentration of elite Everest summiteers—and Na, a wide-open summer yak pasture nestled in a colossal mountain amphitheater. For the ultra-adventurous, the trek culminates in crossing the technical, ice-bound Tashi Lapcha Pass (5,755m), which requires navigating the shifting boulders of the Trakarding Glacier before dropping directly into the Everest region. Steeped in folklore, the valley is also celebrated as a sacred, hidden sanctuary (Beyul) where legends of the Yeti still feel alive amidst the untouched, silent wilderness.

Rolwaling Trek – 19 days Overview

The Rolwaling Trek is an off-the-beaten-path journey through one of Nepal’s most rugged and mystifying glacial valleys, tucked right between the Everest and Langtang regions. Known as a wild, challenging route, it takes you past towering peaks like Mt. Gauri Shankar and deep into authentic Sherpa and Tamang villages that feel entirely untouched by mass tourism. The crown jewel of the trek is Tsho Rolpa, one of Nepal’s largest and most stunning high-altitude glacial lakes, sitting at an elevation of 4,580 meters. It’s an ideal choice if you want to skip the crowded commercial trails and experience raw, dramatic Himalayan landscapes, deep forests, and pristine wilderness.

Day to Day Itinerary
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Representative will meet you outside the Terminal Hall. Please, look for our company play card. Transfer to hotel, introduce your trekking guide and check the necessities. Afternoon stroll Tourist colourful market Thamel down town.

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tours to world heritage sites of Pashupatinath Temple-the holiest Hindu Temple on the bank of sacred Bagmati River, Bodhanath Stupa-the biggest Buddhist Stupa architecture in the world!  Patan Durbar Square is the oldest city in the Kathmandu valley with age old tradition also called Lalitpur-the city of fine arts. The visit covers the Durbar Square, the Krishna temple, the Kumbheswore temple, the Golden temple and many more. Swayambhunath Stupa-the 2000 years old legendary stupa on the hillock also nick-named as monkey temple. Your day tour ends Kathmandu Durbar Square Showcasing living goddess Kumari Temple, Nautale Durbar, the Kaal Bhairav, the Swet Bhairav, the freak Street and more.

A Jeep will take us from Kathmandu through the scenic high green hills and white mountain  views to the north. On the way we will visit the Bhimeswor Temple in Dolakha. The last hour’s dusty drive will lead down to our campsite on the Tama Kosi River bank.

Our route follows the Bhote Kosi’s deep valley which gradually becomes more gorge-like. We crisscross the hectic river on picturesque suspension bridges and pass a few hamlets and villages. The forest sometimes gives way to views of the Gaurishankar (7145m). This area is still Hindu although signs of Buddhism, with prayer flags and Chortens begin to appear.

A short stage: after a 2.5 hrs walk, we leave the valley to continue east. The path slowly gains altitude on an impressive slope, and later crosses terraces. Simigaon is a Sherpa and Tamang village, marked by its Tibetan monastery perched above the houses on top of the hill in front of Gaurishankar.

We now enter the Rolwaling valley through a gorgeous rhododendron and bamboo forest. The path steadily climbs towards Gyalche. Eventually, we descend back down to the river and establish our campsite on the Rolwaling Khola bank: a narrow green belt beneath Gaurishankar.

We gradually climb the forested valley of tropical alpine vegetation, with excellent mountain scenery surrounding us. Arriving at Beding, we should see Melungtse I (7181m), Rolwaling’s highest summit. Beding is a lonely small village; well known to Everest summiteers, this Sherpa village may offer you Chaang (barley beer) and salted yak butter tea. An old but historical Buddhist Monastery is located in the center of the village. We will camp will be on the banks of the river.

 

A day hike to the Malung La pass (5616m) – or as high as you can go above Beding – will help with acclimatization. There should be great views of more than 15 snowy peaks, glaciers and the natural forest in the Beding Valley below.

 A short walk will take us to Na; the last tiny alpine hamlet that is only inhabited during summer months. Na is situated just below the Tsho Rolpa Glacier Lake in a beautiful valley overlooked by some very impressive peaks, including Chobutse (6685m), Chugimago (6259m) and Yalung Ri (5630m).

 

We can either take a rest or organize an excursion towards the Yalung La pass. Here we climb steadily, the path taking us to a vast amphitheatre at 4900m, situated just below the pass, and the Ramdun peak ice fall which is furrowed with streams. This is an excellent place to view the Tsho-Rolpa glacier lake.  In each direction we get stunning views: to the east the Yalung Glacier, south the Ramdung Peak (5930m), west the Yalung Ri (5630m) and to the north the breathtaking Himalayan summits along the Tibetan border.

We climb up to the dam that holds back the Tsho-Rolpa lake, preventing it from splitting the thin moraine and destroying the valleys below. We continue along the south bank. (The ancient route, marked on all maps, following the northern bank and passing through Chobu, no longer exists. In fact, the moraines bordering the lake have all collapsed into it.) After a 300m climb, we must cross a disordered moraine area only scramble down the height we walked up. The campsite is in a sandy amphitheatre, between the Tsho Rolpa and Trakarding glaciers

The path plunges on towards the Trakarding glacier. This is a huge and impressive and rocky area that gives way, from time to time, to large sections of bluish ice. We’ll struggle on towards a rocky spur, just beneath the Dolumbau glacier. It is now quite a venture to access the glacier. We need to climb up a rock face and to set a rope for the porters, helping them to scramble up the 160m before accessing the campsite area. This provides a fantastic panorama with the Trakarding glacier below and the great glacial wall of the Drolumbau glacier to the north: an incredible spot with views of countless streams running off the glacier, falling rocks and collapsing ice.

The only route to get a foothold onto the Drolumbau glacier is tricky and fairly steep. Our efforts will be rewarded by a unique view towards Tengi Ragi Tau (6943m), Bigphero-Go Shar (6729m), Dragkar-Go (6793m), with a background of myriad peaks towards and beyond the Tibetan border. We progress through moraines and gentle slopes, from time to time crossing, glacial areas, towards the summit. The campsite is about 300m below the summit just beyond a tricky but impressive rocky section.

Today offers an easy and pleasant descent. Just before arriving in the tiny Sherpa village of Thame, we can visit its picturesque monastery perched on the hillside. Thame lies on an important route for Tibetan traders and their yak caravans trekking across the Nangpa La (5716m/18,752) on the Tibetan border to Namche Bazaar and beyond.

Trek to Khumjung Located at the foot of sacred Mt. Kumbila. Khumjung is home of the first Edmund Hilary school project. There is a Hospital at the next village of Khunde, manned by Canadian doctors. This most stable and traditional Sherpa cultural settlement is worth a visit, as is the oldest Monastery in this region.

A long downhill day via Namche Bazaar and the last view of Mt. Everest.

We have to arrive in Lukla in time to reconfirm our return flight to Kathmandu for early the next morning. The day’s walk is along the Dudh Kosi River and passes through several Sherpa villages with many local lodges which accommodate the trekkers to the Everest region.

Early Morning flight to Kathmandu, transfer to your Hotel. Free afternoon and evening join the farewell dinner hosted by Mountain Mart Trek.

Flight Lukla – Kathmandu might be delayed due to poor visibility and bad weather forecast. You may even be delayed for a day or longer, hence spare day or two needs to be added to your itinerary.

Transfer to international airport and fly to onward destination.

Customize Trip
Cost Includes
  •  All airport/Hotel transfers
  •     3 star accommodation in Kathmandu for 2 nights on BB plan
  •     Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) during the trek
  •     Hot drinks (Tea & Coffee)
  •     Domestic flight (Kathmandu /Lukla / Kathmandu)
  •     Guide & porter salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
  •     All necessary paper work and permits (National Park Permit & TIMS )
  •     A comprehensive medical kit
  •     All government and local taxes
  •     Trekking equipment such as down filled sleeping bag, down jacket, walking poles and duffel bag
Cost Excludes
  •   City monument fees
  •     Bottle drinks
  •     Boiled water
  •     Personal expenses
  •     Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu
  •     Travel insurance & evacuation
Departure Dates
Useful Info

Planning a trip into this wild valley requires careful logistical preparation, as the infrastructure is highly limited and regulations are strictly enforced. To enter, you will need the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP), which costs roughly 3,000 Nepalese Rupees (NPR) for foreign nationals and 1,000 NPR for SAARC citizens. Because parts of the upper valley, including Beding, Na, and Tsho Rolpa Lake, touch sensitive border zones, you must also obtain a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) costing 20 US Dollars per week. Additionally, following Nepal’s updated safety mandates, independent solo trekking is strictly forbidden here; you are required by law to hire a licensed, government-certified trekking guide, and all restricted area permits must be processed through a registered Nepalese trekking agency.

In terms of daily logistics, you should plan for a highly rustic experience. Lodging consists of very basic, family-run teahouses where amenities like hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electronic charging are rare commodities that often cost an extra 2 to 5 US Dollars when available. It is absolutely essential to carry a sufficient supply of cash in Nepalese Rupees, as there are zero ATMs or card machines once you leave the trailhead at Chetchet or Gonggar. For your physical packing list, a heavy-duty 4-season sleeping bag is non-negotiable since high-altitude lodge rooms lack heating and temperatures drop well below freezing at night. Finally, ensure your travel insurance explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and emergency helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 meters, as the valley’s sheer remoteness means medical emergencies require aerial rescue.

Booking Price From:$2400UDSP/P
We offer group price
   
1 pax $2400
2-5 pax $2200
6-9 pax $2000
10-12 pax $1800
Total Price USD$2400
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FAQs

    • Mobile Network: Cellular signal (mostly Ncell or Nepal Telecom) is available intermittently in the lower regions like Simigaon, but once you ascend past Dongang or Beding, it completely disappears.

    • Electricity & Wi-Fi: Power is highly basic, mostly relying on local solar panels. Lower villages may offer basic Wi-Fi and charging stations for a small fee (around 2 to 5 US Dollars). Once you reach Na Village (4,180m), electronic charging becomes rare and highly weather-dependent. Packing a high-capacity power bank is crucial.

    • Accommodation: This is a rustic teahouse trek, far less commercialized than the Everest or Annapurna routes. The lodges are simple, family-run stone huts. Rooms are basic with twin beds and shared bathrooms outside.

    • Food: Menus are simple but highly nutritious. The staple is traditional Dal Bhat (rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry), which offers the best fuel for long walking days. You will also find basic Tibetan bread, eggs, noodle soups, and porridge.

  • The risk is moderate to high because you gain altitude relatively quickly after leaving the trailhead. You start around 1,400 meters and reach 4,580 meters (Tsho Rolpa) or 5,755 meters (Tashi Lapcha Pass)

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Rolwaling Trek – 19 days
Rolwaling Trek – 19 days
Difficulty: strenuous to extreme trek 19 Days
Max. Height: 5,755 m

US $2400UDS