Trip Duration : 22N / 23D
Trekking Code: STE/RT /11
Trek Grade: Moderate
Trek /Camp: 18 days out on the trail
Starts and ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotels, teahouse lodges or camping optional
Meals: Provided on the trail
Transportation: A Private / Local
Highest elevation: 4180m at Na…Engrossing!!
The ROLWALING VALLEY Trek – 23 days…With the compelling adventure of living life on the edge, we treasure every inch of the ground we tread, as the power of raw but beautiful nature in its most pure form, slowly sets into our beings…
‘A remarkable adventure into the rugged & remote high alpine valleys’
Dramatic landscapes in the pure wild, rich Buddhist culture, isolated gently sloping valleys, traditional colorful villages vibrating with life, even in such remote outposts, the thrills of crossing high passes, hiking through immaculate forests, enriched with flora and fauna amidst soaring peaks and awe-inspiring views.
Know the geography of the land before you tread on its soil:
The Rolwaling valley, one of the hidden regions in the mid east Himalayan range, very seldom frequented by normal trekkers, is a route that is steep sided and covered in thick forests, therefore, the climbs are steep & rugged. But this is going to be one of the finest watershed crossings ever made in the entire Himalaya. One of the highlights of the trip is the camp beside Bigu Gompa, a fine and interesting monastery set among junipers on a terraced hillside. The building which houses a nunnery was built around 1933. Further walking through summer pasture lands and narrow valleys, the trails open up into a wide bowl; giving us our first taste of open mountain vistas – totally unique and genuinely mystical.
In 1951 after the Everest reconnaissance, during which the first western exploration of the Rolwaling was made by Eric Shipton and his party, he wrote in The Times, quote: ‘This form of mountaineering, the exploration of unknown peaks, glaciers and valleys, the finding and crossing of new passes to connect one area with another, is the most fascinating occupation I have ever known.
The variety of experiences, the constantly changing scene, the gradual unfolding of the geography of the range are deeply satisfying, for they yield a very real understanding, almost a sense of personal possession, of the country explored’.
Our walk passes through interesting villages, crossing the scenic Tingsing-la with superb views of the central Himalayan range from the Jhugal himal, Melungtse & the majestic twin peaks of Mt.Gauri Shankar (where in Nepal the time meridian passes through) including the distant peak of the great giant Cho-Oyu and Everest, this
Beautiful trek leads to great contrast from the dense sub-tropical area to the high alpine zone, where the vegetations are sparse from Beding onwards. This trek culminates at Na, our ultimate destination and the highest point of this great venture, after being in the almost arctic zone; we gradually descend back to warmer territory.
As we leave the Rolwaling Valley, we may feel relaxed and at ease as we loose the bone wracking elevation. And finally, we trek back to the mid hills & the cozy town of Dolkha and Charikot with the ultimate striking views of Gaurishankar and its range of snow capped peaks beckoning us to come back again as we head back to historical Kathmandu.
Kathmandu
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu. 1,300m. we meet, greet and transfer to Hotel
Day 2 : Free at your own leisure
Day 3 : Drive to Barabise approx. 860m. 65 km. it’s a 4-5 hrs journey.
Day 4 : Trek to Dolangsa 2,510m. 4/5 hrs walk
Day 5 : Trek to Tingsang-la 3,319m. 4 hrs
Day 6 : Trek to Bigu Gomba. 2,310m. 5 hrs walk
Day 7 : Trek to Bigu Khola. 1, 930m. 6 hrs
Day 8 : Trek to Laduk. Or Bulung. 1, 890m rs
Day 9 : Trek to Gongar Khola. 1, 430m. 6 h
Day 10 : Trek to Simigaon. 2, 000m. 4-5 hrs
Day 11 : Trek to Dovan. 2,850m. 5-6 hrs
Day 12 : Trek to Bheding. 3,690m. 5-6 hrs walk
Day 13 : A day for rest at Bheding
Day 14 : Trek to Na Gaon. 4,180m. approx. 3-4hrs walk
Day 15 : At Na Gaon
Day 16 : Trek to the Riverside. 5-6 hrs
Day 17 : Trek to Simigaon. 5 hrs
Day 18 : Trek to Jagat. Approx. 1,150m. 4-5 hrs
Day 19 : Trek to Shigati. 950m. 5 hrs
Day 20 : Trek to Ratomate. Approx. 900m. 5 hrs
Day 21 : Trek to Dolkha & drive to Kathmandu. It’s a 5 hrs journey
Day 22 : Free day at leisure
Day 23 : Transfer to Airport for your International departure
Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu. 1,300m. we meet, greet and transfer to Hotel
Day 2 : Free at your own leisure
Day 3 : Drive to Barabise approx. 860m. 65 km. it’s a 4-5 hrs journey.
Day 4 : Trek to Dolangsa 2,510m. 4/5 hrs walk
Day 5 : Trek to Tingsang-la 3,319m. 4 hrs
Day 6 : Trek to Bigu Gomba. 2,310m. 5 hrs walk
Day 7 : Trek to Bigu Khola. 1, 930m. 6 hrs
Day 8 : Trek to Laduk. Or Bulung. 1, 890m rs
Day 9 : Trek to Gongar Khola. 1, 430m. 6 h
Day 10 : Trek to Simigaon. 2, 000m. 4-5 hrs
Day 11 : Trek to Dovan. 2,850m. 5-6 hrs
Day 12 : Trek to Bheding. 3,690m. 5-6 hrs walk
Day 13 : A day for rest at Bheding
Day 14 : Trek to Na Gaon. 4,180m. approx. 3-4hrs walk
Day 15 : At Na Gaon
Day 16 : Trek to the Riverside. 5-6 hrs
Day 17 : Trek to Simigaon. 5 hrs
Day 18 : Trek to Jagat. Approx. 1,150m. 4-5 hrs
Day 19 : Trek to Shigati. 950m. 5 hrs
Day 20 : Trek to Ratomate. Approx. 900m. 5 hrs
Day 21 : Trek to Dolkha & drive to Kathmandu. It’s a 5 hrs journey
Day 22 : Free day at leisure
Day 23 : Transfer to Airport for your International departure
A ‘TH [Teahouse Lodge] is a term used for sleeping in teahouse lodges on the trails. These teahouses are pretty basic but provide all the comforts that you would expect when hiking in remote conditions, they are cosy and warm – you’d like the homely environment. We crash out in single rooms wherever available, but often times we sometimes have to adapt to sleeping out in dormitory type rooms for a night. Generally, it’s just a bed with a pillow and blankets. It’s a matter of choice, if you want, you bring your own ‘Air pillow’ and freak out anyways, this is adventure in the wild…the rougher it gets the better. We accommodate our trek groups in local lodges available each day. Our porters hike ahead of us to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot be booked in advance). Please note, that some of them are very basic and a spirit of adventure is the call of the day. It is cheaper to stay in lodges rather than organizing a camping trek.
We have a pool of hotels in Kathmandu under 3-4-5 Star categories which we provide to clients in connection with this itinerary, unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice. You can check on the description of such hotels through our website. Accommodation is never a problem, the choice exclusively yours.
At ‘Incentive Holidays’ – its zero tolerance on cutting of cost when it comes down to feeding our trekking guests, because we know how tough it is on the trails; we ensure that the lodges provide three tasty, bountiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day, breakfast is ‘king size’ [the first meal of the day] consisting of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereals followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads. After a lengthy gritty day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3 course meal – soup, followed by a variety of vegetables, meat, rice and pasta dishes completed with a simple dessert. Don’t be surprised if the delectable ‘apple pie’ lands on your plate, it’s literally ‘yummy’’, even better than the ones you come across in Thamel.
Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. The lodges always use as much fresh produce as possible and special diets are regularly catered for. The local trek leaders are able to maintain very tight controls on health and hygiene in the kitchen with respect to general cleanliness and food preparation and also within the group with focus on personal hygiene. This has allowed us to maintain extremely high standards of health over many years of planning treks – and good health is vital to an enjoyable and successful trek and climb. All foods are well cooked and vegetables are treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. Boiled water is served for drinking. Antiseptic soaps and potassium or iodine treated water are provided for washing. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for. ‘Gluttony is a sin’ but there are no restrictions on the grub we serve to our guests on the mountains; we leave it up to our trekking guests who are the best judge of their own appetites…Bon Appétit!!
The best time to visit for a trip of this kind would be in the Spring and Autumn. It is wonderful during this time of the year when an overall beauties of the landscapes found in these trips are so distinct & stunning, due to clear weather pattern & sunny blue skies. Our program could be changed to accommodate individual group choices and preferences in order to give you proper holidays that become signature ventures for a lifetime.
