Rolwaling Trek

Pickup from airport and transfer to hotel, Welcome dinner in the evening, Hotel

Your drive to the village of Charikot will start in the early morning, after breakfast.  Since the only eating places en route are of questionable quality you will need to carry packed lunch (this will be provided).  Camp at Charikot.

Passing through Charikot and descend a wide gently sloping trail through numerous small hamlets to Dolakha.  From here the trail leads along the Tamba Kosi to the village of Piguti.

As you head northward, crossing the Tamba Kosi and along a broad valley Mt. Gauri Shankar (7146 m.) becomes visible at a distance.  You now enter the Bhote Kosi (Tibetan River) valley, which is markedly narrower than the Tamba Kosi valley.  The river originates in Tibet and hence the name (Bhot = Tibet in Nepali).  The Right Bank of the river becomes a sheer cliff and trail on the left bank has ups and downs, eventually leading to the village of Suri Dobhan (Dobhan = confluence).  There is a steep climb to the village of Manthale where you camp for the night.

Crossing to the right side of the river the trail is lined with stone and has many gentle ups and downs.  The route to Tibet over the Menlung La is passed on your left as you head towards Jagat and camp.

The valley narrows after Gongar into a deep and impressive gorge with large waterfalls tumbling down its eastern side. The valley reopens at Chet Chet and, after having crossed onto the left bank, climb steeply towards Simigaon, positioned splendidly high up. This first Sherpa village with its impressive terraces is in fact inhabited by a "cosmopolitan" population. Its beautiful monastery located on a narrow crest is well worth a visit. One of the few lodges along this trek is situated in this village, offering shelter should it rain. In this and the next stage watch out for leeches, especially if it has rained recently.

Entering the Rolwaling Valley you are rewarded with magnificent views of the "entangled" summits of Mt. Gauri Shankar.  The Rolwaling Chuu River rushes to its destination far below you as you traverse the hill on its right. You pass through a rhododendron forest to emerge on the top of the ridge, which you will follow to the villages of Sakpa and Kharka.

Descend to the river and follow the trail towards Nimre.  There are possibilities of steep or washed out sections on this path, which you must watch out for.  The trail meets the valley floor after descending a rocky area and the valley at this point is steep sided and narrow. Passing through the villages of Ramdung and Gyabru, with their stone adobes and wooden roofs weighted down with stone you reach the village of Beding which has about 40 houses and is one of two Sherpa villages relatively unaffected by western influence. 

Magnificent views of Melungtse (7181 m), across the border in Tibet, greet you as the trail heads towards Na Gaon (Gaon = village). Na is the other Sherpa village, which has remained remote from the influences of the western world.  You should take time in noting the lifestyles of these people in detail so that you can later, compare them with the Sherpas of the Khumbu.

Leaving Na, you cross the river to the south bank and follow a stream to the summer pastures at Sangma.  Climb up a spur to the settlement at Sangma climbing on moraines and traversing steeply above the main stream.  You reach the terminal moraine behind, which is the Tsho Rolpa often-called Cho Pokhari.  Camp will be set up on level ground near the lake.

The trail traverses the north side of the moraine and continues beyond it, occasionally passing rock overhangs. You must start out early because during the latter part of the day the area around the lake is in constant danger of rock falls.  The trail leads across the rocks and rubble of the Trakarding Glacier south-east to a low point on the ice fall which you will climb at its lowest to gain the Tram Bau Glacier. A suitable campsite will be chosen where the glacier ends out at around 5400 m.

Continue towards the Tashi Labtsa along the glacier, which at this point is fairly level. Your labors are rewarded with spectacular views of Tengi Ragi Rau (6943 m.) Bigphero-Go Shar (6729 m.) and the spectacularly shaped Dragkar-Go (6793m). The route is crevassed and requires carefulness. Get across the pass and head towards east and then southwest to reach Ngole.

The trail from Ngole is better marked, though there is still the danger of rockfall from Tengi Ragi Rau, as it descends through the upper reaches of the Thami Khola to Thangpo.  This is a short day and allows you to recuperate from the exertion of your climb. There are great views of Ama Dablam and Makalu as well as the peaks of the Lumding Himal.

Today we start our trek from Thame to Jorsalle via the Namche Bazaar. Namche is the administrative center of the Sagarmatha National Park and the hub of Sherpa society.

Today we trek to Jorsalie to Lukla to catch return flight to Kathmandu. Weather permitting your trekking crew might prepare a farewell treat for you. You would be expected to join in the singing and the dancing!

Fly back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the diverse restaurants, chaotic markets for shopping and relaxing.