Rolwaling Valley Trek route through Na village with stone walls and Himalayan peaksRolwaling Valley Trek route through Na village with stone walls and Himalayan peaks

Rolwaling Valley Trek – 10 Days

  • Duration10 Days
  • Route Grade Exploratory Travel
  • Trip Style Remote high altitude trekking
  • Starting City Kathmandu
  • Ending City Kathmandu
Price fromUS$885US$975
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Rolwaling Valley Trek – 10 Days map

Trip Overview

The Rolwaling Valley Trek is a 10 day trek into one of the most remote glacial valleys in Nepal, tucked beneath Gaurishankar and close to the Tibetan border. This trek combines real village life, forest trails, and high mountain scenery in one route. You spend 4 nights above 3,700 m, from Beding through Na, with the highest point at Tsho Rolpa on Day 7.

The Rolwaling Valley Trek is a comparatively less visited and quieter trekking route than Everest and Annapurna. It is a genuinely remote trek, best suited to trekkers who want solitude, high alpine scenery, and a close look at a Sherpa community still shaped by mountaineering rather than tourism.

Trip Detail

Information
Detail

Trip Code

RVT107N

Starting Point / End Point

Kathmandu to Kathmandu

Accommodations

Mountain lodges or teahouses along the trekking route

Max Altitude

4,600 m at Tsho Rolpa

Duration

10 Days, 9 Nights

Country

Nepal

Trip Grade

Moderate challenging, suitable for trekkers with good fitness and prior high altitude trekking experience

Activities

Rolwaling Valley trekking, acclimatization in Beding, day hike to Tsho Rolpa glacial lake

Season

Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May)

Region

Rolwaling Valley, Dolakha district, Nepal

Transportation

Private drive from Kathmandu to Gongar via Singati, trekking on foot through the Rolwaling Valley, private drive from Gongar back to Kathmandu

Meals

Full board meals during the trek, from Day 1 to Day 10

Itinerary Overview

This 10 day trek follows the Rolwaling Khola from Gongar through Simigaon and Dongang to Beding, where a full acclimatization day is spent before continuing to Na, the last village in the valley. From Na, a day hike leads up to Tsho Rolpa, a glacial lake held back by an unstable moraine dam beneath the Trakarding Glacier, before the trail retraces back through Dongang and Gongar and returns to Kathmandu by road.

  • Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Gongar at 1,860 m via Singati

  • Day 2: Trek from Gongar to Simigaon at 2,020 m

  • Day 3: Trek from Simigaon to Dongang at 2,790 m

  • Day 4: Trek from Dongang to Beding at 3,700 m

  • Day 5: Acclimatization day in Beding at 3,700 m

  • Day 6: Trek from Beding to Na at 4,180 m

  • Day 7: Day hike to Tsho Rolpa at 4,600 m and back to Na

  • Day 8: Trek from Na to Dongang at 2,790 m

  • Day 9: Trek from Dongang to Gongar at 1,860 m

  • Day 10: Drive from Gongar to Kathmandu at 1,400 m

An Alternative Route From the Busy Everest Base Camp Trail

Rolwaling lies west of the Khumbu region and offers a quieter alternative to the busy trails leading to Everest Base Camp. The trek begins at Gongar in Dolakha district and follows the Rolwaling Khola through forested hillsides before reaching the wider valley around Beding and Na. With fewer trekkers, the route offers a peaceful experience of forest landscapes, traditional Sherpa villages, and high mountain scenery.

Beyond Na, the valley continues toward Tsho Rolpa, a glacial lake fed by the Trakarding Glacier beneath Gaurishankar and Melungtse. This itinerary turns back after the lake rather than crossing Tashi Lapcha Pass into Khumbu, allowing you to experience the upper Rolwaling Valley without taking on the demanding high altitude pass crossing.

Why You Will Love This Trip

  • Experience the Remote Rolwaling Valley: Explore a less developed Himalayan trekking region where traditional villages, forest trails, and high mountain landscapes remain central to the journey.

  • Trek Through Traditional Sherpa Villages: You will Walk through Simigaon, Beding, and Na while experiencing the traditional mountain lifestyle and culture of the Rolwaling Sherpa community.

  • Reach Tsho Rolpa at 4,600 m: A day hike from Na to Tsho Rolpa, one of the major glacial lakes in the valley, surrounded by the high mountains and glaciers of the Rolwaling region.

  • Enjoy a Gradual Change in Landscape: The route from Gongar climbs through forested hillside above the Rolwaling Khola, past Simigaon and Dongang, before opening into the alpine terrain around Beding, Na, and Tsho Rolpa.

  • Spend Time in Beding for Acclimatization: A full acclimatization day in Beding gives you time to adjust to the altitude, with a short walk above the village and time to visit its gompa and mani walls.

  • Trek Beyond the Main Tourist Routes: Enjoy a quieter trekking experience away from the heavily traveled trails of Everest and Annapurna, with more time to appreciate the landscape and local communities.

  • Explore Tsho Rolpa Without Crossing Tashi Lapcha: Reach the upper Rolwaling Valley and return through the same route after visiting Tsho Rolpa, without continuing over the demanding Tashi Lapcha Pass into the Khumbu region.

Altitude and Activities

The trek begins with a private drive from Kathmandu to Gongar at 1,860 m and treks through Simigaon, Dongang, and Beding to reach Na at 4,180 m, with a day hike to Tsho Rolpa at 4,600 m. The trail then retraces back through Dongang and Gongar before returning to Kathmandu by road.

Day
Location
Altitude
Activities
Travel Time

Day 1

Gongar

1,860 m

Private Drive along the Tama Koshi and Rolwaling valleys via Singati

About 7 to 8 hours

Day 2

Simigaon

2,020 m

Trek along the Rolwaling Khola, views of Gaurishankar

About 4 to 5 hours

Day 3

Dongang

2,790 m

Trek through forested hillside above the river gorge

About 6 to 7 hours

Day 4

Beding

3,700 m

Trek deeper into the Rolwaling Valley

About 5 to 6 hours

Day 5

Beding

3,700 m

Acclimatization day, short hike around the village and monastery

Short walks around the village

Day 6

Na

4,180 m

Trek to the last permanent settlement in the valley

About 3 to 4 hours

Day 7

Na

4,180 m

Day hike to Tsho Rolpa glacial lake

About 5 to 6 hours round trip

Day 8

Dongang

2,790 m

Descend from Na back to Dongang

About 6 to 7 hours

Day 9

Gongar

1,860 m

Trek back from Dongang through Simigaon

About 7 to 8 hours

Day 10

Kathmandu

1,400 m

Private drive via Singati to Kathmandu

About 7 to 8 hours

Accommodation and Meals

You will stay in mountain lodges or teahouses throughout the trekking portion of the journey, from Day 1 in Gongar through Day 9 in Gongar. Full board meals of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on every trekking day. Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu on Day 10 are not included but can be arranged on request.

Day
Location
Accommodation
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 1

Gongar

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 2

Simigaon

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 3

Dongang

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 4

Beding

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 5

Beding

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 6

Na

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 7

Na

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 8

Dongang

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 9

Gongar

Mountain lodge

Included

Included

Included

Day 10

Kathmandu

Not Included

Not Included

Not Included

Not Included

Cost Includes

Cost and Inclusions

This 10 day trek includes private ground transportation between Kathmandu and Gongar, the required Gaurishankar and Dolakha permits, an experienced licensed guide from Solukhumbu, and full board meals and lodge accommodation during the trekking days. Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu are not included. The table below outlines what is included in your package and what you will need to arrange separately.

Cost Includes
Cost Excludes

Private drive from Kathmandu to Gongar via Singati

International airfare to and from Nepal

Private drive from Gongar back to Kathmandu

Nepal entry visa fee

Mountain lodges or teahouses throughout the trek

Travel insurance

Full board meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, during the trek

Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu

Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP)

Tips for guide and support staff

Dolakha Restricted Area Permit (Gaurishankar Rural Municipality Ward 9)

Personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, and phone calls

Experienced licensed guide from Solukhumbu

 

One porter to carry luggage for two trekkers.

 
Itinerary

The drive follows the Araniko Highway out of Kathmandu toward Lamosangu, then turns north into Dolakha district through Charikot, the district headquarters. Past Charikot, the road runs along the Tama Koshi valley to Singati, then climbs beside the Rolwaling Khola to Gongar, the small roadhead village where the trek begins. Road conditions past Charikot can vary, so travel time depends on the state of the hill roads.

  • Route: Kathmandu to Gongar by private vehicle, via Charikot and Singati

  • Altitude: 1,860 m

  • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

  • Highlights: Drive through Dolakha district, first views of the Rolwaling Khola, arrival at the trailhead in Gongar

    From Gongar, the trail drops to the Rolwaling Khola and crosses it on a suspension bridge, then climbs steeply through forest toward Simigaon. Set on an open ridge above the valley, Simigaon is a Sherpa village and one of the best viewpoints on the whole trek for Gaurishankar, visible up the valley on a clear morning.

    • Route: Gongar to Simigaon along the Rolwaling Khola

    • Altitude: 2,020 m

    • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

    • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

    • Highlights: Suspension bridge crossing, steep forest climb, Gaurishankar viewpoint at Simigaon ridge

      The trail enters rhododendron and pine forest above the Rolwaling Khola gorge, with the river dropping steeply below the path in places. Small waterfalls cross the trail through this stretch, which eases into Dongang, a forest clearing used as an overnight stop on the way up the valley.

      • Route: Simigaon to Dongang through forested terrain along the Rolwaling Khola gorge

      • Altitude: 2,790 m

      • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

      • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

      • Highlights: Rhododendron and pine forest, waterfalls along the trail, gorge views over the Rolwaling Khola

        The trail out of Dongang climbs into thinning forest, with Gaurishankar and Melungtse coming into view on clear days. The path stays close to the Rolwaling Khola all the way to Beding, the largest village in the valley and home to generations of Sherpa climbers.

        • Route: Dongang to Beding along the upper Rolwaling Khola

        • Altitude: 3,700 m

        • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

        • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

        • Highlights: Forest thinning into alpine terrain, views toward Gaurishankar and Melungtse, arrival in Beding

          A full day is spent in Beding to let your body adjust before continuing higher into the valley. Beding gompa and the mani walls and chortens lining the village path are worth a visit, and a short walk on the hillside above the village gives wider views back down the valley.

          • Route: Short walks around Beding village and the surrounding hillside

          • Altitude: 3,700 m

          • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

          • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

          • Highlights: Acclimatization, Beding gompa, mani walls and chortens along the village trail

            The trail to Na is short but climbs steadily, moving through increasingly open ground as the tree line falls away. Yak pastures line much of the route, and Na sits in a wide, flat part of the valley used mainly by herders in the warmer months.

            • Route: Beding to Na through yak pastures

            • Altitude: 4,180 m

            • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

            • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

            • Highlights: Tree line giving way to open alpine terrain, yak pastures, arrival at the last village in the valley

              A full day hike takes you up onto the lateral moraine above Tsho Rolpa, the largest glacial lake in Nepal, fed by the Trakarding Glacier. The trail climbs over rocky, exposed ground, with Chekigo, Parchamo, and Ramdung visible from the ridge above the lake. After time at the lake, the same trail leads back down to Na for a second night.

              • Route: Day hike from Na onto the moraine above Tsho Rolpa, and back

              • Altitude: 4,600 m at Tsho Rolpa, returning to 4,180 m at Na

              • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

              • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

              • Highlights: Tsho Rolpa glacial lake, views of the Trakarding Glacier, high altitude moraine landscape

                The return journey begins today, retracing the trail back down through Beding to Dongang. The descent feels easier than the climb up, since your body has already adjusted to the altitude gained on the way in.

                • Route: Na to Dongang via Beding, retracing the Rolwaling Valley trail

                • Altitude: 2,790 m

                • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

                • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

                • Highlights: Descending back through Beding, a second look at the upper valley from lower down

                  The trail drops back through the forested gorge section, retracing the path through Simigaon before reaching Gongar, back at the trailhead where the trek began.

                  • Route: Dongang to Gongar via Simigaon

                  • Altitude: 1,860 m

                  • Accommodation: Mountain lodge

                  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

                  • Highlights: Final descent through the forested gorge, passing back through Simigaon, arrival at Gongar

                    A private vehicle takes you from Gongar back toward Kathmandu, following the road through Singati and Charikot before rejoining the Araniko Highway for the final stretch into the city. The trek ends on arrival in Kathmandu.

                    • Route: Gongar to Kathmandu via Singati and Charikot by private vehicle

                    • Altitude: 1,400 m

                    • Accommodation: Not included

                    • Meals: Breakfast 

                    • Highlights: Drive back to Kathmandu, end of the Rolwaling Valley trek

                      Trip Information

                      Know Before You Book

                      • Visa Requirements: All citizens of the world except Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Nepal, and most travelers can get a Visa on Arrival. Since this trip runs for 10 days, a 15 day tourist visa generally gives you a comfortable buffer around your travel dates. The 15 day tourist visa fee is USD 30. You can apply and pay online in advance here: https://nepaliport-new.immigration.gov.np/ 

                      • Passport Validity: Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date, with at least one blank page for your visa stamp.

                      • Fitness Level: This trek spends 4 consecutive nights above 4,000 m, from Na through the Tsho Rolpa day hike, with long, steep climbing days on Day 2 through Day 4 between Simigaon and Beding. Trekkers should have good fitness and, ideally, some prior experience at high altitude.

                      • Restricted Area Permits: The Rolwaling Valley lies within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, which requires a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP) costing NPR 3,000, about USD 30, per person for a one time entry. The section administered under Gaurishankar Rural Municipality Ward 9, covering Beding, Na, and Tsho Rolpa, is a separate restricted area requiring a Rolwaling Restricted Area Permit at USD 20 per person per week. Both permits are included in your trek package and arranged by us, along with the licensed guide required throughout the trek. 

                      • Road Conditions: The drive between Kathmandu and Gongar follows a mountain road through Charikot and Singati that can be affected by weather or seasonal landslides, occasionally requiring extra travel time.

                      • Travel Insurance: Travel insurance covering medical emergencies, high altitude evacuation, and trip delays is strongly recommended for this trek.

                      • Currency and Payment Methods: We accept payments in major currencies such as USD, EUR, and GBP, though it is a good idea to carry some Nepali Rupees for smaller personal expenses on the trail.
                         

                      Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation

                      • Typical Accommodation Used: During the trek, from Day 1 in Gongar through Day 9 in Gongar, you will stay in mountain lodges and teahouses along the route, which offer simple rooms and dining halls where meals are served. Accommodation in Kathmandu before Day 1 and after Day 10 is not part of this package, but can be arranged on request.

                      • Meals: Full board meals of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included at every stop from Day 1 in Gongar through Day 9 back in Gongar. Meals in Kathmandu are not included.

                      • Guide Support: An experienced licensed guide from Solukhumbu accompanies you throughout the trek, assisting with permits, acclimatization, and navigation through this remote valley.

                      • Transportation: This package includes a private drive between Kathmandu and Gongar via Singati, in both directions. All movement between villages during the trekking days, from Simigaon through Na and Tsho Rolpa, is done on foot.
                         

                      Seasonal and Weather Updates

                      • Autumn (September to November): This season generally offers stable weather and clear mountain views, though nights at Beding, Na, and Tsho Rolpa are very cold.

                      • Spring (March to May): Spring offers milder temperatures at lower elevation and generally good trekking conditions, though weather in the upper valley near Tsho Rolpa can still change quickly.
                         

                      Health and Safety

                      • General Wellbeing: This trek spends 5 consecutive nights above 3,700 m, from Beding on Day 4 through Na on Day 8, with the highest point reached at Tsho Rolpa on Day 7 at 4,600 m. Trekkers should be aware of the signs of altitude sickness and communicate any symptoms to their guide promptly.

                      • Healthcare Facilities: Basic health posts are available in some larger villages such as Charikot, and full hospital facilities are available in Kathmandu. Your guide carries a first aid kit and can assist with basic treatment and local arrangements if needed during the trek.

                      • Pacing: Walking at a comfortable pace, along with the acclimatization day at Beding on Day 5, helps your body adjust to the altitude gained each day.

                      • Hydration: Drink sufficient fluids throughout the trekking days, especially at higher altitude.

                      • Weather Awareness: Weather in the upper Rolwaling Valley can change quickly, particularly around Na on Day 6 and Tsho Rolpa on Day 7. Follow the instructions of your guide at all times.
                         

                      Packing Checklist

                      • Essential Clothing: Comfortable layered clothing suitable for trekking, including a warm down jacket for cold mornings and evenings at Beding, Na, and Tsho Rolpa.

                      • Footwear: Sturdy trekking boots with good ankle support and grip suitable for multiple days of walking on steep and varied terrain.

                      • Trail Gear: A sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking poles, and a light rain jacket for changing weather.

                      • Personal Items: A small daypack, reusable water bottle, personal toiletries, camera, and any personal medications you need.
                         

                      Important Notices

                      • Travel Advisories: Before you travel, we recommend checking the latest travel advice issued by your home country. Our team is happy to provide local updates before your trip.

                      • Remote Terrain: Sections of this trek, particularly from Beding through Na and Tsho Rolpa on Day 4 through Day 7, are very remote, with limited facilities such as shops, ATMs, and mobile or internet networks. Carry sufficient cash for the full trekking portion of your trip, since cards are not accepted beyond Gongar.

                      • Responsible Travel: We encourage you to respect local customs, ask permission before photographing monks and local families, and support the local economy of the Rolwaling Valley during your trek.

                      Trip Preparations

                      • What is the highest point reached on Rolwaling Valley Trek?

                        The highest point is Tsho Rolpa at 4,600 m, reached on Day 7 as a day hike from Na. You return to Na the same evening rather than staying overnight at the lake.

                      • No. This itinerary turns back after Tsho Rolpa and retraces the same route to Gongar. Tashi Lapcha is a technical high altitude pass at 5,755 m that requires ropes, crampons, and ice axes, and is not part of this trek.

                      • Yes. Day 5 is a full acclimatization day at Beding, before the trek continues higher into the valley toward Na and Tsho Rolpa.

                      • Good fitness and some prior experience at high altitude are recommended, since the trek spends 4 consecutive nights above 4,000 m and includes long, steep climbing days between Simigaon and Beding.

                      • Yes. Rolwaling sees only a small number of trekkers each season compared to Everest or Annapurna. There is no road beyond Gongar, and lodges exist only in Simigaon, Dongang, Beding, and Na.

                      • No. This package runs from Day 1 in Gongar through Day 9 back in Gongar, with full board meals and lodge accommodation included on the trekking days. Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu, before Day 1 and after Day 10, can be arranged on request.

                      • This trek requires the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP) and a Rolwaling Restricted Area Permit for Gaurishankar Rural Municipality Ward 9, which covers Beding, Na, and Tsho Rolpa. Both permits are included in the package and arranged by us, along with the licensed guide required throughout the trek.

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