Rolwaling Valley Trek

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A representative meets all arriving guests and transfers to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for personal preparation.

This is a good time to confirm gear, check equipment, and rest after the journey. The team briefs trekkers on the upcoming route, safety guidelines, and what to expect during the Rolwaling Valley Trek.

The group departs Kathmandu early in the morning, around 5:30 AM. The drive heads toward Dhulikhel and continues through Dolakha district to Chet-Chet. The total road distance covers approximately 180 km and takes around 8 to 9 hours. The route passes through rural towns and scenic river valleys.

From Chet-Chet, the trek begins on a trail heading right toward a suspension bridge over the Tama Kosi River. After crossing the bridge, the path climbs steeply on cemented stone steps. This ascent leads to Simigaon, a small settlement perched on a hillside. The walk from Chet-Chet to Simigaon takes approximately 3 hours.

The trail departs Simigaon and veers right from the lodge, descending through a lush rhododendron forest before climbing gently toward the bank of the Tama Kosi River. Along the way, trekkers pass a suspension bridge leading to Riku village but continue on the right without crossing.

The route then ascends via zigzag stone steps toward Surmuche, a welcoming settlement and a common lunch stop for trekkers. After lunch, the trail climbs steadily, winding through forested ridges with gradually opening views of the distant Rolwaling range, before finally reaching Dongang.

Dongang is a small, peaceful settlement offering limited teahouse accommodation — a quiet end to a rewarding day on the trail. Today's walk covers approximately 9 to 10 km and takes around 6 to 7 hours.

Today's trail follows the Rolwaling Khola river closely. The path crosses a small steel box bridge and then climbs sharply to Thangdingma, a small teahouse settlement used for lunch. From Thangdingma, the terrain shifts dramatically. The landscape becomes dry and barren, typical of higher Himalayan elevations.

The trail passes through Nyamare, a village largely destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. From Nyamare, the path crosses a wooden bridge and climbs gently to Changmi Kha, where a Kani gateway marks the entrance to upper Rolwaling. The largest tree in the valley stands near this point. From here, Beding is about 45 minutes away.

Beding is the largest permanent settlement in the Rolwaling Valley. The village is well known as a hub for Everest summiteers, with many households having at least one member who has climbed Everest. A Buddhist monastery sits at the center of village life. Today's trek covers approximately 10 km and takes around 6 hours.

The group spends the full day at Beding to allow the body to adjust to the altitude. Acclimatization is essential before moving to higher elevations at Na Gaon and the Tsho Rolpa Lake area. Trekkers can take short walks around the village to stay active without overexerting.

The Beding monastery is worth visiting during this rest day. Local guides can explain the significance of the religious site and the surrounding landscape. Views of Gaurishankar Himal are clearly visible from the village on clear days. The day also offers time to interact with local Sherpa residents and learn about their way of life.

The morning trail from Beding follows the Rolwaling Khola upstream on gentle switchbacks. The path crosses a large boulder draped in prayer flags, a notable landmark in the valley. Further along the left side of the trail, a painting of Guru Rinpoche appears on an uphill rock face. Na Gaon is a small high-altitude settlement and takes 3 to 4 hours to reach from Beding.

After lunch at Na Gaon, continue toward Tsho Rolpa Lake. The trail follows the Rolwaling Khola further upstream. Tsho Rolpa Lake is one of Nepal's largest glacial lakes and sits at 4,550 m. The lake is a striking blue-green color and is bordered by glaciers on its upper end. The round trip from Na Gaon to Tsho Rolpa Lake takes approximately 3 to 4 hours total.

Today is the highest point of the Rolwaling Valley Trek. The trail starts from Na Gaon and crosses a box bridge over the Rolwaling Khola. The path initially follows the right bank of the river toward Tsho Rolpa Lake. Midway to the lake, the trail branches left and begin a steep ascent toward Yalung Ri Base Camp.

The climb to Yalung Ri Base Camp is demanding but rewarding. The gradient is steep and relentless, but the views improve significantly with every gain in altitude. The panoramic vista from the base camp includes Cho Oyu, Pharchamo, Chobutse, and the full Rolwaling range. IFMGA-certified guides have built a small porter shelter at the base camp. The group rests here before descending back to Na Gaon.

The return descent retraces the same trail and takes 2 to 3 hours. The total hiking duration for the day, including ascent and descent, is approximately 6 hours. This is a challenging but memorable day with some of the best mountain scenery of the entire trek.

The descent from Na Gaon begins with a return through Beding. From Beding, the trail follows the Rolwaling Khola downstream, passing through familiar terrain that reveals new details on the return journey.

After lunch at Thangdingma, the group continues downstream to Dongang, a small, forested settlement offering basic teahouse accommodation. The forested stretch near Dongang provides welcome shade after the open alpine terrain above. Today's walk takes approximately 5 to 6 hours and is mostly downhill.

Today's trail continues downstream from Dongang back toward Simigaon. The path skirts above the Rolwaling Khola, passing through sections of dense rhododendron forest before descending on long stretches of stone steps. The descent is gradual and well-marked, with views of the valley opening up as trekkers lose altitude and the landscape transitions from forested gorge to the terraced hillsides surrounding Simigaon.

Simigaon is a quiet hilltop village with basic teahouse facilities and sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. The familiar trail back provides a good opportunity to appreciate the lower-altitude scenery once more. Today's walk takes approximately 4 to 5 hours. After arriving at Simigaon, trekkers rest and prepare for the drive back to Kathmandu the following morning.

The morning begins with a descent from Simigaon down to the Tama Kosi River. The path crosses the suspension bridge and continues to Chet-Chet along the riverbank. The descent from Simigaon to Chet-Chet takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. On arrival at Chet-Chet, the group boards the vehicle for the return drive to Kathmandu.

The drive back covers approximately 180 km and takes 8 to 9 hours. The group typically arrives in Kathmandu by late afternoon or early evening. After the final days on the trail, trekkers can rest comfortably at the hotel. A farewell dinner is a common way to close the Rolwaling Valley Trek experience.

This day is kept free for individual exploration or optional sightseeing in Kathmandu. The city is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guided tours are available upon request for both individual travelers and groups.

Key sites to visit include Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu shrine in Nepal. Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a major pilgrimage site.

The program concludes with a transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. A representative accompanies each guest to the departure terminal. Check-in times depend on the airline schedule, but trekkers should plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours before flight departure.