Rolwaling Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek
A remote, technical 15-day journey through the Gaurishankar Conservation Area to the glaciated Tashi Lapcha Pass (5,755m), linking the wild Rolwaling Valley to the Khumbu at Thame.
- Duration 15 Days
- Difficulty Strenuous
- Group Size 12 People
- Max Altitude 5755m
- Region Rolwaling
Overview
The Rolwaling Valley Trek presents a challenging and adventurous journey through breathtaking mountain scenery, remote villages, and high-altitude passes. The route begins with a drive to Jagat and ends at Lukla via Thame, a village famous among Everest climbers as a historic Sherpa settlement. Trekkers pass through lush and rhododendron forests and rugged terrain before crossing the demanding Tashi Lapcha Pass at 5,755m.
The Rolwaling Valley is renowned for its stunning mountain vistas, with majestic peaks such as Gauri Shankar (7,145m) and Melungtse (7,181m). The valley is home to several glaciers and pristine alpine lakes, including the mesmerizing Tsho Rolpa, one of Nepal's largest glacial lakes.
The itinerary connects two renowned trekking destinations — the Everest region and the Gaurishankar Valley — adding a rare sense of excitement compared to single-region treks. The journey showcases the Tama Koshi and Sunkoshi rivers, sweeping valley views from Simigaon, Bedding, and Na, and the East-West valley beneath Gauri Shankar Himal, before joining the bustling Khumbu trails at Thame.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu to Jagat
A long, scenic drive along river valleys, terraced hills, and rural settlements to Jagat, the entry point to the Rolwaling region.
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Day 2 Trek to Simigaon
Trek uphill through forested trails, stone steps, and small Tamang villages, with wide views of the Rolwaling valley from Simigaon.
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Day 3 Trek to Gyalche
Continue ascending through dense rhododendron and pine forest as the trail quiets and enters deeper mountain terrain.
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Day 4 Trek to Bedding
A steady climb into higher alpine terrain with views of snow peaks and glacial valleys, reaching the traditional Sherpa settlement of Bedding.
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Day 5 Trek to Na
Trek gradually along the Rolwaling valley with increasing altitude and colder climate to the high village of Na, used as an acclimatization base.
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Day 6 Acclimatization Day in Na
Rest day for altitude adjustment, with short hikes around the valley offering views of glaciers and surrounding peaks.
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Day 7 Trek to Chyukyoma
Ascend into rugged, barren high-altitude terrain with rocky trails and glacial scenery.
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Day 8 Trek to Trakarding Glacier
Move across moraine fields and glacier edges in a remote, increasingly technical alpine environment. Overnight in tents.
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Day 9 Trek to Tashi Lapcha Phedi
Continue toward the base of Tashi Lapcha Pass through icy terrain and high ridges. Overnight in tents at base camp.
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Day 10 Cross Tashi Lapcha Pass to Pachermo High Camp
A challenging, technical day crossing Tashi Lapcha Pass (5,755m) via glacier travel and steep sections, with panoramic Himalayan views, before descending to Pachermo High Camp (Tashi Puk). Overnight in tents.
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Day 11 Trek to Thame
Descend into the Khumbu region through rocky alpine trails and yak pastures to Thame, a historic Sherpa village known for its monasteries and mountaineering heritage.
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Day 12 Trek to Namche Bazaar
A relatively easy descent through forests and Sherpa settlements back to Namche Bazaar, the main trading hub of the Everest region.
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Day 13 Trek to Lukla
Follow the Dudh Koshi valley back through Monjo, Phakding, and suspension bridges, arriving in Lukla to celebrate the completion of the trek.
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Day 14 Fly to Kathmandu
A short, scenic flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu.
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Day 15 Final Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Cost Details
What’s Included
- English-speaking licensed trekking guide, including salary, insurance, meals, and accommodation
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle
- Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner with tea/coffee) during the trek
- All local taxes and entry fees
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit, Sagarmatha National Park Permit, Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit, and TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Jagat private jeep transfer
- Teahouse and camping accommodation during the trek, including tents and equipment for the pass crossing
- Guided city tour
- Lukla–Kathmandu return flight
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast, 5-star standard, twin-sharing
- Porter service, including insurance
What’s Excluded
- Nepal visa fee
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Tips for guide and porter
- Cold beverages and other personal expenses
- Personal travel and trekking insurance
Highlights
- Rare wildlife: A chance to spot Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and occasionally snow leopards.
- Gauri Shankar and Melungtse: Two 7,000m+ giants that dominate the skyline throughout the valley.
- Two regions in one trek: Connects the remote Gaurishankar Valley with the bustling Khumbu region at Thame.
- Thame village: A historic Sherpa settlement renowned for its monasteries and mountaineering heritage.
- Off-the-beaten-path solitude: One of Nepal's least-travelled trekking regions, part of the Great Himalayan Trail.
- Sherpa and Tamang culture: Traditional villages practicing distinct cultural and Buddhist traditions.
- Tashi Lapcha Pass: A technical glacier crossing at 5,755m linking the Rolwaling and Khumbu regions.
- Tsho Rolpa Lake: One of Nepal's largest glacial lakes, a turquoise jewel at 4,580m ringed by towering peaks.
Why Choose This Trek
- Rich optional side trips: Tsho Rolpa Lake, Yalung Ri, Dudh Pokhari, and more can be tailored into the itinerary.
- A genuine technical challenge: The Tashi Lapcha Pass crossing offers roped glacier travel rarely found on standard trekking routes.
- Two iconic regions, one trek: Experience the remote Rolwaling Valley and the classic Khumbu trail in a single itinerary.
- Full support included: Guide, porter, and all required permits arranged throughout.
- Genuine remoteness: Far fewer trekkers than Everest or Annapurna, with a true sense of wilderness.
- Comfortable bookend stays: 5-star Kathmandu hotel and a guided city tour before or after the trek.
Essential Information
Spring (March–May) offers stable weather and blooming rhododendrons; autumn (September–November) offers the clearest skies for the pass crossing. Winter (December–February) is possible but extremely cold; monsoon (June–August) is not recommended due to slippery trails and landslide risk.
Rated strenuous, with a technical high-altitude pass. The Tashi Lapcha Pass at 5,755m involves glacier travel, narrow rocky trails, snow crevasses, and sections where fixed ropes, crampons, and a harness are required. This is a genuine mountaineering-style crossing, not a standard walking pass — solid physical fitness, endurance, and prior high-altitude trekking experience are strongly recommended before attempting it.
Teahouse accommodation on a shared, twin-sharing basis through Bedding, Na, and Thame onward, with tented camping required around Trakarding Glacier, Tashi Lapcha Phedi, and the pass crossing itself, bookended by a 5-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Full board meals included during the trek, including tea and coffee — dal bhat, noodles, and soups are common in teahouse sections, with camping meals prepared by the crew around the pass crossing.
- TIMS Card: Trekkers' Information Management System card
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit: Local government permit for the Khumbu section
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP): Required for the Rolwaling side of the trek
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: Required once the trail enters the Khumbu region near Thame
- Headlamp: Essential for the early-morning pass-crossing day
- Down jacket: Insulated jacket rated for -15 to -20°C, plus thermal base layers and warm gloves
- Trekking boots: Sturdy, broken-in boots with warm socks and gaiters
- Four-season sleeping bag: Essential for camping nights near the pass; often provided by the trekking agency
- Crampons and harness: Required for the technical glacier crossing at Tashi Lapcha Pass; often provided or arranged by the agency
- Trekking poles: Recommended for glacier moraine and long descents
- Sun protection: Glacier-rated sunglasses, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle
- Personal kit: Personal medicines, altitude medication as advised by a doctor, and toiletries
Tashi Lapcha Pass at 5,755m is the trek's highest point and one of the highest trekking passes in Nepal. Altitudes on this trek range from 1,150m to over 5,750m. Acclimatization matters above 3,000m — drink 3–4 liters of water daily, walk at a steady pace, and watch for headache, nausea, and dizziness as early symptoms of altitude sickness.
Sherpa and Tamang communities primarily inhabit the Rolwaling region. Sherpas are known for their mountaineering skills and Tibetan Buddhist heritage, while Tamangs have a rich history of agriculture and Tibetan influence. Buddhism is the predominant religion, with monasteries, chortens, and prayer flags along the route, and warm hospitality found in villages like Bedding and Na.
Lush forests of rhododendron, oak, and pine cover the lower trail, giving way to alpine meadows and rocky terrain at altitude, with medicinal herbs and alpine flowers along the way. Wildlife includes Himalayan tahr, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and occasionally snow leopard, alongside birdlife such as the Himalayan Monal and blood pheasant.
These side trips can be tailored into the itinerary based on interest and physical condition.
- Bigu Gompa: A nunnery near the valley known for its serene environment and insight into Buddhist monastic life.
- Tsho Rolpa Lake: One of Nepal's largest glacial lakes at 4,580m, offering a look at glacier recession alongside serene high-altitude scenery.
- Dudh Pokhari (Milky Lake): A sacred lake near Tsho Rolpa, considered holy by local Sherpa and Tamang communities.
- Na Village: A seasonal herders' settlement at 4,183m and the starting point for the Yalung Ri base camp route.
- Trakarding Glacier: A less-travelled glacial route offering close-up views and a strong sense of solitude.
- Yalung Ri Climb: A popular trekking peak at 5,630m, offering an introduction to mountaineering with views toward Everest.
- Simigaon: A lush, terraced village at the entrance to the Rolwaling Valley, home to a monastery of significant religious importance.
- Bedding Village: The last permanent settlement in the valley at 3,690m, with a traditional Sherpa monastery and a good acclimatization stop.
