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Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta

Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta

per person

Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta

14 Days | Pretty villages and plenty of magnificent peaks!

Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta

The Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta trek is a remarkable journey through the Rolwaling region, offering a genuine Himalayan adventure for experienced trekkers. Along the way, you’ll discover diverse cultures, pass through scenic villages, and witness breathtaking views of majestic peaks. The trek is challenging and rewarding, providing a true test of endurance in a remote and untouched part of Nepal. Despite its rugged nature, the trek is an ideal choice for those seeking both beauty and adventure.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Active with Guide in Teahouses

Hiking, trekking, adventure with a guide, and staying in teahouses.

Physical Rating: 5 - Hard and Technical

Trail is sometimes on a rough track with obstacles and arduous sections with limited signage.

Service Level: Basic Teahouse

Comfy, family-owned teahouses with all meals provided along the trail.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 2 to 8

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Important pre-departure information

To help you prepare for your trip, please ensure you understand the latest travel and health requirements and restrictions by destination, for both directions of travel, which may change frequently.

IMPORTANT PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

When to visit Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta?

The best times of year to visit Rolwaling are the two main trekking seasons of March to May and October to December. However, for those wanting to cross Tashi Labsta, the compacted snow in October offers much better conditions than in the spring months.

Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta
From 14 days

Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta

From $ 2095 USD
Valid On August 2024

Postive Impacts

GHG Footprint of 10kg CO2e per day

Social Impacts: 49% of trek expenses supports local communities directly

Why you will love this Trek

Stunning mountain views Super friendly villages Beautiful forests A trail to yourself Comfy teahouses

Amazing lunch spots abound in the Rolwaling!

From the summit of the Tashi Labsta, Pachermo Peak offers a tempting climb!

Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta: Route Options

Aside from starting your trek from Singati or Chetchet (aka Chhechet), you could also consider approaching via the Pathibhara La trail to head over Yalung La to Na. For those wanting some serious mountaineering, there are some options to join the Number Cheese Circuit route with Ramdung or Yalung Peaks and/or the Pathibhara trail.
A popular and easy extension is to include Pachermo (6273m), or to explore the upper Drolambu Glacier, and of course, there are loads of extra places to trek in the Everest region! Remember to include an additional acclimatisation day in the Thame valley if you are going to attempt Tashi Labsta from the Solu-Khumbu.

The Everest Region, known locally as the Solu-Khumbu, fans out into a series of impressive glacier-filled valleys above the main trading centre of Namche. The eastern side of the fan includes the main trail route to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and the viewpoint of Kala Patthar, along with the Chukhung valley that leads to Amphu Labsta (see Sherpani Col, West Col & Amphu Labsta in GHT East Nepal) and the popular trekking peak of Imja Tse (Island Peak). The centre of the fan is the Gokyo valley, which contains a series of turquoise glacial lakes beneath the impressive bulk of Cho Oyu (8201m). To the west is the less frequently visited Bhote Kosi valley system that leads first to Thame and then west to Tashi Labsta (see Rolwaling & Tashi Labsta) or north to Nangpa La, a pass used by Tibetan traders and refugees. Also take a moment to experience the thrill of the Everest High Passes Trek.

Lower Rolwaling

There are trails galore in the lower Rolwaling areas around Bigu Gompa, Orangdanda, Satali Danda, Bhanwaa Danda that are rarely hiked by foreigners. A recent trek we did hadn’t seen a foreigner for over 10 years!
There is also the Lama Bagar valley to the north of Simigaon, which also never sees a trekker and for those wanting to link to the Last Resort, check out the Phuma La border-trail route!

Everest High Passes

Perhaps the most common extension to the Tashi Labsta trek is adding the Renjo La, Cho La and Everest Base Camp. And some even throw in a trekking peak, like Lobuche or Island Peak as you’re fully acclimatised. These combinations of the wild Rolwaling with the comfort and convenience of the Everest Region create a Best of Nepal experience like no other.

The Old Trail from Jiri

Instead of flying back from Lukla, consider the old trail to Jiri. Before commercial flights to Lukla became the most popular method of accessing the Solu-Khumbu, trekkers would start from the road-head town of Jiri (the road has now been extended to Bhandar and there are plans to go all the way to Salleri in the next few years). The number of trekkers taking this 4-to 5-day route is now so small that you can enjoy the natural hospitality and friendliness of the Sherpa, Gurung and Rai communities each day.

Pathibhara, Number Cheese Circuit and Dudh Kund

Want to make things more wild? Then here’s some wonderful extensions that are amazing secrets!
The Pathibahara trail from Pikhuti or Jiri to the Yalung La, is an extraordinary ridge walk that ranks as perhaps the best in Nepal. The Number Cheese Circuit rarely see any trekkers and Dud Kund can connect you to directly Phakding. Each is amazing in its own right and a reminder of how wonderful trekking in Nepal can really be!

How can your Rolwaling and Tashi Labsta create positive impacts?

To help you budget and plan, we’ve made a comprehensive costing explanation on How Much Does the GHT Cost? But here’s a simplified breakdown.

From US$2095

Trek cost per person (twin share)

Total GHGe per trekker

137kgCO2e

Total GHGe per trekker per day

10kgCO2e

Average per capita EU GHGe = 20kgCO2e per day (www.statistica.com)

Go Local equals positive impacts

What we do…

…make Positive Impacts

% of Trek Cost

Use Local Transport

Go Local Accommodation

Eat Local Meals

Waste Management

Highly Experienced Guide

Biodiversity

Locally supplied transport reduces drive times and fuel usage

Locally supplied accommodation reduces commissions

More nutritious, fresher ingredients, no packaging

Carry out ALL PLASTIC, avoid snacks and soda drinks

A knowledge bank for your peace and wellbeing

National Park entry fee for you and the team

Administrative and office costs

21%

28%

 

0%

42%

4.3%

4.7%

Do you have any questions about the trail, when to go or the costs? Please Get in Touch to ask an expert and for more details.

Customisation is Normal

Want to do things a little differently? Maybe take some extra time, or go a bit faster? Or avoid technical sections or combine with other trails? Every GHT trek is different and that changes the price, but please feel free to Get in Touch to ask questions and how to customise your own trek.

Bookings

Want to do things a little differently? Maybe take some extra time, or go a bit faster? Or avoid technical sections or combine with other trails? Every GHT trek is different and that changes the price, but please feel free to Get in Touch to ask questions and how to customise your own trek.

Please note that www.greathimalayatrail.com does not handle bookings for treks. We are here to inform you about the trails and logistics, but you will need to book through a registered trekking operator in Nepal. If you would like an operator recommendation or feedback on a company you are already talking to, then please Get in Touch.

Itinerary

DAY 1: KATHMANDU – SIMIGAON 3.5 HRS

We’ll get an early start from Kathmandu so arrive at the Chhetchet bridge by lunchtime. On the far side of the bridge, we climb a stone staircase up and around a rocky spur that juts into the river valley. The steps switchback for about 400m to the lower homes of Simigaon village (2 hours). Once you reach the first terraces the gradient eases as the trail winds between homes. It will take another 1.5 hours to reach the few teahouses and campsite (2036m) on the ridge above the village. 

DAY 2: SIMIGAON – DOKHANG 6 HRS

From the gompa you can see the trail winding around the hillside to the north-east to a minor ridge (30 minutes) where the trail descends through forest to a small kharka about 30m above the Rolwaling Khola (2060m, 40 minutes).
From the kharka the trail begins a long and sometimes steep climb through forest. After 2 hours you should reach a large waterfall, which has a cool pool of water to soak your feet in if it’s a hot day. Continue to climb for another 2 hours to Gyalche Kharka (2832m) where there is a small shop and campsite. It is now an easy descent through forest and then beside a small stream to the spacious campsite at Dokhang (2791m, 40 minutes).

DAY 3: DOKHANG – BEDDING 5 HRS

After the steep climbs of yesterday, the trail gradient is now much easier as it winds a course along the south bank of the Rolwaling Khola. Rhododendron, pine and juniper shade wildflowers in mossy glades, and the river cascades beside the trail. There are a few small landslides to cross, which make ideal places to spot birds catching insects above the river.
In 2 hours, you should reach a bridge to the true right (north) bank of the river, and in another 15 minutes you will reach a bridge over the Themlung Khola, which is surrounded by cairns. If you stand in the middle of the bridge and look up the steep ravine to the north you will see Gaurishankar looming overhead.

From the bridge the trail climbs a few hundred metres away from the V-shaped river valley and towards the U-shaped glacial valleys above. As you reach the top of the climb you will notice that juniper and fir trees become more common, and the snow and ice-covered bulk of Tsoboje peak fills the end of the valley ahead.
The gradient eases once again and you should reach the village of Nyamare (3550m) in another 2 hours. Bedding (3740m), where there are teahouses and a campsite, is now less than an hour away.

DAY 4: BEDDING ALL DAY

Bedding is a comfy and interesting place to have an acclimatization day. We’ll explore temples and ancient places of worship, as well as scout out some great viewpoints of the surrounding peaks. We’ll certainly be checking out the tiny gompa under a rock – it is said that a Buddhist monk came and lived in a cave behind the gompa before the village was established. To mark the site, a chorten was built and to offer a khadag to the chorten is considered to bestow good luck on the giver for as long as the scarf remains attached. Please offer a donation to the gompa if you want to admire the wood-panel frescoes inside.

DAY 5: BEDING – NA 4.5 HRS

Today is a short and easy trekking day, so there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the views! The trail climbs an easy gradient away from Beding through miniature fir trees along a sometimes rocky trail. After 2.5 hours you should notice that the valley is becoming broader and flatter and some large boulders dot the landscape. One of the boulders has been carved with the Buddhist prayer, Om Mani Padmi Hum, and must be the largest single mani stone anywhere. Just beyond is another boulder with a large painting of Padmasambhava (aka Guru Rinpoche, the Lotus Born, who first took Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century) and a small shrine. Na (4180m, 2 hours) is a scattered village on a broad alluvial fan where there are many camping options and teahouses. 

DAY 6: NA ALL DAY

It is a good idea to take a day to acclimatise in Na, and there are a couple of good day trip options. The most popular day trip is to head up valley to a small kharka and then turn right on a small trail to Yalung Peak base camp (5 hours return trip). Alternatively, climb to the end of Tsho Rolpa lake for views of Kang Nachago above Na (4 hours return trip).

DAY 7: NA – KABUG 5 HRS

The trail above Na climbs a slight gradient to a bridge over the Tsho Rolpa outflow. From here you have two options: the main trail ascends an ablation valley to the south, alternatively, climb the terminal moraine wall that acts as a dam for the lake. Once at the lake, the trail winds around and descends slightly to the ablation valley to the south.
About halfway along the side of the lake, at Chhukyima there are a couple of small teashops run by locals from Na and a good campsite (4580m, 3 hours). Continue to the end of the valley and climb a steep hillside for 250m (1.5 hours) to a viewpoint of the lake and surrounding peaks. It is now a short descent to the broad sandy plateau of Kabug campsite (4820m, 30 minutes).

DAY 8: KABUG – GLACIER SNOUT 6.5 HRS

Before you begin today it is worth having a good look at the Trakarding Glacier below and trying to identify potential routes across it – groups often get separated here and finding each other can waste a lot of time. Cross the plateau to the furthest eastern corner above the glacier and then descend a loose earth trail to the southern edge of Trakarding Glacier (4735m, 40 minutes). From here there are several routes that cross the glacier. If you start early in the morning, the most obvious trail crosses almost immediately to a trail that ascends to the glacier’s northern side. However, this route is extremely prone to rockfall from mid-morning onwards. 

Alternative routes begin in about 30 minutes and again in an hour up the south side of the glacier. As with all glacier crossings care should be taken at all times, and your party should remain together throughout the crossing. Once on the north side of the glacier, follow a trail that leads to the snout of Drolambu Glacier. There is a large campsite at place called Noisy Knob Camp (4880m, 3.5 hours). If you have time, continue to the far side of the glacier snout to where a rock scramble (use a hand line for porter safety) brings you to another campsite beneath ice cliffs (5085m, 2 hours 20 minutes).
Note: many maps show a rocky route up the western side of the Drolambu Glacier snout, this route should be avoided as it is rarely used due to rockfall danger.

DAY 9: GLACIER SNOUT – TASHI LABSTA CAMP 6.5 HRS

On the true left side of Drolambu Glacier (east) a stream has carved a rocky trail, climb this to access a glacial ablation valley (5350m, 1 hour). Stay in the bottom of the ablation valley all the way to the base of the glacier flowing down from Pachermo (5435m, 2.5 hours). The snout of this glacier has receded and you might need to put in a hand line for porter safety. Once onto the glacier, climb a natural ramp that leads all the way to the summit of Tashi Labsta (5760m, 3 hours) – be careful of crevasses! The pass is a rocky ridge, which is normally reached by climbing an icy slope on the lower flanks of Pachermo. From the top of the pass the high camp is beneath an overhanging rock-face about 100m down from the summit.

Note: close to the base of the overhang is safe from rockfall, whereas camping on the glacier below is dangerous.
If there is already a group camped here, head a little higher on the northern flank of Pachermo to a snowy plateau often used as a base camp for groups climbing Pachermo. The strong social and economic links between the Rolwaling and Thame valleys mean you could even meet a wedding party camped up here during the summer months!

DAY 10: TASHI LABSTA CAMP – LAKE CAMP/THYANGBO KHARKA 3.5-5.5 HRS

From the high camp a trail traverses due east along the base of south-facing rock-face of Angole Peak. In less than an hour you should reach a broad notch in the cliff-face below, you will probably need to set a safety line for porters. The descent is about 70m to an obvious trail down rocky slopes to the campsite at Ngole (5130m, 2 hours 20 mins).
A steep trail leads down moraine from the camp to a shallow basin where there is a trail junction. Heading right takes you to a campsite beside a collection of small lakes Parchemuche Tsho (4765m, 1 hour), which is convenient if the descent from the pass has taken a long time.
The left trail is the main and faster route down to Thyangbo Kharka, which first climbs the smaller moraine wall on the far side (true left) of the basin and descends around a black cliff-face before winding down the true left (northern) side of the valley to Thyangbo Kharka (4320m, 3 hours), where there is a teahouse and good campsite.

DAY 11: LAKE CAMP/THYANGBO KHARKA – THAME 2-4 HRS

It’s an easy trail down from Thyangbo Kharka (4320m, 2 hours) along the true left (northern) side of the valley, passing the famous gompa on then way down to the village of Thame (3820m).

DAY 12: THAME – NAMCHE 2.5 HRS

The trail from Thame descends to the Bhote Kosi and crosses a bridge at the end of a canyon section carved by the river. The locals believe this is an auspicious place and have painted the rock-face above the bridge with Buddhas and prayers. The trail now climbs a little before settling into an easy downhill gradient to Thamo (3480m, 1 hour). Cross the Thesbu Khola and continue on a broad trail through pine forest all the way to Namche (3440m, 1.5 hours) where you will arrive next to the new helipad and many painted mani stones on the hill above the western side of the town.
If you want to make tomorrow’s trek shorter, continue on to Benkar or Phakding.

DAY 13: NAMCHE – LUKLA 7 HRS

The trail from Namche leaves the southern entry to the town and descends almost 800m to the Bhote Kosi below (2 hours). The trail then winds down the river valley first to Monjo (2840m, 1 hour, the Sagarmatha National Park entry post), then Benkar (45 minutes) and then to Phakding (2610m, 1 hour), where there are numerous teahouses that make an ideal lunch stop.
An easy undulating trail leads to Ghat (2590m, 1 hour) where there are some fine painted mani boulders. It is then an easy climb to Lukla (2840m, 3 hours) where there are many teahouses and the famous airstrip with regular flights to Kathmandu.

DAY 14: LUKLA – KATHMANDU FLIGHT

It’s an early start for out flight back to Ramechap and then a 4 hour drive to Kathmandu and a hot shower!

  • Trekking Grade: Grade 5 Hard and Technical
  • Duration & distance: 14 days, an average of 20 km a day
  • Gradient: Steep icy sections
  • Quality of path: Rough unformed tracks, many obstacles
  • Quality of markings: Limited signage
  • Experience required: Very experienced trekkers
  • Walking times: Up to 7 hours per day
  • Steps: Steps on steep sections
  • Highest point: 57600m 
  • Best season: Oct-Nov/Apr-May
  • Accommodation: Camping
  • Recommended Guide Book: Nepal Trekking and the Great Himalaya Trail, Trailblazer, 2023.
  • Recommended map: NP103 Solu-Khumbu (Everest Region) and NP104 Rolwaling

20-35 days

20-35 days

Tea – House Trekking with a Guide

Trekking with a Camping Crew

FULL TRIP DOSSIER & INFORMATION PACK

Inclusions

Transportation

Flight, bus/jeep, walking.

Accommodations

Teahouse lodges (13 nights).

Safety & Wellbeing

Fully qualified guide all of the time.

Other on activities

  • Your Welcome Moment to Nepal moment: Special care airport pickup
  • English-speaking local guide for the trek
  • All necessary permits for trekking
  • Porters can be included on the trek – contact your operator
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

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