Rolwaling Valley & Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek
The Tsho Rolpa Trek is a high-altitude Himalayan trek in eastern Nepal, located in the Rolwaling Valley, between the Langtang and Everest regions. It is renowned for its stunning glacial lake, Sherpa villages, and panoramic Himalayan vistas. Tsho Rolpa Lake, at 4,580 meters, is one of Nepal’s largest glacial lakes, surrounded by majestic peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows, making it a key highlight for adventurers and photographers.
This trek begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Gongar via Charikot, then continues with trekking through forests, river valleys, and traditional Sherpa villages like Simigaun, Dongang, Beding, and Na Gaon. Trekkers witness authentic Sherpa culture, visit local monasteries, mani walls, and prayer flags, and experience the tranquility of high-altitude landscapes.
The trek is moderate to strenuous, involving gradual acclimatization as you ascend from Gongar (~1,400 m) to Na Gaon (4,180 m) and Tsho Rolpa Lake (4,580 m). The journey offers both cultural immersion and alpine adventure, ideal for trekkers with prior high-altitude trekking experience and good fitness levels.
Highlights
- Trek through the hidden Rolwaling Valley with fewer trekkers
- Explore traditional Sherpa villages: Beding, Na Gaon, Dongang
- Visit Tsho Rolpa Lake, Nepal’s largest glacial lake
- Panoramic views of Gaurishankar, Melungtse, and other Himalayan giants
- Alpine meadows, rhododendron forests, and pristine rivers
- Authentic Sherpa cultural experiences, monasteries, and local life
Basic Information
- Destination
- Duration
- Start / End Location
- Accommodation Type
- Difficulty Level
- Max Altitude
- Age Limit
- Transportation Mode
- Tsho Rolpa
- 10 Days
- Kathmandu / Kathmandu
- -
- Moderate
- 4850m
- -
- -
Best Season
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Clear skies, stable weather, excellent visibility Spring (Mar–May): Blooming rhododendrons, moderate temperatures Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold, snowy, suitable for experienced trekkers Monsoon (Jun–Aug): Not recommended – muddy trails, low visibility
Tour Plan
- Breakfast in Kathmandu
- Drive from Kathmandu to Charikot, then Gongar (approx. 6–7 hrs)
- Lunch en route
- Scenic views of hills and terraced fields
- Dinner at lodge in Gongar
- Overnight in Gongar
- Breakfast at lodge
- Trek through forest and farmland trails
- Lunch on trail or lodge
- First views of mountains and local Sherpa culture
- Dinner at lodge in Simigaun
- Overnight in Simigaun
- Breakfast at lodge
- Ascend through mixed forest and small villages
- Lunch on trail
- Beautiful mountain vistas opening up
- Dinner at lodge in Dongang
- Overnight in Dongang
- Breakfast at lodge
- Trek uphill into Sherpa village Beding
- Lunch en route
- Explore Sherpa culture and monasteries in Beding
- Dinner at lodge in Beding
- Overnight in Beding
- Breakfast at lodge
- Steep climb through alpine meadows
- Lunch on trail
- Spectacular mountain views near Na Gaon
- Dinner at lodge in Na Gaon
- Overnight in Na Gaon
- Breakfast at lodge
- Trek to Tsho Rolpa glacial lake, largest in Nepal
- Packed lunch near the lake
- Stunning views of the lake and surrounding glaciers
- Dinner at lodge back in Na Gaon
- Overnight in Na Gaon
- Breakfast at lodge
- Descend through forests and meadows
- Lunch on trail or lodge
- Return to Sherpa village and cultural experiences
- Dinner at lodge in Beding
- Overnight in Beding
- Breakfast at lodge
- Trek downhill through forest and farmland
- Lunch en route
- Enjoy peaceful village life and river views
- Dinner at lodge in Dongang or Simigaun
- Overnight at chosen village
- Breakfast at lodge
- Trek back to Gongar through terraced fields
- Lunch on trail
- Drive to Charikot or directly Kathmandu
- Dinner in Charikot or Kathmandu
- Overnight in Charikot or Kathmandu
- Breakfast in Charikot
- Drive back to Kathmandu (approx. 6–7 hrs)
- Final scenic views on the way
- Overnight in Kathmandu or depart