Located in the west
part of the Khumhu, directly on the Tibetan frontier
there is a wild, lonely high valley the "Rolwaling"
which is called simply "the grave" by the
indigenous Sherpas on account of its location - buried
down between steep ice-giants. Many mysterious stories
have been passed on about this valley. Through which
the forefathers of the present-day Sherpa's once came.
It is here that the notorious and celebrated Yeti is
supposed to make his home. Entire research expeditions
have, so far unsuccessfully, attempted to find him.
There are three factors, which have helped to preserve
this splendid valley from the ravaging onslaught of
tourists. First of all it is relatively arduous to get
there at all, secondly there are neither lodgings nor
food to buy, and third you need a special permit to
be allowed to hike into Rolwaling. You must purchase
- pro-forma - a climbing permit for the Ramdung Peak
(5925 m) regardless of whether or not you want to climb
the mountain. Those who aren't scared away by these
inconveniences will be richly rewarded for their efforts.
Just the approaches to
the Rolwaling Valley are worth your money: The trail
leads you through a wealth of variety on one hand through
Tamang and Chetri villages with their typical terrace
rice fields, on the other through dense, gloomy primeval
forests and over broad ridgebacks with wonderful views.Two
variations are possible: The first is a four day trek
from Jiri (1860 m) over the Chordung Ridge (3698 m),
Suri (1890 m) and Gonger (1040 m): the other is a six
day hike starting from Charikot (1850 m) via Tinsang
La (3319 m), Bigu Gompa (25l9 m), Chilangka and Gonger.
However we are doing this trek from Charikot so you
can tell us if you want to start from other way.
You finally set foot into
the Rolwaling through the village of Simigaon (2000m)
located high above the Bhote Kosi. Above the Shapka
Meadow (2600 m) the path divides. Here the right branch
is recommended, for while it is certainly more arduous
it is also decidedly the more rewarding. After a four-hour
ascent you reach the Daldung La (3976 m), which has
a fantastic view of the 7146 meter high Gaurishankar
opposite.
According to old Sherpa
tradition, this is the seat of the goddess "Tashi
Tserringma," who is the guarantor of a long life.
Gaurishankar is also holy for the Hindus: Shankar, the
name of the northem peak, is a designation for Shiva
in their everyday spoken language. The southern summit,
Gauri is a synonym for the feminine manifestation of
the god.From Daldung La you climb down for four or five
hours on a really adventurous path through the dense
rain forest to the Rolwaling River, which you then cross.
There you meet up again with the other path, which certainly
also has a beautiful landscape, but doesn't snake down
to Simigaon quite as spectacularly. After about 2 1/2
hours walking time up-river you reach the Sherpa village
of Beding (3693 m) - the only noteworthy settlement
in Rolwaling.
If it should happen that
the monk belonging to the Gompa is in the village at
the moment, you can ask him to show you round it himself,
150 meters higher a rocky hermitage is visible, where
Padmasambhava is supposed to have meditated some 1200
years ago.The last human lodgings of the valley you
can find in Na, which is located about three hours'
distance from Beding. From here you have an overwhelming
view of the mountain-giants Chekigo (6735 m), Bamongo
(6400 m), Kang Nachugo (6735 m), and above all, Tsoboje
(6689 m). From here we head to Tashi Laptsa, the most
difficult pass of this region. After crossing the pass
we then get to Thame, Namche and finally to Lukla where
we catch our mpuntain flight to Kathmandu. This is a
difficult and fatiguing tour, which requires ice-climbing
equipment.
Rolwaling Valley Trekking Itinerary
Day 01 : Your arrival KTM airport Transfer
to hotel
Day 02 : Full day sightseeing tour
in Kathmandu valley
Day 03 : Drive Kathmandu to Dolakha
(114 km), and trek to Ratomate (1000m).
Day 04 : Rotamate trek to Shingati
(950m). Overnight at tented camp.
Day 05 : Singati Bazaar trek to Jagat
(1150m). Overnight at tented camp
Day 06 : Jagat trek to Simigaoun (1990m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 07 : Simigaun trek to Gyalche (2990m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 08 : Gyalche trek to Beding (3690m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 09 : Beding Acclimatization day.
Overnight at tented camp.
Day 10 : Beding trek to Na Gaun (4180m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 11 : Na trek to Tso Rolpa Lake
(4540m). Overnight at tented camp
Day 12 : Rest day at Tso Rolpa Lake
(4540m) overnight at tented camp
Day 13 : Tso Rolpa Trek back to Beding
(3690m) overnight at tented camp
Day 14 : Beding trek back to Gyalche
(2990m) overnight at tented camp
Day 15 : Gyalche trek to Simigaoun
(1990m) overnight at tented camp
Day 16 : Simigaun trek to Jagat (1150m)
overnight at tented camp
Day 17 : Jagat Trek back to Singati
Bazaar (950m) overnight at tented camp
Day 18 : Singati Bazaar trek Dolakha
(1650m) overnight at tented camp
Day 19 : Dolakha drive back to Kathmandu
(1350m) overnight at hotel.
Day 20 : Free day in Kathmandu Overnight
at hotel.
Day 21 : Transfer to Airport for your
onward Journey.
Rolwaling and
Tashi Lapcha Pass Trekking
Day 01 : Your arrival KTM airport Transfer
to hotel
Day 02 : Full day sightseeing tour
in Kathmandu valley
Day 03 : Drive Kathmandu to Dolakha
(114 km), and trek to Ratomate (1000m).
Day 04 : Rotamate trek to Shingati
(950m). Overnight at tented camp.
Day 05 : Singati Bazaar trek to Jagat
(1150m). Overnight at tented camp
Day 06 : Jagat trek to Simigaoun (1990m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 07 : Simigaun trek to Gyalche (2990m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 08 : Gyalche trek to Beding (3690m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 09 : Beding Acclimatization day.
Overnight at tented camp.
Day 10 : Beding trek to Na Gaun (4180m).
Overnight at tented camp
Day 11 : Na trek to Tso Rolpa Lake
(4540m). Overnight at tented camp
Day 12 : Rest day at Tso Rolpa Lake
(4540m) overnight at tented camp
Day 13 : Tso Rolpa trek to Tolumbhu
Buka (4850m) overnight at tented camp
Day 14 : Tolumbhu trek to Thengpo (4300m)
via Tasi Lapcha pass (5755m)
Day 15 : Thengpo trek to Khumjung (3780m)
overnight at tented camp
Day 16 : Khumjung trek to Namche Bazaar
(3440m) overnight at tented camp
Day 17 : Namche Bazaar trek to Phakding
(2610m) overnight at tented camp
Day 18 : Phakding trek to Lukla (2840m)
overnight at tented camp
Day 19 : Lukla Flight to Kathmandu
(1350m) overnight at hotel
Day 20 : Free day in Kathmandu Overnight
at hotel.
Day 21 : Transfer to Airport for your
onward Journey.
|
