Everest Rolwaling Trek

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tours to world heritage sites of Pashupatinath
Temple-the holiest Hindu Temple on the bank of sacred Bagmati River, Bodhanath
Stupa-the biggest Buddhist Stupa architecture in the world! Patan Durbar Square is the
oldest city in the Kathmandu valley with age old tradition also called Lalitpur-the city of
fine arts. The visit covers the Durbar Square, the Krishna temple, the Kumbheswore
temple, the Golden temple and many more. Swayambhunath Stupa-the 2000 years old
legendary stupa on the hillock also nick-named as monkey temple. Your day tour ends
Kathmandu Durbar Square Showcasing living goddess Kumari Temple, Nautale Durbar,
the Kaal Bhairav, the Swet Bhairav, the freak Street and more.

We drive from Kathmandu through the scenic high green hills and white mountain views to the north. On the way we will visit the Bhimeswor Temple in Dolakha. The last hour’s dusty drive will lead down to our campsite on the Tama Kosi River bank.

Our route follows the Bhote Kosi’s deep valley which gradually becomes more gorge-
like. We crisscross the hectic river on picturesque suspension bridges and pass a few
hamlets and villages. The forest sometimes gives way to views of the Gaurishankar
(7145m). This area is still Hindu although signs of Buddhism, with prayer flags and
Chortens begin to appear.

A short stage: after a 2.5 hrs walk, we leave the valley to continue east. The path slowly
gains altitude on an impressive slope, and later crosses terraces. Simigaon is a Sherpa
and Tamang village, marked by its Tibetan monastery perched above the houses on top
of the hill in front of Gaurishankar.

We now enter the Rolwaling valley through a gorgeous rhododendron and bamboo
forest. The path steadily climbs towards Gyalche. Eventually, we descend back down to
the river and establish our campsite on the Rolwaling Khola bank: a narrow green belt
beneath Gaurishankar.

We gradually climb the forested valley of tropical alpine vegetation, with excellent
mountain scenery surrounding us. Arriving at Beding, we should see Melungtse I
(7181m), Rolwaling’s highest summit. Beding is a lonely small village; well known to
Everest summiteers, this Sherpa village may offer you Chaang (barley beer) and salted
yak butter tea. An old but historical Buddhist Monastery is located in the center of the
village. We will camp will be on the banks of the river.

A day hike to the Malung La pass (5616m) – or as high as you can go above Beding – will
help with acclimatization. There should be great views of more than 15 snowy peaks,
glaciers and the natural forest in the Beding Valley below.

A short walk will take us to Na; the last tiny alpine hamlet that is only inhabited during
summer months. Na is situated just below the Tsho Rolpa Glacier Lake in a beautiful
valley overlooked by some very impressive peaks, including Chobutse (6685m),
Chugimago (6259m) and Yalung Ri (5630m).

We can either take a rest or organize an excursion towards the Yalung La pass. Here we
climb steadily, the path taking us to a vast amphitheatre at 4900m, situated just below
the pass, and the Ramdun peak ice fall which is furrowed with streams. This is an
excellent place to view the Tsho-Rolpa glacier lake. In each direction we get stunning
views: to the east the Yalung Glacier, south the Ramdung Peak (5930m), west the Yalung
Ri (5630m) and to the north the breathtaking Himalayan summits along the Tibetan
border.

We climb up to the dam that holds back the Tsho-Rolpa lake, preventing it from splitting
the thin moraine and destroying the valleys below. We continue along the south bank.
(The ancient route, marked on all maps, following the northern bank and passing
through Chobu, no longer exists. In fact, the moraines bordering the lake have all
collapsed into it.) After a 300m climb, we must cross a disordered moraine area only
scramble down the height we walked up. The campsite is in a sandy amphitheatre,
between the Tsho Rolpa and Trakarding glaciers.

The only route to get a foothold onto the Drolumbau glacier is tricky and fairly steep.
Our efforts will be rewarded by a unique view towards Tengi Ragi Tau (6943m),
Bigphero-Go Shar (6729m), Dragkar-Go (6793m), with a background of myriad peaks
towards and beyond the Tibetan border. We progress through moraines and gentle
slopes, from time to time crossing, glacial areas, towards the summit. The campsite is
about 300m below the summit just beyond a tricky but impressive rocky section.

Today offers an easy and pleasant descent. Just before arriving in the tiny Sherpa village
of Thame, we can visit its picturesque monastery perched on the hillside. Thame lies on
an important route for Tibetan traders and their yak caravans trekking across the
Nangpa La (5716m/18,752) on the Tibetan border to Namche Bazaar and beyond.