Hey guys, if you’re looking for a real off-the-radar trek in Nepal that’s not overrun with crowds, let me tell you about Rolwaling Valley. It’s this quiet, beautiful spot tucked away in Dolakha district, right in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. It’s kinda squeezed between Langtang on one side and Everest region on the other, and it’s part of the bigger Great Himalayan Trail too. Runs pretty close to the Tibet border, so the views are insane—big peaks everywhere.
Honestly, it’s one of the least-visited areas, which is why I love it. Super peaceful, just you, the mountains, and some friendly Sherpa folks. The whole valley is basically Sherpa-only—no other communities live up there. And Beding village? It’s famous because a bunch of Everest summiteers come from there. Pretty cool bit of history.
The star of the show is Tsho Rolpa, Nepal’s biggest glacial lake. It’s this stunning turquoise thing at around 4,580m, sitting right at the foot of the Trakarding Glacier. There’s also Dudhkunda (the Milk Lake) and a few smaller ones scattered around. Over 50 peaks above 6,000m surround the place, including Gaurishankar, which looks epic at sunrise.
Wildlife’s pretty good too—Himalayan tahr, musk deer, maybe even a snow leopard if you’re super lucky (don’t count on it though). Birds everywhere. The forests lower down are full of rhododendrons in spring—mind-blowing.
The trek itself is moderately tough. Some steady uphill, rocky bits, altitude kicks in higher up, but nothing super technical unless you push on to something like Tashi Lapcha Pass (which is a whole different level). Perfect if you’ve done a couple treks before but want something quieter than Everest Base Camp or Annapurna.
Most people do the classic out-and-back to Tsho Rolpa in about 7-10 days from Kathmandu, including the drive in and out. If you’ve got extra time, you can wander more, hit side valleys, or take a different way back.
Here’s a simple, realistic 7-8 day plan that works well for most people (based on what locals and recent trekkers do):
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to around Chhechhet/Gongar/Chotchot (7-8 hrs by bus/jeep—roads can be bumpy!), then short trek up to Simigaun (about 2-3 hrs). Crash in a lodge there.
Day 2: Simigaun to Dongang (5-6 hrs). Nice walk through forests, crossing rivers, passing little villages.
Day 3: Dongang to Na (Naa) (5-6 hrs). Getting higher now—views start opening up big time.
Day 4: Day trip up to Tsho Rolpa from Na or Beding (it’s a solid 3-4 hrs each way to the lake), soak it in, then drop back to Beding or Na for the night. That lake is unreal—glacial blue against all those snowy peaks.
Day 5: Beding down to somewhere like Kyalche or Dongang (5-6 hrs descending).
Day 6: Back to Simigaun area (5-6 hrs).
Day 7: Short walk down to the roadhead and drive back to Kathmandu. Or stretch it to 8 days if you want to chill more.
If you want to make it longer (10+ days), you can detour from Beding via other paths like through Tashinam or Jagat—more scenic, a bit wilder, sometimes needs camping. But the main route has teahouses/homestays almost everywhere.
Speaking of stays: super basic but warm and welcoming. Twin rooms, shared bathrooms, dal bhat on repeat (which is perfect after a long day). Here’s a list of some popular spots in the villages—names and owners from locals (contact numbers change a lot, so ask your guide or check recent updates when you’re there):
- Simigaun: White Yak, Mitini, Gaurishankar View Point, Green View, Village View, Namaste…
- Dongang: River View, Sherpa Hotel…
- Thandingma: Sherpa Tea Shop, Buddha Hotel…
- Na: Riverside, Tshorolpa, Na View Point, Gaurishankar, Rolwaling Mountain View, Josef Phurba…
- Beding: Beding View, Tsheringma, Gaurishankar Himalayan, Rolwaling Riverside…
- Kyalche: Kyalche Hotel
- Surmuche: Surmuche Hotel
Carry cash—rupees only, no ATMs up there. Guides are a good idea (helps with navigation, permits, and supporting the community), but it’s not super complicated.
Best seasons: spring (March-May) for flowers and clear skies, or autumn (Sept-Nov) for dry weather and those crisp mountain views. Skip monsoon and deep winter unless you like snow and risks.
If you’re thinking about this for next season, go for it—it’s raw, real Nepal. Not commercialized at all. Just pure mountains and good people. Drop a comment if you’ve been or planning—happy to chat more! Safe trails! 🏔️