Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek

You will be trekking through the Rolwaling Valley, in east Nepal.  The valley itself is situated in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area which links the two national parks of Langtang National Park and Sagarmatha National Park.  The pass also brings you from Rolwaling into the Khumbu, as the Everest Region is known locally. 

The trails take you through stunning landscapes of flora and fauna.  In fact, within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area there are many species of which are unknown in other parts of the country. 

Once you have crossed the Tashi Lapcha Pass you are in another world: that of past and present mountaineers and 21^st century trekkers.  This is the Everest Region, home to Mount Everest.1`

Camping and hiking at high altitude is not for everyone.  If you are an experienced hiker and camper you will enjoy the challenge of this trek with its many days at high altitude and its demanding trails.  There are enough ‘easier’ days and acclimatization days to allow your body to stay in tip top condition.

For those who are less experienced, you may find this trek hard going with the high altitude, stone steps and long days.

The highest altitude you will reach is  at Tsho Rolpa Phedi, which is  5,682 m / 18,641 ft.   You will be sleeping at altitudes over or around 3,500 m / 11,482.9 ft for 11 nights. 

There are three acclimatization days built into the itinerary to give your body time to rest and become used to the thinner air, which should give an indication as to how seriously we take the altitude.

If you have some experience of high altitude trekking and camping in remote areas and can walk for 6 hours plus per day over rough terrain, you can manage this trek and still feel like you have challenged yourself.

This is a trek for those with experience of trekking at altitude.  It is preferable that you have experience of camping at altitude also.  When we provide a camping trek, it often reflects the fact the area is remote and challenging.    

Do remember that camping in the Himalayas is not like camping in an area with campsite facilities.  Here we carry all the ‘facilities’ with us.  And although we do our best to provide you with comfortable tented accommodation, it is basic.

Overall, you should have a good level of fitness, stamina, and be able to persevere in challenging circumstances.  We want you to not only complete, but enjoy, the trek.

Three acclimatization days are built in and on average you are walking 6 hours a day over rough terrain.   On the day you cross the  Tashi Lapcha Pass, you will be trekking for around 9 hours. 

Prepare your body in advance by increasing your exercise regime, particularly working on your leg muscles and cardio.

Do remember there are a number of days where you will be walking and sleeping at altitudes which can potentially cause some people to have altitude related problems.  To combat this, we suggest you hike slowly, take plenty of breaks and stay well hydrated. Always be aware of your body on a trek – alert your guide to any different feelings – headaches, difficulty breathing, dizziness etc. 

You will be woken with a cup of hot tea and a bowl of hot water to wash your hands and face.  Yes, there will be opportunities to shower (in a bucket) but it is not necessary every day.

Your wonderful camping crew will be up preparing for the day before you wake, and breakfast will be soon ready.  The camping chef will also prepare a packed lunch for on the trail and some boiled drinking water for you to carry with you.

Setting off around 8am – unless it is a very long day ahead – is the norm.

In the Rowling Valley, the landscape varies from lush vegetation, alpine vegetation, raging rivers and cascading waterfalls, to grazing pastures, boulder strewn trails and steep uphills. Gaurishankar is the main mountain you will see in this area.  There is wildlife in this area, ranging from monkeys at the lower elevations to snow leopards at the higher elevations.  It may be difficult to spot the rarer mammals but definitely you will see yaks, many of them wild herds, on the hillside. 

You will spend between 4 to 9 hours on the trail daily.  The average day will be more like 6 hours.  Lunch and short rest breaks are taken on the trail.

When you reach the next campsite you will be served snacks and more hot tea while you have a chance to relax before dinner.  As for food, there are always vegetarian options at every meal, and (please request) some canned meat and fish for non-vegetarians.

What you will not see are hundreds of other trekkers on the trail!   Rolwaling is a remote, sparsely populated area and the Rolwaling Valley is nestled in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area.  The settlements you pass through are small and often seasonal. 

Rivers and waterfalls are a feature of the Rolwaling Valley.  Crossing rivers by suspension bridge is thrilling as is hearing the thunder of waterfalls.  You will also be visiting the high altitude glacier lake, Tsho Rolpo, which is in itself a wonderful destination.

The Rolwaling Valley section of this trek is very different from other treks in Nepal – it can be damp and stark, but it is always atmospheric and beautiful in its ruggedness.

Once you cross the Tashi Lapcha Pass you are in the Everest Region.  This area is, of course, home to Mount Everest and is famous among trekkers and mountaineers. 

Minimum Number of Trekkers for this Trek

For a camping trek in Nepal, we require a minimum of two (2) trekkers to make it viable. It is also more enjoyable for you if there are more in your group.

However, if you are one person traveling alone we will endeavor, if possible,  to put you with other trekkers who wish to do this trek.

In this remote area, there are very few teahouses or home stay accommodation, which is why we chose to offer a camping trek.   

At our campsite we will provide you with a comfortable tent and sleeping mat, a toilet tent and dining tent. There is a kitchen tent where the camp chef will make delicious food and boil water for you for drinking.   

While we try to make everything as comfortable as possible for you, make no mistake, this is rough camping with no facilities other than what we carry in with us.  If that doesn’t sound like your kind of adventure, we offer plenty of other treks which do not involve camping!  

As for many treks in Nepal, the best time to do this trek is during the spring or autumn.

In the spring (March to May)  the rhododendrons will be in bloom at lower altitudes and the skies will be clear.  On the downside, there may be some light rain at times in the Rolwaling Valley.  It will also be very busy on the Everest side of the pass.  On the upside, you may get the opportunity to see mountaineering expeditions heading towards Everest as spring is the main climbing season.

In the autumn (Sept to Nov), the weather is similar to spring in that it is not too warm (at lower altitudes) and not too cold (at higher altitudes). Again, this is an extremely popular time for trekking in the Everest Region.  It is also the time of festivals in Nepal so there may be festival related activities happening.

During the monsoon (June to Sept)  months (June to August) there will be heavy rain making the trails slippery and camping soggy!

Winter (December to March) is not recommended as there is likely to be snowfall on the pass and in other high altitude areas.  The pass may in fact be closed.   It will also be very cold. 

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner are made by our lovely camp chef.

While you are getting ready in the morning, breakfast will be prepared.  A packed lunch will be taken on the trail and there will be snacks and tea available at the end of the day while you are waiting for dinner to be prepared.  That chef is a busy man!

As there is no electricity at the campsites the cooking is done on a kerosene stove which the camping crew will bring with them. 

We suggest bringing your own snacks for those moments when you just want a taste of home or a shot of chocolate.  Protein bars, dried fruits and nuts will also give you an energy boost.

Possible Menu While Camping:

Food on the trek will be simple, yet filling and tasty.  We cater to Western tastes as well as to clients who may be from India or other parts of Asia.  We will provide you with food we think you will enjoy!  Do let us know if you have any allergies or simply do not like a certain food.

• Breakfast may be porridge with bread (probably roti – a Nepali flatbread)
• Lunch and dinner can be pasta, noodles, dal bhat (Nepali vegetable curry), pizza, etc.  
• Afternoon snacks may consist of fried potatoes and popcorn.
• We will not attempt to buy fresh meat but will bring some canned meat / tuna fish.  There is no guarantee the meat in remote areas is indeed fresh, which is why we will not buy it.
• There will be vegetarian food available at every meal. 
• Tea/ coffee/ hot water is unlimited. Powdered milk and sugar are available.

We will not carry alcohol as we do not recommend its consumption at altitude. And it’s simply too heavy to carry.  Same with soft drinks – too heavy to carry.  You could bring some flavored powder to add to the water for a different taste.

Drinking Water While Camping

The kitchen tent will provide you with boiled water for drinking.  If you come across a mountain spring, as long as you add purifying drops or tablets to it you can drink that water.  When in doubt ask the guide.  A Lifestraw will filter out some, not all, larger bacteria so if you have one, bring it along.

What You Need to Bring for a Camping Trek

Take a look at our list of trekking equipment / gear  you need on any trek.  We suggest a few additional items for a camping trek, such as:

Your favorite snacks.

•  Portable solar panel (one which hooks onto your day pack) to recharge equipment.
• Headtorch with batteries and extra batteries.
• Medicines – any ones you take regularly plus items such as headache tablets, stomach tablets etc.  And a small first aid kit.
• Four-season sleeping bag. This can be rented in Kathmandu.
• Toiletries in small, travel sized containers, and some clothes washing soap.
• Things for blisters and a few bandages in case of sprains.
• Nepali rupees in case there is something you wish to buy on the trek.