Rolwaling and Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek
A 19-day trek from the quiet Rolwaling valley over the glaciated Tashi Lapcha Pass (5,755 m) into the Everest region. Walk past Beding, Na and the glacial lake Tsho Rolpa, cross the pass with rope and crampons, and come down to Thame and Namche.
Trip Highlights
- Rolwaling, a quiet Sherpa valley under Gauri Shankar that few trekkers see
- The villages of Beding and Na, with their small monasteries
- Tsho Rolpa, one of the biggest glacial lakes in Nepal
- The Drolambau glacier and the Tashi Lapcha Pass at 5,755 m
- A real glacier crossing with rope and crampons, led by our guides
- Thame, the old Sherpa village on the trade route to Tibet
- Namche Bazaar and the walk out to Lukla
Trip Overview
Last updated
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Our team meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. Rest after your flight. In the evening we come to the hotel to say hello and go over the plan.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
We sort out your permits today. Your guide checks your gear with you, including crampons, harness and ice axe. If you are missing anything, you can rent or buy it in Thamel. In the afternoon we talk you through the route, the pass and the safety plan.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
We leave Kathmandu early and drive east to Charikot, then down to the Tamakoshi river and up the valley to Gonggar, also called Chhetchhet. The road is long and rough in places, but the views of the hills and rice terraces are lovely.
Overnight at a lodge in Gonggar.
We cross the Tamakoshi on a suspension bridge and start the first climb of the trek. The trail goes up stone steps through fields and small farms. It is steep and can be hot, so take it slowly.
Simigaon sits on a ridge with a view down the valley. There is a small monastery above the village. Overnight at a lodge in Simigaon.
Today we walk into the Rolwaling gorge. The trail climbs through forest of oak, pine and rhododendron, high above the river. There are no villages on the way, only a few herders' huts.
Dongang is a small clearing in the forest by the river. Overnight at a simple lodge or at camp in Dongang.
The forest thins out and the valley opens up as we go higher. Gauri Shankar starts to show above the ridges. The trail follows the river, past mani walls and prayer flags.
Beding is the main Sherpa village of Rolwaling, with stone houses and an old monastery. Overnight at a lodge in Beding.
A short day, which is good for the altitude. We walk up the wide valley past yak pastures to Na, the highest village in Rolwaling. Families come up here in summer with their yaks and grow potatoes and barley.
Overnight at a lodge in Na.
We stay a second night at Na to get used to the height. In the morning we walk up the hill behind the village for views of Chobutse and the peaks at the head of the valley, then come back down for lunch. Climbing high and sleeping low helps your body adjust.
Overnight at a lodge in Na.
We leave the last village behind and walk up the moraine to Tsho Rolpa. The lake is long and grey-blue, held back by a wall of old ice and rock. You can see the work done to lower the water and keep the villages below safe.
From here we are camping. Overnight at camp by Tsho Rolpa.
We walk along the side of the lake and up the moraine of the Trakarding glacier. The trail is rough, over boulders and loose rock, so watch your step. The mountains close in around you.
Overnight at camp on the moraine.
Today we climb onto the Drolambau glacier. Your guide picks the line through the ice and rock and you walk close behind. This is the most remote part of the trek.
Phedi means the foot of the pass. Overnight at camp below the Tashi Lapcha.
We keep this day free in case of snow, wind or cloud. We only cross when the weather is good. If the sky is clear we may go a day early.
Today we also practise walking in crampons and clipping into the rope, so you are ready for the pass. Overnight at camp.
We start before sunrise, when the snow is hard. The last climb to the pass is steep, and our guides fix a rope for you on the hard sections. At the top there are prayer flags and big views back over Rolwaling and ahead into the Khumbu.
The way down the Khumbu side is steep and rocky, and there can be falling stones, so we go down early and keep moving. We camp at Tashi Phuk, below the pass. Overnight at camp at about 5,100 m.
We walk down a long valley past the yak pastures of Thengbo, and the air gets thicker with every hour. Soon you see the first Khumbu houses and fields.
Thame is an old Sherpa village on the trade route to Tibet, with a monastery on the hill above it. Overnight at a lodge in Thame.
An easy walk along the Bhote Koshi, past mani stones and the village of Thamo. After two weeks in quiet valleys, Namche will feel busy, with bakeries, shops and coffee.
Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.
We walk down the Namche hill, cross the Dudh Koshi on the high suspension bridges and follow the river through Phakding to Lukla. There are some climbs at the end. In the evening we have a last dinner with the crew.
Overnight at a lodge in Lukla.
We fly back to Kathmandu in the morning, when the weather is best. The flight is short and the mountain views are great. In some seasons the flight goes to Ramechhap instead, with a drive from there to Kathmandu.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Flights from Lukla are often late because of cloud, so we keep this day free. If your flight was on time, it is a free day to rest, shop or see the city.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
We take you to the airport for your flight home. Thank you for walking with us.
Who leads this trek
One of these HSJ guides leads your group, with our cook, camp crew and porters. All of them are licensed and have years of experience on Nepal's high routes.
Ranbir Gurung
Peak Climber
Ranbir is a seasoned trekking guide and peak climber with in-depth knowledge of trails and peaks. His understanding of local terrain, coupled with a keen sense of safety, ensures secure and fulfilling journeys. His love for peak climbing is infectious and his friendly demeanor makes him not just a guide but a companion.
Chakra Makalu
Mountain Leader
Chakra Makalu is a robust and knowledgeable mountain guide with vast knowledge of Nepal's mountain terrain. Despite his extensive experience, he remains approachable and humble — a unique combination that makes him both a reliable guide and an engaging, fascinating companion on mountain adventures.
Mingma Norbu Sherpa
Senior Climbing Guide · 11+ years experience
Mingma Norbu Sherpa is a senior climbing guide with more than 11 years of experience. He has successfully climbed Mount Everest and brings strong mountain knowledge and leadership to every expedition.
Pasang Sherpa
Senior Climbing Guide · 7+ Years Experience
Pasang Sherpa is a senior climbing guide with more than 7+ years of experience. He has successfully climbed Mount Everest and brings strong mountain knowledge and leadership to every expedition.
Route & altitude
Kathmandu → Tashi Phuk → Kathmandu · 19 days
What’s Included
Recommended Gear
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one of the hardest treks in Nepal. You are on the trail for 13 days, sleep above 4,500 m for five nights, and cross a glacier pass at 5,755 m. The pass day is 8 to 10 hours, with steep snow and rock on both sides. We grade it 5 of 5, Extreme.
You do not need to be a climber, but you must have trekked above 5,000 m before and be steady on steep, loose ground. We teach you how to walk in crampons and use the rope on the spare day before the pass. If you have used crampons before, it helps.
Boots that take crampons, crampons, a harness, an ice axe and a helmet. You can rent all of these in Kathmandu, and your guide checks them with you on day 2. We bring the fixed rope and the group climbing gear.
US$2,800 per person for groups of 2 to 10. That includes the jeep to Gonggar, the Lukla flight, permits, all meals on the trek, lodges and camps, the guide and climbing guide, crew and porters, and hotels in Kathmandu.
No. Rolwaling needs a restricted area permit, and that is only given to groups of at least 2 trekkers with a licensed guide. If you are on your own, contact us and we will try to find you a partner.
You need the Rolwaling restricted area permit, the Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit, the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee. All of them are included, and we arrange them in Kathmandu on day 2 with your passport.
April and May, and October and November. These months have the most stable weather on the pass. We start groups in these months only. In winter the pass is deep in snow, and in the monsoon the trails are wet and the views are hidden.
In simple village lodges from Gonggar to Na, and again on the Khumbu side from Thame to Lukla. Around the pass we camp for 5 nights, in two-person tents with mattresses, a dining tent and a toilet tent.
We go up slowly through Rolwaling and rest a full day at Na at 4,180 m. Your guide checks everyone every day. If someone shows signs of altitude sickness, they go down. Please make sure your insurance covers helicopter rescue up to 6,000 m.
Tsho Rolpa is a big glacial lake at about 4,580 m above Na. It is held back by a wall of old ice and rock, and the government has worked to lower the water to keep the villages below safe. We camp beside it on day 9.
We have a spare day at the foot of the pass and only cross when it is safe. If the weather stays bad, your guide decides. In rare cases we walk back down Rolwaling instead of crossing.
Lukla flights are often late because of cloud. We keep a spare day in Kathmandu for this. If you lose more days, extra hotel nights are at your own cost, and you can choose a helicopter at extra cost.
There is weak phone signal in some villages in Rolwaling, and none around the pass. On the Khumbu side there is good signal and Wi-Fi in Thame, Namche and Lukla.
Yes, for groups of 2 to 10 we can start on any date in April, May, October or November. For other months or bigger groups, send us an enquiry.
