Snow Dragons Nepal Treks Pvt. Ltd.
Himalayan Explorers
Trip Name: Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek
Destination: Tashi Lapcha Pass
Difficulty: Difficult.
Walking duration: Between 5 to 7 hours, plus rests.
Style: Tea House Trek - incl. breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Support: Guide and porters.
Transportation: Local bus or own jeep (more expensive)
Duration: 05 days
'The Tashi Lapcha Trek is a meeting with raw nature at its finest, and a meeting with yourself. Here you experience everything from rural mountain Nepal to crossing a snow covered pass. All set against majestic naked peaks, a blue Himalayan sky, and the sound of Yak-bells.'
Snow Dragons offers this off the beaten trek as a 'mini-expedition,' where we camp, prepare our own food, and explore the in-depth mystery's of Mountain-land Nepal. Mystery's that include meeting the people, whose ancestors left Tibet to escape famine and persecution, and who have retained their early culture and life style. We enter a deep-sided valley, nestled between impressive walls and giant peaks, as we move towards a snow covered pass, that leads us into the mighty Khumbu (Everest) region.
Rowaling and Khumbu are the joint home of 'The Giants'. Everest being the most famous, but one of Rowaling's gems is the holy Gauri Shankar, 7134m. This impressive peak was once mistaken by early explorers to be Mt Everest, and is known as 'The Tiger of Himalaya'.
We pass through small rural settlements, past summer farms where yaks graze peacefully, to eventually reach a magical snow and ice wonderland. Once on the glacier we gain height until we reach the pass itself, atxxxxm. This we cross humbly, as we realize just how small we mortals are against this tapestry of mighty peaks. We leave Rolwaling and enter the Khumbu Region. We descend steeply to the village of Thame, and its amazing monastery, built into the hill-side.
After days in the 'wilderness' we now reach Namchie Bazar, the capital of the Sherpa people. The footpath is no longer difficult to find, and yak-bells mix with the sound of monks chanting. We are energized by the extra oxygen we now experience, and are greeted by the aroma of coffee and fresh baked apple pie. Yes, we emerge into 'civilization', to a welcoming hot shower. Then onwards to Lukla airport to fly back to Kathmandu.
This trek requires that you have some experience in trekking, and that you are used to camping. You carry your own sleeping bag and spare jacket, while our hardy porters carry the tents, cooking equipment and food. On the glacier we move as a team, camping on the snow (climbing or glacier experience is not necessary).
Day 01: Welcome to Nepal. Airport pick up and hotel transfer, trip planning (permits, equipment check etc.).
Day 02: After breakfast, we visit to Swoyambhunath (Monkey Temple) and gain a view of Kathmandu valley and city. The afternoon is free to explore and shop, with a quick trip-planning meeting.
Day 03: (1) Very early drive from Kathmandu (1360m) to Shigati (Dolakha), then trek to Suri Dobhan. Lodge/Dinner.
Day 04: (2) Trek to Jagat (1440m/6 hours), a route that takes us through cultivated fields and small picturesque villages.
Day 05: (3) Today we head for Sinigaun (1990m/ 5 hr trek), where we visit the Tibetan monastery perched on the top of the hill, providing a stunning view of Gaurishanker Himal.
Day 06: (4) Our destination is Donga (2800m/6 hours trek), where we enter the Rolwaling Valley. We camp on the banks of the Rolwaling Khola, below Gaurishanker.
Day 07: (5) We continue through the forests for 5 to 6 hours to reach Beding (3690m), the 'capital' of Rowaling. Here we explore the village, the monastery and perhaps sample a little Chhyang (Barley Beer) and salted yak butter tea. We again have a riverside camp.
Day 08: (6) Today we may wander around the village, or ascend towards the Malung La Pass (5616m), from here there is a view of fifteen snowy peaks and an array of glaciers.
Day 09: (7) Our path now leads us to the tiny settlement of of Na, then to the turquoise-tinted glacial lake. Na is located beneath the Tsho Rolpa Glacier Lake and commands the view of Chobutse (6685m), Chugimago (6259M) and Yalung Ri (5630m).
Day 10: (8) A second acclimatization day. Subject to how you feel, you can opt to rest, read a book, or to walk towards the Yalung La Pass, so gaining further views.
Day 11: (9) Today we ascend to the dam of Tsho-Rolpa Lake and walk along the south back to reach Nyiduk Kongma (4750m). After a 300m ascent we scramble down to our campsite, on a sandy amphitheater, that lies between the lake and the Trakarding Glacier.
Day 12: (10) We head towards the Trakarding Glacier, to reach our camp site at Dolumbau Glacier. Today’s trail is quite challenging, as we weave our way through a 'lunar-like' landscape. At one point it may be necessary to use a rope, as a handrail, to assist our passage.
Day 13: (11) Today is a real 'mountaineering' day, where we journey over snow covered moraines and a glacier with hidden crevasses. All around us are one peak after another. At this altitude we walk slowly, and our efforts are rewarded by stunning views of Tengi Ragi Tau (6943m), Bigphero-Go Shar (6729m), Dragkar-Go (6793m) and other peaks stretching into Tibet. We continue slowley and carefully to reach the Tasi Laptsa Pass (5755m). Wow - what an amazing place, and we set up camp 300m the other side of the pass.
Day 14: (12) We descend to the village of Thame, where we can visit the monastery that sits perched on a hillside above the village.
Day 15: (13) Today, our lungs filled with oxygen-rich air, we virtually run to reach Namche Bazar (3440m), the capital of the Sherpa people - and a long awaited hot shower.
Day 16: (14) We can have a free day, testing the cafes and bakeries, and take a trip up to the Museum - which affords views of both Everest and Ama Dablam. Or, the adventitious can ascend to Syangboche Airport (3700m), the highest airport in the world. So to continue to The Everest View Hotel, which as the name suggests, commands increadable views, taking in the museum on the way back.
Day 17: (15) Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla alongside the bank of Dudh Koshi River. And a farewell dinner with our trusty and hardworking porters.
Day 18: (16) Flight: Lukla to Kathmandu, book into the hotel, and write those post cards home.
Day 19: Free day. Visit temples, shop until you drop – or just rest in the hotels garden.
Day 20: Depart.
Note: The free day in Namche, is a reserve, in case of bad weather or sickness in the group, before the pass. So too the free day in Kathmandu, in case of flight delay/cancellation from Lukla.
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