- 15 Days
- 188 km
- 6-7 hours
- March to May, Sept to Nov
- Public/Private Vehicle
- Hotel and Teahouses
- Moderate to Challenging
- Tsho Rolpa
- 4,580 m
Overview
The Tsho Rolpa Trek is an incredible trekking journey located in the Rolwaling Valley region. This off the beaten trek takes you to the magical turquoise lake of Tsho Rolpa (4580 m). The biggest glacier lake in Nepal remains located between Langtang and Everest mountain ranges.
The Rolwaling Valley is one of the seven hidden valleys according to various mythologies. The Himalayan rivers, mani walls, Rhododendron forests, terraced farmed hills, and serene waterfalls will spellbind you. Trekkers can observe magnificent views of Gauri Shankar (7145m), Melungtse (7181m), and other snow-capped mountains.
“Tsho” literally means lake and “Rolpa ” means Rolwaling valley in the Sherpa language. Protected by the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project (GCAP), Tsho Rolpa lake is one of the most beautiful glacial lakes in the world. The swiss project constructed trails are well marked and have proper demarcations and information.
Moreover, there is also a beautiful Cantilever Bridge which is one of the main attractions of this trek. Tsho Rolpa trek itinerary requires 6-8 hours of walk a day. Hence, a basic level of fitness and proper training is essential for the trek. Acclimatization and hydration at regular intervals will help you immensely during the trek.
The trekkers also have the opportunity to explore the culture and lifestyle of the Sherpa and other communities. Their warm welcome and incredible hospitality will make you fall in love with the place. This exciting trek is available at a reasonable cost. Read further to know more about the Tsho Rolpa Trek itinerary and other relevant information in detail.
Significant Highlights of the Tsho Rolpa Trek
- Breathtaking mountain views of Gauri Shankar (7145m), Melungtse (7181m), and other snow-capped mountains
- Exploring beautiful turquoise Tsho Rolpa Lake (4580m)
- Gorgeous sunrise and sunsets from various points along the trail
- Exploring the culture, heritage, and tradition of the Sherpa community
- Rare and endangered wildlife spotting along the trail
- Bird watching opportunity along the trail
- Tasting the delicious local cuisine
- Incredible hospitality at tea houses along the trail
When is the Best Time for the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek?
Autumn and Spring are peak seasons for trekking in Nepal. There are stable weather conditions in the region along with minimal rainfall in these seasons that make them ideal for a trekking adventure.
Autumn (September-November)
The months from September to November in Autumn are ideal for Tsho Rolpa trek. Similarly, there are moderate temperatures and less rainfall that makes it perfect for trekking. Besides that, Autumn is also time for complete cultural exploration as many festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and others fall in this season.
Spring (March-May)
March to May in Spring is another peak time for trekking the Tsho Rolpa Lake. Rhododendron and other wildflowers bloom all over the hills painting them red and pink. Moreover, the beautiful weather and ideal day time trekking temperatures are significant highlights of the trek in Spring.
Off-season treks in the monsoon and the winter season are incredibly challenging. Also, the slippery and leech-infested trails due to heavy rainfalls in monsoon is a significant difficulty.
Moreover, avalanches and landslides are also quite common in monsoon seasons. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures and frozen trails make Tsho Rolpa Lake trek challenging in winters. Hence, the best time for the Tsho Rolpa Lake trek is Autumn and the Spring season.
How Difficult is the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek?
Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek is a newly built challenging trail in Nepal. Altitude is a major difficulty during the trek with a maximum elevation of 4580 m. This high altitude trek has the risk of altitude sickness. Therefore, proper acclimatization and regular hydration are essential. Besides, you should trek at a gradual pace and not hurry during the trek.
Moreover, the rugged trail includes a lot of stony steps, which are a challenge for trekkers. You will need to trek the narrow landscapes which make Tsho Rolpa Lake trek quite difficult. Hence, a good training regime with aerobic and cardiovascular activities is essential before the start of a trek.
Furthermore, the weather conditions remain unpredictable in the higher altitude region. Hence, you should check the weather updates before the trek. Similarly, you should also pack well for the trip with proper trekking gear and equipment. Overall, the Tsho Rolpa Lake trek is moderately challenging but with proper preparation and packing, it is quite adventurous.
Food and Accommodation in Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek
The Tsho Rolpa trek offers you basic food and accommodation. You will stay in local community-run teahouses and will get a twin bed, a pillow, a clean mattress, and a warm blanket. Moreover, you should carry toiletries along with a sleeping bag as they are not provided in teahouses.
The food served in tea houses is basic too. The Nepalese dish of “Dal Bhaat” gets served twice during the day. You will get served steamed white rice, dal (pulses), vegetables, lentils, Gundruk, meat (with added price), pickles, and others. However, you should avoid meat as there are fewer chances of them being fresh at higher altitude regions.
Besides that, a limited variety of international cuisine including pizza, momo, burger, Chowmein, pasta, and others are also served in some of the teahouses. The beverages like Tea, Coffee, Mint tea, Rhododendron tea, Hot chocolate, Garlic soup are also available.
You can carry your own tea bags, coffee, and juice powder to save costs. However, you should not drink alcoholic beverages along trek as they might cause altitude sickness among trekkers. The accommodations in tea houses are not at all fancy. Hence, you will need to manage your expectations.
The Final Say
Tsho Rolpa lake located in Rolwaling valley between the Everest and Langtang mountain ranges is an incredible trekking destination. The off the beaten Tsho Rolpa trek is an opportunity for nature lovers to trek peacefully in beautiful natural terrains of Nepal.
Moreover, this trek gives you an opportunity to explore the cultural aspects of the region as well. The trek is challenging as well as exciting and will test you to the core. Contact us for more details and book with us for a safe and comfortable trekking experience!