RUPINA-LA, this is the lowest glacier located in the Nepal Himalayas affected with vegetation, 4,610m trek is a challenging, adventurous and difficult trekking route that is located in the lower Manaslu region of Gorkha district. Rupina-la is a geographically spectacular and undefeated trail in the Lower Manaslu region. It is not that high pass, but it is physically demanding and Nepal adventure pass. The trekking route covers many villages mainly inhabited by Gurungs and gives us a chance to be part of an amazing culture and tradition. This alternative route is very wild and challenging involving several days without seeing habitation and crossing a glacier with many crevasses not to mention traversing a wide and turbulent river on a tree trunk! Rupina- La, wild trekking route without resident until Nyak is very rich in verdant rhododendrons and pine forest, exceptionally changing geographical terrain and offers us with an excellent view of Himalayan landscapes, rivers and waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, valleys lush and wide range of animals and birds. Rupina La Pass Trek is geographically spectacular and culturally fascinating circumnavigating Mt. Manaslu (8163m), Peak 29 (7871m), Himal Chuli (7893m), Buddha Himal (6672m), Ganesh Himal ranges and Langtang Himal ranges. This trek is in a region of strong Tibetan influence.
Tsum valley lies in Gorkha district and comprises two remote villages called Chumchet and Chhekampar. The name ‘Tsum’ came from the Tibetan word called ‘Tsombo’, which means vivid. Traditionally Tsum valley was a very distinct place geographically and culturally therefore was called ‘Tsum Tso Chuksums’, which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. This land is so unexplored that many religious and archeological relics are still intact at many places in Tsum. People in Tsum Valley still practice polyandry system and they have unique culture, tradition and a dialect of their own.
The valley occupies an area of about 1663 km2. The lowest point of Tsum Valley trek is Lokpa (1905 m) and the highest is Ngula Dhojhyang Pass (over 5093 m) on the Tibetan border. The Hidden Valley is surrounded by the Baudha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the North.
Trip Facts:
| Level: medium difficult |
| Accommodation: in tent |
| Stay in Nepal: 20 days / 15 days trekking / 4 nights at KTM |
| Stages: From 4h to 7h of walking |
| Maximum altitude: 4610m |
| Best season: March – May. September- November |
| Transport: 4 * 4 jeep or Mini bus |
We reach Gorkha by minibus by a road along the Trisuli River with beautiful views of the Himalayan range. Then we continue by local transport in the Dhorandi Khola valley to Baluwa (7 h, drive)
This is the start of our trek around the Manaslu; we walk along the Trisuli to Rang Lung where we begin a fairly steep climb to Barpak, the largest traditional Gurung village in the Gorkha region. Drive. (4 * 4 jeep or Mini Bus for transportation)
After breakfast, climb for 3 hours to GUPSI pass (3000m) with the Himal Buddha still in the background. GUPSI DADA separates BARPAK and LAPRAK and offers views of pastures with groups of sheep. Buddha Himal, Shringi Himal, the Annapurna Range, Ganesh Himal and the Langtang stretch all around, a breathtaking view. In spring nearly 28 species of rhododendrons bloom profusely in shades of pink and red. 2 hours of steep descent and here you are in LAPRAK, a large village with more than 600 houses and 2,400 inhabitants. You are at the heart of the unique art of living of the Gurung of this region. They are mainly farmers and their standard of living is low and harsh.
We walk on the ridges and rhododendron forests discovering the view of the Buddha Himal and Ganesh Himal peaks. There will be no more villages but a few sheepfolds with animals and shepherds. The spectacle of the Darundi and Bhudi Gandaki valleys fleeing under our shoes on both sides of the path.
We walk on the mountainside in very dense forests on paths traced by animals and shepherds. We are approaching more and more summits with eternal snow.
We are walking in the meadows. Gradual climb, we will only find elevation shrubs, Tundra. We arrive at the foot of the Rupinala pass.
The climb is very steep until the Rupina pass 600m vertical drop. Then we descend to Phedi where we will spend the night. The trail is difficult; you have to be very careful especially if there is snow. Ropes are put in place if necessary.
Return to the forest before crossing an arm of the chulung Khola by a wooden bridge then climb on the moraine and cross the glacier without difficulty. At the exit of the glacier we set up camp in the MEME Kharka pasture.We will traverse the lowest glacier in Nepal. We are at the foot of the huge east face of Himal Chuli (7893m)
After breakfast in front of the immense glacier cirque between forests and mountain pastures. The balcony path above the deeper and deeper gorges of the chulung Khola offers splendid and unique views of the Ganesh Himal. The first giant rhododendrons appear. Arrival on small terraces and installation of Gay Kharka camp.
The scenery will be breathtaking….we will walk through the pasture with a magnificent view of the mountains… we meet the large Gurung village of Nyak after a week of walking in wild mountains.
It is arrived along the descent and arrives the small village of Phewa and the other small village of Deng where the Tibetan influence is already felt, as much by the architecture as by the faces of the villagers. We finally begin our walk in the valley of Tsum. We gradually climb to the small village then hike to the small village of Lokpa. View of the Ganesh Himal and Shringi Himal.
From Lokpa, we descend into a beautiful forest. The path joins the river at the bottom of the impressive gorges of the Syar. In the distance appears the glacial summit of Chamar, at more than 7000m. We pass the valley lock before the trail climbs up the mountainside in a forest that is still very beautiful. Further down the path, we cross the river again on a rudimentary bridge and pass the right bank to go up in laces to the entrance of a valley where the sun falls on us. Then climb up a grassy slope to reach Chumling
We always follow the right bank of the river with climbs and descents. At the confluence of the Syar and the Sarpu we observe a beautiful traditional chorten (mini stupa) and cross a suspension bridge. We then cross the beautiful village of Gho and continue to climb to Chhokungparo.
Now we are passing through several Tibetan villages. On the way, we visit the Rachen Gompa monastery (3240 m). On a cliff above the village there is the hermitage of Piren Phu where, it is said; Mila Ripa (a respected Buddhist master) meditated, attested to the imprint of his foot in the cave. Then we continue to Nile.
Tent/Lodge
Ascent to the monastery of Mu Gompa, this one is the last dwelling before the border of Tibet. It is a very famous ancient monastery built between 1895 and 1936 by a grand lama of Bhutan which was restored in 1998. It is a quite famous meditation center which depends on the Gelugpa monastery of Kopan near Kathmandu. The main room is dedicated to Chenrezig the Buddha of Compassion. We then visit the Choyong Gompa nunnery 45 minutes away by a balcony path. Magnificent views of the mountains and the caravan route to Tibet.
Rachen Gompa is one of the largest monasteries in the Tsum Valley, with 80 student monks. Rachen Gompa was founded in 1936 by Drukpa in the sect of Ngak-pa, which does not allow the sacrifice of animals
A quiet descent followed by a steeper slope leads us to Dumje.
We followed a hilly path shaded by conifers, oaks and rhododendrons to the pretty and rustic village of Ripchet. We enjoy the great views of the mountains
Quiet descent for the first hour before a more strenuous descent to Dobhan
Many climbs and descents await us. Rather trying day in full sun before arriving in Soti Khola.
Transfer by local bus to Kathmandu throughout the journey you will pass beautiful landscapes of rice fields and traditional Nepalese villages, lunch along the way.
Cost Include
Cost Non-Includes