RUPINA-LA VALLEY

Trip Introduction

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.

Trip Facts:

Itinerary

• Day 1

  ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU

  • Transfer to the hotel and welcome dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel (Samsara Resort, Thamel)
• Day 2

  VISIT KATHMANDU valley with City Guide

  • SWAYAMBUNATH, the holiest of the Buddhist sites in the city named “The Temple of the Apes”,
  • BODHNATH, a Mecca of Nepalese Buddhism which attracts thousands of pilgrims
  • PASHUPATINATH, sacred city where cremations take place on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river
• Day 3

  KATMANDU - BARPAK (1950m)

  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)

  • Elevation plus: 1000 meters
  • Accommodation: Bivouac in tent
• Day 4

  BARPAK - GUPSIDADA (2700m)

  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.

  • Elevation plus: 1100 meters
  • Elevation less: 250 meters
  • Number of walking hours: 4
  • Accommodation: Bivouac in tent.
• Day 5

  LAPRAK –POMKIN (2700m, 6h)

  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.

  • Elevation + 200m – 300m
  • Accommodation: Bivouac in tent.
• Day 6

  POMKIN - ROSHE (3100m), 5/6 hours

  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.

  • Elevation + 400m – 00m
  • Accommodation: Bivouac in tent.
• Day 7

  ROSHE - RUBINALA PHEDI (4000m), 5/6 hours

  We are walking in the meadows. Gradual climb, we will only find elevation shrubs, Tundra. We arrive at the foot of the Rupinala pass.

  • Elevation + 500m -200m
  • Accommodation tent
• Day 8

  ACCLIMATIZATON DAY

   

• Day 9

  RUBINALA PHEDI - RUPINA-LA PASSE (4610M) - PHEDI (3500M) 8 h

  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.

  • Elevation + 600m-1100m
  • Tent
• Day 10

  PHEDI PASS - Meme Kharka (3500m) 5h walk

  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)

  • Elevation + 50m-100m
  • Tent
• Day 11

  Meme KHARKA - GAY KHARKA (2750M) 6/7 hours

  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.

  • Elevation + 100m – 250m
  • Tent
• Day 12

  GAY KHARKA- NYAK VILLAGE (2100m), 5 hours

  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.

  • Elevation + 200m – 500m
  • Tent
• Day 13

  NYAK VILLAGE – PHILIM (1950m, 6h)

• Day 14

  PHILIM – DOVAN (1050m, 6h)

• Day 15

  DOVAN – KHORLABENSI (900m, 5h)

• Day 16

  KHORLABENSI – KTM

• Day 17

  KTM

   

   

• Day 18

  DEPARTURE

Cost Includes & Excludes

Glimpse of RUPINA-LA VALLEY

+10