Dolakhaरोल्वालिङ उपत्यका
A remote Sherpa valley under Gaurishankar in Dolakha, trekked to the glacial lake Tsho Rolpa, with a technical pass to the Everest region.
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), landslides (Jun-Sep), road blockages (Jun-Sep), snow (Dec-Apr), cold (Nov-Mar).
The Rolwaling valley runs east-west below the Rolwaling Himal in northern Dolakha, close to the Tibet border and just west of the Khumbu (Everest) region. Gaurishankar (7,134 m) and Melungtse rise above its southern and northern flanks, and the valley ends in glaciers and the large moraine-dammed lake Tsho Rolpa at about 4,580 m. It is part of the Gaurishankar Conservation Area and the wilder of the Dolakha hub's places.
Treks usually start at road heads north of Charikot, such as Chhetchhet or Simigaun, then follow the Rolwaling Khola gorge up through forest to the Sherpa villages of Beding (about 3,690 m) and Na (about 4,180 m), the last settlement. From Na, trekkers walk up to Tsho Rolpa and return, typically in about 10-14 days in total. Strong, experienced parties with mountaineering support can cross the Tashi Lapcha pass (about 5,755 m) into the Khumbu, a serious glacier route rather than a trekking pass.
Lodges are fewer and simpler than on the main trekking routes, and many groups still camp. That keeps numbers low and the valley quiet.
Rolwaling is regarded in Tibetan Buddhism as a beyul, a hidden valley blessed by Guru Padmasambhava as a refuge for practice, and it is also sacred to Hindus because of Gaurishankar, named after Shiva and Parvati. The Sherpa communities of Beding and Na belong to several distinct clans and keep monasteries, festivals and seasonal herding traditions; Na is largely a summer settlement for yak herding.
The first Western exploration of the valley was by Eric Shipton's party in 1951, during the Everest reconnaissance. Tsho Rolpa became known internationally in the 1990s as one of Nepal's most dangerous glacial lakes, and its water level was lowered through an engineered outlet completed around 2000 to reduce flood risk downstream.
Tsho Rolpa trek
Trek from the road head up the Rolwaling gorge to Beding and Na, then day-walk to Tsho Rolpa; allow about 10-14 days return.
Acclimatisation walks around Na
Climb viewpoints above Na for glacier and peak views before going to the lake.
Tashi Lapcha crossing (experienced only)
With mountaineering equipment, a climbing guide and acclimatisation, cross the 5,755 m pass towards Thame in the Khumbu.
Forecast for 4,332 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Apr-May, Oct-Nov
Basic teahouses and homestays in the main villages; many groups camp, especially on the upper route and for the Tashi Lapcha.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Drive from Kathmandu via Charikot to a road head in the Tamakoshi valley, then trek up the Rolwaling gorge.
Nearest hub: Charikot
Nearest hub: Dolakha. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom Kathmanduabout 5-7 hLocal buses
Buses run as far as Charikot and the Tamakoshi valley; onward travel to the roadheads is by jeep.
When to set off: Charikot buses leave Kathmandu in the morning.
Kalinchowk destination guide (Government of Nepal, film.gov.np)
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 8-10 h
By jeep via Charikot and north up the Tamakoshi towards the Singati, Gongar, Chhetchhet and Simigaun roadheads; how far vehicles get varies with the state of the road.
Road: Sealed to Charikot, then a rough, narrow and very slide-prone valley road up the Tamakoshi; a jeep is normally needed.
When to set off: Leave Kathmandu by 05:30 to 06:00: this is a very long jeep day and the valley road is slow.
By motorbikefrom DolakhaNot recommended
The Tamakoshi valley road is rough, exposed and slide-prone; not a sensible ride, and the trek itself is on foot.
Road: Rough, narrow and slide-prone valley road north of Charikot.
On footfrom DolakhaAbout 2-3 days from the roadhead to Beding, a day on to Na, then Tsho Rolpa as a long day trip
On foot from the roadhead up the Rolwaling gorge to Beding and Na, then a long day to Tsho Rolpa. The Tashi Lapcha pass at 5,755 m links the valley to the Khumbu and is a mountaineering crossing.
When to set off: Start each stage early; the gorge trail is long and the upper valley clouds over by afternoon.
Permit required
The Rolwaling valley is in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, which requires a conservation area permit. Some neighbouring areas (such as Lapchi) are restricted and need a special permit. Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Trekking guide to Rolwaling and Lapchi valleys (Himalayan Wander Walkers).
On the Rolwaling Valley and Tsho Rolpa trek, Tashi Lapcha crossing to the Khumbu.
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
General information, not medical advice: this is high ground where altitude illness is a real risk. Gain height slowly, build in an acclimatisation day, learn the symptoms of headache with nausea, breathlessness or unsteady walking, and go down if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation. Beding is about 3,690 m, Na about 4,180 m, Tsho Rolpa about 4,580 m and the Tashi Lapcha crossing to the Khumbu is 5,755 m.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Araniko Highway corridor runs under extremely steep hillsides that are very prone to landslides, and large slides after heavy rain are a recurring monsoon pattern on this route.
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon slides on the Araniko Highway and the Lamosangu to Jiri road can hold up or divert vehicles for anything from hours to weeks; a 2014 slide closed the highway for 46 days.
Snowhigh in a typical yearDec-Apr
Snow lies deep in the upper valley and on the Tashi Lapcha pass through winter and early spring, when the high ground is often impractical and Na is largely empty.
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
Nights at Na and the lake are severely cold from November to March, with little shelter and few lodges working.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearAll year
Tsho Rolpa, at the head of the Rolwaling valley, is a large moraine-dammed glacial lake whose dam is considered unstable; an outburst would threaten settlements along the Rolwaling and Tamakoshi rivers, and a modern early-warning system has been planned to replace the one installed in the late 1990s.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain swells the Tamakoshi, Sun Koshi and their tributaries, and landslides that dam a river can break out as a flash flood downstream.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
A network of high and mid-hill routes about 1,700 km long that crosses Nepal from Kanchenjunga in the east to Humla and the far west, usually walked in sections, or as a through-trek of about four to five months.
A return trek to Tsho Rolpa usually takes about 10-14 days from Kathmandu, depending on road access and acclimatisation days.
Yes, a Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit. Restricted area permits apply only to certain nearby wards such as Lapchi.
Na is about 4,180 m and Tsho Rolpa about 4,580 m, so altitude sickness is a risk and acclimatisation is needed.
Only via the Tashi Lapcha pass (about 5,755 m), a glaciated route that needs mountaineering skills and equipment.
Temple, monastery or heritage site
An open-roofed temple in the old Newar town of Dolakha, where a triangular stone image of Bhimsen is worshipped as a god of trade and fortune.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 3,842 m
A Hindu shrine on a 3,842 m ridge in Dolakha, reached from Kuri on foot or by cable car, known for winter snow and mountain views.
Viewpoint · 3,146 m
A high ridge of grassy domes on the Dolakha-Ramechhap border, with a wide Himalayan view and a hilltop Shiva shrine.
Valley or region
A hill district east of Kathmandu between the Tamakoshi gorges and the Gaurishankar range, with snow pilgrimages, an old Newar town and high trekking valleys.
Valley or region
The Sherpa homeland below Everest, reached on foot from Lukla through stone villages, monasteries and glacial valleys.
Town or village · 3,440 m
The Sherpa market town of Khumbu, built in tiers around a hillside bowl and used by most trekkers as their acclimatisation base.
