Rupina La Pass Trek

Landing at Kathmandu international airport and transfer to your hotel in Thamel downtown. All aspects of hiking gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you’re fully prepared with hiking gear to cross Rupina la and Larkyala.

Later lunch, we explore Kathmandu city. In ancient times, Kathmandu town was marked as a city of glory. Visit Boudha stupa, Pashupati temple – Hindu’s most holy temple where the cremation takes place at the holy river Bagmati. If time permits, we visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Living Goddess Temple. In the evening, check your hiking gear with a guide and buy or rent necessary gear in Thamel stores. In the evening, Ammar Guni will brief you about Rupina la trek information.

Meet your guide and transfer to Gongabu Bus Park for a scenic journey to Barpak Village. Follows the Prithvi Highway alongside the Trishuli River, passing traditional villages, terraced hillsides, and the historic town of Gorkha with views of the historic Gorkha Durbar.

Continuing through the picturesque Daraudi River Valley, the route showcases the beautiful rural landscapes. For greater comfort and flexibility, a private 4WD jeep transfer from Kathmandu or from Gorkha palace is possible to arrange at an additional cost.

Upon arrival, settle into a local guesthouse and enjoy the peaceful mountain atmosphere. Barpak is one of the largest Ghale and Gurung settlements in Gorkha District, known for its rich cultural heritage and strong tradition of service in the British and Indian armies.

Barpak village is well known for its long history of service in the British and Indian armies and is the birthplace of the late Captain Gaje Ghale VC, a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Cross. It has prospered through remittance income and modern infrastructure, with access to hydroelectricity, internet services, and television.

Furthermore, trekkers can see the traditional stone roofed houses, narrow stone paved alleys, and spectacular views of Buddha Himal add to its unique charm. An evening walk through the village provides a rewarding glimpse into the local lifestyle, rich cultural traditions, and the warm hospitality of the Ghale and Gurung communities.

Although the village was severely damaged during the devastating 2015 earthquake, it has been successfully rebuilt with improved facilities. Today, visitors can enjoy comfortable guesthouses equipped with modern amenities, including attached toilets, hot showers, and internet access.

After a relaxing night in Barpak, we begin our trek toward Gai Kharka, gradually ascending through picturesque hills and traditional settlements. Follow with the scenic Daraudi Khola, you’ll have a beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Continuing through peaceful forests and unspoiled landscapes, the route steadily climbs to Gai Kharka, also known as Gambugang Hill. This spectacular viewpoint rewards trekkers with panoramic vistas of the entire valley and distant views toward the Rupina La region. Upon arrival, enjoy the tranquility of this remote highland pasture and its stunning mountain scenery.

It is one of the longer days of your journey that you’ll need to cross over the Daraudi River. However, your journey to Rubin La Phedi is particularly intriguing, as it leads us to Sanrung Kharka. Notably, Rubin La Phedi serves as the base camp for the Rupin La Pass. Our expert guide will set up your tent in a well chosen camping ground along the Daraudi River bank. Following this, you will prepare for the challenging ascent of Rupin La.

Ascending an unique trail presents a challenging day as it involves a steep ascent of approximately 920 meters to reach the Rupina La hilltop. Often referred to as Rubin La, this pass provides a breathtaking views of the entire Daraudi River Valley, the Buri Gandaki Valley, and the surrounding high mountains.

Ascent to Rupina La is a challenging vertical adventure, demanding both endurance and skill. Likewise, the descent to Baudha Himal Moraine Camp is equally strenuous, with rugged terrain taking approximately three hours to reach the base camp. For an alternative stay, trekkers can decide for a small hut with limited capacity, providing a rustic overnight experience in the heart of the rural Himalayas.

Walk next to the glacier campsite to Jarang at 11,221 feet. However, our path to Zhong kharka between of chhuling Khola and rebing Khola offers Gorkha Himal, Himal chuli, Bauddha Himal, peak 29 (Nagdi Chuli). Have in mind that Jong Kharka is also popular as a Gai kharka, where we set up a camp to stay overnight.

After enjoying a hot breakfast at the tent camp, we set off on our trek to the next destination. The journey unfolds through diverse landscapes, blending lush forests with open grasslands, offering both natural beauty and serenity. Following the left bank of the Chhilung Khola, we pass through the picturesque Gomna and Serang regions, gradually reaching the charming Nyak Phedi.

For those carving more adventure, you can extend to Bihi Phedi Village, where we set up a scenic tent campsite for the night. This flexible itinerary ensures a personalized experience, catering to different preferences and energy levels.

Follow the trail upstream along the Deng River, a small village with a few traditional houses. From here, a newly built rock tunnel replaces the steep climb, making the journey smoother. As we reach Ghap, the vibrant Tibetan culture comes to life, with Mani stones and prayer wheels adorning the path.

Crossing the wooden bridge over Budhi Gandaki, we follow the path lined with houses that are interspersed with cultivated fields. At Namru, there is a police check post again. After Namru, across the Hinan river originating from Linda Glacier, and continue on to Sho. Naike peak, Manaslu north (7,774 m), and Manaslu (8,150 m) are visible from here. Tonight, we fix the camp near a spring at Lho Gaun – a small village.

Pass the stone gate and long Mani stone wall after Lho and get a full view of Peak 29 ahead. You can make a side excursion to Pungen Glacier from here to get a very close-up view of Manaslu. Follow the lateral moraine of Pungent Glacier toward Sama. From the village of Sama, it takes another 20 minutes to reach Sama Gompa for an overnight stay.

Its a free day just for a relaxation and an acclimatization. While staying in Samagaun, you have an option to hike to Manaslu Base Camp at 4,800 meters, provides an excellent opportunity for better acclimatization. For photographers, this is a must see destination to capture the stunning landscapes of the mountains and the valley. However, it’s an important to note that exploring a trek to Manaslu Base Camp involves a steep ascent across a thin trail leading to a moraine.

Nevertheless, the views of the Himalayan glacier, turquoise lakes, and surrounding mountains from various angles are truly spectacular. Although trekking to Manaslu Base Camp is challenging, the breathtaking scenery justifies the effort. And typically takes approximately 7 hours to cover the 10.5 kilometers round trip from Samagaun to Manaslu Base Camp.

Start your tour by visiting the Samagaun Monastery (also known as the Pungyen Gompa) provides a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Travelers can explore its beautiful architecture and religious artifacts. Likewise, take a short hike to Birendra Tal, a glacial lake, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks. Tourist can enjoy here the tranquil ambiance while admiring the reflections of the mountains in the clear waters.

Continue the journey, along with the Budhi Gandaki River towards a most remote permanent settlement to Samdo village. Samdo is a tiny settlement with 200 people in forty local houses. Additionally, take a walk around the village to experience the local culture and way of life. Interact with the friendly locals, visit their houses, and observe their daily activities. You can also explore the village’s traditional architecture, prayer flags, and Mani walls.

We recommend an early morning hike of approximately 200 meters to the Samdo ridge that provides an excellent opportunity to acclimatize effectively. Following this, the journey continues with the crew, crossing a wooden bridge and gradually ascending while passing two streams and marveling at the breathtaking Larke Glacier.

Our journey just after Lunch leads toward the Salka Khola and ascends to Dharamsala, commonly referred to as Larke Phedi campsite. From Samdo to Larke Phedi distance is a manageable 2 kilometers.

Climb to Cho Chanda and then slowly head steeply uphill towards the snowed up pass. From the top hill high pass, the Manaslu panorama is magnificent. Likewise, hikers can watch the Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Cheo Himal (6,820 m), Gyagi Kung, Kang Kuru (6,981 m), the Annapurna II (7,937 m), etc. The descent trail to Bimthang is steep through moraines. Likewise, the distance from Samdo to Bimthang is 16.3 kilometers (10.2 miles).

Leaving Bimthang, you’ll have a pleasant and relatively easy descent through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Manaslu region. It begins with a gentle climb across scenic meadows and cultivated fields before crossing the modest Karcha La Pass. From there, the trail descends through enchanting forests of pine, fir, and rhododendron, passing traditional settlements and picturesque mountain scenery before reaching the charming village of Tilje.

This section of the trek is particularly rewarding, combining stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and authentic cultural experiences. Moreover, Tilje is also a popular stop for trekkers due to its traditional Gurung culture, welcoming hospitality, beautiful riverside setting, and convenient location at the gateway between the Manaslu and Annapurna regions.

Your guide will arrange a local jeep in a sharing basis to run gently downstream of the river passing the Chamje village. Continue to drive through the scenic countryside and during the route will stop for lunch in Besisahar, we drive back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu, a guide will arrange a transfer to drop you at your hotel. In this way, your trip completes and we wish you a wonderful journey and further destination.