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. We 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.

As our crew is ready, we drive to Gongabu Bus station to get a coach to Baluwa at Daraudi Riverbank. Kathmandu to Baluwa bazaar takes about 8 hours journey by a bus ride passing over most historic sites, including Gorkha palace. The journey over Prithivi Highway beside the Trishuli River is great. It’s scenic countryside drives passing beautiful hamlets and mystical landscapes. Likewise, we follow the Marsyangdi riverbank and continue to drive further to Abu Khairani Bazaar.

Moreover, we get to Gorkha Durbar and finally reach to Baluwa in a 5 hours as a drive from Gorkha palace to Baluwa distance is 12 kilometers. Palace Gorkha to Baluwa has an off-road drive on a gravel road. The place is located on the bank of the Daraudi River valley farmland. Have in mind that we can arrange for you a comfortable 4WD jeep drive from Kathmandu to Baluwa at an extra cost. Stay overnight at Tent.

Today, our hiking path follows the upstream of the Daraudi River passing the paddy field to the right flank of the stream. Hike for around 3 hours to get to a scenic place for a lunch spot before steps climbing. The nature path rises higher up, and a dazzling perspective of the stream valley and Buddha Himal (6,672m) on the foundation can be seen incredibly. Trail raises however dry terraced cultivating field and crowds cover. Still, the present hikes step towards the biggest Barpak, Ghale Gurung settlement.

Barpak is a big mountain town of Ghale and Gurung settlement almost the biggest village in the entire Gorkha District. Villagers are engaging in the Ex-Indian and British Army, so they have good economic growth from the remittance. As they have hydroelectricity, people can use the internet and watch TV news. Barpak hiking is worth an early evening explore the village that exposes social culture, life living, and village community.

Barpak village produces many ex-army men in British and India, is also known popular man Late Capt. Gaje Ghale – awarded by famous Victoria Cross medal. Clustered stone-roofed houses, stone-built narrow alleys, and a panoramic view of Buddha Himal are the major attractions of Barpak. A massive earthquake disaster in 2015 collapsed the Brapak village and rebuild again. So, they have tiny guest houses with modern amenities like toilets, a shower, and internet facilities inside the homestay.

Saving energy in Barpak village again we begin to walk ascend for next destination Gai Kharka. It’s also called Gambugang hill that offers the super view of entire valley and a edge of Rupina la mountain. This day descent to tumsiak village and follow Daraudi Khola and all way ascent to Gai Kharka, crossing the beautiful forest and quiet place then we will arrive at Gai Kharka.

It is one of the longer days of the trek, as we need to cross over the Daraudi River. However, the 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.

The trek presents a challenging day as it involves a steep ascent of approximately 920 meters (3,018 feet) to reach the Rupina La hilltop. Often referred to as Rubin La, this pass offers breathtaking views of the entire Daraudi River Valley, the Buri Gandaki Valley, and the surrounding high mountains. While the ascent to Rupina La is demanding, the descent from the high pass to Baudha Himal Moraine Camp is equally strenuous and rough, taking about three hours to reach Baudha Himal Base Camp. Alternatively, there is a small hut with limited capacity where trekkers may choose to stay overnight.

Today, we walk next to the glacier campsite to Jarang at 11,221 feet. The nature trail 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 begin our trek to the next destination. On this day, we will traverse through both forested and grassy areas. We will continue by following the left side of Chhilung Khola, passing through the Gomna and Serang areas before reaching Nyak Village. If you prefer to extend the day’s journey, we can set up our tent campsite at Pewa Village.

Follow the trail upstream of Deng River – a tiny village of 4 houses. We walk through a newly built rock tunnel from here, thus avoiding the conventional steep climb. At Ghap, the Tibetan culture begins with Mani stones and shortens all around.

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 Gaon – a small village.

You will pass the stone gate and long Mani stone wall after Lho with 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.

While staying in Samagaun, you have the option to hike to Manaslu Base Camp, which offers 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 is important to note that the 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. The journey 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 Samagaon Monastery, also known as the Pungyen Gompa. It is a Buddhist monastery situated in the Samagaon village. This monastery offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere, and you 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 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. Samagaon to Samdo trek distance is 16.4 km (10.17 miles) and takes roughly 4 hours.

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 suggest to hike about 200 meters to Samdo ridge in the morning just for better acclimatize for yourself. And we walk with the crew and cross the wooden bridge and begin to walk upward, to cross two streams while witnessing the Larke Glacier.

You’ll head to the Salka Khola and climb up to Dharamsala, also known as Larke Phedi. The distance from Samdo to Larke Phedi is 2 kilometers. Tourists can hike at the Tibet border (Rui La) taking 1 more extra day in Samdo as the journey to the border takes a full day hike.

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).

Today, the hiking route gets easier. We start with a gentle climb through paddy fields towards the small Karcha La pass and descend through big tree and rhododendron forests to Tilje village. The distance from Bimthang to Tilje is 26 kilometers (16.12 miles) and takes about eight hours.

Today Follow the trail downstream of the Marshyangdi River, passing through the scattered villages to reach Dharapani. Later on, an overland drive runs 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, our trip ends and we wish you a wonderful journey and further destination.