Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek

Tso Rolpa Lake, lying at an altitude of 4183 m, is between the mountain ranges of Langtang and Everest and is one of the biggest glacier lakes in Nepal.

Situated in the north eastern region of the country, the road to the starting point of the trek (the trading town of Dolakha) passes along the route from Kathmandu to Lhasa, Tibet. The lake itself is situated in the Rolwaling Valley, one of the seven hidden valleys where the Yeti is said to live!

Although it is highly unlikely to meet a Yeti on the trail, there are interesting terraced fields, fast-flowing rivers, forests and two great glaciers to see as well as the stunning glacier lake of Tso Rolpa. This trek starts at a low altitude so there is plenty of time for trekkers to get acclimatized before reaching the lake. Although the trail does not reach high altitude, trekking days are generally 6-8 hours long so a good level of fitness is required.

Mountains that can be seen on this route include Gauri Shankar (7,145m) and Menlungtse (7,181m), among others. The trail runs through Brahmin, Chhetri, Tamang and Sherpa villages, as well as past Bigu Gompa, home to over 300 nuns. This area is mainly Buddhist as can be recognised by the mani stones along the trail and prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

For those who do not want to trek at very high altitudes and are interested in the culture of the peoples of the Everest region this trek is a good option.

Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek Itinerary

Includes

Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek Map

Location of the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek

Tsho Rolpa Lake is found in the Rolwaling Valley, in east Nepal.  The valley itself is situated in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area which links two national parks, namely Langtang National Park and Sagarmatha National Park. 

The trek’s location takes you through stunning landscapes which are rich in flora and fauna, many species of which are unknown in other parts of the country.  The area combines lush alpine vegetation with stark, rocky trails as you ascend in height.

Required Experience for the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek

This is a rugged camping trek in a remote area with some days at high altitude.  It is moderately challenging if you are an experienced hiker and camper.  Should you be a novice, you may find this trek quite strenuous on the tougher days. Be aware there are a lot of ascents and descents, some with stone steps.

The highest altitude you will reach is just under 4,580 m / 15,030 ft, but you will be sleeping at altitudes over 3,500 m / 11,482.9 ft for seven nights.  Having said that, there are two acclimatization days built into the itinerary to give your body time to rest and become used to the thinner air.

If you have some experience of high altitude trekking and camping in remote areas, and can walk for 5 to 6 hours per day over rough terrain, you can manage this trek and still feel like you have challenged yourself.

Physical Fitness – What You Need to Know

This is a trek for those with some trekking experience.  If you have trekked at high altitude before, so much the better.  Remember that camping in the Himalayas is not like camping in an area with facilities like toilet and shower blocks and electricity at the campsites!  We do our utmost to provide you with comfortable tented accommodation, but it is basic.

You should have a good level of fitness, stamina and be able to persevere regardless of what the day brings to be able to not only complete but enjoy this trek!

Two acclimatization days are built in and on average you are walking 5 to 6 hours a day over rough terrain.   

You should prepare your body in advance by increasing your exercise regime, particularly working on your leg muscles and cardio.

While there are a lot of higher altitude treks in Nepal, for those who live at lower altitudes, this can be considered a high altitude trek.  There are a number of days where you will be walking and sleeping at altitudes which can potentially cause some people to have altitude related problems.  To combat this, we suggest you hike slowly, take plenty of breaks and stay well hydrated. Your guide will ‘remind’ you to do just that.  Always be aware of your body on a trek – alert your guide to any different feelings – headaches, difficulty breathing, dizziness etc. 

To know more about altitude related illness, check here.

What to Expect on a Typical Day on the Tsho Rolpo Lake

As this is a camping trek, your camp crew will be up and busy before you wake.  Breakfast will be getting underway as you get handed some hot water for washing and a cup of hot tea for drinking. 

After breakfast, prepared by our great camp chef, you will head out on the trail around 8am.  Along with some boiled drinking water from the kitchen tent. 

In the Rolwaling Valley, the landscape varies from lush vegetation, alpine, raging rivers and cascading waterfalls, to grazing pastures, boulder strewn trails and steep uphills.  Each day the mountains will be overhead, particularly Gaurishankar which is the dominant peak in this area. Overall, the hiking days can last between 4 to 6 hours depending on that day’s trail. 

Lunch will be prepared by the camp chef in the morning and carried with you for your mid-day break.  On reaching the next campsite there are snacks and more hot tea to enjoy while you relax and wait for dinner to be prepared.  We always serve vegetarian options on our treks. We carry some canned fish and meat for those who are not vegetarian.

What You Will See on This Trek – Highlights of the Best it Has to Offer

This trek takes you into a quiet, less trekked corner of Nepal.  As a result, you are not likely to meet too many other trekkers on the trails.  Nor are the settlements you pass through large villages – they are traditionally small Nepali settlements built from local materials such as slate roofs.

There are plenty of rivers, streams and waterfalls in the Rolwaling Valley, and crossing by suspension bridge will become second nature.  The flora and fauna is reportedly not just unique to this area, but some of it is not found in other parts of the country.  Perhaps it is worth doing some research before coming. 

Why would you want to trek to Tsho Rolpo Lake?  Here are some reasons:-

• The Culture: Overall, the people from this region follow Buddhism.  There is a mix of different ethnic groups such as Gurung, Sherpa, Tamang, Chhetri and Brahmin.  Villages are built in traditional style and often surrounded by stone walls to keep out wildlife and the high winds that occur in this area.
• Flora and Fauna: Among the mammals, you may see Himalayan tahr, musk deer, pika (mouse-hare), and langur monkeys. Among the larger and more rare mammals can be found the red panda, Himalayan black bear, and snow leopard.  Found – if you are extremely lucky! For those who are interested in birdwatching, some include Himalayan griffons, lammergeiers, blood pheasants, impeyan pheasants, and rufous-bellied tits.
• Gaurishankar Conservation Area: Established in 2010 the conservation area covers 2,179 km² / 841 miles².  It is part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape of WWF, and is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.  Interestingly, it links the Langtang National Park with Sagarmatha National Park. 
• Tsho Rolpa Lake: This is a high altitude glacier lake administratively situated in Dolakha district.  But moreover, it is located in a quiet beautiful area, just next to its busy neighbor of the Everest Region.  Surrounded by stunning mountains and rugged landscapes, the lake is the biggest glacial lake in Nepal and is continually expanding due to glacier melt.
• Mountains: The Gaurishankar Himal range is the dominant range in this area.  It includes Gaurishankar itself  at 7,134 m / 23,405.5 ft , Melungtse 7,181m /  23,559.7 ft and Dorje Lakpa at 6,966 m /  22,854.3 ft.  If the weather and your location is just right, you may also see some of the Everest range peaks.

Minimum Number of Trekkers for this Trek

For a camping trek in Nepal, we require a minimum of two (2) trekkers to make it viable. It is also more enjoyable for you if there are more in your group.

However, if you are one person traveling alone we will endeavor, if possible,  to put you with other trekkers who wish to do this trek.

Transport Options

There are no flights to take you to this part of the country.  The only way to reach this trek is by road. 

We provide public transport in the cost of the trek, but should you wish to hire private transport (more comfortable and able to stop where you wish to stop) please ask us about the cost of this.

Camping Trek – Remote and Different

In this remote area, there are very few teahouses or home stay accommodation. This is why we chose to camp on the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek. 

At the campsite we will provide you with a comfortable tent and sleeping mat, a toilet tent and dining tent. There is a kitchen tent where the camp chef will make delicious food and boil water for you for drinking and washing.    While we try to make everything as comfortable as possible for you, this is rough camping with no facilities other than what we carry in with us.

Food While Camping

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner are provided while camping. 

While you are getting ready in the morning, breakfast will be prepared.  A packed lunch will be taken on the trail and there will be snacks and tea available at the end of the day while you are waiting for dinner to be prepared.

As there is no electricity at the campsites the cooking is done on a kerosene stove which the camping crew will bring with them. 

Bringing your own snacks is a great idea as we all like a little taste of home and/ or comfort food now and again.

Possible Menu While Camping:

• Breakfast may be porridge with bread (probably roti – a Nepali flatbread)
• Lunch and dinner can be pasta, noodles, dal bhat (Nepali vegetable curry), pizza, etc.  
• Afternoon snack may consist of fried potatoes and popcorn.
• We will not attempt to buy fresh meat but will bring some canned meat / tuna fish.  There is no guarantee the meat in remote areas is indeed fresh.
• There will always be vegetarian food available at every meal. 
• Tea/ coffee/ hot water is unlimited, with  powdered milk and sugar for the tea/coffee.
• We will not carry alcohol as we do not recommend its consumption at altitude. And it’s simply too heavy to carry.  Same with soft drinks – too heavy to carry.  You could bring some flavored powder to add to the water for a different taste.

Drinking Water While Camping

The kitchen tent will provide you with boiled water for drinking.  If you come across a mountain spring, as long as you add purifying drops or tablets to it you can drink that water.  When in doubt ask the guide.  A Lifestraw will filter out some, not all, larger bacteria so if you have one, bring it along.

What You Need to Bring for a Camping Trek

• Take a look at our list of trekking equipment / gear  you need on any trek.  We suggest a few additional items for a camping trek, such as:
• Portable solar panel (one which hooks onto your day pack) to recharge equipment.
• Headtorch with batteries and extra batteries.
• Medicines – any ones you take regularly plus items such as headache tablets, stomach tablets etc.  And a small first aid kit.
• Four-season sleeping bag. This can be rented in Kathmandu.
• Toiletries in small, travel sized containers, and some clothes washing soap.
• Things for blisters and a few bandages in case of sprains.
• Nepali rupees in case there is something you wish to buy on the trek. 
• Your favorite snacks.

Keeping Your Gear to Essentials  for the Porters 

Porters will be carrying the tents, kitchen equipment and food for your camping trek.  It is possible for them to also carry your gear.  Please be considerate and keep your gear down to a sensible weight of essentials! 

 Best Time to do the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek

For the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek the best times are spring and autumn.

• Spring is March to May.
• Autumn is September to November.

In the spring the rhododendrons will be in bloom at lower altitudes and the skies will be clear.  On the downside, there may be some light rain at times.

In the autumn, the weather is similar to spring in that it is not too warm (at lower altitudes) and not too cold (at higher altitudes).

During the monsoon months (June to August) there will be heavy rain making the trails slippery and camping soggy!

Winter is not recommended as there could be snowfall and it will be very cold.  On the other hand, the lake will be frozen giving it a whole different look and feel.

Before the Trek

Your First Days in Nepal

If you wish, we can meet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival, saving you time and effort.  Just let us know on the booking form but please note there is a charge for pick up. 

Hotels in Kathmandu

Booking.com and hostelworld.com will give you a selection of hotels in Kathmandu.  We suggest you stay in Thamel which is geared up for tourists with lively cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Our office is also located in Thamel. 

Explore Kathmandu

There is so much to see in Kathmandu!  Take a tour!  Or walk around and lose yourself in the tiny back streets and alleys. 

 Highlights  of a tour with us include Boudhanath (Tibetan area with a huge stupa), Swayambhunath (another Buddhist stupa) and Pashupatinath (Hindu temples and ghats).

 There are many other options on our tours including one (or more) of the three Durbar Squares within the Kathmandu Valley.  These date back to when there were three kingdoms in what is now Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur and are fascinating places with temples and palaces.   Swayambhunath, Boudha, and Pashupatinath are among the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley. 

If you wish to see something in particular, do ask us about it.  

Visa for Nepal

Visa on arrival is available for people from most countries, via the Immigration Department of Nepal’s on-line site.   Complete the form, print it out and bring it with you.  Bring USD cash (exact money) to make payment on arrival at the airport. 

Visa on arrival is valid for 15 days, 30 days or 3 months and costs: 

• 15 Days – 30 USD
• 30 Days – 50 USD
• 90 Days – 125 USD

Trekking Permits You Need for this Trek  

You require only one permit for this trek:-

Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP)

Cost: USD 30 for foreign tourists.  USD10 (Nrs 1,000) for those trekkers from SAARC countries.

Why You Need a Permit

The Gaurishankar Conservation Permit enables the fees collected from tourists to be put back into conservation – of the flora and fauna and of cultural heritage.

It also helps in your safety.  When you pass a checkpoint, your permit  number is noted down and should you go missing, there is a greater chance of the search taking place in the right location.

Safety on the Trek 

Altitude: One of the main concerns for a high altitude trek is altitude related illness.  We make recommendations and encourage you to follow our advice on how to mitigate the possibility of altitude illness, but no one knows for sure whether they are prone to altitude or not.  Altitude illness is not related to age, fitness or gender.  So, unless you have that ancient inbuilt gene that the Sherpa community does, or have extensive experience of trekking at altitude, you won’t know whether you are at risk or not.

The basic guidelines are:

·       drinking enough water to stay well hydrated,

·       going slowly, and

·       take lots of breaks.

Our guides are trained in first aid and in recognising signs of altitude so do not hesitate to inform them if you are feeling unwell.

Getting lost: Getting lost is easy in the mountains.  Even if the route looks straight forward, there is always the possibility of getting turned around and/or confused.  Please let the guide know if you are wishing to go explore on your own at any time.  Always be aware of your surroundings in the mountains.

Tips for Safety on the Trek:

Some basic safety tips:

• Bring trekking poles for stabilizing yourself on risky trails.
• Do not go off on your own at the rest/ overnight stops without telling your guide.
• Drink at least 4ltrs of water per day. While camping you will be provided with boiled drinking water.
• It is important not to skip meals as you need to keep your energy up.
• Do tell your guide if you feel at all unwell. 
• Have the correct insurance.
• Wear the correct gear. Bring waterproof gear in case of rain or snowfall even when it’s not forecast as the weather is unpredictable in the mountains.
• Bring your own regular medicines and a medical kit.
• Pay attention to the guide in tricky or dangerous areas. 
• Don’t provoke the animals – including yaks!

Expenses You Should Calculate For

On a camping trek there really isn’t anywhere to spend your money.  Even in bigger villages, if there is a shop or teahouse, what they sell will be simple fare. 

The cost of the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek has been covered.  So that’s the accommodation, guide, camp chef, and porters. Aside from tips for the crew, you don’t need to pay anything more on the trail.

If there are any monasteries (gompas) to visit, you will need a small donation for them, as is normal, even for locals.  You can calculate around Nrs150-500 for each gompa. 

We doubt there is anywhere to buy anything on this trek in the form of a souvenir. 

.  But it’s not the first time we have purchased a locally weaved rug or bag while trekking. 

We do suggest  you bring some Nepali rupees with you in case there is something to buy (a soft drink or fruit perhaps).  We can suggest you bring around the Nepali rupee equivalent to USD5 to 10 per day.  Plenty of places to spend your money back in Kathmandu if you don’t spend it on the trail!

What is Included and Not Included in the Cost of Your Trek

Transport: Public bus to and from the trek (Shigati) is included. Please see Transport Options for other information. 

Accommodation: Tents, and sleeping mats are provided.

Food: At the camp site you will get breakfast, dinner,  and afternoon snacks.  You will also get a packed lunch to eat on the trail.

Permits: The permit required for this trek is included in the cost of your trip.

Tips: Tips are not included in the cost of your trek.  Please calculate the tips for your guide and porters.  Tips can be in Nepali rupees or other currencies.

Before you come expenses:  .

• Trekking / camping gear, good  trekking boots.
• Flight ticket, visa fee, and insurance.

Transport Options:

Should you wish to hire a private jeep for transport to and from the trekking point, please discuss with us.  There is an additional charge for this. 

Tipping the Guide, Chef, and Porters

It is the norm to tip your guide and porters on treks to show your appreciation of the amazing people who help make your trek enjoyable and comfortable. 

Please be aware,  100% of your tips go to the staff. 

We suggest the following:

• Tip the guide 10% of your trip cost. 
• For the porters  it is normal to tip around a total of USD150  for each porter.
• For the chef, please tip USD200.

The tips for the guide and crew members are divided by the number of trekkers on a trip i.e. if you are three trekkers, then you pay USD50 each per porter. 

Why Book with Magical Nepal

Diversity – Equality – Inclusion: Keys to a Great Experience

We at Magical Nepal are a team of highly trained travel enthusiasts.  

We started Magical Nepal in 2017 and pride ourselves in growing a great team. From our climbing guides, trek guides, and liaison staff to our camp staff, porters and camp chef, we all love to explore and travel in the Nepal Himalayas. We also love to introduce our beautiful country to our clients.

We are committed to human dignity, security, and safety for all – for our clients and for the communities we visit. We are also committed to the environmental sustainability of the landscapes, flora, and fauna of the Himalayas.

We also pride ourselves on offering great value for money and a price guarantee – if you can find the same trek at a lower price, we will match it – guaranteed.

Please check the reviews from our past clients to see what they say about us.

FAQs For Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek:

Related Trip in Rolwaling Region

Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek