The Tashi Lapcha Pass trek is an increasingly trending journey into the Gaurishankar Conservation Area and its content, which includes the Rolwaling Valley, Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake, and the Tashi Lapcha Pass connecting the CA to Sagarmatha National Park.
The Tashi Lapcha Pass trek is an increasingly trending journey into the Gaurishankar Conservation Area and its content, which includes the Rolwaling Valley, Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake, and the Tashi Lapcha Pass connecting the CA to Sagarmatha National Park.
In the mood for something familiar but a different adventure into the Himalayas with a unique view into some of the highest peaks of the world? Then the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek is the perfect one for you. Considering its relative unpopularity, it has still been done justice by the few who have decided to take up the road less traveled in recent years.
The Rolwaling Valley, Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake, Trakarding Glacier, Tashi Lapcha Pass itself, the bustling Namche Bazaar, and two of the most significant nature reserves in Nepal & their content are the highlights of the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek.
It is a thrilling new alternative to the ever-so-mainstream Everest view trek for those looking to immerse themselves in the serenity of the untroubled mountain laps. You will still get a view of the majestic Mt. Everest, aka Sagarmatha, but you will also zoom out of the scene visible from the Everest Base Camp trek and look at more than just the neighboring peaks. The Tashi Lapcha Pass trek route will give you a chance to be in awe of the less appreciated parts of the mountain range that the tallest peaks of the world belong to.
The Tashi Lapcha Pass trekking takes you right through two different Himalayan nature reserves, the Gaurishankar Conservation Area and Sagarmatha National Park, the former part of which is a bonus when compared to any Everest Base Camp trek, however luxurious. Even during the busiest trekking seasons, this new 17-day journey will be free enough to let you soak in every breath of tranquility of the Rolwaling Valley region.
The Rolwaling Valley is the highlight of the Tashi Lapcha Pass Hike which is quite close to the Nepal-China border at a relatively lower elevation and located inside the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. The region is home to one of the largest glacial lakes in Nepal, the Tsho Rolpa Lake, which holds religious significance to the locals, and lies en route to the Tashi Lapcha Pass. As you pass through the Trakarding Glacier, you will end up at the peak of the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek, the Tashi Lapcha Pass itself at an altitude of 5,755 m (18,880 ft.) above sea level.
You may not end up at the Everest Base Camp as it is not the point of this trek, but your thirst for adventure is sure to be quenched by the time you reach the celebrated Namche Bazaar. Besides, travelers would be trekking through an even greater height mentioned earlier than the Everest Base Camp in terms of altitude while experiencing a whole new level of cultural diversity within the Conservation Area.
The Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek allows you to appreciate the important biological bridge that connects Langtang National Park and Sagarmatha National Park with its swaths of different species of Pine, Oak, and Rhododendron forests as well as the various fauna species unique to the Himalayas roaming freely throughout the region. Not to mention the spring season that truly beautifies the uniqueness of the region.
Obtaining a permit is a requirement you must meet to take part in this novel trip to the Tashi Lapcha Pass. Specific permits that are required to travel in the Gaurishankar region and take part in the Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek are as follows:
Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival at the airport, a representative from Himalayan Connection will greet you and take you to the hotel. After having some rest, you’ll join the team meet–up and pre-trip discussion about Everest Base Camp Trek.
where you will meet your trek guide/leader before the Everest Base Camp Trek commences. In the evening, Himalayan Connection will organize a welcome dinner with delicious Nepali cuisine and a cultural show.
Camp: Thamel Kathmandu
Altitude: 1400 m.4592 ft.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Main Attractions: World heritage sites (Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa, Newari culture, and historical Durbar Squares — Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, etc.)
Prepare for the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek.
Camp: Jagat
Altitude: 1500 m./4920 ft.
Time: 8 – 9 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Simigaun
Altitude: 2036 m./6679 ft.
Time: 4 – 5 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Kyalche
Altitude: 2760 m./9053 ft.
Time: 5 – 6 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Bedding
Altitude: 3740 m./12267 ft.
Time: 6 – 7 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Bedding
Altitude: 3740 m./12267 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Na Village
Altitude: 3740 m./12267 ft.
Time: 4 – 5 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Camp: Tsho Rolpa
Altitude: 4540 m./14891 ft.
Time: 4 – 5 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Camp: Moraine Camp
Altitude: 4800 m./15744 ft.
Time: 4 – 5 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Camp: Tashi Lapcha Base Camp
Altitude: 5000 m./16400 ft.
Time: 5 – 6 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Camp: Thengpo
Altitude: 4370 m./14334 ft.
Time: 7 – 8 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Camp: Thame
Altitude: 3750 m.12300/ft.
Time: 7 – 8 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Camp: Namche Bazaar
Altitude: 3440 m./11283 ft.
Time: 3 – 4 hrs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Main Attractions: The majestic Dudh Kosi river, pine forest, Nepal’s largest Sherpa village – Namche Bazaar, scenic mountains, and more...
Camp: Lukla
Altitude: 2840 m./9315 ft.
Time: 6 – 7 hrs. walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: tea house
Main Attractions: Gorgeous river valley, Sherpa people and village, forest wild animals and birds and more...
Camp: Kathmandu
Altitude: 1400 m./4592 ft.
Time: 30 min flight
Meals: Breakfast and special farewell dinner with a Nepali cultural show
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Main Attractions: Breathtaking mountain flight, landscape, Nepali cultural show, typical Nepali cuisine, and more...
Your new adventure experience in Nepal (Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek) officially ends today. A representative from Himalayan Connections will take you to the airport within 3 hrs before your flight schedule. We wish you a safe journey back home and hope to see you soon for your next adventure.
Hope you enjoyed the entirety of the Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek.
The trek normally takes 15 to 22 days including trekking days and acclimatization periods.
Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek is a strenuous trekking destination, especially the Tashi Lapcha Pass. So good physical fitness and an adventurous mind are most needed.
You will slumber in the typical tea houses until you reach Na village. Then, tent camping is the best option till you cross the pass. After Thengpo, you will get the standard lodge.
September to December and March to May are the best months for the Tashi Lapcha Trek.
Why it’s best to have a GUIDE when trekking in Nepal….
1) To really get to KNOW the beautiful country of Nepal. A licensed trekking guide will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of culture, flora and fauna and animals, mountaineering, and the peaks of Nepal. A guide can add so much depth and richness to your trek experience.
2) Safety. No one knows the details that will keep you safe like a trained trekking guide. Changes in the weather, changes in trail conditions, awareness of any political/social situations that could endanger you (for example, when we trekked in 2003, there was political unrest going on in certain areas; our guide knew where to go and where to avoid!)
3) Peace of mind and an uncomplicated travel experience. It takes a lot of mental energy to figure out bus timetables, to wonder about prices and bargaining, and to arrange to lodge when trails are crowded. We “could” have handled these details (we’re experienced travelers), but going out with a licensed trekking guide was the best decision and worth every dollar. Our guide kept us enchanted and informed about each peak and valley we were seeing, and he called ahead each day to confirm lodging. He gave advice that probably saved us much misery, such as “only order dishes with meat during our 1st or 2nd day of the trek...after that, it’s best to stick to egg and vegetarian options because meats have been carried in greater distances, stored for longer times, and there is the possibility of food poisoning”. Our guide kept current of weather forecasts and trail conditions and was able to make necessary modifications of which we would have been unaware.
4) The opportunity to form a friendship with a Nepali national. Trekking clients will have differing expectations of socializing, but in our case, we greatly enjoyed getting to know our guide, sharing meals, learning about Nepali life and culture through his eyes, enjoying laughs and after-dinner card games, and truly feeling like we were a group of “3 travelers + guide = 4”.
In conclusion, if you do not hire a trekking guide, it is possible to save a little money. But, my strong recommendation is that you trek with a GUIDE when exploring the amazing mountains of Nepal. Twice we have trekked Nepal, and twice we have had a guide….and we never regretted the decision for a moment.
~Becky Johnson
April 2019 - Mardi Himal Trek
(Guide: Sujan Pandey, Founder & Lead Guide of the company “Himalayan Connection”)