Ruby Valley Trek - 10 Days

Trekking and Walking

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US$ 899 P/P

Trip Info

  • Duration

    10 Days

  • Max. Altitude

    3845 m

  • Difficulty

    moderate

  • Starts From

    Kathmandu

  • Trip Ends At

    Kathmandu

  • Transport

    Private Drive

  • Region/Type

    Ganesh Himal & Manaslu Treks
  • Best Season:

    • Spring (Mar, Apr)
    • Autumn (Mid-Sep - Mid November)

Ruby Valley Trek Overview

Ruby Valley Trek in the Ganesh Himal region of Nepal is one of the least explored hidden trekking trails. The trek got its name as Ruby Valley as the Ganesh Himal region has deposits of the gem ruby. The mining is not that significant but this whole region has high deposits of minerals, including this the red precious stone.

This is a 10-day journey with a 7-day trekking trail that takes you to the villages of the Tamang and Gurung ethnic groups, known for their unique culture and rich traditions. These people here also follow ancient medicinal practices and the shaman practice called Bon-Po which provide additional exploration and knowledge on this trip.

The trail to Ruby Valley has all kinds of landscape and walking conditions as it includes almost flatlands, terraced farms, gradual and steep climbs, and beautiful scenery of lush green forest and high snow-capped mountains.

Some of the famous peaks you can see on this trek include the Ganesh Himal, the mountain named after the elephant-headed god Ganesh, Langtang Lirung, Boudha Himal, Hiunchuli Dorje Lakpa as well as pristine mountains of western and central Nepal. The Pangsang Pass situated at 3,842m is one of the major attractions of the Ruby Valley.

This unexplored trekking trail provides you the opportunity to explore some very remote areas in Nepal, not frequented by tourists. Since this is a very new trekking trail in Nepal, lodges, and guesthouses have not been developed yet so homestay is the mode of accommodation, which allows you to get a first-hand experience of Nepali rural life as you stay with locals and share their food.

In a nutshell, the Ganesh Himal Ruby Valley trekking in central Nepal is a lifetime experience in terms of cultural exposure and mountain views.

Trekking Route to Ruby Valley

Our Ruby Valley Trek begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to the beautiful village of Gatlang via Syabrubesi which is the gateway to the famous Langtang Region. Then the trekking of this newly opened trail starts from Gatlang and goes through the rhododendron, oak, and pine forests to the first settlement of Ruby Valley named Somdang. Spending one night in the beautiful Tamang Village of Somdang’s local house, the trek continues and traverses via the highest point of this trek at Pangsang La Pass. You will get to experience camping under the starry sky, flat meadow, and wonderful surroundings in Forest Camp.

Then the remainder of the trekking days is mostly easy descents via the traditional Tamang and Gurung villages of Tipling, Shertung, Chalish, and Borang. And with the last part of trekking to Dharka Phedi from Borang, the Ruby Valley Trek journey concludes with a jeep transfer to Kathmandu. 

Highlights of New Trekking Route Ruby Valley

  • One of the best recently opened trekking trails close to Kathmandu
  • Distinctive and rich Tamang and Gurung culture
  • Excellent views of the central Himalayas of Nepal such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, and Manaslu Himal from Pangsang La Pass
  • Ruby mines up in the mountains
  • An exposure to Shamanistic Practice in Nepal
  • Homestay experience and rural lifestyle of locals
  • Encounter both domestic and exotic creatures, including musk deer and leopards
  • Traverse through the dense forests of rhododendron, pine, oak, and bamboo
  • Enjoy the environment of lush hills, flat green meadows, terraced farms, raging rivers, streams, and waterfalls

Ruby Valley Trek Difficulty level

Ruby Valley is an easy but worthwhile trek without many challenging climbs. However, trekkers need to have a strong commitment to finishing it as you will be walking for 4-6 hours every day, depending on the destinations of the day. Some parts require long climbs and sharp descents and some parts only require you to walk inside the forests and rocky terrain. Prior trekking experience will help you a lot but it is not compulsory. 

This 10-day journey with 7 trekking days can be completed even though you are a beginner who is both mentally, and physically prepared. So, we recommend you participate in some physical sports like gym, swimming, short hiking, biking, etc. prior to departure. However, if you have a delicate medical condition, such as heart or lung problems, consult your doctors before making a reservation for the journey.

Another big challenge during Himalayan Trekking is Altitude Sickness. And the chances of getting affected by it during Ruby Valley Trek are low as you will be trekking below 3000 meters for most of the days. The highest elevation we reach during this trek is on the day of crossing Pangsang La Pass and it is also the only elevation above 3000 meters we reach during this trek. 

Weather and temperatures also determine the difficulty of the trek. So, depending upon the time period you choose for the trek, you will have to be prepared accordingly. 

Best Time to Do Ruby Valley Trek

Ruby Valley Trek is a beautiful trek that can be done anytime throughout the year with the right equipment, depending on the season you are trekking. Every season has something unique to offer. However, for the best experience, you should go during the spring and autumn season.

Ruby Valley is fortunate to enjoy a comfortable springtime climate from March to May. With the end of winter, the temperature begins to rise and the days get warmer every day. The routes are easily trackable, tackle able, and joyful with the hills will be covered in rhododendrons, orchids, and other flowering plants, and the views of the Himalayas, landscapes, and valleys are picture perfect. 

Another best season for Ruby Valley is the autumn season which lasts from September to November. This post-monsoon season offers a dust-free, fresh and favorable environment, ideal for a wonderful trekking journey. The temperature is also pleasant with 20 degrees Celsius in the daytime and 5 degrees in the nighttime. The open skies, breathtaking mountain views, and the festival mood will make your trip in autumn the best. 

The summer month of June is also a good time to trek in Ruby Valley Trail. But the summer monsoon months of July and August bring a heavy amount of rain to the region making the trails wet, slick, and slippery. The mountain vistas are mostly obstructed by the clouds and fogs and you could be fighting with the leeches during the monsoon. 

The winter begins at the end of November month and lasts till January. This season is also considered an off-season for Ruby Valley Trek like many other treks in Nepal but it is still a great time to trek till the end of December. The daylights would be enough to finish your daily walk but you should be prepared for the winds in the evening and the severe cold in the morning. Over the top, the magical views will be your reward for your hard work and endurance. 

Permits to do Ruby Valley Trek

Though Ruby Valley Trek Trial is a recently discovered trail, trekkers do not need special permits to trek here. You will need to obtain TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) as the trekking permit which is required for almost every trek in Nepal. And, you need to have Langtang National Park Entry Fee as the route goes through Syabrubesi and Gatlang, both of which fall inside the national park region.

Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

🕑 30 Min Drive to Hotel

Max Altitude: 1350 M

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by one of the representatives from Himalayan trekkers and transferred to the hotel. After you rest and freshen up, we will have a short discussion regarding your Ruby Valley Trek and go strolling around Thamel Street. 

Accommodation: Standard Hotel in KTM

Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing & Trek Preparation

🕑 Full DAy

Max Altitude: 1350 M

After breakfast, we will start your Kathmandu valley guided sightseeing from Boudhanath Stupa. It is one of the seven UNESCO Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley. Boudhanath Stupa represents Tibetan Buddhism and every corner of the country visits this place every day. It is also the biggest stupa in the country and one of the biggest in Asia with the giant white dome standing in the middle of the big mandala. 

Then, we will drive to Pashupatinath Temple which is just 15 minutes away from Boudhanath Stupa. It is another World Heritage Site that is world-renowned as Lord Shiva Temple. In fact, it is one of the four significant Hindu Temples in the world. Pashupatinath temple lies at the bank of the holy Bagmati River where there are more than 100 small temples, shrines, and monuments. You can also get to observe the Hindu open-air cremation ceremony on the back of the river from the opposite bank. 

After sightseeing, we will return to Thamel where you can buy and rent the trekking gear, foods and drinks to take with you for the trek. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Standard Hotel in KTM

Day 3: Drive to Gatlang

🕑 8/9 Hours Drive

Max Altitude: 2335 M

After a warm breakfast at the hotel, we leave Kathmandu and head toward Gatlang in Rasuwa District. We drive past small communities and villages, beautiful river gorges and waterfalls, fascinating impenetrable forests, and scenic terraced fields, where local citizens are plowing the field and working with a panoramic view of the Mountains. We also traverse past the towns of Trishuli Bazaar, Dhunche, Syabrubesi, Bahun Danda & Chawatar before we reach Gatlang for the night. 

Gatlang is a traditional Tamang Village in Rasuwa District with a few local guest houses. It is one of the most beautiful villages on the famed Tamang Heritage Trail where you can get a glimpse of the culture, customs & lifestyle of the Tamang community. There is also a cheese production farm where you can see the process of making cheese in the traditional way and taste it. 

Note: Syabrubesi en route to Gatlang is also a beautiful village of Tamangs. It is the gateway to the popular Langtang Region and the Langtang National Park. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Day 4: Trek to Somdang

🕑 6/7 Hours Walk

Max Altitude: 2705 M

Our official trekking journey starts today after we leave Gatlang village. We start the walk from above the village and we trek past a Hindu Pond named Parvati Kunda before we come across the dense forest of pine and rhododendrons. With some sweat, we will reach Yuri Kharka for delicious lunch, then to Khurpu Bhanjyang pass with some breathtaking sights to behold. We eventually cross the Somdang River, which serves as the boundary between the districts of Dhading and Rasuwa, after descending into the valley to the west via a more tranquil and isolated forested area. 

Finally, we enter the Dhading district and Ruby Valley’s first settlement in this journey, Somdang Village for the night. 
Note: If you are on a tight timeframe, you can opt for the private jeep journey directly to Somdang from Kathmandu during the dry seasons. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Day 5: : Trek to Forest Camp via Pangsang La Pass

🕑 5/6 Hours Walk

Max Altitude: 3845 M

After a warm breakfast in Somdang, we will start today’s trek to Pangsang La Pass/Pangsang Kharka. We trek up through more spectacular landscapes and thick jungles to reach the pass while admiring the breathtaking views of the surroundings and mountains. The Pangsang La Pass at3845 meters features a large, open meadow and offers spectacular views of the area, including the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and more. Then, we walk through the more dense jungle towards Forest Camp for the night. 

Note: Overnight Tented Camp because there are no settlements in the Forest Camp. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tented Camp

Day 6: Trek to Tipling

🕑 4 Hours walk

Max Altitude: 1875 M

Today’s walk will be shorter than previous days as we will be mostly descending to Tipling village, another traditional settlement of Tamang people. Once in the village, we will spend the remainder of the day exploring the village where you can get to learn about the Tamang culture. The tradition of Shamanism is still followed here which is called Dhami/Jhakri. You can also get to observe Ghode Nach (Horse Dance) which is said to have its roots in Tibetan history if we are here at the right time. We will interact with the locals, get a glimpse of their lifestyle and taste their warm hospitality. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Day 7: Trek to Chalish Gaon via Shertung Village

🕑 4 Hours walk

Max Altitude: 1800 M

From Tipling, our walk to Shertung and Chalish Village(1800M) is an easy, short and leisurely stroll. We first make our way down through the tranquil jungle, cross the AdhiKhola, and then come to the beautiful village of Shertung, which is situated in a beautiful environment. It is a Tamang Village where a few Gurungs, Ghales, and Kamis reside. Shertung means "golden place," and it really is a golden place with a wonderful environment, views, and hospitality. After we take a brief look at Shertung village, we descend a little and reach another beautiful village of Chalish where the residents are the same as Shertung’s. This wonderful village offers plenty of opportunities for exploration as well as opportunities to unwind and take in the breathtaking views of the meadows and green valley below.

We spend the night in this beautiful traditional village at one of the homes of the locals. You get to get a closer look at the lifestyle of these people. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Day 8: Trek to Borang

🕑 3/4 Hours Walk

Max Altitude: 1700 M

Today’s short and easy descent from Chalish takes us to Borang Village. The remainder of the day will be spent exploring the village, and surroundings, interacting with the locals, clicking photos and videos, and taking a look at their everyday lifestyle. 

Note: From Borang, you can drive to Kathmandu today if you are short on time and if there are scheduled jeeps available when we reach Borang. Private Jeep can also be hired at an additional cost. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Day 9: Trek to Darkha Phedi & Drive to Kathmandu

🕑 4 Hours Walk & 5 Hours Drive

Max Altitude: 1350 M

Today’s 4 hours walk concludes your trekking part of this Ruby Valley Trek. We wake up with the rising sun while enjoying the surrounding views, and eat our breakfasts before setting out for the trek to Darkha Phedi. Once in Darkha Phedi, we will now travel on four wheels for around 5 hours to Kathmandu via Dhading Besi. 

Once in Kathmandu, you will be dropped out at your hotel where you can have a brief rest. Then in the evening, we will pick you up for the farewell dinner. We will dine in a fine Nepali restaurant where we will enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine and a cultural program. After dinner, you can stroll around the Thamel market and purchase some souvenirs and gifts for your friends and families. 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Accommodation: Standard Hotel in KTM

Day 10: Final Departure

🕑 30 Min Drive to Airport

As your Ruby Valley Trek has come to an end, you will be transferred to the airport today after breakfast/3 hours prior to your flight to your home country. 

Meals: Breakfast

Includes

  • Airport transfers (welcome & departure) on a private vehicle 
  • 3* Standard Accommodations in Kathmandu on a Twin/Double Sharing basis
  • Heritage Entrance fee for sightseeing Kathmandu
  • English Speaking City Tour Guide
  • Accommodation in lodge/homestays/tented camp during Ruby Valley Trek
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) during the Ruby Valley Trek 
  • All required ground transfers on a private vehicle 
  • Sleeping bag
  • TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
  • Langtang National Park Entry Fee 
  • Altitude-certified Trekking Guide and porters depending upon the group
  • Accommodation, meals, salary, equipment, transportation, and insurance for guide & porters
  • Welcome/Farewell Dinner 
  • All applicable government taxes

Excludes

  • International airfares and departure tax
  • Visa for Nepal
  • Meals (lunch & dinner) in Kathmandu 
  • Personal Trekking Equipment
  • Personal expenses like beverages, laundry, internet, phone bills, snacks, etc. 
  • Tips to Guide, Porter, and Driver
  • Travel Insurance
  • Any cost occurs from any unfavorable condition such as landslides, bad weather, flight cancellation, etc.
  • Any other expenses not mentioned in the ‘Cost Includes’

Accommodation

Accommodations During Ruby Valley Trek 

Like other packages, our Ruby Valley Trek package also includes 3-star standard category accommodations with the inclusion of breakfast on a twin/double sharing basis in Kathmandu. 5-Star resorts, luxurious hotels to comfortable guesthouses, lodges, and homestays are available in Kathmandu so they can be modified as per the traveler’s interest, budget and availability. 

Once the Ruby Valley Trekking begins with the first night in Gatlang, you will be spending the nights at the locally run basic homestays. As this trial is recently discovered, there are no lodges or teahouses services like other trekking journeys. Also, the idea of homestays is implemented to attract tourists so that they can have first-hand experience of local life. These homestays do not have bathrooms or hot shower services. Instead, the bathrooms are common and traditional and the bucket of hot water is the alternative to hot showers. Note that, we will spend the night on the day we trek to Forest Camp in a tented camp as there is no human settlement there.

Meals during Ruby Valley Trek

Breakfast is included with the accommodation. But for lunch, dinner, and other beverages in Kathmandu; it is up to the travelers to choose among the various varieties of cuisines available. We do not include it in our package. 

However, during the Ruby Valley trek, all the meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included in the package. As we will be staying in the homestays, foods are also limited to locally available. We will probably eat local Tamang cuisine and typical Nepali cuisine, Daal Bhat throughout the trek. But, we can carry additional food supplementary from Kathmandu. 

For the drinking water, we suggest you carry a reusable 2Litre bottle/filter bottle and water purifying tablets so that you can refill as much as you can from the available sources once it is empty. Another alternative would be to ask for boiled water at the homestays.

Reviews

Olivier Gondard

United Kingdom

Ganesh Himal & Ruby Valley trek with Adventure Mission Nepal

First of first I would like to say thank you to Raj and Bal because with out them this magical journey couldn't be. For me the magic operate when you can rich the sources of happiness and freedom which come from the encounter between authentic and true human through sharing and discovering the beauty of the culture and the strong link with the nature accompanied by the local people and mainly by Bal Krishna Gurung our fabulous guide. Chalis, Bal's village is the purest village and people I had seen, it's quiet remote and that's the only reason why they are living like at the first day of humanity, in this village are only real and true loving humans. Raj and Bal, I have something to tell you that you already know, this is just the begining of our adventure, much more are for coming and I can't wait to put on new treks, exploration and new thematic like the Yeti, the little Buddha and so many others incredible stories because Nepal is really rich for the one who are in quest of answers concerning the origins of our humanity. Thank you Adventure Mission Nepal for this fabulous present.

Matis

Finland

Ruby Valley trek

A rarely visited valley overseen by the Holy Ganesh Shima mountain, it is simply an unseen beauty of journey. If you're carrying your own bag with camping equipment it can be physically demanding at times but it is well worth it. From the numerous isolated villages we came across that were welcoming and shared their culture openly with us, to the heavenly situated hot springs. This journey was enriching and entertaining thanks to our guide Bal who originates form this valley, who kept us walking and helping us communicate and interact with the villagers. All this was perfectly paced and organised by Raj Kumar Dhamala. Thank you so much for this amazing and memorable journey. I hope to come back for more soon

Wendy

United Kingdom

Ruby Valley Trek

Booking direct with Adventure Mission Nepal, a Kathmandu-based company run by Raj Dhamala, proved not just straightforward but a very personal introduction to trekking in Nepal. At the planning stage, all our questions were answered courteously, suggestions were explained, and booking was painless. On arrival everything was in place for an exceptional and truly memorable trip. Raj took considerable care to look after us as individuals, meeting us at the airport, checking that we had everything we needed, seeing us off on our trek with a good guide - Bal Krishna Gurung - and porters from the area where we were trekking, and meeting up with us when we returned. We couldn't have asked for more.

Duncan

Australia

Always the best trekking company for me...!

It's my 4th trip in Himalayas with Mr. Raj and his company. I knew that they are about to change company name to Himalayan Trekkers as I suggested him earlier. I already did Everest B.C, Annapurna circuit, Dolpo and Best of Himalayas tour with them.

So for this holiday of 2 weeks, I asked him for Ruby valley trek. Fav. experience, good guide & porter (Shanta & Dipak) and untouched natural beauty. Loved the wilderness & remoteness of the area. Thanks Raj, Shanta and Dipak for everything you guys did for me in this hoilday. Will see you next time.

Kaira Chambas

United Kingdom

It's my 3rd visit to Nepal and not to mention that I am here for the Ruby valley trek with Himalayan Trekkers. The previous two Trek Annapurna view trek and Everest base camp trek were fantastic and this was pretty amazing. 

Lots of fun, knowledge gained, scenic views on hustle-free track with my motivating guide and porter (Shanta & Bikash) who always stands to help me out. Time spent on homestay, exploring gumba, and meeting locals with greeting "Namaste" and "tea" are some rare moments that I experience only in Nepal.

Will surely be doing the next trek with more adventure and fun... Himalayan Trekkers... Highly recommended...

Olivia Baker

Canada

This time we trekked to Ruby Valley and Pangsang La Pass in the Ganesh Himal region. It was a wonderful experience and we had a great time. Mr. Raj and his team from Himalayan Trekkers did a wonderful job to make this journey possible.

We are happy and grateful that we decided to make the connection in NEPAL with the Himalayan Trekkers. 

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