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.