Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek- Cost & Itinerary

Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek in Nepal is peaceful off-the-beatan trekking. Affluent natural aesthetics, mountains, alluring alpine terrain, and a crowd-free trail make it the best trek. Have plans for the Tsho Tolpa Trek in 2024? Inquire us now!

Tsho Rolpa Lake is in Rolwaling Valley and sits on the lap of Mt. Gaurisankhar, a 7,134-meter-tall mountain. Moreover, this beautiful lake sits close to the Langtang Himal range to the west. Mt. Melungtse, a 7,181-meter peak, is another elegant mountain you’ll see while trekking here. Also, on clear weather days, some faces of Mt. Everest and Lhakpa Dorje remain visible from several places en route to Tsho Rolpa.

More than for mountains and lakes, this off-beat trek also links to the legend of Yeti. Legends believe that Rolwaling Valley, the home of Chho Rolpa Lake, is among the seven valleys hidden in the Himalayas where Yeti live. The myth or truth of Yeti, living close to Gauraisankhar and Everest, fascinates trekkers.

Tsho Rolpa Trek Route- Altitude, Trek Time, and Distance

Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek Cost and Availability- For the 2024 season

Trekking to beautiful Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake has emerged as a beautiful trek destination in Nepal. This trek overall is an exquisite blend of nature, culture, elegant mountains, and a wholesome adventure. Hence, you might be interested in trekking to this beautiful destination.

Trekking here is not as expensive as Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trekking. Most of the amenities are decent to support your accommodation throughout the trek.

Here’s our Tsho Rolpa Trek Cost and Availability for the 2024 season.

Highlights of 7 days Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek

• Trek to the largest and deepest glacial lake in Nepal, Tsho Rolpa Lake, at 4,580 meters.
• Awe-striking glimpses of Mt. Gaurisankhar, Dorje Lhakpa, Melungtse, Everest, and other climbing peaks in the Rolwaling Range.
• Walk through the beautiful Tamang settlements of Simi Gaun, Bedding, and Na Village.
• Peaceful trek on the well-maintained trekking trails along the shore of the Rolwaling River.
• Fewer trekkers, ideal for small group trekking.
• Vibrant Rhododendron forest, countless waterfalls, truss bridges, lush vegetation, and inspiring landscapes.
• Full guided service with experienced trek guides, porters, tailored itineraries, etc.

Quick Overview

Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake

Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake is the largest dammed glacial lake in Nepal. It stretches to 3.5 km long with an area of 1.6 sq. km with an average depth of 55 meters, 132 meters being the deepest. It sits on the catchment of the Rolwaling River, a prominent river in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area.

Trambau and Trakarding Glacier are two primary feeders of water in this lake.

Being a glacial lake, instead of turquoise blue, the watercolor of this lake is milky. Moreover, it remains frozen for five months, from December to April.

In the last two decades, the increase in global warming and significant melting of snow has increased the chance of outburst of this lake. Thus, to reduce the outburst possibility by 20%, GCAP constructed an open channel in 2000 AD to drain the water level by 3 meters.

Trekking to this beautiful lake has been popular recently. To help you plan better, we have a separate Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek blog. It gives you an idea of why it’s one of the must-trek-to-best off-the-beaten trekking in Nepal in 2024.

Trek to Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake- A peaceful walk in the heart of biodiversity

The diverse vegetation throughout the Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake Trek Route awe-strikes you. The terrace farming of Singati and Simi Gaun is eye-pleasing. Locals in April and May grow potato and buckwheat as a primary crop in Bedding, making the terrain lively.

Rhododendron blossom during March April on the trek route from Simi Gaun to Surmuche make your walk pleasing. Also, in Spring, you’ll find ripped bayberries in the forest you can eat. The enchanting Cuckoo and chirps of various warblers undoubtedly construct the serenity.

You’ll walk along the cascading Rolwaing River for more than 60% of the trek route.

Gaurishankar Conservation Area is home to exotic & near the edge of extinction animals. The rarest Snow Leopard, Arctic Fox, Weasel, and Pikas occupy the foot of Gaurishankar Himal. Further, Ibisbill, Himalayan Pheasant (Danphe), feral Rabbit & Himalayan Thar are earliest to this region.

Tsho Rolpa Trek Itinerary

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Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake Trek- Essential Info

Accommodation during the trek

Tsho Rolpa Trek is a tea house-based trekking. Local Tamang people run these tea houses here, some of whom have summited Mt. Everest also.

The accommodation is similar at every tea house. You can expect comfortable overnights with neat and warm blankets and mattresses. Moreover, you’ll get clean pillows and bedsheets, with an electricity-supplied room itself. Don’t expect heated rooms or hot showers.

You have to accommodate twin sharing rooms, but they’ll be private. Don’t expect the attached bathrooms. But the toilets in the tea houses are hygienic and well equipped with hand wash and water.

Accommodation in Kathmandu is at your own expense. On request, we’ll manage the best hotels for you at the best deals.

Meals on the trek

You’ll get six breakfasts, lunches, and dinners during this trek.

Tea houses in Tsho Rolpa Trek Route are decent. Hence, the meals the tea house serves here are basic but offer great taste.

You can have porridge, noodle soup, pancakes, boiled eggs, omelets, cooked beans, fries, and chapati for breakfast.

Lunch and dinner meals primarily include the Nepalese dish, Dal Bhat Tarkari. It consists of cooked rice and fresh vegetables with lentil soups. You’ll taste spinach, mushrooms, radishes, potatoes, and wild spinach. Locally fermented pickles with Yak ghee make the lunch/dinner mouth-watering. Apart from these, the menu items also include chapati curry, noodles, canned fish, etc.

Best time to trek Tsho Rolpa Lake

Tsho Rolpa trek becomes perfect in clear weather, stable temperatures, and mild humidity. These conditions are best in Spring, from March to May, and Autumn, from September to November.

The Rhododendron blossom in March, the picturesque landscape in April, and the magical walk in May make the trek wholesome. An awe glimpse of snow-occupied Mt. Gaurishankar, Langtang range, Mt. Everest, and several peaks give unmatched sightseeing. Also, the Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake freezes in early Spring, which becomes a joy to witness.

September to November is another best time for the Tsho Rolpa Trek. Mesmerizing landscapes, greenery, clear outlook, and rain-free days are best in these months. These post-rainy days bring greenery over the magical landscape of mountains and boulder faces. Hence, the unmatched peaceful trek with a picturesque landscape on the backdrop overjoys you at every step.

Weather and Temperature in Spring and Autumn

The two seasons, Spring and Autumn, have stable temperatures and weather for the comfortable trek and the ultimate viewing experience.

March-April marks the rise in daytime temperature. The average daytime temperature in March-April at Naa Village is 6˚C. But the lower regions start getting warmer as the daytime temperature rises over 16 °C on average. -8 to -10°C is the lowest average temperature during Spring around the Tsho Rolpa trek route. However, places like Simi Gaun and Dongang remain warmer than others.

You may experience snowfall while trekking here in early Spring.

Autumn months shift the temperature of summer from warm to mild. The lower regions remain hotter and more humid. But Bedding and Na remain colder, and Tsho Rolpa Glacial Lake freezing.

The unprecedented rain during September often creates snowfall, dropping the temperature.

The daytime temperature averages 18°C in September. The nighttime average temperature drops around freezing, to some extent bearable. A sleeve, cap, and sweatpants won’t make you sweat much. Also, a decent down jacket or a layered sleeping bag can keep you warm all night.

Acclimatization

While trekking to Chho Rolpa Lake, you’ll gain altitude gradually. You’ll start the trek from Chhet Chhet, which is around 1,398 metres. You’ll gain 700 to 800 meters altitude on each day. Hence, with gradual altitude gain, your body acclimatizes during each day on the trek.

Off the beaten trail to 4,580 metres high glacial lake, Tsho Rolpa Trek is a comfortable to moderate grade trek. Stone-paved with a well-maintained route won’t be an issue for trekkers. But, the final ascend to Tsho Rolpa for half-hour becomes challenging due to the steep climb. Still, the route offers a comfortable hike.

Trek Difficulty and Physical Fitness Requirements

Tsho Rolpa trek is an easy to moderate grade trek. Only the final climb to the lake is the arduous section. This trek is best for novice trekkers and trekkers with little trek experience.

Stone-paved routes with stairs, truss bridges, suspension bridges, and route maps with altitude charts make navigating this route the best. Besides, there are no routes branched from the main trek route. Thus, trekkers can hike on the main trail throughout.

You must be in ideal physical shape and mentally prepared for this trek. The longer hiking hours and ascend on day two build fatigue. However, the altitude of over 3,500 meters here is more straightforward to walk.

For fitness, cardio exercises are the best. We recommend you start a physical exercise routine a month before joining the trip with us. To name a few, swimming, running, and cycling are best for cardio. We highly recommend our clients have an ideal mind and body, ready to set out for the adventure.

Altitude Sickness

Getting altitude sickness during the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek is likely. Most who develop altitude sickness experience minor symptoms past Thanding Kharka. Minor altitude sickness symptoms like headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, fatigue, etc.

To prevent altitude sickness, we request you eat plenty and drink 3 liters of purified water with oral rehydration solution. Carrying Vitamin C tablets, chocolate bars, and some medicines for headaches and nausea (paracetamol) can relieve stress. We discourage you from consuming caffeinated drinks like coffee and alcohol. They cause dehydration and prompt altitude sickness symptoms.

If you get seriously sick, you’ll need a helicopter evacuation. But for this, you must have a valid travel insurance policy.

Travel Insurance

We strongly urge you to get travel insurance before joining our Tsho Rolpa Trek in 2024. Notably, travel insurance becomes most important if you get severely injured or altitude sickness.

At such events, you may need helicopter evacuation. You can get helicopter evacuation, compensated by your travel insurance, for free if you have decent travel insurance. When you have travel insurance, it becomes easy for a helicopter to come to the rescue. Moreover, travel insurance pays for medication bills and hospitalization costs.

Internet and Communication

Communication in Tsho Rolpa trekking is possible at places like Simi Gaun, Kyalje, Thandding Kharka, and Bedding. You can get the Nepal Telecom’s signals at some places en route. 3G internet services are also possible in these places. A tea house in Dongang has a satellite telephone with which you can communicate with people.

It will be best to bring a satellite phone if you wish to remain in touch with your family back home.

There are no internet and wifi facilities at tea houses throughout this trekking. We recommend you enjoy the picturesque nature more and use mobile devices less for the internet and communication. After all, trekking means being away in the Himalayas to escape hustle-bustle for some period.

Drinking water and electricity

Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower has now supplied electricity to Bedding village. It powers every settlement in the region except Naa Village.

There’s no need to worry about hot drinking water throughout this trek.

You can fill in your water bottles from the running water tap. If you like carrying the water purification tablets, you can put them in your backpack. If not, your trekking guide gives the purification tablets for you.

For hot drinking water, you may have to pay Rs. 100-200 per litre.

Trekker’s safety and security

We focus on your safety and security during the trek. Also, we equally value the safety of our trek guides and porters. We assure you 100% health safety, gear security, and personal belongings.

On unforeseen health issues, a helicopter evacuation takes you to a safe place and hospital, if needed. We practice safe trekking with a 100% success rate.

Tipping for trek guides and porters

We encourage groups joining Tsho Rolpa trekking to tip their trek guides and porters some satisfactory amount at the end of the trek. There’s no hard and fast rule for tip culture, but usually, trekkers tip USD 150 for guides and USD 100 for porters.

Trek porters and guides care for you throughout this trek to make it successful. On top, trekking porters become part of your group for a week. Hence, to put a smile on their face and respect their job throughout the trek, tipping is an encouragement factor for them.