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Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
If it’s a clear day when you are flying into Kathmandu, then your tour begins right from the skies itself. The sights from the windows of your jet shows us glimmering snow-capped mountain peaks spread out down below us, giving us the first thrills of our just begun vacation, sparking off a whole reaction of unforgettable experiences that stay with us for some time to come. As soon as your plane hits the tarmac of Tribhuwan International Airport, ABC and EBC Treks office representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rep will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to our rooms and refreshing ourselves we will be briefed about our venture. The rest of your time is free to move around the neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings. In the evening we will meet our senior trek guide who will brief the group about details related to our trek. Your first overnight in the ancient city of temples, probably the most in the world. Breakfast
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Day 2
Drive to Syabrubesi (1460m).
After breakfast we drive to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu which is almost 7 hours drive on rough road. Upon reaching Trishuli bazaar we will have lunch and continue our drive. Overnight in our teahouse lodge
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Day 3
Trek to Gatlang (2238m)
Today we have a long yet interesting day with almost 6 hours of walk. We walk up in a steep trail up to Rongga Bhanjyang for about 3 hours and stop for some photography and rest. From Ringa we descend about an hour to reach Goljung where we will take a lunch break. It takes us 3 more hours to reach Gatlang from the lunch place. In the evening we can do a short excursion to the pond named after Lord Shiva’s wife, Parvati. Overnight in our teahouse lodge.
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Day 4
Trek to Somdang (3271m)
We will start the walk today after breakfast and then head towards Somdang village. One of the biggest settlements we pass is Yuri Kharka before lunch. The trail goes gradually up and continues towards Khurphu Bhanjyang. After crossing the Somdang River we will enter Dhading district from the Rasuwa district. A sprawling mining compound, no longer functioning but seem locals appealing government to revive it, lies a few hours to the north upriver. Before reaching the village of Somdang we will pass the Chukarma Waterfall. The former mine leaves a lot be explored and is the site of a 1.4 km tunnel bored into the mountain to extract zinc, copper, tin, crystal and even highly-prized rubies. We crash out in our home stay village houses with friendly local families.
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Day 5
Acclimatization day for rest and exploration
We will spend this day around Somdang village; we will also visit the Lari mine nearby. This is a Tamang village with some typical houses and farming life.
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Day 6
Trek to Tippling via Pangsang Pass La (3842m)
This is one of the most interesting days of the trek as we cross the Pangsang la pass, the highest point of this ruby valley trek today. The day starts early in the morning and we proceed with packed lunch. Pangsang Kharka is a viewpoint southwest of Somdang village with a broad panorama of the surrounding terrain. To the north are the soaring peaks of Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal Range. The large meadow is graced with a giant entry gateway and is a sensational location for camping and taking in the breathtaking scenery. The whole Ganesh Himal region is blessed with abundant herbal plants. Previously, herbs were taken to Tibet along an ancient trade route and exchanged for salt, livestock, wool and turquoise. This hill/danda/pass is known as one of the most beautiful and the best magnificent mountain views point almost in 270 degrees Langtang ranges, Ganesh Himal ranges, Manaslu ranges and bit of Annapurna ranges Mountain View point. Descend to Tippling, a large village that hosts two Buddhist gombas and both a Protestant and Catholic church. Along a ridge top to the east is a Gomba and cremation ground for both Buddhists and Christians lined with colorful flags. Being a majority of Tamang people it has beautiful Tamang culture show. Overnight in our home stay with a local family.
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Day 7
Trek to Shertung (1875m) 5-6 hrs
Descend to cross the Adha Khola on a box bridge and ascend to the sister villages of Shertung and Chalish, regally overlooking the fertile river valley and abundant fields. Shertung is inhabited mainly by Tamang. The name Shertung means 'place of gold'. According to a legend, two brothers in search of gold were led here by a dream and thus the settlement was born. Tamang people have own rich culture to show for the visitors jhankri or shaman dance, ghode or horse dance, said to have been brought from Tibetan culture long ago. Jhankri (shaman) activity is robust in this territory with the worship of natural forces and indigenous local deities interwoven with Hindu and Buddhist practices. Holy Chyamra dandd, Fyanchyat monastery and Sajyat are the main holy attraction of the village. Spectacular Mountain View of Lapsang Karpu, Ganesh Himal (Yangri) as well as Ganesh II and III can be seen from this village. We spend our nights with local families in cosy village houses.
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Day 8
Visit Hot Springs (2 ½ hrs walk) and trek back Chalish Gaon 1674m. 5 hrs
After breakfast , trek down to Chalish village taking 30 minutes’ walk, leave most of your luggage safely with the family we live with and trek to Tatopani (hot springs) walking 1 ½ hours where pack lunch will be suited to eat (no lodge has built yet). Enjoy half of the day taking bath with one of the best hot spring of this region. After enjoying return back to Chalish village.
Chalish is inhabited primarily by Gurung, Ghale and Kami. There used to be Newar people but they migrated to Kathmandu city. The hospitable people of this area have unique customs and craftsmanship and traditional dances, including a hospitable welcome dance, Ghatu Dance, Dohori is also popular with call and response between male and female participants, a type of courtship ritual, complemented by folk music. Some dances depend on the time of year and take place during festivals including the Maruni Dance during Dasai and Tihar, Hai Nelo Dance of Tihar, and the Ghatu (Ghasiri Dance) that occurs during Chandi Purnima in the Nepali month of Chaitra. Gurung men traditionally wear vangra, a woman, embroidered cotton cloth tied at the ends that serves as a pouch for carrying goods. Sri Tinkanya Devi Mandir lies above Chalish. Local women tie bits of cloth or leave a bangle representing a wish to be fulfilled near a small pool of water surrounded by Barmase or periwinkle flowers.
This village is known as one of the friendliest of the areas in terms of organizing interesting culture show programs, hospitality, and kindness and is very helpful. Most of the youngsters of this village are engaged in tourism work as trekking guides, Sherpa, porters and even owners of trek companies. Overnight at our home stay village houses
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Day 9
Trek to Jharlang (Ungul) 3000 m
After breakfast trek to Mani Danda – 30 minutes’ walk from where you will see the breathtaking Ganesh Himal mountain ranges with stone platforms through the entire Chalish village for good views on the back. Our Trek continues passing Deul danda, Gobre village (hilly slow walking is recommended with your guide and porter), Chhap danda and Bandari Bhir where rock climbing possibility has been seen. So any rock climber who is willing to climb is highly recommended but basic infrastructure has not been developed yet. We arrive at Borang village which has a majority of Tamang people and our trek continues to Ukhum for lunch. After lunch our trek continues to Lishne jungle, across a suspension bridge, passing through Chhapchyat village where you finally get to Jharlang village (Ungul). This is one of the best panoramic Mountain viewpoints of the area. This Tamang village is home to nearly 200 houses. Overnight with local families in village houses.
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Day 10
Trek to Darkha Gaun 850m. 6 -7 hrs
After breakfast trek most of the way down to Jharlang Phedi walking 2 ½ hours passing paddy terraces and surrounding landscapes. Passing through suspension bridges, breath taking views of Ankhu khola and Chhapchyat as well as Ri village other side of the river finally reach at Darkha gaon. This village is a mixed cultural village of Brahmin people and Tamang as well as Dalit communities. Overnight in village home stay houses.
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Day 11
Trek to Darkha Phedi and drive to Kathmandu 1310m via Dhading Besi. 45 minutes trek and 6 -7 hrs drive
After breakfast we trek all the way down to Darkha Phedi taking 45 minutes downhill walk and then take a sharing local Jeep with other people and the arrive in Dhading Besi after 3-4 hours through rough and tough zig –zag roads. Crossing through Ankhu Khola as well as Kimdang phedi villages, Katunje village and Jyamrung village you will enjoy the breathtaking scenic driving through fabulous landscaped surroundings. From Dhading we change vehicles with promotion to a more comfortable bus and drive back to Kathmandu taking 3 hours of scenic driving. Overnight at our hotel in Kathmandu.
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Day 12
Drive to the Airport to head back to that lovely place we call HOME
After breakfast, our rep and office vehicle will be on standby at our hotel to transfer us to the airport for our connecting flight home. Serving you was a wonderful joy and pleasure, we at ABC and EBC Treks will cherish the bonds of our relationship created over the time you spent with us and we thank you for choosing us as your travel partner and for visiting this amazing country Nepal. We are sure that trekking in this beautiful area of the Ganesh Himal Ruby Valley will give you lifetime memories of a vacation well enjoyed. Farewell friends! Till we meet again. Breakfast
