Ganesh Himal Ruby Valley Trek
- Duration
- 13 days
- Max altitude
- 4,100 m
- Difficulty
-
Moderate
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $985.00
Overview
The Ruby Valley, north-west of Kathmandu and almost empty of trekkers. A camping trek with a full crew rather than a lodge every two hours, through Tamang villages that still farm the way they always have, and over the Shing La at 4,100 m for views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang and Manaslu.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- The Ruby Valley, rarely walked
- Nine nights camping with a full crew
- Shing La (4,100 m) with Ganesh Himal, Langtang and Manaslu views
- Close to Kathmandu, far from the crowds
Day by day
The itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m Hotel
Arrive at any time. Our airport representative meets you, drives you to the hotel and explains the plan. Nothing else is scheduled for the day.
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Day 2: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and trek preparation 1,400 m Hotel B
A guided tour of the valley's World Heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. In the evening, the trek briefing with your guide.
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Day 3: Drive to Betrawati (850 m) 850 m 5 hrs Camp B/L/D
About five hours by private vehicle through Trishuli Bazaar, a market town for the surrounding hills, to Betrawati. Camp is by the Trishuli River, with farm fields, villages and terraced slopes below the Ganesh Himal.
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Day 4: Trek to Kispang (1,600 m) 1,600 m 5 hrs Camp B/L/D
An easy, gentle walk through farmland and villages to Kispang, a small Tamang farming village.
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Day 5: Trek to Thulo Chaur (2,200 m) 2,200 m 5 hrs Camp B/L/D
A gentle climb through more Tamang villages, past local schools, small monasteries and waterfalls.
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Day 6: Trek to Gonga (2,900 m) 2,900 m 4 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steady climb through mixed rhododendron and pine forest, home to deer, langur monkeys and wild boar. Gonga has wide views of the Ganesh Himal range.
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Day 7: Trek to Rupchet (3,635 m) 3,635 m 4 hrs Camp B/L/D
On through thick forest, gaining height steadily, with views opening up to the main Himalayan chain and the mountains of Tibet. A short day to help with the altitude before the pass.
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Day 8: Cross the Shing La (4,100 m) to Kharka (2,500 m) 4,100 m 7 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steep climb to the Shing La, rewarded with views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Manaslu and the peaks around them. Then a steep descent of about four hours to the herders' clearing at Kharka.
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Day 9: Trek to Borang (1,800 m) 1,800 m 7 hrs Camp B/L/D
Steeply downhill through terraced farmland and small villages to Borang, a Tamang village with a warm welcome and good mountain views.
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Day 10: Trek to Jharlang (1,700 m) 1,700 m 6 hrs Camp B/L/D
Nepali flat: a little up and a little down past neatly terraced fields, reaching the Tamang village of Jharlang in the afternoon.
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Day 11: Trek to Kintang Phedi (1,200 m) 1,200 m 6 hrs Camp B/L/D
A steep descent through villages of several communities living side by side, with a mountain backdrop behind, to Kintang Phedi.
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Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m 8-9 hrs Hotel B
Eight to nine hours back to Kathmandu by private jeep, on rough roads for the first part.
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Day 13: Departure 1,400 m B
About three hours before your flight, our representative takes you to the airport.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $1,180.00 | Comfortfrom $1,392.40 | Luxuryfrom $1,711.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Three nights with breakfast at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu
- Included: Twin-sharing tents for the nine nights of the trek
- Included: Meals on the trek, cooked by the camp kitchen crew
- Included: Safe drinking water, boiled or treated with iodine tablets
- Included: All ground transport by private vehicle, including airport transfers
- Included: All necessary trekking permits
- Included: A government-licensed, English-speaking guide
- Included: Camp crew and porters for the camping equipment
- Included: Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu, with tour guide, entry fees and vehicle
- Included: Camping equipment: two-person tents, dining tent, kitchen tent, table and chairs, kitchen utensils and everything else needed on the trek
- Included: Duffel bag, down jacket and sleeping bag for the trek
- Included: First aid kit
- Included: All government and local taxes
- Included: Office service charge
Not included
- Not included: Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Not included: Travel insurance
- Not included: International airfare
- Not included: Nepal entry visa
- Not included: All cold drinks such as alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc
- Not included: Personal shopping and laundry
- Not included: Personal trekking equipment
- Not included: Tips for trekking crews
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $1,180.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $985.00 | $195.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $925.00 | $255.00 |
| 7 or more | $865.00 | $315.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Why book with us
