Day 1
Kathmandu to Simigaon
2 hrs / 4 km / sleep 2,000 m
Drive from Kathmandu to Gongar (7 - 9 hours), then short trek to Simigaon, a traditional Sherpa village with views of Gaurishankar.
Rolwaling
Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek
Trek to Nepal's largest glacial lake in the remote Rolwaling Valley. Tsho Rolpa Lake (4,580m) sits dramatically at the base of the Trakarding Glacier with views of Gaurishankar and surrounding peaks.
Challenging8 days4,580 mMar - May, Sep - Nov
Photo: Tom Simcock / Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Tsho Rolpa - largest glacial lake (4,580m)
- Trakarding Glacier views
- Remote Rolwaling Valley
- Gaurishankar Himal panorama
Trek to Nepal's largest glacial lake in the remote Rolwaling Valley. Tsho Rolpa Lake (4,580m) sits dramatically at the base of the Trakarding Glacier with views of Gaurishankar and surrounding peaks.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 8 planned days, 65 km of walking, and 4,100 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Tsho Rolpa - largest glacial lake (4,580m), Trakarding Glacier views, Remote Rolwaling Valley, Gaurishankar Himal panorama.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Simigaon to Dongang
6 hrs / 12 km / sleep 2,790 m
Ascend through terraced fields, dense rhododendron forests, and across streams. Views of Gaurishankar Himal improve as you climb.
Day 3
Dongang to Beding
6 hrs / 11 km / sleep 3,690 m
Significant altitude gain through forested valleys and crossing several streams. Beding is the main Sherpa village in the Rolwaling Valley.
Day 4
Beding acclimatization
3 hrs / 5 km / sleep 3,690 m
Acclimatization day. Short hikes around Beding with views of the surrounding peaks. Visit the local monastery and explore this remote Sherpa community.
Day 5
Beding to Na
4 hrs / 7 km / sleep 4,180 m
Steady climb to Na, a small seasonal settlement. The landscape becomes more barren and glacial as you ascend.
Day 6
Na to Na
6 hrs / 13 km / sleep 4,180 m
Day hike to Tsho Rolpa Lake (4,580m). Nepal's largest glacial lake stretches dramatically beneath the Trakarding Glacier. Return to Na to sleep.
Day 7
Na to Simigaon
7 hrs / 20 km / sleep 2,000 m
Long descent retracing the route through Beding and Dongang back to Simigaon.
Day 8
Simigaon to Kathmandu
2 hrs / 4 km / sleep 1,338 m
Short trek to Gongar, then drive back to Kathmandu (7 - 9 hours).
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
1,338 m
Start
4,180 m
Highest sleep
4,580 m
Max altitude
8
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
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GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Altitude
- 4,580 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek runs 8 days and covers 65 km of walking. That includes 1 acclimatization day where you sleep at the same village instead of climbing higher. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek go?
The Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek tops out at 4,580 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 4,180 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek?
The Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek normally requires: Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit, TIMS Card. Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek?
Mar - May, Sep - Nov is the usual window for the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek?
The Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek is rated challenging, with 4,100 m of total ascent over 65 km. Walking days are roughly 2-7 hours. Above 4,000 m the limiting factor is usually altitude rather than fitness, so pace and rest days matter more than training volume.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek?
Yes. The Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek reaches 4,580 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days (1 on this itinerary), and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Is there a GPX file for the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek?
Yes - the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek GPX and KML tracks are free to download from this page and open in TrekGuard, Gaia GPS, Garmin Connect, Organic Maps or Google Earth. The track is a planning reference built from route data, not a surveyed trail: verify junctions on the ground and follow local signage and guides over the line on your screen.
Where does the Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek start and finish?
The Tsho Rolpa Lake Trek starts and finishes at Gongar, in the Rolwaling region.
Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
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