Rubina La Circuit Trek

Our representative will come to the airport for transfer to the Hotel. After some refreshment in the hotel, Our Tour leader will conduct a pre- departure meeting in the Hotel or at our office. The meeting will cover trip related information & the collection your Documents (passport copy, 2 passport size photos, Travel insurance).

After morning breakfast, free day for trek preparation. OR, do a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley  visiting  fascinating heritage and cultural sites. There are few places that are worth to visit such as holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square ( One is in Kathmandu, in Patan and also in Bhaktapur), Museum,  monasteries, old historical Palaces and Gardens. Note:  this tour is optional so you can visit with place of your interest & pay locally. (Meals:B)

Start this great adventure with a scenic and interesting drive towards historical Gorkha town, the stronghold and root of Shah Dynasty who ruled Nepal for 400 hundreds years till mid 21st century. Drive on the downhill to Khancowk, passing several scattered farm houses and village, with fabulous views of Ganesh, Manaslu, Lamjung and as far to Annapurna Himalaya. After an interesting 6 hour drive, reach at Khanchowk village, a small rural farm area, placed on a ridge, for  first overnight camping.

Brief summary of Gorkha & Fort Palace:
Gorkha: a mid hill town and the ancestral home of the Shah dynasty which ruled Nepal before the present republic government. It is from here that King Prithvi Narayan Shah started his conquest of the country’s various smaller kingdoms and united them into a single nation and made greater Nepal. Located thousand feet above Gorkha Bazaar, the palace dominates the surroundings and is visible from all around the area. The palace also boasts beautiful architecture. Although only Hindus are allowed to enter the palace premises, it is worthwhile walking up the stairs for the view time permitting. (Meals:B,L,D)

From this nice camp, walk downhill through farm fields and terraces. Reach Lajugaon Gurung village. Climb to Deuarli ridge at an altitude of 2,120 m-6,955 ft high with fantastic views of Annapurna, Lamjung, Manaslu with Hiuchuli and Boudha Himal.  After a pleasant break, walk  downhill  passing small villages of Bhulabari, Gyanji (Talakhani). End the first day walk at Sulikot village for overnight camp. (Meals:B,L,D)

After a nice overnight stop at Sulikot, walk continues with a gentle, slow climb to Kharchok bhanjyang at 2,440 m-8,005 ft. View snow capped peaks and the valley below. Descend to our overnight camp at Majhghar village, a nice small farm village with splendid views of surrounding hills and mountains. (Meals:B,L,D)

After this village the air gets much cooler as trek heads higher towards alpine area. Walk starts on a nice undulating trail through rhododendron and pine tree forest to reach at Pangsing villages. After passing Thallothotaneri, Thalegaon, climb to Leh Kharka at 2,770 m-9,087 ft with beautiful green fields and grazing pasture.  Marvel at the fantastic view.  Descend again into woodlands at a small place of Gurase (rhododendron, Nepal national flower). Continue to the bottom of a hill at Pekma kharka. Climb to Pekma-Kharka ridge top at 3,140 m-10,302 ft that offers an excellent view of the Mt. Manaslu range with Annapurna and Ganesh Himal towards east. After a nice break, make a gradual downhill walk to Dharche for overnight camp. Dharche is a small farm village with Magar and Gurung tribes. (Meals:B,L,D)

Walk through the cool shade of wonderful rhododendron, pines and oak tree forest to a complete wilderness. Reach Kamdani, Sumpi-Kharka, a temporary Sheppard’s place with small huts and shades. Walk on the mix path with few ups and down for few hours to Gupsi danda at 2,760 m-9,055 ft. This place offers grand views of Annapurna, Lamjung and Manaslu range of mountains. After taking-in this grand scenery, walk on a winding trail to reach our overnight camp at Bede, a small Sheppard’s summer pasture. (Meals:B,L,D)

Having camped in the midst of forested area and on top of high green hills, the morning walk starts on the high terrain. Getting nearer to our destination and highlight of this trip reach Rubina-la pass, walk  through cool pristine woodland with ups and down. After a pleasant and scenic trek for five hours reach our overnight camp at Kharka, another summer grazing pasture. In the afternoon relax and enjoy the views and explore on this least visited area by other trekkers. (Meals:B,L,D)

From this small wonderful spot, walk higher and further north to Rubina-la area. After  trekking for few hours, leave behind the tree lines for small alpine bush and shrub. Walk to the high hill ridge of Gambogang at 3,870 m-12,697 ft.  Walk downhill on a vague path to reach our overnight camp beneath Rubina-la pass. Camp is pitched around a clearing of rocky moraine with few small area of grassy field where suitable for campsite. (Meals:B,L,D)

Get ready for the Big Day! The main highlight of this remarkable adventure! Starting early morning, enjoy a strenuous climb on a narrow and ill defined path with rocks and old moraine uphill towards the highest point of this trek. The climb offers fantastic views of Manaslu range including Boudha-Himal at close range. After a hard walk ascend for an hour to reach Rubina-la top at 4,720 m-15,485 ft, highest point of this amazing journey. At the top of the pass is a small rocky spot that sometimes can be covered in snow and ice, which makes it more adventurous and challenging because that the path is narrow and slippery path in few sections. Being a careful and cautious and slow on the downhill path, enjoy with stunning views of Boudha Himal (6,672 m-21,890 ft) and Rani peak ( Lidani peak) at 6,693 m-21,959 ft. Walk on a long winding trail for an hour or more to reach our overnight camp on the other side of Rubina-la pass. (Meals:B,L,D)

After a great adventure crossing the high Rubina-la, the walk is easier today on the downhill path with views of snow clad peaks. The walk moves close to a glacial section. After going through few obstacles areas, the walk gets pleasant. Pass a grazing area at Jarang 3,420 m-11,220 ft. Walk downhill for few hours to reach at Zakbatang near Rubinala khola (stream) for overnight camp in wilderness. (Meals:B,L,D)

Today, walk back to villages and human settlement, after being in absolute wilderness away from villages for a many days. The journey continues through farm villages. In the morning downhill walk, with some small ups and some gradual sections, reach Gomna, a temporary Sheppard’s place. Walk on a gradual path to cross on a suspension bridge over the raging Buri-Gandaki River. This river is fed from the glaciers of the Manaslu mountain range. Take a gradual winding trail all the way to the overnight camp at Lokpa village, the first village after a week’s time. Lokpa is an interesting small village and on a route to upper Manaslu trek. (Meals:B,L,D)

From Lokpa walk back to warmer and tropical climatic regions with rice fields and terraces. Follow along the riverside to continue to Lokpa village. Walk downhill past one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Lower Tsum Valley, Samba Tingding Chhupyang. Reach the large farm village at Philim for an overnight stop. (Meals: B, L, D)

After breakfast, walk towards Tatopani following the Burigandaki River downstream. Walk past several small villages to reach Nagjet, Sidibas Bazaar. Descend further to Yaruphant. Notice a complete change in vegetation with a warmer tropical climate. Reach Tatopani. which means hot water in Nepali. Here bathe in extraordinary demulcent natural hot springs and relax the weary muscles from trekking for many days. (Meals: B, L, D)

Follow the Burkigandaki downstream to reach the Gurung village of Labubesi. Walk further through farm-terraced fields and tropical waterfalls to reach Soti Khola for your last camping and overnight stop. (Meals: B,L, D)

Completing the fabulous trek, after breakfast take a jeep ride on the winding downhill road above the Buri Gandaki River. See beautiful waterfalls and the drive enters a warmer area back to rice-growing paddies. Arrive at Arughat and then be on the good road back to the hustle and bustle of city life in Kathmandu. (Meals: B, L, D)

Breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure towards homeward bound. (Meals: B)