What is the Ruby Valley Trek?
The Ruby Valley Trek follows a route that involves homestays and walking through the trails of Ganesh Himal. The trails also connect the cultural Tamang and Gurung villages of Chalish Gaun for 6 days in the Rasuwa and Dhading districts. The remote nature of the trek offers peaceful trails combined with mesmerizing views of the Himalayan region.
Where is Ruby Valley located?
Ruby Valley is located in the north-central part of the Rasuwa and Dhading districts of Nepal, forming Ruby Valley Rural Municipality. In 2017, it changed its local government and combined the Lapa, Sirtung, and Tipling village committees. It changed Ruby Valley into a single six-ward municipality, with Sirtung serving as the administrative center. The Ruby Valley fills the huge gap between Langtang National Park and Manaslu Conservation Area.
Why is it called Ruby Valley?
The valley is named after the historical mines located near Somdang that produce zinc, copper, tin, and minerals, including ruby. According to the documents of the Paiputang mine, a 1.4 km tunnel was dug deep into the mountainside. Due to safety concerns and other political disputes, the project was closed, but they are planning to reopen the entire operation.
What makes Ruby Valley unique?
The four things that make Rubby Valley unique compared to other popular trekking routes.
- The short and easy itinerary
- Spending nights at comfortable homestays rather than compact teahouses
- Exploring the quite remote trails, enjoying the Tamang, Gurung, and Ghale cultures.
- The scenic alpine lake is combined with the Paiputang gem mine.
Even in the crowded season, you will have comfortable accommodation while walking through the least explored land of Nepal. Ruby Valley is a remote trekking region in Nepal, making it a perfect high-altitude adventure for travelers.
Ruby Valley Trek Overview
Trek Duration and Distance
The itinerary follows a 6-day adventure from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, Gatlang, Somdang, Tipling, Chalish Gaon, Darkha Phedi, and back to Kathmandu, completing the Ruby Valley Trek. Trekkers have to cover around 70 km in five days. On the first day, you will take a ride from Kathmandu to reach Syabrubesi, located at 1,503 m above sea level. Syabrubesi is the starting point, and Darkha Phedi, also known as Dhading Besi, is the end point of your adventurous journey.
Maximum Altitude on the Trek
Pangsang La Pass is the highest point of the Ruby Valley trek, located at 3,842 m above sea level. It is around 1,500 lower than Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), Thorong La(5,416 m), and Larkya La (5,106 m). The trek offers Nepal's best high-altitude trekking experience, while exploring the Himalayan region's culture and traditions for all adventure seekers.
Trek Region and Accessibility
The Ruby Valley Trek connects the routes of the Ganesh Himal, located around 150 km from Kathmandu Valley. It takes around 7 to 8 hours to drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi via the Trishuli River Valley. The trekkers will end this adventurous journey at Dhading Besi. It is not a popular route, so most of the trekkers and travelers will have the opportunity to experience something new.
Why Choose the Ruby Valley Trek?
Less Crowded than Other Popular Trekking Routes
The Ruby Valley Trek is a newly discovered high-altitude adventure trekking route filling the gap between theLangtang Valley Trek and theManaslu Circuit Trek. Compared to the Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Base Camp trek, the trails are less crowded, with comfortable accommodation options even in peak season.
Authentic Tamang and Gurung Culture
Trekkers will spend most of their nights in homestays rather than hotels and teahouses. The upper villages, such as Gatlang, Somdang, and Tipling, will give you the true Tamang culture experience. The other villages, such as Chalish Gaon and Shertung, are influenced by Gurung families. The journey is the perfect blend of Buddhist and Hindu culture with an opportunity to enjoy Ghatu dance and Dohori singing.
Stunning Ganesh Himal mountain views
The Pangsang Pass, the highest point of the Ruby Valley trek, offers a majestic view of Ganesh Himal(7,422 m) with Langtang Lirung (7,227 m) and Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) to the east. You can also enjoy the majestic view of the other 23 snow peaks from different points of the trek.
Natural Hot Spring and Remote Villages
The trails also offer trekkers a day to enjoy the natural hot springs on their journey. You can reach Tatopani in around a 30-minute walk from Shertung. The word “Tato” means "hot," and "pani" means “water” in the Nepali phrase. You can enjoy the hot spring, but there are no lodges available, so you must carry your own lunch for this side trip.
Key Highlights of the Ruby Valley Trek
The Ruby Valley Trek is one of Nepal’s best off-the-beaten-path high-altitude journeys and offers an authentic Himalayan region culture experience. Here are a few key highlights of the Ruby Valley Trek.
- Pangsang La Pass (3,842 m) is the highest point of this trek.
- Parvati Kunda, a religious site near Gatlang.
- Enjoy the breathtaking view of mountains such as Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Manaslu, and Annapurna.
- Peaceful trekking trails offering authentic Tamang and Gurung villages with rich local culture.
- Beautiful forest filled with rhododendron and Somdang’s old mines.
- Natural hot springs and waterfalls near Shertung.
- Less challenging and shorter trekking itinerary.
