Rolwaling Valley & Tashi Labsta Pass 50th Anniversary Trek with Tim Macartney-Snape

On arrival you will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to your hotel. You will meet your group leader and a trip briefing will be given in the late afternoon at the hotel. There are numerous preparations required before we embark on our expedition including a clothing and equipment check of all members by your guide, and distribution of gear (sleeping bag, down jacket and kitbag) and climbing packs (ice axe, crampons and harness). This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals:  Nil

This morning a group meeting with gear check will be held and at this time any necessary items will be hired or purchased. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals:  B

After an early breakfast our travel day begins with a long drive to the small village of Chechhet. It is a full day, as it will take approx. 7-8 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. At approx. 1350m, a cluster of houses mark Chechhet and we will cross the river just downstream from the confluence of the Rolwaling Khola. Depending on the road conditions and the timing of the day, we will either camp on arrival or commence the trek towards Simigaon. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

From Chechhet we will trek steeply uphill through terraced farm lands for 3-4 hrs before arriving at Simigaon (2050m) where we will camp for the night. We are among temperate forests that are home to ferns, mosses and small orchids, as well as rhesus and langur monkeys that are often seen jumping across the trees. Overnight fully serviced wilderness campsite.This is rugged country off the main trekking trails and a good way to start the acclimatisation process. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We will leave the valley and cross the Daldung La (3976m), heading towards to our campsite situated around 3800m, beyond Daldung Kharka. Depending on conditions, we may remain in the valley and trek to Beding via the lower route. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We set off this morning on a trek to the small village of Beding in the remote, Rolwaling valley which boasts beautiful alpine forest. It is said a Buddhist monk lived in a cave behind the gompa before the village was established, there is a chorten marking the site and offering a khata is considered to bestow good luck on the giver. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

With glorious mountain scenery and eye-opening panoramas, we continue to enjoy trekking in the spectacular Rolwaling Valley, admiring the views and and making our way to Na. This area is isolated with a diversity of culture among the small village farming settlements. The vegetation is mostly small shrubs, grasses and some juniper and birch. Our alpine views span out as we approach camp and we are fortunate to have them with us for the few days before a change of scenery. Chobuje, Kang Nachugo, Chekigo, Bamongo, Dorje Phagmo, to name a few peaks on the horizon. At 4200 metres, Na is cosily tucked into a valley but inhospitable in winter, so villagers move through in late spring grazing their yak herds. Our campsite is on a pleasant grassy patch, on the higher bank of the rocky riverbed. We will spend a rest day here, with a possible option to undertake a day walk to Yalung peak base camp or for views of Kang Nachago above Na, we may trek to the end of Tsho Rolpa lake. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We'll set out for Kabug today crossing the outflow of the Tsho Rolpa lake, either ascending an ablation valley to the south or over the terminal moraine. Two fine mountains feed the glacier at the head of the valley and may clearly be seen as we approach camp; Bigphera Go Shar (East) and Bigphera Go Nup (West). A ten minute walk from camp up the lateral moraine provides a spectacular view of Tsho Rolpa; one of the largest glacial lakes in Nepal. Looking back we have a superb view of Kang Nachugo and a glimpse of Melungtse in Tibet. A steep hillside climb is rewarded by views over the surrounding peaks and lake, before a short descent to a plateau at Kabug (4820m). Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trek today is towards the Trakarding glacier (4735m), with the route to be determined depending on conditions. Our itinerary is flexible and it may be influenced by many factors such as weather, glacier and snow conditions, and the progress of the group and crew/porters. Your leader will have complete control of setting the schedule in order to maintain safety for all members of the expedition and to achieve the trip objectives in the smoothest and most efficient manner. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We will spend two days moving to high camp and crossing the pass. The weather, snow and glacier conditions will play a large part in how difficult the route will be. We climb up steadily through several rock and ice gullies to reach the pass where we are treated with a superb new vista of mountains. This is one of the least accessible parts of the Nepal Himalaya. Tengi Ragi Tau and Pachermo tower above and mark the gap to the pass; both are captivating in their form with their sheer ice and rock faces. We need to make a long, steady trek along the rock/snow and ascend crevassed snow slopes above the Trakarding glacier, crossing the snout of the Drolambu glacier to the pass, an icy slope on the lower flanks of Pachermo leading to a rocky ridge. Tim will be able point out the climbing routes on Pachermo, having led World Expeditions groups to the summit. There are several sections that usually require some scrambling on rock and ice, and if necessary we will fix a rope as a handrail. Our staff will work closely with team members to navigate the terrain and your leader may decide to amend the itinerary as suits group movement. The pass achieved, we enjoy the thrill of where we are, sandwiched between two fabulous regions and mountain ranges. Once we cross over the Tashi Labsta pass (5760m) and we will descend the glacier and moraine to the valley floor on the Khumbu side, likely to the village of Dharamshala depending on the progress of the day. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We enjoy a pleasant days trekking through grassy meadows where yaks are often grazing and our first signs of civilisation for some days. Before us, the mountains of Thamserku, Kang Taiga and Ama Dablam form a spectacular horizon before us (eastward), whilst Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde Ri rise directly beside us to the south. Namche Bazaar is spread within a horse-shoe shaped valley opposite the beautiful peak of Kongde Ri. We will spend the night above the main town, typically in the eco-lodge of Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa and his family. In your free time in the afternoon, we recommend you visit the Sonam's Sherpa Culture museum, a meticulously curated collection in an ancient traditional Sherpa house showcasing the culture and stories of Sherpa climbers in the Everest region of Nepal. Overnight: Eco-lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

Heading North-East we initially follow the main trail to Thyangboche as it contours around the hills, before we branch off on a climb on the flanks of the sacred peak of Khumbila (5761 m). We traverse for some time across yak pastures as the trail gradually ascends to Mon La. Below us is the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Imja Khola and across the valley Thyangboche monastery is framed by Ama Dablam and Kantega. We reach a stupa draped with prayer flags atop a ridge at 3992 metres and then descend steeply through forest to the Dudh Kosi. Crossing the river we pass a water-powered grain mill and eventually to our campsite close by. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will cross the valley to Thyangboche, where we will have a tour of the famous Monastery and learn of its significance for the surrounding villagers. We will celebrate World Expeditions' 50th Anniversary with a banquet dinner hosted by some of the people who helped shape World Expeditions into the pioneering adventure travel company it has become today, including your leader Tim Macartney-Snape, Soren Kruse Ledet and Garry Weare. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

If the weather is clear, the mountain views as we approach Namche Bazaar are outstanding. As we approach the end of our trek, we have time to peruse the Tibetan shops for souvenirs or even wander the Sherpa capital and relax with a coffee. Leaving Namche we descend through the forest towards the Dudh Kosi, and continue our return journey crossing and re-crossing the river. We exit Sagarmatha National Park and reach Monjo for our overnight camp. Overnight: Fully serviced wilderness campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue following the Dudh Kosi and pass through a variety of settlements and forests before the final climb to Lukla. We savour our final sunset of the trek as we complete this exhilarating journey. Our last evening of the trek is a good time to celebrate a successful journey and have a small celebration with the entire crew, especially the porters who will return to their villages from here. Overnight: Eco-lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

We start the day with a stunning morning flight over forests and villages to Kathmandu directly or to return via Ramechap. Domestic flights to/from Lukla during Spring and Autumn trekking seasons may operate from Manthali Airport, Ramechap. This is determined by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and dates are subject to change. Your leader will brief you on flight arrangements locally. The drive from Ramechap to Kathmandu takes approx 5 hours. Upon arrival, you be will be transferred back to the Radisson Hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon free. There will be plenty of time to relax or do some last minute shopping/sightseeing. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  B

After breakfast arrangements cease unless further ones have been made. Those who fly home today transferred to the airport.

Meals:  B