12 Days Ruby Valley Trek

Taking local bus early in the morning or a private four-wheel drive journey from Kathmandu reaches Shyabru Besi, gateway to the Langtang Valley at the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Langtang Rivers. Mesmerizing scenic driving and passing through Trisuli Bazaar, Ramche Gaon and Dhunche Bazaar makes you scenic driving. Narrow and bit adventurous zig zags road but amazing landscape along the way driving will make you good start day drive of the trek.

A dirt track zig-zags to the west up to Bahun Danda Pass and then down to the Tamang settlement of Gatlang, a cornerstone village on the Tamang Heritage Trail or hike to Gatlang by way of Chawatar. Gatlang is a Tamang village with unique customs and craftsmanship in a magnificent setting. Above lies Parvati Kund, popular during Janai Purnima when thousands of pilgrims are attracted to the sacred pond and nearby temple.

The trail ascends through pine and rhododendron forest to a lunch point of Yuri Kharka before continuing to Khurpu Bhanjyang and then dropping down to the Somdang River, border between Rasuwa and Dhading districts. A sprawling mining compound, no longer functioning but it seems locals appealing government to revive it, lies a few hours to the north up river. The hike passes through a scenic valley featuring the 200 m Chukarma Waterfall. The former mine leaves a lot be explored and is the site of a 1.4 km tunnel bored into the mountain to extract zinc, copper, tin, crystal and even highly-prized rubies.

After breakfast trek gently uphill passing through beautiful jungle and mesmerizing surrounding landscapes including Langtang ranges mountain views and finally in the mid day you arrive at this area’s best view point named Pangsang Kharka. It is a viewpoint southwest of Somdang village with a broad panorama of the surrounding terrain. To the north are the soaring peaks of Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal Range. The large meadow is graced with a giant entry gateway and is a sensational location for camping and taking in the breathtaking scenery. The whole Ganesh Himal region is blessed with abundant herbal plants. Previously, herbs were taken to Tibet along an ancient trade route and exchanged for salt, livestock, wool and turquoise. This hill/danda/pass is known as one of the most beautiful and the best magnificent mountain views point to have almost in 270 degrees Langtang ragnes, Ganesh Himal ranges, Manaslu ranges and bit of Annapurna ranges mountains. So far tea house has not developed yet so highly recommended to have own tent for a night shelter but only for this night however local yak huts can be used for a poor night. Mattresses, sleeping bag dry fruits/food will be useful for a night halt.

Descend to Tipling, a large village that hosts two Buddhist gombas and both a Protestant and Catholic church. Along a ridge top to the east is a gomba and cremation ground for both Buddhists and Christians lined with colorful flags. Being a majority of Tamang people it has beautiful Tamang culture show. Descend to cross the Adha Khola on a box bridge and ascend to the sister villages of Shertung and Chalish, regally over looking the fertile river valley and abundant fields. Shertung is inhabited mainly by Tamang. The name Shertung means ‘place of gold’. According to a legend, two brothers in search of gold were led here by a dream and thus the settlement was born. Tamang people have own rich culture to show for the visitors Jhankri or shaman dance, ghode or horse dance, said to have been brought from Tibetan culture long ago. Jhankri (shaman) activity is robust in this territory with the worship of natural forces and indigenous local deities interwoven with Hindu and Buddhist practices. Holy Chyamra danda, Fyanchyat monastery and Sajyat are the main holy attractions of the village. Spectacular mountain views of Lapsang Karpo, Ganesh Himal (Yangri) as well as Ganesh II and III can be seen from this village. If any one planning 7 days trekking, from Shertung or Chalish village simply trek all the down hill to Jharlang village taking about 5-6 hours walk(1 day walk) over night and on next day walk to Darkha Phedi taking 4-5 hours finally take sharing local Jeep with other people and drive to Dhading Besi (3-4 hours driving) soon you arrive, you continue drive back Kathmandu taking about 3 hours driving by local bus or a private car/vehicle. So in total taking 1 ½ day walking and half day drive or let\’s say in 2 days you will get back to Kathmandu.

After breakfast say goodbye to locals and trek down to Chalish village, 20 minutes down hill wlaki which is probably one of the most friendliest and hospitality village of the area. Quick visit Tin Kanya Hindu temple pass thorough small but beautiful village and then trek continue to Khar Khola and then trek gently up to Pasabar danda taking about an hour walk. View of Tribeni river mixed of three rivers. Hindus and both Buddhist believe as a holy river. Just right edge of the Tribeni river Lord Shiva’s statue with little one stoned shrine has built. Especially in Magesakranti (January) festival local gather and celebrate singing, dancing and meeting friends and relatives as well as neighbors village kith and ken. From Pasabar danda trek gently uphill hill and reach at Kalbarang (just the small kharka name but no village or human settlement) trek continues to the hill edge walk and dense jungle. There is a chance rock fall from top of the hill due to inhabitant of wildlife so careful walking with your trek guide or helper. Finally reach at Hindung village where huge number of Tamang people live. It is a Tamang village of around 550 inhabitants. Crystals and rubies are harvested in areas to the north and yarsagumba is hunted too, in the surrounding highlands. Take lunch in Hindung and trek down to Hindung Khola and then trek uphill to Neber Gaon walking about 2 ½ hours. Over night at local house or camp near by local village of Tamang village.

Trek down hill to Tatopani (hot springs) where enjoy your half day bath and then the trail onward follows stone steps built by Kadoorie Agri Aid Association and British Gurkhas of Nepal. Both organizations are active in this area and responsible for building many water taps, bridges and improved trails. Take lunch at Hot Spring and trek continues passing through hairpin hill edge walk, carefully walk with your guide is high recommended. Pass through Tir Gaon on the way to welcoming Racyat and Kapur villages. Finally arrive in Kupchyat village over night in camp/local house of Tamang village.

Trek to Khading village passing through local paddy terraces and amazing views of Lapa Gaon and its surrounding landscape. In Khading village/Gaon you will see a big community of Gurung people having their own beautiful culture. While you will be waiting your lunch explore Khading gaon and after lunch trek down to Lapa Gaon which is a big Tamang village of the area where you will enjoy having Tamang culture.

After breakfast trek down to Ankhu khola having its beautiful water fall views and then trek continues bit uphill to Borang village where stop for lunch and then trek continues passing through Ukhum and Lishne jungle, cross suspension bridge, walk a bit uphill and then arrive at Chhapchyat village. You walk stone steps uphill about 2 hours and half and then finally you arrive at Jharlang village (Ungul). This village is one of the biggest Tamang villages of the area and a breath taking panoramic mountain view point. Nearly 200 Tamang houses are built here.

Take breakfast at the same place and trek all the way down Jharlang Pahiro (Jharlang landslide) where takes about an hour to cross. Cross with your trek guide will be very convenient and during monsoon its bit slippery so careful ! Just after crossing landscape you trek to Ukhum trek continues all the way down hill to Dungre Khola about 1 ½ hours down hill walking. Cross suspension bridge and uphill walking about 2 ½ hours to get to Kuri Village. This is also a Tamang village lies right on the top of the hill from where you will see the beautiful surrounding landscape and Ganesh Himal ranges mountain views. There is no village or tea shops in between Kaule to Kuri village so some snacks or dry fruits will be very useful to carry with you unless you take heavy breakfast. A bottle of boiled water will be very useful. Great water fall view, paddy terraces and little bit of jungle walking experience will make you interesting walking of the day. After lunch trek continue and passing through Birchet village finally arrive at Khaniyabas Village or so called it Satya Devi. It’s about 2 ½ hours walk from lunch spot and Satya Devi has several local lodges/tea shops for the trekkers. Next to school or Shree Bachchhala Devi temple, it will be nice to camp because small bush and open ground space will make you easier for camping. On the clear weather day you will have the best and breath taking sun set views. Ankhu river views and Todke hill in horizon gives you magnificent landscape scenery. Tamang, Bhramin and Dalit people live in Khaniyabas.

After breakfast trek to easy walk to Thambu Khola about an hour and then trek all the stone steps uphill walking Kimdang gaon (2 ½ hours walking) stop for lunch and trek to Megang Danda walking a big dense jungle right on the hill top. Being dense jungle wild animal may encounter so trek with your guide or helper is highly recommended. There is a dirt road in Kimtang to Trisuli Bazaar but only winter you will get a sharing local jeep but in the monsoon impossible to drive due to muddy track/road. Megang is another breath taking Mountain View point from where you will experience of 270 degrees mountain views. There used to be several lodges but due to road construction lodges removed however there is a basic lodges for the trekkers/travelers to spend a night.

You may trek to Trisuli Bazaar 6 hours down hill scenic walking or walk up to Deurali 1 ½ hours walking and then share local bus/Jeep with other people to Trisuli Bazaar (2 hours driving) and then continue drive back to Kathmandu by local bus (4 hours driving) or a private car/vehicle.