Ruby Valley Cultural Trek

Altitude above sea level: (1,302 m)

Accommodation: ***Hotel Tibet or similar

On arrival at Tribhuvan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal. You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle.

Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Tour Duration:  Approx. 8 hours

Accommodation: ***Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast

9:00 AM: After breakfast, we start our guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. On this cultural tour, you will experience the numerous colors, sounds, and tastes of authentic Kathmandu and its surroundings. Our experienced tour guides will tell you all you need to know and answer all your curiosities regarding those sites.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

You will head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. This ancient site used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. It incorporates an architecturally extraordinary complex of ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and shrines dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The prominent sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square are Kumari Ghar or the house of the living goddess.  Kasthamandap is a huge rest house that is said to have been built with the wood from a single tree and is the source of which Kathmandu valley got its name. Other sites around Kathmandu Square are the ferocious Kal Bhairab – the red monkey God- Hanuman, hundreds of erotic carvings, temples, and statues dedicated to different deities.

Swayambhunath:

Swayambhunath (monkey temple), is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and center of faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Swayambhunath is the ideal place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. In the shadows of the imposing structure and besides the integrated architecture can be found the daily surge of devotees faithfully offering their prayers to the gods. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist song “Om Mani Padme Hum” resounds everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

PM: Boudhanath

Then we drive towards Boudhanath.  From the moment you step into the sanctuary, you’ll immediately feel the spiritual energy that comes from the place. Boudhanath is one of the biggest stupas in Nepal, built in the 5^th century and listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979. The surrounding area is a central spiritual hub of Tibetan life and culture in Nepal. You can see the beautiful dome-shaped structure stupa surrounded by brilliant colorful prayer flags. It is believed that prayer flags convey mantras and prayers into the universe while fluttering in the wind. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

You can witness monks draped in maroon robes rolling the prayer wheels, burning incense, and flickering butter candles. Moreover, it’s fascinating to see the people feeding grains and maize to hundreds of pigeons around stupa areas. The devotees turn the prayer wheels & chant, which is humbling to see such dedication to their beliefs.

Delight in the serenity as you hear the Buddhist mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ being chanted by devotees, alongside the echo of music streaming out from the nearby shops.

Pashupatinath

Moving on, you will visit the Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the bank of the Bagmati River. The word Pashupati means “the king of animals” and the temple is famous for its monkeys. You will be visiting the Pashupatinath area to indulge in a spiritual journey.

Pashupatinath is more than just a religious destination. It is a combination of religion, art, and culture. The temple, spread across 246 hectares of land, abounds in temples and monuments. Hundreds of rituals are performed here every day. You will get to witness people performing the religious ritual and funeral pyres burning at open-air cremation. Also witness elaborately dressed holy men meditating outside the temple and pilgrims placing offerings at the shrines. After touring around prominent sites, you will be transferred safely back to your hotel.

Altitude above sea level: (1,420 m) Syabrubesi

Driving duration: 7-8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you take a scenic, long drive to Syabrubesi. With a beautiful drive, the roads twist and turn along the high hills as we pass through many remote villages and get to see the villagers working in their fields. You will get wonderful views of the Annapurna Himalayas in the west, to Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and the peaks of the Langtang region ahead.

Further, you drive through the Trishuli  Bazaar before climbing towards Dunche and the Langtang National Park. After the town of Dunche it is another hour downhill to Syabru Besi.

Altitude above sea level: (2,240 m) Ghatlang

Hiking duration: 6-7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Homestay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you take a steep trail for a couple of hours to reach Bahundanda. The gentle trail takes you through terraced farming fields, picturesque villages, rhododendron and bamboo forests, grassy meadows, soaring mountain views, and incredible landscapes all the way to Gatlang village

Gatlang is a beautiful village on the hillside with traditional stone houses. On a clear day, Langtang Lirung Peak is visible on the eastern side.

Altitude above sea level: (2,240 m) Parvati Kunda, (3,258 m) Somdang (3,271 m), Khurpa Pass (3,610 m)

Hiking duration: 6-7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Homestay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you walk on a flat trail and, take a steady ascent for 40 minutes that takes you to the lake of Parvati Kunda. The kunda is of religious importance, as local people gather every year to perform rituals during Janai Purnima.

From there you hike up through the lovely forest of pine and oak trees to Yurikharka. Then the trail heads uphill to Khurpu Danda (Pass) 3,610 m. From the pass, there are wonderful views of Annapurna and Langtang. Further, you follow a steep descent to the Somdang River. You will soon find yourselves in a picturesque valley. The trail passes by the awe-inspiring Chukarma Waterfall from here. You will reach Somdang in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Homestay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you will spend a day exploring Somdang village.  This village is in a beautiful location, presenting a sweeping view of the surrounding peaks of the Ganesh and Jugal ranges. You can also hike to lead and zinc Lari mine areas. This mine is well-known for its highly prized, beautiful rubies. From here, you can have a mesmerizing view of Paldor Peak and other neighboring peaks, including Ganesh Himal.

Altitude above sea level: (3,850 m) Pangsang La Pass

Hiking duration: 3-4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After having a hearty breakfast, you set off today’s trek to Pangsang La Pass.  From Somdang, follow an ascent trail through more picturesque terrain with dense forest on the way up to a meadow called Pangsang Kharka.  It is a vantage point that provides a commanding view over the broad landscape in all directions, comprising the soaring peaks of Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal Range.
The region around the pass is famous for medicinal herbs. In ancient times, people from the surrounding area used to collect the herbs and take them for trade to Tibet. They used to exchange the herbs for salt, clothing items, and food.

Altitude above sea level: (1,890 m)  Tipling

Hiking duration:3-4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Homestay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you make your way down to Tipliing, an old Tamang Village dominated by Shamanism and Tantrism.  Spend your leisure afternoon visiting two Tibetan Gompas, and Catholic Churches. People celebrate Mane Jatra during winter, which has been followed for generations. Likewise, Jhakri or Bombo (Witchdoctors) can be seen performing during the Janai Purnima festival.

Altitude above sea level: (1,674 m) Chalise

Hiking duration: 3-4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Homestay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you trek towards Chalise village, the mixed settlement inhabited by Gurung, Ghale, and Kami. The villages consist of hospitable people with unique customs, traditions, and craftsmanship. You will cross Adha Khola and ascend to the sister villages of Shertung and Chalise. Once you arrive at Chalise, you will have lunch and visit a natural hot spring.

Altitude above sea level: (900 m) Dhundure

Hiking duration: 6-7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, the trail heads downhill all the way to Dhundure. The trail is easier, passing through different Tamang villages with beautiful terrace fields and the Ankhu Khola at the bottom.

Altitude above sea level: (1,302 m) Kathmandu

Driving duration: 4 hrs. Approx. (Dhundure-Dhading Besi), (Dhading Besi- Kathmandu) 3-4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: *** Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast and Lunch

After having breakfast, you take a drive to Dhading Besi. You will take a lunch break and continue to drive all the way to Kathmandu.

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the wonderful experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check-in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.