18 daysExtreme6,189 mIsland Peak Climbing — 18 Days
From / person
$3,600
TrekModerate
Ruby Valley Trek — 8 Days
8 days3,600 mFrom Trishuli (drive from Kathmandu)Best: Oct–Nov, Mar–May
Photo by Abdul Kayum on Pexels
01 / 09
Duration
8 days
From
$900/person
Max Altitude
3,600 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Starts
Trishuli (drive from Kathmandu)
Group Size
2–10 People
Stay
Tea House
Meals
Breakfast & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
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Trip Highlights
Off-the-beaten-path gem in the Ganesh Himal region — a valley where ruby and tourmaline are mined
Dramatic suspension bridges over roaring glacial rivers between scattered Tamang villages
Views of Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), Shringi Himal, and Baudha peak from high ridgelines
Ancient Tamang Buddhist monasteries and mani walls rarely photographed by outsiders
Traditional Tamang culture: music, dress, and teahouse hospitality unchanged for generations
Alpine meadows and yak pastures above 4,000 m with 360-degree Himalayan panoramas
No permit rush — share the trail with almost no other foreign trekkers
Named for the semi-precious gems in its hills, Ruby Valley winds through the Ganesh Himal in near-total solitude — an 8-day trek for those who want the Himalayas without the crowds.
Day-by-Day Itinerary(8 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 3,253 m · Day 5Early morning drive from Kathmandu northwest through Trishuli Bazar and Arughat Bazar (600m) to the trailhead at Khahare (1,050m). Begin walking through terraced farmland and subtropical forest.
1,050 mDrive5 kmB, L, DTea House
The Ruby Valley Trek is an 8-day journey into the Ganesh Himal foothills north of Kathmandu — a region where ruby and tourmaline are mined from high-altitude deposits and where Tamang communities live in a landscape of suspension bridges, glacial rivers, and ancient Buddhist monasteries almost entirely undiscovered by mainstream trekking. Ganesh Himal (7,422 m) and Shringi Himal form a constant backdrop; the forest corridors between villages host red pandas, langurs, and Himalayan birds.
The route visits Tipling, Lapa, and the upper Rupche village near the ruby mines before descending via the Tsum valley approach trail. The cultural encounters en route are entirely genuine — no tourist infrastructure, no printed menus in English, no souvenir stalls. Trekking here in the twenty-first century feels much closer to what trekking Nepal felt like in the 1980s.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Access: Kathmandu–Tipling jeep (included). Max altitude: ~4,000 m.
What's Included
Included
- Government-registered English-speaking guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- Tsum Valley/Ganesh Himal Conservation Area permit
- TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Arughat/Tipling 4WD jeep and return
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Lunches
- Personal gear
- Tips
Best Time to Go
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Best season. Clear skies, excellent views of Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal. October is perfect. Less crowded than Annapurna/Everest.
Low: -5°C Kyanjin High: 18°C lower November: possible above 4,000 m
Spring (Mar–May)
Good. Rhododendron forests in bloom. Gosaikunda still partially frozen in March, fully accessible by May.
Low: -2°C Kyanjin High: 20°C lower March: Gosaikunda frozen
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold but accessible lower Langtang. Kyanjin Gompa reachable with cold-weather gear. Gosaikunda route may be closed.
Low: -15°C Kyanjin High: 10°C Syabrubesi Heavy above 4,000 m
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Wet trails, leeches in forest sections, views obscured. Not recommended.
Low: 10°C High: 25°C None
Permits Required
Langtang National Park Permit
USD 30Required for all Langtang treks. Checked at park entrance.
TIMS Card
USD 20Required for all Nepal treks.
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
What to Pack
Moisture-wicking base layers
Fleece mid-layer
Down jacket (600+ fill)
Waterproof shell jacket and pants
Trekking trousers (2 pairs)
Merino socks (4 pairs)
Warm hat and sun hat
Gloves
Thermal underwear
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the trail · Ruby Valley Trek
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