Embarking on Rupina La Pass Trek through the Manaslu region of Gorkha district is an exciting excursion through one of the highest passes in the area at 4,720 meters. Linked with Manaaslu Circuit and Barpak Village, this trek is one of Nepal's more off the beatean path routes. On the way, trekkers are rewarded with stunning views of the snow-capped peaks in the Langtang, Ganesh, Manaslu, and Annapurna ranges, along with some up-close views of the enormous Buddha Himal, Gorkha Himal, Himalchuli, and Peak 29 or Ngadi Chuli.
Considered a Junction across the Budhi Gandaki River Valley; one of many intense segments ranging from scattered villages to a plethora of lush cultivated lands. Ethnic villages, populated by all communities- presenting insight into the local lifestyles, culture, and traditions thereof, where Barpak is the biggest village of more than 1,200 households, consist predominantly of Gurung, Ghale, Sunar, and Pariyar tribes. This area, where so many men enlist for the British and Indian Armies, might greet you with a few Gurkha soldiers emerging along your way to explore some of homestay destinations.
Rupina La Pass Trek offers an adventurous journey combined with a rich cultural experience in the heart of Gorkha Nepal.
- Non-technical pass at an altitude of over 4,700 meters.
- Explore ethnic villages, including Barpak, home to more than 1,200 households.
- Panoramic views of the Langtang Himal (7,234 m), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), and Annapurna (8,091 m) ranges.
- Close-up vistas of Buddha Himal (6,692 m), Gorkha Himal (5,532 m), Himalchuli (7,893 m), and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli, 7,871 m), among others.
- Remote and less crowded trails, first opened in 1991.
- Suitable for both camping and teahouse trekking.
- Fully customizable to include the Larkya La Pass trek.
What to expect on Rupina La Pass Trek?
Most of the adventure requires appreciable mountain fitness, but it doesn't demand any technical climbing gear. The trekkers will witness glorious views of the Langtang, Ganesh, Manaslu, and Annapurna ranges, up close, of the Buddha Himal, Gorkha Himal, and Himalchuli. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes-the Budhi Gandaki River Valley, terraced fields, pastures, and dense forests. You will come to know the welcoming culture of various ethnic villages like Barpak with Gurung, Ghale, and other indigenous communities. This trek is off the beaten trail and will provide an experience steeped in peace and authenticity, offering teahouses and homestays to accommodate travelers, especially in Barpak, known for its homestays in Nepal. Though the whole route doesn't pass through conservation areas or national parks, it still presents good populations of wildlife, birds, and various kinds of vegetation. The trek is a year-round affair, but actual conditions are season-dependent.
The biodiversity is extraordinary on the Rupina La and Larkey Pass trek.
A variety of plant and animal life flourish as one traverses diverse ecological zones. During the lower elevations, the path takes you through dense and lush forests made up of rhododendrons, oaks, pines, and bamboo. With the blooming of rhododendrons, which spring paints on a warm vivacious touch of color to the trek, these forests assume a rich green hue.
As the altitude increases, the vegetation slowly dissipates. You will come across alpine shrubs and stubborn wildflowers in addition to hardy mosses clinging to the rocky ground, all well adapted to a colder, harsher environment. These meadows and pastures, with high-altitude beauty, present an unyielding contrast to the flourishing tropical forests lying at lower elevations.
The trek also takes you through cultivated areas occupied by locals working terraced fields of maize, wheat, barley, and millet. These cultivated lands set against spectacular mountains backdrops provide a glimpse into the nature of traditional rural life in the area.
The fauna consists of an assortment of wildlife, including pheasants, eagles, and the colorful national bird of Nepal, the Himalayan monal. In the more remote areas, it would be lucky for you to catch the glisten of langurs (Himalayan monkeys), the rarer than rare Himalayan thar, and musk deer.
In addition, insects include a most amiable kin of multitudinous varieties of butterflies that benefit a glowing elegance to the whole trek. This carries the diversity into a greater trekking insight besides expounding on the grandeur mountain view; it creates closeness to nature.
Traveling in Adventure and Solitude in the High Passes of the Rupina La and Larke of the Manaslu Region.
The Rupina La and the Larke Pass trek would bring forth adventure and solitude-a wreath of such experiences which will be hardly found in others. These two passes of high-altitude Rupina La and Larke Pass are some of the most isolated wilderness areas and thrilling trekking routes in the region. They push you to your very limit and reward you with breathtaking views of the towering Himalayan giants-Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Annapurna.
It was a rugged trek that covers steep climbs, dense forest, deep river valleys, and snow-capped Alpine wasteland. The journey traverses different and changing environments and adds to its adventure, with every step providing a challenge. These isolated trails mean fewer trekkers; thus, solitude and a sense of connection to nature are heightened, marking it an ideal trek for those looking to venture far away from beaten paths.
The trek is fit for any physically experienced hiker as long as he/she is fit and not in need of technical climbing skills, allowing the adventurer to get a remote and rewarding trekking experience within the Manaslu region.
Expectation on the weather, local famous dishes, life, and other facilities
The weather in Rupina La Pass trek may vary greatly according to the season. Spring (March-May) is the optimal time for trekking, with daytime temperatures between 10°C-20°C (50°F-68°F), colder nights, occasional rhododendron blooms, and clean and clear skies. Summer (June-August) becomes more of the monsoon season, bringing rainfall, with occupation where water rises in July and August between 15°C-25°C (59°F-77°F). The terrain can be muddy and slippery, with the risk of a few low-lying clouds. autumn (September-November) serves as another fantastic trekking season since the temperatures are moderate, with daytime temperatures between 10°C-20°C (50°F-68°F), and the skies are clearer for a spectacular view. On the contrary, the winters (December-February) have their charms enough to contract the temperatures well below freezing at higher altitudes, coupled with snowmaking trekking difficult but endearing, because snow-capped views become treks' lures.
Trekkers are hoping to balance their daily expectations of local Nepali culinary culture, such as dal bhat, which constitutes lentil soup served with rice, vegetable curry, and seasonal greens, and momo or thukpa could be enjoyed on the side. Plenty of teahouses serve international dishes like pasta, fried rice, and pancakes-and snacks like nuts, energy bars, and chocolate, are also available. Well-known "hot" drinks like tea, coffee, and hot cocoa are widely available, while some areas serve native brews chang (rice beer). Basic teahouses and homestays make up most accommodation for villages such as Barpak. Teahouses will offer beds and meals, but generally learners have shared bathrooms with just basic amenities. Homestays allow full cultural experience, with local families welcoming trekkers to interact and take part in local lifestyles. In short, accommodation is basic but comfy and cozy enough to warm you from another day's shipwreck while you remain in the local tented camps.
Trekkers are hoping to balance their daily expectations of local Nepali culinary culture, such as dal bhat, which constitutes lentil soup served with rice, vegetable curry, and seasonal greens, and momo or thukpa could be enjoyed on the side. Plenty of teahouses serve international dishes like pasta, fried rice, and pancakes-and snacks like nuts, energy bars, and chocolate, are also available. Well-known "hot" drinks like tea, coffee, and hot cocoa are widely available, while some areas serve native brews chang (rice beer). Basic teahouses and homestays make up most accommodation for villages such as Barpak. Teahouses will offer beds and meals, but generally learners have shared bathrooms with just basic amenities. Homestays allow full cultural experience, with local families welcoming trekkers to interact and take part in local lifestyles. In short, accommodation is basic but comfy and cozy enough to warm you from another day's shipwreck while you remain in the local tented camps.
19 Days Rupina La Pass Trek Itinerary and Cost
The Rupina La Pass Trek is a generous 19-day trek, starting with a drive out from Kathmandu to Barpak, a quaint village mainly inhabited by the Gurung people. These hardy and brave people, who, apart from agriculture, maintained military professions, served with many as an example of the British Gorkha Regiment. On arrival in Barpak, we begin our trek up to Dharche Hill, from where the views of the majestic mountains unfold and set the tone for the beginning of our adventure.
After enjoying the beautiful views from the viewpoint, we continue trekking along the ridge, completely surrounded by beautiful scenery. The trail guides us through the green foothills to the base camp as we ascend above the tree line. Here at camp, our trekking team will provide tents for our accommodation, while our chef prepares delicious meals that will allow us to unwind taking in the dramatic mountain scenery that surrounds us.
Crossing the Rupina La Pass is no easy task, but it is highly rewarding. The highest point is 4,720 meters; hence it offers pristine views of the mighty Himalayas. After ascending the Rupina, we will carry on trekking down to the base camp of Boudha Himal. This part of the trek involves crossing the big glaciers of Rani and Gorkha peaks offering spectacular vistas that add to the entire charm of this trek.
The scenery we traverse here is extraordinary, being scarcely, if ever, encountered in the Himalayas of other treks. Then we continue on and cross over from the Rupina La base camp to Rupina La Pass, thereafter making our way down to Myachet at an altitude of 3,800 meters, where we link up to the main trail to Samdo and join the Larke Pass trek leading to Bhimthang and Dharapani. Rupina La Pass Trek is an interlocking 19 days itinerary with costs attached to it. This includes our return drive to Kathmandu from the trek, reminiscing upon all the experiences and views that one has taken in along the route. The total expense of the Rupina La Pass Trek will vary from USD $2,200 for two trekkers with basic services to about USD $4,500 for more than two trekkers with independent services.
