Ruby Valley Trek
"Four Himalayan Ranges, One Viewpoint."
Trek Gallery
Your Journey Over Pangsang Pass
Follow every step of the Ruby Valley Trek — from Kathmandu to International Airport. Click on any waypoint to see detailed information.
3,845m
Highest Point
Tipling
110 km
Total Distance
Estimated trail distance
10
Key Waypoints
Villages, camps & peaks
+2,445m
Elevation Gain
From Kathmandu
💡 Tip: Click on any waypoint on the map to see detailed information about that stop
Trek Overview
The Ruby Valley Trek leads through one of the least-visited corners of the Langtang-Ganesh Himal region, a remote stretch of the Dhading and Rasuwa districts named for the ruby and other gemstone deposits once mined near Somdang. Far less trodden than the nearby Langtang Valley or Tamang Heritage routes, Ruby Valley offers genuine village-to-village trekking through Tamang, Ghale, and Gurung communities where homestays, rather than commercial lodges, are often the only accommodation available.
The journey starts at Syabrubesi, the same trailhead used for Langtang Valley, before branching west through Gatlang, a striking Tamang village with a large stone-walled monastery and the sacred Parvati Kund lake nearby. From Gatlang, the trail climbs past the old mining settlement of Somdang and over Pangsang Pass (also called Pangsang La), the trek's highest point at roughly 3,845m, where clear days reveal sweeping views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Himalchuli, and Manaslu in a single panorama. Beyond the pass, the route descends into the quieter Tipling and Jharlang valleys before finishing near Dhading Besi for the drive back to Kathmandu.
With no restricted-area permit required and a single pass crossing that involves no technical difficulty, Ruby Valley combines a genuinely remote, off-the-beaten-path atmosphere with a moderate physical demand making it a strong choice for trekkers who've done at least one Himalayan trek before and want something quieter and more culturally immersive than Nepal's headline routes.
Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel. Attend a trek briefing with your guide.
Altitude
1400m
Distance
N/A
Meals
N/A
Accommodation
Hotel
What's Included
Included
- Airport pickups and transfers in Kathmandu
- Ground transportation: Kathmandu–Syabrubesi and Dhading Besi–Kathmandu
- 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights) with breakfast
- Homestay and tea house accommodation during the trek
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Experienced, government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Langtang National Park entry permit (Gatlang–Somdang section)
- Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card
- First aid kit and oximeter
- Trekking map and trip completion certificate
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Nepal
- Nepal tourist visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (snacks, drinks, souvenirs)
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging fees (very limited beyond Gatlang)
- Bottled water and other beverages
- Tips for guide and porter
- Personal trekking equipment and gear
- Extra nights in Kathmandu beyond the itinerary
- Services not mentioned in inclusion
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation
You'll spend two nights in Kathmandu in a comfortable hotel before and after the trek. On the trail, accommodation shifts between tea houses and genuine family homestays, particularly from Tipling onward, where dedicated lodges are scarce. Homestays offer a simple room, shared facilities, and direct contact with a Tamang, Ghale, or Gurung host family. Electricity is limited and often solar-powered; hot showers and Wi-Fi are rare beyond Gatlang and Somdang.
Meals
All meals during the trek are included. Breakfast typically consists of porridge, eggs, and Tibetan bread. Lunches and dinners feature dal bhat (rice with lentil soup), along with simple noodle and potato dishes prepared by your homestay hosts. Menu variety is more limited than on Nepal's better-served tea house routes, reflecting how remote much of this trek genuinely is.
Difficulty & Fitness
Requirements
- Ability to walk 5–8 hours per day on hilly, sometimes rough village and herder trails
- Comfortable with sustained daily walking over 10 days
- No serious heart, lung, or blood pressure conditions
- Some prior hiking experience helpful, particularly for the Pangsang Pass day
- Good general fitness recommended given the trek's remoteness and limited backup infrastructure
Training Tips
- Start cardio training 4–5 weeks before the trek
- Include regular hiking with a light-to-moderate backpack
- Add stair climbing to your weekly routine
- Build up to walking 10–12 km comfortably
- Take at least one longer weekend hike before departure
Packing List
- Moisture-wicking base layers (3–4)
- Waterproof outer shell jacket
- Warm hat and sun hat
- Warm socks (4–5 pairs)
- Insulating fleece/down jacket
- Trekking pants (2 pairs)
- Gloves (liner + insulated)
- Comfortable camp clothes
Best Time to Trek
March - May (Spring)
Pros
- Rhododendron forests in bloom on the approach to Somdang
- Clear views from Pangsang Pass of Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung
- Warmer temperatures at homestay elevations
- Genuinely quiet trails even in peak season
Cons
- Occasional afternoon haze
- Cold conditions at Pangsang Pass in early spring
Safety & Altitude Awareness
Safety Measures
- All guides are experienced, government-licensed trekking professionals
- Guides carry first aid kits and pulse oximeters
- Regular health checks throughout the trek
- 1:6 guide-to-trekker ratio (maximum)
Altitude Sickness
- Since the trek's maximum altitude is 3,845m and is only sustained briefly at Pangsang Pass, altitude sickness risk is lower than on Nepal's high-pass treks above 5,000m
- Mild AMS symptoms are still possible around Somdang and the pass crossing
- Symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, difficulty sleeping
- Prevention: proper hydration, steady pace, gradual ascent
Emergency Protocol
- 24/7 emergency contact support from Kathmandu office
- Helicopter evacuation can be arranged (weather permitting)
- Portable first-aid kit and oximeter carried by your guide
- Rescue coverage should be included in your insurance
- Nearest medical facilities: basic health post in Gatlang, with full medical care only available back in Kathmandu response times are longer here than on more established routes given the trek's remoteness
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for Your Adventure?
Join trekkers from around the world on this life-changing journey.
$950
per person
10 Days
adventure
4.6
0 reviews
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