Ruby Valley Trek – 7 Days

Best Time

The Ruby Valley Trek can be embarked on any time you want in Nepal. As this trek doesn’t take you to extreme heights, you can plan this journey according to your free time and preference, which are described below:

Spring season

One of the nicest seasons is spring. Imagine nature waking up from its slumber to reveal beautiful floral arrangements with rhododendrons in blossom and abundant foliage. This season’s temperatures are typically steady and mild, making for a comfortable travel experience.

However, there may be problems while walking, such as occasional afternoon rainfall, and because it is peak season for trekking, accommodation may be busier, and routes appear busy but not overcrowded. Despite these circumstances, you will be able to enjoy clear views, making this one of the best seasons for photography.

Summer season

June to August is the span of the summer season, which is also known as the monsoon season, so expect rain. Trekking is still possible this season, even though it is the least popular. Although the trails may be muddy and leeches may be an annoyance, the fact is that the Ruby Valley Trek offers breathtakingly emerald scenery.

Ultimately, stunning vistas, fresh, clean air, breathtaking scenery, and a waterfall tumbling down the hills are all present after a rainstorm, but clouds may obscure mountain views. In the morning and evening, the altitude might cause the temperature to be cold and calm.

Autumn season

The trek is a lesser-known hidden gem in Nepal, where the autumn season, also known as the golden season, spans from September to November. This trek offers crystal-clear skies and the best mountain views. The weather is stable, and the festive months, like Dashain and Tihar, are also a good time to visit.

However, this is one of the peak seasons, so the trails can be crowded, and accommodation prices can be slightly higher in some areas. The autumn season is ideal for a classic trekking experience with optimal conditions, so venture into this area and enjoy your excursion.

Winter Season

Ruby Valley provides a more authentic trekking experience than the heavily promoted routes. The months of December to February are the span of the winter season, which gives this trek the title of snowy wonderland, with snow-covered landscapes and absolute tranquility.

Especially at night, the temperature can drop significantly. The winter itself is challenging due to the harsh cold weather, but if you love solitude and don’t mind bundling up, the season is rewarding because the trails are quiet and you’ll have the mountains mostly to yourself.

Elevation and distance

On this Ruby Valley Trek, you will start your hiking journey from Syabrubesi at an elevation of 1460 meters or 4790 feet. Then, you will pass via Chawatar at 1870 meters to reach the Gatlang Village at 2337 meters.

Similarly, you will walk through Parvati Kunda (2550 meters) and Yuri Kharka (3280 meters) and then through Khurpudanda Pass at 3730 meters to reach the Somdang Village at 3271 meters.

The highest point on this journey will be Pangsang La Pass, standing at an altitude of 3842 meters when you trek from Somdang Village to reach Tipling Village. Similarly, the lowest point of this excursion will be in Dhading Besi, which is just 1000 meters above sea level. This journey is all about ascending and descending gradually below 4000 meters in height.

In this journey, you will hike 53 kilometers or 32.9 miles in five trekking days. From Gatlang Village, you will cover 16 kilometers or 9.9 miles to reach Somdang Village, passing through Parvati Kunda and Yuri Kharka. In addition, you will cover a total of 240 kilometers, or 149.5 miles, in the vehicle, ending your journey in Kathmandu city.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

The Ruby Valley Trek is challenging to a limited degree. However, you don’t have to climb extreme heights like in Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Valley Trek, Langtang Trek, etc., making the journey appropriate for both novices and experienced hikers.

There are only some steep ascents and descents with uneven paths and narrow tracks, which can make it difficult for first-time trekkers who don’t have good physical fitness.

You will walk about five hours on average regularly. The most challenging part of this trekking journey is passing Pangsang La Pass at 3842 meters, with a slight chance of increasing altitude sickness. Even though you will ascend gradually on this journey, gaining only a few hundred meters each day, you have a rare probability of suffering acute mountain sickness.

However, this may not be the case for all human beings who adjust to lower oxygen levels at increasing heights. So, to avoid such problems, you should prepare mentally and remain hydrated all the time. Even though you are a beginner, if you are well-prepared and in good health, you can easily complete this 7-day trek.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

The average hike you will be doing on this Ruby Valley trek journey is about five hours. The maximum number of hours you will be walking on this journey is about six to six hours on the third and fourth days when you trek from Gatlang to Somdang Village and Somdang Village to Tipling Village through Pangsang La Pass.

The minimum number of hours you will be hiking on this excursion is only 2 hours on day 5 when you trek from Tipling Village to Chalish Gaon. Similarly, you will walk for 2 to 3 hours on the sixth day when you trek from Chalish Gaon to Borang Village. This trek is not hard, but you still need basic fitness for a trouble-free journey.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

Your journey is filled not just with the landscapes but also with the authentic cultural experiences through traditional meals and local accommodations. You will be staying in local villages and homestays run by Tamang and Gurung families. Basic yet warm and welcoming accommodation is what you will get with a simple twin-sharing room, cozy blankets, and wooded interiors.

The locals prepare fresh food to sustain you on long hikes. You can anticipate Nepali common traditional dishes like Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, and veggies) along with comforting dishes like Tibetan bread, Thukpa, and dumplings. You will get something simple yet filling that gives you a taste of mountain life.

The trekkers should stay hydrated so as to ensure that water purification tablets are provided, which help to purify water collected from streams, taps, or village sources. It also supports eco-friendly trekking by reducing plastic waste. In addition, extra beverages like tea, coffee, bottled water, and alcohol must be purchased separately.

Preparation and fitness

Since this is a moderate trek, it requires a good level of preparation and physical fitness. Because it doesn’t involve technical climbing, mountaineering experience is not necessary. This trek will take you through forests, villages, and hilly landscapes, where you must be prepared for long walking hours, changing terrains, and changing altitudes.

In your free time, you can join the gym or do basic home workouts since advanced workouts are not needed for this 7-day Ruby Valley trek. Either from home or the gym, you can start your training, which should be primarily focused on cardio training, leg strength, core balance, and hiking strength.

In addition, your preparation depends on where you’re coming from. Like if you live in high-altitude areas where you can already be accustomed to thinner air, making altitude adaptation easier, but if you live in low-altitude areas, your body needs time to adjust, so train with longer hikes and start slow when trekking. Focus on leg strength if you are not used to hiking.

Despite all, packing the right things is also a crucial part of proper preparation. While the trek is moderate, weather and trail conditions can change, so you should have comfortable trekking shoes, layered clothing for warm days and cold nights, and a good backpack. Trekking poles and other items, according to the season.

A typical day in the Ruby Valley Trek

The classic 7-day Ruby Valley Trek day starts with a balanced breakfast, followed by a morning hike across the lush green hills and terraced fields. Hiking will take 5-7 hours via remote villages, forests, and rocky paths to the day’s destination; the breathtaking mountain views will be delightful company.

Your meal is typically during a stop at a small village or along the trail. Once you get to the place where you are staying, you can rest, walk around, or talk with people in the area.

The evenings are spent eating a meal and sleeping in the most basic accommodations provided. Trekking is a mix of a great workout and getting to know a new culture, which will stay with you longer than you think.

Permit

Langtang National Park entry permit and a Trekkers Information Management System card (TIMS) are the two important permits that every trekker needs before joining the 7-day Ruby Valley trek. It is required for admission into restricted areas and to keep trekking records for safety.

The funds from the first permit go toward conservation efforts, maintaining trails, and supporting local communities. For the second permit, which is required for all trekkers in Nepal, the TIMS card assists authorities, particularly in remote locations, in keeping track of trekkers for safety reasons.

You don’t have to worry about permits during this trek, as they are prearranged. These permits not only allow you to explore the stunning landscapes of the Ruby Valley but also contribute to preserving the region’s cultural heritage.

Transportation

We will use the local bus to travel to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu City. After ending the trek in Borang Village, we will take a local Jeep to drive towards Dhading Besi. After a night’s stay in Dhading Besi, we will take a local bus to Kathmandu again.

Your transportation cost is already included in the Ruby Valley Trek package, so you don’t have to pay. We will handle the transportation payments once we reach each destination. Moreover, if you have time and wish to see the Kathmandu Valley, we will arrange our private vehicle for your sightseeing tour.

Extra Expenses

The Ruby Valley Trek package takes care of the main expenses; however, there are a number of other expenses that the visitors should keep in mind. Accommodation costs are included in Kathmandu, but extra early arrival or delayed departure stays will be at your own expense. Likewise, meals in Kathmandu are covered, but additional meals due to early arrival or delayed departure are not included.

Prepare also your money for such personal spheres as shopping, snacks, bottled water, tea/coffee, hot showers, alcohol, and phone calls. Furthermore, charges for battery recharge and extra porters will be the extra costs. So, it will be a smart idea if you bring power banks and carry limited luggage to save your budget on this trip.

Excess baggage is charged extra, as the limit for a person is 9 kg. Travel should include the possibility of high-altitude rescue, as emergency accident insurance is a must. Thus, every other extra cost, like weather, landslides, illness, or different government rules, will be charged extra.

What to expect from this trip?

Ruby Valley Trek is a serene and off-the-beaten-path trek in the Ganesh Himal region, which includes Langtang National Park and Manaslu Conservation Area.  Pangsang La Pass (3,842 m) offers breathtaking views of Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, and Ganesh Himal.

The path will be blessed with green forests, sparkling waterfalls, peaceful lakes, challenging mountain passes, and remote villages that are home to Tamang, Gurung, and Magar communities, where you can observe the real village life and experience the warmth of the people.

There will be moderate trekking challenges like rocky trails and steep climbs, but without the involvement of extreme altitudes.

A 7-day scenic route will kick off from Syabrubesi and cover Chawatar, Gatlang, Somdang, Tipling, Chalish Gaon, and Dhading Besi before returning to Kathmandu. Through this trip, you will be provided with untapped nature and some cultural exercises along with an unforgettable trekking experience.