Trek Overview
The Ruby Valley Cultural Trek in Nepal sits in the north-central region. It offers trekkers a new experience in a remote and less crowded area. This trek guides you through the scenic Ruby Valley, named after its precious stones. It also introduces you to different ethnic communities like the Gurungs, Tamangs, and Newars, each with their unique traditions and culture.
The Ruby Valley Cultural Trek usually lasts 7 to 9 days, depending on the route and trekking speed. It’s suitable for fairly fit trekkers and offers a great chance to experience Nepal’s beauty and culture in a peaceful setting.
The Trek reveals great views of snowy mountains and beautiful scenery. This trek goes through the inner Ruby Valley Rural Municipality of Dhading, located between Langtang National Park and Manaslu Conservation Area. This area is famous for its ruby deposits in the Ganesh Himal region. One of the standout features of the Ruby Valley Trek is the chance to stay in local homestays. Thus, it allows you to experience the local culture and connect with the residents.
Ruby Valley Cultural Trek Route
The Ruby Valley Cultural Trek begins with a short drive from Dhading and Kathmandu. It passes through terraced fields, dense forests, and traditional villages. Trekkers can enjoy great views of nearby peaks and landscapes along the way. Along the way, you can explore charming villages like Chalish, Tir, and Shertung, experiencing the local culture and warm hospitality. Be sure not to miss the chance to revive in the healing hot springs of Tatopani.
As you hike through thick forests filled with rhododendrons, pines, and oaks, you’ll see wide views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang, and Manaslu, along with other snowy peaks. This trek highlights the variety of geography, wildlife, and culture, giving explorers a special experience. Exploring the Ruby Valley lets you enjoy nature’s beauty and embrace the unique cultural heritage of local communities along the trek.
Hidden treasure
The Ruby Valley area offers various trekking options like Pangsang La Pass, Kalo Kunda, Seto Kunda, Singla Pass Trek, and Paldor Peak. However, trekking in the upper Ruby Valley requires camping gear and proper equipment, as the higher sections of the trek are more challenging than the lower parts. Along the trekking route, there is a natural hot spring located between Chalish and Hindung villages. Many tourists rest in Chalish and enjoy bathing in the hot spring, which has the healing benefits of improving blood flow, circulation, and metabolism due to essential minerals.
This trek also provides a cultural experience, where you can learn about the customs and traditions of different ethnic groups like Brahmins, Tamangs, Gurungs, and Ghale peoples. These communities follow a mix of Buddhism-Bon Po. They respect nature and deities, and some are Christian. During the trek, you’ll come across Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries. It will enhance the cultural richness of the trip.
During the homestay trek in the Ruby Valley, you’ll cross Pangasng La Pass. It is located at 3,850 meters above sea level. This pass, called Pangsang Danda, offers views of the Langtang Himal range, Manaslu range, and Ganesh range. In addition, it also has great high alpine wide open space and terraced landscapes.
Furthermore, don’t expect luxurious tea houses on this trek. Most of the place to stay involves staying with local families and experiencing their hospitality directly.
Best View on Ruby Valley Trek
The best viewpoint on the Ruby Valley trek is Pangsang La Pass. It sits at 3,850 meters above sea level. From here, trekkers can see great views of the Ganesh Himal range. It includes peaks like Ganesh Himal I (7,422 m), Ganesh Himal II (7,118 m), Ganesh III (7,043 m), and Ganesh Himal IV (7,104 m). They are also known as Babil, Salasungo, and Lapsang Kharbo. This pass offers wide views in all directions. Thus, it makes it a great spot to admire the nearby mountains.
The Ruby Valley Cultural trek usually lasts for 9 days. It starts at Dundur Khola, after a scenic bus trip from Kathmandu to Dhading Besi, followed by a Tata Sumo Jeep ride from Dhading Besi. It’s important to mention that the trek can also be done in reverse. We can start from Syabrubesi and go through Somdang, Tipling, Chalish, and then descend to Dhading Besi.
Best Time to Do Ruby Valley Trek
Autumn and spring are the best seasons for trekking in the Ruby Valley. Autumn lasts from September to November, while spring lasts from March to May. Each season has its unique charms and advantages.
In spring, Ruby Valley features a pleasant climate with hills adorned in vivid colors of rhododendrons, orchids, and other blooming flora. The warm temperatures and clear days make it the best time to enjoy great mountain views.
Autumn is considered the most beautiful time in Ganesh Himal Ruby Valley. Mild temperatures, even at higher altitudes, and clear skies characterize the days. It offers optimal visibility of the grand mountains. This season attracts visitors from all over the country to experience its beauty.
During winter (December to January), the Himalayas experience a slight chill and the possibility of snowfall. However, the days remain sunny and pleasant. While rain is rare in the Ruby Valley, winter can be a peaceful time to travel along less crowded trails. It’s a must to be prepared for the cold temperatures during this season.
To sum up, trekking in the Ruby Valley is best during the autumn and spring seasons due to excellent weather conditions and great natural beauty.
Ruby Valley Trek Permits
The Ruby Valley Circuit Trail is newly discovered. Trekkers don’t need special permits to trek here. However, you must obtain the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) as the trekking permit, necessary for most treks in Nepal. Additionally, you need to pay the Langtang National Park Entry Fee since the route passes through Syabrubesi and Gatlang, both within the national park.
Accommodation
Accommodations during the trek
Our Ruby Valley Circuit Trek package includes standard category places to stay in Kathmandu with breakfast included. Kathmandu offers a range of places to stay, from 5-star resorts to comfortable guesthouses, lodges, and homestays, which can be adjusted according to the traveler’s choices, budget, and availability.
Once the Ruby Valley Trekking begins in Syabru Besi, you will spend nights at locally run basic homestays. Since this trail is newly discovered, there are no lodges or teahouse services like other trekking routes. The concept of homestays is introduced to give tourists a firsthand experience of local life. These homestays lack bathrooms or hot shower services. Instead, they have common traditional bathrooms and use a bucket of hot water as an alternative to hot showers.
Meals during trek
The accommodation includes breakfast. However, travelers can choose from various cuisines available in Kathmandu for lunch, dinner, and other beverages. These meals are not included in our package.
During the Ruby Valley trek, the package includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Since we’ll be staying in homestays, the food options are limited to locally available dishes. We will mainly have local Tamang cuisine and typical Nepali Daal Bhat all along the trek. However, we can also bring additional food supplements from Kathmandu.
We suggest carrying a reusable 2-liter bottle or filter bottle and water purifying tablets for drinking water. This way, you can refill from available sources once it’s empty. Alternatively, you can ask for boiled water at the homestays.
Other trek options
Besides the Ruby Valley trek, we also have other trek options which are listed down below:
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek
- Ruby Valley Circuit Trek
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Trek to Langtang Valley
- Annapurna Base Camp trek
- Annapurna Circuit trek
- Round Annapurna trek
- Mardi Himal trek
- Kanchenjunga Circuit trek
- Lower Mustang trek
- Rara Lake trek
- Nar Phu Valley trek
- Poon hill trek
- Everest View Pikey Peak trek
Important Info
Please check our trek equipment list. This list will certainly be a guide for you if you plan to trek in Nepal. Similarly, you can check our AMC (Acute Mountain Sickness). This is the most important thing to consider while going on a trek or climb in Nepal. The AMC (Acute Mountain Sickness) can be a good guide for you to learn more about getting ill at high heights in Nepal. Also, if you want to do a Peak climb in Nepal then please check the climbing equipment list that is a must while going on the Peak climb. Likewise, we suggest you check the updated TIMS card rule as there have been some new changes in Nepal.
Booking is open for 2024 / 2025
Are you planning to trek or tour in 2024? If so, then in our Best Deals part, you can find the ideal info on the best price for the trek or tour cost. Furthermore, book plans as soon as possible.
Contact us or you can also send a message or call us at
WhatsApp / Viber / Mobile: +977- 9851 022 814, +977 – 9841 451 681
We are available 24 / 7
Overview
Explore Nepal’s hidden jewel, the beautiful Ruby Valley cultural trek, which lies between the Manaslu Conservation Area and Langtang National Park. This trip, named after the Ganesh Himal, is thought to have originated from the deposits of the valuable gem ruby. It offers an exciting mix of natural wonders and variety in culture.
Exploring Varied Landscapes
Set out on an exciting adventure throughout a variety of environments, such as plains, terraced farms, and both easy and challenging climbs. The trek’s stunning scenery of lush forest and high, snow-capped peaks presents travelers with a constantly shifting view.
Cultural Immersion
Take in the rich customs of the Buddhist communities of Gurung and Tamang, who are devoted followers of the Buddha. Observe their distinct way of life, rooted in ancient customs and cultures. The trek offers a chance to learn more about their everyday lives, making it an incredibly engaging experience.
Breathtaking Mountain Views
The Ruby Valley trek offers amazing views of mountains such as Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Langtang Lirung (7,227m), and Boudha Himal (6,692m). The stunning vistas accompany trekkers throughout the journey, leaving a lasting impact.
Trek Highlight
- Ruby Valley Cultural Trekking is the closest destination from the capital city Kathmandu
- At least one relaxing natural hot springs (Tatopani)
- Breathtaking panoramic closeup view of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal and Manaslu Himal ranges
- Rocky hills, paddy terraces, farmland, Green meadow and mesmerizing landscape
- Goat, Sheep, chicken, Ducks, Cows, Ox. Buffalos and exotic wild animal like Musk deer, Leopards, Bear, Wild goat, snow Leopard, Fox, Panda, Himalayan Thar/Goral etc.
- Himalayan bamboos, Rhododendron, Pine trees, Oak trees, Bamboos and green lushes.
- Rivers, Dovan and Tribeni (two and three rivers meeting point) for the pilgrimages, suspension and wooden box bridges, water falls, stone driven mills, Mane or Chhorten, Monasteries, Hindus Temple, Churches, shepherds (domestic animal huts) etc..
- Untold and quite unique, rich, culture and traditions of Tamang, Gurung, Ghale, Newar and Dalit people.
- Organic meals & Local Faces