Tashi Lapcha Pass (5,750 m): Bridge Between Everest Region And Rolwaling Valley
The Tashi Lapcha Pass is one of the most difficult mountain passes in Nepal. It is situated in both the Khumbu Region and Rolwaling Valley. This is probably the best trekking route for anyone who wants to experience the scenic beauty of the mountains and the rurality of Nepal. With beauty and thrills, there are just as many uncertainties and difficulties in climbing through this mountain pass. The Rolwaling region does not really get as many visitors as the Khumbu region does. Hence, when you go to the Tashi Lapcha pass, you will not only come through a quiet and quaint area of Rolwaling but will also experience the bustling rush of trekkers in Khumbu.
The Tashi Lapcha Pass really has a lot to offer to trekkers, given that they are already fit enough to trek through the mountain pass. Though not the most difficult, there are still many difficulties associated with the Tashi Lapcha Pass that you will have to come through if you want to make it out safely. Make sure you read till the end of this article if you want to know more about Tashi Lapcha Pass or are planning to go there anytime soon!
Where is Tashi Lapcha Pass?
Tashi Lapcha Pass is a part of both the Khumbu Region and Rolwaling Valley, which makes up for a great adventure and comes through two diverse yet similar trekking routes. The mountain pass lies at the height of 5682 m / 18641 ft above sea level. The trekking starts at Shigati and ends at Lukla. The Rolwaling Valley trekking is not the easiest for just anyone. Even the most experienced mountaineers can have a hard time in passing and going back and forth to the valley. Since there aren’t as many visitors in the Rolwaling Valley, the place is almost stranded, which is why the maintenance in this area is not as good as other trekking routes in the Khumbu region.
Tashi Lapcha Pass, in the Rolwaling Valley area, has deep gorges, scenic views of mountains, steepness, and a very thrilling yet scary adventure of the mountainous region.
How do you start and end the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek?
You don’t necessarily have to climb through the mountain pass from beginning to end. There are locations where you can ride a jeep or a transporting vehicle to get to the nearest and last route that gives access to vehicles. Firstly, you will have to drive Gonggar from Dolakha. You can easily book a ride from Kathmandu to Dolakha if you’re starting right after you arrive in Nepal. The trip to Gonggar will take you through some of the most beautiful villages in Nepal, including Simigaon, Bedding, and Na Gaon. Moreover, you will also be able to witness the panoramic beauty of Mount Gaurishankhar at the height of 7134m along the way.
When at Na Gaon, trekkers are likely to drop off for the exploration of the Yalung Glacier. For training, trekkers can climb Ramdung Go at 5930m. Finally, when you are done climbing Na Gao, you will start your adventure toward the Tashi Lapcha Pass. Trekkers have to climb uphill towards Tsho Rolpa Lake at 4540m, the largest glacial lake in Nepal. Crossing the glaciers, you will finally make your way to Tashi Lapcha Pass at 5755m by crossing the icy and slippery glaciers. The Tashi Lapcha Pass separates Khumbu Valley from Rolwaling Valley. Moreover, the pass also differentiates the Gaurishankar Conservation Area from the Sagarmatha National Park.
When you go to the Khumbu region, you will see a higher level of traffic in the area. A very good amount of tourists visit the region every year to make expeditions to some of the greatest Himalayan mountains like Mount Everest and Cho Oyu. You are likely not to miss out on the breathtakingly beautiful view of these mountains from your trek to the region itself. The place is a tad bit more maintained and busier than the Rolwaling Valley. The Khumbu region, though rural, is slightly more urbanized due to the excessive visits from tourists. Coming through the lifestyle of local Sherpas and the indigenous communities will be worth your efforts. One can head towards the famous Sherpa town Namche Bazaar, then to Lukla, and finally to Kathmandu from the Khumbu region.
Likewise, Rolwaling Valley is almost the opposite of the Khumbu region. The valley is quite rural in nature and isn’t as maintained as the Khumbu region. There aren’t many tourists who visit the valley due to the extreme weather and rurality. However, the climb and walk around the Rolwaling Valley are very peaceful and free from distractions.
How difficult is the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek?
The Tashi Lapcha Pass trek is quite difficult. You will be required to have a very good level of physical fitness and stamina if you want to go to the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek. The people from Kham, Tibet, used to take the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek very often back in the 1800s. Most of those people have now inhabited the pass area and are living as the modern-day Sherpas.
While the Sherpas in the area are quite experienced from years of climbing through the rural trails, it is not a piece of cake for anyone who has only been habituated to the urban lifestyle to come and climb through the Tashi Lapcha Pass. Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaru, Mount Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse are some of the easily viewable mountains that you can see in your Tashi Lapcha Pass trek. Furthermore, since the Tashi Lapcha Pass trek is done in a very steep and difficult part of the Eastern Himalayas, the journey is going to be very technical. Hence, one cannot rely on just a bunch of inexperienced expedition members. You have to take along a few or at least one experienced and reliable Sherpa guide if you want to make it out safe from the mountain region.
Tashi Lapcha Pass Trek Itinerary
- Day 1 Kathmandu to Shigati
- Day 2 Shigati to Jagat
- Day 3 Jagat to Simi Gaun
- Day 4 Simi Gaun to Gyalchen
- Day 5 Gyalchen to Beding
- Day 6 Beding to Na Gaun
- Day 7 Acclimatization Day
- Day 8 Na Gaun to Tso Rolpa Lake
- Day 9 Acclimatization Day
- Day 10 Tso Rolpa Lake to Tso Rolpa Phedi
- Day 11 Acclimatization Day
- Day 12 Tso Rolpa Phedi to Ngole via Tashi Lapcha Pass
- Day 13 Ngole to Thame
- Day 14 Thame to Namche Bazaar
- Day 15 Namche Bazaar to Lukla
- Day 16 Lukla to Kathmandu
What are the costs included in Tashi Lapcha Pass trekking?
There are several costs associated with Tashi Lapcha Pass trekking. These costs are either born through a package deal with your trekking agency or personally through you. Some of these costs include airfare, meals, guided sightseeing, equipment and gear, suitable clothes and shoes, hotels and accommodation, transportation through the rural areas, porters, safe water, first aid kits, etc.
A three-person tour through Tashi Lapcha Pass might cost around USD 2990. Likewise, USD 2950, USD 2898, and USD 2825 might be the cost for a team of 4-6, 7-9, and 10 and above trekkers. While some trekkers might even wish to have no guides or porters taken to the mountain pass, the Nepalese rules have some restrictions that do not allow trekkers to go to such areas without the supervision of a trained and experienced guide. Hence, the only wiser option is to be safe both law-wise and personally while not only trying to avoid the costs associated with hiring services.
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