Ganesh Himal Base
Camp trek with Singla Pass (19 days)
The Ganesh Himal Base Camp trek presents the trekkers the plethora of flora that abounds in Nepal. Spring time brings in a burst of vibrant colors and sweet fragrance of berberis, primula, orchids, Jasmine and varieties of ferns in the Ganesh Himal Base Camp region.
Another interesting feature of this trek is the presence of the precious stone crystals in the Ganesh Himal region. You will enjoy the majestic views of Ganesh I, II, III and IV peaks, glaciers, gorges, hot natural spas and quaint Tamang villages. This trek can be organized only as a full boarded camping trek.
Trip
Hightlights:
Duration:
19
Days
Type of Trek :
Tea House/Camping
Max Altitude:
3730 m.
Minimum Pax:
1 +
Mode of travel:
Flight/Land Transportation
Grade:
Strenous
Detailed Itinerary
Day
1
Drive
from Kathmandu to Sole Bazaar (650m.) via
Betrawati which takes about seven hours.
Depart Kathmandu early morning for a 7-hour
drive to the hill town of Sole Bazaar.
As your trek begins, you trace the same
route taken by king Prithvi Narayan Shah
on his invasion march to Kathmandu over
two centuries ago. King Prithvi Narayan
Shah is considered the founding father
of modern Nepal, being the first king to
unite all the territories of the present
country of Nepal under one ruler. En route
you pass through Trishuli Bazaar, a small
town that was once the hub for trekking
in this region and is home to a small but
interesting traditional bazaar. Your campsite
is about 20 minutes outside of Sole Bazaar,
on the banks of the Trishuli River. This
is a relaxing spot with wonderful views
of farm fields, small villages and terraced
slopes set against a background of the
Ganesh Himal. Stay overnight in camps.
Day
2
Trek
from Sole Bazaar to Satdobate takes about
five hours. You leave camp by backtracking
100m to cross the suspension bridge over
the Salankhu Khola (Khola is a Nepalese
word for river, stream, or valley) just
up from where it enters the Trishuli River.
After the bridge, you begin a long, moderately
steep ascent that begins to level off about
1.5 hours, just before your lunch spot
in the small town of Chapodanda (870m,
2860ft). You eat lunch under a large Fichus
tree with splendid views of the terraced
slopes surrounding you in this small village.
From Chapodanda, the trail follows the
new, rough road west for 200m, before heading
uphill steeply through a few small villages,
finally arriving at a rest spot next to
a small stupa (a stupa is a Buddhist structure
that either marks a trail or is laid in
memory of a demised loved one). Take the
left path from the stupa, contouring the
hillside. An hour after the stupa, you
make your final ascent up to the saddle
and the town of Satobate (“seven trails”,
1250m, 4100ft) where you camp for the night.
Stay overnight in camps.
Day
3
Trek
from Satobate to Balche which takes about
five hours. From Satobate, follow the trail
westward along the ridgeline. You climb
steadily through numerous small villages
and over many streams before leaving the
Salankhu Khola to head up the Chalakhung
Khola. The numerous small stone ‘houses’ that
you pass throughout the day are actually
water driven grinding mills. The last half
mile is steep uphill as we climb to our
camp spot in the town of Balche (1930m,
6330ft. Balche is a quaint hill town, spread
out along two or three flat regions on
the slope. Large granite gneiss spires
and domes stand against the skyline above
the town, creating a stunning sunset. The
women here all dress traditionally, which
include wearing very large, heavy earrings
that are supported with a thin string over
the head. Stay overnight in camps.
Day
4
Trek from Balche
to Gonga which takes about seven hours. Today
you head into mostly uninhabited territory
and the surrounding landscape changes accordingly,
from terraced fields to forest. After about
1.5 hours, the trail begins to level out
and you enter the first jungle of our trek.
Here, it is mostly rhododendron and kharsu.
During spring treks, this area is stunning
with bright red, white and purple rhododendron
flowers covering the mountainsides. This
is the forest gathering area for the town
of Balche.. You stop for lunch in an especially
pretty clearing with views down to Thulochaur,
400m below us. The remainder of the day is
through dense jungle, to Gonga (2910m, 9600ft),
a small 5-house town made entirely of wood
(a commodity that is plentiful in this sparsely
populated part of the Himalaya). The town
is situated in a pass, separating the Nyam
valley from the Saptang valley. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
5
Trek form Gonga
to Rupchet Kharka takes about five hours.
Your route today is a beautiful ascent through
old growth forests of rhododendron and fir.
You head northwest from Gonga, slowly ascending
through the jungle for 25 minutes to the
small 3-house town of Mimatashi Karka. Continue
ascending for another hour and 45 minutes
through impressively large old growth fir
and rhododendron forest (many of the fir
trees are 1-1.75m in diameter!). The route
flattens for an hour as you contour the mountain,
before the last ascent (a very steep 175m)
of the day to the ridgeline. You arrive at
Rupchet Karka (3634m, 11922ft), a large flat
grassy area with 3 seasonal grazing huts
and stunning views of the Central Himalaya.
Across the Trishuli River valley to the northwest
is the Langtang Himal (7225m, 23703ft) and
Gosainkund. The sunsets from here are unparalleled
as the crystalline peaks of Langtang and
the broad highlands of Gosainkund sparkle
in yellow and orange brilliance. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
6
Trek from Rupchet
Kharka to Mangchet Kharka via Singla Top
which takes about seven hours. You head out
early for the climb up to Singla pass. There
will likely be snow up here in the spring
and late fall, so move slowly and enjoy the
incredible scenery along the way. The route
is steep, weaving through large boulders,
spires and domes. It is only 300m up, but
the altitude will make it feel like more.
As you approach the final gentle uphill climb
before the pass, Langtang looms overhead
to the north and the peaks of Ganesh start
to peak out ahead. While heading from Singla
Top to Mangchet Kharka, you will have to
follow a route that goes uphill and downhill.
En route you pass through forests covered
with rhododendron, pine and herbal medicines
and feel thrilled with the panoramic views
of Annapurna, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. The
surrounding area is famous for herbal medicines
and incense. Mangchet Kharka is a pasture
where local people bring their domestic animals
for grazing. The national bird of Nepal,
the ''Danfe'' can be seen around here. Stay
overnight in camps.
Day
7
Trek from Mangchet
Kharka to Pangsang Bhanjyang takes approximately
seven hours. The trail follows ascent and
descent routes all the way to destination.
While trekking, you can enjoy the views of
Annapurna, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. For
some distance you walk through forests covered
with herbal medicines and incense. Pangsang
Bhanjyang is famous as you are stunned to
see Langtang I, Langtang II, Paldor peak
and many Tibetan mountains. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
8
Trek and climb
to Pangsang La Danda and trek back to Pangsang
Bhanjyang which takes about three hours.
The trail you follow is steeply ascends for
two hours. The Pangsang La Danda is the best
view point of this trek. From this point
you will be amazed to view Langtang, Paldor,
the Tibetan mountains, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu.
While trekking back you climb down all the
way to Pangsang Bhanjyang. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
9
Trek from Pangsang
Bhanjyang to Chalise that takes about seven
hours.
The trail you follow is quite descending at first and then it goes up for some
distance. En route, you cross forests covered with bamboo, pine, rhododendron
and waterfalls. Tipling is the first village you encounter on this route. You
can see farming terraces where farmers grow potatoes, wheat, barley, buck wheat,
maize and green vegetables. Now you climb down steeply until you cross a suspension
bridge over Gorkhen Khola (stream). On clearing the bridge, the trail goes uphill
up to Sertung Chalise. It is also a Gurung village. People of this area enjoy
welcoming trekkers and introducing them to the local culture. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
10
Trek from Chalise
to Hindung takes about five hours. The early
part of the trail goes downhill up to Menchet
Khola (stream) and crossing this stream you
trek steeply uphill and then gradually reach
Hindung. Today you pass small Tamang villages,
small forests, farming terraces and green
hills. Hindung is a pretty big village mainly
inhabited by Tamangs. The main occupation
is farming and the farmers grow potatoes,
millet, barley, maize, beans and other vegetables.
You find mani walls and prayer flags in some
parts of the villages. One thing to be noticed
is that this is the last village you pass
while trekking to Ganesh Himal Base Camp.
Stay overnight in camps.
Day
11
Trek from Hindung
to Rajgang Kharka takes about five and half
hours. After leaving Hindung you will rarely
find terraces. The route up to Rajgang Kharka
is ascending and flat as well. You walk along
the trail covered with forests of rhododendron
and local vegetation. These forests are the
nestling places of various bird species and
wild animals. Rajgang Kharka is surrounded
by beautiful forests and it is mainly grassland.
Except during the winter season, the local
folks bring domestic animals, especially
the sheep for grazing down here. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
12
Trek from Rajgang
Kharka to Kalo Seto Kunda (Black and White
Lake) Ganesh Himal Base Camp which takes
about six hours. The trail is narrow and
moves mostly uphill and a leveled path somewhere
on the trail. You walk along the trail covered
with forests for a few hours. Towards the
end the trail moves along land where you
rarely find any trees. You find alpine grass
here due to the high altitude. At Kalo Seto
Kunda there are two lakes of holy significance.
The surface of Kalo or Black Lake is covered
with black stones. On the contrary the surface
of Seto Kunda or White Lake is covered with
white shinning stones. During the winter
season these lakes are frozen. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
13
Rest day at the
Base Camp. You can take an excursion in and
around Kalo Seto Kunda (Black and White Lake).
From here you can enjoy master views of Ganesh
Himal, Paldor Himal and several other massifs.
Stay overnight in camps.
Day
14
Trek from Ganesh
Himal Base Camp to Rajgang Kharka takes about
six hours. You trek along a descending and
narrow path where you find alpine grass on
both sides of the trail. Stay overnight in
camps.
Day
15
Trek from Rajgang
Kharka to Chalise (2000m.) takes about six
hours. The trail moves down hill all the
way to Chalise. While trekking you pass forests
till Hindung and crossing it you find few
Tamang villages. Interacting with the local
folks will be good to learn their culture.
Your guide will do the interpreting for you.
Stay overnight in camps.
Day
16
Trek from Sertung
or Chalise to Jharlang takes approximately
eight hours. The early part of your trail
goes gently up until you arrive at a small
ridge. From here, you can enjoy spectacular
views of Ganesh Himal, farming terraces,
crystal clear waterfalls and several villages
at a distance. You then climb down the ridge
and cross farming terraces and local villages.
After you take lunch at Borang, your trail
fluctuates downhill and uphill respectively
till you get to Jharlang. This is a Tamang
settlement where the local folks follow a
culture that's a combo of Lama-Tibetan with
religious faith in Buddhism. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
17
Trek from Jharlang
to Darkha takes about seven hours. Crossing
landslide nearby Jharlang, you begin your
trek through an ascending path with views
of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, hiking through
a jungle and then onto a gushing waterfall
with the trail cutting across farming terraces
and villages nestled on pretty hamlets. Darkhe
is the first Brahmin village on this trek.
From here you can enjoy the views of Aankhu
stream at some distance. Stay overnight in
camps.
Day
18
Trek from Darkhe
to Khare Bazaar takes about seven hours.
The early part of your trek is descending
up to Darkhe phedi and your route moves along
the river bank until you reach Khare. There
is a big market at Khare Bazaar with lodges,
tea shops, a big government sponsored school
and other important buildings. This place
is famous for magnificent views of extensively
lush green farming terraces. Stay overnight
in camps.
Day
19
Drive from Khare Bazaar to Kathmandu
by bus takes approximately eight hours.
The road till Dhadingbesi moves through
a rough gravelled road which finally culminates
onto a well built pitched road until you
reach Kathmandu. It's a scenic journey
due to beautiful views of rivers, hills,
terraces, forests and colourful little
villages.
The
price includes the following services:
Airport pick-up and drop off services
Trekking permit
Entry permit fee
Trekking guide
A cook
Necessary porters
Necessary kitchen helpers
Necessary sherpas
All surface transportation to the starting
point and from the ending point of the
trek
All meals three times a day (breakfast,
lunch, dinner, juice, tea, coffee, hot
chocolate, fruits etc.)
Necessary Camping equipment such as
tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet
tent, mattresses, down sleeping bag, down
jacket, cooking utensils, fuel etc.
Camping charges
Necessary insurance for trekking stuff
First Aid and kits
Rescue assistance
The price does
not include:
Personal nature expenses such as all kinds of drinks, beverages, etc.
The Ganesh Himal Base Camp trek presents the trekkers the plethora of flora that abounds in Nepal. Spring time brings in a burst of vibrant colors and sweet fragrance of berberis, primula, orchids, Jasmine and varieties of ferns in the Ganesh Himal Base Camp region.
