Ruby Valley Trek is a hidden treasure in between the Manaslu and Langtang regions of Nepal. in a remote and pristine nature situated in the northwest of Kathmandu in Rasuwa and Dhading District bordering Tibet to the north. This makes Ruby Valley the base of the entire Ganesh Himal Region.
Ruby Valley trekking is concealed in the famous Langtang trekking and Manaslu trekking region with a wide range of geographical, biological, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Ruby, the name itself is as precious as a gem obtained this name due to its abundance of red gems in the area of the entire Ruby Valley Village Development Committee.
Trekkers can enjoy dramatic sceneries of amazing landscapes, scenic valleys, stunning waterfalls, and majestic snow-capped mountains like Paldor Peak, Langtang Himal, Manaslu, Annapurna, Dorje Lakpa, Machhapuchre, and Ganesh Himal which is named in honor of Ganesh, a Hindu god, and son of Shiva.
Trekking Ruby Valley, you can see and experience the variety of cultures, religions, traditions, and way of life of the rural areas of Nepal as several different ethnic groups of people reside here such as Tamang, Gurung, Ghale to the higher region and Brahmin, Chettri, Newar, and Chepang to the lower region.
This hidden region of Ruby Valley is also famous for its abundance of various minerals like zinc, and copper, as well as precious stones like crystal and ruby. It is also known as a prominent source of herbal plants as it was traded with the Tibetans for salt, wool, and turquoise in the old times.
Apart from minerals, the valley is also popular for Red pandas along with other endangered flora and fauna, Ruby valley is popular for its majestic views of the Himalayas, snow-melted lake, exotic villages, rivers, mountains, different ethnic settlements mainly inhabited by Gurung and Tamang, along with 14 different species of rhododendron flowers, which is also the national flower of Nepal.
Trekkers can explore cultural and religious diversity in the entire region, with 500 years old Buddhist monasteries and 300 years old Hindu temples, hot water Kund, Ganesh Kund, Nag Pokhari(lake), Mananga Dada(hill), Dong Deng Pokhari, Melbu Palace, Pangsang Pass(3800m), Pangsang viewpoint(4259M), etc. are the treasure of the Ruby Valley Trek.
Highlights of the Ruby Valley Trek
Ruby Valley is a short but unexplored off-the-beaten trail between the Langtang and the Manaslu Himalayan range. The trail provides a unique blend of nature and culture of the people residing on the base of the Ganesh Himal range.
As the region is blessed with different species of flora and fauna, Ruby Valley offers some endangered species including the red panda. Mainly inhabited by Gurung and Tamang communities, the valley is rich in mineral resources including a precious gem called the Ruby.
Trekkers will be amazed by the beauty of nature with waterfalls, rivers, villages, farmland, and the exotic lifestyle of the ethnic community along with four different Himalayan ranges in a single trail which includes the Annapurna Himalayan range, Langtang Himalayan range, Manaslu Himalayan range, and the Ganesh Himal range.
Apart from all this the valley occupy different holy Kund(lake) of the Himalayas, palace, historical monastery, temples, etc. are the main attraction of the Ruby Valley, along with the hot spring and Pangsang pass and Pangsang viewpoint.
Getting to the trailhead of the Ruby Valley trek
There are around 18 different routes to trek Ruby Valley but the best in terms of shortness, ease, and the attractiveness of the majestic view of the nature and cultural combination, you can start Ruby Valley or Ganesh Himal trek is from Syabru Beshi.
For this, taking the Bus or private vehicle can be reached to SyabruBesi which takes about 6 to 8 hours covering a distance of 160km. And further hike to Ghatlag, Somdang, Tipling, Borang, Dundure Khola, and finally to Dhading Beshi and then drive back to Kathmandu which covers 80km by bus.
Ruby Valley trek route
The trek begins from Syabru Beshi and starts with climbing uphill to BahunDanda and descends to Gatlang (2,330m) for the first night. The trail then treads through the pine and rhododendron forests up to a beautiful alpine pasture to Yuri Kharka and descends to a river then uphill to an old mine called Somdang for the second night.
Next, the trail leads you to the highest point of the trek at Pangsang Pass (3,800m), and with some climbing, you can visit Pangsang View Point (4250m), which offers a great panorama view of the snow-capped mountains of the Annapurna range, Manaslu range, Langtang range and Ganesh Himal range, and surrounding landscape and descend to Tippling for another night.
Afterward, the trek goes to the lower region of Borang Village for the night and finishes at Dundure Khola(1,050m) where you can enjoy the beautiful sceneries of local villages, lower valleys, and rivers along the way.
On the last day after a few hours' walk, we drive back to Dhading Beshi (525m), district headquarters, and back to Kathmandu through Prithivi Highway on the same day.
Ruby Valley trek permits and fees.
You need two types of permits to trek to Ruby Valley trek. The first one is called the "Langtang National Park entrance fee" which costs 3000 rupees per person. The other one is called "TIMS CARD".
Safety measures in Ruby Valley Trekking
Hire an experienced guide to do the ration management system) which costs USD 10 for organized trekkers per person and USD 20 per person for independent trekkers.
Accommodation in Ruby Valley trek
During the trek to Ruby Valley, you can find hotels in Syabru Bensi and teahouse accommodations in Gatlang with all meals. But besides these there are not many teahouse accommodations, that can be replaced with a homestay in all the local villages, experiencing local hospitality will be one of the best ways to know about the rural lifestyle and their culture and customs. So, it is advised to be sufficient with a sleeping bag, toilet paper, etc. during the trek.
however, our Package is designed for staying in tents and is sufficient with all the comfort supplies in which you can have the best experience while being in the remote region of Ruby Valley.
by valley trek, as it is on one of the remote, isolated, and off-the-beaten trails, and the trek route is not well marked. As well, the trail branches off many in several places. Getting confused with the trail results in high chances of getting lost as it happened in the past with few independent trekkers
Trip Highlights:
- Scenic drive to Syabru Beshi from Kathmandu.
- Old villages and beautiful landscapes.
- Stunning Mountains view of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu range.
- Beautiful Waterfalls and rivers.
- Different ethnic groups people, Cultures, and traditions.
- Beautiful forests walk and alpine Meadows.
