Ganja La pass trek begins in Sybrubesi at the start of the beautiful, narrow Langtang valley. The trek begins by hiking up river through lush rhododendron and bamboo forests to Kyangin Gompa. Kyangin Gompa is surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and is home to a Buddhist monastery and a renowned cheese factory which was established by the Swiss Association for Technical Assistance back in 1955. Trekking over the 5,122m Ganja La pass is a serious undertaking and requires the use of some technical equipment and an experienced guide. As part of this trek passes through an area without settlements, we will be camping and fully self sufficient with our food and fuel.
After the Ganja La we pass into the Helambu and continue the journey through beautiful rice terraces, Buddhist monasteries and charming villages including the Sherpa village of Tarke Ghyang. The name means "temple of 100 horses" and was taken from the name of a temple built in 1727 by a Buddhist monk who was asked by the king of Kathmandu (then Kantipur) to stop an epidemic. As his reward the monk asked for 100 horses, which he brought to the village.
The Ganja La trek is an adventurous undertaking and offers the seasoned trekker a true wilderness experience.
The Ganja La Pass with the Mountain Ram Adventures team is beginning and we, the participants of the tour, will be arriving in Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan International Airport. The representatives of the Mountain Ram Adventures will be waiting for us in the arrival terminal of the TIA and will be escorting us to our accommodation in a comfortable vehicle. After checking into our hotel we will have free time to explore the local market and enjoy the cuisine.
On the second day of the tour we will be exploring the local market searching for the essential gears for our journey to the Ganja La Pass. Thamel area is filled with shops selling good quality trekking gear at a very affordable rate, which we can purchase for the Ganja La Pass Trek. During the evening time we will be meeting the representatives of the team and our assigned team members and have a briefing session regarding the trek including the departure time, plans and other factors of the journey. After the short briefing we will be returning to our hotel and resting for the big adventure which begins from the very next day.
On the third day of the tour we will be heading to Syabrubesi in a comfortable 4WD vehicle, making our way through the winding roads of the valley. The journey will take us around 6-7 hours during which we will be covering around 120 KM. We will be heading out from the capital in the morning at around 8 AM, after we have our breakfast in the Hotel. The Himalayas will be visible during the drive which includes peaks from the Langtang Himalayan Range. We will be staying in Syabrubesi for the night in a tea house and will begin our journey towards the Ganja La Pass. Syabrubesi is a settlement at an elevation of 1500 M is regarded as the Gateway to the Langtang Region, as most of the trekking trail to the Langtang Region begins from Syabrubesi.
We begin our trek to the Ganja La Pass as we head towards Lama Hotel from Syabrubesi, after we have our breakfast. The journey is a comfortable one during which we will be covering around 11.8 KM and trekking for around 5-6 Hours. The trail to Lama Hotel is well maintained which moves alongside the Langtang Khola. On the fourth day we will be passing through Bamboo, Rimche and Tatopani where we can rest for a bit and catch our breath. The trail passes through the lush green forest of the Langtang National Park which boasts a wide range of illusive species which if lucky, we will encounter during the trek. After a gentle ascent we will reach Lama Hotel where we will be spending our night for the day.
The comfortable hike through the Langtang Region continues as we make our way towards Langtang Village from Lama Hotel. The trek from Lama Hotel is around 15.1 KM and will take us around 5-6 hours. The trail was significantly damaged by the 2015 earthquake, after which the trails are still being slowly constructed. The old Langtang Village was also swept away from the landslide caused by the earthquake of 2015 sweeping away everything in its path. We will make our way through the landslide zone and continue trekking through the rugged trail which will lead us to the Langtang Village, where we will be staying for the night in a cozy tea house. We will be gaining around 800 M in elevation during the hike to New Langtang Village.
The trek to Kyanjin Gompa begins after we have our breakfast enjoying the golden sunrise of the Langtang Himalayas. The village of Kyanjin Gompa is situated around 3890 M and is mostly inhabited by the Tamang community who have deep rooted connection with Tibetan Culture. During the trek we will be gaining around 500 M in elevation while trekking for 4-5 hours and covering just around 7 KM. The trail to Kyanjin Gompa is beautiful and filled with the scenic views of the Langtang Lirung 7234 M(Tallest Mountain of the Range) and surrounding peaks. During the trek we will be passing through the glacier stream flowing from the Langtang Lirung. We will reach Kyanjin Gompa after a comfortable trek and will be checking into the Tea House, after which we will be heading towards Kyanjin Ri and enjoy the beautiful views from the top of the Hill which is at an elevation of 4770 M. After enjoying a panoramic views of the Himalayas we will be returning back to Kyanjin Gompa and resting for the night after having our dinner.
On the Day 7 we will be heading towards Phedi at an elevation of 4200 M. The trail to Phedi begins as we head south from Kyanjin Gompa crossing the Langtang River and ascending towards the Ganja La Pass. There are no accommodations or settlements from the point forward, so we will be staying in Tents and having meals prepared by the Guides and Team Members. The trail is quite steep and narrow and we will be making our way slowly towards Phedi. We will be making a few stops during our hike and catching our breath and enjoying the mesmerizing views of the Himalayas. The porters will be heading ahead of us at their own pace and will be stopping in a nice location to prepare us our lunch. After lunch we will again make our way slowly towards Phedi and after Hiking up through the narrow trail we will reach Phedi. After finding an ideal spot to set up our camp, the team members will swiftly set up the tents and begin preparing the meals for the night. We will be spending our night in the tents on the 7th Day of our journey in Phedi.
Note: The Mountain Ram Adventures will be providing the trekkers with sleeping bags, Tents and other essentials required for camping while trekking in Ganja La Pass Region. The trekkers can check out the cost include and exclude section above to see what is included in the tour package.
The trek to Ganjala Top from Phedi will be a challenging one as we will be trekking through narrow trails with steep ascents. We will be trekking to an elevation of 5100 M on the 8th day of our journey due to which we will need to trek slowly. The views seen during the ascent are simply wonderful and awe-inspiring. The trek will at least take us around 5 hours but can take even more time as we need to navigate our way through the trail carefully and slowly. After nearing the top of the Pass we will set up our tent for the night in a good spot, the team members will be preparing warm and hearty meals which will keep us warm during the night and after having our dinner we will be resting for the night. We will be spending our night at an elevation of 5100 M which will be the highest point of our stay during the trek. We might face some difficulty falling asleep due to elevation, cold weather and the fact that we will be sleeping in a sleeping bag. We may not be able to get proper rest during the night but on the next day we will be staying at a much lower elevation, where we can have a proper night of sleep.
On the 9th day of our trip we will be packing up our tents and will make our way towards Dhukpa via the Ganja La Pass, at an elevation of 5130 M. The trail towards the top of the Ganja La pass is mostly covered under a thick layer of snow and to navigate through the trail we will use crampons(Microspikes) which will make it much easier to trek through the harsh terrain. After gaining elevation of just around 30 M, we will reach the summit of Ganja La Pass which is marked by prayer flags and a stone where “Ganja La Pass” is written with red paint. After enjoying the 3600 views of the Himalayan Peaks and the deep valleys we will be heading down from the Pass, making our way towards Dukpa which in total will take us around 8 Hours. After a long trek we will reach Dukpa where we will be setting up our tent, have our meals and call it a night as we need to recoup our body after a long day of trek.
The morning in Dukpa will be spent soaking in the views of the Himalayas while having our breakfast. The team will be disassembling the tents and loading into the bags after which we begin our descent towards Tarke Ghang. The trek to Tarke Ghang will take us around 7-8 hours in total, mostly through the downhill offbeat trail. After a long trek we will reach the settlement where we will be staying for the night in a Tea House. We will be stopping along the trail to enjoy the beautiful views of the Himalayas and also to relax while necessary. We will be entering the Helambu Region during the downhill Hilke from Dukpa to Tarke Gyang.
The journey to Shermathang village which is at an elevation of 2621 M and will take us around 5 hours intotal to trek. The trail is mostly flat which passes through the forest and water streams and pasture lands of the cattles. During the Trek we will be passing through the village of Gangyul and Chimi and we will be exploring the beautiful monasteries in the village. During the trek we will be able to enjoy the majestic views of the Jugal Himalayan Range including the Dorje Lakpa(6966 M), Phurba Gyachung(6637 M), Madhya(6257 M). We will be staying in Shermathang in a tea house for the night.
The trek to Melamchi Bazar is a beautiful trek which passes through the rice fields and scenic meadows nestled between the picturesque valleys. We will be passing through the settlement of Kakani and Thimbu during the descent. Melamchi Bazar is a Sherpa settlement at an elevation of 870 M. The trail is filled with Mani walls, Chortens and small monasteries which we can explore for a bit. After trekking for around 7 hours we will reach Melamchi Bazaar where we will be staying for the night.
As the trek to Ganja La Pass is finished we will be returning back to Kathmandu in a comfortable 4WD vehicle. The drive is filled with the beautiful views of the mid hills and farmlands. The initial half of the journey will be a bumpy one until we reach Dhulikhel, from where the roads are black topped. We will be passing through the beautiful settlements of Banepa and Bhaktapur along the way and after a drive of around 4-5 hours we will reach Kathmandu and we will be checking in to our accommodation. We will freshen up and have free time to explore the local area till the evening time. The team will be hosting a farewell dinner during which we will be enjoying the success of the trip and will be provided with a certificate of accomplishment for completing the Ganja La Pass Trek. The team members will also be requesting to share our honest feedback on the journey. After the dinner we will be returning back to our room and rest.
The Ganja La Pass with the Mountain Ram Adventures team is completed successfully, so we will be returning back to our countries. The team representatives will be arriving at our accommodation in a comfortable vehicle via which we will be transported to the Tribhuvan International Airport for our flight back home. The team members will be dropping us at the departure terminal and bidding us farewell marking the official end of the beautiful Himalayan Adventure.
An elevated point of 5416m. You will be mountain climbing in the main on well established trails. Come and join a Great adventure trip.
Ganja La Pass is located within the Langtang National Park which is around 120 KM towards the North from the capital city, Kathmandu. The Pass is located between the Waiba Peak(6189 M) and Gautam Peak(5870 M). The Ganja La Pass begins from Syabrubesi in Rasuwa District and ends in Melamchi Bazar in Sindhupalchowk District.
The Ganja La Pass trekking trail takes us through the Langtang Valley, which is one of the most stunning regions in all of the Himalayas offering trekkers beautiful views of the snow capped peaks and a cultural experience of the indigenous community. The trails of Ganja La Pass are remote, adventurous and perfect for trekkers who are willing to avoid other trekkers as it is considered to be one of the Hidden gems in the Himalayas. The trekkers will be staying in tents for 3 Days as per the itinerary, accompanied by their team who will be carrying tents and meals for the camping. Overall the trek offers trekkers a chance to enjoy the true beauty of the Langtang region with beautiful Himalayan views, culture and adventure.
For the successful operation of the trek the travelers will be required to arrange a vehicle to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu at the beginning of the trek and a vehicle from Melamchi Bazar to Kathmandu at the end of the trek. The travelers participating with the company will not need to worry about the transportation as the team will be arranging the facilities.
Yes, carrying funds for personal expenses and emergencies is absolutely necessary for the Ganja La Pass Trek as in the Himalayas for facilities like charging devices, hot shower, snacks, Internet costs extra which are not included in the package presented by the team and trekkers need to cover for their own expenses.
Yes, during the trek the trekkers will be able to encounter wildlife if they are lucky, as the animals and birds of the Langtang National Park are illusive and to spot them casually is quite rare. If trekking during the season of Spring (March to May) the chances of spotting the animals and birds might be a bit higher than other seasons but still is quite rare. If trekkers are interested in wildlife they can carry binoculars with them for their trek which will make it easier to see the majestic creatures if seen.
The best time to participate in the Ganja La Pass is during the season of Autumn(September to November) and Spring season(March to May). The conditions of trekking are perfect during this time and trekkers will have an amazing time enjoying the Himalayan views with clear blue sky.
No, there are no ATM’s in the trekking trail of the Ganja La Pass Trek, so trekkers are requested to carry cash with them in Nepalese Rupees while trekking in the Himalayas. There are many ATMs within the Thamel area from where the trekkers can withdraw the required funds before their trek and depending on the bank a certain fee per withdrawal is charged by the bank.
The Ganja La Pass Trek is extremely difficult without the assistance of Guides and porters as it is a camping trek during which the trekkers will be staying in Tents and having meals prepared by the guides and porters. Carrying personal essentials and camping gears alone is not possible, so trekking without guide and team members is not feasible. The concerned authority has also restricted solo trekking in Nepal within the protected areas and the trekkers must be accompanied by a guide with them for their journey.
Yes, the Guides assigned by the Guides will be able to communicate in English with the clients fluently whereas, the porters may/ may not be able to communicate in fluent English. The trekkers will be accompanied by their team for the entirety of the trek accompanying them in each of their steps making the journey as comfortable as possible.
The permits required for the Ganja La Pass Trek can be applied by the trekkers from the official website of the Department of Immigration Nepal and can be collected from the office at Kalikasan, Kathmandu. The trekkers will be required to carry the Trekking Information Management System Card (TIMS) and the Langtang National Park Permit
Yes, the Ganja La Pass Trekking trail can be conquered by the trekkers even if it is their first trek, however they should be accompanied by a good experienced team for their journey as the trekkers as the trek is a camping trek during which trekkers will be staying in tents for 3 days and without the assistance of guides and porters the trek is near to impossible.
No, there is no age limit to participate in the Ganja La Pass Trek however if planning to trek with the Mountain Ram Adventures company the trekkers who are below the age of 16 must be accompanied by their guardian for their journey. The trekkers regardless of their age must be fit and healthy to tackle the harsh conditions of the Himalayas if planning to trek in the trail of the Ganja La Pass as the trek is strenuous with narrow trails on the cliff’s edges.
During the Ganja La Pass Trek the trekkers can store their bags in their accommodation in Kathmandu or can leave their bags under the care of the Mountain Ram Adventures team and collect it after the completion of their trek. The travelers are suggested to carry only their essentials for the trek as per the checklist provided by the team and leave their bags behind which will be stored safely while the trekkers trek in the Langtang region.
All of the travel restrictions after the Covid-19 have been lifted in Nepal and the travelers can freely travel within the country. However the rules and policies of Nepal might not align with the rules of transit nations and airlines due to which the travelers are suggested to carry the necessary paperwork with them for their trek to avoid any mishaps during the tour.
During the Ganja La Pass Trek anything outside the control of the team and trekkers happens as the Himalayan conditions are extreme at times during which decisions will be made by the team ensuring the safety of the trekkers which can lead to extension of the trek as well or change in itinerary. If the trekkers get sick due to altitude then the team members will monitor the health of the trekker closely and ensure the health does not worsen further however, if it does worsen then the team will request for emergency evacuation via a helicopter transferring the trekkers to a medical facility within the Kathmandu valley. Due to these reasons travel insurance is a must for trekkers.
Yes, the Ganja La Pass Trek is possible even if the trekkers are vegetarian as healthy balanced vegetarian meals are available in the tea houses and restaurants along the trekking trail. If the trekkers are vegetarian then they should inform their guides and team members as they will be responsible for arranging meals during the trek.
The oxygen level at the top of the Ganja La Pass which is at an elevation of 5130 M is around 50 % of the sea level. At the top of the pass the trekkers might find it difficult to breathe so, if they feel any discomfort make sure to inform your team members about it as they have to undergo a basic medical training to obtain their license.
Yes, drinking water is available in the tea houses along the trail of the Ganja La Pass Trek and whilst going over the Pass there will be no accommodation during which the team representatives will be boiling the snow for drinking and cooking meals which will be completely safe. The trekkers will need to carry a flask and water bottle for their journey which they can fill up from the tea houses for their journey. The trekkers can also carry filter tablets for their journey and are highly suggested to not drink water directly from its source.
Ganja La Pass Trek is a beautiful trek and is considered to be one of the hidden gems in the Himalayas. The trekking trails are rarely crowded due to it being one of the camping treks and without proper gears and experienced team members the trek is near to impossible. The trail of the Ganja La Pass for the initial half can get a bit crowded as the route of popular destinations within the Langtang region including Kyanjin Ri, Langtang Valley trek shares the same route.
Yes, the trekkers will be able to adapt to the Elevation and as the trekkers will be trekking slowly and gaining altitude gradually the risk of getting altitude sickness is extremely minimal. However if the trekkers feel any difficulty while trekking then they are suggested to inform their guides about it who will ensure the trekkers health does not degrade further. If the trekkers are trekking independently then they should carry altitude sickness medicines for the journey as it can come in handy.
National Park Permits:
TIMS Card