Ruby Valley Trek also known as Ganesh Himal Trek, is a hidden treasure in between the Manaslu and Langtang region of Nepal. in a remote and pristine nature situated in the northwest of Kathmandu in Rasuwa and Dhading District bordering with 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 gem in the area of the entire Ruby Valley Village Development Committee.
Trekkers can enjoy dramatic sceneries of amazing landscape, scenic valleys, stunning waterfalls, 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 culture, religion, tradition, and way of life of the rural areas of Nepal as several different ethnic groups of people resides here such as Tamang, Gurung, Ghale to the higher region and Brahmin, Chettri, Newar, and Chepang to lower region.
This hidden region of Ruby valley is also famous for its abundance of various minerals like zinc, 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 Tibetan for salt, wool, and turquoise in the old times.
Apart from minerals, the valley is also popular for Red panda along with other endangered flora and fauna, Ruby valley is popular for 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 monastery and 300 years old Hindu temple, 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 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, 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 Himalaya, palace, historical monastery, temples, etc. are the main attraction of the Ruby valley, along with hot spring and Pangsang pass and Pangsang viewpoint.
Getting to the trailhead of 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 off with climbing uphill to BahunDanda and descends down 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 climb, 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) in which you can enjoy 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"(trekking information management system) which costs $10 USD for organized trekkers per person and $20 USD 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 accommodation in Gatlang with all meals. But besides these there are not many teahouse accommodations, this can be replaced with home-stay 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 custom. So, it is advised to be sufficient with a sleeping bag, toilet paper, etc. during the trek.
Safety measures in Ruby valley trekking
·Hire an experienced guide to do the ruby valley trek as it is in 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.
·Be sufficient with basic supplies as well as warm clothes as this region can be snowing during winter.
·Be sufficient with an extensive Medical kit for trekking as you won't find it in the villages. Be aware of altitude sickness and bring communication facilities for emergency evacuation.
