Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour

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Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour 14 Days Kathmandu to Kathmandu, Strenuous

A Sacred Himalayan Journey to Milarepa’s Hidden Land

The Lapchi Valley Trek explores the isolated and spiritually powerful Lapchi Kang, a remote Himalayan valley rich in biodiversity, folklore, and Buddhist heritage, yet rarely visited by tourists. Nestled along the Nepal–Tibet border in northern Dolkha, Lapchi is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in the Himalayas, revered alongside Mount Kailash and Mount Tsari.

This journey offers a rare opportunity to experience pristine wilderness, ancient monasteries, and sacred caves associated with the great Tibetan yogi Milarepa, making it both a spiritual pilgrimage and a true off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Is this Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour for me?

Physical Grading: Strenuous

A challenging trek that demands trekkers/travelers to have a top-notch physical and mental fitness level to trek daily for long hours at high altitudes.

Max Elevation: Hgh Alpine Lakes (4,900 meters)

A sacred glacial landscape above Lapchi Valley offering profound spiritual significance and dramatic Himalayan views.

Accommodation: Hotel/Lodge/Teahouse

Basic but comfortable accommodation with limited facilities and tented camping during the trek and a standard hotel in a city.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Best Season: Autumn & Spring

The best trekking season for Lapchi Valley is March to October, offering favorable weather, clear mountain views, and access to high alpine areas and hermitage caves.

Trip Route:

Kathmandu – Lamabagar – Lower Lumnang – Lapchi Village – High Alpine Lakes – Yak Kharka – King Dong Kharka – Samling Phedi – Lamabagar - Kathmandu

Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour Overview

The Lapchi Trek is a remarkable journey into a geographically isolated and visually extraordinary region protected under the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. Despite its immense ecological and spiritual value, Lapchi remains largely untouched by mass tourism and scientific exploration.

Lapchi Kang is a small Himalayan range lying between the road to Tibet and the vast Rolwaling Himal valley. Its dramatic landscape of twisted ridges, sheer cliffs, alpine meadows, and dense bamboo and cloud forests provides an ideal habitat for rare wildlife, including the snow leopard.

The trek follows the Tama Koshi River from Jagat to Lamabagar before leaving the main trail and ascending into the remote Lapchi Valley beneath the unclimbed rock spire of Ama Bamare Himal and the imposing Kookur Raja Darra (King Dog Ridge).

Spiritual & Cultural Significance

Lapchi is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. It is believed that Milarepa, the legendary Tibetan yogi, poet, singer, and mystic, meditated here for many years, living in caves and attaining enlightenment. Sacred relics, footprints, and meditation caves remain preserved in the region.

According to ancient Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu scriptures, the three most powerful sacred mountains of Jambudvipa are:

1.⁠ ⁠Mount Kailash

2.⁠ ⁠Mount Lapchi Kang

3.⁠ ⁠Mount Tsari

Among these, Lapchi holds a special place due to its accessibility from Nepal, eliminating the need for a Tibet visa while still offering an authentic sacred Himalayan experience.

Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Lamabagar (1,950 m) by bus/jeep

Day 02: Trek from Lamabagar to Lower Lumnang (2,700 m)

Day 03: Trek to Lapchi Village (3,670 m)

Day 04: Explore Lapchi Monastery, village, Milarepa caves, and sacred sites

Day 05: Trek to High Alpine Lakes (4,900 m)

Day 06: Trek to Yak Kharka (3,424 m)

Day 07: Trek to King Dong Kharka (2,800 m)

Day 08: Acclimatization & exploration day at King Dong Kharka

Day 09: Trek to Samling Phedi

Day 10: Trek back to Lamabagar

Day 11: Drive back to Kathmandu by bus/jeep

Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour Essential Information

  • TIMS Card
  • Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit (GCAP)
  • Scanned copies of passport sized photo and passport of each participant
  • Travel insurance.

All permits are arranged as part of our package.

This trip requires you to be in good health and physically fit. So, we recommend thorough physical examination before you start the trek.

Skills:

Your familiarity with the mountainous terrain and previous trekking experience will be plus points.

  • Make sure that you are insured against cancellations, accidents, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of, or damage to, baggage and personal effects.
  • In emergency situations, we will arrange for a helicopter rescue, medical treatment and after care for you. All these costs shall be borne by your travel insurance company.
  • Sleeping bag
  • Down jacket
  • LED headlight
  • Water bottle
  • First-aid kit
  • Water purification solution
  • Trekking poles
  • Raincoat
  • Sunglasses
  • Full fingers gloves
  • Socks
  • Thermal cap
  • Fleece
  • Sunscreen

Notes:

  • You can choose to bring these equipments yourself. However, we can help you get these things after you arrive here if you want to travel light.
  • We will arrange your pick-up/drop-off according to your flight schedule.
  • We can customize this itinerary according to your interests and preferences.

STANDARD SERVICE INCLUSION

  • ⁠ ⁠Private jeep transportation Kathmandu ↔ Lamabagar
  • ⁠ ⁠Three meals per day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) as available along the route and monasteries
  • ⁠ ⁠Accommodation in tea houses / homestays / camping (subject to availability)
  • ⁠ ⁠Licensed, English-speaking Lapchi Trek guide
  • ⁠ ⁠One porter per two trekkers
  • ⁠ ⁠Guide and porter wages, insurance, meals, and accommodation
  • ⁠ ⁠All applicable government taxes and service charges
  • ⁠ ⁠Required Lapchi trekking permits
  • ⁠ ⁠Sleeping bag for the trek

What's not included?

  • ⁠ ⁠Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, snacks, etc.)
  • ⁠ ⁠Donations at monasteries and sacred sites
  • ⁠ ⁠Tips for guide and porter (mandatory as per trekking norms)
  • ⁠ ⁠Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (coke, fanta, beer, etc.)

Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour Group Joining Dates & Prices

Package Includes USD 2150.00 for single person and USD 1490.00 per person for a two-person group size.

Currently there are no group departure dates available. Please request a private trip. Request custom dates.

Lapchi Kang Pilgrimage Tour Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01 Drive from Kathmandu to Lamabagar (1,950 m) by bus/jeep

Elevation: Lamabagar (1,950 m) 8–9 hours drive

Your trip starts with a scenic ride from Kathmandu to Lamabagar on bus or private jeep. You will follow the Arniko Highway and later and later branch toward the remote Dolakha region, offering beautiful views of river valleys, terraced hillsides, and rural settlements. Lamabagar is a quiet village which is the main gateway to the Lapchi Valley. Stay overnight at a lodge or basic guesthouse.

Basic guesthouse or lodge

Day 02 Trek from Lamabagar to Lower Lumnang (2,700)

Elevation: Lower Lumnang (2,700) 5–6 hours trekking

This is the start of the trek which begins with gradual ascent through forests, rocky paths, and traditional yak herding areas. Here, you’ll have to cross streams and walk along the old trade routes used by pilgrims travelling to Lapchi. This moderately increasing altitude allows a comfortable pace. You’ll have to stay at a basic lodge or camp at Lower Lumnang.

Lodge or Tented camp

Day 03 Trek to Lapchi Village (3,670 m)

Elevation: Lapchi Village (3,670 m) 5–6 hours trekking

You will continue with the trail into the sacred Lapchi Valley, with scenic mountain views while the remoteness of the trail grows. Approaching Lapchi Village, you’ll encounter prayer flags and mani walls that gives you the idea of this area’s spiritual significance. Lapchi Village is one of the most important pilgrimage sites associated with Milarepa. You’ll stay overnight near the village.

Tented camp

Day 04 Explore Lapchi Monastery, Village & Milarepa Caves

3–4 hours easy walking and exploration

This day is for exploring and immersing in the spiritual environment of Lapchi. You’ll visit the Lapchi Monastery, sacred caves where Milarepa is believed to have meditated, and other revered sites across the valley. Our knowledgeable guides explain the historical and religious significance of each location. This is a slower-paced day to support acclimatization while engaging in meaningful cultural and spiritual experiences. Stay overnight at Lapchi Village.

Tented camp

Day 05 Trek to High Alpine Lakes (4,900 m)

Elevation: High Alpine Lakes (4,900 m) 6–7 hours

This is a challenging but rewarding trekking day towards the high alpine lakes above Lapchi, surrounded by glacial terrain and towering Himalayan Mountains. Slow pace is maintained on this day to manage the significant attitude gain on this trail. After exploring the sacred lakes visited by many pilgrims and experienced trekkers, you’ll return to a lower campsite for overnight rest.

Tented camp

Day 06 Trek to Yak Kharka (3,424 m)

Elevation: Yak Kharka (3,424 m) 5–6 hours

Descending from higher elevations, you’ll follow the trail to Yak Kharka, a traditional grazing area used seasonally by herders. This gradual descent helps with acclimatization and recovery. You’ll experience an expansive views of the surrounding mountains and open alpine landscapes.

Tented Camp

Day 07 Trek to King Dong Kharka (2,800 m)

Elevation: King Dong Kharka (2,800 m) 4–5 hours

Your trek continues downhill through alpine meadows and rugged terrain toward King Dong Kharka. This area experiences warmer air and its lower altitude makes this a more relaxed walking day. You’ll enjoy the natural beauty and calming environment of this area where you’ll stay overnight.

Tented camp

Day 08 Acclimatization & Exploration Day at King Dong Kharka

Elevation: King Dong Kharka (2,800 m) Optional short walks (1–3 hours)

This day is for resting to support your recovery and safety. You can take short walks around the area or interact with local herders. Enjoy this flexible day in the peaceful Himalayan environment which helps in reducing your fatigue before the final trekking stages. Stay overnight at King Dong Kharka.

Tented camp

Day 09 Trek to Samling Phedi

Elevation: Samling Phedi (4,540 m) 4–5 hours

You’ll gradually descend towards Samling Phedi, passing through forested sections and open valleys. This trail moves you closer to road access points. Stay overnight camping or at basic lodge accommodation.

Lodge or tented camp

Day 10 Trek Back to Lamabagar

Elevation: Lamabagar (1,987 m) 5–6 hours

This is the final trekking day, when you’ll retrace your route back to Lamabagar. You’ll be able to enjoy familiar landscapes from a new perspective from here. You’ll descend steadily and complete the Lapchi Kang trekking circuit on this day. Say overnight at Lamabagar.

Guesthouse or Lodge

Day 11 Drive from Lamabagar to Kathmandu

Elevation: Kathmandu (1400 m) 8–9 hours drive

You’ll drive back to Kathmandu after breakfast by bus or jeep. This journey offers a final look at Nepal’s mid-hill scenery before returning to the capital. Your trip concludes upon arrival in Kathmandu.

Hotel

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