Trekking · Gorkha
Ruby Valley Trek
A lower-altitude homestay route below Ganesh Himal, linking Gorkha and Dhading through Tamang and Gurung villages.
The Ruby Valley trek is Gorkha's accessible, lower-altitude Himalayan walk — a teahouse-and-homestay route through the foothills of Ganesh Himal, linking the districts of Gorkha and Dhading northwest of Kathmandu. Named for the ruby and quartz deposits long mined in the Ganesh Himal, it threads Tamang and Gurung villages, rhododendron forest and high pasture, with grandstand views of Ganesh, Manaslu and Langtang from its ridges — all without the permits or extreme altitude of the big restricted treks.
The route
There is no single fixed itinerary, but most versions start from a roadhead in Dhading or northern Gorkha — commonly around Syabrubesi or Somdang on one side and Gorkha's Aru Pokhari or Lapa area on the other — and traverse the range. The scenic high point is the Pangsang La (about 3,800 m), a grassy ridge pass with a sweeping panorama of Ganesh Himal and, on clear days, Manaslu and the Annapurnas. Villages such as Tipling, Jharlang, Lapa and Borang offer community lodging and a window into Tamang and local hill culture.
Why trek the Ruby Valley
This is a route for travellers who want a genuine off-the-beaten-path experience close to Kathmandu but at modest altitude. Trails are quiet, the homestays are community-run, and the cultural texture — Tamang Buddhism, hill farming, gemstone-mining history — is rich. Spring brings blooming rhododendron forests, while autumn delivers the clearest mountain views. Because it stays mostly below 3,800 m, it is a good choice for trekkers who want Himalayan scenery without the acclimatisation demands of the Manaslu Circuit from Gorkha.
Permits and logistics
Unlike Manaslu and the Tsum Valley, the Ruby Valley is not a restricted area, so it avoids the special Restricted Area Permit. You will still register at local checkpoints, and since the route brushes conservation-area boundaries in places, confirm current permit requirements with a local agency. A guide is recommended given the trail's remoteness and faint sections.
Where to stay and how it fits
Nights are split between simple teahouses and village homestays; see our Gorkha homestays guide and Nepal's wider homestays network for what to expect. The Ruby Valley pairs naturally with the district's bigger trails — place it in context with the Gorkha trekking and Manaslu gateway overview, and find similar quiet routes in our off-the-beaten-path treks in Nepal. First-timers should read the general Nepal trekking guide before setting out.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Ruby Valley trek?+
The Ruby Valley lies below the Ganesh Himal range, straddling the boundary of Gorkha and Dhading districts northwest of Kathmandu. The name comes from the ruby and other gemstone deposits historically found in the Ganesh Himal foothills.
Is the Ruby Valley trek hard?+
It is a moderate trek, lower and gentler than Manaslu, with most nights between roughly 1,500 and 3,800 metres. The high point is the Pangsang La (around 3,800 m), a ridge pass with big Ganesh and Manaslu views, so it suits walkers wanting culture and scenery without extreme altitude.
Do you need a permit for the Ruby Valley?+
The Ruby Valley is not a restricted area, so it does not need the special permits of Manaslu or Tsum. You do typically register with local checkpoints, and as it crosses into the Manaslu Conservation Area buffer in places, check current requirements with a local agency before you go.
How long is the Ruby Valley trek?+
Most itineraries run about 7 to 10 days of walking, depending on the start and end points around Gorkha, Dhading and the Ganesh Himal foothills. It works well as a shorter, lodge-and-homestay alternative to the longer Manaslu and Tsum routes.
