The Ruby Valley Trek is a 9-day trip in Kathmandu → Arughat (road, 7 hrs) → trek → Barpak → Arughat → Kathmandu, rated strenuous - remote, high altitude, limited teahouse infrastructure above laprak difficulty, reaching a maximum elevation of Ruby mine viewpoint, approximately 4,500 m. The best time to do this trip is October - November; April - May.
| Country | Kathmandu → Arughat (road, 7 hrs) → trek → Barpak → Arughat → Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Strenuous - remote, high altitude, limited teahouse infrastructure above Laprak |
| Max Elevation | Ruby mine viewpoint, approximately 4,500 m |
| Duration | 9 |
| Best Time | October - November; April - May |
How long is the Ruby Valley trek?
The Ruby Valley Trek is one of Nepal's most compelling offbeat routes - a 9-day circuit in the Ganesh Himal region northwest of Gorkha that passes through the high Ganesh Himal viewpoints, the traditional Gurung village of Laprak (one of the gateways to the Tsum Valley restricted area), the ruby mining site at approximately 4,500 m (one of the world's highest gem mining operations, producing the pigeon-blood rubies traded in Kathmandu's Thamel since the 1990s), and the rebuilt village of Barpak (3,000 m) - the epicentre of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake (7.8 magnitude) where nearly every building was destroyed and the community has spent the past decade rebuilding in a remarkable exercise in cultural and architectural continuity.
The Ruby Valley - named for the alluvial ruby deposits found in the marble geological formation of the Ganesh Himal - sits in the rain shadow northwest of the Himalayan chain, giving it the characteristic dry, high-altitude landscape of eroded ridges, mani walls, and sparse vegetation above treeline that distinguishes the Tibetan-influenced hill communities from the lush lower forests of the Nepal hills. The Ganesh Himal range (Ganesh I, 7,422 m; Ganesh II, 7,118 m; Ganesh III, 7,043 m; Pabil, 7,102 m) forms the northern wall of the valley and is visible from multiple high points on the circuit.
The Ruby Valley Trek is accessible from Arughat (the roadhead near Gorkha, 7 hours from Kathmandu) without an additional restricted area permit - it is just below the Tsum Valley boundary, making it free to enter compared to the Tsum Valley's restricted area fee. Fewer than 300 trekkers complete the full Ruby Valley circuit each year, which means the trail experience is genuinely solitary and the village communities retain an authenticity and curiosity toward visitors that the more heavily trafficked circuits have lost.
| Group Size | Price per Person (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo trekker | USD 1,199 | Private guide; all accommodation, meals, road transfers included |
| 2 - 4 people | USD 999 | All inclusive: guide, porters, teahouse and camping accommodation, all meals, transport |
| 5 - 8 people | USD 849 | All inclusive |
Includes Kathmandu - Arughat round-trip road transport (7 hours each way), NTB-licensed guide, required porters, all accommodation (teahouse where available; camping or homestay above Laprak), all meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 8 breakfast, and trekking registration fees. A 25% deposit confirms booking; at least 2 weeks advance notice requested for logistics.
Post-monsoon clarity delivers the finest Ganesh Himal views and the most stable high camp conditions. The ruby mine is accessible (snow-free) throughout October. October combines maximum visibility with manageable temperatures at 4,500 m.
The Laprak approach through the lower Ankhu Khola valley is spectacular in April when the rhododendron belt is at peak bloom. The high camp conditions are generally snow-free by mid-April. May is warm at lower altitudes but can see pre-monsoon snowfall above 4,000 m.
The ruby mine visit at approximately 4,500 m is the highest point of the trek and is achieved on Day 5 - rapidly for some acclimatisation profiles. The acclimatisation day at Laprak (Day 3) and the high camp overnight at 4,000 - 4,200 m before the ruby mine excursion are both designed to allow gradual adaptation. Above 4,000 m, altitude sickness risk increases and pulse oximetry monitoring is conducted twice daily from Day 4 onward. Helicopter evacuation from the upper Ganesh Himal valley to Kathmandu is possible but takes 30 - 60 minutes in clear weather and may be unavailable in cloud. Comprehensive trekking insurance with helicopter evacuation is mandatory for this trek.
| Trek | Duration | Max Altitude | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsum Valley Trek | 18 days | 4,040 m | Adjacent restricted area; deeper Tibetan Buddhist culture; requires RAP |
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | 16 days | 5,106 m | Same Arughat approach; full circuit around Manaslu; restricted area |
| Langtang Valley Trek | 10 days | 4,984 m | Adjacent Himalayan region; Ganesh Himal visible from Kyanjin Gompa |
| Gosaikunda Trek | 10 days | 4,381 m | Offbeat alternative from Kathmandu; sacred lakes; similar remoteness |
The Ruby Valley trek combines genuine Gurung mountain culture with a powerful story of post-earthquake resilience, passing through Barpak and Laprak, two villages devastated by the 2015 earthquake and rebuilt in the years since. Named for the historic ruby and gemstone mining in the surrounding Ganesh Himal foothills, this 9-day route offers dramatic scenery well away from Nepal's busier trekking corridors.
This trek suits experienced trekkers comfortable with limited teahouse infrastructure above Laprak and genuinely remote, high-altitude terrain. It is a strong fit for those wanting a meaningful cultural experience alongside dramatic Ganesh Himal and Manaslu range views, away from crowded trails.
| Trek | Duration | Max Altitude | Infrastructure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby Valley | 9 days | ~4,500m | Limited above Laprak |
| Manaslu Circuit | 14 days | 5,160m | Teahouses throughout |
Ruby Valley is shorter and reaches a slightly lower altitude than the full Manaslu Circuit, with more limited infrastructure but a stronger focus on earthquake-recovery villages and Gurung culture.
View Himalaya's Ruby Valley packages start from USD 780 per person, including guide, porter, accommodation, and trail meals. Contact View Himalaya for current group rates.
Ruby Valley trek in one sentence: A 9-day remote trek through the Ganesh Himal region via Arughat, visiting Laprak and the earthquake-rebuilt village of Barpak.
Ruby Valley trek altitude: The ruby mine viewpoint reaches approximately 4,500 metres.
Ruby Valley trek difficulty: Strenuous, reflecting remoteness and limited teahouse infrastructure above Laprak.
Best time for the Ruby Valley trek: October - November and April - May.
Ruby Valley trek cost: View Himalaya packages start from USD 849 per person, including transport, accommodation, guide, and porter.
Why "Ruby Valley": Named for small-scale ruby mining areas in the Ganesh Himal foothills along the route.
Exceeded all our expectations in every way. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made sure we were safe every step of the way. A particular highlight for us was offbeat trail solitude - fewer than 300 trekkers per year complete this circuit; from Laprak upward, the trail is entirely free of other trekking groups; the villages are genuinely surprised and pleased to receive foreign visitors; the authenticity of the cultural encounter is correspondingly deep. If you're considering this trip, just book it - you won't regret it.
Could not have asked for a smoother experience. The guide's local knowledge added so much depth to the trip. A particular highlight for us was laprak village - a large traditional Gurung hill village at approximately 2,200 m, notable as one of the most intact pre-earthquake Gurung settlements in the Gorkha district; the stone-walled houses, the Gurung cultural traditions (shamanic Paju priests, the unique Gurung round house architecture with central pillar), and the village's position as the lower gateway to the Tsum Valley restricted area make it one of the most culturally interesting villages on the entire circuit. We'd book with View Himalaya again without hesitation.
