We invite you to the incredible Himlung expedition- a peak that few people know about and a destination of particular importance. The approximately one-month-long Himlung expedition has all the elements you look for in a high-altitude trek and mountain climbing.
Himlung Expedition is Majestic peaks, high-altitude trails covered with eternal snow, pine and fir forests, wild rivers, picturesque streams, and waterfalls. You can see all this with your own eyes during our month-long Himlung expedition. You will get acquainted with the fascinating world of high-mountain nature and leave unforgettable impressions of your trip in your memory.
Himlung Peak is located in the north of Nepal, in the Manaslu region, near the border with China between the two high Himalayan peaks of Annapurna and Manaslu. Its height is 7126 m above sea level. In addition to Himlung, the two neighboring 7,000-meter peaks, Nemjung 7,140 m and Himjung 7,096 m, are also fascinating here.
The summit offers the imposing views of Annapurna II, III, IV, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal, and Dhaulagiri, along with the grand scenarios of Tibetan highlands.
The Himlung expedition is a relatively new destination for mountain climbers, especially in the context of commercial expeditions. The first ascent of Himlung Himal was in 1992 by a Japanese expedition.
It is considered a safe destination, and the risk of unexpected threats during the Himlung expedition is assessed as very low. Although Himlung may pose a personal challenge, the mountain is not considered extremely technically difficult, making it an ideal training peak before an expedition to 8,000-meter peaks, including Mount Everest.
We will climb the Himlung peak via the normal route, running entirely in snow and ice over the northwest ridge. There are no rock climbing passages. However, you have to cover a long distance at a high altitude to the summit. The basic requirements are solid fitness, team spirit, and perfect equipment.
The approach to the summit takes place over a section of the classic Annapurna circuit route and then turns into the lonely and pristine Nar Phu Khola Valley. You will traverse remote Tibetan villages, pass countless Mani Walls, and gradually gain altitude. With every gain in altitude, the landscape becomes more alpine.
From the base camp at 4,900 m, you reach the summit via three high camps with a very beautiful alpine route, where fixed ropes will secure any exposed areas. The chances of success on Himlung Peak is very high, and reserve days are also available.
Our experienced tour guides and Nepalese Sherpa will accompany you on your Himlung expedition. Our program assumes smooth and very good acclimatization, which in turn will minimize the likelihood of developing altitude sickness and maximize your chances of success. In addition, technical training will also be provided during your camp stays- a prerequisite for the successful climb.
Our Himlung expedition begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, about 190 km west of the capital of Nepal – Kathmandu. We will go even further to the settlement of Koto, from where our caravan on foot for several days will start till we reach the base camp of Himlung.
Further from the base camp, we will prepare three high camps: Camp I, II, and III at altitudes of 5,450 m, 6,000 m, and 6,350 m. Then, on summit day, we will climb the peak and descend to the base camp, from where we will make our way back to Kathmandu.
Welcome and Namaste from Nepal. As your Nepali friend, we will be at TIA to welcome you and take you to your hotel. After arriving at your accommodation, you can rest and relax. You may visit one or other of Kathmandu’s sights depending on your arrival time. You can have dinner at one of the restaurants in town.
Today, you will get to know your group with whom you will spend the coming time. Our guide will also organize a short briefing about the Himlung expedition and will explain how we will spend our following days. He will also provide detailed information about the route and other required information. You can ask as many questions as you like about the trip.
Later, he will show you the official documentary about the climbing expedition so you can get an idea of what you are going to deal with. It will help you to be prepared beforehand, both physically and mentally.
Then he will also check your equipment and inform you about buying and renting equipment.
The rest of the time is available for Kathmandu sightseeing excursions. In a comfortable ride, you can visit Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath Temples, along with a short visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Today, the route follows the classic Annapurna trail, also known as Coca-Cola Trek, till we reach Koto. In the early morning, after breakfast, we will get into our jeep and drive to Besisahar. It will take about 6 hours to drive along the Trishuli River to reach Besisahar. The drive ahead will then lead us through the green hills and winding road. We will pass through the scenic villages of Jagat, Chame, and Dharapani. We will stop for our lunch along the route.
We will again hop into our jeep and move towards Bagarchhap. From here, we will approach Danaque and Timang, which offer a fleeting view of Annapurna II.
In constant ups and downs, we will now go over the gravel roads on the Annapurna circuit up to Koto via Latamarang. If nature blesses us with clear weather, we will have gorgeous views of Manaslu and Annapurna, along with countless breathtaking waterfalls.
Today, we will leave the Annapurna circuit trail and follow the Nar Phu Kola River course. But first, we will stop at the Police Check Post, where we will obtain the restricted area permit for entering Nar Phu Valley.
Then, we will meet the sparkling waters of the Soti Khola. Our hike from here will be an uphill walk through the spectacular gorge and beautiful coniferous forests. A suspension bridge will call us to cross as we have to reach Dharmashala. Here, we will have our lunch enjoying the melodious sound of the cascading waterfall.
Energizing, we will now embark on a steep climb to reach the Meta Village, where the impressive mountains of Annapurna and Lamjung bewilder us.
We have a relatively short but rewarding walk today. Leaving Meta after breakfast, we will continue upwards through numerous high alpine pastures in the wide Phu Khola valley. Overcoming a steep rise, we will reach the Junam Goth. We will now climb down from here and walk along the Mruju River. We will then cross the river over a suspension bridge and go down to reach Kyang.
Along the route rises numerous spectacles of grand mountains, including Kangaru Himal, Pisang Peak, Gyaji Kang, Tilche Peak, Annapurna II, and IV. The Tibetan influence is now becoming more and more apparent. You can see abandoned Khampa villages with horse pastures along the trail.
We will check in the lodge for our overnight stay in Kyang. It is an almost deserted village with few homes, so we may have to set up the tent if no lodge spaces are available. In the afternoon, we can take a walk through the village and visit the newly built monastery.
After breakfast, we will leave Kyang and head in the North direction. The valley becomes narrower again, and the trekking path leads through a sometimes very narrow gorge and past ancient mani walls (prayer stones). We will walk along the glacial stream and cross it over a bridge to reach Phu Gaun. Along the route, you can see the magical spectacles of Amotsang Himal, Kangaru Mountain, and Pokharkan.
The Phu Gaon is a lively town that is designed like a medieval fortress and sits on a hill. Here, you can witness the majestic mountain slopes of Nemjung and Gyali Kang.
We have the opportunity to spend a rest day at this amazing fortress. After a late morning breakfast, we will take a short hike in the village. The Phu Gaon is known for its Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, which was built by the first Tibetan immigrant.
We can also visit the Samdo Monastery and Cholang Monastery and return to our lodging for the rest, which is a must as our day to conquer the peak is approaching.
Today, we will head from Phu Gaun into the Pangri Glacier Valley, which lives up to its name. From Phu Gaun, the trail goes steeply, first over rubble-covered moraine slopes to the tongue of the Pangri glacier and then into a wide, flat, high valley lined with bold peaks.
Passing barren pastures, we will reach the base camp at 4900 m. Here, our crew will set up camp for the next days of the climb and settle in comfortably.
These 14 days are dedicated to climbing Himlung Peak’s summit at 7126 m. In order to reach the summit of the still little-visited mountain, a chain of 3 high camps is set up. Each group member will have the opportunity to climb to the summit of Himlung for up to 2 days before the high camps are dismantled.
If the summit attempt is not successful on the first attempt, there are enough reserve days available for another attempt, assuming normal weather and acclimatization. However, all camps must be cleared, and the base camp must be reached again by the evening of the 22nd day at the latest.
The route to the individual high camps is as follows:
The normal route leads a lot over moderately inclined moraine scree slopes, snowfields, and glacier slopes. Only the slopes on the northwest ridge (from approx. 6,380 m) reach a steepness of around 40°.
1. Base camp – Camp I (5,450 m)
First, we have to overcome the Pangri Glacier with its boulder-covered ice. The steep moraine slopes will be secured with fixed ropes depending on the conditions. Then, we will continue to Camp I, which is set up on a flat rocky plateau directly below the glacier tongue.
2. Camp I – Camp II (6,000 m)
Initially, we will have to overcome a small crevasse zone before we continue climbing over the glacier. Please, keep an eye on the ice seracs above you. After a short descent and counter climb, we will reach Camp II. The particularly steep steps will be secured with fixed ropes. From the camp, you will have a great view of the summit.
3. Camp II – Camp III (6,350 m) (not currently planned / dependent on local conditions)
We will follow the plateau up to the connecting ridge over which the climb used to take place. Initially climbing over the pronounced approximately 35° steep slope, we will then reach Camp III at 6,350 m. Camp III is located on a small balcony. Exposed areas will be secured with fixed ropes.
4. Summit Day
The climb to the summit moves along a slope up to 40° steep, which is located at the cut in the connecting ridge, where the summit structure begins and flows into the broad summit slope. The exposed areas will be secured with fixed ropes. After this last hurdle, we will reach the summit from where you can enjoy the reward of your hard labor.
The 8,163m high Manaslu will be almost within your reach. Further north, you can see the Tibetan highlands, and to the southwest, you can see the huge ice sheets of the Annapurna chain with Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Annapurna III, Lamjung Himal, Dhaulagiri, and many more mountains.
5. Descent
After enjoying the climb, we will descend following the ascent route and return to the base camp. On the way back, we will dismantle all three high camps, collect the rubbish at the same time, and take it to the base camp for correct disposal. Full concentration is required again in order to safely reach the base camp.
Key points to remember
The activity plan on the way to the summit is flexible and can be adapted to any acclimatization problems of the participants or weather conditions on the mountain. Our experienced local Sherpa guides will guide you through the acclimatization process through appropriate ascent and descent intervals. They will also train you on using your climbing equipment, such as ice axes, crampons, trekking poles, jumars, and harnesses, and ascending and descending along the fixed ropes.
Looking back at the Himlung Himal, with a heavy heart, we will leave the base camp and climb down, following the familiar glacial terrain to reach Phu Gaon. When we arrive in Phu, we can enjoy the benefits of civilization again and enjoy the hustle and bustle in the village.
After leaving Phu Gaon, we will descend to Kyang and walk along the Mruju River once again. We will then proceed to Meta village, enjoying once more the magnetic views of Pisang Peak, Kangaru Himal, Gyaji Kang, and Tilche Peak.
It’s time to rejoin the main route of the Annapurna circumnavigation. Descending down, we will cross a suspension bridge at Dharmashala and walk past the lush vegetation, streams, and waterfalls. The dense forest of pine and fir greets us once again and takes us along the Soti Khola to Koto.
Our jeep will now take us relaxedly to the former royal city of Kathmandu via Besisahar. Enjoy your first real shower since your many days on the mountain.
Today, you can visit the Kathmandu Valley and see the sites that you missed on your sightseeing tour. You can seek the blessing of Kumari, the living goddess, or visit Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
In the evening, we will set up a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant where you can also enjoy a live cultural show.
Time to repack your luggage with lots of beautiful memories in it. We will drive you to TIA for your flight home.
We also operated private trips.
The autumn months of September, October, and November and the spring months of March, April, and June are the best times to engage in the Himlung expedition. We can expect stable weather, mild temperatures, sunny days, and windless weather, with night temperatures falling to 0°C. The trail leading to the summit offers you incredible vistas and encounters with countless beautiful creatures of Annapurna and Nar Phu Valley.
The winter months of December, January, and February bring a heavy layer of snow, making the trail from the three High Camps quite treacherous and hard to pass. The summer months of June, July, and August feature potential risks of landslides and heavy rainfall.
Himlung Himal is the ideal mountain to reach a 7000-meter peak via a technically relatively easy glacier route. It stands at 7126 m above sea level in the northern part of Nepal. The distance of 150 km separates this amazing Himalaya from the capital, while the mere distance of 25 km sets it apart from the eight thousand meter-high Mount Manaslu.
Generally, Besisahar is regarded as the focal point for the Himlung expedition that lies Besisahar, about 190 km west of Kathmandu. The drive to Besisahra from Kathmandu is only 6 hours. However, the starting point for the hiking journey is Koto, which lies approximately 65.6 km and 4 hours away from Besisahar.
A month-long Himlung expedition involves 22 to 23 days of caravan on foot. The initial journey will walk us along the beautiful and iconic trail of the Annapurna region, whereas the second part of the expedition will lead us to the hidden treasure of Nar Phu Valley.
Each day, we may gain an altitude of 500 to 800 m, depending on our day-to-day program. An average walk of 4 to 8 hours is needed during trekking.
The easiest walk will be on the fifth day when we trek along the beautifully decorated trail to reach Kyang from Meta. The walking duration on this day will be only 3 to 4 hours.
The challenging walk and the high point of our expedition will be on the summit day when we set out from our High Camp to conquer the climb of Himlung Peak. It may take up to 14 hours.
Himlung Peak is an ideal destination for alpinists who want to gain their first seven-thousand-meter experience and prepare themselves for a future expedition to Everest. Relatively easy, the peak is not extremely technically difficult and doesn’t require climbing experience, but the high-altitude trekking experience is a must.
However, Himlung Peak should not be underestimated due to its height, cold conditions, and possible spells of bad weather. You should be in very good shape and should be able to safely climb snow slopes with crampons up to an incline of around 45 degrees, even with a heavy backpack and even after many hours of walking.
Since you will be mainly traveling on glaciers from the advanced base camp (Camp I), you must be able to walk on the glacier using ropes. You should also be prepared for camp life in a tent.
During the base and High camp stay, you will trek from base camp to Camp I and return to base camp, then move forward to Camp I and Camp II the next day and again return to Camp I. Our guide may let you repeat this process again and again till you are properly acclimatized to the high altitude environment. This will ensure a successful result in your mission to reach the tip of Himlung.
To prepare for the Himlung expedition, we recommend you start an extensive training program early on. Systematic training should begin at least six months before the start of the undertaking in order to prepare the body for the expected stress. The best sports are jogging, hiking, cycling, and, of course, mountaineering. You can start by climbing easy 5000 m mountains, then advance to climb 6000 m mountains either in Nepal or your hometown.
In addition to your preparatory mountain tours, the weekly units should include, for example, two units of extensive training of 60 – 75 minutes and two units of 30 – 45 minutes of intensive training. In addition, strength endurance training with sit-ups, push-ups, squats, or going to the gym doesn’t hurt.
Please exclude endurance activities and switch to a mode of maintaining tone (swimming pool, walking along the path) 1 month before the expedition. Stop any sports activities ten days before the expedition.
Our Himlung expedition day-by-day program has been thoughtfully designed, prioritizing your proper acclimatization and your safety. But the high mountains can always be tricky, and so is the condition of altitude sickness.
Regardless of your preparation, training, and experience, the condition can occur to anyone in high-altitude hiking and mountain climbing. The degree of its severity can differ from one person to another, but mostly, we have seen climbers only developing milder symptoms, such as headache, nausea, loss of sleep, vertigo, and loss of appetite.
Apparently, your body will be adapted to the high elevation as you advance on your journey. So these symptoms will disappear on their own, but for quick relief, you can take half to one pill of Diamox.
We advise our guests to emphasize hydrating their bodies by drinking lots of water, garlic soup, ginger, honey, and lemon tea, which can prevent altitude sickness.
All airport pick-up and drop-off services from and to TIA will be carried out by private transportation. A jeep transfer will be used when driving from Kathmandu to Koto to Kathmandu. An exclusive private Kathmandu sightseeing tour will be organized for you before the Himlung expedition.
We offer breakfast in Kathmandu and three meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek and climbing expedition, with seasonal fresh fruits daily after dinner.
In the Annapurna region or along the Annapurna Trail, drinks and snacks, such as chocolate, cookies, bars, etc., are available practically everywhere in the villages, so you don’t necessarily have to take anything extra with you. However, in the remote Nar Phu Valley, the food options may be limited to authentic Tibetan and Nepali cuisines.
When camping, all necessary tents, kitchen, dining, toilet tent, and staff cook, helpers will be provided by our company. You can enjoy unlimited food, tea/coffee, and hot water during your stay in Base and High camps. If required, lunch will also be packed for you for the trail.
We suggest you use the services of cellular operators in this area, NCELL or NTC, for communication. Both networks have good coverage in the Annapurna and Nar Phu regions. During the climbing period, our crew will use the Ready set to maintain constant communication within the group and with the rescue service.
A free WIFI connection may be available on the lower Annapurna route. As the trail gains elevation, the WIFI service may no longer be free, and lodge owners may charge a minimal price per hour or per person.
The same lodges also allow you to charge your gadgets (mobile, camera battery, power bank, etc) again at an extra cost. In the base and advanced camps, a charging facility is available.
Our tour guide will obtain the necessary permits on your behalf, and the service charge is included in our program cost. The Himlung Expedition climbing permit, Nar Phu Valley special permit, and
(ACAP) Annapurna Conservation area project permits are essential for the Himlung Expedition.
To participate in the Himlung expedition, you must have special expedition insurance covering search and rescue costs. Please make sure your insurance covers remote regions and altitudes above 6000m. In addition, we strongly suggest you purchase travel cancellation insurance and insurance to cover migration costs in the event of an accident or illness. We also recommend taking out international travel health insurance for our trip to cover foreign deductibles.
Our experienced license-holder climbing guide will supervise our Himlung expedition. A strong Sherpa helper (1 Porter For 2 Trekkers) will also accompany you on this trip along with our kitchen crew members. All of our team members are familiar with the area and have usually climbed Himlung. They are fully trained, insured, and paid accordingly.
In Kathmandu, accommodation will be in a comfortable and good three-star hotel in a double room with a shower and private toilet. During the expedition in the Annapurna region, accommodation will be in well-equipped lodges in double rooms. All lodges have a shower and a shared toilet. During the expedition, we will switch to accommodations in double occupancy tents. All high-camp equipment is provided.
You can first climb the 6000 m high mountains ,including Island Peak, Lobuche Peak, Mera Peak, Chulu West, or Pisang Peak. After gaining climbing experience in these peaks, you can easily triumph over the Himlung Peak.