Himlung Himal Expedition

On this day, you will arrive in Nepal and land at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Upon landing, you need to pass through immigration and get your on-arrival visa. After completing all procedures, head to the terminal exit. Our Snow View Trek representative will be waiting for you. They will greet you and assist you with your transfer to your hotel.

Check into your hotel and freshen up. Since it is your first day in Nepal, you can unpack, settle in, and relax. Then, you can also explore around the hotel area and soak in the atmosphere. You will receive the briefing for your Himlung Himal Expedition tomorrow. So, you can spend your time leisurely today.

Day 2 is all about resting, preparing, organizing, and gearing up for the Himlung Himal Expedition. You will have breakfast at the hotel and start your expedition preparation. From checking your clothing to gear and mountaineering equipment, our guides and staff will inspect them to ensure everything is in perfect condition. If anything is missing or needs replacement, they will provide guidance on where and how to obtain it.

There will also be a comprehensive Himlung expedition briefing. The guide will provide a briefing on the Himlung Expedition route, daily trekking/climbing duration, altitude-acclimatization schedules, and safety procedures. Similarly, they will provide a briefing on altitude sickness prevention, emergency protocols, and communication methods. If you have any doubts or questions, you can ask your guide. In the evening, you can explore around or rest at your hotel. Tomorrow marks the actual start of the Himlung Himal Expedition.

The day begins early, and you will board a vehicle for a full-day drive. You will drive through the silent streets of Kathmandu and gradually leave the city behind. The vehicle drives on the Araniko Highway, passing by the bustling towns of Dhulikhel and Banepa. The route gradually opens up into terrace fields and rolling green hills. You will follow the Trishuli River Valley and head north. Driving on the narrow winding roads carved into the sides of a steep hillside, you will cross suspension bridges. The vehicle also passes through riverside villages such as Trishuli Bazaar and Muglin. These small settlements offer your first glimpse at the rural countryside and village life of Nepal.

After driving for some time, the scenery changes from green farmlands to dense forests. The road also gets more rugged and bumpy after leaving the highway. The mountain road is rough but thrilling. You will drive past landslide-prone areas with sharp cliff drops on one side. From here onwards, you will also start seeing snow-capped peaks at a distance. Along the way, you will pass by the villages of Dharapani and Barga with simple stone houses and colorful prayer flags. It will be late afternoon when you arrive in Koto.

The Koto village is the gateway to the Nar-Phu region. It is a quiet mountain village surrounded by remote Himalayan landscapes. It will build your anticipation for the upcoming expedition. You will rest overnight at Koto.

Day 4 marks your first day on the Himlung Expedition trail. From Koto, the trekking trail follows a narrow path along the Budhi Gandaki River. It starts with a gentle walk through traditional riverine settlements with stone houses and terraced farms. As you pass by these settlements, you will get a glimpse of the locals in the Nar-Phu region. After a while, the trail gradually ascends through the forests of rhododendron and pine.

Trekking under the cool shade of the trees and breathing in the fresh mountain air is truly refreshing. Then, you will ascend over rocky, rugged terrain, while occasionally crossing the small streams over wooden bridges. There are numerous colorful prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens along the route. It offers a glimpse at the influence of Tibetan Buddhism in the region. Halfway along the trail, the trek becomes steeper. You will start trekking through narrow valleys, and you can see towering cliffs and distant mountain peaks.

Similarly, you will come across several waterfalls. The trail gradually opens into the Mehta region, where you will reach around late afternoon. Mehta is a small high-altitude settlement surrounded by alpine pastures. There are small basic teahouses and lodges in the area, and you will stay here for the night. While resting at Mehta, you can soak in the tranquil atmosphere. Likewise, enjoy spectacular, panoramic views of the surrounding ridges and distant Himlung Himal peaks.

You will start the day with a hearty breakfast at Mehta. Today’s trek will be your first major altitude gain, and you will head deeper into the Nar-Phu valley. The Himlung Himal Expedition trail takes you through green pastures and open alpine meadows. Sometimes you may come across grazing yaks on the pastures. You will come across traditional stone shelters used by local herders. As you continue trekking forward, the landscape becomes more rocky and rugged.

The vegetation also becomes sparse, with very few trees at higher elevations. After a while, the trail gradually ascends along the Budhi Gandaki tributaries. You will trek along a winding trail through narrow valleys, past sheer cliffs, and occasional waterfalls. Trekking on the rocky terrain and high altitude is challenging and requires careful footing. There are also loose scree sections near the riverbanks. The area also becomes more isolated.

Along the way, there are only small settlements and chortens. As you get closer to Phu-Gaon, the valley becomes narrower. You will find yourself in a high-altitude environment, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The Phu-Gaon is a small settlement with stone-built teahouses, where you will take your first acclimatization day.

Today, you will take a full rest and acclimatization day at Phu-Gaon. It is a crucial stop before you ascend to a higher altitude. Taking a rest day allows your body to adapt to the higher elevation and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. It also allows your body to recover before the more demanding trek and climb ahead.

After breakfast, you will explore the Phu-Gaon village and the local culture. You will have the opportunity to observe local life and interact with local families. There are small monasteries, mani walls, and chortens around the village. In addition to cultural interactions, you may also take short hikes to nearby viewpoints.

From these viewpoints, you can enjoy sweeping views of the snow-capped mountains, valleys, and glaciers. Rather than challenging or exhausting hikes, these are short acclimatization walks. These help you in breathing exercises and hydration routines. In the evening, you can rest and enjoy the view.

After the acclimatization day at Phu-Gaon, you will resume your Himlung Himal Expedition. You will leave Phu-Gaon, the last permanent settlement before the Himlung Base Camp. The trail follows a wide glacial valley shaped by ancient Himalayan ice flows. Similarly, the terrain becomes more rugged, and the landscape turns dry and windswept. You will also navigate your way on loose rocks, moraine ridges, and occasional ice patches. As altitude increases, the air becomes thinner, making the ascent more demanding. It is important to maintain a slow, steady pace and stay hydrated.

The route opens up into a vast high-altitude basin. Great snow-capped mountains surround you from all sides, and the sheer size of the Himlung Himal becomes more awe-inspiring. You can also see the snow-covered ridgelines and hanging glaciers. As you get closer to the Himlung Base Camp, you must cross glacial moraines and rocky terrains. It requires careful navigation and footing. Likewise, the area becomes increasingly silent and isolated. The only sound you will hear is the wind and shifting ice at a distance. When you finally reach the Himlung Base Camp, the trek becomes a mountaineering expedition.

With your Sherpa guide and support team, you will set up your tent. You will help maintain a well-organized campsite and assist with sorting or checking climbing gear. The guide will provide a short briefing on the climbing strategy, route conditions, and safety protocols. Watch the sunset from the Base Camp and enjoy stargazing at night.

Days 8 to 22 are reserved for the Himlung Himal climbing phase. It includes high-altitude climbs, acclimatization, and summit attempts. From the base camp, you will follow a rotation system, which includes ascending to higher camps and descending back to recover. This rotation system allows your body to adapt to extreme altitude while carrying mountaineering gear. The route to the summit of Himlung Himal goes from the base camp to Camp I (~5,400m), Camp II (~6,000m), and Camp III (~6,400m).

The route to the summit of Himlung takes you through glaciers, snow slopes, and exposed ridgelines. You will navigate crevassed glaciers, icy sections, and steep snow slopes using fixed ropes. Additionally, you will have to use basic mountaineering skills to overcome these obstacles. With each rotation, you will gain more confidence, and your body will get used to the high elevation. Depending on the weather conditions, you may have to spend a few days waiting at Base Camp. You will only make a climb to the summit when the weather conditions are the most stable and clear.

On the day of the summit, you will start early in the morning from the highest camp, usually between 1:00 AM. You will navigate the route to the summit on icy slopes and exposed sections in thin air. The climb is long and physically strenuous. Finally, you will reach the summit of Himlung Himal (7,126m). Stunning views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak, and Gyaji Kang will greet you. A huge sense of awe and achievement washes over you. Similarly, the vast witness before you offers a moment of quiet reflection and allows you to connect with the Himalayas. After completing the summit, you will descend back to the lower camps. The remaining days are set as buffer time for weather delays.

Today, you will prepare for your return to Himlung Base Camp. You and the team will pack up the camp setup and personal gear. The Sherpa guide and support staff will coordinate the sorting and loading of equipment for descent into the valley. Compared to the prior summit days, today is a relatively relaxing day. You will retrace your steps to the Himlung Base Camp, where you will stay overnight. You can reflect on your expedition and the entire experience with the team. Your climbing phase concludes here, and your return trek begins.

After breakfast, you will descend from Himlung Base Camp and retrace your steps to Phu-Gaon. The return Himlung Himal Expedition trail takes you through the familiar paths, across the same glacial basin and moraine terrain. You still have to navigate carefully, but you will be climbing to a lower altitude, which makes breathing easier. It is also physically less demanding than ascending. Once again, the route takes you past glacial streams, rocky ridges, alpine valleys, and green pastures. Upon reaching the Phu-Gaon, familiar landscapes and stone houses will greet you. You will rest and recover from expedition fatigue here tonight.

You will continue to descend through the Nar-Phu Valley today. From Phu-Gaon, you will climb downhill toward Mehta. The trail takes you through familiar, narrow valleys and along riverbanks, over rough, rugged terrain. Similarly, you will pass by stone shelters, mani walls, prayer flags, and mani walls. As you continue descending, you will notice a shift in the landscapes.

It changes from dry alpine terrain to greener areas with patches of vegetation. Then, you will trek through forest areas while passing by small streams. The walking pace also becomes more relaxed than in the earlier days. You will stay overnight in Mehta. Rest comfortably and enjoy the surrounding views and serene atmosphere.

The downhill trek continues on this day as well. Today is the final descent on the Himlung Himal Expedition itinerary, where you will exit the Nar-Phu valley. The trail goes through forests of rhododendron and pine. You will cross the same wooden bridges that you crossed before and trek on the narrow forest paths. The lower elevation and the surrounding lush vegetation make the journey enjoyable.

Similarly, you will trek past mani walls and chortens. As you approach Koto, the traditional houses and green terrace farms slowly come into your view. You will spend the night at a teahouse in Koto. Enjoy the quiet surroundings and the views to your heart’s content as your trekking and climbing adventure comes to an end.

Today, you will board a vehicle early in the morning and begin your long return journey to Kathmandu. The vehicle drives on the rugged mountain road, passing through the villages of Dharapani and Chamje. Similarly, you will pass by the familiar waterfalls, river gorges, and terrace farms. From Besisahar, the bumpy road connects with the highway, where it becomes relatively smoother.

The vehicle will drive along the Marshyangdi and Trishuli river valleys. Passing through small towns and villages, you will get one last look at the rural countryside of Nepal. The road starts to get busier as you get closer to the Kathmandu valley. Upon reaching the capital city, the vehicle will transfer you to your hotel. You can rest and stay comfortably in your hotel in Kathmandu.

This day is for you to relax, rest, and recover after the Himlung Himal Expedition. You can explore around the city, local markets, or cultural sites. If you need, we can also arrange a Kathmandu sightseeing tour for you. The tour covers visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Pasupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

In the evening, we will hold a debriefing session and farewell dinner. During the session, you can share with us your climbing experience and provide feedback. We will also celebrate the successful expedition to the summit of Himlung Himal. You can share your most memorable moments and stories over traditional Nepali cuisine. With this, your Himlung Himal Expedition journey concludes.

It is your final day in Nepal. Our representative will assist you with your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport two to three hours before your flight. We hope you will have a safe flight back to your home country. Thank you for choosing Snow View Trek for your journey to Himlung Himal. We look forward to welcoming you back for future Himalayan adventures.