Himlung Expedition Itinerary
Annapurna Treks & Expeditions offers the Himlung Expedition Itinerary as one of the most preferred 7,000 metres peaks in the Manaslu Region. Himlung Expedition itinerary is undertaken by climbers who are looking for an acclimatizing peak for Everest Climbing preparatory climb or a best 7000 m peaks in the Himalayas. The Himlung Expedition Itinerary is also combined with Manaslu Expedition as an acclimatizing climb and continues on Manaslu with a 30 minutes helicopter flight to Mount Manaslu Base Camp.
Introduction
Himlung Himal (mountain) is one of the most preferred 7,000 metres mountaineering peaks in the Manaslu Region, northeast of the Annapurna range, with an altitude of 7126m., permitted to climb from the year 1992. The approach to Himlung Base Camp is via the famously known “Around Annapurna Circuit” trail till Dharapani and enters Nar Phu valley, a restricted or special trekking permit required area.
The Himlung mountain lies above the Nar Phu valley, to the northeast, and the Tibet border is just a distance of a day’s walk from its base camp. Naar Phu is unique both for nature and centuries of untouched beauty and, accordingly, culture making it one of the most authentic villages in the Himalayas. This narrow valley guarded by lovely forests, high passes and mountain peaks with huge glaciers and narrow canyons was permitted to foreigners only very recently.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) is the largest protected biodiversity areas in Nepal, and the Naar Phu/Himlung area lies in the centre of these two massive conservation areas.
Himlung Climbing Offer for 2022 and 2023
The Himlung Base Camp is approached with a 4-hour walk from Phu village, and the base camp gets set at an altitude of 3,950 metres above sea level, on a grassy slope with magnificent views. The permanent Base Camp, actually the Advanced Camp, gets set at an altitude of 4,980 metres above sea level, across the Pangri Glacier, with our kitchen staff.
Above the base camp, two higher camps are usually required, but three camps could be decided by the climbing members, depending on the situation they feel once they are on the climb. The standard camps above the base camp are 5,450 metres, 6,000 metres, and 6,350 metres, respectively.
We have presented two itineraries, choosable by mountaineering members, to approach Himlung Base Camp. These two itineraries are designed to acclimate every mountaineering member to the local atmosphere and altitude before reaching Himlung Base camp.
Trip Highlights
- most preferred 7,000 metres mountaineering peaks in the Manaslu Region.
- A Newly permitted mountain, permitted only from 1992.
- Expedition combines with a beautiful trek to Naar-Phu, a restricted or special trekking permit required zone.
- Experience the indigenous way of life and culture of Magar and Gurung hospitality.
- Enjoy lovely forests, mountain peaks with huge glaciers and narrow canyons.
- A most enjoyable and safe mountain to experience climbing in the Himalayas.
- Take as Everest climbing training expedition or any other 8000 metres.
Trip Profile
- The total length of the trip: 29 days from arrival to the day of departure
- Number of the night in Kathmandu: 4-nights / visit UNESCO sites
- Expedition starting point: Koto Qupar
- Expedition ending point: Koto Qupar
- Mode of ground transport: Private tourist vehicles
- Daily Walk: 2 to 5 hours
- Highest elevation: 7,126 metres, the summit of Mount Himlung
- People/Culture: Kathmandu is the multi-ethnic home group, Besisahar is home to Chettries and Brahmins of Hindu belief with other minorities such as Gurung, Tamang and Mangis. Koto Qupar and above is the home of Tibetan origin people having a very ancient history and practising Tibetan Buddhism.
- Accommodation: Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu, teahouse Lodge for Besisahar to Phu and tented camps on a full board basis during the expedition period.
- Meals: An open menu to choose from by guests during the teahouse trek + nutritional supplements from the organisation and a wide variety of complete meals, prepared and served by our cook and kitchen staff during the expedition.
- Trip Grade: strenuous
- Best season: Spring season, March to May, and, autumn season, September to November
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive to Kathmandu, well come and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Permit day – Free in Kathmandu
Day 03: Drive to Besishahar and stay at Besishahar
Day 04: Drive Besishahar to Koto Qupar 2,625m
Day 05: Trek to (Before) Dharmasala 3,230m. 6-7 hours walk
Day 06: Dharmasala to Meta 3,569m. – 1.2 hours walk
Day 07: Meta to Kyang 3860m. – 04 hours trek
Day 08: Kyang to Phu 4,080m. – 04 hours trek
Day 09-10: Acclimatization
Day 11: Phu to Kari Kobler’s base camp 3,950m. - 4 hours trek
Day 12: Kari Kobler Base Camp to French Camp 4,980m.
Day 13-23: Mount Himlung climbing period
Day 24: Kari Kobler base camp
Day 25-26: Trek to Koto Kupar
Day 27: Drive to Besisahar and Kathmandu – 11 hours.
Day 28: Briefing at Ministry and free day
Day 29: Departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive to Kathmandu, well come and transfer to Hotel.
Our personnel will be waiting at the Kathmandu international airport (TIA) to receive you with a traditional welcome. After checking into the hotel and refreshments, your guide of the circuit will update you about the necessary formalities for your proposed trek. Depending on arrival time, you will have the choice of either visiting nearby shrines or resting back in your room.- Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 02: Permit day – Free in Kathmandu
A completely free day to do last-minute shopping and repacking the bags to basecamp properly. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner and will be introduced to your guide, climbing Sherpa.- Breakfast + Welcome dinner.
- Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 03: Drive to Besishahar and stay at Besishahar
After early morning breakfast, we start the day with a long drive. The first phases of the journey take us out of Kathmandu valley, which crosses the busiest section of Thankot pass, the main entry, and exit toward the south. After crossing Thankot, there is a fantastic view of the Ganesh Himal, the Manaslu Range, and even the Annapurnas on a clear day. The road drops to the valley bottom and follows the Trishuli River enjoying a thrilling highway drive to Pokhara. The beautiful scenery along the way includes terraced fields, vast river valleys and villages, and on a clear day, sights of the snowy mountains. Eventually, we turn off from the main highway to Pokhara and head north to Besishahar, where we will leave our vehicle from Kathmandu and ride a local Jeep for the rest of the trail till Koto Qupar the next day. The rest of the day is spent in Besishahar and visiting its town. Besishahar is the administrative centre of the Lamjung district. This region was one of the strongest parts of the twenty-four domains from the 15th to 18th centuries when there were two confederations of kingdoms, twenty-four to the west and twenty-two to the east. In 1782 the domain of Gorkha absorbed its neighbouring territory of Lamjung. Looking southwest from Besishahar, one can see the remains of Lamjung Palace on a hilltop, and beyond it, mount Lamjung.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 04: Drive Besishahar to Koto Qupar 2,625m
In the morning we take a jeep drive to Koto through a rough road, which will take a minimum of four hours or more depending on the road condition of the time. The road leads through the River Marshyangdi gorge and provides fine views of the valley and several villages. The part from Besisahar to Dharapani is the first part of the classic Annapurna circuit, and most trekkers love walking in these sections filled with the terraced field, villages, occasional mountain scenery, and lots of beautiful waterfalls. We cross and see all of them but in a jeep ride. The village of Koto is our base for the trek up to Nar Phu, from where the classic Annapurna Trek leads toward Manang. We can look straight up at Annapurna II - a stunning sight convincing us that we are deep in the Himalayan Mountains! The inhabitants here are mostly from Nar and Phu, and this is the gateway to their region.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 05: Trek to (Before) Dharmasala 3,230m. 6-7 hours walk
The first day of the trek starts! The trail past the check post descends to the river and crosses the river leading to the Nar Phu, and hikes up through beautiful forests above the Phu Khola (Phu river). The route takes us through the beautiful forest and past several small shelters (caves) and a pilgrims' hut (Dharmasala). When we emerge out of a narrow canyon, the trail passes under a wide waterfall just before the Dharmasala, from which point the tree line becomes much thinner, and the views open broader, a stunning start for the Nar Phu trek! The night is spent at Dharmsala, also with a lovely campsite.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 06: Dharmasala to Meta 3,569m. – 1.2 hours walk
The trail from Dharmasala is an easy traverse along the flanks of Mount Kangguru Himal, one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. There is an impressive view of Pisang Peak to the west and of the hill ridge leading to the village of Naar. Meta is a small settlement and the first of some ex-Khampa camps on the way but with plenty of terraced fields probably owned by various families from Nar, and it is still a temporary winter settlement of people from Naar. For the kitchen crew, the water is not so close and needs to collect from the side stream that flows from the slopes of Mount Kang Guru 6,981 meters; the summit is not visible. Meta also offers superb views of Lamjung Himal and Swargadwari to the South. If we trek the Annapurna Circuit, then the Swargadwari (gate to heaven) or the entrance to Nyesyang (local name to the entire Manang region) is the impressive bare rock barrier to southeast Manang. After lunch, we will have enough time to stroll around and enjoy the environment. The caravan to basecamp will continue with the Sherpas and reach Himlung base camp three days earlier than our reach.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 07: Meta to Kyang 3860m. – 04 hours trek
We follow the Phu Khola (Phu River) on a level trail through a juniper forest. An hour past Meta, we reach Junam, the second semi-permanent settlement, and another ex-Khampas camp. After the Junam, the path descends steeply to a side valley with two streams. To the right, above Junam, looms a massive glacier that falls jaggedly down to the high pastures above us. The view of Pisang Peak to the West is still impressive. We continue following an impressive hill ridge, locally named Chhomchomo La or (Dancing Ridge), probably called after being impressed by the strata of rock that undulate on its flanks. The village of Kyang, with many houses in ruin, seems abandoned. We make the distance for lunch and camp, so those willing can take spectacular hiking toward Chombi Peak in the evening, which towers over the end of the valley. We have gained only 1200 metres in three days, so it is a perfect rhythm to let our bodies adapt to the local atmosphere.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 08: Kyang to Phu 4,080m. – 04 hours trek
Dropping steeply down the river through a path built into the cliff but wide enough. After meandering near the river along the riverbank and past the submarine rock, passing some small possible campsites along the way, and narrows at a huge rock wall from where the path ascends steeply out of the river bed to the Phu gate, called Pupigyal Kwe. Today we get to see some of the unique, colourful Chortens (small stupas) for Nar and Phu are justly famous. Beyond this ancient stone Gate, we see mani-walls, the first view of the Phu village, and the impressive ruins of forts perched on ridges. The Phu village consists of 30 stone houses in the Tibetan style. At the top of the village is a fortress built in early 1970 to protect the village from the threats of Khampa warriors.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 09-10: Acclimatization
We spend another two days here and enjoy visiting the village, meeting residents, and acclimatizing ourselves to the local atmosphere before reaching the Himlung base camp. Tibet is a distance of only two days walk though it is a bit far, we may choose a hike up the valley to the summer grazing settlement (Kharka) at Ngoru, a three hours’ walk past the Gonpa (monastery). Phu village itself is an incredibly interesting village.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 11: Phu to Kari Kobler’s base camp 3,950m. - 4 hours trek
Today we make a short half-day trek to base camp. The base camp where we set our base camp is named Kari Kobler base camp. We stay here for acclimatization, and the site is quite beautiful for an overnight stop. The water for this camp is quite far, but we spend here only overnight, and our kitchen staff receives us happily. This camp is our permanent base camp though it only serves as a deposit camp with other members required to work between base camp and advance base camp. We set our permanent camp at French Base Camp across the Pangri glacier, which helps to save our climbing time and energy without requiring us to cross the glacier each time.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 12: Kari Kobler Base Camp to French Camp 4,980m.
We have enjoyed a well acclimatizing trek to reach the Himlung base camp so are moving continuously to French Base Camp across the Pangri glacier and set the camp for our adventure on Mount Himlung. The French base camp is our advanced base camp with all our kitchen staff.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 13-23: Mount Himlung climbing period
Day 13-23: Mount Himlung climbing period.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 24: Kari Kobler base camp
A full day gets dedicated to packing and cleaning the base campsite. Porters/mules arrive in base camp on this day.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tented Camp.
Day 25-26: Trek to Koto Kupar
The adventure on Mount Himlung is over, and there remains another three long days' journey to Kathmandu. The Kitchen staff and Sherpas cover the porters/mules, and the members trek down with a guide and some porters that carry the member's luggage. The return trekking distance gets decided by the guide and members at the time, and meals and accommodation are in the lodge.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Tea-house Lodge.
Day 27: Drive to Besisahar and Kathmandu – 11 hours.
A long drive starts early in the morning in the local Jeep reserved till Besisahar, where a tourist vehicle from Kathmandu awaits our arrival. We stop for a hearty lunch and continue the drive which is another 5 hours journey but on a. comparatively better road. Arrive in Kathmandu and get distributed into the rooms with your duffel bags. Refreshment, dinner, and overnight rest.- Breakfast and Lunch.
- Overnight stay in the Hotel.
Day 28: Briefing at Ministry and free day
The expedition leader requires visiting the expedition department at the Tourism Board to brief the expedition. The rest of the group members are free on their own to not miss the last day's todos. In the evening, get welcome for a farewell dinner to celebrate the expedition. The evening gets honoured with a farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants in Kathmandu.- Full board.
- Overnight stay in the Hotel.
Day 29: Departure
Have breakfast and have some relaxing free time for yourself. At the indicated time, our office representative and vehicle will arrive at your hotel to escort you to the airport. Drive to Kathmandu international airport (TIA); see off formalities, go through the immigration and departure.- Full board.
What is included
- Airport arrival and departure services.
- Mount Himlung climbing permit. Annapurna conservation area permit.
- 6-nights of hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, breakfast included (category 4-Star).
- Trekking period from Kathmandu to Himlung BC and BC to Kathmandu on a full board basis in tea house/Lodge accommodation.
- Insurance of climbing Sherpa and BC staff and all their expenses.
- Liaison officer and all the expenses related to him/her.
- Kathmandu to Koto and Koto to Kathmandu transport.
- One porter for every two members while in trekking, only for Kathmandu to Himlung basecamp sector, (the expedition duffel bag will go directly to Himlung basecamp).
- 1 Sirdar, one cook, two Kitchen boys and porters or mules to transport the expedition logistics to Himlung Basecamp.
- One climbing Sherpa for every two members.
- Member tent at basecamp in single-use basis, one dining tent with heater, one store tent, one kitchen tent, one shower tent, one toilet tent, and dining tables, Chairs and all kitchen utensils for everyday use.
- High altitude tent and high altitude food in an individual pack.
- Fix rope, climbing rope, snow bars, ice screw etc. for group use on Himlung expedition.
- Solar Panel or generator at Himlung BC for light and charging facilities.
- Three bottles of Oxygen with mask and regulator set (one bottle at basecamp, one at camp 1, and one get placed at the last camp).
- Satellite phone for emergency use with enough recharge for emergency use (personal use will be on pay call basis).
- Ratio walkie-talkie set for each member, each climbing Sherpa and to basecamp Sirdar.
- A basic medical kit box for first aid purpose at basecamp .
- Equipment charges, load ferry charges, daily wages and insurance of local staff including climbing Sherpas.
- Transportation of the porters.
What is not included
- Travel insurance (Should include helicopter evacuation and cancellation eventualities as well)
- Personal climbing gear.
- Expenses of emergency evacuations.
- Summit bonus for Sherpas (please allow minimum 500$ per Sherpa per time summit).
- Tips to the basecamp staff and those, not mentioned in above cost includes section.
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