Himlung Expedition Itinerary
The Himlung Expedition itinerary starts with a short drive to the foothills of the Annapurna mountains and then a beautiful nature-filled cultural trek through Nar and Phu villages to Himlung Himal Base Camp. Himlung is the best 7000-metre mountain to experience a mountaineering expedition in the Himalayas of Nepal.
Overview of Himlung Mountain
With a height of 7,126 meters, Himlung Mountain is one of the most preferred mountaineering peaks in the Manaslu Region, northeast of the Annapurna range. Since receiving climbing permits in 1992, Himlung has gained recognition within the mountaineering community as a noteworthy peak worth conquering and an attractive option for those seeking adventure and beauty in their climbing pursuits. Himlung, without extreme difficulty, presents a significant challenge for climbers seeking to ascend peaks above 7,000 meters as preparation before attempting higher mountains like Everest or K2. To climb any 8,000 peaks, experience in high-altitude environments is crucial, and Himlung is the perfect peak for all the above terms. The Himlung offers a less crowded access trail and a less crowded climbing experience allowing for a more serene and personal adventure in a tranquil environment. The Himlung Mountain, located at the head of Narphu Valley, is surrounded by other majestic Himalayan peaks, enhancing the overall trekking and climbing experience.
Approach to Himlung Base Camp
The trail to Himlung base camp is via the renowned Round Annapurna Circuit trail. This trail leads trekkers and climbers through diverse landscapes until Koto, where the trail to Nar Phu branches northeast of Round Annapurna Circuit Trail and enters the Nar-Phu Valley, a region requiring special trekking permits due to its restricted status.
Unique Features of Nar Phu Valley
Nar Phu Valley is situated near the Tibetan border, rimmed by high mountains and glaciers. The Nar Phu Valley is a hidden land characterized by pristine natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into some of the most authentic villages in the Himalayas, offering unique blend of pristine natural beauty and authentic Himalayan village life. The local cultures and traditions of the Nar Phu remain largely unspoiled by modern tourism, which you will experience in the Manang Region just behind a hill ridge that separates the Nar Phu and Manang Regions.
Accessibility to Himlung Base Camp
Despite its remote location, Himlung is surprisingly accessible. A five-hour hike from Phu village, situated at an elevation of 4,850 meters across the Pangir Glacier, brings you to this enchanting narrow valley. The established trekking routes make it feasible for experienced climbers, eliminating extensive logistical hurdles and ensuring a smooth journey to the base camp.
Climbing Camps and Altitudes on Himlung
Above the Himlung base camp, the strategic altitude camps are: Camp I at 5,450 meters, Camp II at 6,000 meters, and Camp III at 6,350 meters. These altitude camps serve as crucial waypoints for acclimatization and preparation for summit. These camps are designed to ensure that climbers are well-prepared and confident before attempting the summit ascent.
Arrive in Kathmandu, customs and immigration formalities and claim your baggage, which takes some time. Upon exiting, the arrivals get a traditional welcome from the Happy Feet Nepal representative and transfer to the hotel. Reach the hotel and the rest of the day is free with the possibility of optional excursions (not included), but you can ask to organise any tours or stroll through its vibrant streets.
Kathmandu, the capital and heart of the country with three medieval cities, symbolises Nepal’s everything. Having lived through the several ruling dynasties of Buddhists and Hindus, the culture and society of Kathmandu Valley have evolved through time to give it more than a unique feature. Today it is an urban city, and still rapidly increasing, that has its ancient myths and, at the same time, is testimony to the greatness of people who have lived there for time immemorial.
Accommodation in Hotel Shanker, a 4-star hotel.
A completely free day to do last-minute shopping and repacking the bags to basecamp properly. The mountaineering team leader will need to go to the Department of the Ministry of Tourism to sign the document related to the mountaineering permit and responsibilities.
Accommodation in Hotel Shanker, a 4-star hotel, breakfast included.
A 7-hour drive.
Nar-Phu Valley and Annapurna trekking begin with an exciting overland journey to reach Nepal Mid-West, heading past Besisahar town, the administrative headquarter of Lamjung district. From Besisahar, we change the vehicle to a Jeep and continue driving on dirt roads past the villages of Khudi, Bulbule and Ngadi, following the Masrsyangdi River upstream. The drive continues through terraced fields and villages to Syange, a small farm village, for an overnight stop.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
A 5-hour trek.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
A 5-hour trek.
From Dharapani morning walk leads through rhododendron and pine forest, passing Bagarchap village with a nice view of Annapurna II and surrounding beautiful hills densely forested. Continue following the Marshyangdi village on a level trail passing through Danaqu and climbing through a lovely forest to Timang, a settlement of Buddhists facing views of Mt. Manaslu 8,163m. From Timang, a two hours trek brings you to Koto for an overnight stop. Koto Kyupar lies near Chame town, the headquarters of the Manang district and the largest settlement in this area, 30 minutes above Koto Kyupar.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
A 5-hour trek.
Trek leads through a narrow valley within a forest of pines and rhododendron trees, then reaches a lovely pasture field with huts and sheds of Yak herders. The trail continues in the lower basin gorge formed by Pisang Peak and Kang Guru Himal, following the Nar-Phu River upstream to reach Dharmasala for an overnight stop.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
A 3-hour trek.
From Dharmasala, the walk leads past Shepherd’s hut and stream leading north towards Phu village with a steep climb reaching a Chorten at 3545 metres. The walk goes on into a bowl-shaped valley and reaches the winter settlement of Meta. The area is also the base camp for the Kang Guru 6981 metres expedition. Then continue through the abandoned villages of Meta with empty houses and reach a Chorten and a trail junction to Nar with views of Monastery and Chorten of Nar bellow us. Continue passing several herders’ camps and a second trail branching to Nar and reach Jhunam with a Chorten at 3645 metres. Jhanum is a former armed Khampa Soldiers settlement of around the 1960s. Then an effort takes to ascend and descend on a glacial moraine stream that climbs to a small pass marked with prayer flags and a grand view of Annapurna behind us. Then a short descent to Kyang, the winter settlement of Phu village. The village has superb views of Pisang Peak 6091m, Annapurna II 7937m, Gyaji Kang 70309m, Tilje Peak 6530m and the ridge of Swargadwari (Gateway to Heaven), the impressive rock curved slab above the Marshyangdi River valley rising more than 1500 metres.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
A 6-hour trek.
The morning walk starts through a deserted Phu Khola along a trail carved out of a cliff, staying on the east side and passing a wooden bridge far below us. Then continue climbing through a staircase, passing eroded rocks and windswept fluted brown spires. The region is home to snow leopards and several mountain wildlife. We may see herds of blue sheep grazing around. Then a steep switchback on a fragile trail brings us over to the Phupi Gyalgoe Gate, the entrance to the Phu village, with amazing views. Still need to walk, admiring the spectacular approach to the village, past a ruined Dzong (Fort) to a group of Chortens adorned with colourful prayer flags. Finally, cross a long mani-wall and a suspension bridge, reaching the extraordinary village of Phu with about 40 households. The Phu village is surrounded by several meditation caves, ruined Dzongs and abandoned settlements, explaining its glorious past.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
Rest day at Phu and explore the impressive village, Tashi Lhakhang, Samdu Choling Monasteries, and Kyauchyu waterfalls at Phu Village. Tashi Lhakhang, founded by the 10th Gyalwa Karmapa, remains open to visitors and is cared for by several nuns. In addition, the monastery has several resident quarters, including the quarter of Lama Karma Sonam, a famous Tibetan Amchi (herbal medicinal and traditional healer) who fled from Tibet with Dalia Lama. The views of Himlung and Brikuti Peak are seen beautifully.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
Accommodation in Teahouse Lodge, full board.
Breakfast and trek to Himlung Base camp through a deserted moraine following yak trails. The views of Himlung are beautiful. Reach the Kari Koblar basecamp on a beautiful grassy slope and continue crossing the Pangir Glacier. Our Sherpa guides and kitchen staff will have already set the base camp; get a warm welcome with refreshing drinks followed by a hearty lunch. Get assigned to your tent and receive your baggage.
Himlung Base camp 4850m
The Himlung Base Camp, also known as French Base Camp, is a comfortable site with water and a safe side camp but requires crossing the Pangir Glacier over the boulders and moraine with all climbing logistics. However, the benefit is immense, not needing to cross the glacier several times during climbing.
Himlung Base Camp to Camp-1, 5450m.
Access to Camp 1 from base camp is 2-3 hours of easy walking on the moraine in a small valley and no avalanche danger.
Himlung C1 to C2 – 6000m.
The climb starts from camp-1, attached on a rope, requiring traversing a scree slope with rock, snow and crevasses. This part of the climb is one of the trickiest. The campsite is a vast area having enough place for several groups to camp together.
Himlung C2 to C3 – 6350m.
The climb to Camp 3 is another comfortable section involving a few ups and downs on icy slopes, requiring a maximum of 3 hours.
Summit Himlung and return to C2.
A long day workout requires an early start crossing a long snowy slope of 30 -degrees and then on flat and minor crevasses. Continuing a steeper slope of 36-degrees again but climbing on a fixed rope for safety and reaching the summit—essential photographing on the summit of Himlung and return to camp-2 or camp-1.
Return to basecamp
Return to base camp, celebrate the success, clean the base camp, and pack to leave.
A 7-hour trek.
A 7-hour trek.
An 11-hour drive.
Accommodation in Hotel Shanker, a 4-star hotel, breakfast included.
The expedition team leader must visit the tourism ministry to sign the related document. Other members are free to do their last-day activities. The evening gets dedicated to a farewell dinner in one of the celebrative restaurants of Kathmandu.
Accommodation in Hotel Shanker, a 4-star hotel, breakfast included.
Breakfast and the rest of the day are leisure on your own. The representative of Happy Feet Nepal will arrive at your hotel with transport three hours before your departure flight time. Get escorted from the hotel to the International Departure Terminal, see off formalities, and go through the immigration and departure.
Breakfast included.
