Mt. Himlung Expedition

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your city tour in Kathmandu. You will visit the Boudhanath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and possibly view cremation ceremonies along the banks of the Bagmati River. Continue on to Patan Durbar Square to take in ancient Nepalese architecture and end your tour with a lunch. After that you will view ancient Nepalese art in the Patan museum. Overnight in Kathmandu

Drive from Kathmandu at 7 O’clock to trailhead Besisahar and trek Bhulbhule (840m) over night at teahouse, it takes around 6 to 7 hours and Lunch break on the way.

After breakfast we begin our trek to Shange .It will be an easy walk for about 5-6 hrs and then we gently climb up to Bahundanda, a scenic village at the top of this formidable ridge. Then, we descend and walk through terraced fields and cross small streams, before rejoining the Marsyangdi and following it upstream for several km. Overnight camp with meals served from teahouse/lodge near the village of Shange.

A wonderful walk with such changes in scenery and a range of gradients is begins today. From Tal e head across the river and ascend steeply to finally reach the ridge top high above. We cross another suspension bridge before a continued ascent up a narrow and beautiful valley where, after rain, many spectacular waterfalls will flow. Just before camp at Tal the first village in Manang, we come over a small rise and enter a wide, flat valley with a long, silvery waterfall to the right.

The trail from Tal starts with the crossing of the wide flat valley until we reach a bridge that leads to a trail that undulates gradually through bamboo woodland, where there are several interesting dwellings. Crossing the Marsyangdi Khola several times we continue through forest and woodland to Danakyu. En route we pass through a number of villages including Dharapani, known as the ‘stone gateway’ and Bagarchhap, home to a small monastery, which is only operational during festival celebrations, and it is highly likely we will encounter the distinctive bell sounds of a mule pack carrying heavy loads to the upper Annapurna regions

A narrow rocky trail takes us west as we gently climb through a winding pine forest. Snow capped views come into view today; it is the closest we have come to the Himalayas in our journey so far. We will pass many apple orchards, as now we are at a good elevation for growing the delicious fruit, as well as numerous Mani stone walls with prayer wheels. At Koto the trail becomes flat all the way to our next destination, Chame, Manang’s administrative headquarters – there is even a
bank here! The village has a magnificent backdrop with distant views of Lamjung (6,983m), Annapurna II (7,937m) and Annapurna IV (7,525m).

This morning we head out early, as we have a long and somewhat difficult day before us. Just past the check post, we cross the river leading to the Nar Phu valleys, and hike up through beautiful woods above the Phu Khola (river). The route takes us through some beautiful woods and past several small shelters (caves) and a pilgrims’ ‘Dharmasala’. As we emerge out of a narrow canyon, the trail actually passes under a wide waterfall just before the Dharmasala, from which point the
woods become thinner and the vistas wider. A stunning start for the Nar Phu trek! We camp at the Dharamsala. (Overnight at tented camp on full board basis)

A steep climb up the valley along a small, scenic river brings us finally to high pastures on a 3,200m plateau. We pass by the scenic Kharka of Meta, 3560m, a non-permanent winter settlement of Nar, where we will probably share the trail with a few yaks! This morning is one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. The landscape is similar to the Sierra Nevada; white rocks, low shrub and juniper, scattered evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange leafed bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate, white, sandy trails and knurled trees. The next semi-permanent settlement is Chako, formerly a Khampa settlement, where grass lies tied in bunches to dry on all the rooftops and prayer flags flutter in the breeze. Many more ups and downs take us to tonight’s campsite at Kyang, the extensive winter settlement of Phu, on a plateau high above the river. (Overnight at tented camp on full board basis)

Slowly go down to the river, we trek for a while along the river bank and past the “submarine” rock, passing some small possible campsites along the way. Today, we really start to see some of the unique, colorful Chortens for which Nar and Phu are justly famous. We have to rock-hop carefully across a small glacial stream before reaching a larger one with a bridge only half covered with large slabs of slate. Just before the bridge to Phu, a line of wonderful Chortens color the landscape and lead the way to the main village of Phu, perched high up on a hill, amphitheater style. We will set up camp on the lower reaches of Phu, formerly called Gomdzong, and head up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa. Overnight at tented camp on full board basis

Having spent quite a few days getting to Phu, we will spend one day in this area to enjoy it, meet the local Phu residents and do some exploring up the wide valley systems above us. Tibet is two long days away, so a bit far for a visit, but we might walk up the valley to the summer grazing settlement, or “Kharka” at Ngoru, a three hour’s walk past the Gompa. Phu itself is an incredibly interesting village, and a day is well spent sitting with the villagers as they spin their yak and sheep wool and chat, pound mustard seeds into a paste for oil, or involve themselves in the countless activities that take up a day in Tibetan villages. For photographers, the light is spectacular, and the skies a deep blue and we may even see some blue sheep on the surrounding hillsides. (Overnight at tented camp on full board basis)

Today the team members will rest at base camp and organize their gear. We will have a Puja, and then relax.

Another acclimatization day spent exploring the alpine meadows and views around camp, packing gear for higher on the mountain and relaxing in this very pleasant spot.

Ascent of Himlung Himal Summit (7126m) via four camps

Base Camp (4850m) to Camp 1 (5620m) 6hrs
Leaving Base camp we cross the Pangri moraine bearing right up a rocky gully to gain a ridge
which is located near a small lake.
Camp 1 to Camp 2 (6250m) 6hrs
The route to camp 2 goes North Eastwards up across rocky ground with occasional rock steps and
fixed lines to gain a rock rib to avoid the crevassed glacier below. We eventually abseil down on
to the glacier for the final walk up the glacier 2-3hrs to reach Camp 2
Camp 2 to Camp 3 (6320m)
The route to the Camp 3 follows initially leaves camp up the Western side of the glacier.
Camp 3 to Camp 4 (6400m)
The route to the Camp 4 ascends the further West. It is considered the most technically
challenging aspect of the climb.
Camp 4 to Himlung Himal Summit (7126m)
Climbers ascend slowly and laboriously proceed to the summit at (7126m) at the top of the
peak climbers will take pictures, gain their composure, briefly enjoy the view, and then return to
Camp IV as quickly as possible.

Before you arrive at base camp our Sherpas will already have set up tents where you can relax. Our Sherpas will tell you where to put your human waste. Your trash can be placed in your numbered trash bag and left with our porters to carry up to Dharapani. If you’re leaving the following morning you can change your trekking clothes and pack up your unneeded gear. Finish packing your duffels in the morning, drop them off with the camp manager and follow the trail back to Phu Village.

Dropping steeply down to the river, we trek for a while along the river bank past scenic canyons and gorges. Then, we make a steep climb up to the ridge. After crossing the river bridge we walk through the flatlands and arrive at Phu village.

Today we will walk past Chaku Village and arrive at Phu River. Crossing the river, we will move through Nar Phedi and climb up about 2 hours to reach Nar village which offers wonderful campsite as the land is rather grassy in nature.

The trail once again moves upward through moraines of Temdenzon River to arrive at the foothill of Kang La Pass. We will stay overnight at a camp at Kang La Phedi.

Following the difficult trail, we will make it to the summit of Kang La Pass. We will enjoy the views of chorten and Annapurna Mountains before taking the steep descent to Ngawal. The trail then passes through forest to take us to Munje where we will stay overnight.

The trail on 33rd day proceeds through fields. En route, we will enjoy the view of BRAGA Village along with its Monastery. We will walk past chortens and Mani walls and enjoy the views of Tilicho, Gangapurna, Annapurna II, Annapurna III and other peaks before climbing to Manang

A steep and narrow path descends through sparse wood and pasture to Pisang. As the trail follows we get surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks and finally reach at Pisang.

As we walk down along several landslides on route, we will follow the way uphill through a walnut tree forest and past apple orchards until we arrive at Chame.En route we cross and re-cross the river again and again on suspension bridges. As the trail descends, we enjoy the glimpse of the most mesmerizing views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m).

Today we descend to Bagarchap through bamboo and rhododendron forest following the Marsyandi River steadily downhill. The trek continues up to Dharapani where we visit the typical Tibetan influenced villages. The trek slowly traverses through a forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple and oak to Bagarchhap. This is the second village with typical Tibetan architecture; closely spaced stone houses with flat roofs piled high with firewood.

Today our porters load all our expedition gear and kitchen equipment in our vehicle and drive to Kathmandu via. Bahundanda – Besi Sahar to Kathmandu. Along the route you will witness some spectacular scenery; White Mountains, green hills, rivers and hamlets. As we drive past many typical local houses we come across the faces of varied ethnic people exchanging greetings (namaste) with smile.

On this pleasant day you may have a full day at leisure either relax at hotel or explore around for shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives.