Saribung Peak Climbing

After breakfast we take you for the Kathmandu valley sightseeing which include Swayambhunath (the monkey temple), with its commanding views of Kathmandu (at 1420 meters), its whitewashed stupas and its unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. The striking Buddha eyes of Boudhanath Stupa watch over a lively and colorful Tibetan community and attract pilgrims from all over the Himalayan Buddhist realm. In the midst of traditional gompas, and hung with long strings of multi-colored prayer flags, Boudhanath attracts Sherpas, Tibetans and tourists alike for daily circumambulations (koras) of the stupa. Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, is a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist temples, stupas and statues, and is often the site of festivals, marriages and other ceremonies. Pashupatinath, the holiest Hindu temple and its sacred temple complex on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here, monkeys run up and down the steps of the burning ghats, and trident-bearing saddhus draped in burnt-orange and saffron sit serenely meditating Boudhanath.

Our trekking guide will come to your hotel early in the morning at 6:30 am to pick you up and then you all will drive together to Pokhara. Overnight in hotel.

An early morning we transfer you to Pokhara airport for the spectacular mountain flight into Jomsom. While flying, you will enjoy the beautiful sights of the snow covered peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri from the window seat. Upon arrival to Jomsom your first day trek begins to Kagbeni, gateway to Upper Mustang. It takes 6 hours. Overnight at lodge.

From Kagbeni the trail climbs from one ridge to another and reaches to a plateau at 3040m, then again a short climb to Tangbe at 3060m. Near about one hour trek from Tangbe will reach us to Chhuksung, a Gurung settlement, which is at the confluence of The Narshing Khola and Kali Gandaki. On the way from Kali Gandaki Valley to Chele one gets to view the ancient caves standing high on the eastern bank of the river. Leaving the Kali Gandaki valley behind we climb steep rocky gully to Chele from Kagbeni. We make a stoppage at Chele. This whole day trail is of 5-6 hours.

After a night’s rest and breakfast at Chele, we climb in and out of huge side valleys of the Kali Gandaki. From Chele, we climb up a steep spur to a cairn and then connect to another cairn marking the Chele La at 3630m, from where the trail descents to Samar 3620m. Climbing above Samar, the trail goes into another valley filled with trees, crosses a stream and climbs up to the Bhena La from here to Yamdo La and then descending to Shyanmochen, we finally reach our stoppage for the day to a marvelous village at an elevation of 3570m, Geling. We totally walk for 7-8 hours, ascending 1060m and descending 590m.

Today, we will cross two passes, Nyi la and Choya la. At the top of the every pass, we come across Chorten (Stupa) and some sort of Mani Wall in a loose tapering shape composed of stones carved with “Om Mani Padme Hum Re”; stones and pebbles placed by travelers believing it will lead to safer journey. The trial makes a gradual steep climb over the Nyi La pass (4,020 m; 13, 190 ft.) and descend steeply to Ghami village (return stopover), where we make a stop for lunch. After the lunch, we cross bridge over Ghami river and we make a short climb over Choya La (3,800 m; 12,470 ft.) pass and gradual descend down to the open field of maize and willow treesto Tsarang valley. Tsarang is the second largest town in Lo Manthang and the former capital. We spend the night at lodge in Tsarang.

The trail descends about 125m, crossing the Tsarang Chu.Then you climb steeply up a rocky trail, and enters the Tholung valley. The trail turns north and climbs gently to a large isolated Chorten, then crosses a stream and reaches the Lo La (3950m) where you will see the view of the walled city of Lo Manthang. Descending for some time the trail crosses a stream and climbs up to Lo Manthang where you will see the school, health post, and police check post and several important Chortens. O/N at lodge in Lo Manthang.

We spend one whole day exploring the Lo Manthang. There are four major temples at this place. Jampa Lhakhang a three storey temple, Thubchen Gompa, a huge assembly hall near the center of the city, Chodey Gompa, founded by the Mustang King in 1710, the main temple of the city and the Choprang Gompa, which is popularly known as the “New Gompa”. Another interesting spot to visit will be the Raja’s Palace and also the town with various coffee shops and restaurants will be delighting enough to roam around.

Today it will be a long trek on the ridge traversing narrow dusty and gully trails until you reach Dhi Gaon. This village is visible as a green swath in the far distance. After long hours of walk you will finally reach the windy village of Dhi, a remote village where you will experience a taste of traditional Mustangi life.

After breakfast, you cross over a suspension bridge over the Kaligandaki River. Then, you continue walk to the narrow river trail viewing picturesque Caves inside the cliffs. Overnight in monastery

After breakfast we walk through hilltop to hilltop in the green pastures of the area. While following the hilltop to hilltop trail, you come across a wide grassy plateau offering wonderful views of Mount Dhaulagiri. Then, the continuous mountain trail climbs up to a pass at 4,940m and descends towards Ghuma Tanti – a place built for sheltering the Buddhist pilgrims going to the sacred Damodar Kunda. Overnight at Ghuma Thanti.

The mountain trail today initially reaches to a pass at 5,320 meters from where you can have fantastic views of the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna I. Then, the trail makes a steep descent to the bottom of the Parche khola. In the third place, you climb up a long steep slope. Next section of the trail again makes a long crossing from hilltop to hilltop till to reach a pass at 5,490 meter. The high pass offers you the fantastic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Damodar Himal. From the high pass onward the trail brings you at the sacred site of Damodar Kunda in the yard of Damodar Himal. After observing a small holy Hindu shrine and a very old Buddhist Chorten, the journey moves forth towards Namta Khola. Overnight at Namta Khola.

Today you will reach at Saribung Base Camp. The mountain trail through a high altitude route and the landscapes that resemble like the Tibetan Plateau connects you with Saribung Base Camp. Overnight at Base Camp

As you have walked enough in the remote mountain trails of Mustang region, it would be the best to take a rest day for proper acclimatization. The acclimatization day helps you prepare for the further climbing journey. You can either take a complete rest or engage yourself on exploring the surrounding hills of the Saribung Base Camp. Overnight at Base Camp.

Your journey of the day passes through the moraines of en route glacier and even crosses hard snowy trail on the route. While trekking, you will enjoy the views of the Khumjunggar Himal (6,959m) and the Damodar Himal. Overnight at Camp I.

Today, you will summit of Saribung peak – the tallest point of this trekking trip. The strenuous section of the trip begins early in the morning and then summit Saribung peak. The top of the peak is rewarded you with incomparable scenery of Gyajikang, Himlung, Bhrikuti Himalayas. After enjoying the excellent views from the top, you will descend down to Saribung Base Camp. Overnight at Base Camp.

From the base camp the trek moves ahead and crosses the Saribung pass. From the pass the snowy trail steeply descends down till to reach a small stream on the trail. Next section of the trail follows through a stream that connects you with Nagoru. Overnight at Nagoru.

It will be another great day for you. The journey passing through like a Tibetan resembling plateau along with fantastic views of barren valley and snowy peaks reaches to Phu Gaon – the exact site of Lost or Hidden Valley. In the valley you can explore the culture, natural diversity, and religious practices of the ethnic groups like Lama, Gurung and Ghale. Apart from this, you can find out how people make their survival depending on agriculture, animal breeding and seasonal migrations in such remote location of Nepal Himalayas. Furthermore, you can find yourself engaged on discovering the landmark of Hidden Valley. The must see landmark of the lost valley includes: the Tashi Lakhang Monastery – the very old Buddhist Monastery listed out of the 108 world’s  great Buddhist Monasteries. The valley also offers a great view of Himlung Himal and other snow peaks in the region. Overnight at Phu Gaon.

Free day at Phu. Great opportunity to visit locals and surrounding areas.

Morning after breakfast, we will walk on the Tibetan plateau and pass the kani/gate end of the village and drop down in the narrow valley and arrive in Kyang where we just see the remnants, particularly the ruined forts of the Khampa settlement (the place which Khampa refugees from Tibet once captured and lived illegally) at places like Jhunam, Chyakhu and Kyang. Then we trek continue until Meta. We can see the very spectacular view of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.

Today we walk steep down for the while and keep continuing through the pine forest, many streams and picturesque waterfalls near Dharmashala. We cross over the many suspension bridges and arrive in Koto after 6 hours. Here, finally we join the popular Annapurna circuit trekking trail.

The trail passes small villages until Timang through the Pine forest which takes about 2 hours. We can see short glimpse of Mt. Manaslu and other snow peaks and drop down to Danque through the knee crunching trail and have a lunch. After lunch, we walk further on the flat trail until reaching Dharapani. It takes about maximum 2 hours.

We descend down along the Marshyangdi River, first crossing over an iron bridge just end of the Dharapani village. Then, you continue trek upstream of Marsyangdi River until reaching Koto and crossing by a long suspension bridge over the Marsyangdi River. The trail goes through the small battis in the canyon. Again we cross over other suspension bridge, and walk down to sandy area near the Tal village. After Tal, the trail drops down to the River in rocky trail and climbs up through the dense forest area and near the Chyamje we will have lunch and then continue our journey until we reach Jagat village.

We walk down through the rocky trail until we reach Syange where we can see very picturesque waterfall about 200m. Then, we continue further walk along the Marshyangdi River until we reach Bulbhule.

From Bulbule we take a local bus to Besisahar, which is a big town of Lamjung district. From here we change a bus which drives directly to Kathmandu.