24 Days
Specific Tour
14 people
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The Himlung Himal Expedition is a high-altitude mountaineering expedition in the remote Nar-Phu Valley of Nepal’s Annapurna region, reaching a maximum altitude of 7,126 m at the summit of Himlung Himal. The route follows a restricted and rarely visited corridor through the Annapurna Conservation Area near the Tibetan border before joining the climbing route to Base Camp and the high camps above. Climbers experience a progressive shift from ancient Tibetan-influenced villages and high alpine terrain to glaciers, fixed rope sections, and the exposed snow ridge leading to the summit.
Himlung Himal stands at 7,126 m and is one of Nepal’s most accessible and achievable 7,000-metre peaks, making it widely regarded as an ideal introductory 7,000 m expedition and an outstanding preparation climb for 8,000 m peaks. The mountain was first climbed in 1992 by a Japanese expedition via the northwest ridge and offers a well-defined climbing route with stable conditions compared to more technical Himalayan objectives.
We, Kalapatthar Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd manages this climbing expedition with IFMGA/UIAGM-certified expedition leaders and a dedicated team of high-altitude Sherpas who have summited Everest and multiple 8,000 m peaks. The itinerary includes a two-day technical training programme at Base Camp at 4,850 m covering fixed rope techniques, crampon use, ice axe skills, and jumar ascent practice before the summit push. A certified high-altitude doctor is stationed at Base Camp throughout the expedition with full medical facilities and 24-hour health monitoring for every climber.
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your 5-star hotel in Thamel by private luxury Land Cruiser with the Kalapatthar team. The evening includes a traditional Nepali welcome dinner with cultural dance and live music, short expedition briefing covering permits, climbing safety protocols, and the gear checklist. Your guide conducts the first health check covering oxygen saturation, pulse rate, temperature, and general baseline condition.
Permit processing, equipment check, full and final briefing and gear arrangements (Rental & Purchase). Medical team conducts baseline health assessments. Free afternoon for rest or Kathmandu sightseeing.
Early morning drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar approx 5-6 hr ride. Overnight at Besisahar Hotel.
A private jeep covers the 65-kilometre drive from Besisahar to Koto along a rough road following the Marsyangdi River valley. The road passes through Tal, Dharapani, and Chame before arriving at Koto at 2,600 m, the entry point to the Nar-Phu Valley. Register your Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and Nar-Phu Restricted Area Permit at the Koto checkpoint on arrival. Overnight at a teahouse with an evening health check conducted by your guide. A short brief about next day trek.
Enter the restricted Nar-Phu Valley through dramatic cliffs and high canyon terrain. Pine and rhododendron forests give way to open alpine grasslands as the valley narrows. Meta at 3,560 m is the first settlement inside the restricted zone with basic teahouse accommodation. Overnight at teahouse with evening health check.
Gradual ascent along the Phu Khola River through high mountain landscapes with ancient stone walls and juniper forests. First views of distant snow peaks appear above the valley rim. Kyang at 3,740 m is a small settlement with basic teahouse facilities. Overnight at teahouse with evening health check.
Arrive at Phu Gaon, one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in Nepal, with ancient stone architecture, active monasteries, and traditional Tibetan-influenced culture. Blue sheep and Himalayan tahr are commonly seen on the cliffs above the village. Overnight at a teahouse with evening health check and oxygen saturation monitoring begin.
Dedicated acclimatisation day with a short hike to 4,400 m to 4,600 m above the village for altitude adaptation. The medical team conducts morning and evening health checks with careful attention to oxygen saturation levels. Equipment review and expedition team briefing on the route above Base Camp. Cultural exploration with visiting century old monastery and interaction with local people. Overnight at teahouse.
Final approach to Base Camp with the full Himlung massif coming into view ahead. Arrival and complete establishment of Base Camp, including personal dome sleeping tents with heated bedding, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, a medical facility, a hot shower tent, a toilet tent, solar and generator power, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Twice-daily health monitoring begins. Overnight at Base Camp.

First day of the two-day technical training programme conducted by the IFMGA-certified expedition leader and senior Sherpa team. Before conducting training we offer Puja Ceremony with local Lamas (Preist from Monastery of Phu Goan) to bless our expedition team. The morning session covers crampon technique, ice axe use, and self-arrest practice on a safe snow slope above Base Camp. The afternoon session focuses on glacier movement fundamentals and crevasse hazard awareness. 24-hour medical support active throughout. Evening health check.
Second training day focusing on fixed rope techniques, jumar ascent practice on a steep snow slope, rappel descent training, and team rope management procedures. Focus on high-altitude safety protocols and emergency response and the oxygen system training. Daily weather forecast briefing from the Himalayan Meteorology Service. Evening health check with oxygen saturation monitoring.
Today is the final preparation before starting for acclimatization rotation to the higher camp. Our guides check your climbing gears, confirms the setup of higher camps and logistic supply. And also today is rest day before starting hard work it the high altitude.
First move up the mountain across rocky moraine and initial glacier terrain to Camp I at 5,450 m. Camp I is fully established on a firm snow platform by the Sherpa team. Overnight at Camp I with an evening health check. Return to Base Camp is possible if any climber requires additional acclimatization time.
Rest and acclimatisation day at Camp I. Short reconnaissance hike toward Camp II to assess route conditions and identify fixed rope sections. Medical monitoring continues with twice-daily checks. Our guides offer some lesson regarding high altitude climbing techniques and AMS and rescue things etc.
Return to Base Camp for recovery is available for any climber showing early AMS symptoms.
Steeper glacier section with fixed rope climbing leads to Camp II at 6,000 m. Significant altitude gain requires steady pacing and close health monitoring. Camp II is fully equipped with insulated tents, hygienic meals from the kitchen team. An evening health check with careful attention to oxygen saturation and early HAPE indicators.
High camp preparation day for the summit push. Mixed terrain with a steep snow ridge and fixed rope sections leads to Camp III at 6,350 m. Final summit briefing by the expedition leader covering route details, timing, emergency procedures, and weather forecast for summit day. Overnight at Camp III with early rest for the 1:00 AM wake-up.
Wake at 1:00 AM for a light breakfast and final gear check before starting the climb from 1:30 AM to 2:00 AM. The route ascends steep snow slopes and a defined ridgeline with fixed ropes toward the summit at 7,126 m. Reach the summit in approximately 6 to 8 hours, with Annapurna I at 8,091 m, Manaslu at 8,163 m, Dhaulagiri at 8,167 m, and Kang Guru at 6,981 m visible in a wide 360-degree panorama. Spend 15 to 20 minutes on the summit for photos and rest before beginning the careful descent. Descend to Camp III or Camp II or Camp I, depending on group condition and weather. Evening health check conducted after the demanding summit day.
This day serves as a weather contingency day if the summit attempt on Day 17 is not possible due to high winds or storms. If the summit was successfully completed then continue descent to Base Camp. Your guide will assess the group's condition and weather forecast before making any decisions.
Careful descent from Camp II or III to Camp I, taking 4 to 6 hours depending on starting point. Retrace the climbing route through fixed rope sections and glacier terrain. Evening health check conducted with focus on recovery from the high altitude summit push.
Full rest day at Base Camp for recovery, gear sorting, and celebration with the support team. Complete rest with light activities only. Medical team conducts final health assessments. Overnight at Base Camp.
The trail descends from Base Camp through Phu Gaon, Kyang, and Meta. The long descent of over 1,290 meters requires careful pacing and trekking poles to protect your knees on the rocky trail. Pass through the ancient Tibetan-style village of Phu Gaon one final time before exiting the Nar-Phu Valley. Overnight at a teahouse.
Early morning trek from Meta to Koto (3-4hr) and a private jeep covers the drive from Koto to Besisahar along the rough road following the Marsyangdi River valley. The drive takes 3 to 4 hours with stops for lunch and rest along the way through the lower hills. Arrive in Besisahar in the late afternoon and check into a basic hotel with a proper bed and hot shower.
Depart Besisahar by private jeep for the 6 to 7-hour drive back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway. The road follows the Trishuli River through terraced hillsides and small towns before reaching the Kathmandu Valley. Arrive in Kathmandu with the afternoon free for rest, souvenir shopping in Thamel, or arranging onward travel. Your Kalapatthar completion certificate is issued, and the expedition officially concludes with a hotel night included for your final evening.
The Kalapatthar Trek & Expedition team arranges a private vehicle airport transfer for your international departure flight. Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home with the memories of summiting Himlung Himal at 7,126 m, one of Nepal's most achievable and successful 7,000 m peaks.
This expedition is led by an IFMGA/UIAGM-certified expedition leader and legendary sherpas with extensive experience on 7,000 m and 8,000 m Himalayan peaks. Throughout the expedition, you will be supported by experienced high-altitude Sherpas, including dedicated 1:1 summit Sherpa support on summit day.
Yes all permits are included in the package. These include the Himlung Himal climbing permit, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), the Nar–Phu Restricted Area Permit, and the Government Liaison Officer fee. All expedition paperwork and logistics are managed by our team before your arrival, allowing you to focus entirely on the climb.
This expedition is operated to a premium expedition standard. During the trek, you will receive full-board services with quality accommodation, professional guides, porters, and freshly prepared hygienic meals. At Base Camp, you will stay in luxury personal dome tents with heated bedding, a comfortable dining tent, hot showers, solar and generator power, Wi-Fi access, and freshly prepared three-course meals. A certified high-altitude doctor, daily health monitoring, and comprehensive medical facilities are also available throughout your stay at Base Camp.
We use professional premium Himalayan weather forecasting services to monitor conditions throughout the expedition. Daily weather reports help determine acclimatization rotations and identify the safest summit window. If conditions become unsuitable, our expedition leader may adjust the climbing schedule to prioritise safety. The itinerary also includes three reserve days, providing flexibility to wait for improved weather and significantly increasing the likelihood of a successful summit.
Your safety is our highest priority. A certified high-altitude doctor is stationed at Base Camp with oxygen supplies and emergency medical equipment. Every climber receives twice-daily health checks throughout the expedition. If evacuation becomes necessary, our team will coordinate helicopter rescue and emergency evacuation as quickly as conditions allow. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel and mountaineering insurance that covers climbing above 7,000 m and emergency helicopter evacuation, as rescue costs are the responsibility of the climber's insurance provider.
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