Overview:
Himlung Himal (7126m) is one of the most accessible and straightforward 7000m peaks nestled just between Mount Manaslu (8163m) and the Annapurna Himalayan ranges of Nepal. Himlung Himal is an expedition of stunning scenery, remote, pristine land and fascinating culture.This Himalayan giant is a perfect peak for someone with basic mountaineering experience willing to try a high altitude mountain expedition in Nepal as it provides all the aspect of a challenging adventure.
You pass through evergreen forests, springs and cavernous rocky gorges while surrounded by high snowcapped peaks and glaciers.The climbing route is semi-technical with fixed rope line support available to reach the summit. During climbing period, climbing guides from several groups work together to set up the ropes. The climbing route is mostly on ice and snowy surfaces with wide steep uphill climb all the way up to the summit.
If you want to climb a summit above 7000 meters of elevation and looking for a perfect and less technical tough mountain, Mount Himlung will be the best pick for you. Another astonishing 7000m peak to consider is Baruntse Peak.
Trekking Route:
Our Himlung Expedition will begin with an 8 hours of drive to Besisahar and about another 6-7 hours Jeep drive to Koto the following day. The trail follows the Classic Annapurna Circuit Trekking trail up the Marshyangdi river valley to the village of Koto, before veering off into the Phu Valley. The ancient Tibetan settlements of Naar and Phu are nestled in the valley below the mighty Himlung Himal. You spend a day to acclimatize and explore this picturesque Buddhist settlement. On a grassy meadow high above Phu, is the Base Camp of Mount Himlung, at 4900m.
Summit Strategy:
Base Camp to Camp 1
Himlung Himal base camp also known as the ‘French Base Camp’ is comfortable, with water nearby and protected from avalanches. The logistical challenge remains to pitch the camp as it seems a bit complex when crossing through the Pangri Glacier on big tiresome boulders.
Camp 1 to Camp 2 (Glacier Camp)
Reaching camp 2 from camp 1 will be an easy day as we’ve to trek only for 2-3 hours. The snow conditions may change the progression, of course, but there is no slope subject to avalanches on the way up.We find propergrounds to set up our camp on the ‘Glacier Camp’. It will be satisfying and vast enough to welcome several groups.
Camp 2 - Camp 3
Marching towards Camp 3 from Camp 2 will be a pleasant walk of 2 hours continuing up on the icy cliff up to the last place before the ridge.
Camp 3 - Summit - Camp 2 or 1
The climb to reach at the top of Himlung Himal will be long and exhausting. The first part of the ascent consists of reaching the pass across snowy slopes (a little bit steep and wide-open.) Fixed ropes are often installed by the lead guide and once we are past that, then the slopes become less steep, with a few flat bits.After the crevasse opening, the slope on the side of the ridge becomes steeper. Which is the steepest part of the whole climb (400 approx.) After the summit, we retrace our steps down to camp 2 or camp 1 (depending upon situation.) Then the next day, we descend down to base camp, backpack all our gears and celebrate our summit success. From base camp, we’ll retrace our steps all the way back to the starting point of our trek (Besisahar), drive back to Kathmandu and end our Himlung Himal Expedition.
Himlung Himal Expedition Cost:
It will be a Private expedition. A Himlung Summiteer climbing guide will be provided along with other supporting staff for the expedition. Since it’s a private trip, one can make some changes to the itinerary and other stuff, after discussing it with the guide
1-4 Members: Expedition Cost: $ 6800 USD per person, 1 Climber: 1 Sherpa Climbing Guide for service till summit
5-8 Members: Expedition Cost: $ 6500 USD per person,1 Climber: 1 Sherpa Climbing Guide for service till summit
9-12 Members: Expedition Cost: $ 6000 USD per person,1 Climber: 1 Sherpa Climbing Guide for service till summit
For this expedition, we provide 1 climber ratio 1 Sherpa climbing guide and other necessary supporting staff.
What's Included
Accommodation in Kathmandu (4 Night)
- Accommodation in a standard tourist hotel on a twin-sharing basis
- Daily breakfast included
Teahouse Accommodation (11 Nights)
- Twin-sharing rooms in local teahouses
- Comfortable foam mattresses and pillows provided
Camping (14 Nights) Base Camp Services
- Single sleeping tent for each member
- Foam mattress and pillow provided
- Dining tent equipped with a heater for added comfort
- Solar panels available for lighting and battery charging
- Store tent ,Shower tent, Toilet tent,Tables and chairs,Complete kitchen equipment
Meals & Drinks
- Breakfast, Lunch. Dinner, Soups, Desserts, Boiled drinking water, Tea and coffee
- Trail Snacks – Complimentary chocolate bars such as Snickers, Mars, and Bounty to help maintain energy levels during the trek and climb
- Fresh Fruits – A selection of seasonal fresh fruits served regularly throughout the expedition
High Altitude Camps
Camp I: 5,450 m
Camp II: 6,000 m
Camp III: 6,350 m
High Altitude Tents, Equipments and Foods
- High-altitude cooking pots
- Gas burners and EPI gas for meal preparation
- High-altitude sleeping tents provided at all camps, two members will share one tent
- High-Altitude Nutrition – Special high-energy meals designed for climbing and high-altitude conditions
Transportation
- Airport Transfers – All international and domestic airport transfers are included and operated by private tourist vehicles
- Overland Journey – Travel from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar and Koto by private jeep. After the expedition return from Koto to Besi Sahar and onward to Kathmandu by jeep
- Expedition Logistics – Between Koto and Base Camp, mules and donkeys are used to transport expedition equipment, camping gear, food supplies, and other essential materials
Guides & Expedition Staff
Our experienced team is dedicated to providing professional support, safety, and personalized service throughout your climbing expedition
- Personal Sherpa Support – Each climber is accompanied by one experienced Sherpa Climbing Guide (1:1 ratio), ensuring maximum safety, guidance, and support during the ascent
- Dedicated Porter Service – From Koto to Base Camp and back to Koto, each climber is assigned one personal porter to carry duffle bag and climbing equipment. Duffle bag Weight – Up to 25–30 kg per person
- Base Camp Crew – A professional team of cooks and kitchen assistants will prepare fresh and nutritious meals throughout your stay at Base Camp
- Fully Supported Staff – All wages, accommodation, meals, equipment, and insurance for our guides, porters, and support staff are fully covered
- Government Liaison Officer – An official representative appointed by the Government of Nepal to coordinate and support the expedition
Benefits & Expedition Takeaways
- Expedition Duffel Bag – Complimentary Annapurna Foothills Treks expedition duffel/kit bag (85 liters)
- Trekking Map – Detailed trekking and expedition route map
- Souvenir Gift – Special Annapurna Foothills Treks souvenir to remember your Himalayan adventure
- Summit Certificate – Himlung Himal climbing certificate issued by the Department of Tourism, Nepal
High-Altitude Safety & Support
Your safety is our highest priority. We provide comprehensive high-altitude support and emergency equipment throughout the expedition
- Emergency Oxygen Support – Supplementary oxygen cylinders with masks and regulators available when required
- Satellite Communication – Thuraya satellite phone available for expedition logistics, safety coordination, and emergency communication
- Health Monitoring Equipment – Pulse oximeter to regularly monitor oxygen saturation levels and heart rate during the expedition
- First Aid & Medical Support – Comprehensive first-aid medical kit available throughout the climb.
- Communication System – Walkie-talkies for effective communication between guides, climbers, and Base Camp
- Staff Insurance Coverage – Full rescue, evacuation, medical, and insurance coverage for all Nepalese expedition staff
Group Climbing Equipment
All essential group climbing equipment required for the expedition is provided, including:
- Fixed ropes, Ice screws, Snow bars, Ice hammers
- Other necessary technical climbing equipment for route preparation and safety
What’s Excluded
- International flights
- Nepal Entry Visa Available on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months
- Your personal equipment for climbing and trekking
- Your private and medical insurance during the Expedition
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
- Additional night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early return from Expedition (for any reason) than the planned itinerary
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is a customary way to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our expedition support team
- Base Camp Support Staff – USD 150–200 per person (for helpers staying at Base Camp)
- Base Camp Cook / Base Camp Guide – USD 200–300 (for managing Base Camp operations and meals)
- Climbing Sherpa (Summit Bonus) – USD 500–800 (for supporting you to the summit and back safely)
These amounts are recommended guidelines and can be adjusted based on your satisfaction with the service
Previous Experiences:
Although Mount Himlung is a gradual less technical climb at 7126 meters, it is a significant challenge in the Himalaya of Nepal. And to attempt for the summit, one must have some previous high altitude (6000m+) mountaineering climbing. Team members (climbers)should have adequate knowledge and experience of hiking and climbing, using crampons on snow, ice, and steep surfaces. Climbers should be familiar with the use of climbing gears, basic rope techniques (tying safety knots and abseiling when coming down from the mountains) and have the mental durability to climb in cold and windy conditions. Climbers will have to rely on their jumaring skill and strength (ascending) and rappelling/abseiling skills to safely descend down the mountains.Climbers must have patience, strength endurance and some previous climbing experience to make it all the way up to the summit of Himlung Himal.
Travel Insurance for Himlung Himal Expedition:
A big YES!! Annapurna Foothills strongly recommends you have Insurance Policy with coverage of emergency search and evacuation, injury, lost baggage, liability, medical treatment etc. during your Nepal Trip. The insurance must cover all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal. Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions Pvt. Ltd. can organize the appropriate evacuation process and medical response based on the situation.
Food and Drinking Water during Himlung Himal Expedition:
Food during your expedition can be one of the major highlights. Most of the foods are prepared in the tea houses.Meals around the mountains consist of a diet rich in carbohydrates because our bodies do not process fat and protein efficiently at higher elevations and to compensate the increase in caloric need that high-altitude climbing involves. We try to make meals and breakfast varied and as normal as possible. Typical meals are rice, noodles, pasta, potato dishes along with vegetable and egg dishes.
During your climbing days, kitchen tents are set up by our Sherpa teams. Above Base Camp, climbing food mainly consists of dried meals such as pastas or rice. Basically, you will have dinner and breakfast at the lodge where you stay overnight and lunch will be at the tea houses on the way.
We strongly suggest all our guests to drink 5liters of water every dayas staying hydrated will help you in acclimatizing properly. We believe it’ll be better to take hydration tablets or filtration bottles with you for the trip.
Proper Clothing and Gears:
Choosing the right gear for any adventure trip is crucial. We highly encourage our guests (climbers) to get the best quality of gears and clothing and to pay attention to layer up comfortably as well. During night, the temperature can fall down to -30 / -40 degrees Celsius. So, you will have to rely highly on your clothes to keep you warm enough for the dropping temperatures.
Please click our complete packing list for what to pack for your Himlung Himal Expedition.
