Climbing Himlung Peak in Nepal

Who is This Trip for

If you are planning a trip to an 8,000m peak then you might want to test yourself on Himlung Peak. Getting to 23,000 feet is a life long dream for a lot of people or Himlung would be your Everest. If you have been trekking and climbed a few 6,000m peaks Himlung could be the climb for you. Also if you like trekking and climbing where few other venture then this region of Nepal is worth a visit.

Getting to Himlung Peak

We start our journey in Kathmandu and can fly to Pokhara and start from there. Either way we travel by private transport past Nache on the road to Manang. We stop at Koto for the night before heading north, following the marsyangdi river north towards Himlung. We are on the eastern side of Annapurna III in the region.  The trek in toward Nar Phu a unique cultural region on Nepal and worth a visit in it’s right.

We will get some great mountain viewing on the trek into Himlung Base Camp.   We will have breathtaking view of Kang Guru I, Kappa Chuli, Nandadevi, and so many stunning peaks as we move closer towards our goal.

Come with the right physical preparation

Even though we have more acclimatization on our trips you need to come with excellent physical conditioning. Himlung is a serious challenge and peak that requires you to be in excellent physical shape. We highly recommend building up to the climb with 6 months of intensive training focused on strength and endurance. We look forward to helping you understand the training required for this adventure.

Why Join our Himlung Peak Climb

We have more acclimatization on all our treks and climbs and when going to 7,000m you need more time to be safe and successful. We always have a western guide and our full time Sherpa climbers will always be apart of our expeditions. We have our own office in Kathmandu with safety and success at the forefront of all our trips. We want you to learn and grow and experience a peak with very few people.  Price start from $9,500.

What People Said About our Himlung Climb

Day 1

Arrive into Kathmandu airport. You will have beautiful views over the city as you fly into Kathmandu. You will see the mighty Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. After going through customs, a representative of Ian Taylor Trekking will be there to meet you and transfer you to your hotel. We have an early evening briefing to allow you to meet our ground staff and your Trek guide for the trip.

Day 2

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. We will make an early morning start for the Twin Otter flight to Lukla 2,853m/ 9,360 feet, the gateway to the Khumbu Region. This is an exciting flight, which should give a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In Lukla, we will meet our trek staff, porters or yak herders and set off straightaway for our first night’s stop at Phakding (2,600m/8,500ft). Or continue on to Monjo. Situated on the banks of the Dudh Kosi, which drains the whole of the Khumbu Region, this small hamlet is on the main trade route through the area and there are a number of clean, well-built lodges where we can spend the night.

Day 3

Trek to Namche Bazaar. We will continue up the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo where we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours up ‘Namche Hill’ to reach Namche Bazaar 3,440m/ 11,286 feet. This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares here, and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artifacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.

Day 4

Today will be used as an acclimatization day as we need to adjust to the low oxygen levels. We will aim to climb high and sleep low. We will take a stroll up to the Sherpa Museum. The museum is just below 3,600m/ 11,800 feet. We will stay there for a while to gain the additional acclimatization needed for going higher. We will return to our lodge in Namche for lunch. The afternoon can be spent sampling the delights of the Namche bakery! or playing pool in Cafe Danfe. You can also visit Kancha Sherpa, he is the last remaining Sherpa climber from the 1953 Everest Expedition.

Day 5

After an early breakfast we gather our belongings and take a hike up to Shangbouche hill 3,900m/ 12,800 feet with stunning panoramic views of the whole Everest Region. After reaching the view point we make our way downhill to Khumjung 3,790m/ 12,434 feet. We go to our lodge, have time for lunch and then head out to explore the local area. We will visit the Kumjung Monastery famous for its Yeti Scalp. We may also be able to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary School. During this critical acclimatization phase, we will spend time resting and trekking to higher altitudes to aid in the process. This will allow our bodies to become more acclimatized at this critical point of the trip.

Day 6

We leave Khumjung after breakfast and move to Phortse. We walk through agricultural land and some rhododendron trees for about half an hour then we start ascending to the Mong La (2 1/2 hours) where we enjoy a relaxing tea break and the views of Tawache Peak, Thamserku, Kangtega, Ama Dablam,  Kongde Peak, Kusum Kangaru. We then walk downhill for about an hour to Phortse Tanga where we stop for lunch. After lunch we walk uphill through forest to Phortse village 3,950m/ 12,960 feet where we stay for the night.

Day 7

Today we have a short trek of about 3 – 31/2 hours to Pangboche farther up the valley. The trail is on a gradual incline around the valley with the most beautiful views as we walk. After lunch we will go to visit the famous Pangboche monastery, this claims to have a Yeti Scalp and hand. We will let you decide. You might be able to get a blessing from the high Lama and relax in quieter upper Pangboche.  We then have a short acclimatization walk for anyone up for it. There will be stunning views of Ama Dablam.

Day 8

After breakfast we head out on what must be one of the best days of the trek. We cross the Imja Khol river and then start the steep ascent toward Ama Dablam Base Camp. The trail we are on is much less traveled as we leave those on the Everest Base Camp Trek behind us. We have time to enjoy our packed lunch and hot drinks taking in the spectacular views before heading back to Pangboche where stay for the night.

Day 9

We will leave Pangboche, and cross the new bridge above the river and then walk uphill for about an hour into Tengbouche. We will have tea break here and it will be possible to visit the monastery before making the 1 hour decent back down the dusty hill toward the valley to our lunch spot at riverside. After lunch we cross another bridge and start a steep ascent back up the other side of the valley, passing some of the small villages and top out at the Ama Dablam view lodge. This should take 2 hours 30 minutes from the lunch spot. We will continue the traverse along the side of the mountain and drop back into Namche Bazaar. You can spend the rest of the day playing pool and celebrate your success in cafe Danfe. This is a 6-7 hour trek.

Day 10

Today we will leave Namche Bazaar by 9am for the trek back to Phakding. After 1 hour down hill to the famous high bridge. We will stay high above the river before crossing some more suspension bridges. We will retrace our steps through Jorsalle, Monjo and back to Phakding. This should take 4-5 hours. You will be seeing the Khumbu valley from a different view on the return journey.

Day 11

There is no rush this morning, you can rest and enjoy the morning sun before setting off back to Lukla. It should take 3 hours to hike from Phakding back to Lukla. We arrive back to Lukla for lunch. We will stay the night in Lukla and prepare for the early morning flight back to Kathmandu. You can do your tipping ceremony and enjoy the party.

Day 12

You will be up early for breakfast before your flight back to Kathmandu. Once you are back in Kathmandu you have options, you can go sightseeing, relax at the spa or catch up on some sleep. We will enjoy our final evening meal together to celebrate our achievements, say good bye to your fellow trekkers and your trekking team.

Day 13

You can spend the day at Leisure in Kathmandu before you transfer to the international airport for your flight home. Our staff return you to the international airport for your onward journey. Also possible to go white water rafting or visit Pokhara.

Ready to go?

Does this information on our Himlung Peak climb excite you? Take the next step towards achieving your goals of standing on the summit of a 7,000m peak in Nepal?  If so, get in touch today.  We pride ourselves on making sure that our clients have every opportunity to succeed in the mountains, including professional training advice, gear lists and video links on how to pack your bag, and much more.  We are always available to answer any questions you may have by email, phone or skype, so contact us today!