Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Treks Planner Nepal
Himlung Himal Expedition 7126M offers trekkers in the Manaslu Region with yet another surprise. Situated northeast of the Annapurna Range, Mt. Himlung boasts an impressive height of 7,126 meters. This mountain is located on the remote border between Tibet and Nepal. Himlung Himal is a classic Himalayan expedition renowned for being one of the least challenging and easiest 7000+ meter+ mountains to climb. Compared to other summits, it has the greatest documented summit success rate. This mountain has all the excitement of a real mountain climbing adventure on its own, and it’s a great warm-up for those looking to go higher. Himlung Himal is also well known for being one of the easiest summits to climb, requiring little technical skill. Since it is part of the same Himalayan belt as other formidable mountains like Manaslu and the Annapurna massif, the summit offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
Located in the remote and secluded Nar-Phu area of Nepal, your base will be just above the Tibetan settlement of Phu Gaon (4250m), within the boundaries of the Manaslu Conservation Area and far from the busier and more popular Annapurna path. The trip starts with a trek to Annapurna Trail before taking a detour to see the secluded and picturesque villages of Nar and Phu. At 4900 meters, the upper edge of Phu village, the expedition teams establish their base camp. The three higher camps are situated at elevations of 5,450 meters, 6,000 meters, and 6,350 meters, in that order. The path to the peak of the pinnacle is icy and steep in its last section. Reaching the base camp and summit of Himlung Peak usually takes ten to fifteen days. Climbing Himlung Peak demands a high degree of fitness even if it’s easier than other summits. Himlung Himal is a beautiful, remote peak that offers an amazing exploratory hike to the summit.
Table of Contents
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Exploring the captivating off-the-beaten path before reaching the peak of Mt. Himlung, one of the Himalayan 7 thousanders.
- Take in the breathtaking mountain peaks and exceptional beauty of the Manaslu area.
- An eight-thousander summit guided excursion that allows you to climb with our knowledgeable Everest and other mountain guides and mountaineers
- Discover charming towns and breathtaking scenery along the route.
- Discover the amazing culture of Tibetan Buddhism in the area.
- With the assistance of three higher camps and one base camp manned by highly skilled mountaineers, guides, and crew members
OVERVIEW
PEAK: Himlung ELEVATION: 7126 meters / 23,379 feet DURATION: 26 DAYS EXPERIENCE: Advanced ROUTE: South-West BEST TIME: AUTUMN ACCOMMODATION: Hotel/Lodge | Camping: Base Camp, Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3 GRADE: Hard/Difficult
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Trip Preparation | Sightseeing of the UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu
Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Besisahar
Altitude: 840m | Drive: 6-7 hrs | Accommodation: Lodge | Meal: BLD
Day 04: Drive to Kodo
Altitude: 2600m | Trek: 5-6 hrs | Accommodation: Lodge | Meal: BLD
Day 05 : Trek to Meta
Altitude: 3560m | Trek: 7-8 hrs | Accommodation: campsite | Meal: BLD
Day 06: Meta to Phu
Altitude: 4400m | Trek: 5-6 hrs | Accommodation: Campsite | Meal: BLD
Day 07: Acclimatisation Day (unto 4200m)- Overnight in the lodge
Day 08: Phu to Himlung Base Camp
Altitude: 4850m | Trek: 4-5 hrs | Accommodation: Campsite | Meal: BLD
Day 09 – 20: Climbing Period for Himlung Himal Summit (7,126m) (14 Days of climbing, Base Camp. Puja ritual ceremony, contingency day, Training, and preparation for a summit bid. Camp 1, Camp 2, and Summit)
Day 21: Preparation, packing, and ready to return overnight camp.
Day 22: Base camp at Phu Village
Altitude: 4400m | Trek: 6-7 hrs | Accommodation: Lodge | Meal: BLD
Day 23: Phu-Gaon to Meta
Accommodation: Lodge | Meal: BLD
Day 24: Mehta to Kodo
Accommodation: Lodge | Meal: BLD
Day 25: Drive to Kathmandu
Day 26: Departure
What prior climbing experience is required to summit Himlung Himal?
Of all the 7000-meter peaks in Nepal, Himlung Himal may not be the most technically challenging, but it’s still a big job that needs a high degree of expertise and preparation. To begin your adventure into 7000M+ excursions, this peak might be a decent choice if you don’t have much climbing expertise. It is a good option for people who want to increase their confidence and skill set because of its comparatively high success rate and the need for enduring lines and equipment. You must be both physically and psychologically fit for the demands of this trip, regardless of experience level.
To successfully climb Himlung or other 7000-meter summits, climbers must have prior high-altitude alpine/mountaineering experience (at or above 4000 meters). Climbers should have experience using crampons on snow, ice, and steep surfaces; they should also be proficient in using fixed ropes to climb exposed and steep sections; and they should be familiar with using climbing gear and basic rope techniques, such as abseiling and tying safety knots. These skills don’t necessarily need to be acquired in Nepal. Climbers attempting the Himlung or other big expeditions in Nepal must also possess mental endurance and the capacity to endure wind and cold. To descend the mountain, climbers will need to use jumars and can rappel and abseil. Climbers must have the strength and endurance to do these things for an extended period.
Physical Fitness
These trips are quite demanding, thus a very high level of general fitness will be needed to handle their intensity. It calls for an extraordinary degree of strength and endurance training. It is equally necessary to possess mental strength. Being able to lead tours of this physical grade requires experience.
The tricky part is knowing how to prepare for such extraordinary circumstances. It’s going to take a lot of work to reach that level of fitness. Climbers should be able to bike for two to three hours or run a half marathon to qualify for a general fitness indicator. If you’re more of a hiker, you should be able to trek for three to four hours while carrying a burden of twenty kg. There are several ways to include good strength and endurance training regimens, like doing cross-fit workouts and kettlebell training.
Best time to climb
Although there are official records of more successful climbs during the fall, this mountain is appropriate for climbing in all seasons.
SPRING
You can ascend the mountains in the spring (late April to early May) since part of the winter snow will have gone. Don’t underestimate the amount of grit you will need to put in to reach the top of Himlung Himal; it is renowned for having more snow, especially in the spring. Although this is the ideal season to climb, the weather in the mountains is never certain, so you should prepare for any weather-related disruptions throughout your ascent. Spring adventures can be your best option if you’re the type of person who likes a little additional challenge when it comes to severe altitude peak climbing.
Every mountain is a true test of patience, particularly when plans don’t work out and teams have to improvise while waiting for favorable circumstances to climb. In comparison to fall, springtime sees fewer climbers than other summits (except Everest and Lhotse). One of the finest seasons to climb in Nepal is when spring finally arrives and there is a clear window of weather. In the spring, there are very few teams in Himlung Himal.
AUTUMN
The best time to climb Himlung Himal is in the fall, from mid-September to mid-October. When comparing this season to the spring one, a greater number of teams might be anticipated. According to guides, strong winds in the mountain begin to kick up as soon as November arrives. This has been the case for the previous several years, with the majority of summits occurring in October or during the first week of November.
Among all the commercial 7000M+ expeditions operating in Nepal, Himlung Himal has the highest summit records during the fall season. Thus, Himlung Himal is theoretically the greatest 7000M+ adventure to climb in the fall, provided that the weather is excellent to ideal and the mountain is not too tough to climb.
Himlung Himal Difficulty
Climbers must be in optimal physical shape before starting the Himlung Himal trip. With a total of 15 days of alpine climbing, the ascent will be mentally as well as physically taxing. To cope with difficulties and altitude, proper diet, hydration, and acclimatization are essential. When we leave the base camp, also called the French base camp, and climb up past glaciers and ice surfaces, that’s when the real alpine struggle starts. There are some slick, steep stretches and several crevasses to cross on the way to the peak. Because the campsites are spread out around the mountain, there is less chance of camping on dangerous cliff faces. There’s also a chance of fresh snow along the way. Your body should have been equipped to manage these demands by proper endurance and strength training.
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