• Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Overnight Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Meal: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Standard Three Star Hotel in Thamel

You spend today completing the practical preparation required before leaving Kathmandu. The expedition team reviews the Nar Phu approach, acclimatization strategy, climbing rotations, high-camp system, communication procedures and the general summit plan.

Your personal climbing equipment is checked carefully, including high-altitude boots, crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe, ascender, rappel device, technical clothing and sleeping equipment. The remaining climbing and restricted-area documentation is also organised before departure.

• Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Overnight Altitude: Besisahar – 760 m
• Drive Duration: 6 to 7 hours
• Drive Distance: Around 175 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge in Besisahar

You leave Kathmandu and begin the overland journey west toward Besisahar. The road follows the main highway through the middle hills before turning north toward the Marsyangdi Valley and the gateway to the Manang region.

The day provides a gradual transition from the busy Kathmandu Valley into the lower Himalayan foothills. You spend the night in Besisahar before continuing onto the much rougher mountain road toward Koto.

• Maximum Altitude: Koto – 2,600 m
• Overnight Altitude: Koto – 2,600 m
• Drive Duration: 6 to 7 hours
• Drive Distance: Around 62 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Koto

You continue from Besisahar toward Koto by mountain road, following the Marsyangdi Valley deeper into Manang. The road becomes considerably rougher as you pass waterfalls, steep valley walls and mountain settlements on the way toward the upper district.

Koto sits beside the main Annapurna Circuit route but also marks the gateway to the restricted Nar Phu Valley. From tomorrow, you leave the better-developed trekking corridor and begin travelling into a much quieter part of northern Manang.

• Maximum Altitude: Meta – 3,560 m
• Overnight Altitude: Meta – 3,560 m
• Trek Duration: 6 to 8 hours
• Trek Distance: 14 to 16 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Meta

You leave Koto and officially enter the restricted Nar Phu Valley. The trail follows the Phu Khola through forest, narrow gorges and steep-sided mountain terrain while gradually climbing away from the main Annapurna Circuit.

The altitude gain is considerable today, so a controlled pace becomes important. As you approach Meta, the forest begins to thin and the landscape starts changing into the drier, more open terrain characteristic of the upper Nar Phu region.

• Maximum Altitude: Kyang – 3,840 m
• Overnight Altitude: Kyang – 3,840 m
• Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
• Trek Distance: 7 to 9 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse or Expedition Camp in Kyang

You continue north from Meta through a much drier and more exposed Himalayan landscape. The route passes open pastures, weathered cliffs and traces of old settlements while the surrounding mountains become increasingly prominent.

The shorter walking day helps control the increase in sleeping altitude. By the time you reach Kyang, you are approaching 4,000 m and the colder, thinner air of the upper valley becomes noticeably more important.

• Maximum Altitude: Phu Gaon – 4,080 m
• Overnight Altitude: Phu Gaon – 4,080 m
• Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
• Trek Distance: 8 to 10 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Phu Gaon

You follow the upper valley toward Phu Gaon, gradually climbing through barren slopes and dramatic rock formations. The surrounding terrain feels increasingly isolated as you move closer to one of the highest permanent settlements in the Nar Phu region.

Phu Gaon appears above the valley as a tightly packed settlement of stone houses, prayer walls and monasteries. You spend the night here at 4,080 m, giving your body another important stage of acclimatization before moving toward Himlung Base Camp.

• Maximum Altitude: Phu Gaon Area – 4,080 m and above depending on the acclimatization walk
• Overnight Altitude: Phu Gaon – 4,080 m
• Activity Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Walking Distance: Around 5 km depending on the selected route
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Phu Gaon

You remain in Phu Gaon for an important acclimatization day before moving nearly 800 m higher toward Base Camp. Rather than remaining completely inactive, you can take a light walk around the village and surrounding slopes to gain some additional altitude before returning to sleep lower.

The day also gives you time to explore the narrow stone lanes, Buddhist monuments and surrounding landscape of Phu. In the afternoon, you rest, hydrate and prepare the equipment needed for the transition from trekking into the expedition phase.

• Maximum Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
• Trek Distance: 9 to 10 km
• Altitude Gain: 820 m
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You leave the last permanent settlement behind and continue into the high alpine environment beneath Himlung Himal. The route climbs through increasingly barren terrain, moraine and the glacial landscape surrounding the Pangir Glacier.

Reaching Base Camp at 4,900 m marks the transition from the Nar Phu approach into the dedicated mountaineering phase. You settle into your expedition tent, organise personal equipment and become familiar with the dining, kitchen and communication systems that will support the climbing period.

• Maximum Altitude: Acclimatization Walk – up to 5,050 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Activity Duration: 3 to 5 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

Your first full day at Base Camp allows your body to adjust before the climbing rotations begin. A short acclimatization walk can take you above camp before you return to the lower sleeping altitude.

The team also completes the traditional climbing puja and reviews the technical systems required on the mountain. You practise crampon movement, harness setup, ascender use, fixed-rope transitions, rappelling and glacier procedures so that everyone is working with familiar systems before moving higher.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I Area – 5,450 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Altitude Gain: 550 m
• Climbing Duration: 6 to 8 hours round trip
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with moraine and glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You make your first meaningful climb above Base Camp and begin learning the lower route toward Camp I. The terrain initially follows moraine before reaching the glacier and snow environment that defines the upper expedition.

The purpose today is altitude exposure rather than speed. You climb toward the Camp I area, spend time higher on the mountain and then return to Base Camp, allowing your body to benefit from the altitude gain while recovering at the lower camp overnight.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I – 5,450 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp I – 5,450 m
• Altitude Gain: 550 m
• Climbing Duration: 4 to 6 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and High Camp Dinner
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp I

You leave Base Camp again and follow the now-familiar lower mountain route toward Camp I. The move provides your first planned overnight stay substantially above 5,000 m.

After reaching camp, you organise the tent, prepare water and food and minimise unnecessary activity. Sleeping at 5,450 m is an important part of the acclimatization process before the expedition moves toward the 6,000-meter level.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I – 5,450 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Altitude Loss: 550 m
• Descent Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You descend from Camp I after completing the first overnight altitude rotation. The glacier still requires careful movement, even though the direction of travel is now downhill.

Returning to Base Camp allows you to recover in thicker air and a more comfortable environment. The remainder of the day is spent eating, drinking and resting before the next higher rotation.

• Maximum Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You take a full recovery day after the first high-camp rotation. Rest, food, hydration and sleep are the priorities while your body adapts to the previous exposure above 5,000 m.

Meanwhile, the climbing team checks route conditions, prepares equipment and positions the supplies needed for the next rotation toward Camp II.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I – 5,450 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp I – 5,450 m
• Altitude Gain: 550 m
• Climbing Duration: 4 to 6 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and High Camp Dinner
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp I

You begin the second major acclimatization rotation by returning from Base Camp to Camp I. Because you already know the route, you can move more efficiently while conserving energy for the climb toward Camp II the following day.

Once at Camp I, you settle into the high-altitude routine of melting water, eating simple meals and preparing equipment while keeping physical effort to a minimum.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m
• Altitude Gain: 550 m
• Climbing Duration: 5 to 6 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with crevasses and snow conditions
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp II

You leave Camp I and continue toward the 6,000-meter level. The terrain becomes more glaciated, with snow, crevasses and steeper sections requiring greater attention to rope systems and efficient movement.

Camp II marks a major step in the acclimatization program. At this altitude, simple tasks take more energy and recovery becomes slower, so once you reach camp the focus shifts immediately toward hydration, food and rest.

• Maximum Altitude: Above Camp II – up to 6,150 m depending on route conditions
• Overnight Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m
• Activity Duration: 2 to 4 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp II

You spend additional time around Camp II to increase your exposure to altitude rather than immediately descending. Depending on conditions, the team may climb a short distance higher before returning to camp.

The day also gives you practical experience managing hydration, food, clothing and equipment while living around 6,000 m. These high-camp routines become increasingly important during the final summit rotation.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Altitude Loss: 1,100 m
• Descent Duration: 5 to 7 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You descend from Camp II through Camp I and continue toward Base Camp, completing the main acclimatization rotation. The long descent still demands concentration because glacier hazards and fixed-line sections remain important even when losing altitude.

Returning to 4,900 m gives your body a significant recovery advantage. You can eat properly, rehydrate and rest while the expedition moves into the final summit-preparation phase.

• Maximum Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You take a full recovery day after sleeping around 6,000 m. Rather than adding unnecessary climbing, the day allows your body to absorb the acclimatization gained during the previous rotation.

Clothing and climbing equipment can be dried and reorganised while the expedition team continues assessing weather, snow conditions and the route toward the upper mountain.

• Maximum Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Activity: Rest, Weather Monitoring and Summit Preparation
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You remain at Base Camp while the expedition team reviews weather forecasts, wind, snowfall and the actual condition of the route. The final summit rotation begins only when both climbers and mountain conditions are considered suitable.

You organise your summit clothing, technical equipment, headlamp, food and essential personal supplies. Any final issues with boots, crampons or climbing systems should be resolved before leaving Base Camp.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I – 5,450 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp I – 5,450 m
• Altitude Gain: 550 m
• Climbing Duration: 4 to 6 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and High Camp Dinner
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp I

You begin the final summit rotation by climbing once again toward Camp I. The route is now familiar, allowing you to concentrate on steady pacing and conserving energy rather than learning new terrain.

From this point onward, every decision is made with the summit period in mind. After reaching Camp I, you eat, hydrate and rest while preparing for the move to Camp II.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m
• Altitude Gain: 550 m
• Climbing Duration: 5 to 6 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with glacier and crevasse conditions
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp II

You continue through the established glacier route toward Camp II. The climbing becomes slower as the altitude increases, and efficient use of rope systems, clothing and equipment becomes increasingly important.

Once you reach the 6,000-meter camp, you minimise unnecessary activity and focus on preparing your body for the move toward the upper staging camp.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp III / High Camp – 6,300 to 6,350 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp III / High Camp – 6,300 to 6,350 m
• Altitude Gain: 300 to 350 m
• Climbing Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with snow and ice conditions
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp III / High Camp

You climb from Camp II toward the expedition’s upper staging camp. Although the vertical gain is smaller than on previous days, movement above 6,000 m remains slow and every task requires greater effort.

The upper camp shortens the summit-day vertical gain and provides a more practical starting point for the final ascent. After arrival, you organise equipment carefully and conserve as much energy as possible.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp III / High Camp – 6,300 to 6,350 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp III / High Camp – 6,300 to 6,350 m
• Activity: Rest, Hydration and Final Summit Preparation
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp III / High Camp

You remain at the upper camp while preparing for the summit attempt. Movement is kept to a minimum so that you can conserve energy, melt enough water and organise the equipment needed for the night departure.

The expedition leader reviews the latest wind, temperature, visibility and route conditions before confirming the summit attempt. If conditions are unsuitable, the climbing schedule can be delayed rather than forcing the team upward.

• Maximum Altitude: Himlung Himal Summit – 7,126 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m, depending on descent progress
• Altitude Gain: 776 to 826 m from High Camp to the summit
• Climbing Duration: 9 to 12 hours for the summit climb and descent
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with the active summit line
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp II or another safe high camp according to descent progress

You begin the summit climb during the night or very early morning, leaving High Camp under headlamps while the surrounding mountains remain in darkness. The route continues across high snow and glacier terrain, with fixed ropes used where required by the condition and angle of the slope.

As you move beyond 7,000 m, every step requires significantly more energy. You climb at a deliberate pace while managing clothing, hydration and cold exposure and following the instructions of the climbing team.

If weather, route conditions and your physical condition remain suitable, you reach the summit of Himlung Himal at 7,126 m. After a short period on the summit, you begin the long descent toward Camp II or another safe high camp according to progress and conditions.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp II – 6,000 m
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Altitude Loss: 1,100 m
• Descent Duration: 5 to 7 hours depending on the starting camp
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent; varies with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Himlung Himal Base Camp

You continue descending from the high camps after the summit period. Although the route now leads downward, fatigue and glacier hazards mean you still need to move carefully through crevassed and fixed-line sections.

Returning to Base Camp at 4,900 m brings a major improvement in breathing, warmth and recovery. You can enjoy a proper meal, rehydrate and begin resting after several demanding days on the upper mountain.

• Maximum Altitude: Variable up to Himlung Himal Summit – 7,126 m if required
• Overnight Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m when the summit rotation is complete
• Activity: Weather Reserve, Recovery and Expedition Pack-Up
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner or Expedition Rations according to location
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Base Camp or High Camp if required

This day remains flexible within the expedition program. If weather or route conditions delayed the summit attempt, it can be used as part of the extended climbing window rather than forcing the ascent on an unsuitable day.

When the climbing period has already been completed, you use the day to recover while the expedition team begins dismantling camp equipment, organising loads and collecting waste before leaving the mountain.

• Maximum Altitude: Himlung Himal Base Camp – 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Phu Gaon – 4,080 m
• Trek Duration: 3 to 5 hours
• Trek Distance: 9 to 10 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Phu Gaon

You leave Himlung Base Camp and begin retracing the approach toward Phu Gaon. After several weeks focused on the mountain, the descent back toward a permanent settlement brings a noticeable change in atmosphere.

The lower altitude makes breathing easier, and by the time you reach Phu you return to the stone-built village and teahouse environment that you last experienced before entering the expedition phase.

• Maximum Altitude: Phu Gaon – 4,080 m
• Overnight Altitude: Meta – 3,560 m
• Trek Duration: 6 to 8 hours
• Trek Distance: 15 to 19 km via Kyang
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Teahouse in Meta

You leave Phu Gaon and retrace the upper Nar Phu Valley through Kyang toward Meta. The trail gradually loses altitude as you move back through the dry, open landscape that formed the approach earlier in the expedition.

The day is longer than the individual outward stages because you combine the descent through Kyang into one continuous trek. Reaching Meta brings you considerably lower and into a more comfortable sleeping altitude.

• Maximum Altitude: Meta – 3,560 m
• Overnight Altitude: Besisahar – 760 m
• Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: 14 to 16 km
• Drive Duration: 6 to 7 hours
• Drive Distance: Around 62 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge in Besisahar

You descend from Meta through the narrow Phu Khola gorge and return to Koto, completing the trekking section of the Himlung Himal Expedition.

From Koto, you transfer to a vehicle and continue down the rough mountain road toward Besisahar. This is a long combined trekking and driving day, but reaching the lower Marsyangdi Valley allows the final journey to Kathmandu to begin the following morning.

• Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Overnight Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Drive Duration: 6 to 7 hours
• Drive Distance: Around 175 km
• Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Standard Three Star Hotel in Thamel

You leave Besisahar after breakfast and begin the final overland journey back to Kathmandu. The road follows the Marsyangdi and Trishuli river corridors through Nepal’s middle hills before gradually returning toward the Kathmandu Valley.

After several weeks in the remote Nar Phu region and on Himlung Himal, arriving back in Kathmandu brings you into a very different environment. You are transferred to your hotel in Thamel, where the remainder of the day is free for rest, a hot shower, unpacking and recovering from the long return journey.

This additional night in Kathmandu also provides a sensible buffer after the mountain expedition, avoiding the need to combine a long road journey from Besisahar with an international departure on the same day.

• Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Meal: Breakfast

Your 32-day Himlung Himal Expedition comes to an end today. After breakfast, you have time to prepare your luggage and complete any final arrangements before leaving the hotel.

A Nepal Royal Tourism Holiday representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your international flight schedule, completing the journey after the Nar Phu Valley approach, Base Camp acclimatization, high-altitude climbing rotations and summit period on Himlung Himal.