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

You spend today preparing for the expedition before leaving Kathmandu. The climbing team takes you through the approach route, acclimatization strategy, high-camp plan, communication procedures and the general structure of the summit period.

Your personal climbing equipment is also checked carefully. Mountaineering boots, crampons, harness, helmet, ascender, ice axe, high-altitude clothing and sleeping equipment should all be ready before departure. The day also allows time for the remaining permit and expedition documentation to be completed.

• Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Overnight Altitude: Nepalgunj – approximately 150 m
• Flight Duration: Approximately 50 to 60 minutes
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Nepalgunj

You leave the Kathmandu Valley behind and fly west toward Nepalgunj in Nepal’s southern plains. The change is immediate, taking you from the hills surrounding Kathmandu to the warmer and much lower Terai region.

Nepalgunj serves as the main transit point for the onward mountain flight into Dolpo. After reaching your hotel, you have time to rest and reorganize your luggage before the early flight toward Juphal, which remains dependent on mountain weather and visibility.

• Maximum Altitude: Juphal – approximately 2,475 m
• Overnight Altitude: Dunai – approximately 2,140 m
• Flight Duration: Approximately 35 to 45 minutes
• Trek Duration: Approximately 2 to 3 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 8 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge or Camp in Dunai

You take an early mountain flight from Nepalgunj toward Juphal, gaining your first aerial view of the rugged hills and valleys of western Nepal. The flight brings you rapidly from the lowlands into the mountain environment of Dolpo.

After landing at Juphal, you begin the first walking stage of the expedition. The trail descends from the airstrip and follows the valley toward Dunai, one of the principal settlements of the region. The relatively short trek allows you to settle gradually into the rhythm of the remote approach.

• Maximum Altitude: Tarakot – approximately 2,540 m
• Overnight Altitude: Tarakot – approximately 2,540 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 15 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Camp in Tarakot

You leave Dunai and follow the river corridor deeper into Dolpo. The route passes through rugged hillsides, cultivated sections and scattered settlements while the busier surroundings of Dunai gradually disappear behind you.

As you approach Tarakot, the journey begins to feel noticeably more remote. The altitude is still relatively moderate, but the long walking day helps prepare your legs and establishes the steady expedition pace required for the higher stages ahead.

• Maximum Altitude: Musi Khola – approximately 2,890 m
• Overnight Altitude: Musi Khola – approximately 2,890 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 12 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Camp at Musi Khola

You continue deeper into the valley today, following the river system through increasingly isolated mountain terrain. Permanent settlements become less frequent and organised expedition camping starts to become a more important part of the journey.

The trail gradually gains altitude toward Musi Khola. By evening, you settle into camp and begin becoming accustomed to the routine of early starts, organised meals, remote camps and consecutive days of walking.

• Maximum Altitude: Kagkot – approximately 3,295 m
• Overnight Altitude: Kagkot – approximately 3,295 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 11 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge or Expedition Camp at Kagkot

You continue toward Kagkot as the surrounding landscape becomes drier and increasingly rugged. The route follows the mountain valley while steadily gaining altitude, with fewer permanent settlements appearing along the way.

Reaching Kagkot takes you above 3,000 m for the first time on the approach. From here onward, altitude becomes a more noticeable part of each day, so you maintain a controlled walking pace and give your body time to adjust gradually.

• Maximum Altitude: Yak Kharka – approximately 3,950 to 3,960 m
• Overnight Altitude: Yak Kharka – approximately 3,950 to 3,960 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 10 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Camp at Yak Kharka

Your journey now moves into distinctly higher Himalayan terrain as you leave Kagkot and climb toward Yak Kharka. Vegetation becomes thinner, the valley opens and the surrounding slopes feel increasingly exposed as you approach 4,000 m.

The altitude gain makes today an important acclimatization stage. You walk steadily rather than pushing for speed, reaching Yak Kharka with enough time to eat, hydrate and recover before continuing higher the following morning.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Phedi – approximately 4,430 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Phedi – approximately 4,430 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 8 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Camp at Putha Phedi

You leave Yak Kharka and continue upward toward Putha Phedi, moving through increasingly barren alpine terrain beneath the higher mountains. The thinner air becomes more noticeable now, and maintaining an even pace is more important than covering ground quickly.

Putha Phedi provides a useful staging camp before Base Camp. Spending the night above 4,400 m gives your body another opportunity to adjust before you move into the main expedition camp the following day.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 7 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You make the final approach toward Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp, gradually leaving the trekking phase of the journey behind. The surrounding terrain becomes increasingly open, rocky and glacial as you move closer to the mountain.

Reaching Base Camp marks a major change in the expedition. You settle into your sleeping tent, organise personal climbing equipment and become familiar with the dining, kitchen, communication and mountain-support systems that will serve as your home during the climbing period.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Activity Duration: Light activity and local acclimatization
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

Your first full day at Base Camp is intentionally kept relatively easy. After the long approach through Dolpo, your body needs time to settle close to 4,900 m before you begin making significant moves higher on the mountain.

You organise personal equipment, become familiar with the surrounding route and review communication and camp procedures with the climbing team. Rest, hydration and proper meals are the main priorities as you prepare for the first technical days above Base Camp.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Activity Duration: Approximately 3 to 5 hours
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You take part in the traditional climbing puja before the team begins moving seriously onto the mountain. The ceremony remains an important part of Himalayan expedition culture and is normally completed before the main climbing equipment and team progress higher.

You also spend part of the day refreshing the technical systems required above Base Camp. Crampon movement, ice axe use, rope-team procedures, ascender technique, fixed-line movement, rappelling and glacier safety are reviewed so everyone is working with familiar systems before entering more serious terrain.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I Area – approximately 5,400 to 5,500 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Altitude Gain: Approximately 500 to 700 m
• Climbing Duration: Approximately 7 to 9 hours round trip
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You make your first meaningful climb above Base Camp and begin becoming familiar with the lower mountain. The route can involve moraine, broken glacier and progressively more continuous snow as you work toward the Camp I area.

The purpose of today’s climb is altitude exposure rather than speed. After gaining height and spending some time around the first high-camp zone, you descend again to Base Camp. Sleeping lower allows your body to recover while retaining the acclimatization benefit of climbing higher during the day.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You spend today recovering from the first major altitude exposure above Base Camp. A proper rest day gives your body time to respond to the previous climb while you focus on eating well, hydrating and getting sufficient sleep.

The climbing team uses the day to assess the route, move supplies where necessary and make any adjustments before you begin the first overnight rotation on the mountain.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I – approximately 5,400 to 5,500 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp I – approximately 5,400 to 5,500 m
• Altitude Gain: Approximately 500 to 700 m
• Climbing Duration: Approximately 4 to 6 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and High Camp Dinner
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp I

You leave the relative comfort of Base Camp and follow the now-familiar route toward Camp I. The climb moves progressively from moraine and glacial terrain onto more sustained snow, with rope systems used where the condition of the glacier requires them.

Tonight is your first planned sleep around 5,500 m. Once at Camp I, you organise your tent, prepare food and water and keep unnecessary movement to a minimum while your body adapts to sleeping considerably higher than Base Camp.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp II – approximately 6,100 to 6,150 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp I – approximately 5,400 to 5,500 m
• Altitude Gain: Approximately 600 to 750 m to Camp II
• Climbing Duration: Approximately 8 to 11 hours round trip
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with crevasses and glacier conditions
• Meal: High-Altitude Meals and Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp I

You climb above Camp I toward the Camp II area, entering more sustained glacier and snow terrain. Crevasses become a greater consideration at this altitude, and you follow the safest active line established by the climbing team.

Reaching approximately 6,100 m gives you your first major exposure above 6,000 m. After spending time at or near Camp II, you descend to Camp I for the night. This climb-high, sleep-lower strategy provides valuable acclimatization before returning to Base Camp.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I – approximately 5,400 to 5,500 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Altitude Loss: Approximately 500 to 700 m
• Descent Duration: Approximately 3 to 5 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You descend from Camp I after completing the first overnight rotation. The movement back through the lower glacier still requires concentration, particularly around crevassed or uneven sections of the route.

Returning to Base Camp brings you into thicker air and a far more comfortable camp environment. The remainder of the day is spent eating, rehydrating and beginning the recovery period before the final summit rotation.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You take a full recovery day after spending time above 5,000 and 6,000 m. Rather than adding unnecessary climbing, today gives your body the opportunity to absorb the acclimatization gained during the previous rotation.

Personal equipment can be dried and checked, while the climbing team continues monitoring the mountain and positioning supplies required for the upcoming summit period.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Activity: Rest, Weather Monitoring and Summit Preparation
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You remain at Base Camp while the expedition team studies the latest weather information and the actual condition of the route. Wind, snowfall, temperatures and glacier conditions all influence whether the planned summit rotation should begin.

Your summit clothing, personal climbing equipment, food and essential high-altitude supplies are checked again. The aim is to leave Base Camp properly rested and organised rather than moving simply because a summit date has been printed in the itinerary.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp I – approximately 5,400 to 5,500 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp I – approximately 5,400 to 5,500 m
• Altitude Gain: Approximately 500 to 700 m
• Climbing Duration: Approximately 4 to 6 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and High Camp Dinner
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp I

You begin the main summit rotation by climbing once again from Base Camp toward Camp I. The lower section is now familiar, allowing you to move more efficiently and conserve as much energy as possible for the higher days ahead.

After reaching Camp I, you focus on hydration, food and rest. From this point onward, energy management becomes increasingly important because the team will remain high on the mountain until the summit attempt and initial descent are complete.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp II – approximately 6,100 to 6,150 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp II – approximately 6,100 to 6,150 m
• Altitude Gain: Approximately 600 to 750 m
• Climbing Duration: Approximately 6 to 8 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with glacier and crevasse conditions
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp II

You leave Camp I and continue into the higher glacier toward Camp II. The terrain becomes more serious as you gain altitude, with crevasses, snow conditions and occasional steeper sections influencing the exact line taken by the climbing team.

Camp II places you well above 6,000 m, where routine tasks such as melting water, changing clothes and organising equipment require considerably more effort. Once inside the tent, you concentrate on eating, drinking and resting before moving farther onto the upper mountain.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp III / Upper Camp – approximately 6,350 to 6,500 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp III / Upper Camp – approximately 6,350 to 6,500 m
• Altitude Gain: Approximately 200 to 400 m
• Climbing Duration: Approximately 3 to 5 hours
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with seasonal snow and glacier conditions
• Meal: Expedition Rations
• Accommodation: High-Altitude Tent at Camp III / Upper Camp

You move farther onto the upper mountain today, climbing from Camp II toward the final high camp. The route continues across snow and glaciated terrain, with the exact line influenced by seasonal snow accumulation, crevasses and wind exposure.

Camp III or the upper camp becomes the planned staging position for the summit attempt. Once you arrive, activity is kept to a minimum. You organise equipment for the night departure, prepare food and water and try to rest before the most demanding day of the expedition.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Summit – 7,246 m
• Overnight Altitude: Camp II – approximately 6,100 to 6,150 m, depending on descent progress
• Altitude Gain: Approximately 750 to 900 m from the upper camp to the summit
• Climbing Duration: Approximately 11 to 14 hours for the summit climb and descent
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable 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 the upper camp under headlamps while the surrounding mountains remain in darkness. The early departure provides the longest possible window for both the ascent and the descent.

You continue across the upper snow and glacier terrain at a deliberate pace, managing clothing, hydration and energy carefully as you move beyond 7,000 m. Every movement becomes slower in the thin air, making patience and an efficient climbing rhythm far more important than speed.

If the weather, route and your physical condition remain suitable, you reach the summit of Putha Hiunchuli at 7,246 m. After a short period at the top, you begin the long descent and continue toward Camp II or another safe high camp according to the team’s progress and conditions.

• Maximum Altitude: Camp II Area – approximately 6,100 to 6,150 m
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Altitude Loss: Approximately 1,200 to 1,350 m
• Descent Duration: Approximately 5 to 7 hours depending on starting camp
• Climb Distance: Route-dependent and variable with glacier conditions
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Tent at Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp

You continue descending from the high camps and make your way back toward Base Camp. Although much of the movement is downhill, tired legs, altitude and glacier hazards mean the descent still demands concentration.

Returning to approximately 4,800–4,900 m feels noticeably different after several nights high on the mountain. Once at Base Camp, you can finally eat a full meal, rehydrate properly and begin recovering from the summit rotation.

• Maximum Altitude: Variable up to Putha Hiunchuli Summit – 7,246 m if required
• Overnight Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m when summit activity 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 deliberately flexible. If weather, acclimatization or route conditions delayed the planned summit attempt, the climbing schedule can move into this reserve period instead of forcing the team onto the mountain in unsuitable conditions.

When the climbing phase has already been completed, you use the day to recover while the expedition team begins dismantling unnecessary camp equipment, organising loads and preparing for the journey back through Dolpo.

• Maximum Altitude: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp – approximately 4,800 to 4,900 m
• Overnight Altitude: Yak Kharka – approximately 3,950 to 3,960 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 6 to 7 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 15 km via Putha Phedi
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Camp at Yak Kharka

You leave Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp and begin the long journey back through Dolpo. After several weeks focused on the mountain, descending below 4,000 m brings noticeably denser air and gradually warmer conditions.

You retrace the high approach through Putha Phedi and continue toward Yak Kharka. The terrain is familiar now, but the effects of the climbing period can still be felt in tired legs, so you maintain a steady pace rather than rushing the descent.

• Maximum Altitude: Yak Kharka – approximately 3,950 to 3,960 m
• Overnight Altitude: Kagkot – approximately 3,295 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 10 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge or Expedition Camp at Kagkot

You continue descending from Yak Kharka toward Kagkot, watching the high alpine environment gradually give way to the drier valleys and more settled landscapes below.

As you lose altitude, breathing and sleeping generally become more comfortable. Reaching Kagkot also brings you back toward the villages that marked the earlier stages of your expedition approach.

• Maximum Altitude: Kagkot – approximately 3,295 m
• Overnight Altitude: Musi Khola – approximately 2,890 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 11 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Camp at Musi Khola

You leave Kagkot and follow the valley back toward Musi Khola. The surroundings gradually become greener as you descend, while the air feels considerably denser than it did during the days around Base Camp and the high camps.

The day is mainly about making steady progress through the remote valley while giving your body time to recover from the expedition. You reach Musi Khola for another night of organised camping.

• Maximum Altitude: Musi Khola – approximately 2,890 m
• Overnight Altitude: Tarakot – approximately 2,540 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 12 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Expedition Camp in Tarakot

You continue following the river corridor toward Tarakot as the expedition gradually reconnects with larger settlements and the lower valleys of Dolpo.

After so many days spent in alpine and glacial terrain, the warmer air and increasing vegetation make the return journey feel very different from the approach. You reach Tarakot for the final stages of the trek toward Dunai and Juphal.

• Maximum Altitude: Tarakot – approximately 2,540 m
• Overnight Altitude: Dunai – approximately 2,140 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 15 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge or Camp in Dunai

You retrace the lower valley route from Tarakot toward Dunai, following the river through the more populated landscape that you first crossed during the outward journey.

Reaching Dunai marks the end of the most remote wilderness section of the expedition. You can rest in the settlement while the team begins organising the final luggage and flight arrangements for the return through Juphal.

• Maximum Altitude: Juphal – approximately 2,475 m
• Overnight Altitude: Juphal – approximately 2,475 m
• Trek Duration: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
• Trek Distance: Approximately 8 km
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge in Juphal

You leave Dunai for the final walking stage of the expedition and make your way back toward Juphal. Unlike the mostly descending stages of the previous days, today’s route involves gaining height again as you return toward the mountain airstrip.

Once in Juphal, you reorganise your luggage and prepare for the return flight to Nepalgunj. Because flights from Juphal are weather dependent, the team checks the latest aviation conditions before the following morning’s departure.

• Maximum Altitude: Juphal – approximately 2,475 m
• Overnight Altitude: Kathmandu – 1,350 m
• Flight Duration: Approximately 35 to 45 minutes from Juphal to Nepalgunj and approximately 50 to 60 minutes from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
• Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Standard Three Star Hotel in Thamel

You take the morning mountain flight from Juphal back to Nepalgunj, subject to weather, visibility and aircraft operations. After returning to the Terai, you connect with the onward flight across Nepal to Kathmandu.

Arriving back in the capital brings the expedition full circle after weeks spent travelling through Dolpo and climbing on Putha Hiunchuli. After the airport transfer, you can enjoy a comfortable hotel, a hot shower and a well-earned rest in Kathmandu.

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

Your Putha Hiunchuli 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 remote Dolpo approach, Base Camp acclimatization, high-altitude rotations and summit period on Putha Hiunchuli.