Himlung Expedition - 30 Days

Things to Know before Booking Himlung Himal Expedition

• Experience Requirements

Climbers should have prior experience climbing at least one 6,000-meter peak before attempting Himlung Himal. Basic mountaineering skills are essential for this journey. You should know the safe use of crampons, ice axe, harness systems and fixed rope techniques. 

While we do review the key skills during the expedition, that should not be your introduction to mountaineering techniques and tools.

Climbers who have previously summited slightly shorter peaks such as Island Peak, Lobuche East or Mera Peak and are confident on using the basic climbing equipment are better prepared for this expedition.

• Physical Fitness Demands

There is no question about the fact that this expedition is physically demanding. The itinerary has multiple days of trekking and climbing at high altitudes, so climbers should be prepared for 6 to 8 hours of walking during the trekking phase and up to 10 to 14 hours on the summit day.

o have to carry your personal climbing gear, which usually weighs between 10 to 15 kilograms. We recommend you do some preparatory physical training for at least 4 to 6 months in advance.

• Altitude and Acclimatisation

The base camp is located around 4,900 meters and the summit reaches the heights of 7,126 meters. So our itinerary includes multiple planned acclimatisation days at different locations including Phu Village (4,050m) and Base Camp (4,900m). We add this to help climbers adjust to increasing altitudes.

The climbing days have a rotational system which follows the ‘Climb high, sleep low’ principle. You climb to a higher altitude and then return to slightly lower elevations to rest. This helps your body adapt safely to altitude.

• Technical Difficulty

Himlung Himal is regarded as a moderately technical expedition. The route has a mixed terrain with slopes and the steepest sections near the summit.

From Base Camp to Camp II, the route goes mostly through the rocky trails and moraine terrain. Above Camp II, the route has snow slopes with sections of mixed ice climbing.

So it is not super difficult but as we mentioned earlier, you need to have some prior experience before attempting this.

• Insurance Requirements

A comprehensive travel and rescue insurance is mandatory for all trekkers for the Himlung Expedition. 

Your insurance policy must include emergency helicopter evacuation coverage for altitude-related medical emergencies, medical treatment and hospitalisation, trip delays and cancellations, loss of baggage and personal belongings as well as death and repatriation coverage.

• Documents Required

• International ID or passport
• Two passport-style photographs (less than six months old)
• Home address
• Insurance policy copy
• Mountaineering experience record

• Booking Timeline

We recommend that you book early–ideally 6 to 12 months in advance or at the very least 3 months before your expected departure date. Your booking is only confirmed once you deposit 30% advance payment of the total cost of the trip.

A copy of your passport and travel insurance are also required for the permit processing. The second installment for the due amount should be paid within 24 hours of your arrival in Nepal.

• Medical and Emergency Support

The expedition team with you carries a first aid kit throughout the entire expedition. Our guides can expertly give first aid treatment, specifically for high-altitude related symptoms and situations.

Other things like high-quality oxygen, masks and regulators are also available for emergency purposes at the Base Camp.

• Remote Environment

For this expedition, we travel through the restricted Nar Phu Valley which is a remote region that doesn’t have all the modern facilities you are accustomed to. The valley was opened to tourists only in 2001.

So climbers should mentally prepare themselves for basic living conditions, limited communication options and an isolated mountain environment.

• Climbing Period Duration

The climbing period from the Base Camp to the summit and return is approximately 12 days. The Himlung expedition has three high camps beyond the Base Camp. They are: Camp I at 5,450m, Camp II at 6,000m and Camp III at 6,350m.

We do a couple rounds of rotations between camps and Base Camp for acclimatisation before we attempt to take on the summit.

Which is the best time to do the Himlung Expedition? Season Wise Guide

Season	Months	Weather	Climbing Conditions
Spring	April – May	Stable weather, clear skies, moderate temperatures	Favourable trail and climbing conditions; clear mountain views; most popular season
Autumn	September – November	Stable weather, clear skies, good visibility, moderate temperatures	Good climbing conditions; suitable for climbers who prefer cooler weather than spring
Winter	December – February	Extreme cold, heavy snow, icy conditions	Unsafe and highly challenging; routes may be snowed in
Monsoon	June – August	Heavy rainfall, increased cloud cover, landslides possible	Increased avalanche risk; poor visibility; trails may be slippery and unsafe

Spring (April to May)

Spring is the perfect season for the Himlung Expedition as during this season, the weather is generally stable with clear skies and moderate temperatures. Trail conditions are also pretty good for climbing and you get clear views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

There is a reason this season is particularly popular among climbers everywhere.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is arguably the second best climbing season. Weather conditions around this time are stable with clear skies and good visibility and the temperatures are moderate–just right for activities like trekking and climbing.

This season is better suited especially for those climbers who prefer cooler temperatures compared to spring.

Winter and Monsoon Considerations

The winter months (December to February) have harsher conditions with more intense cold, heavy snow and ice. This can make the climbing slightly challenging for you. Some tea houses, lodges and local businesses also close up shop during these off-season months.

The monsoon season (June to August) means heavy rainfall and increased risk of landslides, snow and avalanches. We do not recommend climbing during these months for your safety.

What type of Experience and Physical fitness are required for the Himlung Expedition?

Previous Experience Required

As we mentioned earlier, to join the Himlung Expedition, climbers need to have prior experience climbing at least one 6,000-meter peak. You should know the basic mountaineering skills, this includes knowing how to use climbing equipment such as crampons and ice axes. 

You will use crampons, ice axes, harness systems and fixed rope techniques during this expedition. Although you will be with our guides throughout the journey, you should be capable of moving independently on this terrain with the use of the essential mountaineering equipment.

Skills such as jumaring, rappelling and self-arrest will also come in handy on the mountain, so prior familiarity with these techniques is expected.

Physical Demands

As it is above the 7,000-meter mark, this is a physically demanding expedition. The itinerary includes many long trekking and climbing days at high altitudes. Average trekking days are around 6 to 7 hours and this increases during the summit push to 10 to 14 hours.

You will be carrying your personal climbing gear during the ascent, which usually weighs between 10 to 15 kilograms. During the trekking section to and from base camp, porter support is available for transporting personal gear and expedition equipment.

Altitude Considerations

You will be trekking up to 7,000 meters and this significant of an altitude gain needs proper acclimatisation. Our itinerary has planned rest days and a rotational climbing system (with multiple nights at progressively higher camps) to help your body to adjust.

Mental Preparedness

Climbing at this altitude is also mentally demanding, so you should mentally prepare yourself for long hours of physical exertion, basic living conditions, variable weather and the isolating feeling of a remote mountain environment. Please note that teamwork and self-sufficiency are important throughout the expedition.

Himlung Himal vs Other Nepal Expedition Peaks

Himlung Himal	Ama Dablam	Manaslu	Island Peak	Mera Peak
Altitude: 7,126m	Altitude: 6,812m	Altitude: 8,163m	Altitude: 6,189m	Altitude: 6,476m
Technical Grade: Moderate	Technical Grade: Technical	Technical Grade: Moderate to Technical	Technical Grade: Beginner to Moderate	Technical Grade: Beginner
Prior Experience Needed: One 6,000m summit	Prior Experience Needed: Prior technical climbing, ice and mixed skills	Prior Experience Needed: One 7,000m summit recommended	Prior Experience Needed: None, guided training provided	Prior Experience Needed: None, guided training provided
Typical Duration: 28 to 31 days	Typical Duration: 25 to 29 days	Typical Duration: 35 to 40 days	Typical Duration: 15 to 19 days	Typical Duration: 15 to 18 days

What You Need to Know About Physical Fitness During the Himlung Expedition?

Cardiovascular Endurance

You need to have strong cardiovascular fitness to complete this expedition. You should essentially be able to walk for 6 to 8 hours per day on uneven terrain while carrying a daypack. On summit day, this increases to 10 to 14 hours of continuous climbing.

So you should be doing regular cardiovascular training like running, cycling or stair climbing in the months before the expedition.

Strength and Stamina

Climbers should have good lower body strength to go up the steep sections while carrying your equipment. Your core strength and upper body strength will be useful when using ice axes, fixed ropes and jumar devices. 

Prior to the trek, you could train with some weighted packs on inclines as this helps you simulate expedition conditions.

Acclimatisation Capacity

Each climber responds very differently to the high altitude. While our itinerary does include built-in acclimatisation days, each individual’s susceptibility to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is different.

For optimal caution, you could consult a doctor about altitude medication like Diamox before the expedition. Remember that maintaining good hydration and pacing is essential during the climb.

Recommended Training Timeline

Your training should begin at least 4 to 6 months before the expedition. You should focus on building your endurance through regular cardiovascular exercise, strength training your legs and core, and practising with loaded packs on uneven terrain. 

We have noticed over the years that those climbers who arrive well-prepared physically usually find the expedition less difficult and more enjoyable.

Minimum Number of Climbers

We usually do the Himlung Expedition with small group sizes. Our groups typically range from 2 to 10 members. This small number is good for better coordination and safety management of all climbers. You also get personalised attention during the climb.

All Access Nepal Tour guests on the Himlung Expedition are also assigned a Sherpa guide. No matter the size of the group, we have a 1:1 Sherpa guide-to-client ratio during the climbing.

All our Sherpa guides assigned to the expedition are experienced mountaineers themselves who have previously summited peaks including Everest and other 7,000-meter and 8,000-meter mountains.

Climbers will be introduced to their Sherpa guide and other team members before the climbing starts.

The exact group size each time around may vary depending on the number of bookings for a given departure date. We have guaranteed departure dates available and we operate expedition with the confirmed group size for that departure.

What to Expect When Camping on Himlung?

• Accommodation when we are climbing up through Nar Phu Valley is in basic, family-run teahouses and lodges with simple rooms and shared bathrooms. Hot showers can cost extra.
• At Base Camp and above, accommodation is entirely in expedition-grade tents, including sleeping tents (shared, with some singles at Base Camp), a dining tent, kitchen and toilet facilities.
• Base Camp has a dining tent, communication gear, medical supplies and limited solar charging. But even these facilities get more scarce above Base Camp.
• At Camps I, II and III, accommodation is in small mountaineering tents with minimal facilities. You only get shelter and sleeping arrangements for rest between climbs.
• Teahouses on the approach are basic but comfortable for the region, while at Base Camp and above there is no Wi-Fi and no hot showers.
• Nighttime temperatures drop below -5°C at Base Camp and above Camp II they range from -15°C to -25°C during the summit push.

Food at the Higher Camps During Expedition

• Full board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided during the trekking days. They are served at teahouses along the route and the menus typically include Nepali and international dishes like dal bhat, noodles, pasta, rice dishes and soups, plus seasonal fruits when and where available.
• At Base Camp, all meals are freshly cooked by the expedition kitchen staff. This is the case throughout the expedition period. You are served hot, nutritious meals for high-altitude energy needs with tea and coffee available.
• At higher camps (Camp I, II and III), food options become more limited because it is more difficult to get it there. You might have to rely on pre-packed meals and snacks that carried up from Base Camp, hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot water), high-energy foods like nuts, dried fruits and energy bars as well as lightweight easy-to-prepare meals, with a simple menu that is entirely focused on calories and hydration. Climbers are advised to bring their own lightweight, high-energy snack preferences.

Drink Water During the Expedition

Drinking water is available on the expedition but needs to be treated before drinking. Water purification tablets or filters are the best ways to do this. We advise you to also get a lightweight steel thermal bottle to carry hot water in during the climb.

What You Should Expect from Teahouse Accommodation?

• On the way to Base Camp, your accommodation is in teahouses and lodges along the route, including Besisahar, Koto, Meta, Kyang and Phu Village. These are mostly family-run with basic but clean rooms and shared bathrooms
• We can upgrade to an en-suite wherever it is available if you request it with your guide for an added fee.
• In Kathmandu, you get deluxe accommodation with breakfast upon arrival, a preparation day before departure.
• At lower elevations from Besisahar to Koto, you get basic guesthouses and teahouses with standard facilities.
• In higher villages like Meta, Kyang and Phu, teahouses are simpler with limited facilities and often no hot water or electricity.
• Above Base Camp, there are no teahouses and all accommodation is in tents.

Amenities

Wi-Fi may be available in some teahouses, though this is not guaranteed and you may have to pay an additional charge to use it. Mobile network coverage can also be limited or unreliable in the more remote sections of Nar Phu Valley. 

Communication

Due to the remoteness and sheer altitude of the peak, the cell network isn’t available for communication in the Himlung Base Camps. So, we will help you maintain communication through a satellite phone (available to use for $4 per minute) for emergency contact, which is available at the Base Camp.

Again, please remember that you travel through remote Himalayan regions far from modern facilities during this expedition. So teamwork and endurance are extremely important. Please communicate everything clearly with your guide.

Emergency Evacuation

You will have to get comprehensive travel insurance with emergency helicopter evacuation coverage mandatorily before we begin our expedition. Helicopter evacuation is available for medical emergencies like Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) where alternative transportation is not available. Please make sure your insurance policy covers helicopter evacuation from high altitudes beforehand.

What are the permits required for Himlung Expedition?

The following are the permits required for the Himlung Expedition. 

Permit	Issuing Authority	Purpose	Cost
Himlung Himal Climbing/Expedition Permit	Department of Tourism, Nepal	Permission to climb Himlung Himal (7,126m), an officially opened Himalayan peak	Spring (Apr-May): USD 800/person; Autumn (Sep-Nov): USD 400/person
Garbage Management Deposit	Department of Tourism, Nepal	Environmental deposit for expedition waste management	USD 2,000 per expedition/team (for 7,001–8,000m peaks in Annapurna range)
Nar-Phu Restricted Area Trekking Permit	Department of Tourism / Nepal Tourism Board	Access to the Narpa Rural Municipality restricted area (normal approach route)	Sep-Nov: USD 100/person/week; Dec-Aug: USD 75/person/week; Beyond 1 week: USD 15/person/day
ACAP Entry Permit	Annapurna Conservation Area Project	Entry to the Annapurna Conservation Area	Varies (check current rates at time of booking)
TIMS Card	Nepal Tourism Board	Trekker tracking and safety; required for Nar Phu–Annapurna Circuit route	Foreign trekkers: NPR 2,000; SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000

• diplomatic mission or embassy before traveling to Nepal.
• After getting your visa from a Nepalese embassy abroad, you have to enter Nepal within six months of the issue date.

Landscape, Culture and Wildlife You Will Experience on This Expedition

Landscape

During this expedition you move through some diverse terrain from subtropical valleys to alpine tundra. The approach trek is through the Nar Phu Valley which is a relatively remote region that opened to tourists only in 2001.

The valley has some deep gorges, yak pastures, rugged cliffs and high mountain trails and as you gain more altitude, the landscape turns into moraine terrain, glaciers and snow-covered slopes. The summit has great panoramic views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges.

Culture

The region is home to communities that are strongly influenced by Tibetan culture. Villages like Koto, Meta, Kyang and Phu Village have Buddhist monasteries, prayer walls, chortens and mani walls, too. 

You will also get to visit Samdu and Cholang monasteries in the Phu Valley during this trip.

Although it might sound unbelievable to some guests that this is the case to this day, the local economy of most of this region is based on agriculture, livestock herding and trade.

The Tharu community of Terai or the lowlands is known for its fishing, weaving and traditional stick dance performances, but these aspects are more relevant for lowland cultural tours than the actual expedition itself.

Wildlife

As the Himlung region falls in the broader Annapurna Conservation Area, the surrounding forests are home to many Himalayan wildlife species including:

• Himalayan tahr and blue sheep at higher elevations
• Snow leopards (rarely sighted) and other predators
• Pheasants and other high-altitude bird species.

In the lower elevations of the region, you can spot a variety of deer, monkeys and bird species.

Expenses You Should Calculate For Himlung Expedition

There isn’t much extra expense you need to calculate for during the Himlung Expedition as our package covers your accommodation, permits and food throughout the journey. However, if you wish to take back souvenirs for your loved ones and want to extend your trip for any reason, you should carry some extra cash.

The airfare to and from Kathmandu is also not included in the package so please manage that beforehand. Additionally, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are not included in our package, except for the welcome and farewell dinners. We suggest you budget about USD 5-15 per meal for restaurant dining.

Any additional nights in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure or early return from the mountain are also not included in the package. 

Tips

The most important part of your personal expense may be tipping guides and porters. While it is not mandatory, it is customary and would convey to our guides and porter that you are thankful for their help over the past month. 

Usually, a tip of 10-15% of the total expedition cost is considered standard for satisfactory service.

Personal Expenses

Besides these, you could spend some money on the following things too:

• Snacks, drinks and personal items along the route
• Hot showers at teahouses (additional fee)
• Wi-Fi (where available, additional fee)
• Charging electronics (additional fee in some teahouses)
• Souvenirs and shopping.

Gear Rental or Purchase

While our package includes things like down jackets and sleeping bags (that you have to return as the trip ends), you may need some additional gear, too. Rental or purchase costs of gear alone can add about USD 100-500, depending on the items. So please budget for these expenses too when you are planning.

Hiring Porter for Himlung Himal Expedition

Access Nepal Tour’s Himlung Expedition package itself includes porter support during the trek to and from base camp. We provide one Sherpa porter for two trekkers. Porters can carry your personal gear and expedition equipment, so that the climb is less strenuous for you.

What Porters Carry

• Personal gear and expedition equipment for the climb up during the trek
• Luggage is limited to about 10-15 kg per trekker 
• Porters do not carry your climbing gear during the final summit push. You have to carry your own personal climbing equipment during this part of the ascent.

Climbing Period

During the climbing period (Days 11-22 from our itinerary), climbers have to carry their own personal climbing gear, which usually weighs between 10-15 kg. Sherpa guides will help you with fixed ropes and route establishment during this phase.

Cost of Hiring Additional Porter

In case you absolutely need additional porter support, you will have to pay approximately USD 20-25 per day, which includes food, accommodation and insurance for the porter.