Saribung Peak Climbing - 25 Days

You have the choice of a scenic 30-minute flight or a picturesque 5-6 hour drive from Kathmandu to the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. The flight offers magnificent mountain views, while the drive provides a fascinating glimpse into Nepal’s diverse landscapes. After settling into your hotel, you are free to explore the tranquil Lakeside area.

Your journey begins early in the morning, leaving Pokhara for the local airport with your guide. A thrilling 20-minute mountain flight awaits you, soaring through the Himalayas to land in Jomsom (2,743 m), the administrative center and primary gateway to the Mustang Valley.

In Jomsom, you'll meet with the rest of the crew. Leaving the village, you immediately enter a land that feels like something from another planet. You follow the windswept Kali Gandaki riverbed, trekking across the valley floor. Along the way, you'll find yourselves admist a vast, rugged wilderness, featuring extraordinary rust-colored rock formations and distant mountain villages.

After about four hours, you arrive at the mountain oasis of Kagbeni. This medieval village is known for its ancient chortens and historic fort, and it serves as the official gateway to Upper Mustang. The blend of Thakali and Loba cultures sets the stage for your journey ahead.

Traditional houses adorned with prayer flags, set against a backdrop of mountain walls, make a great impression on new arrivals. You will spend the night here in a teahouse.

Leaving Kagbeni, you officially enter the restricted area of Upper Mustang, following the classic route along the Kali Gandaki Valley.

The trail ascends from the riverbed into a world of dramatic, arid landscapes, marked by a striking contrast between the green oases of the villages and the barren cliffs and canyons.

You navigate a wide path among numerous boulders and rocks, soon reaching the village of Tangbe, where you can admire caves carved into the rocks. Your next path leads through the small village of Chhuksang, located right on the edge of the valley and known for the dramatic rock cliffs towering above it.

From this vantage point, you can admire the distant, mighty Annapurna massif, as well as the Nilgiri and Tilicho Peaks. After lunch, you continue your trek along the Kali Gandaki River until you finally reach Chele, where you will spend the night.

Today is a long and challenging day, marked by several ascents and descents over high passes.

After leaving Chele, you turn away from the Kali Gandaki River and begin your ascent up a grassy slope. Your route quickly takes you across a series of passes: first the Taklam La Pass (3,624 m), then the Dajori La Pass (3,735 m), which provides stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

From the top of the Dajori La, you enjoy a beautiful view of the village of Samar below. After passing Samar, you ascend again to the Bhena La Pass (3,838 m), and then to your highest point today, the Yamda La Pass (3,860 m). From this final pass, you have an incredible panoramic view of the entire Kali Gandaki Valley and Upper Mustang, ringed by snow-capped peaks in the distance.

En route, you will pass the beautiful stupa at Chhungar. If you are feeling energetic, you can make a crucial visit to the Chungsi Cave, a revered meditation site with a deep spiritual connection to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.

After a final descent, you arrive at the welcoming village of Syangmochen, where you will stay overnight. You can reflect on the powerful legends etched into the very landscape you have traversed.

You leave Syangmochen, passing charming Tibetan houses. The ascent is steady but easy, leading you to the highest point of the main trail: the Nyi La Pass at 4,025 meters.

The summit of the pass is marked by chortens and numerous prayer flags. From here, the views are incredible and expansive: you can easily see the entire Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, the vast arid plateaus, and the entire Mustang Valley.

You then begin the long descent towards the village of Ghami. Just before the town, the trail crosses a remarkably scenic drawbridge over a cliff.

Continuing on, you pass the beautiful town of Dhakmar, which will enchant you with its buildings built of striking rust-colored rocks and stones. You then cross the Tsarang La Pass (3,870m) and should arrive at Tsarang, your destination, in time for lunch.

As the second-largest settlement in Upper Mustang, Tsarang offers much to explore. Atop the hill, you will find the ruins of the former royal palace, and you will visit the nearby 16th-century Thubten Shedrup Dhagyeling Monastery, one of the most impressive structures in the region.

Bidding farwell to Tsarang, you descend to cross the scenic drawbridge above the Tsarang Khola. Immediately after crossing the river, the trail ascends to the Lo La Pass at 3,950 meters. From the summit of this saddle, you will gain your first spectacular view of northern Mustang and the historic walled capital—a truly memorable moment.

Following a smooth downhill hike from the pass, you finally arrive at the glorious walled city of Lo Manthang.

After some rest, you dedicate the afternoon to exploring the city's ancient mud walls, walking its narrow alleyways, and visiting its three main monasteries—Jampa Gompa, Thubchen Gompa, and Choede Gompa—which house some of the finest murals in the entire Himalayas.

You will begin by exploring the Eastern Valley, heading toward the village of Chosar (3,857m). This area is famous for its unique "sky caves," which are a testament to the region's deep and enduring spiritual history.

The excursion to Chosar includes a visit to the ancient Shija Jhong Cave complex, believed to have been the homes of ancient monks, as well as the revered Garphu and Niphu monasteries, which house priceless murals and relics. This valley also serves as a crossroads for centuries-old trade routes leading all the way to Lhasa, Tibet, which has now reopened and is called the Kora-La border.

In the afternoon, you will explore the Western Valley, home to the Rajah's summer palace, and enjoy stunning panoramic mountain views. You’ll also visit the nearby villages of Kimling and Phuwa.

Finally, you'll dedicate time to visit all three of the Great Gompas originally built in the capital: Jampa, Thubchen, and Chhoeda. After a day full of historical discoveries and excitement, you'll return to our hotel in Lo Manthang.

After exploring the ancient walls of Lo Manthang, it's time to continue your journey.

The day begins with a climb toward the Lo La (3,945m) via the main track. A subsequent sandy path, which is very pleasant underfoot, takes you high above the valleys. This section offers superb views over the deeply cut and colorful canyons, all with the magnificent Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs forming your constant backdrop.

You cross a final pass at 4,100 meters before descending through striking rock formations to the village of Dhi Gaon, where lunch awaits you.

After a short break, you begin your descent toward the Mustang Khola River. After crossing the river, the trail begins an hour-long ascent. You follow the riverbed of the Puyun Khola initially, after which the path climbs sharply to reach Yara (3,500m), your destination for the night.

This scenic trek takes you past numerous caves carved into the rocks. Upon reaching Yara, a small hamlet of white houses clustered tightly together, you will have dinner and spend the night in a local lodge.

Today is a relatively easy day of trekking, marking your transition into the more remote and culturally profound section of the journey.

You begin by passing through the small village of Gara (3,875m) before reaching Luri Gompa (or 'Lori') via a high trail that brings you in over a pass at 3,935m.

The afternoon is reserved for both rest and exploration. Luri Gompa is famous for its two monasteries, considered the oldest of their kind in the entire Kingdom of Mustang. You dedicate time for crucial acclimatization as well as a visit to the ancient sanctuary.

The highlight is exploring the incredible Luri Cave Monastery, a true treasure from another time. Built in the early 15th century, the monastery is located directly inside a cave, which requires a steep, careful climb of about 30 minutes from the village. Climbing to the adjacent hermitage high above, you can admire a magnificent chorten and millennial frescoes and rock carvings.

After this culturally rich exploration, you conduct a final logistical preparation with your crew before settling into your camp near Luri Gompa for the night.

Setting out from Luri Gompa, you descend into the gorge floor, allowing you to traverse between its spectacular walls to join the main trail toward Ghyuma Thanti.

After emerging from the gorge, the path crosses vast, open, rolling pastures and shepherd fields. Around 4,780 meters, you cross a large grassy plateau where the majestic Dhaulagiri massif first comes into phenomenal view. The sheer might of the world's seventh-highest mountain is truly overwhelming!

You then approach the high Lhetak Pass at 4,920 meters, a significant milestone on the journey. After a well-deserved rest at the top, you descend and continue along the Damodar Saribung trail.

You finally reach your campsite at the Ghyuma Thanti shelter (4,745 m), where you pitch your tents for the night. This location is particularly significant as the shelter was originally built to provide essential rest and accommodation for Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims on their journey to the sacred Damodar Khunda Lakes.

Leaving Ghyuma Thanti, a rather steep and strenuous ascent immediately lies ahead of you toward the Kyumu La Pass (5,320 m).

From the pass, you have the option to ascend the nearby Kyumupani Peak (5,565 m). From this summit, the entire snow-capped Saribung massif offers a magnificent, unobstructed view. As always, you will also enjoy beautiful views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs.

After descending the Kyumu La, you begin another ascent to an even higher point, the Batsyak La Pass, rising to 5,480 m. After crossing it, you reach the sacred Damodar Kunda lakes. These beautifully shimmering turquoise lakes are considered sacred in the Hindu religion and serve as a place of pilgrimage for many.

Above the lakes, you can admire the mighty Annapurna massif. This is a perfect place to rest and contemplate this beautiful moment. Nearby, you will also find a temple with a Buddhist chorten, a place of worship for the local population.

After a while, you continue your trek to your camp in Namta Khola, where you will stay overnight.

You traverse a rugged plateau for about seven hours, with expansive views of the Bhrikuti Himal (6,476 m) and the Saribung massifs. Finally, you arrive at the Saribung Peak Base Camp (also called the Japanese Base Camp), which will be your home for the next few days.

You will spend the day acclimatizing your body before the challenging ascent toward Saribung Pass and Saribung Peak. Meanwhile, your climbing crew will be active, performing a reconnaissance (recce) of the trail up the mountain.

During this time, you will walk around the area, climb nearby hills, and dedicate time to rest. Crucially, you will practice moving correctly with crampons and familiarize yourself with the rest of your equipment.

This preparation is vital. Tomorrow, you will begin your ascent higher towards the High Camp.

Leaving Base Camp, you enter the perpetual snow zone for your ascent to High Camp (5,700 m), marking a dramatic shift into the true high-altitude environment.

The first part of the climb follows the moraines on the left side of the glacier. Cairns mark the route, guiding you until you must ascend onto the glacier itself. Immediately, you strap on your crampons and begin moving across moderately steep, snow-covered slopes.

The ascent is steep and tiring, but the magnificent views of the neighboring Khmjunggar Himal and the entire Damodar Himal will certainly energize you.

You follow the ice upward, passing through a long, splendid Alley of Penitents (tall, thin blades of ice). Around 5,700 meters, you traverse the glacier almost horizontally to cross to the right-hand moraine. From this position, you gain your first view of the highest peak in the Damodar Himal: the majestic Khmjunggar Himal (6,759 m).

After about six hours of slow, careful climbing, you reach a plateau where you set up camp. You will spend the night in tents and go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow's summit push.

Today is your big day! You will emerge from your tents around 1 a.m. to begin the summit push.

The climb begins on the moraine and continues across a minimally crevassed glacier toward the Saribung Pass (6,020 m). While the ascent to the summit isn't technically difficult, you must be careful of nearby crevasses and mindful that all activities at this altitude will require significantly more energy than usual.

From the pass, you turn toward the summit dome. The route follows a relatively straightforward line, defined by large snow slopes averaging 30 degrees and a subsequent broad ridge. After about 5–6 hours of climbing, you reach the summit of Saribung Peak (6,328 m)!

The reward is a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding giants: Annapurna (8,091 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Gyajikang (7,100 m), and Bhrikuti (6,476 m). You also have excellent views of the upper Mustang Valley and the Damodar Kunda lakes.

After admiring the views, you descend the summit via the same route back to the pass.

From the pass, the long descent down the opposite side requires careful navigation through icy patches and frozen ground. You descend and continue along the river stream until you reach the Eastern base camp near the village of Nagoru (or Nagor) in the late afternoon, where you will spend the night.

You continue a long traverse along the left-hand moraine until you reach the area of Bhrikuti Base Camp (5,070 m).

From here, you descend a rocky, rounded slope to cross a tributary stream. You then continue along the main river until you reach a second tributary, which you must ford.

A climb straight ahead onto a glacial shoulder brings you to a well-marked trail in the pastures, which you follow easily to Ngaru, an old abandoned village.

You've completed the highest point of Damodar Saribung, but that certainly isn't the end of your scenic trek or the beautiful views your route guarantees!

Today, you walk from the village of Ngaru (Nagoru) down to Phu, passing numerous settlements inhabited by the local Gurung, Ghale, and Lama ethnic groups along the way. You enjoy expansive views of the vast valley and the towering, snow-capped peaks of the Saribung massif, which you crossed the previous day.

After about a seven-hour trek, you reach the high-altitude village of Phu. This settlement, composed of a series of ancient stone houses, is considered one of the oldest in the Mustang region, believed to have existed for over 800 years.

Within the village, you will find the old Tashi Lakhang Monastery, known for being the last of its kind built by Karmapa Rinpoche. Wandering through the narrow streets of Phu in the light of the setting sun will make you feel as if you have gone back in time a few hundred years. After a walk, you return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

The next stage of your journey takes you from the picturesque village of Phu. You follow a scenic trail marked by spectacular drawbridges and numerous chortens draped with prayer flags on the way to the village of Kyang.

After lunch, your route begins a slight descent toward the foot of the Lyapche Glacier. You travel close to the glacier's moraine and cross the Mruju Khola River, which flows from the glacier itself.

In the afternoon, you reach the village of Meta (3,560m). From this camp, you are rewarded with beautiful, sweeping views of the mighty Annapurna II and the Lamjung Himal.

This is the final day of your trek as you bid farewell to the mountains and descend a steep trail in the valley towards the Marshyangdi river.

After bypassing the Singenge stone shelter, the trail plunges into a dense pine and oak forest. Crossing multiple suspension bridges over the rushing Seti Khola River along the canyon, the day culminates in the arrival at the official gateway village of Koto (2,600 m) after approximately seven hours. The mandatory check-out process marks the exit from the restricted Nar Phu region.

The lower section of the Annapurna Circuit from Koto to Besisahar is predominantly traveled by jeep due to the motorable road that now covers much of the distance. This part of the journey takes you from the higher elevations, through the changing landscapes of the Marsyangdi River valley.

As you travel, you will follow the winding track alongside the river, observing the shift from the alpine atmosphere to subtropical terrain. The road passes through a number of villages, giving you glimpses into local life and terraced farmlands clinging to the hillsides.

You’ll drive to Kathmandu on the scenic Prithvi Highway, and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

You have the day to yourself. In the evening, we’ll get together for a farewell dinner celebrating your journey in Nepal.

It's the end of your Saribung Peak climbing journey in Nepal. You will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure, carrying with you unforgettable memories of Nepal's stunning landscapes and warm hospitality.