30 Mar 2021 Prakash Devkota
The road to summiting Himlung Himal is a journey of variation. The mountaineers will face different Himlung Himal difficulty, but the technicality part is pretty easy.
Himlung Himal is a mountain in the north-central Himalayas of Nepal. The peak is a part of the Manaslu region that lies in a secluded area of the Nepal-Tibet border.
The expedition resides in one of the beautiful trekking regions of Nepal. The villages of this region are untouched by modernization. Thus, it is perfect for travelers seeking wilderness, remoteness, and extreme adventure.
The extreme difficulty level adds adventure to this expedition. You will be trekking along the rough terrain to the Base camp. You need to know how to use mountaineering equipment like fixed ropes, crampons, carabiners, etc.
To learn more about the Himlung Himal difficulty, you can read further.
Trip Fact
Duration: 30 days
Accommodation: Tea house or lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hot drinks during the expedition
Max. Altitude: 7140 m (Himlung Himal)
Minimum Altitude: 840 m (Bulbule)
Himlung Himal Expedition Difficulty: Technical and Physical
Best month: April, March, May, September, October
Daily walking hours: 5 to 8 hours
Transportation: depends on group size (car, bus, or van)
About Himlung Himal
Himlung Himal lies about 150 km away in the northwest of Kathmandu and approximately 25 km away from Mount Manaslu. Nemjung is another name for this magnificent peak.
The name of Himlung changed a few years after the first ascent. The Nepalese Government changed the name to another mountain about 4 km away in the north.
Located in the Manang district of Gandaki Zone, this Himal summits at an elevation of 7140 m above sea level. The first ascent to the top was made in 1983 by Nepal and Hirosaki University Himlung Himal Joint Expedition.
The peak was first ascended via the east ridge by the joint expedition on October 27, 1983. And on October 30, 2009, a Japanese team submitted the peak via the previously unclimbed west face.
Himlung Himal Climbing Highlights
- Climb 7000 m peak, Himlung Himal
- Trek and climb the less-crowded area
- Easier technicalities
- Experienced cook and crew
- Visit the Manaslu region
- Reach the Himlung Base Camp
- Trek via the world-renowned trek route
- Trails leading through off-beaten tracks
- A glimpse of the Tibetan influenced region
- Visit the mystical area filled with rich Tibetan culture and tradition
- Perfect for pre-expedition before climbing any 8000 m peaks
- Beautiful scenarios of nearby mountains and landscapes
- Walkthrough lush green forests with endangered flora and faunas
Why Himlung Himal Expedition is Difficult?
Himlung Himal Expedition Difficulty is not an exception as you will be climbing a 7000 m mountain. You will face various Himlung Himal Climbing difficulty, and some are:
High Elevation
Mount Himlung lies at an elevation of 7140 m above sea level. The altitude increases by 600 to 800 m every day, decreasing the oxygen level as you move high.
You start the journey by descending from 1400 m to 840 m elevations. But you move up about 400 to 500 m the next day. Likewise, the altitude keeps ascending till the summit, which can cause Acute Mountain Sickness for a few.
Acute Mountain Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness is an outcome of increasing altitude, which can be fatal if not treated at the right time. It is the most common Himlung Himal expedition difficulty.
Altitude sickness is due to less air pressure and oxygen in high places, causing breathing difficulties. It affects your health as oxygen drops with each climb in the trails.
You can face symptoms such as headache, vomiting, nausea, sleeping difficulty, walking difficulty, shortness of breath, and many more. If you occur any of the above symptoms, inform your guide or nearby companion immediately.
Frostbite
Frostbite is injuries caused by the freezing of underlying tissues and skin. First, the skin becomes red, then goes numb, stiff, and pale. It is common on toes, fingers, nose, ear, cheeks, and chin.
Reaching an elevation of 7000 m, your skin will be exposed to cold weather, which is vulnerable to frostbite. Also, frostbite can occur on covered skin with gloves or other clothing. So you need to cover your body with warm clothes from head to toe adequately.
It is also a major Himlung Himal climbing difficulty you can face without proper care.
Long Duration
Himlung Himal Expedition takes a long time off your schedule. You will stay for about a month in the region to reach and return from the summit. The preparation time also takes around two months or so.
You will acclimatize for days before summiting the peak and descending back. You practice ascending and descending for several days to adjust your body to high altitudes.
On the trails, you also face some hurdles like ice and its shifting maze. Before the climb, you will be trekking 10 to 15 km, covering 5 to 8 hours each day.
Avalanche
Avalanche occurs in some areas when traveling to the mountains. So, it is better to minimize the time in those areas. You will cross these places early mornings before the sun’s heat warms the snow.
Avalanche is snow-sliding when snow rapidly flows down a slope. These can set off unknowingly due to increased precipitation or external means.
Weather and Temperature
Weather is another Himlung Himal Difficulty you should consider as it changes from time and again. The weather remains unpredictable while making the ascends.
The air temperature drops by 0.60 degrees with a 100 m gain in altitude. By the time you reach Camp III, the temperature ranges in negative. You will experience freezing temperatures at night and warmth at day.
Falls
Falls are a dangerous aspect when climbing Himlung Himal. It is one of the causes of injuries and deaths, so you need to be conscious when climbing the trails. It is risky to step out of the tent during the night in ice-covered ground. Also, always double-check your equipment for safety purposes.
Summit Fever
The temptation of reaching the summit when you are suffering in the mountains is pretty natural. But putting massive effort in high altitude conditions and dangerous slopes can lead to risk and increase challenges.
Many people ignore signs with the fear of ending their tour, which later harms their health. So, you should be realistic and set a “turn around time” to know when to stop and return down.
Experience
Having no prior experience can be fatal for one, as climbing 7000 m can be risky. You should have climbing experience on 6000 m peaks for a full-blown experience in this expedition.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu
Day 2: Visit the UNESCO heritage sites of Kathmandu and prepare for the expedition
Day 3: Drive to Bulbule (840 m) from Kathmandu (6 to 7 hours)
Day 4: Trek to Jagat (1300 m) from Bulbule (5 to 6 hours)
Day 5: Trek to Dharapani (1860 m) from Jagat (6 to 7 hours)
Day 6: Trek to Koto (2670 m) from Dharapani (5 to 6 hours)
Day 7: Trek to Meta (3650 m) from Koto (7 to 9 hours)
Day 8: Trek to Phu (4400 m) from Meta (8 hours)
Day 9: Trek to Himlung Base Camp (4850 m) from Phu (3 to 5 hours)
Day 10 – 23: Climbing Period, acclimatization, and back to Base Camp
Day 24: Trek to Meta from Base Camp (7 to 8 hours)
Day 25: Trek to Koto from Meta (8 hours)
Day 26: Drive to Syange (1100 m) from Koto (6 to 7 hours)
Day 27: Drive to Besisahar (760 m) from Syange (4 to 5 hours)
Day 28: Drive to Kathmandu (1400 m) from Besisahar (7 to 8 hours)
Day 29: Leisure in Kathmandu
Day 30: Departure
Trekking Route
On this voyage, you begin by taking 7 hours to drive to Bulbule, then start trekking to Jagat the next day. Then you head to Dharapani and Koto from there.
After a relaxing night, you head towards Meta and trek to Phu the following day. Finally, you trek to Himlung Base Camp, a highlight of the expedition. You set your camp here with tents and logistics.
You have a total of 14 days period to acclimatize, prepare for the climb, summit the peak and return to the base. After that, you spend another four days in the region before driving back to Kathmandu.
The High Camps
In the Himlung Himal expedition, you will set the base camp at an elevation of 4850 m, where you can still discover grass in the land. Before reaching the summit, the other three centers will be set in different altitudes. Camp I at 5619 m, Camp 22 at 5987 m, and Camp III at 6400 m. The expert team will set up the camps allowing you enough time to explore the areas. On an important note, you will be ascending the peak during favorable weather.
How Difficult is Himlung Himal Expedition?
Climbing mountains over 6000 m is not a joke, so Himlung Himal Climbing Difficulty is no different. This expedition demands a high fitness level, but climbing is not much more challenging than the 8000 m peaks.
This journey is an expedition, not a trek, so you must begin through basic mountaineering training. It would be best if you prepared like you will summit over 8000 m for better results.
You will face different Himlung Himal difficulty, including cold weather, low temperature, climbing difficulty, etc.
Best Time for Himlung Himal Climbing
March, May, April, September, and October are the best time for Himlung Himal Climbing. The expedition season begins in March in Nepal due to its weather conditions.
The weather is cold during these months, due to which the snow doesn’t melt, giving proper footing in the snow. The climatic patterns in these months are similar to each other.
It is highly encouraged not to take expedition chances in summer as it is often wet. The trails are risky and unreliable for the climb. Also, in Nepal, the rainy and summer seasons fall at the same time.
Likewise, the weather is freezing in winter, making it the least preferred time for the expedition. Also, there are occurrences of heavy snowfall increasing the temperature.
Similar articles you may like:
- Popular Peak Climbing of Nepal
- Why Nepal is best for Mountaineering?
- Best Peaks To Climb In Nepal For Beginners
Why Choose Himlung Himal?
- Among the 414 peaks open for mountaineering in Nepal, only a few of the 7000 m peaks are available for the expedition. And one of them is Himlung Himal that is cost-saving and easily accessible.
- It has less technical difficulty than other 7000 m peaks making it perfect for pre-training before climbing 8000 m mountains.
- Among other 7000 m peaks, it is the safest.
- Reaching and returning from the base camp is more manageable than other
- The trek passes through the hidden valley of the Nar Phu area. Thus it is unique and remarkable.
- The base camp is not on a glacier but has some green grass.
Gear List
Travel Document
- Passport (valid)
- Recent pp (4 pieces)
- Contact address and insurance paper
- Company or family member address
Headgear
- Balaclava
- Sun cap
- Neck Gaiter
- UV protection sunglasses
- UV protection Glacier Glasses
- Fleece hat
- Woolen cap
- Snow goggle
Upper Body
- Thermo coat
- Mid-weight top
- Heavy top
- Fleece Jacket
- Mountaineering jacket
- Down jacket
- Windproof jacket
- Cotton tee for base camp
Hand
- Thin fleece gloves
- Wind stopper fleece gloves
- Heavy gloves
- Summit gloves
Lower Body
- Lightweight, long pants
- Mid-weight long pants
- Heavyweight pants
- Mountaineering pants
- Down Pants
- Waterproof pant
- Undergarments
Footwear
- Summit shoes
- Regular socks
- Summit socks
- Trekking shoes
- Camp boots
- Base camp slipper
Climbing Equipment
- Climbing helmet
- Crampons
- Down suit
- Ice ax
- Harness
- Ascender
- Lock carabiners
- Unlock carabiners
- Headlight
- Prusik loops
- Tape slings
Bag packs
- Duffle bags
- Waterproof large stuff sacks
- Waterproof small stuff sacks
- Day pack
Toiletries
- Sanitizers
- Toothpaste
- Wet tissue
- Toothbrush
- Multifunctional soap
- Shampoo
- Garbage bag
Miscellaneous
- Thermos
- Water bottle
- Lip guard
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Emergency medical kit
Final Say
Overall, climbing a 7000m peak is not like walking in the park. It would be helpful if you consider all the dangers and risks involved with the expedition. We have mentioned the Himlung Himal Difficulty faced in this expedition above.
Prakash Devkota
Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota is an established name in the Tourism Sector in Nepal. He is a focused individual gifted with a brilliant mind. He is also hugely dedicated to social work. Born in the Gorkha district, a beautiful hilly region of Nepal, he first entered the tourism industry as a guide in 1997. He has gained extensive experience in almost all the trekking and climbing routes like Mera, Island, Lobuche and, Ama Dablam, etc.
He registered Nepal Guides Treks & Expedition in 2009 AD. Due to his passion for adventure and efforts to provide quality personalized service to his clients, he has established himself as a successful tourism entrepreneur. He has dedicated most of his time working diligently to elevate the tourism industry and collected more than 15 years of experience in organizing trekking and expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. He believes in the power of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities that can be created through it. He constantly looks for innovative ways to run the company.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices. He believes promoting eco-tourism will preserve natural resources and positively impact the environment.
