Best season for the Himlung expedition
Spring in Nepal, spanning between March to May, is regarded as an excellent time for the Himlung expedition, followed by the fall in Nepal occurring between September to November.
The route during spring, however, can be quite busy, but the weather will be extraordinarily pleasant, green, and dotted with bright colored landscapes. Autumn, on the other hand, will be less crowded with the remarkable chance to spot many beautiful creatures of Nar and Phu villages.
The summer months of June, July, and August are the monsoon in Nepal, and we do not recommend this time due to the concern of landslides. Winter can also be chosen between December to February, but you will face heavy snow on the pass and at the high camps of the Himlung summit.
Difficulty level of the 25 Days Himlung Expedition
The Himlung Summit is the peak designated with AD+ difficulty grade, with the requirement of a level 4 fitness. This means the Himlung summit is the easy and non-technical 7000 m peak that can be your ideal first experience if you are looking for your first challenge at this altitude.
According to the statistics, besides Lenin and Baruntse Peaks, the Himlung Peak has one of the highest success rates for summits falling at 7000 m or above level.
However, that being said, you should never take the Himlung expedition lightly, as challenges do exist. As for the trekking route of the Himlung expedition, it runs partly through Annapurna and partly through the Nar Phu Valley, rated as a level III hiking adventure.
The trek itself poses you the strain of the Kang La Pass, which is also a perfect opportunity for increasing acclimatization before tackling the overpowering demand of the Himlung Summit.
Technically Demanding Sections of the Himlung Expedition Itinerary
An ascent from Camp I to Camp II
The route following from Camp I of the Himlung summit to Camp II is not only long but also technically challenging. It is because the route consists of climbing over the exposed and sharp scree slope that is inclined at 35 degrees.
Additionally, the route also requires the crossing of the high Pangri Glacier and deep crevasses, where fixed ropes have to be employed for safe crossing.
Summit Push and Descent
The day of the Himlung Summit attack is the most arduous and longest stretch of the Himlung expedition. The summit push will necessitate steep vertical climbing of around 1100 m from Camp III along a slope inclined at 35 degrees.
Once the summit push is over, the long descending then remains, which is equally demanding as the crossing of the route from Camp II to Camp I will also be involved.
Who is the Himlung Expedition Itinerary suitable for?
Himlung Peak is not a Himalayan Summit for absolute beginners who lack any high-altitude trekking or climbing experience. For the Himlung expedition, you must have ascended any peaks around the world with an altitude between 5000 to 6500 m.
You must have semi-technical knowledge and have at least tackled one easy technical peak before attempting the Himlung Summit. If you are a complete beginner, then we recommend you climb Mera Peak in Nepal, or any other peak that speaks with you, such as Denali, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, etc.
Altitude Sickness/AMS Management
Altitude sickness, aka Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS, is yet another challenge of the Himlung expedition. However, it doesn’t mean that every climber will suffer from the altitude effect, but some of us may.
To make our every climber feel physically at ease at the high altitude, our Himlung expedition itinerary has implemented the sawtooth method of acclimatization, which means sleep low and climb high.
We have also included a break for an extra night at Ngawal village, followed by the ascent of the 5306 m challenge of the Kang La Pass. Also, there will be a rotation ascent between base camp and Camp I and II before the final summit push.
Despite these measures, the initial signs such as insomnia, headache, fatigue, bodyache, and dizziness may appear in some of the climbers, which can be managed with adequate rest, a break at ascent, optional descent, and enough hydration.
Taking Diamox before getting to the high altitude can also be one of the effective ways to improve adaptation.
Physical Training for the 25 Days Himlung Expedition
Physical preparation for the Himlung expedition must be thorough, so you should begin at least six months ahead of your expedition. We recommend you begin with walking, jogging, running, cycling, hiking, swimming, and then mountaineering.
Remember, your weekly training routine should consist of two moderate sessions, each with a duration of 60 to 75 minutes. There should also be two intense sessions with a duration of 30 to 35 minutes.
You can also increase your endurance with push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Do not overdo any exercise and stop your physical training ten days before your Himlung expedition.
Technical Training for the Himlung Expedition
Although the Himlung Summit is a nontechnical peak, there are certain sections of the summit that necessitate moderate technical skills, such as climbing and descending along fixed ropes, walking with crampons, as well as using climbing equipment like an ice axe and jumar.
Of course, our climbing guides will provide you with technical training before the summit push and will also support you throughout the climb. However, it is essential that you have sufficient skills to handle any challenges independently.
Therefore, we advise you to train yourself in a fixed line course and master the use of any mountaineering gear. We also suggest you train yourself on rappelling techniques and tying different types of knots, such as Figure 8, Alpine Butterfly, Overhand Knot, or Munter Hitch.
You should also know how to cross the crevasses safely over ladders and switch safely between ropes. Please also think about joining climbing walls or rock climbing courses.
Accommodation, Meals, and Transportation
As you spend your time in Kathmandu, you will be accommodated in a three-star hotel in the tourist center of the capital. During your trek up to the Himlung Base Camp, you will stay in very atmospheric Himalayan lodges of Annapurna and Nar Phu.
The lodges in Annapurna will be reasonably comfortable, but the comfort level in Nar and Phu will be more limited. During the Himlung expedition, you will sleep in two-person tents provided by Life Himalaya.
Likewise, all meals on the trek and Himlung expedition are part of the 25 days Himlung expedition cost, but you will need to take care of your meals in Kathmandu, except for breakfast.
During the trek, we will all dine at the mountain lodges while camping, and our meals will be prepared by our cooks. This will include hot water, tea, coffee, and three meals, plus snacks.
With regard to your transportation, Life Himalaya Trekking will facilitate private airport transfers in a four-wheel vehicle. At the beginning and conclusion of the journey, a local bus or shared jeep will be used as per the group size for transfer between Kathmandu and Dharapani, Koto, and Besisahar to Kathmandu.
Please also explore our upgrade offerings for accommodation and transportation.
Travel Insurance
Regardless of all your extensive preparation, the unexpected can happen in the mountains. Out of the blue, you may fall, you may suffer from serious AMS, or any climate may take a drastic turn.
Therefore, please have travel insurance with helicopter rescue in the mountains, which is also mandatory for the Himlung expedition. Make sure that for 25 days Himlung expedition, the altitude is specified up to 7200 m in your policy.
Also mention delays, loss or damage to your climbing gear, extended stays, or cancellation of the expedition coverage in your policy.
Needed Permits for Himlung Expedition
There are a few requirements for the Himlung expedition, with the need of climbing and trekking permits, along with a restricted permit and Conservation permits. The detail is as follows:
Himlung Peak Climbing Permit
We must need the authorization from the Nepal Mountaineering Association/NMA for climbing the Himlung Summit in the form of a climbing permit, and the pricing is as follows:
- Spring Climb: USD 500 per climber
- Autumn Climb: USD 250 per climber
- Summer and Winter Climb: USD 125 per climber
Nar Phu Trek Permit
Since Nar Phu is a special limited area designated as a restricted region, we need to have:
Restricted Area Permit for Nar Phu Valley obtainable from the Immigration office, and the pricing is as follows:
- Autumn Trek cost: USD 100 per trekker
- Spring, Summer, and Winter Trek cost: USD 75 per trekker
- Added extension cost: USD 15 per day per hiker
The other obligatory permits that are obtainable from the tourism office in Kathmandu, with their pricing, are as follows:
- TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) at NPR 2000 per hiker
- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) at NPR 3000 per hiker
Liaison Officer Fee and Garbage Deposit
According to the guidelines mandated by the Nepal Government, the Himlung expedition will also require the appointment of the Liaison Officer/LO who will ensure constant communication and follow of the rules throughout the expedition.
Generally, the fees for the LO are around USD 3000, which is equally shared among group members.
Likewise, a garbage deposit of USD 500 per team will also be needed to encourage all the climbers to bring back their waste and dispose of it properly. You will get the deposit back if you comply with the rules, and the amount deductible will depend on the guidelines as dictated by NMA.
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