Saribung Peak Climbing, 24 Days EXp2

5.0

Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? The Saribung Peak trek offers mythical sites, wild and remote locations, attractive pass crossings, Himalayan ranges, and unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

At a Glance
Location

Saribung Peak

Duration

24 Days

Activities

Climbing

Accommodation

Tent

Meals

All included

Group size

Min 4 Pax.

Best time

Spring and Autumn

Max. Altitude

6328m.

Saribung Peak provides a unique adventure far off the beaten path, making it an ideal choice for those seeking something different from the usual trekking routes. Unlike other treks, Saribung Peak is not located on the traditional trade routes from Tibet. You’ll experience a more remote and untouched region. It is located within the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal’s largest protected zone, and provides a rare opportunity to find a pristine environment. The area is also home to Mt. Dhaulagiri, the world’s 7th-highest peak

The journey to Saribung Peak takes you through high alpine passes and glaciers in the Damodar Kunda region and the Nar-Phu Valley. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of several towering peaks, including Himlung Himal, Lamjung Himal, Nilgiri Himal, Mt. Manaslu, and Annapurna II. The ascent to Saribung Peak, which exceeds 6000 meters, starts with acclimatization in Mustang.

The trek itself is filled with highlights. You’ll explore the ancient city of Lo Manthang, with detours to sites like Chungsi Cave, Drakmar ridges, and the Lo Gekar Monastery. From Lo Manthang, take a day trip to the northern villages of Mustang, near the Tibetan border. Descending, you’ll follow the left bank of the Kali Gandaki River, visiting the Luri Gompa Cave and its great stupa.

To complete this expedition, you’ll need to have certain mountaineering skills. You must know to use crampons, walk roped together, descend on crevassed glaciers, and navigate moraines. Our experienced Sherpa guides will provide all the necessary training on these techniques, providing you’re well-prepared for the climb.

Major Highlights

  • Approach trek through the Mustang region that lies within the Damodar Himal range
  • Explore the ancient cave dwellings in Drakmar
  • Visit Lo Manthang, the walled city rich in Tibetan culture and history
  • Discover the less traveled areas North of Lo Manthang
  • Trek through a very isolated region
  • Climb Saribung Peak ascent reaching over 6000 meters for high-altitude views
  • Descent through Hidden Nar and Phu Valley
  • Traverse the Kang La Pass with views of the Annapurna range
Itinerary

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our staff will warmly welcome you. You can rest for the day, and early the following morning, we will head on a bus journey to Pokhara. The road trip usually takes between 5 to 7 hours, during which you get an opportunity to see rivers, villages, greenery, and mountain ranges. Once we arrive in Pokhara, you will be accommodated in a hotel near Phewa Lake with a stunning view of Machapuchare.

Early morning we will take a scenic flight to Jomsom, at an elevation of 2713m, at the base of the majestic Annapurna mountain range. From there, our trek commences alongside the Kali Gandaki River, including a delightful detour to explore the Lupra village. Our day ended with an overnight stay in the Kagbeni village.

Today, it’s important to adjust to the high altitude. You have the opportunity to take a pass through the charming perched villages of Phalyak and Dangarjung, situated on the right bank. After the detour, return to Kagbeni and spend the night. This day is specifically designated for acclimatization to the altitude, and it is outside the special permit area for Mustang. The trekking duration for this day is around 5-6 hours, involving an ascent of 342m and a descent of 300m.

To get to our destination in Samar, you must take a jeep. Once there, you have to climb to Chaile and then descend to Samar, where you will find yourself on the edge of a stream shaded by willows. The journey by road typically takes around 4 to 5 hours.

Today our journey involves passing through the sacred Chungsi Cave, where the great Buddhist saint Padmasambhava meditated for three years, three months, and three days. This natural cave is guarded by a stalagmite, making it a spiritual place to visit. After our visit, we’ll enjoy a delightful lunch in Syangboche before descending to Ghiling village. The protection of the monastery graces this beautiful village. The trek to Ghiling will be approximately 6 hours long, and during this time, we descend around 1000 meters and ascend 950 meters.

After a gradual ascent, we will encounter a very steep climb to Nyila Pass at 3975 meters. Following this, there is a descent to Ghami, situated at 3545 meters. You can see white houses clustered together on the edge of a deep gorge. Exploring the area, you’ll come across the remains of the old Ghami, abandoned due to water scarcity. These remnants slowly blend into the rugged ochre cliffs, creating a striking contrast.

Take some time to appreciate the beauty of this village, which has its windows decorated in red, blue, green, and black hues. You can visit the Gompa in the area and enjoy lunch in Ghami. We depart from the traditional path to join ridges that allow admiring the stunning cliffs. Initially, they appear gray and blue, but as we approach Drakmar, they turn ochre. Finally, after this awe-inspiring journey, you will arrive at the village of Drakmar, where troglodyte dwellings loom overhead. This challenging trek spans 8 hours, with an ascent of 900 meters and a descent of 800 meters.

Today’s trail leads through a narrow corridor between cliffs on a steep slope. Our journey takes us upwards to the Mui Pass at an elevation of 4170m, before we descend towards Ghar Gompa monastery. It is the oldest site steeped in history, with roots that can be traced back to the 11th century. Following a well-deserved lunch, we continue our trek through a pass and then along a balcony trail with breathtaking vistas of the Mustang plateau and soon Lo Manthang. This trek requires approximately 7 hours, involving an ascent of 900m and a descent of 850m.

Today you will have two exciting excursions available to explore during your visit:

The first option is to go on a round trip in the Choser Valley to Nyphu Gompa and Jhong caves. For the more adventurous trekkers, there is an opportunity to ascend above Nyphu to a plateau south of Garphu, followed by a descent to Lo Manthang. This excursion is a 7-hour journey.

Secondly, you can visit Kacho Dzong and return via Namgyel, a monastery that overlooks Lo. This excursion provides a fulfilling 5-hour exploration.

Additionally, you have the option to extend your trip by a day to go on a hike to Sakau Danda’s White Mountain. This hike promises a panoramic view of snowy peaks and the Mustang region.

Today, we’ll be crossing the Dhi Pass, which sits at an elevation of 4100 meters. After that, we make our way down to the Dhi village, where we’ll be setting up camp. The trek will take approximately 6 hours to complete.

We will start our 2-hour walk through the riverbed. Ascending to the Luri monastery, you’ll have the opportunity to meet an old lama who resides there. Afterward, prepare for a thrilling climb into the cliffs to reach Luri hermitage inside the caves. You can access this mystical site via a ladder crafted from a massive trunk.

Upon entering the first cave, you can see the statues of Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who is revered as the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The second cave houses a magnificent stupa. The ceiling is painted with original motifs. Finally, the day concludes with a peaceful camp at Luri Gompa. It was short 3 hours of trekking.

Today’s journey begins with a descent into a gorge, leading to a walk toward a plateau that provides a breathtaking view of the majestic Dhaulagiri at 8167 meters. Continuing our trek, we ascend to cross a pass at an altitude of 4940 meters, followed by a gradual descent to Ghuma Tanti. It is a stop for pilgrims heading to the revered lakes of Damodar. The entire trek spans approximately 6 to 7 hours with an ascent of 1200 meters and a descent of 285 meters.

Today, we will be taking a short trek for acclimatization. By crossing a pass located at 5300m, you will be able to see stunning views of Dhaulagiri I and II, Tukuche Peak, as well as Annapurna I on the descent. The trek will take about 4 hours, with an ascent of 575m and a descent of 350m.

After an early morning breakfast, we begin the long ascent to the pass at 5490 meters to enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains. Cross the river and walk through a small valley to reach the sacred Damodar Lakes at 4970m. This area holds significance for both Buddhists and Hindus. The trek takes approximately 4 hours, involving an ascent of 700 meters and a descent of 600 meters.

On the day before the ascent, it’s important to focus on acclimatization and taking a rest day. You can explore the nearby attractions and natural wonders.

Today, we trek past numerous sheds and follow a river to reach Base Camp. You will walk on a moraine en route to the glacier and a hard snowy trail. There, you can see a Japanese-built chorten. You will arrive at your destination after a trek lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes with ascending 270 meters.

Today, we trek past numerous sheds and follow a river to reach Base Camp. You will walk on a moraine en route to the glacier and a hard snowy trail. There, you can see a Japanese-built chorten. You will arrive at your destination after a trek lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes with ascending 270 meters.

Today you must be prepared for a demanding 10-hour day of trekking that begins with a glacier walk. You’ll ascend to a high pass at 6042 meters and then slopes at 30 degrees and a broad ridge to finally reach the Saribung Summit at 6328 meters. From the top, you can witness magnificent views of Bhrikuti and Himlung Himal. Return by the same route, crossing a crevassed glacier and descending through the moraine to camp at 5300 meters. You will gain 700 meters in altitude and descend 900 meters.

The trek takes you from the high camp down to Nagoru. The route leads you to the Bhrikuti base camp at 5070 meters, where you’ll cross a series of challenging tributaries, one requiring careful navigation over rocks and another via a ford. You’ll then ascend to an alpine pasture trail. We will make a campsite near the abandoned village of Nagoru. The walk lasts about 5 hours and 30 minutes, with a modest elevation gain of 100 meters and descent of 900 meters.

Leaving Nagoru early in the morning, we head towards Phu village. The trail winds through a wild valley, following a river and passing through lush pastures. After 4 hours and 30 minutes of trekking, you’ll reach Phu, a village renowned for its Tibetan heritage and traditions. The trek involves ascending 300 meters and descending 800 meters.

We will trek to the picturesque Kyang village in a lush green valley, passing through an abandoned village and impressive gorges. Our trek takes us through dense fir forests and tranquil pine forests before arriving at our campsite in Nar Phedi. This part of the trek takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes, and we descend 590 meters along the way.

Today you will retrace your steps from Phu to Nar Phedi, mirroring the previous day’s route. The trek continues through the gorges and abandoned villages. The 5-hour and 30-minute journey involves descending 590 meters through fir and pine forests. Set up the camp at Nar Phedi.

It takes approximately 4 hours of ascent to reach the pass at an elevation of 5310m. The entire Annapurna range view from this vantage point is incredible. As the descent begins, you will face a fairly steep section that demands careful attention. The trail then leads through Ngawal and continues on a balcony trail to the village of Gyaru overlooking the Marsyangdi Valley. This leg of the trek involves 8 hours of trekking, with an ascent of 820m and a descent of 1580m.

Following the Annapurna Circuit trail, you’ll descend through Pisang and continue along the valley floor. The route takes you through Chame and Gorge, eventually leading to the larger town of Darapani. This 5-hour trek involves an ascent of 100 meters and a descent of 1015 meters.

This marks the last day of the trek. Conclude your journey with a scenic drive from Darapani to Besisahar. You will travel by jeep along a cliff before transferring to a private vehicle for the final trip to Kathmandu. Take a rest in a hotel upon reaching Kathmandu.

If you choose not to do the Saribung ascent, you can rejoin the group on the other side with the trekking team. This option allows you to skip the climb while still participating in the rest of the trek. High mountain guide, altitude sherpa, liaison officer
Climbing permit and Mustang permit
Porters for carrying equipment and luggage
Cook and assistants throughout the trek
Tents (for clients, mess, kitchen, toilet), tables and chairs, meals
TIMS registration, National Park entry
Road transfers, insurance for Nepalese staff
Hyperbaric chamber in case of emergencies
Satellite phones excluding communication

Cost Includes
  • High mountain guide, altitude sherpa, liaison officer
  • Climbing permit and Mustang permit
  • Porters for carrying equipment and luggage
  • Cook and assistants throughout the trek
  • Tents (for clients, mess, kitchen, toilet), tables and chairs, meals
  • TIMS registration, National Park entry
  • Road transfers, insurance for Nepalese staff
  • Hyperbaric chamber in case of emergencies
  • Satellite phones excluding communication
Cost Excludes
  • Drinks, showers, and battery recharging during the trek
  • Stay and meals in KTM (included upon request)
  • Mountain Search and Rescue insurance
  • Hotel nights and meals in Kathmandu
  • For the ascent: freeze-dried meals, inflatable mattresses, climbing equipment, high altitude insurance

 

Book your spot

Starting from

€2,879

€1,604.96 for flights and permits

Instant Booking

Secure Payments

No Hidden Costs

Trip Difficulty

Medium

5.0

Glacier Safari Treks Nepal

Tripadvisor Traveler Rating

Recent Traveler Reviews

star rating  Excellent voyage et découverte du Népal - Que du bonheur ce tour du Manaslu en 15 Jours. Apres un tour du Solou fait l'année dernière, c'était notre 2eme voyage avec GST au Népal. Circuit adapté à nos... read more

avatar thumb Arnaud B
14/11/2023
Richmonda
Richmonda

Jul 01, 2024

Fantastic Trek- Annapurna Circuit Trek

My Annapurna Circuit trek with GST was amazing. Our guide knew a lot about the local culture and terrain. We trekked through beautiful rhododendron forests, and under clear blue skies.

Arnaud B
Arnaud B

Jun 06, 2024

Manaslu Trek - Incredible Journey

Wonderful Manaslu trek experience. The local people were welcoming, and our guide made the trek safe and enjoyable. Thank you, GST, for this incredible journey.

Harry Kc
Harry Kc

Jun 06, 2024

Excellent trek

I have used GST services multiple times over the past five years, in Kathmandu and Tibet. They are a highly reputable agency, and I highly recommend their services.

Christina Perri

Jun 06, 2024

Langtang Valley trek- Unforgettable experience

GST made our Langtang Valley trek unforgettable. Beautiful scenery, great guides, and perfect organization.

Alexander White

Jan 05, 2024

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking

The 15-day Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek was well-organized with a friendly guide. It offers challenges, breathtaking views, and diverse scenery. We highly suggest GST for anyone looking to discover Nepal’s beauty.

FAQs

Choosing Saribung over popular peaks like Everest or Annapurna offers a chance to experience untouched, remote landscapes and less crowded trails. It provides a unique adventure with challenging terrain and gorgeous views without the heavy foot traffic of more famous peaks.

Since 2006, the Nepal Government has granted permission for adventurers to explore Saribung Peak. Since then, travelers from across the globe have been attracted to its remote and challenging terrain.

Saribung Peak is a challenging trek that demands strong physical fitness and the ability to manage harsh weather conditions. Trekkers need to be well-prepared for extreme temperatures and potential storms. Additionally, reliable mountaineering skills are necessary for navigating the technical aspects of the climb, including steep slopes and glacier crossings.

Travelers will need an Upper Mustang Special Permit and Annapurna Conservation area permit. You also need a Sarinung Peak Climbing Permit and a TIMS card.