Trekking Peak Climbing

Overview

Himchuli peak climbing (6441m) lies in the Annapurna range and it is connected to Annapurna South. The Himchuli was first summit by an American Peace Corps Expedition under the leadership of Craig Anderson in October 1971 via the southeast face. The mountain is not technically difficult to climb but is vulnerable to rock falls, and route finding may also be a problem. Even though it offers major new route potentials, it has received little attention from mountaineers and is rarely climbed.

Climbing Route:

South-East Face Route: The route to base camp starts from Hinko Cave on the Annapurna Sanctuary trail. After establishing the first camp somewhere above the valley floor a further 2 camps are necessary to make it to the top. Although not technically extreme this route is exposed to rock fall and is a complicated route-finding experience.

North-West Face Route: The ascent by the North-West Face has been attempted only by a very few climbers and not always successfully. The exact route is not well known. The approach is from the Annapurna Base Camp in the Sanctuary and a further 2 camps may be necessary to complete this not so well known ascent.

Highlights

  • Sightseeing tour of historical, cultural, religious sites of Kathmandu valley
  • Driving Experience through the scenic valleys and rivers of the Himalaya
  • Opportunity to visiting the beautiful Lake valley of Pokhara
  • Impressive Sunrise and mountain views from Ghorepani and Poon Hill
  • Typical Gurung village along the trekking route
  • Visiting villages of ethnic groups, such as Gurung, Magar and other tribes as Brahmins, Chhetri & experience the cultures, religions & lifestyle of the people
  • Superb views of the mountains above 6000- 8167 m peaks including Annapurna I and Mt. Dhaulagiri.
  • Summit Hiunchuli peak with the eye-catching views of Annapurna panorama and Lamjung Himal ranges.
  • Natural hot spring at Jhinudanda

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Moderate to Adventures
Trip Duration 21 Nights/22 Days
Trip code NAP-HPC-115
Trip Start/Ends Kathmandu-Pokhara/ Dhampus Phedi-Pokhara
Maximum Altitude Hiunchuli Peak Summit (6441m)
Trip Cost Prices on request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 12 persons in one group
Accessibillity Kathamndu 7-hrs drive to Pokhara
The Route Maximum altitude Hiunchuli Peak Top (6441m) and Annapurna B.C (4200m) 5/6-hrs gentle walking per day, moderate to strenuous trail and summit day can be long
Season Sept – Nov/March - April
Permit Fee Spring: (Mar-Apr-May) USD 250 – Autumn: (Sep-Oct-Nov) USD 125 – Winter: (Dec-Jan-Feb) USD 70 – Summer: (Jun-Jul-Aug) USD 70 per passenger and maximum number of members in a team is 15 people
Trip Facilities 3+ hotel in city on B/B and teahouse/lodges and tented accommodation during the climbing period.

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given in the evening at hotel about the daily program activities by your Group Leader/Guide.

After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have.

This day after breakfast being early in the morning we drive to Beni (850m) via Pokhara, approximately the drive should take 8/9 hours and you’ll find most of the part enjoyable, and offering good scenery. Beni is at the confluence of the Myagdi Khola and the Kali Gandaki. 

Now you begin your trek from Nayapul (1050m.) to Tirkhedhunga (1577m) via Birethanti (1065m) which takes about four and half hours. After breakfast at hotel, you could drive for 1 and half hours to Nayapul. Then you start your trekking. The first part of your trek is easy passing through numerous small villages and settlements. Afterwards you could ascend gently to the final destination of the day. The majority people here are Gurung and their religion is Buddhist. They are engaged in agricultural activities, tourism business. 

To begin your trek, you could ascend steeply for the early 2 hours and then ascend gently passing through Ulleri (2070m) and Banthanti, Magar villages. On the way, you could see good view of Machhapuchhare (6997m), Hiunchuli (6441m), and Annapurna (7219m) south. Now your trail is quite easier passing through rhododendron and shadowy trees and descends gently up to the final camp. You could see some of the wild life such as monkey and various species of birds. 

Early morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Nilgiri (6940m), Varaha Shikhar (7847m), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Annapurna III (7855m), Machhapuchhare (6993m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna II (7937m), Lamjung Himal (6931m) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After walking for almost one and half hour you reach Gurung Hill which has the splendid mountain views as Poon Hill. From here you follow small forests with rhododendron, bamboos until you reach Deurali. The trail goes steeply down through deep forests all the way to Banthati. It takes one hour from here to reach Tadapanil through the deep forests of rhododendrons, bamboos and oaks. En-route, you frequently see waterfalls, rocks, wild animals, local birds and green scenarios. Tadapani is a small village surrounded by beautiful forests which grants you a magnificent view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail, and Annapurna II and so on. 

It is very easy trek by descending gently all the way through rhododendron, oak and other kinds of dense forests. You could hear different kinds of birds chirping on the way. This is one of the popular destinations for the birds' lovers. Ghandruk is a big Gurung village. There is a handicraft centre and Gurung museum. From this village you could see good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m), Annapurna III (7755m) and Fishtail.

At the beginning of the day, you could ascend gently for an hour up to Ghandrukkot (2100m.) and descend steeply to the Kimron Khola (1700m). Immediately, ascend steeply and walk at a level for an hour and still ascend gently to the final camp. Chhomrong is a gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary trek and inhabited by Gurung, one of the major Ethnic group of Nepal.

Leaving Chhomrong, the trail descends on a stone staircase and crosses the Chhomrong Khola on a swaying suspension bridge, then climbs out of the side valley. High above the Modi Khola on its west bank, the trail passes through the tiny settlement of Tilicho in forests of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. Climbing further on a rocky trail (beware of the stinging nettles) you reach three hotels at Sinuwa (2350m). Climb in rhododendron forests to Kuldi (2520m) This was once a British sheep breeding project; now the stone houses are an ACAP visitor centre and check post. In winter, it's common to find snow anywhere from this point on. Descend a long, steep stone staircase into deep bamboo and rhododendron forests. It is then a short distance on a muddy trail to Bamboo Lodge (2340m)

You trek gently ascend through bamboo forests with varieties of rhododendron and oak trees. The first town you reach is Dovan (2630m) where there are few lodges and camp sites. Now you pass through muddy trail which traverses high above the river. There is debris of avalanches except during winter season. After short trek, you reach at Himalayan Hotel (2900m), the town named after the Himalayan Hotel. Beyond it, the trail is steeply ascent up to Hinko Cave (3160m), this named as a huge overhanging rock provides some protection against rain and avalanches. It takes approximately twenty minutes through normally ascent path to reach Deaurali (3230m) 

From here, the valley widens and becomes less steep and you can see the gates to the sanctuary. The trail is less steep. As the trail continues into the sanctuary, it crosses two avalanche tracks on a narrow trail that hurdles up against the cliffs. After short trek you will be at Bagar (3310m), a meadow and some abandoned hotels. The normal trail follows the left side of the valley. Now the trail appears gently ascent until you reach Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3820m). This is one of the places, where you can enjoy the view of Mount Hiunchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7229m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna III (7555m), Gangapurna (7454m) and Machhapuchhare (6997m). The path follows through alpine meadow and after some distance your trails go gently up. After a short trek, you begin to approach Annapurna Base Camp (4200m). From here, you can see the views of several peaks at 360 degree. 

You cross Annapurna glacier to follow the steep ascent trail all the way to Ten Peak Base Camp. On the way you can enjoy the panoramic views of Hiunchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7229m), Annapurna I (8091m), Fishtail Mountain, Barahashikhar Mountain and many others. 

The trail is rocky and steep ascent all the way to High Camp to summit (6501m). These days you can enjoy the panoramic views of Hiunchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7229m), Annapurna I (8091m), Fishtail Mountain, Barahashikhar Mountain and many others.

The trail is rocky and steep ascent all the way to High Camp to summit (6501m). These days you can enjoy the panoramic views of Hiunchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7229m), Annapurna I (8091m), Fishtail Mountain, Barahashikhar Mountain and many others.

You descend all the way to Annapurna Glacier and after crossing it the trail is gradual down all the way to Macchapucchre Base Camp.

The trail moves downhill until you reach Bamboo. After Bamboo, the trail goes steeply up to the Kuldi Ghar and now the trail is quite flat until you reach Sinuwa. 

You trek gradually descend to the Chhomrong Khola and you have to follow stone staircase for almost an hour to reach Chhomrong. The last part of the trail is steeply down to Jhinudanda (1750m). From the town you should walk down for 20 minutes to reach Hot Spring at the bank of the Modi Khola. You can relax at hot spring.

The first part of the trek is descent and then appears through flat land until you reach Himal Pani. Here you find beautiful waterfall. Beyond this town, the trail ascends gently crossing numerous streams and terraces. After short trek, you will be at Landruk (1640m.), a pretty big village inhabited by mixed community of Gurung, Magar and Brahmin as well. Now the trail gently ascends to Tolka (1850m.) and then ascent and level path to Bherikharka. From here, the trail goes steeply up to Deurali (2100m.) with a view of different mountain peaks in panorama. Now the trail gradually descends to Pothana passing through different oak forests. Pothana is a small town resided by Gurung, an ethnic community of Nepal. From here too, you can enjoy the splendid views of various mountain peaks. 

The trail is gently descent up to Dhampus, a village mainly inhabited by Gurung. Now you trek through flat land for some distance and steeply descend to Dhampus Phedi. Now you take vehicle to drive from Dhampus Phedi to Pokhara. 

While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En-route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. Or you can fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu and it takes about 25 minutes.

After breakfast you will have some free time until the time to leave the international airport for your final departure.

Cost Included

  • Documents: Hiunchuli Peak special permit, National Park entrance permit & TIMS card 
  • Activities: Sightseeing and trekking trip as per itinerary.
  • Equipment: All the camping equipment and kitchen utilize on base camp.
  • Accommodation: 4 night’s hotel in Kathmandu, 2 night hotel in Pokhara and 17 nights lodges/Tent during trekking. 
  • Food: Full board on teahouse/camping [Breakfast, lunch and dinner] during the trekking and 6 breakfasts in city.
  • Staffs: Group Leader/Guide, Climbing Sherpa and necessary supporters
  • Transportation: Arrival/Departure transfer and surface road-head transportation.
  • Company & Government’s service charge: All applicable Government taxes & official service charges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation

Cost Excluded

  • International and local flight
  • Travel insurance covering with emergency Helicopter rescue
  • Personal travel, trekking and climbing equipments 
  • Lunch and Dinner while in City
  • Bar bills and Beverages
  • Tips/Gratuities for trekking crews
  • Temple and Monastery entrance fee while sightseeing in city
  • Optional activities
  • And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

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