Trip Highlights
- Summit the Saribung Peak
- Visit Lo Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang and the most well-preserved Tibetan culture center.
- Visit various monasteries and Gompas of Upper Mustang and the Nar Phu Valley.
- Visit Pokhara- the most famous tourist destination in Nepal.
Overview
The Saribung Trekking with Climbing is a marvelous journey that takes you to the mystical land of Lo Manthang. It is a beautiful trip that includes all the best facets of Nepal’s remote destinations. From the well-preserved culture that has persisted for over a thousand years to the winding natural beauty found on the dry and rocky landscape, the Saribung Trekking with Climbing incorporates the best features for an unforgettable trip.
The journey starts from Pokhara, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. The trekking trail then takes you to places like Jomsom and Kagbeni, where you can enjoy the Annapurna region’s traditional settings and the cultural ambiance of the Thakali and Gurung ethnic people. The entire trip is filled with various Chortens and Gompas, decorated beautifully with prayer flags. Moreover, the whole trip is an amazing opportunity to witness the magnificent views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain peaks.
Similarly, the trekking trail also takes you to the famous Bon city of Lo Manthang, one of the last vestiges of the old Bon culture. The city presents many natural artifacts and old shrines that provide a peek into the past of this once grand kingdom. The trip also includes visiting famous religious sites along the journey, such as the Luri Cave Monastery and the Tsarang village.
Finally, the Saribung Trekking and Climbing trip takes you to the top of the Saribung Peak. This trip is a challenging journey, but the demanding ordeal is well-compensated with unforgettable views of the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan peaks, as well as panoramic views of the entire Upper Mustang region. Unlike the lush green landscapes of other famous treks, the Upper Mustang region and the Nar Phu Valley offer a very desolate and dry terrain that is contrasted magnificently with the snowy peaks. The contrasting natural elements present one of the most alluring sights to enjoy!
Join Brown Bear Trails for a wonderful trip that will take you to the heart of the Annapurna region. Our well-trained and experienced guides and team members will make sure that you have a comfortable trip with the best services throughout the journey. The Saribung Trekking with Climbing is one of those treks that you do not want to miss out on! Book your trip with us today!
Itinerary
You may arrive in Kathmandu at any time. There are no planned activities for the day; thus, you may check into your Hotel and relax. Overnights stay at the Hotel.
This day is reserved for a sightseeing tour of the city. There are four major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu- the Pashupatinath Temple, the Swayambhunath Stupa, the Bouddhanath Stupa, and the Kathmandu Durbar Square. After paying a visit to each of the sites, you will be dropped back to your Hotel, where you will be briefed about your trip tomorrow, with preparations. Overnights stay at the Hotel.
You will be taken from your Hotel in Kathmandu to the airport, from where you will board your flight to Pokhara. It is one of Nepal's most famous tourist destinations, and the city has many natural sights to enjoy. Upon landing at Pokhara, you will be dropped off at your Hotel. You can spend the day exploring the city if you want. Overnights stay at the Hotel in Pokhara.
Today, you will be flying to Jomsom, boarding a plane from the Pokhara airport. The flight takes you through the beautiful Kali Gandaki Gorge. Upon landing at Jomsom, you will then begin your trek through the riverbank towards Kagbeni. Along the way, you will come across the Lubra village. Here, you can pay a visit to the Bon Po Monastery and light some incense and offer a prayer. Following the trail, you will ascend to Ekleybatti and continue along the trail until finally reaching Kagbeni. Overnights stay at Kagbeni.
Further, along with from Kagbeni, your guide will register your Restricted Area permits, and you will continue along your journey. The trail coruscates along the Kali Gandaki Riverbank, and you will eventually reach Tangbe village. From here, you can get amazing views of the mountain peaks, and the village also offers a beautiful display of colorful chortens and Mani stone walls. After some rest, you will leave Tangbe and make your way to the Chhusang village, crossing rocky trails that feature boulders and river rocks dotting the landscape. Crossing an iron bridge lain over the Kali Gandaki River, you will finally reach the famous caves situated on the Cliffside above the trekking tunnel. Following the sandy trail once more, you will finally reach Chele. Overnights stay at Chele.
From Chele, you will follow the meandering path that takes you towards the Taklam La and the Dajori La Pass. The path is steep, but the downward trek is relatively easier as you descend to Samar. Crossing over many small streams, you will reach the Rachung Cave situated at the banks of the Syangboche Khola. From there, the path then leads towards Ghiling. Overnights stay at Ghiling.
Today’s trek is filled with sights of traditional Tibetan houses and huts that line the landscape. From Ghiling, the path follows the ridgelines and takes you to another famous village of Mustang- Tsarang. Here, you can see many Gumbas and shrines and stone structures with bright red contrasting doors. The dry terrain is overshadowed by the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri Mountain peaks. Overnights stay at Tsarang.
Most of the trekking trail to Lo Manthang from Tsarang is flat, with wide terrains and a gradual ascend. The remoteness of the place makes for a great trip as the landscape is filled with barren environments with occasional terrace farms providing the green tincture in an otherwise grey and rocky surrounding. You will cross the Lo La Pass along the way, from where you can get amazing panoramic views of the Mustang valley. Overnights stay at Lo Manthang.
This day is reserved for acclimatization. You can spend the day today exploring the village of Lo Manthang. It is one of the most well-preserved Tibetan villages in the world where the culture hasn't changed for over a thousand years. The village has many caves and monasteries that you can explore as well. Overnights stay at Lo Manthang.
Trekking gradually uphill from the village, you will follow the trail towards the mountain pass. Crossing over the pass, you will arrive at the village of Dhi. The terrain is dry and windy all along the journey, but the wonderful rock formations throughout the trip are quite fascinating t witness. From Dhi, the trail takes you to Yara, zigzagging along the Puyung Khola. Overnights stay at Yara, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Today’s destination is the Luri Gompa. You will continue along the riverbank and gradually make your way uphill towards the Gompa located beneath a rocky cliff. The Luri Gompa is an ancient cave monastery believed to have been built during the 14th century. You can see a big Chorten inside the cave, and there are figures and statues of many Buddhist deities inside as well. Many holy Buddist tests line the cave walls as well. Overnights stay at Luri, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Following the winding trail, you will come across pastureland that opens up into a lovely wide expanse. You can see yaks and goats grazing peacefully in this pasture, and the snow-capped mountains also make a beautiful tapestry on the horizon. Walking along with the pasturelands, you will gradually then descend to Ghuma Thanti. It is a small village that is located beside a gorgeous stream. The village is also a famous stop for pilgrims visiting the Damodar Kunda. Overnights stay at Ghuma Thanti, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Today’s trail is a rather strenuous trip, as you will be crossing high passes. After crossing the Kyuma La (5300m) and the Batsyak La (5450m) passes, you will reach the Damodar Kunda Lake (4890m), which is situated at a high elevation. It is a sacred lake that many Hindu pilgrims visit. Situated in a rain-shadow zone, north of the magnificent Annapurna range, the lake provides a beautiful contrast of turquoise against the grey of the terrain. From there, you will then continue downhill to Namta Khola. Overnights stay in Namta Khola, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Today, the trek starts with you following the left bank moraine of the Khumjungar Glacier. This part of the trek can be quite tough due to the trail being covered in snow. Climbing through Khumjungar Glacier, you will reach the Saribung Base Camp, from where you can see many 6000 meters peaks that rise above from all sides. Overnight in Saribung Base Camp.
This is another day reserved for acclimatization. Today, you can roam around the base camp and also enjoy the amazing mountain views with beautiful terrains all around. Proper acclimatization is important as you can suffer from altitude sickness if you don't know the increasing altitude. Overnights stay at base camp.
Following your guide, you will slowly make your way to Camp I. The climb uphill is strenuous, and the journey can be a bit treacherous as well, with crevasses and thick snow covering the landscape, but with the help of your guide, you should be able to do it without much issue. You can have wonderful views of the mountain peaks, such as the Annapurna range and the Dhaulagiri Himal, along your climb. Overnights stay at Camp I.
Today is an exciting day as you will be summiting the Saribung peak! You will begin early in the morning, making your way slowly to the top of the peak. The snowy terrain makes for quite the climb. Using climbing equipment such as ice axes and crampons, you will follow your guide as you ascend the mountain ropes. After reaching the summit, you can take in the amazing panoramic views of the peaks and the valley below. Then slowly, you will make your way back to base camp. Overnights stay at base camp.
Today's descend the moraine path towards Ngoru is strenuous. You will cross the Saribung Mountain Pass as you make your way down the landscape. It is a steep descend, but the views make up for the difficult climb down. Overnights stay at Ngoru, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
The trek down to Phu Gaon is quite beautiful. Along the trek, you will be greeted by wonderful views of mountain peaks such as the Himlung Peak (7126m), the Nemjung (7140m) Himal, and the Cheo Peak (6812m), as well as the Pokarkang (6372m). The Phu Gaon is inhabited by ethnic Rai, Limbu, and Gurung people, with their unique lifestyle and culture. The village is also the home of the very ancient Buddhist Monastery- the Tashi Lakhang. This monastery is registered as one of the world's 108 great Buddhist Monasteries and is believed to be one of the last monasteries built by the holy Karmapa Rinpoche. Overnight stay in Phu Gaon, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Crossing the village gate, you will leave the village of Phu behind to continue on your trail towards Kyang. It is a beautiful village that has many ruins left behind by the fallen Khmapa settlement. Trekking downhill, the path eventually leads to Kyang. You can see wonderful views of the Kanguru Himal from the village. From there, it is a relatively easy descend to Meta. Overnights stay at Meta, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
The trek from Meta to Koto is the one where you will finally notice a significant change in the landscape. The trek takes you over several streams and rivers towards the alpine woodlands and a Dharamshala village. From there, the Himalayan woods cover the land, and the trek becomes a pleasant contrast to the otherwise rocky and dry terrain you are used to at the beginning of the trip. Finally, you will reach Koto. Overnights stay at Koto, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Trekking through the pine woodlands, you will make your way to the Timang village from Koto. The village of Timang presents splendid sights of the luminous Annapurna peaks. Descending downhill, the trail then leads to Danakyu. The trail gets a bit uneven from then on, but the flat surface of pastures makes their appearance once more as you near Dharapani. Overnights stay at Dharapani, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Descending to the Marsyangdi River, you will pass the iron bridge situated at the end of the Dharapani village. Walking alongside the Marsyangdi River, the trail takes you over many smaller streams until it reaches the villages of Karte. Further along the trail, you will also cross the villages of Tal, Sattale, and Chamje on your way to Jagat. There a few waterfalls that decorate the terrain as well, and as you follow the Marsyangdi River downwards, you will finally reach Jagat. Overnight stay in Jagat, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
You will finally bid the Annapurna Peaks goodbye today as you drive back to the city. The drive goes through the cliff sides and many high ridges, and the changing terrain of the Annapurna woodlands to the Kathmandu valley is quite mesmerizing. You will cross many wonderful rivers and streams along the journey, and you can also catch a glimpse of the ethnic villages situated along the way. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be dropped at your Hotel. Overnights stay at the Hotel.
This day is a rest day. You can relax today and let your body cover-up from the effects of the long trek you completed. You can also roam around Thamel and go souvenir shopping if you want. Overnights stay at the Hotel.
This is your last day in the country. You will be dropped at the airport from your Hotel, from where you will depart.
FAQ’S (Frequently Asked Questions):
Saribung Trek and the peaks, it is not a new destination but only very few groups
of trekkers and climbing seldom venture. Due to its remoteness far from human
habitation and villages, takes you northeast of Upper Mustang. The trek leads
past the holy glacial pond Damodar Kund and then near Bhrikuti Himal and then climbs
to the top of Saribung Peak. As well as crossing the high pass towards the upper region
of Phu village, where the walk joins at Kodo near Chame town at Manang district.
Saribung Peak and pass situated Far North East of Upper Mustang and North West
of Nar and Phu region of Upper Manang Valley. Due to its remote location,
trekkers can climber’s visits quite often. A great adventure those seek complete
wilderness.
As this is completely a raw country where very few trekkers and adventurers
seldom use these remote locations. From Lo-Manthang onwards toward Saribung
Peak, is a wild country, where human habitation does not exist. Due to its
remoteness, trekkers and climbers require to carry tents and food till Nar and
Phu villages are reached after the climb and trek.
All camping equipment and food will be carried by Brown Bear Trails throughout
the trek and climb of Saribung Peak. Includes foods for the trek and climb, having
a separate kitchen department of the cook, kitchen staff along with the guide, camping /
trekking staff and porters to carry all the camping gear.
Depending upon the seriousness of the patient, for minor wounds and sickness,
having self-treatment with the medicines carried by the clients and from Brown
Bear Trail. For critical conditions, the victim should be brought and evacuated to
a safe lower place to the nearest medical post or hospital by the fastest means of
transportation. In some situation requires Helicopter service as the fastest means to
bring the sick to Kathmandu for further treatment.
On leaving large and main villages from Lo-Manthang onwards till Nar-Phu,
electricity power is not available in the pure mountain wilderness.
After the climb of Saribung Peak and crossing the pass then heading towards Phu
village electricity from solar or private small hydropower is available.
Where trekkers can charge their electronic items from Nar-Phu villages onwards
till the end of the trek.
The best time and season are spring and autumn / fall. Spring starts from March
to May. The spring will be lively and bright with clear fine days most of the time
with longer sunlight hours. Where hills will be alive with wildflowers in full bloom
especially the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. Could get snow-fall
sometimes and light rain around lower areas.
The next time is autumn/fall from September to November, most days are
crystal clear for views and walks. But days are short due to the sunlight hours of
autumn and pre-winter times. Can expect snowfall around a high altitude above
2,500 m high, extra cold with a wind-chill factor.
