Overview
This trek showcases the unparalleled beauty of the far west region of Nepal. The beauty of this trek is unmatched. This trek is an undamaged and less-traveled destination. The major attractions of the trek are the remote villages, the rural lifestyle of locals, locals working in the field, and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. You will not only witness the Saipal Himal but also see the other major peaks in this trek. The peaks you will see are Thado Dhunga, Rajamba, Kapchuli, Mt. Nandadevi, Api, and Nampa. You will be surprised by the diverse flora and fauna through this trek.
The Saipal Himal trek is less demanding; it does not require the high-altitude trekking experience. Good health and fitness are enough for this trek. This trek will give you life-long memories to remember. The perfect seasons to trek here are spring and autumn. These seasons are ideal as the weather is perfect and the landscape is at its most vibrant. The Saipal Himal base camp trek is a perfect trek option for those who are seeking an adventure with rich cultural experiences.
Itinerary
Expand AllUpon your arrival in Kathmandu, our local team warmly welcomes you at the airport. You will then be escorted to the hotel, where you can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. The itinerary includes a briefing about the trek's progress and presentation, followed by leisure time. If you arrive in the morning, you'll have the entire day at your disposal. This can be used for rest or for those interested to explore the surroundings freely. It's an ideal chance to experience Nepalese culture and indulge in the local culinary delights.
Transfer to hotel
Final altitude: approximately 1,350m
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: one night in the hotel
Flight of about an hour with superb views of the Manaslu, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Nepalgunj is located in the Terai plain, not far from the Indian border. We discover a Nepal of the plains, of Hindu culture and religion. Free time on site.
by private vehicle and plane
flight: 45 minutes
Final altitude: 280m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
We are happy to leave the humidity of Nepalgunj to go up the Himalayan foothills. The hills follow one another, and we leave the last rice fields. A final ridge, a bend, and the Simikot airfield appear. It is in the heart of the village. The flight being early in the morning, we have part of the day to walk around and discover the surroundings. There are still some formalities to complete before reaching our campsite and enjoying a first hot tea.
About: 35 minutes
Final altitude:3,000m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a lodge
We start with a first day of short hiking with a descending profile that allows us to get up to speed. After crossing the village of Simikot, we pass through another small village before taking the valley that leads to the Karnali River which has its source in Tibet. On the way, we observe the temple of Kharpunath.
4 hours Walking
Final altitude: 2,100m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent
We follow the turquoise waters of Karnali while bypassing the Chote Kang massif that we will bypass during our entire trek. At the foot of Raya, a slope over 300 meters high ends this somewhat short day. We visit beautiful villages with houses that follow the slopes and adapt to the terrain.
4 hours walking
Final altitude: 2,400m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
We gain altitude. Directly behind the village, the path climbs towards the Lama Chaur mountain pasture. We leave the cultivated terraces and thus pass from the inhabited area to pine forests and pastures. As we gain altitude, we have beautiful views of the peaks and the Karnali Valley. Camp on the ridge or lower if there is no water.
6 hours walking
Final altitude: 3,750m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
Far from the houses now, we leave for a day at altitude. Along a ridge and then through successive passes, the path gradually leads us to the Khadikhani pass at 4,300 meters. The Saipal Himal at more than 7,000 meters, can be seen. We admire it during the whole descent, which leads us to the Khawadi valley.
7 hours walking
Final altitude: 2,900m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
Today, the long ascent of the Kawadi Khola valley, a river that originates in the eastern glacier of Saipal. The path is without difficulty on this part. We follow the river to the mountain pastures of Rani Kharka. The slope is gradual, but the valley is long. Then, at the end of a valley, the imposing mass of Saipal appears. Its east ridge is spectacular.
6 hours walking
Final Altitude: 3,550m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
It is a “wild” base camp because the real camp is on the other side, to the north. To be as close as possible to the glacier, we approach the summit. We are heading towards a beautiful turquoise lake, a tangible symptom of the melting of the glaciers. From there, the view of the summit is impressive. Depending on the movements of the glacier, if the path is passable, we can progress a little along the moraine on the left bank. We return to our camp at Rani Kharka.
4 hours walking
Final altitude: 3,550m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
From the mountain pastures of Rani Kharka, we go to the sheepfolds of Lepche Kharka via Tharangi Kharka and its small shepherd's shelters. We continue due north, following the Lepche River. The path climbs towards the pass that we will pass the next day.
4 hours walking
Final Altitude: 4,450m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
Going up to Sakya Lagna at 4,700 meters, the valley loses its vegetation with altitude. We passed the highest pass of the entire route. At the pass, we observe the Saipal, which is revealed from another angle, but also a formidable view towards the summits which make the border with the Tibetan plateau. We then descend through the pastures of Kaniphuk Kharka and the confluence of the Karang and Kalungba rivers. We then go back to the village of Chala vertically.
7 hours walking
Final altitude: 3,750m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
From Chala, the path stays flat in Nepal above the valley you dominate. We then descend to the Kharang Khola, a narrow valley that leads us to tonight's camp.
5 hours walking
Final altitude: 4,000m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
A rather busy day. We go up in the narrow valley with sometimes a little stiff passage. We arrive at the north base camp near a waterfall and a glacier. Not far away, there is the high and blue turquoise lake of Kharang. The north face of Saipal loaded with snow and ice is impressive. It is from here that the rare expeditions to the summit leave. In recent years, the snow on the slopes of Saipal tends to melt phenomenally. The first known attempt to conquer Saipal dates back to 1953 with the Austrian Dr. Herbert Tichy, which would have failed, mainly due to essentially logistical problems. A Japanese expedition made the first ascent in 1963. Katsutoshi Hirabayashi and Pasang Phutar reached the summit on the south side on October 21. After unsuccessful Austrian and Swiss attempts in 1987 and 1988, two teams made the first ascent of Saipal via the NE ridge in 1990. Frenchmen Jacques Montaz and Tendi Sherpa reached the summit on October 26. Two days later, the Austrian Kroll, the German Matthias Mross, and Ang Choppel Sherpa experienced the same success.
7 hours walking
Final altitude: 4,800m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
We took the same path we went through narrow gorges to set up our camp at Kharang Khola.
5 hours walking
Final altitude: 3,700m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
A long day to go back to the village of Chala that we already knew.
6 hours
Final altitude: 3,750m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent
We climb the last pass of our route, the Syakup La at 4210 meters, which allows us to reach Yalbang. The descent into the valley of Puiya Khola is steep and in the forest. We then go up to the village of Yalbang, which is now served by a track that connects Simikot and Hilsa, the Tibetan border.
7 hours walking
Final altitude: 3,700m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a tent or a lodge
We take the track used by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims who wish to go on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. We return to Simikot for one last evening with our team,
About 2 hours.
Final altitude: 3,000m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: one night in a lodge
Flight
About 1 hour 20 minutes
Meals: breakfast – free lunch (not included) – free dinner (not included)
Accommodation: overnight at the hotel
The free day in Kathmandu also serves as a safety day in case something goes wrong while trekking. Today you have a rest day to relax or you can also go shopping in Kathmandu or you can do whatever you want by yourself.
Free time depending on the departure time of your flight, and our representative will drop you at the airport, ending your journey in Nepal. We hope to be of service to you again. Thank you, and safe travels.
Included & Excluded
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AIRPORT PICK-UP & DROP :
Airport - Hotel transfer – Airport (Pick Up and Drop).
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ACCOMMODATION IN KATHMANDU & NEPALGUNJ :
3 nights sharing a twin bedroom at the hotel (3 Star category) in Kathmandu on a bed & breakfast basis. 1 night sharing a twin bedroom at the hotel (3 Star category) in Nepalgunj on a bed & breakfast basis.
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WELCOME DINNER :
One Welcome Dinner in a tourist standard restaurant in Kathmandu with Office Staff.
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PERMITS :
All necessary paper works: Trekking Permit
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STAFF INSURANCE :
Insurance for all involved Nepalese staff during the trek.
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MAP :
Region Trekking map.
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MEMBER TRANSPORTATION :
Flight By plane as per itinerary (Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-simikot) and while returning Simikot-Nepalgunj- Kathmandu
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MEMBER LUGGAGE :
Up to 15 Kg per member for personal baggage during the trek carried by porters.
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FOODS & LODGING :
3 meals daily (Breakfast - Lunch- Dinner ) ; including tea and coffee) and accessible accommodation sharing basis in a tea house/ Tent camp during the trek.
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CAMPING EQUIPMENT :
All necessary camping equipment during the trek if required. (Tent- Kitchen Tent, Dinning Tent, toilet tent, table, chairs etc)
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GUIDE :
Government licensed Guide (English speaking) during the trek and sightseeing in Kathmandu valley. 1 Assistant guide per 4 trekkers: The Assistant Guide is actively helping clients under the leader’s direction and set camp.
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PORTER :
Porters (2 trekkers: 1 porter) during the trek.
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kitchen staff :
1 Cook and kitchen boys: responsible for all meals and is on a trek that doesn’t use lodges for meals. kitchen boy is an assistant to the cook. |
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STAFF SALARY & ALLOWANCE :
All Nepalese staff & porter’s daily wages, salary, equipment, food & clothing. |
COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES FROM THE ALPINIST CLUB :
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INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE :
International flight airfare (from and to Kathmandu).
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NEPAL VISA FEES :
Nepal Visa fee is US$ 40 per person for 30 days (to be applied for 60 days (USD$ 100).
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LUNCH & DINNER :
Lunch & dinner during the stay in Kathmandu & Pokhara (also in case of early return from Trekking than the scheduled itinerary).
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EXTRA NIGHTS IN KATHMANDU & POKHARA :
Extra nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara. In case of early arrival or late departure, early return from Trekking (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
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INSURANCE :
Travel and high altitude insurance, accident, medical & emergency evacuation.
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PERSONAL EXPENSES :
Telephone calls, Internet, Toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beer, and any alcoholic beverages.
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PERSONAL EQUIPMENT :
Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Personal Trekking Gears, etc.
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TOILETRIES :
Soaps, shampoos, toilet and tissue papers, toothpaste, and other items used to keep yourself clean.
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FILMING :
Special Filming, Camera, and Drone permit fee.
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INTERNET SERVICE :
Internet facilities during the trek are not included.
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TIPS :
Tips for Guide, porters, and staff.
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EXTRA :
Any other services or activities, which are not mentioned in the itinerary. Any other item not listed in the “Cost Includes” section. Note saftey Measures: safety is our top priority. Our expert guides ensure a fun and successful Trekking while keeping safety first. We carefully plan each trip, monitor weather, and bring medical kits, rescue gear, and reliable communication tools for the journey Note: For unforeseeable reasons at this stage of climatic hazards, form or deformity of the participants or others (state of the roads, traffic, case of force majeure . your guide or guide may have to adapt the program, if necessary for the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and guarantor of your safety. Walking times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another. |
Trip Organization
Your Guide and Team During the Saipal Himal Base Camp Trek
Your guide, from your arrival in Kathmandu until your departure, is responsible for the success of your trip and oversees your team. Do not hesitate to ask him questions, respect his position as the team leader, and above all follow his advice! Often your guide is the only English-speaking member of the team. In the mountains and, especially when during high-altitude travels, your guide is responsible for the safety of the group. The instructions he gives and the remarks he makes to all participants must be carefully followed. The interest and safety of the trekking group must be preserved, even when it may be to the detriment of an individual member of the group.
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Your Nepalese team may consist of several people, each with different responsibilities. They are:
The Guide Leader (Sirdar) is responsible for and leader of the whole team and is treated with respect by all. Often he has earned his position by starting as a porter and rising through the ranks.
The Cook is responsible for all meals and is on a trek that doesn’t use lodges for meals. (camping trek )
The kitchen boy is an assistant to the cook. ( camping trek )
The Assistant Guide is actively helping clients under the leader’s direction and set camp.
The Porter is the load carrier for the trekking group. As Nepal is a mountain country with few roads, porters are employed to carry loads. Compliance with regulations and common courtesy dictates the maximum weight carried and the minimum wage paid. Porters are provided with gear based on the routes they follow and with insurance for alpine treks.
Each trekker is allotted the following maximum weights per person: Lodge (tea house) Accommodations: 15 kg maximum; Tent Camping: 22 kg maximum; Expeditions/summit ascents: 20 kg maximum. The porters are given a premium wage for carrying loads over 30 kg.
In addition, the Nepal Alpinist Club takes care to take out insurance for the Guide and porters. Specific equipment is allocated to them for crossing passes at altitude (even if wearers often refuse to put on shoes due to lack of habit).
Accommodations in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu, you will accommodate in a hotel. We use different hotels depending on availability. The two preferred hotels are:
Hotel Ramoda: Located in the heart of Thamel, this hotel is ideal for walking the bustling streets of Kathmandu. The spacious rooms all have a bathroom, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. A fully equipped and active dining room is available for all meals, and the breakfast buffet offers a wide choice of foods. The hotel offers currency exchange, laundry services, and luggage storage.
Sampada Garden:Located just 20 minutes on foot from Thamel and Durbar Square, this hotel is convenient for exploring Kathmandu. The rooms have all the necessary comforts for your stay: air conditioning, bathroom, and Wi-Fi. Breakfasts are served as a generous buffet. The hotel provides currency exchange, laundry services, and luggage storage.
Accommodation during the Saipal base camp trek
For tent accommodation: during the trek, breakfasts, Lunch, and Dinner are prepared by the kitchen team. They are taken to the mess tent. Depending on the profile of the stages (length of the day's walk and/or presence of water), midday snacks will be served hot or cold in the form of picnics. During the trek, additional energy food is provided. Purchased locally, they offer a more limited. You can, if you wish, bring some complementary cereal bars adapted to your taste.
Here is a typical one-day menu:
Breakfast: eggs, toast or chapati, or Tibetan bread or pancakes, or pancakes, butter/jam, tea or coffee
Lunch: a main course, tea or coffee
Dinner: soup, main course, fruit (fresh or canned), tea or coffee
During the trek, tea or coffee is served with meals. Two cups per person are included.Apart from these included menus, other drinks and foodstuffs will be at your expense.
Water: provide tablets (Hydroclovazone, Micropur, or another type) to disinfect the water you put in your water bottle, depending on the source and on the advice of your guide. It is sometimes possible to buy purified water and refill your water bottle without having to buy bottled water. You can also buy mineral water in the cities (not included in the price) but its ecological balance is poor, as you know. Also, we do not recommend it.
Preparation for the Trek
Preparing for the trek requires several months of preparation with 4 to 6-hour walks every weekend for stamina and participating in a sport that required short periods of high exertion.
Medical check-up
Being in good health is essential to fully enjoy your Alpinist Club trip. If your last medical visit was more than four years ago, please get another general physical exam and tell your doctor the nature of your trip (climate, altitude, difficulty, etc.). The altitude also has the effect of reviving dental problems or other chronic pain, so getting a dental checkup is also prudent. If you are undertaking a high-altitude expedition, we advise you to consult a mountain medicine specialist.
Acute Mountain Sickness
This trip takes place at high altitudes, so some people may experience altitude-related discomforts like headaches, loss of appetite, and swelling of limbs. Most of these symptoms usually go away within a few days, but sometimes they can develop into a serious illness: pulmonary or cerebral edema. There are no preventive drugs for AMS. Diamox diuretic is often effective for symptomatic relief, but you should first check with your doctor to verify that it is not contraindicated for you. Think about it before you go.
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Trip Map
FAQ's
Expand AllSaipal Himal Base Camp is located in far-western Nepal's isolated Bajhang District. It has an impressive altitude of about 4,500 meters. It is part of the Saipal Himalayan Range and provides stunning views of Mount Saipal (7,031 m).
Since the Saipal Himal Base Camp Trek lies in a restricted area, you are required to have a Restricted Area Permit and a Trekking Information Management System ( TIMS) card for the trek. You can acquire these with the help of a government-certified trekking agency.
The majority of the trek takes place in isolated locations with few teahouses or lodges. Basic lodging is available, and camping is necessary in certain locations. Trekkers should be ready for basic amenities and bring their equipment.
Amazing views of Saipal Himal, opportunities to explore isolated Himalayan communities, and interactions with traditional Tibetan-influenced culture are all major highlights of the journey. Additionally, wildlife enthusiasts may see uncommon animals like blue sheep or snow leopards.
Yes, altitude sickness is a possibility when the hike reaches elevations above 4,000 meters. To lower the risk, proper hydration, pace, and acclimatization are crucial.
Spring (March- May) and fall (September–November) are the ideal seasons for trekking. Clear skies, consistent weather, and colorful scenery are all features of these months, where you can have the best trekking experience.
The trek usually takes 18 to 20 days, including travel to and from the starting point. This includes time for acclimatization and exploration. However, the duration influences the itinerary you follow, your space, and your physical fitness.
Yes, because of the limited permit requirements, a guide is required. Although it is not required, hiring a porter is strongly advised to lighten the load, particularly on this difficult hike.
Food options during the trek are limited. In teahouses, basic meals like dal Bhat (rice and lentils), noodles, and potatoes are available. For camping, trekkers should bring their provisions and rely on their crew to prepare meals.
The long trekking days, steep ascents, and high-altitude terrain make the trek physically demanding. Strength training, hiking, and aerobic activities are advised for a few weeks before the expedition. Additionally, acclimatization is essential to preparation.
