Saipal Himal Base Camp Trek

We are excited to leave behind the humidity of Nepalgunj and ascend into the Himalayan foothills. The hills roll endlessly, and soon the last rice fields disappear from view. After a final ridge and a bend, Simikot airfield comes into sight, nestled in the heart of the village. With an early morning flight, we still have part of the day to explore the area and soak in the surroundings. Before settling into our campsite and enjoying our first hot tea, there are a few formalities to complete.

• Duration: 35 minutes
  
• Final altitude: 3,000 m
  
• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
  
• Accommodation: One night in a lodge

We begin our trek with a short, gently descending route, ideal for warming up and finding our pace. Leaving behind the village of Simikot, we pass through another small, charming settlement, where we get a glimpse of local life and traditional architecture. The trail then leads us into a broad valley that guides us toward the Karnali River, whose origins lie high in the Tibetan plateau. Along the way, we encounter the sacred Kharpunath Temple, an important spiritual site for the local communities, offering a quiet spot to pause, take in the surroundings, and appreciate the cultural richness of the region.

Today, you tackle the long ascent through the Kawadi Khola valley, following the river that begins in the eastern glacier of Saipal. The trail here is relatively gentle, allowing us to move steadily as we trace the river upstream. On either side, the valley gradually narrows, flanked by verdant slopes and scattered patches of alpine vegetation. Our path leads to the mountain pastures of Rani Kharka, where the gentle rise of the terrain contrasts with the length of the valley ahead.

As we reach the valley’s end, the full grandeur of Saipal comes into view. Its towering east ridge dominates the skyline, a dramatic silhouette of jagged peaks and icy cliffs. We pause to take in the sight, feeling the immensity of the mountain and the remoteness of the landscape, a fitting reward for the steady climb through the serene and expansive valley below.

We ascend toward Sakya Lagna at 4,700 meters, and with the rising altitude, the valley gradually sheds its vegetation, leaving a stark and dramatic high-altitude landscape. Here, we cross the highest pass of the entire trek, a moment that offers both a sense of achievement and awe. From the summit, the Saipal massif reveals itself from a new perspective, while across the horizon, a formidable panorama stretches toward the peaks that form the border with the Tibetan plateau.

The descent begins through the wide, windswept pastures of Kaniphuk Kharka, eventually reaching the confluence of the Karang and Kalungba rivers. From there, we make a steep return to the village of Chala, tracing a vertical path that underscores the ruggedness and remoteness of this Himalayan region. The day offers a profound mix of challenge, beauty, and perspective, leaving an indelible impression of the high mountains and the life that endures among them.

From Chala, the trail levels out, offering a gentler day as we traverse the highlands of Nepal, walking above the valley below and taking in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. The path winds quietly through open terrain, allowing time to appreciate the vastness and serenity of the region. Eventually, we begin a gradual descent into the narrow Kharang Khola valley, where the river threads its way between steep slopes. The valley’s intimate scale contrasts with the open expanses we’ve just crossed, creating a sense of enclosure and tranquility. Following the river downstream, we arrive at our campsite for the night, a peaceful spot nestled amid the rugged terrain, providing a well-earned rest after the day’s journey.

It is a full and demanding day as we climb through the narrow valley, encountering sections that require careful footing and occasional effort. The trail gradually brings us to the north base camp, tucked beside a cascading waterfall and the edge of a glacier. Not far from here lies the striking high-altitude lake of Kharang, its waters a vivid turquoise, reflecting the rugged peaks around it. From this vantage point, the north face of Saipal rises dramatically, draped in snow and ice, a formidable sight that few have approached. It is from this remote base that the rare expeditions to Saipal’s summit are launched.

In recent years, the snow on Saipal’s slopes has been melting at an unprecedented rate, changing the dynamics of climbing the peak. The mountain’s climbing history is both fascinating and challenging. The first known attempt came in 1953 by Austrian mountaineer Dr. Herbert Tichy, which ultimately failed due to logistical difficulties. A decade later, a Japanese expedition successfully reached the summit on October 21, 1963, with Katsutoshi Hirabayashi and Pasang Phutar ascending via the south side. Subsequent attempts by Austrian and Swiss teams in 1987 and 1988 were unsuccessful, but in 1990, two teams achieved the first ascent via the NE ridge. French climber Jacques Montaz and Tendi Sherpa reached the summit on October 26, followed two days later by Austrian Kroll, German Matthias Mross, and Ang Choppel Sherpa, marking a remarkable chapter in Saipal’s climbing history.

Standing here, at the foot of this imposing peak, one cannot help but feel the grandeur of the Himalayas and the legacy of the mountaineers who dared to challenge them.

We tackle the final pass of our trek, the Syakup La, standing at 4,210 meters. From this vantage point, the panorama opens up, offering sweeping views of the surrounding ridges and valleys, and signaling that we are nearing the end of our high-altitude journey. The descent into the Puiya Khola valley is steep and shaded by dense forests, where the cool air and the scent of pine accompany each step. After navigating the wooded slopes, we begin the climb toward the village of Yalbang. Once a remote settlement, Yalbang is now connected by a track that links Simikot with Hilsa at the Tibetan border, blending traditional Himalayan village life with the quiet touch of modern accessibility.

• Meals: breakfast
• Accommodation: overnight at the hotel