Jugal Himal Base Camp Trek

On the first arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport, after completing the visa formalities and collecting the baggage. Then reaching the Air Terminal exit door, Visit Himalaya Treks staff will receive you.

A short drive takes you to your hotel, located in a nice locality not far from the main city of Kathmandu. After checking into your rooms, rest then join to trek briefing provided by the group leader or guide regarding the treks, camping, foods, and walking path. As well as local culture and religion, the views to expect to include important detail and information to make your adventure enjoyable and delightful.

Altitude: 1350 m Accommodation: Hotel Meals: No

A leisurely day in Kathmandu for an exciting tour around Kathmandu and Nepal's famous landmarks. The tour guided by our expert cultural guide, takes you to places of great historical and religious interest of both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Kathmandu city and the valley steeped with World Heritage Sites, of Old Durbar Square (old palace). The Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,500 years old with the Holy Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath and a large dome Buddhist Stupa of Bouddhanath. After an interesting tour back at the hotel for final preparation and packing for Jugal Himal Base Camp Trek.

Some items and clothing not required for trekking can leave in the hotel to store. Including valuables can be stored in the hotel's safe deposit or with the Visit Himalaya Treks office.

Altitude: 1350 m Accommodation: Hotel Meals: Breakfast

After having a good breakfast, depart from the hotel for a long and interesting overland journey, towards the east of Kathmandu Valley. The first few hours of drive on a pleasant scenic highway reaching Dhulikhel old town. From Dhulikhel enjoy panoramic views of the Central and Eastern Himalayas with Jugal and Langtang Himal range. The drive heads down to much warmer areas through farm villages and towns, from Panchkhal town.

Our journey diverts leaving the main road and heading north to Melamche Bazaar, a large spread-out town. Possible lunch stop as time permits, and then drive leads up on winding hilly dirt rough road reaching Thulo Bhotang. A nice village of mixed hill tribes of Tamang, Sherpa, and Magar with few Newar, Chettries, and Bharamins.

The villagers seldom see a few foreign trekkers on this route, our first overnight tented camp is set on a farm yard. Having time to explore the village and observe the local culture, from here on our route leads to a completely isolated high country. 

Altitude: 2600 m Accommodation: Tea House/Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The first-day trek of the adventure begins after clearing the camp and having breakfast prepared by our camping cook. The walk starts with a climb heading up to Tupi Danda through a lovely cool forested path. The forest is lined with tall rhododendron, pines, and fir trees as uphill continues past a few Kharka (cattle herder temporary summer shelters). Taking a slow pace due to gain in altitude then finally the walk ends on reaching a nice grassy meadow. Where our overnight camp is set at Nosyampati amidst beautiful woodland.

Altitude: 3610 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A leisure day at Nosyampati for acclimation before reaching the higher region towards Panch Pokhari and Jugal Himal base camp. An ideal height for rest and a short hike up the hills for the best views of surrounding dramatic landscapes and snow-mountain range. Nosyampati is also a summer pasture and grazing field for local villagers’ cattle. Enjoy the serene setting within a pristine location with only the sound of nature and birds.

Altitude: 3661 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning after a good breakfast, today's walk is fairly short compared to the previous day. However the steep climb makes the day quite longer, start the morning with uphill to cover more than 400 meters. The climb gets quite steeper in some sections but rewards you with exceptional views of the Jugal Himal mountain range.

The climb leads higher within the forest and then a short descent reaching Panch Pokhari and the five simmering ponds. Located on a scenic valley beneath towering peaks Himalayan massifs of Gauri Shankar (7,134 m), Jugal Himal (6, 535 m). Includes Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), the scenery is absolutely stunning against the great contrast of green forested hills.

Panch Pokhari means five ponds, a holy pilgrimage site for the Hindus. During the mid-monsoon wet months of July or August on a full moon, a religious fair takes place. Thousands of Hindus and some Buddhists pay homage to this holy spot for prayer and worship. As well as taking a bath in the holy ponds to clean the sins and bad omens of hundreds of lifetimes.

Panch Pokhari is also on several routes of famous Himalayan destinations towards Jugal Himal Base Camp. As well as towards the famous Langtang Valley via Tillman’s Col, the pioneer who explored the areas in the early 1950s.

Altitude: 4055 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On leaving the camp at Panch Pokhari, our route leads towards Jugal Himal Base Camp, heading straight north. A steep climb for a few hours leads to a crest and a ridge top above 4, 400 m high. Facing outstanding views of surrounding landscapes with Panch Pokhari down below with Jugal Himal range of peaks towards north direction. Slowly the walk descends to the base of this unnamed high ridge reaching a small place of Nema-Gchukpa Kharka. A lovely high spot for an overnight camp with grandeur views of snow peaks.

Altitude: 3578 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Nema-Gchukpa Kharka, adventure heads towards a Chhendang which is quite lower from this campsite. The morning after breakfast, the walk leads further north at first with a slow short climb to a high ridge. Reaching on top of Chidakpu Kharka at 4,513 m, after a steep climb. Rewards with spectacular scenery of Langtang and Jugal Himal range, and then a long descent to Chhendang for overnight camp.

After downhill, needs to cross a fast-flowing cold stream, if the temporary log bridge does not exist. Depending upon the grazing seasons, sometimes the cattle herders make a simple small bridge for animals; to graze on the other side.

Altitude: 2636 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a fairly long walk, where trekkers need to be careful on some sections across a narrow path. Especially on the ledge of a high rocky cliff with some danger of rock fall, the path leads to a slow climb. As the walk progresses reach a small grassy area at Tongsyup Gufa, a place with an overhanging cave. In the early days monks and high Buddhist priests used this cave as a good shelter for meditation. From here on slow downhill to cross a stream, then reaching our overnight camp at Ne Pemasal.

Altitude: 3500 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning is another moderate walk as the trail climbs gradually adding more heights to the adventure. Leaving the fast-flowing stream for an uphill climb towards the small place of Bumbaserpu at above 4,200 m high. From here another hour or more climb to reach the overnight camp at Gyap Kharka. After an exciting day's walk of great variation with short down and ups on a narrow edge path.

Altitude: 4400 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gyap Kharka, which is also a summer grazing pasture area for cattle. From here a short walk to Jugal Himal Base Camp our major destination of the adventure. They can be misleading, heed slowly as you encounter rocky moraines and glaciers to reach Jugal Himal Base Camp. Arriving on time for lunch and overnight halt, at the bottom of the towering giant peaks of Jugal Himal. An afternoon with time for rest to marvel at the spectacular scenery of the mountain range, and take a short hike around.

Altitude: 4700 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoying the time of your life and feeling in high spirits on completing the first phase of the adventure. The return journey leads further east of Sindupalanchok district with various routes to reach Bhairab Kunda.

The walk leads back to Ne Pemasal, but with a difference taking the east route via Ne Pemasal River. Just the opposite side from the path we walked the previous day towards Jugal Base Camp via Gyap Kharka. Eventually, the walk leads towards Ne Pemasal for the last overnight camp around the main areas of Jugal Himal. 

Altitude: 3500 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From the camp at Ne Pemasal, our route diverts east towards Ne-Kharka for an overnight stop. Leaving the earlier path of the Panch Pokhari area, the trail follows eastward with slow ups and down. The country changes into rugged landscapes of the glaciated moraine of rocks and ice in some sections. Quite a long day walk on a completely new path, probably only a few trekkers and explorers might have used this route. But interesting walk far and off from the main popular areas following the hidden path to reach the overnight camp at Ne-Kharka. This area is often frequented by only a few cattle herders from nearby villages during the summer times.

Altitude: 4230 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On leaving the camp of Ne-Kharka heading towards another wild country at Jumle Pokhari, a small glacial pond. The walk follows, to short downhill to Takpadding then reaching Phu Kharka, which is east from the main route of Somdong. Our direction leads on a fresh new path around the areas of smaller glacial ponds of Jumle Pokhari. Located not far from Loom Pokhari and Bhairab Kunda our next destination after staying in Jumle Pokhari. Enjoy the views along the walks to Jumle Pokhari, within the remote and isolated region of Jugal Himal. After a pleasant and wonderful walk reaching a small pond of Jumle Pokhari for overnight camp.

Altitude: 4200 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a pleasant overnight in Jumle Pokhari means a twin pond, due to its adjoining Loom Pokhari. The walk follows a secluded path towards Kappu Danda a high hill and ridges. Our approach to Bhairab Kunda is much different from other popular trails, coming from the south direction. As our walk leads from the northwest to reach the holy site of Bhairab Kunda. A stunning-looking holy lake at 4,125 m, one of the major pilgrimage destinations for Hindu followers.

Like Panch Pokhari, Bhairab Kunda, where religious events are held once a year in the month of July / August. As per the Hindu Lunar calendar, pilgrims come to pay homage to the temple dedicated to Lord Bhairab. Which is another destructive form of Lord Shiva) as well as taking a bath in the holy lake. Enjoy the beautiful seating of Bhairab Kunda from the campsite, overlooking grand views of Jugal Himal peaks.

Altitude: 4125 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Bhairab Kunda and its beautiful scenic location, the walk leads down south with a few short ups and more downhill. As the trail enters back into the dense forest of rhododendron, pines, oaks, and fir trees. The walk leads to an exciting place of Nautalle Kharka (means a temporary cattle herder shelter of 9 stories high). Probably built as a watch tower to guard their cattle from other wild animals.

The walk then heads on winding down to Thulo Dhunga, a small farm settlement with a huge boulder. As the name means Thulo Dhunga, close to the farm areas where our overnight camp is set.

Altitude: 3500 m Accommodation: Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Slowly our adventurous walk comes to an end reaching Kyangsing village, a short- and last-day trek of the journey. The morning starts following the south route as the walk gets closer to warm farm areas in the village of Kyangsing. Mostly populated by the mountain tribes of Tamang and some Sherpa interwoven into Buddhism religion. Kyangsing is a nice farm village, from here take a four-wheel drive of more than 6 hours overland journey to Kathmandu.

Although a long drive but interesting and exciting, the road follows rough dirt tracks. After hours on bumpy hill dirt tracks then joins on the main good road all the way to Kathmandu. On reaching the city limit and back to your respective hotels on time for the last dinner in Kathmandu and Nepal. After a great mesmerizing and wonderful experience on Ultimate Jugal Himal Adventure.

Altitude: 2520 m Accommodation: Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today enjoy the free leisure day in Kathmandu for individual activities and for shopping sprees. Trekkers with early flights for respective countries, or other ports of call can depart from the hotel for international flight homeward bound.

Altitude: 1350 m Accommodation: No Meals: Breakfast