Saribung 6346m
About this Climb
Saribung is located in a remote and rugged region between Mustang and the Naar Phu Valley. It is a relatively straightforward peak from a technical perspective, yet it demands exceptional endurance, patience, and strong mental resilience. Reaching the summit requires spending a considerable amount of time trekking at high altitude, allowing climbers to gradually adapt before making their final ascent attempt.
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General Information
Key informations that define this iconic adventure
6548m
Maximum Altitude
26 Days
Days Duration
Spring
Best Season
Grade 5 (Extreme / Alpine)
Difficulty Level
Futher Information
This peak is especially popular among experienced and senior mountaineers who come from a strong technical climbing background. The journey is not only a mountaineering challenge but also a cultural experience, offering deep insights into traditional Tibetan-influenced lifestyles while trekking through the remote valleys of Naar Phu and Mustang. The landscape is raw, dramatic, and largely untouched, adding to the overall sense of adventure. Traditionally, Saribung has been climbed by approaching through Mustang in a clockwise direction and exiting via the Naar and Phu valleys. However, recent road development has significantly affected the trekking experience in Mustang. Traveling by jeep as far as Yara disrupts the natural acclimatization process and diminishes the overall wilderness experience. To address this, our itinerary approaches the peak in an anticlockwise direction, ensuring climbers have ample time to acclimatize and condition their bodies by trekking consistently at higher elevations before attempting the summit. The journey concludes with a scenic jeep drive to Lo Manthang and continues down to Jomsom, providing a comfortable and efficient return.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A detailed breakdown of your adventure
Day 1 - 2: Arrival & Exploration in Kathmandu
Arrival & Exploration in Kathmandu
Day 3: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara
We depart the capital early in the morning via private vehicle, tracing the winding canyons of the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. Arrive in the scenic lakeside city of Pokhara by late afternoon. Spend a relaxing evening by the shores of Phewa Lake, enjoying a final touch of comfort before heading into the wild rain shadow.
Day 4: Fly Pokhara to Jomsom | Trek to Kagbeni
We take a spectacular morning flight that weaves directly down the Kali Gandaki Gorge—the deepest canyon in the world—flanked by the massive ice walls of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Landing in the wind-swept town of Jomsom, we organize our crew and make a flat, pleasant walk along the riverbed to Kagbeni, the historic boundary gateway into Upper Mustang.
Day 5: Trekking Through the Forbidden Kingdom to Lo Manthang
We check our restricted area permits and enter Upper Mustang, tracing the riverbank before a steep climb up a striking rock canyon to Chele.
Day 6: Syangboche - 3,560m
We cross the Taklam La and Dajori La passes, walking past unique, wind-hewn rock formations to reach Syangboche.
Day 7: Tsarang - 3,520m
The trail climbs over the Yamda La, drops through traditional villages, and traverses the spectacular, chorten-lined village of Ghami before arriving at Tsarang, home to a massive 14th-century dzong (fortress).
Day 8 - 9: Lo Manthang - 3,840m
We cross the windy Lo La pass to witness the grand reveal of the ancient, white-walled medieval capital of Lo Manthang. We spend Day 9 resting and exploring this incredible kingdom, visiting the 15th-century Chodey Monastery and taking an optional horse ride to the sky caves of Chhoser near the Tibetan border.
Day 10: Trek Lo Manthang to Yara
Leaving the walled capital behind, our exploratory route pivots east into the true wilderness. We make a steady climb over an open plateau before a steep descent down an extraordinary, striated canyon wall to cross the Mustang Khola. We arrive at the isolated oasis village of Yara, flanked by towering, honeycomb-structured clay cliffs.
Day 11: Trek Yara to Luri Gompa | Move to Ghuma Thanti
We make an early morning visit to Luri Gompa, a magical 14th-century cave monastery perched high on a sheer mud-cliff wall, home to ancient, beautifully preserved Buddhist frescoes. From Luri, we leave all traces of human habitation behind, making a sustained climb onto a high-altitude alpine plateau to pitch our wilderness camp at Ghuma Thanti.
Day 12: Trek Ghuma Thanti to Damodar Kunda
The trail continues across a desolate, high-altitude lunar landscape. We climb over a rugged mountain pass at 4,920 meters before dropping into the sacred valley basin of Damodar Kunda. This collection of pristine, freezing alpine lakes holds immense spiritual significance for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Day 13: Acclimatization & Rest Day at Damodar Kunda
A vital safety day to let your lungs adapt to the sub-5,000m threshold. Spend the day resting, checking technical mountaineering gear, and walking slowly around the shores of the sacred lakes to soak in the immense scale of the surrounding mountain walls.
Day 14: Trek Damodar Kunda to Ghechung Khola (Base Camp Approach)
We begin our definitive approach to the Saribung massif, following a rough, pathless trail that traces the lateral moraines of massive glaciers. The terrain becomes a stark mix of gray slate, loose boulders, and glacial melt-streams. We pitch our tents near the banks of the isolated Ghechung Khola.
Day 15: Move to Saribung Base Camp
A slow, mindful ascent across rugged moraine fields and shifting gravel ridges. The air becomes intensely thin as we cross the 5,000-meter mark. We set up our Saribung Base Camp on a stark rock shelf, looking directly up at the massive glaciers tumbling off the pass.
Day 16: Move Base Camp to Saribung High Camp
We make a steep, physically demanding climb up the lateral moraine to establish our High Camp on a protected alpine shelf right at the edge of the permanent snow line. Spend the afternoon hydrating, practicing basic rope-handling safety, and preparing your technical outerwear for an alpine start.
Day 17: Summit Assault: Saribung Peak
An extraordinary, monumental test of endurance. We awaken at midnight, stepping onto the crisp glacier by 2:00 AM. Roped together and using crampons, we navigate gentle but immensely high snow slopes to reach the sharp summit of Saribung Peak (6,328m). Standing at the apex reveals an uninterrupted, jaw-dropping look across the Tibetan plateau and the massive massifs of Damodar Himal. We descend carefully back to the main glacial route to cross the high crest of the Saribung La Pass (6,042m), making a long, demanding descent down loose rock and snow to pitch our tents at the Nyak Khola campsite.
Day 18: Expedition Contingency / Weather Buffer Day
An essential safety buffer built directly into the itinerary. If high winds, whiteouts, or extreme cold delay our summit attempt on Day 17, this day ensures the team can safely wait out the weather window.
Day 19: Trek Nyak Khola to Phu Gaon (The Lost Valley)
We trace our way down the wild river canyon, descending out of the extreme alpine zone into the fascinating, forgotten region of Nar-Phu. The trail winds past striking rock towers to enter Phu Gaon, a wonderfully isolated, ancient stone village perched on a hillside cliff that feels completely locked in time.
Day 20: Trek Phu Gaon to Meta
We walk down past the historic khampa settlements and ancient mani gates of the Phu valley. The trail navigates a spectacular, narrow gorge carved deeply by the river, crossing high suspension bridges and passing through deserted seasonal herding outposts before arriving at the clearing of Meta.
Day 21: Trek Meta to Koto
A long but exceptionally pleasant descent as the air grows thick and rich with oxygen. The trail plunges into beautiful, dense forests of pine, fir, and oak, tracking a roaring river canyon. We emerge from the wilderness to hit the village of Koto, where our route officially intercepts the classic Annapurna Circuit trail.
Day 22: Private Drive Koto to Besisahar
We say goodbye to our trekking crew and board a private four-wheel-drive vehicle. We navigate the rugged, canyon-carved mountain road that traces the Marsyangdi River, dropping steadily down from the high country to the sub-tropical warmth of Besisahar.
Day 23: Drive Besisahar back to Kathmandu
We return along the paved Prithvi Highway, snaking alongside the rapids of the Trishuli River. Arriving in Kathmandu by late afternoon, check back into the team hotel for a long-awaited hot shower, clean clothes, and a real bed.
Day 24 - 25: At Leisure in Kathmandu
Two vital buffer days built into the schedule to insulate the team against any delays during the remote wilderness crossing. If everything went smoothly, these serve as a grand opportunity to tour the UNESCO world heritage sites of the capital, shop for souvenirs, and gather for a triumphant farewell banquet.
Day 26: Final International Departure
Your epic exploratory trans-Himalayan expedition concludes today. We provide a private, scheduled transfer to take you directly to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
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