Api Himal Expedition Tour

Far western Nepal is not very famous among international trekkers, but it has great potential. Api Himal is western Nepal's highest mountain. The area is remote, untouched, and rarely visited by tourists. This is a landscape beyond the ordinary—wild, extremely beautiful, filled with exotic cultures, fast-flowing rivers, and pristine forests.

This region offers virgin nature, off-the-beaten-path trails, mysterious cultures, and panoramic mountain views of Nanda Devi, Rajramba, Api Himal, Kappa Chuli Peak, and many more. There is also a sacred lake called Kalidhunga, located about a two-hour walk from Base Camp. It is considered one of the holy lakes of the area.

Deep in the heart of the Himalayas, nestled between the sweltering Indian subcontinent and the frozen plains of the Tibetan Plateau, Humla lies hidden in the far northwestern corner of Nepal.

Shadows of the towering Saipal range and the sacred Takh and Changla Himals loom over this barren, forgotten basin of the mighty Karnali River. Its extreme geographical conditions range from 1,524 m to 7,337 m in elevation, and it has an approximate population of 45,000. The natives still speak an archaic dialect of Tibetan and Nepali. Summers in Humla are pleasant, while winters are harsh and cold, leaving the region isolated and mostly snowbound.

It is a well-known fact that Nepal has 8 of the world’s 14 highest peaks. The Byash Himal range is one of them, and Api Himal lies within this region, carrying great historical and spiritual significance. Mountaineering in Nepal is a globally recognised adventure sport, yet expedition routes in several regions remain lesser known. The Api and Saipal expeditions are examples of these hidden treasures.

DAY 01: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU AIRPORT

You will be welcomed by our airport representative and transferred to your hotel, where you will receive a briefing about the trip.

DAY 02: FULL-DAY GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN KATHMANDU VALLEY & EVENING EXPEDITION MEETING

Places to Visit in Kathmandu Valley:

Pashupatinath Temple

Boudhanath Stupa

Swayambhunath Temple

All three sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and hold great historical, cultural, and religious significance.

DAY 03, 04 & 05: FLY/DRIVE TO NEPALGUNJ & CONTINUE TO GOKULESHWOR (FAR WESTERN NEPAL)

Wake up early for a long three-day bus journey to Gokuleshwor, or choose to fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and then continue driving to Gokuleshwor.

DAY 06: GOKULESHWOR TREK TO PANSHERA

The trek begins today. After breakfast in Gokuleshwor, trek to Panshera. Lunch and dinner will be served on the way. Overnight at Panshera. (BLD)

DAY 07: PANSHERA TREK TO GHAMCHA

Although it is the seventh day of the trip, it is only the second day of trekking. After breakfast, begin the trek to Ghamcha.

DAY 08: GHAMCHA TREK TO MARMA

A beautiful day of trekking through one of the remotest regions in Nepal—one of the remotest in the world.

DAY 09: MARMA TREK TO MAGARGHAT

Walk for about 6–7 hours, descending from Marma and then climbing up to Magarghat. Overnight at Magarghat.

DAY 10: MAGARGHAT TREK TO GHUNSA

A 6–7 hour trekking day with continuous ups and downs, accompanied by natural beauty and warm, welcoming locals.

DAY 11: GHUNSA TREK TO BATAR

Continue trekking toward Api Himal Base Camp.

DAY 12: BATAR TREK TO JUNGLE DOVAN

Walk for about 5–6 hours. Your guide will explain details about the region. Overnight at Jungle Dovan.

DAY 13: JUNGLE DOVAN TREK TO HIGH CAMP

Trek from Jungle Dovan to High Camp. Api Himal Base Camp is one of Nepal’s finest base camps, located at around 5,000 m.

DAY 14–29: CLIMBING PERIOD FOR API HIMAL EXPEDITION (7,132 m)

Total climbing duration: 15 days.
These days will involve climbing up and returning to Base Camp for acclimatisation and physical conditioning. Elevation ranges from 5,500 m to 7,100 m. High-quality ISO-standard tents will be used, arranged by our experienced climbing Sherpas.

Our expedition management team closely monitors each climber’s health and signs of altitude sickness. If any climber shows signs of altitude-related issues, they will be escorted to a lower camp or Base Camp until they recover, and then may ascend again. Spare days in the itinerary are flexible because conditions may vary.

DAY 30: CLEANING UP BASE CAMP

After a successful summit, return to Api Base Camp and clean the area according to responsible mountaineering practices.

DAY 31: HIGH CAMP TO JUNGLE DOVAN

Follow the same route back to Jungle Dovan.

DAY 32: JUNGLE DOVAN TO BATAR

After breakfast at Jungle Dovan and lunch en route, trek to Batar. Overnight at Batar.

DAY 33: BATAR TREK TO GHUNSA

Return to Ghunsa following the route used earlier.

DAY 34: GHUNSA TREK TO YAL GAON AREA

Enter more populated areas where you can observe local communities and their lifestyle.

DAY 35: YAL GAON TREK TO VALLEY KHARKA / GAD

After breakfast in Yal Gaon and lunch along the route, arrive at Valley Kharka with views of the Saipal Himal. Overnight at Valley Kharka.

DAY 36: GAD TREK TO KHARKA

Gad is a small and relatively easy pass. Kharka refers to open grazing meadows where large trees do not grow.

DAY 37: KHARKA TREK TO KHARKAL

Continue trekking through similar landscapes. Overnight at Kharkal.

DAY 38: KHARKAL TREK TO CHAINPUR

Chainpur is a transportation hub where the team spends the night before taking the bus back to Kathmandu.

DAY 39, 40 & 41: CHAINPUR DRIVE BACK TO KATHMANDU (3-DAY DRIVE)

It takes about 2–3 days to reach Kathmandu. On Day 42, you will arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 42: FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU

You will be tired after the long expedition, so this day is for complete rest and recovery.

DAY 43: FINAL DEPARTURE OR JOIN ANOTHER TRIP FROM KATHMANDU