Mt. Saipal is the second highest peak in Western Nepal with its elevation of 7031m above sea level. Saipal Base Camp Trek is an extremely rewarding and beautiful off-the-beaten-track of West Nepal. This is an easy trek for those who love to trekking Himalaya but would like to avoid high passes.
Saipal Base Camp trek is an ideal trek, which offers remote and wilderness landscape combining with cultural enrichment of western Nepal. In this trek, we explore the hidden highland valleys of Humla and take you in the lap of Mt. Saipal 7031m.
Programme at a glance…..
- We access to Simikot by 55 minutes flight from Nepalgunj, a hub city of western Nepal.
- Then following the Humla Karnali river gorges, we trek to through Thakuris, and Bhotia villages, (Dharapori, Kermi and Yalbang) by witnessing their rhythm of life.
- From Yalbang the trail switch north to Chala and to Karan Khola valley- Northern Saipal Base Camp.
- Exploring a day around Northern Saipal Base Camp back to Karan Khola and crossing Sakya La pass enter to Rani Kharka/ Nune Kharka.
- Exploring around Nunekharka glacier and having spectacular views of Mt. Saipal, spending a night in the lap of Mt. Saipal our trails joins to Kawadi Khola.
- Then treading along the Lampato, via Khadikhana Lagane Karang, Khada, Raya, Chhipra and ends our trek in Simikot.
In details - stages of Saipal Base Camp Trek
Stage 1 – Kathmandu, Nepalgunj to Simikot
One hour descent flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, offers you wonderful window views of Himlaya.
Nepalgunj, a town in southern Nepal (Terai), humid and hot but is the hub for flying in/out the highlands of Western Nepal.
The flight takes up from 150m Nepalgunj to Simikot 2818m by grazing mountain ridges above 4000m to 7000m.The scenic mountain views of Mt. Saipal, Tibetan plateau, and great Himalayan range get entertain easily 55 minutes time inside the plane. Landing on Simikot airport is first welcomed by nearby Mountain View.
Stage 2 - Simikot to Chhala via Dharapori, Kermi, Yalbang and Chhala
The Saipal Base Camp trek starts from Simikot, a capital town of Humla district. The trail leads towards Karnali river bank through Thakuris, and Bhotia villages, (Dharapori, Kermi and Yalbang) by witnessing their rhythm of life.
Stage 3- Chhala to Karan Khola Valley –Northern Saipal Base Camp
From Chala we switch to Karan Khola valley upto the Northern glacier of Mt.Saipal (7030m) from Gurgure Khola. The source of Karan Khola is the northern glacier of Mt.Saipal (7030m) . Following all the way of Karan Khola valley and dotted summer kharkas (pastures) we will explore the northern glacier or northern Saipal base camp. Exploring a day around the valley we return back to Gurgure Khola and following downstream Gurgure Khola we cross Sakya Lagna 4709m and decends down to Lepcha Khola.
Stage 4- Crossing Sakya La to Rani Kharka/Nune Kharka – Eastern Saipal Basecamp
After crossing Sakya Lagna (4709m) we follow the Lepcha Khola and then switch to Tharagi Kharka, Rani Kharka and Tillin Kharka to Nune Kharka glacier in lap of Mt. Saipal. Which is eastern side of basecmp of Mt.Saipal.Sakya Lagna (4709m) is the highest point of entire trek.
Stage 5-Rani Kharka to Lampato along Kawadi Khola to Simikot
From Rani Kharka, we descent down following Kawadi Khola and switch to leftward to Lampato and crossing the Khadikhana Lagna along Khada, Raya, Karang and Chhipra.
We terminate our journey in Simikot. Then fly back to Kathmandu.
Level of Participants
- This is easy and moderate level of trek, hence it is suitable for even the first time trekking in Nepal.
- A good level of physical condition is most, although we do not have above 5000m passes in this trek.
- A good dose of patience, tolerance, and humor is always most essential as we are trekking in wild valleys.
………………………..Happy Holidays in the Himalaya!
