A 26-day high-pass trek crossing the Saribung Pass (6,042 m), the highest trekking pass in Nepal, from medieval Lo Manthang to the glacial gorge of Nar Phu Valley.
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The Saribung Pass Trek is a 26-day expedition-style high-pass trek that crosses the Saribung Pass at 6,042 m, the highest designated trekking pass in Nepal, linking the walled medieval city of Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang with the remote, glacially carved valleys of Nar and Phu. It is a point-to-point route, so the landscape changes dramatically from the wind-scoured, ochre canyons of the Tibetan plateau to the dense pine and juniper forests of the Nar Phu gorge.
Upper Mustang is the former Kingdom of Lo, a restricted region bordering Tibet, where Tibetan Buddhist culture has been preserved largely intact for centuries. The route enters through Kagbeni, passes the red-walled fortresses of Tsarang and the walled city of Lo Manthang at 3,750 m, then turns north toward Luri Gompa, a cave monastery carved into a cliff face, before climbing into high, uninhabited plateau country. Above Ghuma Thanti at 4,856 m the trail leaves the last shelter and camps grow progressively higher: Batsyak Camp at 4,880 m, French Camp at 4,950 m, Japanese Camp at 5,360 m, High Camp at roughly 5,500 m, and Thulo Dhunga at 5,750 m, until a final carry to Phedi Camp at 6,035 m the day before the crossing.
Nar Phu Valley is a separate restricted area on the northern side of the Annapurna massif, equally closed to casual visitors and equally striking: the valley walls are near-vertical, mani walls and chortens line the trail, and the villages of Nar, Phu and Meta retain a way of life that changes slowly. The trek exits through Koto and drives out via Besi Sahar. The sections below cover permits, difficulty, altitude, seasons, food and what to bring for both the teahouse stretch through Mustang and the full camping section above Luri Gompa.
Last updated June 2026
Tap any day to expand — altitudes, walking times, meals, and overnight details. Acclimatisation days are built into the schedule.
Every cost on the trail is broken out below — no hidden fees, no surprises at the trailhead.
Included
10 items
Not included
6 items
The Saribung Pass Trek is graded expedition-style and carries an AD+ technical rating above 5,000 m. It is not a technical climbing objective and requires no NMA summit permit, but crampons and ice axe are mandatory from roughly 5,000 m, fixed ropes appear on sections near the pass, and the nine consecutive camp nights above 4,800 m make it the most demanding high-pass route in Nepal.
In-depth guides on accommodation, food, permits, insurance and special considerations — tap any topic to expand.
The Saribung Pass Trek carries an AD+ technical rating from around 5,000 m and is the most demanding high-pass route in Nepal. It is not a trekking peak and requires no NMA summit permit: the Saribung Pass at 6,042 m is a route crossing, not a summit. That distinction matters practically, because the trip saves both the cost and the preparation window of a climbing permit, but it does not reduce the physical demand. Crampons and ice axe are mandatory from roughly 5,000 m, fixed ropes appear on the steepest approach sections, and nine consecutive nights above 4,800 m, culminating at Phedi Camp at 6,035 m, press hard on any acclimatisation schedule.
Walking days above Japanese Camp run 5 to 9 hours over snow, ice and moraine, and the crossing day from Phedi to Phu Gaun drops 2,000 m of vertical over long distance. Anyone with a respiratory or cardiac condition should have a specialist health check before booking. Swotah guides carry a pulse oximeter and a first-aid kit; anyone with oxygen saturation persistently below 80% will be guided down. The itinerary builds in progressive altitude gains that follow the standard acclimatisation rule of sleeping no more than 500 m higher each night once above 3,000 m, with Camp nights at 4,880 m, 4,950 m, 5,360 m, 5,500 m and 5,750 m staged before the pre-pass camp at 6,035 m.
The full kit list. Anything we loan (sleeping bag, down jacket) is called out — bring everything else.
Everything trekkers ask before booking. Don't see yours? Tap Enquire — we usually reply within a few hours.
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100% locally owned since 2016. Trek profits support Sherpa families and village schools directly.
Every date on our calendar runs — no minimum group size. You never pay to be cancelled.
NATHM-licensed, WFR-certified, English-speaking. Most were born within two valleys of the trail.
Small groups, typically 6–8 trekkers. You get a real experience, not a convoy.
Sleeping bag and down jacket loaned at no extra charge — both rated to –20°C.
Deposit from 10% to confirm, balance before departure or in cash on arrival. Reschedule up to 30 days prior.
Kathmandu office and dedicated WhatsApp emergency line. We answer at 2am if needed.
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