GANESH HIMAL BASE CAMP TREK
GANESH HIMAL BASE CAMP TREK
EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL VALLEYS AND VIEW SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS AMONG THE TIBETAN - TAMANG VILLAGES NEAR THE TIBETAN BORDER.
Ganesh Himal is named after the Hindu elephant God-Ganesh. The Ganesh Himal is a range of six major peaks that form a natural barrier with Tibet in the Himalayan ranges west of Langtang valley. Ganesh Himal is named after the legendary elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesh. The Ganesh Range Peaks (Ganesh I, Ganesh II, Ganesh III, and Ganesh IV) form a chain of mountains in the skyline. The highest peak in the range is Yangra (Ganesh I) at 7422 meters.
The Ranges are inhabited by different ethnic groups like Gurung, Tamang and Magar which gives trekkers a unique cultural experience.
The Ganesh Himal trek begins at Kathmandu with a scenic drive to Samari Bhanjyang via Trishuli Bazaar the starting point of the trek. From there we will follow a trail that passes terraced farmland and through traditional villages with evidence of their unique customs and cultures.
The trail circumnavigates the Ganesh Himal base camp and passes through numerous villages on the way.. The trek begins at Samari Bhanjyang (via Trishuli Bazaar) and leads on to Katunje Bazaar, Kintang Phedi, Jharlang, Chalise, Hindung, Rajgang Kharka, Kalo Seto Kunda (Black and White Lake), Ganesh Himal Base Camp and returning to Rajgang Kharka before heading to Chalise, Laba Besi, Manyang Bhanjyang, Majhgaun, Budathum and finally to Arughat Bazaar where we return by road back to Kathmandu.
Key Features of Ganesh Himal base Camp Trek
- Region rich in minerals such as zinc, crystal, ruby & tin.
- Visit the sacred Parvati Lake (Kunda) & twin sacred White and Black Lakes.
- Stop at the natural hot spring en route to Neber.
- Stunning close-up views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, and Manaslu Himal.
- Super-friendly hospitality of ethnic communities.
- The diverse landscape of terraced farmland, lush green meadows and barren rocky hills.
- Home to various wildlife like alpine sheep, yak, Thar deer, wild goat, and ox.
- Dense forests of rhododendron (pine blooms in spring), oak and bamboo.
- Several raging rivers with suspension bridges, deep gorges and waterfalls.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Our staff will be there to meet you at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport and transfer you to your hotel. Later in the evening they will collect you from your hotel and evening we will have short trip meeting at our office.
Day 2 : Drive from Kathmandu to Samari Bhanjyang (1250m) via Trishuli Bazaar; Duration: 6-7 hours.
Today we will leave Kathmandu on a six to seven-hour drive, firstly passing Trishul Bazaar until reaching our trek starting point Samari Bhanjyang where we will stay the night.
Day 3 : Trek from Samari Bhanjyang to Katunje Bazaar (7,65m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
We begin our six to seven-hour trek following a trail that initially descends and then heads uphill. The trail takes us through several villages, passing terraced farmland and also through dense pine and rhododendron forests until we reach the small market village of Katunje where we will stay the night. From Katunje we have our first views of Ganesh Himal.
Day 4 : Trek from Katunje Bazaar to Kintang Phedi (9,655m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
We start our five to six hour trek following the trail that descends to Lapang Besi and then follow along the banks of the Ankhu Khola (river), passing through several villages and past cultivated farmland until we arrive at King Phedi. King Phedi sits on the bank of the Ankhu Khola. We stay here the night.
Day 5 : Trek from Kintang Phedi to Jharlang (1,500m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Our trail today takes us through a number of different ethnic villages, such as Tamang, Brahmin, and Chhetri, each with their unique culture and customs. We continue and finally reach the Tamang village of Jharlang where we stay the night. The children from the local government school will be excited to see you!
Day 6 : Trek from Jharlang to Chalise (2,000m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we trek uphill passing through mostly Tamang villages, passing through Borang and Sheraton, villages with basic health care facilities and schools. We then cross several chortens and Mani walls until we reach Chalise where we stay the night.
Day 7 : Trek from Chalise to Hindung (2,345m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
We head downhill crossing the Menchet Khola until we reach Hindung Village, quite a large village and mostly inhabited by Tamang. It is the last village on the trail before reaching Ganesh Himal Base Camp. We will stay overnight at Hindung.
Day 8 : Trek from Hindung to Rajgang Kharka (2,570m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we will follow through a thick rhododendron forest and then ascend to pasture-land at Rajgang Kharka where we will stay the night.
Day 9 : Trek from Rajgang Kharka to Kalo Seto Kunda (Black and White Lake), Ganesh Himal Base Camp (3,774m) Duration: 7-9 Hours.
The trail today is mostly uphill into higher altitudes with distinctly different vegetation as we head to the holy lakes of Kalo Seto Kunda (Black and White Lake) and on to Ganesh Himal Base Camp.
Day 10 : Rest day at the Ganesh Himal Base Camp. Explore in and around Kalo Seto Kunda
Today we is a rest day at Ganesh Himal Base Camp. We will however take a trek around Kalo Seto Kunda (Blank and White Lake). The two lakes are distinct due to the different colored stones in each lake – black and white! From here we have stunning views of Ganesh Himal, Paldor Himal, and other surrounding snow capped peaks. We will stay here the night.
Day 11 : Trek from Ganesh Himal Base Camp to Rajgang Kharka (2,570m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we follow the trail back the way we came descending towards the pastures of Rajgang Kharka. Tonight we will stay in a tent. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.
Day 12 : Trek from Rajgang Kharka to Chalise (2,363m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Again we head downhill through the dense rhododendron forest to Hindung Village and then on a relatively easy trail to Chalise where we will stay the night.
Day 13 : Trek from Chalise to Laba Besi (1,500m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today the trail descends through a number of traditional villages and past some manicured terraced farmland until we reach Laba Besi Village where we stay the night.
Day 14 : Trek from Laba Besi to Manyang Bhanjyang (2,934m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Our trek today is uphill toward Laba Village, a Gurung village with its unique culture and traditions. We continue climbing until we reach Manyang Bhanjyang where we will stay the night.
Day 15 : Trek from Manyang Bhanjyang to Majhgaun (2,200m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
We head downhill along a steep path until we reach Majhgaun Village. Along the trail, we have some fantastic views of the Manaslu Himalayan Ranges as we pass through oak and rhododendron forest before reaching Majhgaun Village where we stay the night.
Day 16 : Trek from Majhgaun to Budathum (7,50m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we follow the trail passing through several traditional villages, dense forests, terraced farmlands, and flowing rivers until reaching the small village of Budathum. This village is mostly inhabited by Newar people and also has spectacular views of the Manaslu Ranges in the distance. Tonight we stay at Budathum.
Day 17 : Trek to Arughat Bazaar (9,500m) and drive from Arughat Bazaar to Kathmandu; Duration: 9-10 hours.
Today we follow the Budi Gandaki until we reach the small village of Arughat Bazaar. From here we will take a bus on a scenic route back to Kathmandu.
Day 18 : Transfer to International Airport.
Today your adventure ends and you depart Nepal with fond memories and many photos of spectacular scenes from your trek to this amazing out of the way Langtang region of the Himalayas. A representative from Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in this mountainous wonderful – Nepal.
SERVICES
Costs Included In Your Package
- Airport picks up and transports by private Car/Jeep.
- Two Night's hotel accommodation In Kathmandu with breakfast (3 star Hotel)
- Transportation from Kathmandu to Samari Bhanjyang and Arughat Bazaar to Kathmandu in local bus
- All standard meals (lunch, dinners & breakfast) during the trek.
- Best possible teahouses, lodge accommodation & tent camp accommodation (generally twin share rooms)- during the trek
- Government licensed holder English speaking trek leader (10 or more trekkers an assistant guide) and porter to help carry your luggage.
- Strong, helpful Sherpa porters with proper safety equipment and walking equipment, his salary, food, accommodation, and insurance (one porter for two people).
- Guides and porters provided by Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions, including their meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment
- All the required permits and paper works( Langtang National park permit, TIMS etc)
- All government, local taxes, and official expenses
- Assistance in arranging rescue operations in case of complicated health conditions such as altitude sickness (funded by travel insurance)
- Souvenir - Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions t-shirt
- Use of sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, and walking poles (if you don’t have your own, to be returned after the trip is completed).
- Sherpa Expedition and Trekking’s certificate of appreciation & completion after the successful trek
- Oxygen meter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms) which will ensure your health during the trek.
Costs Exclude
- International airfares
- Nepal entry visa fee (easy to obtain the visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport – Kathmandu). $30 USD for 15-day, $50 USD for 30 Days, and $125 USD for 90 Days visa.
- Extra night’s accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival or late departure or early return from the trek.
- All the alcoholic and nonalcoholic, soup, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa, mineral water, extra food, cold and hot drinks on trek ( i.e. those you choose to purchase along the way and during evenings in the tea houses)
- All desserts & sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Hot shower and battery charging at the tea houses.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal clothing and gear
- Travel insurance which has to cover emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation (compulsory)
- Tips for guide and porters (recommended in our culture – and well deserved too!)
- Additional costs or delays caused by events beyond our control, for example, landslides, severe weather conditions, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies & strikes.
- All the costs and expenses which are not listed in "costs include" will be counted as exclusions.
EQUIPMENTS
The following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek. It is important you do not forget the essential items, as this will determine your comfort and safety on the trek. Equally important is that you do not burden yourself with unnecessary equipment on the trek.
General
- All season sleeping bag and down Jacket (we can provide if you need it, but has to be returned after the trek)
- Duffle bag ( Sherpa Expedition & Trekking provide duffle bag during the trek but has to be returned after the trek)
- A wind and waterproof thin layered jacket (a must-have for morning and evenings above 3,000m)
- Daypack
Upper Body- Head / Ears / Eyewear
- A pair of half gloves
- A warmer hat that covers the ears
- Sunglasses
- Neckwarmer
- Sunscreen (35 to 60 SPF)
- Headlamp and an extra set of batteries
Hands
- A pair of half gloves for walking poles(if you prefer)
- Warmer shell gloves and liner
Upper Body
- long sleeve t-shirts
- Thermal tops
- wool jacket or pullover
- Sports bras for women and girls
- Water and windproof shell jacket
Lower Body
- Thermal underwear (especially trousers)
- windproof and waterproof trousers
- warmer trousers
- Comfortable trekking pants
- Extra casual sport pants
Footwear
- A pair of good waterproof trekking boots
- Pair of sandals
- 4-5 pairs of woolen socks
- Sock liners
- Light shoes and sneakers
- First Aid Kits and Medicines
- Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
- Blister treatment cream or similar
- Insect / anti-itch ointment
- Ibuprofen or other pain-relief medication
- Diamox (125mg to 250mg tablets for altitude sickness)
- Warps, splints, and wound coverings butterfly bandage
- Water purifying pills
(Note our company guide will carry the medicines and first aid kits during the trek. However, we recommend you bring your personal first-aid kit as well)
Miscellaneous - but must useful on the trek
- 4 passport size photos with original passport
- Water bottle & filter
- Flight details (please make a copy and leave one pic at our office in KTM because in case you want to change your flight date)
- Bathroom kit (conform, should be included toilet paper, plastic bags, hand wipes, towel, and soap, etc.)
Extra things
- Comfortable trekking poles
- Quality energy dry foods (up to you)
- Power bank and music players
- Camera (memory card, chargers, and extra batteries)
GOOD TO KNOW
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu. During the trek, we will be staying at lodges/ teahouses. You may find net and clean teahouses - You will be staying at a teahouse/tent in higher elevation.
Meals during the trek
In Kathmandu, your hotel includes breakfast, whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided during the trek. A staple food of the Ganesh Himal regions is potatoes, oats, buckwheat, Sherpa stew, and Tibetan bread. Sherpa’s’ started farming potatoes when the first seeds were introduced to the region in the early 90s. There is a limited choice of food at higher elevations and except many potato dishes. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates – an excellent source of energy needed at high altitudes.
Transportation
We use a private car for sightseeing and for the airport to hotel pick and drop off. We use public transportation or local buses during the trek.
Physical fitness
This can be a challenging trek where you often have to walk 6-7 hours a day. You need past experience of hiking or trekking but if you have done any kind of trekking activities then it is always a plus! We have met people from all walks of life, shapes, and sizes who have completed the trek. The only difficult part is when altitude sickness strikes and the effect that it can have on your body. Before leaving for Nepal it is good if you can prepare yourself physically by increasing your stamina and oxygen intake.
Remember – The better prepared – the more enjoyable your trek!
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FAQS
What is the duration of the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek?
The trek usually takes around 12- 20 days to complete, depending on the itinerary and fitness level of the trekkers.
How difficult is the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek?
The trek is considered moderate in terms of difficulty. It involves some steep ascents and descents, but no technical climbing skills are required.
What is the best time to do the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek?
The best time to do the trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is clear and stable.
Is a permit required for the trek?
Yes, a permit is required for the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek. You need to obtain the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from the Nepal Tourism Board or through a registered trekking agency.
Do I need prior trekking experience for this trek?
While prior trekking experience is not necessary, it is recommended to have some level of physical fitness and stamina for the trek.
Are there any age restrictions for the trek?
There are no specific age restrictions for the trek, but participants should be in good health and able to handle the physical demands of the trek.
What is the maximum altitude reached during the trek?
The maximum altitude reached during the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek is around 4,700 meters at the base camp.
Are there any tea houses or lodges along the trekking route?
Yes, there are tea houses and lodges available along the trekking route where you can find accommodation and meals.
What kind of accommodation can I expect during the trek?
Accommodation during the trek is basic, with shared rooms and common toilets some place need to do camping as well. The tea houses and lodges provide clean and comfortable beds with blankets.
What kind of food is available during the trek?
The tea houses and lodges offer a variety of meals, including Nepali, Tibetan, and international cuisines. You can expect rice, noodles, vegetables, meat, and soups.
Is it possible to hire a guide and porter for the trek?
Yes, it is possible to hire a guide and porter for the trek. They can assist you with navigation, carry your backpack, and provide information about the local culture.
Is it safe to drink water during the trek?
It is advisable to drink bottled or purified water during the trek to avoid any risk of waterborne diseases. You can buy bottled water or use water purification tablets.
Are there any communication facilities available during the trek?
There may be limited communication facilities available in some tea houses along the trekking route. However, it is recommended to carry a local SIM card for better connectivity.
Is travel insurance necessary for the trek?
Yes, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and personal belongings.
What are some other highlights of the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek?
Apart from the stunning mountain views, the trek offers an opportunity to explore the unique culture and traditions of the local Tamang and Gurung communities. You can also visit hot springs and experience the warm hospitality of the locals.
Latest Traveller’s Reviews
Travel experiences of our clients who recently returned from their trips.
100%
Based On 6 Reviews
Halina Feldsott
Australia
November 16, 2023
A rewarding challenge
The Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek is a moderately challenging trek that rewards you with stunning views and a sense of accomplishment. The steep ascents, rugged trails, and high passes tested our physical endurance, but the feeling of reaching the base camp made it all worthwhile.
La Angela
United States
September 21, 2023
A hidden gem in the Himalayas
The Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek is a hidden gem that offers a unique and less crowded trekking experience in the Himalayas. The stunning views of the Ganesh Himal range, pristine forests, and charming villages make it a trek worth exploring.
Elaine Booth
Canada
September 19, 2023
A trek for nature lovers
For nature lovers, the Ganesh Himal Base Camp Trek is a paradise. The region is rich in biodiversity, with a wide range of flora and fauna. We spotted various species of birds, encountered monkeys in the forests, and marveled at the beauty of the diverse ecosystem.
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