Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Technical Challenging
  • Trip Style: Camping Trek
  • Transport: Public Vehicle & Flight
  • Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge & Camping
  • Group Size: 16
  • Max Elevation: Putha Hiunchuli (7246m)

Highlights

  • Scenic flight to and from Nepalgunj alongside a view of mountains and vivid valleys 
  • Sighting sky-high mountains like Dhaulagiri and Annapurna 
  • Witness historical and religious shrines including Tibetan monasteries and mani walls
  • Explore glacial lakes and dense forest extremely rich in floras and faunas 
  • Encounter a rich ecological environment and remote villages 
  • Acquaint with different ethnic groups and get to know a mixture of culture, tradition, and values
     

Description

Nepal has never failed to amaze travelers wide across with its incessant collection of Trekking and Mountaineering destinations. Just leaving aside the natural splendor, each place here has something new and unique to offer trekkers which claims their fame. 

From the rich wilderness to cultural diversity and widespread presence of flora and fauna, Nepal truly has the best of the best places. And one of them is Putha Hiunchuli Expedition, a true Mountaineering destination of natural elegance and worldliness. 

Located at the west end of Dhaulagiri II, Putha Hiunchuli is a major part of the Dhaulagiri range. It lies at an elevation of 7246 meters and has a jaw-dropping backdrop with the mesmeric view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.  

The 29 Days Putha Hiunchuli Expedition will take you through many isolated places and lesser-known routes. Meanwhile, in return, you’ll be prized with the marvelous view of snow peaks and landscapes. 

Also Check: 15 Days Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek 

The arousing trip of Putha Hiunchuli will steer you through remote villages such as Tarakot, Khani Gaun, Kagkot and Pangzi after bringing down at Juphal airport. For almost two weeks, you’ll be instructed and given lessons to conquer the summit by professionals. 

Once, scale the summit, you’ll retrace your steps back to German Base Camp and hike all the way to Juphal coming through Khani Gaun and Tarakot. 

Itinerary

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With a whole 28 days long trek leftover, we intend to go easy on you on the first day of Putha Hiunchuli Expedition. So instead of taking hours of strenuous drive, we’ve decided to take a short flight to Nepalgunj that merely lasts 40 minutes.

It is thereby, you need to be on time to board the flight at Tribhuvan International Airport. It’s a photogenic flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu as you can view diverse landscapes and mountains.

Upon reaching Nepalgunj, you can take a quick tour of the city if only left with spare time. Tonight you’ll be staying at a hotel in Nepalgunj. 

Flight Distance: 515 km

Flight Duration: 40 minutes

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Place: Nepalgunj
  • Altitude: 150m

One of the longest treks you can ever come across in Nepal, Putha Hiunchuli will see you fly to Jufal on the second day of the trip. It takes around 45 minutes from the city to make it to Juphal, a small village in Dolpa.

Little to give out, you can expect the flight to be astounding with scenic magnificence of snow peaks and lush hills. Until and even after arriving at the airport, you can enjoy the varied landscapes that look more unreal.

At Jufal, we’ll meet our crew members, then proceed towards the hotel to have breakfast. The daytime is sort of spent by tripping nearby villages and sightseeing while the night taking rest at the hotel. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Place: Jufal
  • Altitude: 2475m

From the rare experience of walking on a rugged trail of Dolpa to navigating the dense forest, you’ll have it all on the third day of the Putha Hiunchuli trip. The trek is relatively long and stressful, having to deal with uphills and rocky trails for almost 9 hours.

But it’s also evenly amazing with the magnetic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna that relieves the pain. The trail from Juphal will lead you through remote villages and over the terrace field that looks nothing but splendid.

Traversing alongside the Bheri River, we’ll reach Dunai, a remote village in Dolpa. From here, it’s a short walk on a steep rocky trail all the way up to Tarakot. As for the night, you’ll stay at a guest house in the village. From the rare experience of walking on a rugged trail of Dolpa to navigating the dense forest, you’ll have it all on the third day of the Putha Hiunchuli trip. The trek is relatively long and stressful, having to deal with uphills and rocky trails for almost 9 hours.

But it’s also evenly amazing with the magnetic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna that relieves the pain. The trail from Juphal will lead you through remote villages and over the terrace field that looks nothing but splendid.

Traversing alongside the Bheri River, we’ll reach Dunai, a remote village in Dolpa. From here, it’s a short walk on a steep rocky trail all the way up to Tarakot. As for the night, you’ll stay at a guest house in the village.

Trek Duration: 8-9 hours 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tarakot
  • Altitude: 2850m

The day stamps the fourth day of mount Putha Hiunchuli expedition. Unlike the delightful view, the route to Khani Gaun is a bit challenging and tiresome. Hence, to lessen the difficulties, it’s better to start hiking from early in the morning.

With that, we’ll set off on the trek to Khaniguan right after having breakfast in the guest house at Tarakot. Initially, the trail is wide and flat so it’s easy to traverse. But as we come far off, the route starts to get narrow passing through gorges and cedar trees.

On a wider scale, we’ll be walking on a rugged trail alongside the Tarap Chu River. On the way, we’ll come to see the beautiful Sandal Gompa and dense forest. The next stoppage is Khanigaun where we’ll also spend the night. 

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Khanigaun
  • Altitude: 2800m

Walking the trail to Musikhola can be a little exhausting with the long-stretched steep hills. Notwithstanding, it’s still worth being rewarded with the glorious view of snow-capped mountains.

The path begins on a wooden bridge before heading towards the valley next to Barbung Khola. From there, we’ll be walking down the hill and finally come across many small lodges.

Unfortunately, the trek won’t halt there as we continue walking on the bank of Barbung River. Few miles to traverse from here and we’ll call it a day relaxing at a tented camp.

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
  • Place: Musikhola
  • Altitude: 2880m

To kick off a beautiful morning at Musikhola, we’ll have an appetizing breakfast to sufficiency. Minutes later, we’ll return to the trail that walks a gorge heading to an old wooden bridge.

The route to Kagkot continues to narrow from here up until it meets the valley into the floodplain. Passing through the village, the trail gets apt for exploration with views of mountain ridge and forest.

After trekking for nearly 7 hours, we’ll ultimately reach Kagkot which offers a pulsating view with green hills and unique landscapes. We’ll spend the night at a tented camp. 

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
  • Place: Kagkot
  • Altitude: 3550m

You might actually enjoy the trek to Pangzi today as the trail proceeds to the green meadow and remote village. It starts by walking the bridge over Mushi Khola River and turns to the village before ascending the cliff.

As further, we walk, the trail makes its way through a pasture and a lush-green forest covered with birches. The trek gets a bit easier after we reach the edge of the ridge since the routes are well-marked thereafter.

In the end, after hiking for 6 long hours, we’ll put up in the village at Pangzi. The place boasts winding green hills and forest above which is breathtaking. Overnight in a lodge at Pangzi. 

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Pangzi
  • Altitude: 4480m

As usual, we’ll start off the 8th day of mount Putha Hiunchuli expedition by having breakfast. Since it only takes 4-5 hours to reach German Base Camp from Pangzi, we’ll take it slow today.

Given that, we’ll ascend a steep hill soon after the trek begins. The hill is narrow-gauged with a ravine that we can only end up at after crossing two mountain passes.

Leaving the latter aside, we’ll head the first pass and continue trekking before arriving at the German Base Camp. Upon reaching there, all our crew members will put up the tent at the campsite where we’ll spend the night.

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Maximum Altitude: 4930 meters

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
  • Place: German Base Camp
  • Altitude: 4930m

No doubt, the trail to Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp will come with many challenges right from the time it starts. Coming a little far from the German Base Camp, the trail climbs uphill and runs over difficult passes.

Since it's a steep hill all the way up to the base camp, there is a high possibility we might run through the energy. So, just to prevent that, we’ll take gentle steps and even rest before taking the pace. After reaching base camp, you can have a scenic view of the mountains disperse around. We’ll set up a tent at the base camp to spend the night. 

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
  • Place: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp
  • Altitude: 4915m

It’s impossible to win over Putha Hiunchuli without proper training and guidance to overcome the challenges. Therefore, after spending a night at the campsite, we’re about to spend 11 days preparing to climb the mountain as well as acclimatizing.

It’s important that we adapt our body to the weather at the higher elevation. This will help us prevent all sickness including breathing problems that most of which endures at higher altitudes.

You’ll be guided by the team of experts on how to get things under control while climbing the peak. Once done with all the preparations, we’ll trek all the way to the summit of Putha Hiunchuli.

Taking over the peak will reward you with an astonishing view of the towering valleys and mountains disperse in the region. After sightseeing and taking pictures, we’ll retrace our steps back to Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp. We’ll spend the night in a tent at the campsite. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
  • Place: Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp
  • Altitude: 4915m

After that victorious expedition of Putha Hiunchuli, it’s time for us to head back to German Base Camp. For a larger part of the trek, the route down the mountain descends steadily, which makes it easier to track.

In contrast to what we experienced earlier, this time it’s more fun trekking to the base camp. The views to be seen from the top are incredible with shimmering glaciers and vibrant valleys. Likewise, we’ll be able to enjoy the dramatic landscape of landscapes before finishing at the camp. Tonight you’ll rest at a tented camp. 

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
  • Place: German Base Camp
  • Altitude: 4930m

After waking up to the beautiful morning at German Base Camp, we’ll have our breakfast. A little while after, we’ll pack our stuff and start walking the trail that descends the hill. 

The first few hours can be tedious having to progress through the pass but then it subsequently gets easier. The rocky trails sloping downward to Kagkot will provide us a scenic view of the mountains and diverse topography. The night, you’ll spend at a guest house in Kagkot. 

Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Kagkot
  • Altitude: 3550m

The path ahead from Kagkot may be downhill but it still takes 6-7 hours to arrive at Mushi Khola. Hence, we need to keep going soon after having a full stomach breakfast at the village. The trail mostly slopes downward right from Kagkot and comes across many remote villages that exemplifies true Himalayan culture and values. 

Additionally, there are spectacular landscapes with soaring hills on the way to Musikhola which can be a great delight. We’ll spend the night in a tent at Mushikhola.

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
  • Place: Mushikhola
  • Altitude: 2880m

After all that strenuous trek, it seems like we’re just days away from wrapping up our Putha Hiunchuli trek. And today, we’ll make it up to Khanigaun, trekking alongside the bank of Barbung River. 

For the most part, the route goes downhill and comes across the bridge before entering the valley. From Barrbung Khola, it’s a short hike to Khani Gaun which is your last stop of the day. Overnight in a guest house at Khani Gaun. 

Trek Duration: 3-4 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Khani Gaun
  • Altitude: 2543m

Compared to the other trek of Putha Hiunchuli Expedition, we’ll make a short downhill trek today. The trail starting from Khani Gaun is adventurous and filled with the magnetic scenery of lush green forest and wildlife. As the route passes through many villages, we’ll have a cultural exposure to people with different ethnic groups. 

In almost 3-4 hours trek, you’ll run into a small village of Sahartera and also wooden bridges over Tarap Chu River. Following the downstream, while enjoying the magnetic view, we’ll eventually reach Tarakot. For the night, we’ll stay in a lodge at Tarakot. 

Trek Duration: 3-4 hours

Maximum Altitude: 2850 meters

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tarakot
  • Altitude: 2850m

It is the last day we’ll be taking on the trail of Putha Hiunchuli. And seems like the trek will bestow us with lots of memories and also exhaustion. Since it takes more than 8 hours for the trek to finish, it can make us feel tired out at times but never gets us bored.

The route is straight downhill from Tarakot moving through a sloped ridge to a village that sits on a hillock. Not long after, it meets the junction of Tarup Chu River and Barbung Khola and heads to Sandul Gompa.

The monastery is a real masterpiece with ancient chortens. It is celebrated by Buddhist monks and Sherpas of the region. Coming a long way from the monastery, we have a good plain trail to walk over the terrace fields. Next, we follow Barbung and Bheri River through a gorge before reaching Juphal airport. 

Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Place: Jufal
  • Altitude: 2150m

Today, we’ll officially bid farewell to our Putha Hiunchuli Expedition. So, immediately after having breakfast in the hotel at Juphal, we’ll rush to the airport to take the flight to Nepalgunj. 

It’s a picturesque 45 minutes flight from Juphal getting to sightsee all the surreal landscapes and mountains. From the flight, you can also catch the view of moraines and glaciers that shines on the ray of the sun. We’ll stay the night in a hotel at Nepalgunj. 

Flight Duration: 45 minutes

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Place: Nepalgunj
  • Altitude: 150m

It’s officially the final day of Putha Hiunchuli Expedition. And to celebrate it, we’ll have a nice breakfast at the hotel in Nepalgunj. From there, we’ll drive to Nepalgunj airport and board on the flight to Kathmandu. 

The scenic flight won’t last more than 40 minutes but still comes a glimpse of snow peaks and rivers before taking down the Tribhuvan International Airport. 

Flight Distance: 367 km

Flight Duration: 40 minutes

  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1320m
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What to Expect

  • Airport Pickup and Drop  
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trekking
  • Tented accommodation during the climbing 
  • 3 meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) 
  • Round Trip Domestic flights (Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Jufal)
  • English Speaking Trekking Guide (leader), Climbing guide (leader), Porter with Insurance, Transportation, Food, and Accommodation
  • Down jacket (to be returned after trip completion)
  • Duffel bag, T-shirt, and Trekking Map
  • All Necessary Trekking permits and Putha Hiunchuli Climbing permit
  • Good quality tents and kitchen utensils for camping
  • Group mountaineering (climbing) equipment
  • Daily seasonal fresh fruits after dinner 
  • A first aid kit carried by the guide (Oximeter to measure your oxygen and pulse in high altitude) 
  • All government and local taxes
  • International Flight Ticket and Nepalese Visa Fee
  • Hotel & Meals in Kathmandu
  • Extra Baggage Charges
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the trek (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Personal expenses (WiFi, Phone calls, Laundry, Bar bills, Battery Recharge, Water, Shower, and Tea / Coffee)
  • Other costs not mentioned in 'Cost Includes' section 
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance
  • Tips for Guides, Porters, and Drivers

PRICES & DATES

Trip DatesAvailabilityPrice  
14 Aug, 2020 - 11 Sep, 2020AvailableUS$7000
21 Aug, 2020 - 18 Sep, 2020AvailableUS$7000
28 Aug, 2020 - 25 Sep, 2020AvailableUS$7000

Useful Information

Best Time for Putha Hiunchuli Expedition 

To get a pristine view of Putha Hiunchuli with no cloudy day, trekkers must travel the peak during Spring or Autumn. They are the two best times Nepal can ever offer the hikers yearning to travel through the region. 

Since the main attraction Putha Hiunchuli itself lies at 7246 meters high, it’s best to trip to the peak during Autumn. That’s mainly because the weather in autumn is mild with temperatures ranging from 20 Degree Celsius to 5 Degree Celsius. 

The season also brings an alluring view with it that can be easily noticed right from the town. Starting from September, the tinted autumn leaves set out to cover the trails walking to Putha Hiunchuli. 

The fresh air blowing from the mountain refreshes travelers and eases their stress aroused after walking miles. Similar to autumn, spring also provides a great atmosphere with picturesque views to trekkers setting out for Putha Hiunchuli Expedition. 

You can see flowers put up through all the forest and valley, causing it to look like a festive event. By mid-April, the view gets even more clear as the valley sits in the shade of blue sky. Nights and mornings are a bit cold in early March with winter still holding up to make its way out. 

Beginning from December to February, it’s winter in Nepal. And the season is arguably not the best of the time to hike to Putha Hiunchuli. The weather plays too hard on trekkers during the month making it unbearable to walk at higher altitudes. 

They have to put up with lots of challenges and heavy snowfall is just the start of it. Strong winds and snowstorms often create barriers for trekkers on the Putha Hiunchuli expedition. 

Monsoon too isn’t appropriate while trekking Putha Hiunchali. And that’s because it often rains during the season which makes the trail slippery to walk. Following the dark clouds with heavy rainfall, you can get a clear view of the month. 

Difficulties of Putha Hiunchuli Expedition 

Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness is one of the major challenges that the trekkers have to face during Putha Hiunchuli Trek. There is a continuous rise in the attitude during Putha Hiunchuli trek. And since the pressure of the air steadily drops as you go higher elevation, the oxygen becomes low and people suffer from shortness of breath.
Also, problems like nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness can be noticed amidst hikers climbing Putha Hiunchuli. It is, therefore, trekkers must acclimatize and let the body adapt to the climatic condition of that at high altitude. 

Weather and Temperature

Weather and Temperature is equally a challenge for trekkers on Putha Hiunchuli Expedition. They have to beat the unforeseeable weather to make it all the way to the summit. 

Hence, if you fail to choose the best time to trek Putha Hiunchuli, there is a high chance you may put up with extreme difficulties. Monsoon and Winter season are usually considered an off-season for trekking in Nepal. With the temperature dropping below till minus, the weather is bitterly cold along the way on the trek. Following heavy snowfall, the road becomes slippery and unsafe to travel.

Remote Routes 

The trails walking the Putha Hiunchuli take trekkers through many gorges and passes before reaching the campsite. Most of these routes are unpaved and not traveled very often. Even the routes walking to the remote villages are rugged and get murky during monsoon. Hence, it becomes a challenge for climbers to navigate the way.