Do I need climbing experience for Pisang Peak?

You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer, but this is a serious objective at over 6,000 m. Your climbing guide goes over crampons and fixed ropes at high camp before the summit. Earlier high-altitude trekking is strongly recommended, and any practice on crampons or ropes before the trip is a real help.

How hard is the climb?

It is demanding. You sleep at 5,450 m before the summit, then follow a long ridge to a steep final snow slope. Summit day takes around 9 to 10 hours, and the altitude makes every step harder. After that, you still have Thorong La to cross, so this trip suits people with good stamina.

When is the best time for this trip?

The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is usually at its most stable and the views are clear. Expect snow at high camp from late November to late March, and heavy snow can close Thorong La in winter. The monsoon (June to August) brings cloud, rain and landslides on the lower trail.

How does the itinerary help me acclimatize?

You walk up the valley for several days before a full rest day in Pisang, then spend a second acclimatization day at high camp before the summit. Going slowly and drinking plenty of water are the best ways to give your body time to adapt. The time you spend high on the peak also helps when you reach Thorong La later in the trip.

What is the spare day for?

Day 12 is kept free in case bad weather delays the summit, so you have a second chance at the top. If you have already been up, it becomes a rest day at base camp.

What happens if I get altitude sickness or can’t reach the summit?

Tell your guide about any symptoms, such as a headache, nausea or dizziness, straight away. If they don’t ease, the answer is to go down, and in serious cases that means a helicopter evacuation, which is why your insurance must cover it. Reaching the top is never guaranteed: weather, snow conditions and your health all play a part, and your guide will always put safety first.

What climbing gear do I need, and can I rent it?

You need mountaineering boots, crampons, a harness, an ice axe, an ascender, a belay device, carabiners and a helmet. We supply the group equipment such as ropes, ice screws and snow bars. Personal gear can be rented or bought in Kathmandu, and we’ll help you find what fits.

Which permits do I need?

You need a Pisang Peak climbing permit, an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and a TIMS card. We arrange them for you, and they are included in the trip.

What travel insurance do I need?

Travel insurance is compulsory. Your policy must cover climbing to at least 6,100 m, including helicopter evacuation and medical treatment. Many standard policies stop well below that, so check the altitude limit before you buy and bring the details with you.

Can the flight from Jomsom be delayed?

Yes. The Jomsom flight leaves in the morning and depends on mountain weather, so it can be delayed or cancelled. When it can’t fly, the usual alternative is a long drive to Pokhara. We recommend keeping one or two spare days before your international flight home.

Where will I sleep and what will I eat?

You stay in hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, in guesthouses on the trek and in tents at base camp and high camp. Meals on the trek come from guesthouse menus, with staples such as dal bhat, noodles, soups and eggs, and our crew cooks for you at the camps. Tell us in advance if you are vegetarian or have other dietary needs.

Pisang Peak Climbing and Thorong La Pass

Duration: 21 days
Difficulty: Extreme
Group size: Any size
Region: Annapurna Region

Overview

Climb Pisang Peak (6,091 m), then cross Thorong La (5,416 m) on a 21-day guided journey through the Annapurna region, with acclimatization days in Pisang and at high camp and a spare day for the summit.

Pisang Peak rises to 6,091 m above the village of Pisang in the upper Marsyangdi valley, with long slopes of ice and snow leading to a pointed summit. This trip pairs the climb with the best-known part of the Annapurna Circuit, so you finish with a Himalayan summit and a crossing of Thorong La, one of the highest trekking passes in Nepal.

The journey begins with a drive to Syange, then a steady walk up the valley through Tal, Danaque and Chame as the forests give way to the dry, high country around Pisang. A rest day in the village prepares you for the move up to base camp at 4,380 m and on to high camp at 5,450 m, on a shoulder of the South-West Ridge.

A second acclimatization day at high camp gives you time to adjust and go over the ropes with your climbing guide. On summit day, a well-defined ridge leads to a steep final snow slope and the top, before you descend the same way to base camp. It is a long day of 9 to 10 hours, and a spare day in the plan gives you a second chance if the weather turns.

After the climb, the trip continues through Manang and the old monastery at Braga to Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi. From there you make an early start for Thorong La at 5,416 m, then descend to the pilgrimage site of Muktinath. The walk down to Jomsom and a scenic flight to Pokhara bring the journey to a close.

You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer, but this is a long and demanding trip, best suited to fit trekkers who already have some high-altitude experience. Mountain weather and the Jomsom flight can change plans, so we recommend keeping one or two spare days before your flight home.

Highlights

Stand on the summit of Pisang Peak at 6,091 m
Cross Thorong La (5,416 m), the high point of the Annapurna Circuit
Two nights at high camp (5,450 m) on the South-West Ridge
Walk the Marsyangdi valley from green foothills to dry, high country
Manang and the old monastery at Braga
The pilgrimage site of Muktinath and the scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara

Itinerary

Our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and takes you to your hotel. Rest after your flight, then go over the route and your gear with us before heading to the mountains.
Leave Kathmandu in the morning and drive west, then north into the Marsyangdi valley, with the road getting rougher as you near Syange. About 7 to 8 hours.
Your first day on foot climbs through the steep-sided Marsyangdi gorge, past waterfalls and small villages, to Tal on a wide, flat stretch of the valley floor. About 5 to 6 hours.
Follow the river through Dharapani, where the trail from Manaslu joins this one, and on through forest to Danaque. About 5 to 6 hours.
Climb through pine and fir forest to Chame, the main town of the Manang district, as the first big views of the Annapurna range open up. About 5 to 6 hours.
Continue up the narrowing valley past apple orchards at Bhratang and the great curved rock face of Paungda Danda to Pisang, with your peak now rising above the village. About 5 to 6 hours.
An important day for the climb ahead. Hike up towards Upper Pisang and its monastery for views of Annapurna II, then come back down to sleep at the same altitude.
Leave the village and climb through sparse forest and high pastures to the tented base camp. Rest, drink plenty of water and settle into camp life. About 6 to 7 hours.
A big climb up rocky ground to a shoulder on the South-West Ridge, where you camp for the next two nights. Snow is likely here from late November to late March. Take it slowly. About 6 to 7 hours.
A day to adjust to the altitude before the summit. Your climbing guide checks everyone’s gear and goes over walking in crampons and moving on fixed ropes with an ascender. Then it’s an early dinner and an early night.
The big day starts well before dawn. Follow the well-defined ridge to the steep final snow slope and climb to the summit. After your time on top, descend the same way through high camp to base camp. Expect 9 to 10 hours. Your guide will turn the group around if the weather or conditions make it unsafe to continue.
This day is kept free in case bad weather delays the summit. If you have already been to the top, it’s a welcome day of rest.
Walk back down through the pastures and forest to Pisang, and enjoy a guesthouse bed after your nights in camp. About 5 to 6 hours.
Continue up the valley through dry, open country with the Annapurna range on your left, passing the old monastery at Braga before reaching Manang. About 6 to 7 hours.
Leave the Marsyangdi behind and climb north-west through high yak pastures and juniper scrub to Yak Kharka. About 5 to 6 hours.
Follow the valley up to Thorong Phedi at the foot of the pass, crossing a few landslide-prone slopes on the way. Go to bed early, ready for tomorrow’s start. About 5 to 6 hours.
Set off before dawn for the long climb to the pass, marked by prayer flags and wide views across the Himalaya. A steep descent then takes you to Muktinath, a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Expect at least 7 to 8 hours.
Walk down into the dry, windswept Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom, the end of your trek. It’s a good evening to celebrate with your crew. About 5 to 6 hours.
Take the short morning flight between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges to Pokhara, about 30 minutes. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by Phewa Lake. Flights depend on the weather, so this is the day most likely to change.
Return to Kathmandu by road, with the evening free to relax at your hotel. About 7 to 8 hours.
We take you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your flight home. If you have more time in Nepal, ask us about adding extra days.

What the price covers

Included

Airport and hotel transfers in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Ground transport from Kathmandu to Syange and from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
Guesthouse accommodation during the trek and tented camps at base camp and high camp
All meals during the trek and at the camps
Experienced English-speaking guide and porters
Climbing Sherpa for summit day
Group climbing equipment: ropes, ice screws and snow bars
Pisang Peak climbing permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS card
Wages, meals, accommodation and insurance for all staff
Applicable government taxes

Not included

International airfare
Nepal visa fee (please bring the exact amount in USD cash)
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Travel insurance with high-altitude helicopter evacuation cover (compulsory)
Personal climbing and trekking gear (available to rent or buy in Kathmandu)
Drinks, hot showers, battery charging, laundry and other personal expenses
Guide, climbing Sherpa and porter gratuity