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2. Ganesh Himal – Paldor Peak Climbing

Trip Overview

Paldor peak is the part of Ganesh Himal and is gaining popularity as the premier trekking peak near Kathmandu valley in Ganesh Himal region. We find less number of trekkers in this region as there are no 8000 meters giant Himalayas but after reaching the summit of the paldor peak, we can see the magnificent panoramic views of Mt. Machhapuchre, Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Manaslu and Mt. Shisapangma.

After the guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley, we drive towards Sundarijal and begin our trekking adventure towards Chisopani. Trekking through the lush forests, scenic waterfalls, water dams, rivers we will head towards Gosaikunda leaving Laurebinayak, Surche, magengoth and gul bhanjyang back. Gosaikunda is the pilgrimage site and many devotees arrive there during full moon days. Further, we will pass through the shimmering small lakes in the area towards Syabrubesi. We will be climbing the paldor peak in the next three days. After the strenuous and worthwhile climb, we walk comfortably to Trishuli Bazaar via scenic route of Tiru danda and passing bhanjyang. Then the six hours comfortable drive will lead us back to Kathmandu.

Trekking in high altitudes and peak climbing definitely acquires good physical condition along the positive attitude towards trekking and peak climbing. It is not so technical peak so, the previous climbing experience is not mandatory. Join Paldor peak climbing with BUNA treks and expeditions and get the experience of trekking and peak climbing near Kathmandu valley in a single go creating an adventurous holiday in Nepal.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu 1,300m and transfer to Hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by BUNA staff and transfer you to the Hotel, where BUNA guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking / Camping, do’s and don’ts and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.

Day 02: Drive to Sundarijal 1,379m begin the trek to Chisopani 2,340m
4-5 hrs walk. Morning takes a bus ride from Kathmandu heading towards the eastern part of the Valley reaching Sundarijal, situated at about 8 km from Kathmandu. After a short preparation, start the climb up from the Sundarijal heading to Chisopani. Trek climbs above from Sundarijal and its cool forest for an hour then coming to rural farmhouses at Mulkharka 1,894m /6,214ft. and terraces and on the gradual path till the top ridge at Burlung Bhanjyang 2,438m / 8,000ft through the beautiful forest of oaks and rhododendron and pasture fields. From the ridge top, an easy gradual descent brings us to our overnight camp at Chisopani.

Day 03: Trek to Gul Bhanjyang 2,125m. 5-6 hrs walk.
After a night halt at Chisopani, early morning is the best time for the views of the sunrise over the Himalayan range of peaks, the walk continues on the gradual downhill trail towards northward on the ridge to the village of Chiplling 2,165m / 7,100ft. From here walk leads to a climb beyond the settlement to a high point before the trail swings north-east and the route follows downhill through the forest to the Tamang village of Gul Bhanjyang for the overnight camp.

Day 04: Trek to Mangengoth 3,220m. approx. 6 hrs.
From here climbing steeply up to the Thodang Danda and with a long ascent through a forest of rhododendron and pine to reach on the Penghu Danda at an altitude of 3,300 metres, passing several small valleys and the terraced farmlands below. The trail leads past the Kutumsang village, the walk slowly passes through the forest on the quiet path till it reaches the camp at Mangengoth, where there are views across to the Gosainkund Ridge and the route to the Laurebina La.

Day 05: Trek to Surche 3,400m. 6 hrs
A short climb brings to a classic section of Nepalese ridge walking on the Thare Danda. Along the way to Taharepati at 3,597m /11,800ft with superb views of Jugal and Langtang Himal range. The narrow ridge crest leads above the rain forest to a high point. From here the trail descends north-west before climbing around the head of Tadi Khola. The walk continues through dense rhododendron over boulders and beneath rock overhangs known as Gopte Odar 3,566m / 11,700ft with few teahouses. With a break here or for lunch, a couple of hours from this place Gopte the trail climbs around the hillsides beneath several waterfalls. Here all around a mixture of shrub vegetation including juniper; spruce, and also deep beds of moss and hanging screens of lichens.Through, the beautiful landscape eventually reaching Surche precariously perched on the ridge.

Day 06: Trek to the base of Laurebinayak at 3,694m 5-6 hrs.
From Surche begin the ascent towards the base of Laurebina La. The path winds through numerous large gullies that may be snow covered. Eventually, the trail gains a large hollow below the pass, where there is a rocky ravine with a good campsite and clean creek water. Depending upon the trail condition and the hour of walking might have lunch and camp at the same spot. With the afternoon free at leisure and a short walk around this beautiful area.

Day 07: Trek to Gosainkund 4,450m. 5-6 hrs.
The route meanders uphill climbing all the way to the pass of Laurabina-La at 4,609m / 15,100ft. The trail over the pass will most likely be under snow, with the lakes nearby frozen. Seen from above as you descend to Gosainkund you will understand why the lakes are indeed sacred. On a clear day, they reflect the deep azure blue and turquoise of the sky. Care should be taken if there is a lot of snow around. The trail skirts the northern shore of the lakes to reach a cluster of shades and buildings built for the pilgrims, on the auspicious time around the month of mid July and August, thousands of pilgrims from all across the country comes here to pay homage to this holy Gosainkund Lake and to the shrine of Shiva near its shore. Who they believe created the lakes by thrusting his trident into the mountainside. The streams that gushed forth formed the lakes from which Shiva then quenched a thirst caused by drinking poison. Pilgrims believe that to bathe in the lakes is a way of gaining merit and washing the sins of the hundreds lifetime.

Day 08: Rest day at Gosainkund.
A well worth rest day after a week of walking, this area offers a great short walk around with stunning views of the snow-capped mountain range from Langtang-Ganesh- Manaslu and all the way to Annapurna in the far western horizon.

Day 09: Trek to Syabrubensi 1,462m 6 hrs.
Today head downhill to Syabrubensi a knee-jerk drop of 3,000 meters – The path continues along the open ridge to a group of huts known as Laurebina. Continuing the journey on this long descent towards Sing Gompa 3,254m / 10,675ft and the Government cheese factory. With a brief rest or a possible lunch stop here at Sing Gompa, route follows the upper Syabru path initially on the north side of the ridge, the walk is magnificent through the serene forest of hemlock, pines, oaks and rhododendron and then entering a fascinating landscape of terraced fields and isolated small farms then reach the village of Syabru. From this village, we further continue descending as the path lead snaking the ridges for about 2 hours through the thick forests and eventually emerging to a Tamang village of Syabrubensi.

Day 10: Trek to Gatlang. 2,438m 6-7 hrs.
The path follows traversing around the foot of the spur into the valley of the Chilime Khola at first, crossing the river by a suspension bridge to the north bank and following a path upstream to another large suspension bridge by which re-cross to the south bank, passing through Gholjong Sango, where the valley now widens. The trail follows a well-engineered water channel and leads eventually to Thangjet, near the confluence of the Chilime and Brindong Kholas. The valley has extensive terracing and is agriculturally prosperous with rice, millet and corn as well as large herds of buffalo and goats. The trail climbs steeply through terraced hillsides to Gatling, passing Mani walls piled with carved stones and lotus flower manadalas. Gatling is a crowded village with stone built houses huddled together. The smoke of cooking fires perpetually filters through the wooden tiled roofs to mingle with prayer flags that drape from bamboo poles. Man, animals and mountainside are so closely bound that none seem to have an identity separate from the other. It will be interesting to see what changes will take place with new road motorable coming in the near future, built on the ridge above the village, will have on this until now isolated community. Camping just before or after this village, depending upon the suitable campsite around Galtling.

Day 11: Trek to Somdang 3,270m. 6 hrs.
Today again continue climbing further through the forests, zigzagging to Khumpu Danda at 3,739m / 12,267ft. From the ridge, there are fine views from the Annapurnas in the west to the Langtang and beyond in the east. On the far side of the Mailung Khola are the ridge of the Tiru Danda and the pass of Pansing Bhanjyang our route on the way back. From the Kurpa Danda our route follows a path north along the crest at first and then traversing the steep hillside on the west flank. The walk is quite spectacular in places and descending into the pine forest to meet the new road. Following the road for a while, which is being extended to the army post at Samatha? Continue walking up the main valley by the stream. All along the way, there are thousands of small garnets and other minerals. Approaching at the head of the valley the path then gets steep, climbing on the right side of the stream. Fine waterfalls enter from the right. Here there are several possible campsites, where we will be camping for the overnight before heading towards the Paldor Base Camp past the small village of Somdang.

Day 12: Trek to Paldor Base Camp 4,500m, 4-5 hrs.
We make the ascent above the Somdang village and the manganese mine, and soon beyond the last tree line, beyond the mine, climbing steeply above the gorge of the river. The path, in some places, is quite rocky as we climb between outcrops and then traversing towards the north-eastwards to a small valley bounded by moraines below the glaciers of Paldor Peak. We make our Base Camp here, below the confluence of the Paldor West and Paldor East glaciers just north of a fine rock pinnacle that earlier climber named Cleare called ‘Neddy’s Thumb’, at an altitude of 4,500 meters.

Day 13: At Base Camp.
Rest Day acclimatization and for sorting out the equipment which we will be taking to our high camp, discussing over of the strategy.

Day 14: Climb to High Camp 5,150m.
Today begin the steep and stony walk scrambling up across the moraine slopes and further through the boulder fields to the more level glacier and eventually to the wonderful campsite, on route climbing to a small and inconspicuous lake to the south of the peak called Fang, the crossing the stream flowing from the lake and aiming for the screen and boulder slope which lies to the east of the East Ridge of Fang. High Camp will be placed just east of the Fang on the Paldor East Glacier, in a magnificent amphitheatre of alpine scale peaks, and it takes us all morning to reach it. At night, even the glow of the lights of Kathmandu in the faraway distance can be seen. Rest part of the day is sorting of climbing gear for an early start to the summit of Paldor peak.

Day 15: Summit of Paldor and return to Base Camp.
From High Camp follow the Paldor Glacier East, without difficulty, north towards a col on the North-East Ridge (Windy Col). Crossing and climbing a steep snow slope to gain the col. This may be difficult, in which case ascending by the slopes to the left, climbing diagonally towards a rocky pinnacle. This can be hard ice sometimes, once on the ridge, climb over several pinnacles of loose rock leading to horizontal snow are that narrow dramatically, following this to the foot of the final 150 meters 492 ft headwall. Ascending this on steep snow to the junction of the South-East Ridge, which may be corniced, finally continuing easily to the summit. Baldor’s position, its summit commands views stretching from Maccahapuchare in the west all the way across to the peaks of the Khumbu. Shisapangma and the brown hills of Tibet are another part of this stunning summit panorama. After spending about half an hour on the summit, we reverse the route of our ascent, carefully along the narrow ridges and then down to the spaciousness of the glacier and on to our high camp. After rest continue our descent to the Base Camp.

Day 16: Trek to Pansing Bhanjyang Phedi 3,822m, 5-6 hrs.
From the base camp walk out toward Trisuli Bazaar, and retracing the ascent route to the army camp in the Mailung Khola. The walk continues down the west bank of the river and then climbing through forest to a pass on the Tiru Danda. After a brief stop here, the path leads to the meadow and huts below the pass for the overnight camp known as Pansing Bhanjyang which offers a stunning view across the valley over the Khurpa Danda to the Langtang and beyond.

Day 17: Trek to Rupchet 4,000m, 4-5 hrs.
Leaving Bhanjyang behind head towards the 3,680 m. South. It is not quite “all downhill” and the path does a couple of switchbacks from one side of the ridge to the other, and always offering the promise of new views. After a dramatic descent off the end of the higher Tiru Danda, and down the rocky gullies reach to Rupchet just above the tree-line and camp at Rupchet itself.

Day 18: Trek to Saline2,500m. 4-5 hrs.
Today pass through the lush forests making a long descent toward the Salankhu Khola side, once again back amongst the people and agricultural endeavour. Passing through the farmlands and small villages eventually we reach a village of Saline. Camp on the open terrace lands close to the village.

Day 19: Trek to Deorali 1,500m. 4-5 hrs.
Traversing through the terraced fields, crossing a steep little Pass then the colourful forests, reach to a village of Boldugaon. Leaving behind this village continue the walk on the zigzagging path down the picturesque agricultural fields to a Deorali.

Day 20: Trek to Trisuli Bazaar and drive back to Kathmandu.
Today heading toward Trisuli Bazaar, begin the descent, as the path continue leading through the fields, one can notice changes in the vegetation increasingly tropical, with bananas, pipal and banyan trees and climate changed – increasing heat, then finally reaching the thriving bazaar town of Trisuli. After lunch load up the bus and take a drive back to Kathmandu. The road twists and turns through the ridges zigzagging and sometimes climbing to reach the Luchhe Danda. Then it leads to descent towards Kathmandu. Arriving in Kathmandu in the late afternoon, check in to the Hotel.

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