Saribung Peak is a glaciated summit of about 6,328 m on the remote border between Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu. Here is what the trip involves, how hard it is, when to go and which permits to confirm before you book.
Saribung Peak at a glance
Saribung Peak is a glaciated summit of about 6,328 m in the Damodar Himal, on the high ground between Upper Mustang and the Nar-Phu valleys of Manang. Heights quoted for Himalayan peaks differ slightly between maps and sources, so treat the figure as approximate. Most people who plan Saribung are not after a single summit day. They want a remote crossing with a climb built into it.
- Region: Damodar Himal, between Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu
- Height: about 6,328 m
- Style: expedition-style camping, with a snow and glacier climb
- Usual crossing: Mustang to Phu and on to Manang, over a high pass of roughly 6,000 m
- Seasons: mainly autumn and spring
- Time needed: about three weeks or more, including travel
Where it is and why people go
Upper Mustang is dry, wind-cut and Tibetan in character. Nar-Phu, on the Manang side, is a quiet pair of valleys with old stone villages and monasteries. Between them lies a high, empty belt of glaciers, moraine and cold lakes, and Saribung stands in the middle of it. The route links two regions that most visitors know only separately, which is the real attraction.
Many itineraries pass the Damodar Kunda lakes on the way, but not all of them do. If the lakes matter to you, ask your operator to confirm it in writing. Our Damodar Kunda route guide describes that section of the approach.
The usual route in stages
This is a route outline, not a day-by-day itinerary. Camps, pass names and the exit vary between expeditions and between years, and conditions on the high ground can change the plan.
- Approach through Upper Mustang. Fly to Jomsom and walk north through Kagbeni and the Lo villages to Lo Manthang, using the rest days that the altitude needs.
- Move into the empty country. From the Lo Manthang area the route turns west and south-west into remote valleys, with camping replacing lodges. Food, fuel and shelter are carried.
- Climb towards base camp. The route gains height slowly, with acclimatisation stops, to a base camp below the glacier.
- Summit window. Climbers go for the top only if snow, wind and the team's health agree, with spare days built in.
- Cross the high pass. The crossing of about 6,000 m involves snow and glacier travel and is the most serious single day of the trip.
- Descend to Phu and Nar. The route drops to the Phu valley, then follows the Nar-Phu villages down to the main Manang trail and the road.
How hard is it?
Saribung is a serious high-altitude trip. It is not a trek with a summit added, and a guide alone does not make it suitable for a beginner. The difficulty comes from several things together: sustained time above 5,000 m, camping in cold and wind, snow and glacier terrain, and a long way from help.
- Experience: previous high-altitude trekking is the minimum. Time on a peak like Island Peak or Mera Peak, or on a high pass, is a good sign.
- Skills: crampons, ice axe, harness and roped travel on snow. These can be taught before the climb, but should not be learned for the first time on the pass.
- Fitness: long days with a daypack, several weeks in a row, in cold weather.
- Mindset: basic camping, a changing plan and the readiness to turn back.
Our guides on Island Peak and Mera Peak give a feel for the step up this involves.
Best time for Saribung
Autumn, roughly late September to early November, and spring, roughly April to May, are the seasons operators usually plan for. Autumn brings the clearest skies and dry ground. Spring brings longer days but more snow to cross and colder early nights. Summer rain is lighter in Mustang than in most of Nepal, but the high ground can still see heavy cloud and snow. Winter is very cold and the pass may be blocked.
Whichever season you choose, allow spare days. A snowfall or a windy day on the pass can add a day or two, and a plan with no slack will push people into poor decisions. Our best time for Damodar Kunda guide covers the same weather pattern on the approach.
Permits and rules to confirm
Several permissions may apply, and the exact set depends on the route, season, nationality and the rules in force at the time. We do not quote a final fee here because the rules change and we want you to get the current figure from us.
- Upper Mustang restricted-area permit. Travel in Upper Mustang needs a restricted-area permit, a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card. The permit is currently USD 500 for the first 10 days and USD 50 for each extra day. See our Upper Mustang permit guide.
- Nar-Phu permit. Entering the Nar-Phu area on the exit normally needs its own restricted-area permit.
- Conservation area entry. The Manang side lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Climbing permit. The summit needs a climbing permit through a registered agency. Ask which category applies to Saribung and what it costs, as this is the figure most often misquoted.
A walking permit does not cover the climb, and one restricted-area permit does not cover the whole crossing. Confirm the full list with us before you book flights.
How long to allow
Plan for about three weeks including arrival and departure days, and more if you want a margin. Time goes on the Mustang approach and rest days, slow acclimatisation, the base-camp stage, the summit window and spare days, the pass, and the walk out. Be wary of any itinerary much shorter than this: the saving usually comes out of acclimatisation or contingency time, and both are needed.
Food, camping and crew
This is expedition-style travel. Once you leave the villages there are no lodges, so a cook team, tents, fuel and porters carry everything. Expect a simple, repetitive diet at altitude. Ask your operator how supplies are managed if the weather delays you, what the plan is for evacuation, how communication works in remote sections, and how the crew is equipped.
Is Saribung right for you?
Saribung suits a fit trekker with some high-altitude and snow experience who wants a remote route rather than a crowded one. It is probably too much if this would be your first trek above 5,000 m, or if you want lodge comfort every night. If you are unsure, a good stepping stone is a trek like Damodar Kunda or a classic like Nar-Phu, then a peak, then Saribung.
Common questions
How high is Saribung Peak?
About 6,328 m. Figures for Himalayan peaks vary slightly between sources.
Is Saribung a trekking peak?
It is a climbing objective with a crossing attached. Ask your operator which permit category applies and what it costs before you pay a deposit.
Can a beginner climb Saribung?
Not as a first high-altitude trip. Experience on a high pass or a peak like Island Peak or Mera Peak, and basic snow skills, are the sensible starting point.
How long does the Saribung trip take?
About three weeks including travel, plus spare days for weather.
Does the route go to Damodar Kunda?
Many plans pass the lakes, but not all. Ask for it to be confirmed in your itinerary.
What is the best month?
Late September to early November, or April to May. Autumn is the more settled season.
