Saribung Pass Trek: The Complete Guide

The Saribung Pass links Upper Mustang and Nar Phu — two of Nepal's most tightly controlled restricted areas — across a glaciated col at 6,042 m. It is one of very few routes in the country that crosses above 6,000 m without needing a summit permit, and it is a genuine expedition rather than a trek with a hard day in it.

The first half is the classic Mustang route: the wind-carved canyons above the Kali Gandaki, the ochre cliffs at Dhakmar, the cave gompas at Luri, and the medieval walled capital of the Kingdom of Lo at Lo Manthang (3,840 m). Beyond Yara the trail leaves the Mustang circuit for the pilgrimage route to Damodar Kunda (4,890 m), a chain of sacred lakes on the Tibetan plateau.

Then the glacier below Saribung Peak, the col crossed roped and in crampons, and a descent into the Phu valley and out through Nar to the Annapurna Circuit at Koto.

The Trek at a Glance

We run it as a 21-day expedition. The Teri La Pass trek links the same two regions over a non-glaciated pass, and the Saribung Peak climb adds the summit above the col.

The Route

Jomsom to Lo Manthang (2,720 m to 3,840 m)

Fly to Jomsom, walk to Kagbeni, and north into Upper Mustang through Chele, Ghami and Charang — four days of canyon country, eroded cliffs, chortens and villages that look Tibetan because they are. A full exploration day inside the walls of Lo Manthang: the four-storey palace and the monasteries of Jampa, Thubchen and Chodey, all of which need the time.

Lo Manthang to Damodar Kunda (3,840 m to 4,890 m)

East to Yara, then the cave gompa at Luri and up to Ghuma Thanti at 4,150 m. From here the route leaves every other trekking party behind and climbs onto the plateau to Damodar Kunda, a chain of lakes sacred to Hindus as a site associated with Vishnu — the shaligram fossils found here are venerated as his aniconic form. Nepali pilgrims walk up in the summer months, which is one of the few times the plateau has anyone else on it.

An acclimatisation and training day at Damodar Kunda covers crampons, rope work and fixed line before the crossing.

The Saribung La (6,042 m)

From Saribung Base Camp at 5,300 m, a pre-dawn start onto the glacier. The col is not technical climbing but it is glacier travel at 6,000 m with fixed rope on the steeper ground, crossed roped and in crampons. The descent on the far side drops to Nagoru (4,400 m) and into the Nar Phu system.

Phu, Nar and out (4,080 m to 2,600 m)

Down to Phu, a fortified Tibetan village on a rock spur, then Meta and the walk out to Koto on the Annapurna Circuit, and two days of jeep and highway back to Kathmandu via Besisahar.

Skills, Permits and Who It Suits

You need to be comfortable in crampons and moving roped on a glacier. Previous experience above 5,000 m is required, and your guide runs a training session at Damodar Kunda — but training is a refresher, not an introduction.

The permit situation is unusual: three permits, two of them restricted.

• Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit — carries a substantial per-person government fee.
• Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
• Both restricted permits require a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers.

All three are included in the package. See our restricted-area permits guide for how the system works.

If the Col Is Closed

The group retraces to Lo Manthang and exits through Mustang, which is a fine trek in itself but adds several days. Your guide makes the call at Damodar Kunda based on snow and weather, and the schedule carries spare days so that decision is never forced by the calendar.

Budget for the possibility. The exclusions below cover a turned-back crossing explicitly, and on a route this committing that is the honest way to price it.

What It Costs

The Upper Mustang permit fee is the single largest line item and is set by the government rather than by us.

What Is Included

• Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu.
• Pokhara to Jomsom flight, private transport Kathmandu to Pokhara, and jeep Koto to Besisahar to Kathmandu.
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast, plus teahouses on the trek.
• Two-person tents, mess tent, toilet tent and all group camping equipment for the plateau section.
• A cook and kitchen crew for the camping section.
• Crampons, harness, ice axe, helmet and fixed rope for the Saribung La crossing.
• A climbing guide and additional high-altitude staff for the pass section.
• Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Restricted Area Permits and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
• Three meals a day, group map, first aid kit, and all government taxes and service charges.

What Is Not Included

• International flights and the Nepal entry visa fee.
• Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover valid above 6,000 m.
• Personal trekking and climbing equipment, including a bag rated to -20 °C and crampon-compatible boots.
• Porter services for your personal duffel, available at additional cost.
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• Snacks, bottled water, hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging and drinks.
• Laundry, phone calls, souvenirs and personal expenses.
• Tips for guides, climbing staff, crew and drivers.
• Extra accommodation, transport or rescheduled flights caused by weather at Jomsom or a turned-back crossing, or anything else outside the itinerary.

Horses can be hired in most Mustang villages for a stage or a day, which is both traditional and a good option if you are tired. Above Yara the ground is unsuitable.