Saipal Base Camp Trek
The Saipal Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s most remote and pristine trekking adventures, located in the far-western region of the country, in the Bajhang and Bajura districts. Saipal Himal, standing at 7,031 meters, is a majestic and less-explored peak that offers trekkers the opportunity to experience the untouched wilderness of western Nepal. Unlike popular trekking routes such as Annapurna or Everest, the Saipal region is sparsely populated, and the trail passes through isolated villages, dense forests, alpine meadows, and glacial landscapes, providing an authentic Himalayan experience.
The trek showcases dramatic scenery including snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, alpine rivers, and lush rhododendron forests. Local settlements along the route, such as Latinath, Makarigad, and Seti, provide insight into traditional lifestyles of the Thakuri, Chhetri, and other ethnic communities, who rely on subsistence farming and animal husbandry. The Saipal Base Camp Trek is ideal for trekkers who seek adventure, solitude, and a strong connection with nature, as the region is largely untouched by tourism.
The route is considered moderate to challenging, with gradual ascents leading to higher altitudes around 4,000–4,500 meters, where trekkers can view Saipal, Api, and other surrounding Himalayan peaks. Due to its remoteness, the trek requires careful planning, especially regarding accommodation, food, and high-altitude preparation.
Highlights
- Explore Saipal Base Camp (East & West) with close-up views of glaciers and alpine peaks
- Trek through remote, high-altitude landscapes and alpine meadows
- Traverse high mountain passes: Syakup Lagna (4,215 m) & Sakya Lagna (4,710 m)
- Visit secluded villages and experience local culture
- Scenic ridges, rivers, and terraced farmland along the trail
- Optional photography, wildlife spotting, and alpine exploration
- Authentic tented camp experience in the remote Himalaya
Basic Information
- Destination
- Duration
- Start / End Location
- Accommodation Type
- Difficulty Level
- Max Altitude
- Age Limit
- Transportation Mode
- Sipal Base Camp
- 22 Days
- Kathmandu / Kathmandu
- -
- Strenuous
- 4710m
- -
- -
Best Season
Spring (Mar–May), Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Inclusions
- Domestic flights & road transport
- 3 meals/day during trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Tented camp accommodation on trek
- Hotels in Kathmandu & Nepalgunj
- Licensed English-speaking guide & porter service
- Staff salaries, insurance, meals, equipment
- Trekking permits: Humla Restricted Area Permit & TIMS
- First-aid kit & oximeter
Tour Plan
- Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport
- Welcome program by Himalayan Magic Treks and direct transfer to hotel
- Breakfast at hotel
- Dinner at hotel (depending on arrival time)
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast at hotel
- Rest after long flight, trek preparation, gear check, briefing by guide
- Lunch at hotel or nearby restaurant
- Dinner at hotel
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Complete Humla Restricted Area Permit procedure
- Afternoon flight Kathmandu → Nepalgunj (1 hr)
- Lunch in Nepalgunj
- Dinner at hotel
- Overnight: Hotel in Nepalgunj (Twin Sharing Room, basic to mid-range)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Flight Nepalgunj → Simikot (55 min)
- Trek Simikot → Dharapori (4–5 hrs)
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Scenic hills, river valleys, first glimpse of high Himalaya
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Dharapori
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs through forests and ridgelines
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Remote villages, terraced fields, mountain views
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Kermi (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs ascending along ridges
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Panoramic Himalayan views, alpine meadows
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Yalbang (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 6–7 hrs crossing Syakup Lagna Pass
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Majestic peaks, glaciers, alpine landscapes
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Chala (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs through high-altitude meadows and valleys
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Scenic ridges, local fauna, alpine flora
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Puekharka (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs along ridges and forested trails
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Remote wilderness, mountain views
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Sumjumkharka (basic)
- Early wake-up and breakfast
- Day trek 5–6 hrs to Saipal West Base Camp
- Packed lunch during trek
- Highlights: Mt. Saipal close-up, glaciers, alpine meadows
- Return to Sumjumkharka
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Sumjumkharka (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs descending/ascending through alpine pastures
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Panoramic ridges, river crossings
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Puekharka/Karang Khola (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs along forested trails and river valleys
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Remote villages, mountain streams
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Gurgure Khola / Khaniphukharka (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 6–7 hrs crossing Sakya Lagna Pass
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Panoramic Himalayan views, glaciers
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Lepchekharka (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs across alpine ridges
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: High-altitude meadows, local wildlife
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Ranikharka (basic)
- Early wake-up and breakfast
- Day trek 5–6 hrs to Saipal East Base Camp
- Packed lunch during trek
- Highlights: Close-up views of Mt. Saipal, glaciers, alpine scenery
- Return to Ranikharka
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Ranikharka (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs descending through meadows and small villages
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Scenic valley views, highland villages
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Dhaulekharka (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs along forested trails and ridges
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Panoramic mountain views, rivers
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Lampato (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs through alpine pastures
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Mountain vistas, wildlife sightings
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Lama Chaur (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 5–6 hrs along ridges and river valleys
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Remote village life, terraced fields
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Chhipra (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Trek 4–5 hrs descending to Simikot
- Lunch en route
- Highlights: Scenic river valleys, local settlements
- Dinner
- Overnight: in Simikot (basic)
- Wake-up and breakfast
- Morning flight Simikot → Nepalgunj (55 min)
- Afternoon flight Nepalgunj → Kathmandu (1 hr)
- Lunch in Kathmandu
- Optional sightseeing or relax at hotel
- Dinner at Hotel
- Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
- Wake-up and breakfast (depending on flight schedule)
- Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport
- Departure for onward journey
- End of tour