The range you can see from Kathmandu, and almost nobody walks
On a clear morning, Jugal Himal sits on the northeastern horizon above the city. It is one of the least visited corners of Langtang National Park.
Walk from Chautara up through a network of five lakes called Panch Pokhari, over a via ferrata section toward Jugal Base Camp, and into Ne-Pemachhal – an open valley where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated in the 8th century.
Fourteen nights under canvas
Minimum distance: 104.96km/65.2mi. Total ascent: +9,193m/30,161ft. Total descent: -8,663m/28,422ft. Elevation range: 1,409m/4,623ft to 4,722m/15,492ft
This is a full camping expedition. A support crew carries the kitchen, dining and toilet tents, with a cook and individual porters. That means we are not tied to where lodges happen to exist, giving us flexibility on where we stay each night.
Route on Caltopo
Walking where three women walked first
In 1949 Bill Tilman reached the edge of the Jugal Himal, heard there was no path up the valley, and turned back.
Six years later, three Scottish climbers went to find out. Monica Jackson, Evelyn Camrass and Betty Stark left Kathmandu in the spring of 1955 on what is recognised as the first Himalayan expedition organised entirely by women. They appointed no leader, found a local guide willing to show them the high pastures, and summited a previously unclimbed peak, naming it after their head Sherpa, Mingma Gyalgen.
We follow part of their route. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society has the full story.
Dates: 9 April 2027 (briefing and orientation) to 26 April 2027 (departure day). 18 days in total, including one acclimatisation day. Minimum 4 participants, maximum 8. Participants should have experience of multiple back-to-back days in mountainous terrain.
Cost: $4,377 per person. Single supplement: $200 (Kathmandu) / $350 (tent). All inclusive, including $250 deposit through Stripe. Register here on Stripe!
Itinerary
9-Apr-2027 Briefing and orientation
10-Apr-2027 Kathmandu to Chautara
11-Apr-2027 Trail day 1 Chautara to Rijal Park
12-Apr-2027 Trail day 2 Rijal Park to Chyoje Dada
13-Apr-2027 Trail day 3 Chyoje Dada to Hile Bhanyjang
14-Apr-2027 Trail day 4 Hile Bhanyjang to Nashimpati
15-Apr-2027 Trail day 5 Nashimpati to Panchpokhari
16-Apr-2027 Trail day 6 Acclimatisation day
17-Apr-2027 Trail day 7 Panchpokhari to Nema-Gchukpa Kharka
18-Apr-2027 Trail day 8 Nema-Gchukpa Kharka to Chinntang Gumba
19-Apr-2027 Trail day 9 Chinntang Gumba to Ne-Pemachhal
20-Apr-2027 Trail day 10 Ne-Pemachhal to Palmothang Camp
21-Apr-2027 Trail day 11 Palmothang Camp to Base Camp to Palmothang Camp
22-Apr-2027 Trail day 12 Palmothang Camp to Bhaland Pokhari
23-Apr-2027 Trail day 13 Bhaland Pokhari to Ne Kharka
24-Apr-2027 Trail day 14 Ne Kharka to Kyansing
25-Apr-2027 Kyansing to Kathmandu (Drive)
26-Apr-2027 Departure day