Paldor is one of the prominent peaks in the Ganesh Himal range though somewhat detached from the main range itself. Ganesh Himal and Langtang are the closes Himalayan peaks to Kathmandu. On reaching the summit, a panoramic view awaits you that stretches from Mt Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail) in the Annapurna range in the west to the eastern peaks of the Khumbu Region along with the Mt Shisapangma and the brown mountains of Tibet and Kathmandu in the southern horizon. After a strenuous yet wonderful climb, a pleasant walk back to the busy bazaar of Trisuli via the scenic route of Tiru Danda and Pansing Bhanjyang and a 5 hrs drive on the winding road you will be back in Kathmandu. Less number of trekkers in this area can be attributed to the absence of peaks over 8000m mark in the Ganesh and Langtang ranges.
Walking up the Paldor involves classic Nepalese ridge walking

This is a splendid trekking peak which we can expect to have to ourselves—something unthinkable with other trekking peaks. This adventurous trek is one of the most outstanding journeys in the whole of Himalaya ranges that commences from the east of Kathmandu valley at Sundarijal. The path climbs through the farm fields, villages and into the serene forest of oaks, pines and rhododendron.

OUTLINE ITENERARY

TRIP DOSSIER

Day 01: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Arrival . Welcome to the Himalayas! Our staff will receive you at Kathmandu international airport and transfer you to the hotel where you will be briefed you about Kathmandu, the hotel, trekking, some do's and don’ts along with other things that you might require to know, also you will be briefed about tomorrow’s half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 02: KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Sightseeing tour
A half-day guided tour of Kathmandu, visit places of cultural, religious and historical importance and experience the sights and sounds of the city. Kathmandu is a medieval city, with an interesting history, where myths and legends blend seamlessly and modernism and traditionalism coexist in stark harmony offering a startling travel experience. The city has lots to offer to keen visitors. The tour can be scheduled in the morning or afternoon, to ensure everyone is well rested from previous day’s travel.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 03: SUNDARIJAL 1379m/4524ft & CHISOPANI 2340m/7677ft
8km drive to Sundarijal and 4-5 trek from Chisopani.
Morning bus ride towards east of Kathmandu to Sundarijal from where we shall start trekking after making final preparations. The trail leads above Sundarijal and its cool forest for an hour coming to the rural farm houses of Mulkharka (1894m /6214ft) and continues ahead through terraced land along a gradual path to the top of the ridge at Burlung Bhanjyang (2438m /8000ft) and through the beautiful forest of oaks and rhododendron and pasture fields. From the ridge top an easy gradual descent brings us to our overnight campsite at Chisopani.

Day 04: GUL BHANJYANG 2125m /6971ft
5-6 hrs trek
Early morning is the best time for the viewing sunrise over the Himlayan ranges and peaks. Today’s walk continues northward on the gradual downhill trail along a ridge to Chiplling village (2165m /7103ft). From here the trail ascends beyond the settlement to a high point before swinging north-east and continuing downhill through a forest to the Tamang village of Gul Bhanjyang for the overnight camp.

Day 05: MAGNEGOTH 3220m/10564ft
6 hrs trek
A steep climb takes us to Thodang Danda, the long ascent continues through a
forest of rhododendron and pine to the Panghu Danda (3300m/10827ft) through several small valleys with terraced farm lands down below. The trail crosses the Kutumsang village then a quiet forest till it reaches the overnight camping spot at Mangengoth, with splendid views across Gosainkund ridge and the route to the Laurebina La.

Day 06: SURCHE 3400m/11155ft
6 hrs trek
A short climb brings to a classic section of Nepalese ridge walking on the Thare Danda hillside. Along the way to Taharepati (3597m /11,00ft) we have superb view of Jugal and Langtang Himal ranges. The trail on the narrow ridge crest leads above the main forest to a high point from where it descends northwest before climbing around the head of Tadi Khola.The walk continues through dense rhododendron trees over boulders and beneath rock overhangs known as Gopte Odar (3566m /11700ft) and a few teahouses. We’ll stop for lunch then continue around the hillsides beneath several waterfalls. The walk through this beautiful landscape eventually ends at Surche precariously perched on the ridge.

Day 07: LAUREBINAYEK 3,694m / 12,120ft.
5-6 hrs trek
From Surche the trail ascends towards the base of Laurebina La. The path winds through numerous large gullies that may be covered by snow. Then the trail goes below the pass where there is a rocky ravine and good camping spot and clean creek water. Depending upon the trail condition and the hour of walking we may have lunch at the campsite. Latter part of the noon will be free for a short walk around this beautiful area.

Day 08: GOSAIKUND LAKE 4450m/14600ft
5-6 hrs trek
The route meanders uphill climbing all the way to the pass of Laurabina L¬a (4609m/15100ft). The trail over the pass will most likely be covered by snow and the lakes nearby frozen. Looking 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 shade of the sky which can be truly breathtaking.
Care should be taken if there is lot of snow around. During mid July and August thousands of pilgrims from across the country visit Gosainkund Lake and worship the shrine of Lord Shiva near the shore. According to Hindu legend, Lord Shiva pierced the rock with his trident and caused water to gush and form lakes to quench his thirst caused by drinking poison. Pilgrims believe that bathing in the lakes is a way of gaining merit and washing away the sins of a hundred life time.

Day 09: GOSAIKUND 4450m/14600ft
Rest & leisure
A well deserved resting day after a week of walking! The area offers great trails for short hikes
with stunning views of snowcapped mountain ranges of Langtang, Ganesh and Manaslu all the way to Annapurnas in the distant western horizon.

Day 10: SYABRUBESI 1462m/4800ft
6 /7 hrs trek
Today we head downhill to Syabrubensi along a knee-jerking trail that drops 3000m/9800ft. The path continues along the open ridge to a group of huts in Laurebina and proceeds towards a long descent to Sing Gompa (3254m/10675ft) and the government cheese factory—a brief rest and a possible lunch stop. From here the route follows the upper Syabru trail along the northern ridge, the walk is magnificent through the serene forest of hemlock, pine, oak and rhododendron trees opening to a fascinating landscape of terraced fields and small farms finally reaching the village of Syabru. We continue further and descend along the snaking ridges for about 2 hours through thick a forest and eventually emerge in the Tamang village of Syabrubensi.
Overnight camping.

Day 11: GATLANG 2438m/8000ft
6-7 hrs trek
The path traverses into the valley of Chilime Khola where we walk across the suspension bridge and continue upstream to another large suspension bridge that we cross and pass through Gholjong Sango where the valley widens. The trail follows a well engineered water channel and leads to Thangjet, near the confluence of Chilime and Brindong rivers. The valley has extensive terraces and is agriculturally prosperous with rice, millet and corn as well as large herds of buffalos and goats. The trail climbs steeply through terraced hillsides to Gatling, passing mani walls piled with carved stones and lotus-shaped manadalas. Gatling is a crowded village with stone houses huddled together. The smoke of cooking fires perpetually filters through the wooden tiled roofs and mingles with prayer flags drape around bamboo poles. Man, creatures and mountainside are so closely bound that none seem to have a separate identity. It will be interesting to see changes brought about by the new road motorable in the near future on this isolated community. Camp will be set up just before or after this village, depending upon the suitability of the spot.

Day 12: SOMDANG 3270m/10728ft
6-7 hrs trek
Today we continue climbing further through the forests, zigzagging to Khumpu Danda (3739m /12267ft). From the ridge we can have fine views of the Annapurnas, Langtang and beyond. On the far side of the Mailung Khola we see the Tiru Danda and the Pansing Bhanjyang pass, our route one the way back.
From the Kurpa Danda we head north along the crest and then traverse a steep hillside. The walk is quite spectacular in places and descends into the pine forest to meet the newly constructed road. We get on the road for awhile, which is being extended for the army post at Samathang and continue walking up the main valley along the stream. Throughout the way we encounter thousands of small pieces of garnets and other minerals. Approaching the head of the valley the path gets steep, fine waterfalls can be seen and we come across several possible campsites before heading towards the Paldor Base Camp past the small village of Somdang.

Day 13: PALDOR BASE CAMP 4500m / 14900ft
4-5 hrs trek
We ascend above Somdang village and the manganese mine and soon find ourselves beyond the tree line and mines climbing steeply above the river gorge. The path, in some places are quite rocky as we climb between outcrops and then traverse northeastwards to a small valley bounded by moraines below the glaciers of Paldor Peak. We establish our Base Camp here, below the confluence of the Paldor West and Paldor East glaciers just north of a fine rock pinnacle that was named called 'Neddy's Thumb' (4500m/14764ft) by Cleare, an earlier climber.

Day 14: PALDOR BASE CAMP 4500m/14900ft
Rest & acclimatization
A day for rest and acclimatization and for sorting out the equipment which we will be taking to
our high camp and discussion of the strategy.

Day 15: PALDOR HIGH CAMP 5150m/16896ft
Climb to High Camp
Today begins with a steep and stony walk, scrambling up across the moraine slopes and further lie fields of boulders towards a more level glacier and eventually to the wonderful campsite. On the en route climbing we encounter a small and almost inconspicuous lake called Fang south of the peak, cross the stream flowing out from the lake and head for the scree and boulder slope which lies to the east of the of Fang. High Camp will be set up just east of Fang on the Paldor East Glacier, which is a magnificent amphitheatre of alpine-scaled peaks and takes us all morning to reach. At night, glow of the lights of Kathmandu can be seen far away in the distant. Rest of the day is for sorting climbing gear for an early start to the summit of Paldor Peak tomorrow.
Overnight camping.

Day 16: SUMMIT OF PALDOR PEAK 5896m/19344ft
Reach the summit of Paldor Peak &return to Base Camp.
From High Camp follow the Paldor Glacier East, which is not much difficult, then head north towards a col on the North-East Ridge (Windy Col). Crossing and climbing a steep snow slope to gain the col may be difficult, which involves ascending the slopes by climbing diagonally towards a rocky pinnacle. There can be hard ice sometimes, once on the ridge, climb over several pinnacles of loose rock leading to a horizontal snow arêtes that narrows dramatically, follow this to the foot of the final headwall 150m/492 ft.

We shall ascend this steep snow covered section to the junction of the southeast ridge, which may be corniced then push on to the summit. Paldor's summit commands views stretching from Maccahapuchare in the west all the way across to the peaks of the Khumbu Region in the east. 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 descend carefully along the narrow ridges and then down to the spaciousness of the glacier moving onto our high camp. After resting a bit we continue our descent to the Base Camp.

Day 17:PANSING BHANJYANG PHEDI 3822m /12540ft
From the Base Camp the trail heads toward Trisuli Bazaar as we retrace downwards to the army camp at Mailung Khola and continue descending to the river then climb through the 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 camping site at Pansing Bhanjyang, which offers stunning view across the valley over the Khurpa Danda to the Langtang and beyond.

Day 18: RUPCHET 4000m/13000ft
Leaving Bhanjyang behind we head southwards. It is not quite "all downhill" and the path does a couple of switch backs from one side of the ridge to the other, always offering the promise of new views. After a dramatic descent off the end of the higher Tiru Danda, and down the rocky gullies we reach Rupchet just above the tree line where we shall camp overnight.

Day 19: SALINE 2500m/8202ft
4-5 hrs trek
Today we pass through lush forests on a long descent toward the Salankhu Khola, a river, back again amongst people and agricultural endeavors. Passing through farm lands and small villages we eventually reach the village of Saline.
Camp on the open terraced lands close to the village.

Day 20: DEURALI 1500m/4921ft
4-5 hrs trek
We head towards the village of Boldu Gaon traversing through terraced fields, crossing a steep pass and the colorful forests. Leaving this village behind we continue on the zigzagging path down the picturesque agricultural fields to a Deurali.

Day 21: TRISHULI BAZAAR 550m/1804ft & KATHMANDU 1336m/4383ft
Trek to Trisuli Bazaar and drive back to Kathmandu
The trail takes off to Trisuli Bazaar, beginning with descent through the fields, with noticeable changes in the vegetation becoming increasingly tropical, with bananas, pipal and banyan trees. After lunch at the bazaar, load our stuffs on the bus and drive back to Kathmandu. The road twists and turns through ridges, zigzagging and sometimes climbing to reach the Luchhe Danda. Then it descends towards Kathmandu where we arrive late in the afternoon and check in to the hotel.

Day 22: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu.
Leisure day. Options: mountain flight or sightseeing tour
A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go for a short tour of the city in and around Kathmandu Valley or take an early morning mountain flight to view Mt Everest and other Himalayan giants.

Day 23: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
International departure
As per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from the land of Himalayas.
Farewell and see you again!