Best time for Pharchamo Peak Climbing

The pre-monsoon season (Spring) ranges from March to May and the post-monsoon season (Autumn) falls from September to November are considered the best season for Pharchamo Peak climbing.

Spring Season

The weather and temperature are relatively stable with clear skies making the perfect climbing conditions. The snow and ice conditions on the peaks and surrounding glaciers are usually more favorable during this season. It is a flower-blooming season so the trekkers will be rewarded with beautiful flowers like jasmine, pine, and rhododendron along the forests of the trekking trail. 

Autumn Season

Autumn is one of the perfect seasons for trekking and climbing expeditions in Nepal, so thousands of trekkers choose this season for peak climbing. With full of atmosphere and beauty, the autumn season offers reference weather with clear magnificent mountains. The post-monsoon period in this region is characterized by lush vegetation, stunning landscapes, and comfortable climbing conditions with excellent visibility. 

Summer and Winter Seasons

Usually, Summer (June, July, and August) and Winter (September, October, and November) seasons are not preferable due to harsh weather conditions.

Day temperatures are cool but the nights are much cold in the winter season. Trekking becomes extremely difficult above altitudes of 3,000 meters due to fog and extremely cold temperatures. The trekkers might experience the risk of snowfall or avalanches during this season. 

Similarly, the summer season brings heavy rain, reduced visibility, and higher chances of landslides, making it unsuitable for climbing. The weather is hot and almost every day rains making the bad weather that may invite some natural calamities during the trekking or climbing period.

Altitude

The Pharchamo Peak stands at the Rolwaling mountain range with an altitude of 6,187 meters/20,299 feet above sea level, which poses challenges related to altitude. The air becomes thinner and the level of oxygen decreases as you ascend higher. It is crucial to take proper acclimatization and gradual ascent to avoid altitude sickness to assure a successful peak climbing journey.

Weather Conditions

The weather in the Himalayas can be unpredictable and harsh, especially at higher altitudes. Strong winds, low temperatures, and snowfall can make the climb more difficult and increase the risk of frostbite and avalanches. Climbers need to be prepared for varying weather conditions and plan accordingly.

Training and Experience

The altitude and challenging trail of Pharchamo demand good physical condition, strength, and previous climbing experience. Trekkers need to be prepared physically and mentally to make a successful climbing journey. It is highly recommended to improve physical and mental endurance, be familiar with mountaineering equipment, and have prior mountaineering experience, ideally including high-altitude climbs before attempting Pharchjamo Peak. Consulting with experienced guides or mountaineering agencies is advantageous for safety, as they can provide enormous support, guidance, and local knowledge. Adequate acclimatization, proper equipment, a well-planned itinerary, and partnering with highly experienced guides are crucial for a successful and safe climb. 

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Travel Insurance

For adventurous trips like trekking or mountaineering in the Himalayas of Nepal, travel insurance is mandatory. Concerning the safe and worry-free journey for trekkers, the insurance policy must cover incidents like illness, medical emergencies, accidents, trip cancellation, and loss of personal baggage and items. Make sure that your travel insurance covers trekking and climbing activities in the Himalayas up to an altitude of 6,500 meters.

Packing List

Clothing

Sunhat or scarfs, sunglasses, gloves, down Jackets, sport hiking t-shirts, fleece jackets or sweaters, Ponchos or raincoats, hiking or trekking trousers, lightweight cotton pants, bra (for females), underwear, hiking socks, and trekking or hiking boots. 

Gears

Day Backpack 30-50L, Pack covers, Sleeping bag, and Water bottles

Accessories

Cell phones, Cameras, Money, and Plastic bags.

First Aid Kits

Diamox, bandages, painkillers, antibiotic eye drops, thermometer, paracetamol, anti-emetic for nausea, and oral rehydration salts.

Toiletries

Toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorants, and soap.

Climbing Gears

Ice axe, crampons, harness, ascender/jumar, helmet, tape slings, descender, snow bar, rope, ice hammer, and ice screw.

Responsible Tourism

We strongly believe in responsible tourism and all our trips are guided by economic responsibility, social responsibility, and environmental responsibility. We encourage our clients to do eco-friendly trips without affecting the uniqueness of culture, traditions, customs, and beliefs. Let's focus on successful trips with the preservation of nature and the well-being of the local community and leave nothing except footprints behind.

Permits

Like other climbing peaks, Pharmacho Peak Climbing also requires a peak summiting permit from Nepal Mountaineering Association. The other permits required for Pharmaho peak climbing are mentioned below:

TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card

Sagarmatha National Park permit

Acclimatization Day

To prevent altitude sickness and ensure a successful climb, it's important to gradually acclimate yourself to high altitudes by taking a break at specific elevations. For Pharmacho Peak climbing, it is recommended to spend a day at Namche Bazar (3,440m) and a day at the high camp (5,640m) of Pharemacho Peak. While acclimatization at Namche Bazar, you can explore the town, visit different museums and shops, and do a side trip to Thame. Other best options for the day include a short hike to Everest View Hotel or Khumjung for a magical sunset view. While also adding reserve days for bad weather at high camp and side trips; furthermore acclimatization days provide an opportunity for your guide to teach you the necessary skills for using climbing equipment.

Summiting Day

The most important day as you are reaching the final destination - the summit of Pharmacho Peak. While at high camp, the mountaineering guide goes through the weather pattern and collects valuable information on whether the weather condition is favorable or not. The training will be given on using the mountaineering equipment by the guides. After training, if the weather is favorable the summiting journey starts as you ascend through rugged ice terrains for summiting peak. The guides will navigate by using ice axes and ropes and you will follow him until you reach the top of the peak. After reaching the summit, the views of stunning mountains are mind-blowing. The achievement of reaching the summit after a long day of trekking and climbing - the feeling is unforgettable. The goal of reaching the summit feels like you have conquered the world and the dreams eventually come true. After capturing lifelong memory, and indescribable feelings, you will descend back to the base camp. The ascending and descending journey is quite challenging but achieving the summit of the peak is the most pleasurable moment of a lifetime.

Guide and Porters

With utmost care and assistance, Bold Himalaya provides experienced and well-knowledgeable mountaineering guides for your Pharchamo Peak climbing. 

Guides are well-known for their routes and familiar with all types of equipment used for mountaineering. They provide enormous support and assistance to navigate the route using ice axes and crampons. They will also provide training to use mountaineering equipment. Porters will carry your luggage and baggage up to a maximum weight of 20 kg so that you can have a comfortable and unburdened journey.

Altitude Sickness and Prevention

Once a climber reaches an elevation higher than 3,000 meters, the risk of issues related to altitude comes into existence. One of the main reasons climbers suffer altitude sickness is that the body doesn't,t get enough time to adjust to the atmosphere. So gaining altitude with a constant pace and proper acclimatization days helps reduce the chances of Altitude sickness.

Similarly, Keeping the body hydrated by drinking enough water, avoiding smoking and alcohol, spending some nights at lower altitudes, consuming rich carbohydrate foods, and not gaining altitude more than 500 meters a day can prevent climbers from altitude sickness. 

Drinking Water

Drinking water is the most essential requirement that every trekker must be concerned about while doing trekking or mountaineering activities. Climbers must drink 3 to 4 liters of water per day to stay hydrated and save energy. Teahouses and lodges offer drinking water in the form of bottled or mineral water with some additional charges. Drinking water is available at springs or taps but it is recommended to use a water purifier before drinking. 

Other Facilities

Electricity and Internet

Electricity facilities are available in the teahouses and lodges throughout the trekking trail as well as there is good access to internal facilities at lower altitudes but this facility gets limited as you ascend higher. Charging electronic and getting access to the internet through WiFi requires some additional charges. 

Note: Access to the internet and electricity is not available during your stay at camps. Be prepared for the day by carrying fully charged power banks. 

ATM and Money Exchange

As the trekking or climbing activity takes place in the high Himalayas which includes remote valleys where no ATM or money exchange facilities are available. While in city areas, be sure to withdraw enough money and make sure you are carrying enough Nepali currency before starting your journey. 

Transportation

Both ground and air transportation facilities are available for this adventurous climbing journey. Mostly the trekkers prefer 35 minutes scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport via Tashi Lapcha Pass. Ground transportation involves a private jeep from Kathmandu to Lukla covering 366.9 kilometers which take around 9 to 10 hours to reach there.