Himalchuli

Himalchuli (7,893m) is the world's 18th highest mountain, located in the Mansiri Himal of Gorkha District. Despite its extraordinary height — it surpasses Manaslu's neighbors and dwarfs almost every peak in Europe and the Americas — Himalchuli is one of the least-known seven-thousanders, overshadowed by its more famous neighbor Manaslu (8,163m) just 15 km to the north.

First climbed on September 23, 1960 by H. Hirai and M. Ohtsuka of a Japanese expedition, Himalchuli presents considerable technical challenges through its maze of glaciers and steep mixed ridges. The mountain has seen very few ascents in subsequent decades. Its relative obscurity is partly due to the dominance of Manaslu in the region — most expeditions and trekkers focus on Nepal's eighth highest peak, leaving Himalchuli largely overlooked.

The approach follows the early stages of the Manaslu Circuit trek from Arughat or Soti Khola, branching east into the Dudh Khola Valley before the main circuit turns north. The valley approach passes through the same spectacular transition from subtropical forest to alpine terrain that makes the Manaslu region famous, including traditional Gurung and Tibetan-influenced villages. The Budhi Gandaki River gorge, one of the deepest river canyons in the world, marks the approach corridor. This is genuinely remote Nepal — Himalchuli Base Camp sees perhaps a handful of expeditions per decade. Best seasons: spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November).