Nangkartshang Peak: Dingboche Acclimatization Hike
Nangkartshang Peak is one of the acclimatization hikes you can go on in Dingboche during the Everest Base Camp trek. I spent 2 nights in Dingboche and decided to go for the acclimatization hike to Nangkartshang Peak as it seemed somewhat shorter than the other acclimatization hikes in the area.
I still found the hike to Nangkartshang Peak pretty challenging, and looking back, probably one of the most difficult days during my trek to EBC.
The Nangkartshang Peak hike takes around 3 hours hike up from Dingboche, and then around 1 hour hike down. The hike up is pretty rough as it is an uphill hike for 3 hours. Plus, you are in high altitude and there is less oxygen.
Even though it was a struggle for me, I recommend this hike as it helps you to acclimatize and makes the rest of the trek much easier. The views are also pretty great from the top, though I was somewhat too tired to really enjoy the views.
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Dingboche Acclimatization Hike
Most of the itineraries for Everest Base Camp trek include an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar, and another acclimatization day in Dingboche.
The acclimatization days help you to adjust better to the high altitude, so that you can successfully complete the trek to EBC. I was worried about the altitude and didn’t want to feel unwell, so I followed an itinerary that included acclimatization days.
From Dingboche, there are 2-3 hikes that can be done for acclimatization (Nangkartshang Peak, Chukhung Ri). I decided to go for Nangkartshang Peak as Chukhung Ri seemed to take much longer and more difficult.
There is an option to just go to Chukhung (instead of all the way to the peak Chukhung Ri) which can be fine to complete in a day hike but Chukhung is only 4,733m (15,528 ft) which I thought is not high enough to properly acclimatize.
So, I went for Nangkartshang Peak as it goes high enough to acclimatize and can be done as a half-day hike. Nevertheless, even though I thought Nangkartshang Peak may be easier (and sure it was probably easier than Chukhung Ri), but it was still pretty challenging. It was an uphill hike for 3 hours straight, with a steep section near the peak.
In total, it takes 4-5 hours to hike Nangkartshang Peak from Dingboche (For me, it took 3 hours to hike up, and 1 hour to hike down). The altitude goes from 4,410m (14,469 ft) to 5,083m (16,677 ft), so it becomes a bit challenging due to the altitude and you start hiking slower than usual.
The views at the top are really good, so it makes the hike worth it! Also, once you push yourself up to Nangkartshang Peak, it will make the rest of the EBC trek much easier. Honestly, if you can walk uphill for 3 hours above 4,400 meters (14,469 ft), then for sure you are fit enough to walk to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/ 17,598 ft).
Nangkartshang Peak Hike: Information
Best Time to Hike Nangkartshang Peak
The best time to hike Nangkartshang Peak is in late autumn (November) and spring (March-May) that also correspond to the best trekking seasons in Nepal.
In recent years, the monsoon lasted until mid-October, so for the autumn season, the best is to plan treks in Nepal from the end of October onwards. The beginning of December is still ideal for trekking. It starts to get colder but it usually doesn’t snow yet.
Once you are on the trek and planning your hike to Nangkartshang Peak, I recommend starting the hike early morning around 7:30 am. The views are usually clear in the morning and gets cloudy in the afternoon. The hike is pretty rough, so it is better to start in the morning so you get to see the view from the top.
Dingboche to Nangkartshang Peak Distance
Nangkartshang Peak is 2 km/1.2 miles from Dingboche, so the total hike is 4 km/ 2.4 miles return.
For most trekkers, it takes around 3 hours to hike up, and around 1 hour to hike back down to Dingboche. But there can be trekkers who are faster, and others may take more time.
Elevation Gain
- Dingboche Elevation: 4,410m /14,469 ft
- Nangkartshang Peak Elevation: 5,083m /16,677 ft
The elevation gain is 673 m (2,208 ft) and the high altitude makes it more challenging to complete the hike to Nangkartshang Peak.
Difficulty Level
The Nangkartshang Peak hike is moderate to strenuous. Honestly, I found the acclimatization hike to Nangkartshang Peak as one of the toughest days during the Everest Base Camp trek.
The hike goes uphill for 3 hours from 4,410m (14,469 ft) to 5,083m (16,677 ft) and the altitude makes it much more difficult to complete it. Not only for the hike up but even to come down as there is less oxygen in the air.
I saw everyone struggling (me included) but the majority of us made it. There are some big rocks near the peak, and I spent some time relaxing by those rocks. I ate some snacks to gain energy, looked at the view and wanted to spend around one hour near the top to help me to acclimatize better.
I would say the hike is also safe for solo trekkers. I was trekking EBC as a solo female traveller and felt safe throughout, including the hike to Nangkartshang Peak.
The Nangkartshang Peak hike is a very popular acclimatization hike in Dingboche, and there are many other trekkers on the trail (especially in the morning). Nevertheless, you should remain careful as the trail is a bit steep. If it is too icy near the top, then don’t push yourself all the way up. You can stay just a bit below the peak (still above 5,000m/16,404 ft) which will still help you to acclimatize properly.
Mobile Network Connection
There is no network connection throughout the hike to Nangkartshang Peak.
If you have a SIM by Nepal Telecom (Namaste) then it still works in Dingboche village. However, NCell has no network connection at all from Dingboche onwards.
When you are getting a SIM card for Nepal, it is better to go for Nepal Telecom as it works better on trekking routes.
Is the Nangkartshang Peak Hike Worth It?
The Nangkartshang Peak is totally worth it as you don’t only get epic views from the top, but it massively helps you to acclimatize and prepare you for the rest of the Everest Base Camp trek.
I consider the Nangkartshang Peak hike as one of the toughest days during my EBC trek. It was pretty tiring going up constantly for 3 hours, plus I had to go slower due to the altitude. Even when I was coming down, I had to go slow as the trail was steep and slippery at certain points.
On the bright side, struggling through the hike to Nangkartshang Peak made the next day (trek from Dingboche to Lobuche) much easier. In Dingboche, I finally started to feel like I’m close to Everest Base Camp, so wanted to make sure that I do the acclimatization hike to help my body adjust to the altitude.
I think if I hadn’t done the acclimatization hike to Nangkartshang Peak, I would have struggled more on the trail when continuing the trek, plus I may have had issues with the altitude.
I really recommend everyone to spend 2 nights in Dingboche and hike to Nangkartshang Peak for acclimatization. When you are in Dingboche, you are pretty close to making it to Everest Base Camp, so make sure to acclimatize properly.
I met people who skipped acclimatization days and ended up having altitude sickness in Lobuche and had to go back down.
Packing List for the Nangkartshang Peak Hike
The Nangkartshang Peak is a half-day hike from Dingboche, so you can just bring a daypack and pack a few essential items for the hike.
After my hike to Nangkartshang Peak, I recommend packing the following items:
✔️ Water: at least 2L of water. It is a pretty tiring and long hike so bring plenty of water.
✔️ Snacks, energy bars: Also bring plenty of snacks. Pack at least 2-3 energy bars, or more if you tend to get hungry fast. The hike is difficult and you may need extra energy.
✔️ Trekking poles: The hike is steep and can be slippery (muddy, icy). Having trekking poles make it easier to balance. I was grateful I took my trekking poles for the hike otherwise I may have slipped on the muddy trail.
✔️ Crampons: I trekked EBC a week after a massive unexpected storm made the trail snowy and icy, so I also packed crampons for the hike to Nangartshang Peak. In the end, it was not that icy for me to have to use crampons but if you are hiking at a time when there is ice, then definitely take crampons for your hike. The hike is very steep in parts, especially the closer you get to the peak.
✔️ Beanies, buff, wind jacket, gloves: It is cold in the mornings in Dingboche and if you start the hike around 7-8 am, you’ll need warm layers, gloves, buff and beanies to keep you warm. The sun usually comes out around 8:30 am when it gets warmer, so you also need to prepare for the warm and sunny weather.
✔️ Sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat: It usually starts to get sunny from 8:30 am onwards and it can be pretty hot during the day, so be prepared for sunny weather.
✔️ Poncho if the weather is rainy
Nangkartshang Peak Photos
FAQs: Nangkartshang Peak: Dingboche Acclimatization Hike
How high is Nangkartshang Peak?
The Nangkartshang Peak is 5,083m (16,677 ft). It takes around 3 hours hike from Dingboche and once you are on the top, you get panoramic views of the Himalayas: Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and others.
Conclusion
Overall, the hike to Nangkartshang Peak may be challenging but it is definitely worth it! Even though I struggled during the hike, I think it made a massive difference in me being able to complete the EBC trek successfully.
If you skip acclimatization days in Namche and Dingboche, you risk altitude sickness as your body may not adjust to the altitude properly. I met other trekkers who skipped acclimatization days, and they started to feel unwell and had to go back down before reaching EBC.
Although the Nangkartshang Peak hike is really tough, the views from the top are pretty good, so it is worth making it to the top!
The best is to start your hike around 7:30 am and you’ll be back in Dingboche by lunch time. If you start in the morning, you also have the best chance for clear views, as it can get cloudy in the afternoon. Plus, you’ll have a free afternoon in Dingboche to recharge for the rest of the trek!
