Overview
This Hattiban camping and rock climbing trip turns the popular day at the crags into an overnight on the ridge, an hour south of Kathmandu. You drive up into the forested hills above Pharping, spend the afternoon climbing real rock on a top rope with a guide, then pitch camp on the ridge for the night, with a bonfire and the lights of the valley spread out below. Come morning there is sunrise over the hills and a second session of climbing, or a short walk along the ridge, before you pack up and drive back to the city. It needs no climbing experience, just a head for a night under canvas and a willingness to get on the rock.
The itinerary
- Late-morning pickup and drive south to the Hattiban and Pharping hills, about an hour from the city
- Warm up and take a safety briefing with your climbing guide
- Afternoon of guided rock climbing on natural rock, with routes for all levels
- Pitch camp on the ridge, with a bonfire and views over the valley lights
- Sunrise over the valley from the ridge, with morning tea at camp
- A second session of climbing, or a short walk along the forested ridge
- Break camp and pack up the gear
- Drive back down to your hotel in Kathmandu
Things to carry
- Comfortable, flexible clothes you can move in
- Trainers for the walk in, plus your own climbing shoes if you have them
- A warm layer and a hat for the ridge after dark
- A head torch, water and snacks
- Sun protection and a small daypack
Good to know
Complete guide
Most people climb at Pharping as a day trip and drive home by dark. This trip keeps you on the ridge for the night instead, so you get the climbing and a camp under the stars an hour from the city. It is a small change that makes a big difference: a bonfire, the valley lights below and sunrise from the hills, bookended by two sessions on the rock. Here is how the overnight works.
What Hattiban camping and rock climbing involves
The trip is built around one afternoon and one morning of guided climbing, with a night of camping in between. You drive up into the forested Hattiban and Pharping hills, climb on natural rock with a guide who sets up the ropes, then pitch camp on the ridge. Everything is guided for first-timers, so no experience is needed. If you would rather just climb and be home the same evening, the day-trip version, Hattiban rock climbing, covers the crags without the overnight.
A day and a night on the ridge
After the drive up and a warm-up, the afternoon is spent on the rock, working up routes on a top rope and swapping with the group between climbs. As the light goes you set up camp, light a bonfire and watch the valley come alive with lights below. Morning brings sunrise over the hills, tea at camp and a choice of more climbing or a gentle walk along the ridge before you pack up. It is an easy, absorbing escape from the city.
Climbing, safety and equipment
Climbing outdoors is safe when it is set up properly, and that is what the guide is for. You climb on a top rope, wear a harness and helmet throughout, and the guide checks the anchors and your knots before every climb. The technical gear, shoes, harness and ropes, is available to hire, and the camping gear is provided, so all you need to bring is warm clothes, a torch and a sense of adventure.
Who this trip suits and when to go
This is for active travellers, groups of friends and couples after something different, plus older children and teenagers who are up for a night out; it is less suited to very young kids. October to April gives the best mix of dry rock and clear nights, while the monsoon is avoided. For a bigger multi-day hit of adrenaline, pair it with the Nepal super adventure tour, which strings bungee, canyoning and rafting together.
