Sightseeing · Nepal
Rikha Samba Glacier
A remote, long-monitored glacier in the Hidden Valley behind Dhaulagiri, deep in upper Mustang.
The Rikha Samba Glacier lies in the remote Hidden Valley behind the Dhaulagiri massif, deep in upper Mustang on the dry, leeward side of the Himalayan crest. Far from any village or road, it is nonetheless one of the most scientifically important glaciers in Nepal, monitored by researchers for decades as a benchmark for ice on the range's rain-shadow side.
Overview
The glacier sits at roughly 5,400 to 6,000 metres in a high, arid basin behind Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest mountain. This is the transition zone between the green southern slopes of the Himalaya and the high desert of the Tibetan plateau, so the landscape around Rikha Samba is stark and windswept rather than lush. Because it lies in the rain shadow, the glacier receives far less snowfall than the ice of the Khumbu or Annapurna, which makes its long-term measurements especially valuable for understanding how different parts of the range respond to a warming climate.
A long-watched glacier
Despite its isolation, Rikha Samba has been surveyed and re-measured by glaciologists over many decades, giving it one of the longest observation records of any glacier in the Nepal Himalaya. Like its better-known cousins, it has thinned and retreated, and its data feed directly into the regional picture described in our overview of the great glaciers of Nepal. Where the accessible Langtang Glacier and Yala Glacier represent the wetter central Himalaya, Rikha Samba stands in for the dry inner valleys.
How to reach it
There is no easy way in. The glacier and its Hidden Valley setting are reached only on long, committing expeditions, most famously the Dhaulagiri Circuit, which crosses the valley over the high French Pass (about 5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass between the Myagdi and Kali Gandaki valleys. This is a serious, fully supported undertaking through uninhabited high country, with camping rather than teahouses and several days above 5,000 metres. It is for experienced, well-organised trekkers and mountaineers only.
Plan your visit
This is some of the most demanding terrain in Nepal. Multiple days at extreme altitude with no quick exit make acclimatisation and self-sufficiency critical — study our altitude sickness in Nepal guide and travel with an experienced agency. The stable post-monsoon window is the usual season; check the best time to visit Nepal. Restricted-area rules apply in parts of Mustang, and a licensed guide and the right permits are mandatory, as explained in the Nepal trekking guide.
Fast facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 5,400 to 6,000 m |
| Setting | Hidden Valley, behind the Dhaulagiri massif |
| Region | Mustang / Myagdi, Gandaki Province |
| Best season | October to November (expedition only) |
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Rikha Samba Glacier?+
The Rikha Samba Glacier lies in the Hidden Valley behind the Dhaulagiri massif, in the remote western part of upper Mustang in north-central Nepal. It sits at around 5,400 to 6,000 metres on the high, dry north side of the main Himalayan crest.
Why is the Rikha Samba Glacier important to science?+
Despite its remoteness, the Rikha Samba has been measured by researchers for decades and is one of the longest-monitored glaciers in the Nepal Himalaya. Its records help scientists understand how glaciers behave on the drier, leeward side of the range.
Is the Rikha Samba Glacier easy to visit?+
No. It lies in extremely remote, high terrain reached only by long, committing expeditions such as the Dhaulagiri Circuit, which crosses the Hidden Valley over high passes. It is not a destination for casual trekkers and requires full expedition-style support.
What is the Hidden Valley?+
The Hidden Valley is a high, barren basin behind the Dhaulagiri massif, crossed on the Dhaulagiri Circuit between the French Pass and the Dhampus Pass. It is a stark, windswept place above 5,000 metres, and the Rikha Samba Glacier descends into its upper reaches.
