Chulu West Peak Climbing

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our correspondent who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Once checked in, we will arrange a pre-trip meeting where we will brief in short about the trek, answer any queries you have and meet your trekking guide as well. After the short brief, you can relax and spend rest of the day at your leisure. Stay overnight at the Hotel / Resort in Kathmandu.

After having breakfast in the morning your guide will come at the hotel. You will meet your guide and then prepare to start the journey for Chulu West Peak Climbing following the route of Annapurna Circuit.

Today’s whole journey will be drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani via Besisahar which takes about 9-10 hours (220 km). You will change the vehicle from Besisahar and drive in local private jeep for next 3-4 hours journey in mountain road till Dharapani. You will drive in private vehicle from Kathmandu – Besisahar through the highway route. Upon arrival in Besisahar you will have lunch. Besisahar is the headquarter of Lamjung district, you can buy if any necessary items you have missed out for trekking like: medicines, trekking poles, etc.

You will enjoy the scenic and adventurous ride to Dharapani as the road lies along the bank of Marsyangdi River thorugh Syange and continues with a short and steep climb to one of the beautiful villages of Tal (an ancient glacier lake) before we reach Dharpani. From Besisahar you can see local village people, small villages, spectacular waterfalls on the way to Dharapani. Stay overnight at lodge in Dharapani.

This day you will have breakfast in the morning and then begin the trek to Chame which takes about 6 hours (approx. 16km).

Today on the first day of our trek, you will follow some straight and some ascending trials (mostly road route) and other side we can see pine, oak forest, and maple trees. You will be walking alongside Marsyangdi River. Also, you get to explore Tibetan settlements, Chortens, prayer flags, apple farms on the way as we pass through Bagarchhap and Danakyu. You will pass through the beautiful villages like: Timang (route from Namum Bhanjyang trek) and Koto (route connecting to Nar-Phu Trek). We will have lunch camp in Timang.

With that as we reach Chame, you can see beautiful views of Lamjung Himal (7000 m), Mount Manaslu and Annapurna II and (8156m). Chame is the headquarter of Manang district. There are shops and stores here in Chame, if anyone wants to buy any equipment, medicine or any essentials required for the trek. Stay overnight at lodge in Chame.

NOTE: **It is also possible to drive upto Manang on this day from Besisahar which takes about 8-9 hours from Besisahar. This will reduce the 2 trek days. However, we recommend to trek from Dharapani as it will be better for acclimatization as we will be trekking to higher altitude.

This day you will have breakfast in the morning and begin to trek towards Pisang which takes about 6 hours.

Today, you will walk straight ascending trial (mostly road trial) along the pine and rhododendron forest along the small and rocky ways. On the way you will pass through Bhratang village (2850 m), where we can explore apple farm and also observe Gurung community (one of the ethnic groups of Nepal). From here crossing suspension bridge of Marshyangdi River you will reach Dhikur Pokhari (3060 m) which will be the lunch camp. From here you can enjoy beautiful view of Annapurna II, Pisang Peak, Tililcho Pek, Chulu Peak, and so on. Also, you can see amazing view of Pangdi Danda & Swargadwari Danda which is considered sacred by local people.

having lunch in Dhikur Pokhari you will walk another straight trial to reach Upper Pisang which takes another 2 hours. As you reach Upper Pisang we can see mesmerizing views of Annapurna Range. Also, you can explore around mani walls, monastery and observe local Tibetan Gurung people around the village. Stay overnight at lodge in Upper Pisang.

This day you will have breakfast in the morning and head towards Manang which takes about 7-8 hours. Today you will be trekking via upper trials passing through the villages: Ghyaru, Humde, Ngawal and Braga to reach Manang. On the way, you will explore mani walls, Tibetan people, Buddhist culture, Monasteries, apple farms and amazing views of Himalayas.

Walking some straight ascending and uphill trial along the alpine forest until you reach Ghyaru village (3570 m) which takes about 3 hours. Ghyaru is a beautiful village with the local settlement of Tibetan Gurung and from here you can see mesmerizing view of Mount Manaslu, Pisang Peak, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak and Annapurna Range.

Walking another 2 hours you will reach another beautiful town Ngawal (3660 m) which will be your lunch camp. In mean time, you can explore Buddhist monastery and observe their culture and beautiful settlement around Ngawal.

lunch, you move forward some descending and straight trial and reach Braga (3439 m). You will explore Braga Gompa which is believed to be 900 years old. This place is believed to be historic settlement of Tibetan residential people. From Braga, walking straight trails you will reach our destination of the day, Manang. Stay overnight at lodge in Manang.

This day will be the day of acclimatization to prepare your body for high elevation. Also, you can explore around beautiful Manang on this day.

There are different options today to explore around Manang, i.e. to go Gangapurna Glacier (3 hours) or Milarepa Cave (6 hours) or Ice Lake (8 hours).

En route to Gangapurna Glacier you can see Gangapurna Lake, and from the top lower view of Manang village, Tanki Manang, 100 Lama Monastery and top of Ice Lake. The whole journey will be of 3 hours. This route is quite popular amongst tourists as it is short and best for acclimatization.

You can also explore one of the historic Milarepa cave which is believed to be 300 years old. The route is opposite to Ice Lake from Braga. From the cave, we can also see the views of Himalayas.

Ice Lake, also known as Kicho Tal which lies at the elevation of 4600 m, as you reach Ice Lake, you can see Ice Lake and see magnificent close view of Annapurna Range, Pisang Peak, Thorang Peak, Tilicho Peak, Mount Manaslu, Chulu Peaks and so on. If you want to explore Ice Lake, you have to take packed-lunch from Manang as you will be going uphill almost 1000m. And as there are no lodges en route you return back to Manang, the whole trip will be of almost 8 hours. Stay overnight at lodge in Manang.

This day you will have breakfast in morning and then trek towards Sri Kharka which takes about 4-5 hours via Khangsar. Today’s trek will be quite shorter as well as not so difficult and we will reach Sri Kharka in lunch camp.

Today’s trek will begin by taking the upper route then crossing the river and then continuing the trek along the coniferous forests. After about 3 hours of trek, you will reach Khangsar village which is local settlement of Tibetan people of Manang. On the way to Sri Kharka, you will pass through another monastery and also start to see beautiful views of Mount Chulu and Gungan Himalayas. Upon arrival in Sri Kharka, you will have lunch in Sri Kharka and rest for the remaining day. Stay overnight at lodge in Sri Kharka.

This day you will have breakfast in the morning and trek towards Tilicho Base Camp which takes about 3 hours.

Today you will reach Tilicho Base camp after passing through landslide-prone areas. As you trek along the landslide prone zone, you can see impressive rock formations and some amazing views of Tilicho Peak and other Himalayas. After crossing landslide area, you will walk on the rocky trial Tilicho Base Camp. Stay overnight at lodge in Tilicho Base Camp.

Today will be one of the important days of the trek, this day we will go to explore most beautiful as well as the lake situated at the highest altitude, Tilicho Lake. Tilicho Lake was also recognized by a well-known French expedition team as “The Great Ice Lake”. The lake also holds a significance in Hinduism and has been mentioned in Ramayan, one of the holiest books of Hindu. Also, some of the trekkers would do MESOKANTA PASS and continue the trek to Jomsom.

Waking up early in the morning (around 5 am) and have breakfast then to avoid the afternoon breeze and then hike on steep trial for about 3-4 hours and reach Tilicho Lake. You will enjoy the stunning views of Tilicho Lake, and mesmerizing views of Tilicho Peak, Ananapurna Range and Nilgiri Peak from the lake.

You will enjoy for a while and then begin to descend back from Tilicho Lake to Base Camp. You will have Lunch in the base camp and then prepare to return back to Sri Kharka in another 3 hours along the descending trials. On the way back you can also get to see Himalayan yaks, blue sheep and so on. Stay overnight at lodge in Sri Kharka.

This day you will have breakfast in the morning and then prepare to head towards Yak Kharka which takes about 4/5 hours.

Starting the trek from Sri Kharka by walking straight rocky and coniferous trial and after few hours you will be walking ascending trial enjoying the beautiful views of Annapurna Range, Chulu West, Tanki Manang, Pisang Peak and so on on the way. Again, from the top hill you start to descend for about 1 hour and cross Marsyangdi River wooden bridge and again walking another 1 hour you will reach Yak Kharka. Stay overnight at lodge in Yak Kharka.

Today is one of the important day of Chulu West Peak climbing, where you will leave the trekking route of Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake trek and move towards Chulu West Base Camp. This day you will have to walk for about 6 hours to reach Base Camp.

Today’s trek begins with walking ascending trial towards Ledar (4200 m), from Ledar leaving the trekking route head northeast towards Chulu West route. Crossing several yak pastures along the steeper and rugged way you gradually climbs up to the moraine area at the Chulu West Base Camp. On the way you have chances of spotting blue sheep or Himalayan birds like lammergeiers.

From Chulu West Base Camp, you can see panoramic views of Himalayan mountain range with the Annapurna (III and IV); peaks like: Pisang and Lamjung Chulu West, Chulu Central, Chulu Far East, and parts of the Annapurna and Damodar ranges. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Today after having breakfast, prepare to climb towards High Camp or Camp 1 which takes about 4-5 hours of climbing. Today’s camp will be on the basis of weather.

The climb from the Base Camp to High camp is physically demanding as today’s elevation gain will be about 530-550 meters. You will walk along the steep, icy, rocky terrain following the glacier moraine and snowy ridges with the guidance of guide along the way. On the way you can see amazing views of Mount Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Lamjung Himal, Pisang Peak and so on.

Today you will have early bedtime, as the summit push typically starts around 1–2 AM. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Today is the most important and challenging day of this Chulu West Peak Climbing as you will prepare to climb Chulu West (6419 m).

Waking up early in the morning around 1:00- 2:00 AM prepare to head towards the Summit. The climb begins steeply over snow slopes and icy ridges, gradually ascending to a broad shoulder. The final section to the summit is technically moderate but physically very demanding due to altitude and exposure to wind and cold. From the summit you can see mesmerizing views of Annapurna I & II, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho Peak, Manaslu, Gangapurna, and the Damodar Himal.

After the summit, carefully descend back to High Camp for rest and snacks. Then again continue to descend through the same trial till Base Camp. Stay overnight at tented camp.

A reserve or contingency day is an essential part of any high-altitude climbing itinerary—especially for Chulu West Peak (6,419 m). This day is typically scheduled after High Camp and before descending, offering flexibility in case of: 

• Unfavorable Weather Conditions
• Extra Acclimatization Time
• Fatigue or Delayed Progress

Today after having breakfast in the morning, prepare to descend back with the memories and success of Chulu West Peak Climbing in Annapurna Region.

Today’s journey towards the main Annapurna Circuit route towards Thorang Phedi which will be around 4-5 hours of walking. Crossing the valley of Jorsang Khola, you will reach Thoreang Phedi which is the point before crossing Thorang La. Stay overnight at lodge.

Today is one of the important and memorable day of the trek, as you will be crossing one of the highest passes of the world. Early morning you will have breakfast and then begin to trek towards our next destination Muktinath via Thorong La Pass which takes about 8-9 hours.

At beginning climb steep uphill till you reach High Camp and from there you will walk zig zag trial till small tea shop and then again walking straight ascending trial you will reach Thorang La Pass in about 4.30 hours.

Thorang La Pass (5416 m) is one of the most challenging as well as the highest pass in the world. From the top of the pass, if weather is clear, you can see breathtaking views of Mustang Range, Dhaulagiri Range, Thorang Peak, Nilgiri Himal and so on. You will celebrate our success and take pictures here and with all the memories we will begin to descend towards Mustang region of Nepal.

From the pass, you will walk total steep descending trial for 2.30 hours and reach Phedi and have lunch here. You will rest for a while and again prepare to walk descending trial for another 1.5 hours until Muktinath.

Muktinath is a religious temple which lies in the Mustang district of Nepal. Muktinath is a sacred temple for Hindu as well as Buddhists. Buddhist people name Muktinath as Chumig Gyatsa (meaning: the hundred springs). While for Hindu people Muktinath means lord of Liberation (mokshya). This it is one of the most important religious places for Hindu and it is believed that taking bath in 108 stone sprouts will give individual salvation from the bad deeds they have done during their lifetime. Also, here lies the statue of Lord Buddha, statue of Guru Padmasava and Buddhist thanka. Also inside, you can see the eternal flame which has been burning for more than 2000 years. Stay overnight at lodge Muktinath.

This day you will visit Muktinath temple in the morning and then return back to lodge and have breakfast. Then after trek towards Jomsom which takes about 6-7 hours. You have 2 options for today, i.e to trek or drive to Jomsom.

For trekking in non-vehicle route we will follow - Muktinath – Lubra Pass – Lupra – Thini - Jomsom. You will have lunch in Lupra village which is an old settlement of Thakali people (one of the ethnic groups of Nepal). This is a beautiful Thakali village where you can explore around Bonpo Gompa, village school and meet local people of Lower Mustang.

From Lupra walking another 2 hours along the straight trials and crossing wooden bridge and then following road trial along the bank of Kali Gandaki River you will reach Jomsom via Thini village.

the way to Jomsom you will also explore another beautiful Thakali village, Thini. From the village you can see the beautiful views of Niligiri and Dhaulagiri range. As you walk along the lower Mustang trial, you can experience dry landscape and strong wind as you get close to Jomsom. Jomsom is the headquarter of Mustang district. Stay overnight at lodge Muktinath.

This day you will have breakfast in early morning and then prepare to fly Pokhara. There is only early morning flight, i.e 6 – 9 am in the morning from Jomsom to Pokhara. You will take 25 minutes flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Free day for rest / sightseeing once arrived in Pokhara. Stay overnight at the Hotel in Pokhara.

Note:

During rainy season and in case of bad weather you have other options to drive from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 6 hours. On the way to Pokhara via private jeep you can explore beautiful destinations of Lower Mustang like: Marpa (monastery, apple farm, white houses), Lete (beautiful mountain views), Tatopani (hot spring), Beni, Kusma and then reach Pokhara. On the way to Pokhara you will also pass through the biggest Kaligandaki Gorge. After arrival in Pokhara you can rest in the hotel.

This day after having breakfast at the hotel, you will prepare to return back to Kathmandu by tourist bus which takes about 8-9 hours. Stay overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Note: There are three options (flight / private vehicle / tourist bus) to return back to Kathmandu. You can choose the favorable option and return back to Kathmandu. It takes 25 minutes by flight, 7-8 hours by private vehicle and 8- 9 hours by tourist bus to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara.

This day will be free day in Kathmandu for UNESCO World Heritage sightseeing / Everest panoramic mountain flight of 1 hour to see beautiful views of Everest range and so on..

• Boudhanath: One of the largest stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Pashupatinath: A sacred Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square: One of the major heritage sites with unique architect, ancient monastery, ethnic Newari culture and heritage.

Stay overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Enjoy your last day in Kathmandu before departure. At your scheduled departure time, our correspondent will pick you up from the hotel, transfer you to the airport, and bid you farewell with warm hearts.