Trekking Peak Climbing
Overview
Chulu West peak climbing (6419m) lies to the north of Annapurna above the Manang Valley which is one of the challenging among the trekking peaks in Nepal that requires the greater commitment and previous trekking or climbing experience. It was first climbed in 1952 by a Japanese Expedition. The base camp for the climb is situated in a small valley north of Manang, off the main trail to the Thorong-La. At Chauri Lather we take a narrow, steep trail up to a base camp at 4800m. From there we climb steep, rocky ground to a high camp at about 5300m. There is no technical difficulty involved in reaching the summit, but progress can be slow as the slopes are vulnerable to avalanches in certain conditions.
North-West Ridge Go beyond the hut following the yak pastures and walks up a ridge which leads into a hidden valley where it is possible to find a good site for base camp. From this camp, ascend steep slopes to a col. (4900/16,076 ft), on a subsidiary ridge that leads down from the main ridge. To the north of the col. ascend snow slope for 200 meters to the base of a band of rock at an altitude of 5,100 meters and the site for a possible high camp. Climb the rock band with some difficulty to the northwest shoulder of Chulu west (5450m/17,880 ft), where another camp can be established or alter-native a camp can be placed on a snow plateau above (5530 m/18143 ft). On the first ascent and several subsequent ascents rope was fixed on the rock band. From the plateau continue up the progressively narrowing ridge to the summit (6419m/20,505 ft).
The obvious approach to this peak diverges from the main trail to the Thorung La pass past the village of Manang and Base Camp is established in a small valley to the North. From base camp the route follows a subsidiary North-West ridge that leads up to the main peak. An attempt to the peak and return has be done in a single day as setting camp up on the slope above base camp is not easy. An attempt of Chulu Central peak (6,429m/21,060ft) just east of Chulu West.
Highlights
- Sightseeing tour of historical, cultural, religious heritages sites of Kathmandu valley
- Both mid-hills and Trans Himalayan semi-Tibetan cultural experiences
- Summit Chulu East Peak with eye-catching views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna Himal family (I,II,III,IV), Machhapuchhre Himal, Manaslu Himal, Dhaulagiri range, Dhaulagiri ice-flow, Tilicho peak, Tibetan ranges etc
- Visit to old Buddhist monastery in Braga
- Explore beautiful Manang Village
- The Pilgrimage town of Muktinath
- Lake valley of Pokhara
Trip Summary
Trip Grade | Moderate to Adventures |
---|---|
Trip Duration | 23 Nights/24 Days |
Trip code | NAP-CPK-110 |
Trip Start/Ends | Kathmandu-Khudi/ Jomsom-Pokhara |
Maximum Altitude | Summit Chulu West Peak (6419m) |
Trip Cost | Prices on request |
Group Size | Minimum 2 upto 12 persons in one group |
Accessibillity | Drive to Bhulbule/Khudi to trailhead from Kathmandu or Pokhara, start the trek according to the itinerary, after Thorong-La pass from Jomsom fly back or trek to Pokhara. |
The Route | Maximum altitude Chulu West Peak (6419m) Thorong -La (5416m) 5/7-hrs average walking per day, summit day can be long |
Season | Sept – Nov/March - April |
Permit Fee | Spring: (Mar-Apr-May) USD 250 – Autumn: (Sep-Oct-Nov) USD 125 – Winter: (Dec-Jan-Feb) USD 70 – Summer: (Jun-Jul-Aug) USD 70 per passenger and maximum number of members in a team is 15 people |
Trip Facilities | 3+ hotel in city on B/B and teahouse/lodges and tented accommodation during the climbing period. |
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given in the evening at hotel about the daily program activities by your Group Leader/Guide.
After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have.
This morning after breakfast we will start our journeys with drive through the beautiful river view & Nepalese countryside to reach at Bhulbule (850m), a countryside hill on the footsteps of Annapurna & Manasalu.
Our adventure begin after breakfast, we pack up the gears and wear suitable dressed as below section and walk through the trail where new road is constructing leading to the Manang village. We follow the Marsyangdi River crossing a few local wooden and suspension bridges, passing waterfalls, several ups and downs hill sections, across rice paddies and subtropical forest to reach Bahundanda (1310m) and stop for lunch then we descend through amphitheatre-shaped rice terraces, along a steep vertical cliff, lush forests, and some culturally intriguing villages. We start gradually walking up after crossing suspension bridge in the Mayshyangdi River and get Jagat where we have over night stay.
After breakfast we will have one and half hours rocky trail walk to reach at Chamje village, which is a small village settlement with primary school surrounding by bamboo bushes. Our continuing journey leads with crossing a suspension bridge in Marshyangdi river just right after you left Chamje and you will see the waterfall, rocky lands and trails with passes a small teashop and enter to Manang district just before the Tal village. This is the beautiful village situated on river bank with beautiful waterfall view. You will across the river and continue walking through the cliffy way right above the river and reach our overnight camp at Dharapani village (2160m) which is adjoin point of Manasalu trails.
From Dharapani an hour walk will reach at Bagarchhap. The first view of Mt. Annapurna II can be visible closely from this beautiful town. This day you will negotiate a few steep forested landscapes, along with several landslides on route, remember to look up though, as you will receive some sensational views of major Himalayan peaks. This day you will encounter some typical Tibetan village’s en-route before to reach at Chame (2670m). Chame is districts headquarter of Manang and it is one of the beautiful Himalayan towns with views of the Mt. Lamjung and Annapurna II can be seen closely and we overnight at hotel. It takes 5 hrs walking time to Chame and reminder is to explore the town with hot spring and anything left you can make a shopping here.
Another pleasant walk through the narrow steep path with a very dense pine forest follow the river bank will lead you village of Bratang with Apple garden for the tea stop. After here we follow the forested path and rocky trails before crossing the suspension bridge and climb an hour to get to lunch spot at Dhukur Pokhari. From this small settlement we will see the first view of Pisang peak and surrounding other Himalayan ranges. After lunch we will walk an hour to get to next stop at Pisang village (3200m) for the overnight.
We star our walk as splitting the trails to lower and upper trails as we head towards the Nawal village (3657m) follow the upper trails as crossed the local bridge and after 2-hrs walk first we reach at Gyaru village another typical village from mountain and all seems domain by the Tibetan society and the houses is typical with open veranda and bee hives types of village settlement. After tea break at Gyaru village we following the western route with best Himalayan scenery reach at hidden valley of Nawal. From Nawal to reach at Manang village (3450m) with a contrast of the landscape and vegetation. The cold, dry climate creates a much harsher environment. Incredible views of the towering Himalayan Peaks. Manang is a great Mt. Valley which has a rich customs & tradition and gives you an opportunity to observe a traditional lifestyle of Manangi People and reminder time explore the surrounding Gangapurna Glacier Lake and villages.
This is rest and acclimatization day before you head to climb Chulu west peak. There are many places to visit around. The village of about 500 flat-roofed houses is the picturesque set amongst some spectacular scenery -Annapurna II, Annapurna III (7555m), Gangapurna (7454m) to the South - Tilicho (7132m) and the Grand Barrier to the West - Chulu West (6583m) and Chulu East (6059m) to the North. After explore and relaxing day at Manang, visit Himalayan Rescue Association and if needed go for movie show.
After a wonderful exploration at Manang village this morning we heads towards the Yak Kharka (4200m) leaving the trail off to Tilicho Lake on the left corner and continue a short walk up to Yak Kharka, a small settlement set at (4110m). We will have a gradual ascent towards a little hill and way goes more right behind the hill and reach Yak Kharka for the Lunch and an hour further walk will reach at Leather. Reminder time may hike up to little hill for the good give of surrounding mountain and from here you can see the good view of Chulu.
We start our real expedition day after breakfast and we head up to Chulu Base camp (4400m) with all our crews to the northern valley of Leader. We walk though in the grass line and from the scenic ridge and reach at base camp and we pitch our camp and overnight at tented camp.
After the tented camp this morning Sherpa will come to your tent with chirping good morning with a hot bed tea. You will have time to wake up and after breakfast we will pack up our all gears and head to high camp for the overnight. Walking with rough trails up to high camp and definitely feel the sort breathing to get here take 3-4 hrs walk and we set up our camp to high camp (4685m).
After the high camp overnight we continually head towards the camp 1. We start our walk over glacier & rocky part may need to fix ropes if the ice and we’ll pitch our camp around and overnight at camp 1 (5300m)
This day, as usual we head again up to camp 2 (5700m) and overnight at camp. This day is very hard to sleep in camp and should drink lot of fluid and energy food and prepare your gear for next day summit.
According a our planned, your guide wake up you early morning about 2 am and after pack up gears and breakfast guide observe the situation and risk condition as if it is safe and good day then we start to climb to summit. Well defined ridge leads to the final snow slop which is quite steep and quite technical to reach the summit. Our guide will fixed the rope and lead you to the successful summit of the Chulu west peak (6419m). You will have a short time to take pictures of success and to look around the Himalayan world in surrounding views. From the top can be seen the wonderful Himalayan range as Annapurna, Gangapurna, Tilicho, Throng peak, Chulu east as well some Tibetan mountain ranges and the below valley of Manang and Throng top. After a successful summit, you will down to camp 1 for the overnight at camp.
This day we reserve for the day for unforeseen condition as bad weather, climber sickness or other hidden condition. We can use this day for climb if the abnormal situation comes.
This day, we stroll back to Leader and rest of the time you may relax and tonight celebration party of the success and overnight at camp.
Another short day with high above makes your way to the foot of the pass, Throng Phedi for the lunch stop. A small places although busy settlement catering to the needs of trekkers and climbers. It is situated at the bottom of the Throng la and the trails continually step up to Thorong-La afterwards. After a lunch at here we trek an hours to get a Thorong high camp (4800m) for the overnight.
Wake up with an early morning and after hot tea pack up your luggage and after light breakfast we start our climbing up to Throng top with a stopping frequent on the way. Finally reaches at Throng-La take your memorable picture but cannot stay longer due to wind. Throng-La pass (5416m) will be an unforgettable experience in your lifetime. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It may causes problem to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. The views from the trail and from the pass itself are outstanding high Himalayan scenes. We will enjoy the top with a hot cup of tea/coffee and enjoy the celebration of success at the pass. Start a long descent to another part of the Annapurna and reach at Muktinath for the overnight. This takes 4-hrs to the top and 3-hrs to the down.
After a great success down from Throng-La this day we will have easy walking day down to Kagbeni. After 30 minute walk from Muktinath, we reach at Jharkot, a rich village which still have similar culture and tradition like Tibet. It is probably a best village to overview the landscapes and combination of dry hills with green field. We trek further down to Ekle Bhatti for the lunch stop and further walking through the sand bar of Kali Gandaki river. You can give an hour en-route to look for fossils on riverside while walking because finding a natural fossil from the Kaligandaki River brings good luck in your life. We will make this walk before the wind start blowing in Kaligandaki valley. Jomsom (2765m) is the head quarter of Mustang and it is inhabitant of Thakali people with rich culture and tradition. You can rush your afternoon to visit Ecological museum of the Jomsom which gives you more information of the old traditional culture, tradition, flora and fauna of the valley.
We pack our bags at early morning and get ready for the Trans Himalayan flight to Pokhara. The flight transit through between two high peaks Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and give us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy with best views of surrounding Himalayas. We have full afternoon at Pokhara to enjoy with its natural side and over night stay at hotel in Pokhara. Reminder is the time to explore the Pokhara valley.
If you are interested in continuing on to the Chitwan Jungle Safari, River Rafting Adventure or any other tours you can start this day. If not we will drive back through the scenic countryside and en route will stop for breakfast & lunch. It takes 7-hrs back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu guide will transfer to the hotel and rest of the day relax or explore the surrounding areas and evening we will pick up you from hotel for the farewell dinner.
Cost Included
- Documents: Chulu west peak spiecial permit, National park entrance permit & TIMS card
- Activities: Sightseeing and trekking trip as per the itinerary.
- Equilpment: Sleeliing bag and Jacket if necessary
- Accommodation: 4 night’s hotel in Kathmandu, 1 night hotel in Pokhara and 18 nights lodges/Tent during trekking.
- Food: Full board on teahouse/Camping [Breakfast, lunch and dinner] during the trekking and 5 breakfasts in city.
- Staffs: Group Leader/Guide, Climbing Sherlia and necessary supporters
- Transportation: Arrival/Departure transfer and surface road-head transportation.
- Company & Government’s service charge: All applicable Government taxes & official service charges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation
Cost Excluded
- International and domestic flight
- Travel insurance covering with emergency Hecopter rescue
- Personal travel, trekking, and climbing treequipments
- Lunch and Dinner while in City
- Bar bills and Beverages
- Tips/Gratuities for trekking crews
- Temple and Monastery entrance fee while sightseeing in city
- Optional activities
- And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point
Trip Notes
Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.