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Nepal Environmental Trek
Nepal Environmental
Treks & Expedition

Chulu West Peak Climbing

Duration
23 days
Max. Elevation
6420m
Group size
Min 1+
Level
MODERATE
Transportation
Land & Flight
Best Season
Autumn: SEP-OCT-NOV Spring: MAR-APR-MAY
Accomodation
2-3 Star Hotel Accomodation in Kathmandu. Lodge (Teahouse) and Camping Accomodation during Climbing
Meals
3 Meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Starts at/ Ends at
Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Trip Route

Highlights

Overview

The Chulu West peak, together with Chulu East, forms an integral part of the Manang Himal, Although both are climbable Chulu West is relatively higher at around 6,584m. The peak oversees the Manang valley with breathtaking views of the Annapurnas II, III and IV, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu. The climb follows the classic Annapurna trek past the Thorung La pass
 
The Chulu West Peak was first ascended in 1952 by a Japanese Expedition. The Base Camp of this peak is situated in a small valley north of Manang, off the main trail to the Thorang La. This trip sets out from Beshi Sahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung, a neighboring district of Gorkha. From Beshi Sahar the trail leads up slowly towards Manang valley, one of the highest valleys of the world situated at an altitude of 5000m. A rest day will be set to explore the Manang Valley for  acclimatization. From Manang valley the route heads north to lead and on to the Chulu West Base camp. Three days will be set aside for the ascent of this peak.

Trip Itinerary

On your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be met and welcomed by our airport representative. You will be greeted traditionally with flower garlands. The representative will then take you to your hotel where you will be served welcome drinks. In the afternoon, you can take a stroll around and visit shops, restaurants and bars. Stay overnight at the hotel. 

Free day in Kathmandu for preparation of the trip. Checking your climbing equipments, and discussing the climb with the climbing/trekking guide. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

After early-morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. Stay overnight at lodge in Bhulbhule.

Trek from Bhulbhule to Chamje (1410m.) takes about seven hours.  Ahead the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape and you follow the winding mountain path down through Syange (1100m.) where there is a beautiful waterfall above it and along the river for some distance. The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed.. Now the trail begins to observe small ups and downs to Chamje through the forests. Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Chamje (1410m.) to Dharapani (1960m.) takes about six hours. The first part of the trail descends to the river and after crossing a suspension bridge, you begin a climb to Sattale (1550m.) on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley. You continue on an undulating path above the river. Climbing the zigzag path to the top of the hill, we see the level, plain of Tal (1700m.) before us. You descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to Tal with its hotels and teahouses. Here you can enjoy the exhilarating waterfalls .Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding and in several areas hewn from the rock itself. Beyond the small village of Karte (1900m.), there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path drops again to the river. You cross a suspension bridge and climb the short distance to the stone Mani marking the entrance to Dharapani (1960m.), and our camp for the night.  Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2675m.) takes about five and half hours. As you cut through a narrow field from the village, the Dudh Khola, originates from the south face of Manaslu, enters on the opposite bank. The Marshyangdi then veers to the left and as Annapurna II becomes visible ahead, you arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhote village with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze around Buddhist monastery. Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, you pass through Danaque (2210m.). The trail goes through flat level until you reach Chame where there are government offices, shops and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters for the Manang district.  Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Chame to Pisang (3100m.) takes about five hours. With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning sun, you set off for Pisang. The mountain disappears as you climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. You continue through a fir and pine forest, climbing to a high, rocky area as the opposite bank becomes an impassable cliff. From this point the valley becomes extremely steep-sided as you follow the path to Bhratang (2950m.). You now walk through a pine forest and as the forest ends, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape, opening up a wonderful vista before us. You can see the east peak of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m.) to the north-east. Continuing on, you come to a long Mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Pisang. Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Pisang to Manang (3440m.) takes about five and half hours. Beyond Pisang, the trail climbs a steep ridge that affords good views of the Manang valley and Tilicho peak (7145m.). Descending past Manang's airstrip at Hungde (3320m.), you come to a level area from where the north-east face of Annapurna III rises majestically above you. From the wide plains of the Sabje Khola Valley, Annapurna IV (7525m.) also becomes visible. Just beyond this point you cross the considerably reduced flow of the Marshyangdi Khola via a wooden bridge to the tiny village of Mungji. Large Chortens and Mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us - Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7455m.) and to the rear, Tilicho Peak (7145m.). After a short steep climb you reach Manang. Stay overnight at lodge.

Rest day at Manang and hang in and around town. This is an important rest and acclimatization day today before crossing the Thorung La. There are optional day walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurna, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley. Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4350m.) and it takes about three and half hours. Now the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through the Gunsang (3960m.) village. En route, you can see panoramic views all the day. Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Yak Kharka to Chulu West Base Camp (4700m) takes about four hours. You ascend the rocky and dry land all the way. The panoramic views of Annapurna range compensate for the trekking through bare land. Stay overnight in camp.

Trek from Chulu West Base Camp to Chulu West High Camp takes about three hours. The path is steep up all the way. En route you can enjoy the panoramic views of Annapurna range and Chulu West. Stay overnight in camp.

Climb Camp I (5400m). Stay overnight in camp.

Climb Chulu West (6420m.) and return to Chulu West High Camp. Stay overnight in camp.

Trek from Chulu West High Camp to Chulu Lettar (4200m.) takes about four hours. You descend all the way to Chulu Lettar. Stay overnight in camp.

Trek from Chulu Lettar to Thorong High Camp (4800m.) takes about five hours. Till Thorong Base camp the path is rocky and you trek through gradual ascending path. Afterwards the path is steep up to Thorong High Camp. Stay overnight in camp.

Trek from Thorong High Camp to Muktinath (3850m.) via Thorong La (5416m.) Pass takes about eight hours. You start early today to cross the Thorung La [5416m]. The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing you reaches the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it's compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually, the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple. Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3850m.) via Thorong La (5416m.) Pass and it takes about seven hours. You start early today for your crossing of Thorung La [5416m]. The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing you reaches the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The views are dramatic to say the least, from the snow-covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread out before us. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it's compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple. Stay overnight at lodge.

Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2713 m.) takes about 5 hours. Today we continue down for early two hours and then walk through the flat path till we reach Jomsom. Stay overnight at lodge.

Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara takes about 35 minutes. The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during and after and frequent change of the weather prevents the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. 

Not satisfied with this itinerary? Make your own.
Plan My Trip

Includes

     a) Kathmandu

    • Airport pick-up and drop-off services by private car
    • 4 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu
    • One farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
    • Souvenir (t-shirt, mug, pen, bag, etc.)

     b) Trekking/Climbing

    • Peak permit for Singu Chuli (Tharpu Peak)
    • Entry permit for Annapurna Conservation Area
    • Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card
    • Climbing guide/s (Sirdar)  and Trekking guide/s
    • Trekking Cooks and Kitchen Helpers
    • Necessary porters (one porter carries 25 kilograms)
    • Coverage of insurance and rescue for climbing guides, cooks and porters
    • 2 nights hotel accomodation in Pokhara with breakfast
    • All meals three times a day during the trek/climb
    • Accommodation in teahouses (lodges) for some nights and some nights camping
    • Necessary trekking/camping equipment such as tents, mattresses, sleeping  bags, down jackets, cooking utensils, etc. 
    • Cooking fuel
    • Camping charges
    • All land transportation wherever applicable
    • Insurance and equipments for guide and porters
    • First aid kit
    • Rescue assistance (Should any emergency arise during your trek, we will provide prompt and professional rescue and medical services. For this, it would be better to have your own travel insurance that can cover helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost incase required.)

Doesn't Include

    • Personal nature expenses
    • Travel insurance
    • All drinks & beverages
    • Hot shower
    • Battery charges
    • Tips
    • Personal Climbing equipments
    • Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu

Equipment List

Mountaineering Equipment
Crampons, Ice axe, Helmet, Harness, Lock and unlock Carabineers, Shovel, Climbing pack, Rope, Ski poles, Desender/abseil device, Jummer (Asender), Tapes, Prusik Loops, Rappel device, Hand Warmer (if possible)

Clothing and Wears
Trekking shoes with spare laces, Mountaineering Boots, Plastic or leather for mountaineering boots, Gore-Tex pants, Long shorts, Insulated Parka, Jumper, Waterproof Jackets, Down Jacket, Fleece Vest, Wool cap, Neck Gaiter, Gloves, Climbing Socks, Thermal Underwear, Sandals, Snow Goggle

Essential Gears
Backpack, Duffle bag, Sleeping Bag, sleeping pad, Tents

Gadgets
Map, Compass, Camera, GPS, Two way radios, Binoculars, Head Lamp, Flashlight

Sun Protection Items
Sun glasses, sun scream, Lip balm,

Medical
First aid Kit (Brufen / Ibuprofens, Antibiotic, Diamox, Paracetamol, Handy Plaster, Crack Bandage, Tincture Iodine, etc.)

Other Essentials
Energy Bars, Water bottle, Water Purification Tablets, Toiletries, Trekking poles, Pocket knife, raincoat, Satellite Phone, Altimeter

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Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal