Chulu West Climbing

Trip Highlights

Trek & Climbing route	: Besishahar to Chulu west summit to Jomsom
Total Duration	: 25 night’s/26 days in total
Trek & Climbing Duration	: 22 days
Grade	: Adventurous to Challenging
Max. Elevation	: 6419 meters at top of the Chulu west
Trekking style	: Tea house & Camping
Meal	: Full board on trek break fast in city
Accommodation	: lodge on trek & tented camp on expedition
Transportation	: Flight & private vehicle
Best Months	: Sept - Nov & Mar - May

Trip Introduction

Annapurna region is one of the top destinations treks in world and based in Nepal. Which trek offering grand view of the three highest mountain range Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Manasalu over 8,000 meters height including ranges of snow capped trekking peaks over 6000m. The trail follows the Marshyangdi valley all the way to its source, the glacial lake in Manang, through the rural farm villages and terraced farm field from the sub-tropic climate to the arctic landscape and through the rain forest to the alpine timbers. After the Manang village we head for Leader which is a bottom part of Chulu mountain range. There is three Chulus in different peaks; Chulu West is the higher peak among them. It was first ascended in 1952 by a Japanese Expedition team. The Base Camp of this peak is situated in a small narrow valley northern part of Leader. There are several peaks close by and are also a part of Chulu massif thus it is difficult to differentiate between the two easts & west Chulus. However, the Chulu group comprises of four peaks: two in the east and two in the west. There is no technical difficulty in ascending this peak but progress can be slow as the slopes are vulnerable to avalanches in certain conditions.

After the great expedition and heading to crossing the Throng La we have scenic deserts and famous pilgrimage Muktinath temple. Further down hill walk in the holy river bank and enjoy with Jomsom, where a capital of the Mustang district.This trek may have chances to touch with wide ranges of diversified culture. Most of the tribal inhabitants are Gurungs, Magars and Thakalis. Higher region domain by Tibetan society and followed the Buddhism as lower part domain the Hindus with mixed culture. Higher mountains and attractive glacier lakes with higher pass Throng La (5,416m/17765 ft) carries own characteristic in this area. It is not only enough to see culture and mountains but we also have Himalayan wildlife admitting rare species of Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep and Golden Eagle are another attraction along domestic Yak during the this expedition & trek.

Trekking Itinerary

OutLine Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 02: Rock Climbing Course in Kathmandu

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar (850m/2,790ft)

Day 04: Besishahar to Bahundanda (1,310m/4,298ft)

Day 05: Bahundanda to Chamje (1,430m/4,690ft)

Day 06: Chamje to Bagarchhap (2,160/7,085ft)

Day 07: Bagarchhap to Chame 2,670m/8,758ft)

Day 08: Chame to Lower Pisang (3,200m/10,496ft)

Day 09: Pisang to Nawal village (3,657m/11,995ft)

Day 10: Nawal to Manang village (3,450m/11,316ft)

Day 11: Acclimatization day at Manang

Day 12: Manang to Leather (4,200m/13,776ft)

Day 13: Leather to Base Camp (4,400m/14,432ft)

Day 14: Acclimatization day at base camp

Day 15: Base camp to High Camp (4,685m/15,367ft)

Day 16: Move to camp 1 (5,300m/17,384ft)

Day 17: Move to camp 2 (5,700/18,696ft)

Day 18: Summit day and back to camp 1 (6,419m/21,054ft)

Day 19: Reserve day for unforeseen condition

Day 20: Return back to Leather

Day 21: Yak Kharka to high camp (4,800m/15,744ft)

Day 22: Cross Throng la (5,416m/17,765ft) and to Muktinath (3,800/12,467ft)

Day 23: Trek to Jomsom (2,700m/8,856ft)

Day 24: Early morning flight to Pokhara (8, 20m/2,690ft)

Day 25: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Day 26: Departure from Kathmandu

Day to day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
Namaste & welcome to Himalayan Planet of Nepal. While you landed at the Tribhuvan intl. airport Nepal Himalaya Guide representative welcomes you with your name and assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, bring you at head office and briefing about the program and evening we’ll pick up you for welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant with cultural program in the heart of Kathmandu and overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Rock Climbing Course in Kathmandu
You will be taken to 3 Km drive to the place called Balaju, a natural rock climbing spot for your climbing course before departure to Lukla, a day course will provide excellent opportunities to learn how to use rope, harness, Ice axe, crampons although keeps you physical fitness. Alternatively you can take a world heritage sightseeing for 3 places as desired inside Kathmandu valley. After return we’ll brief about trip and group meeting at office and back to hotel for overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar (850m/2,790ft)
This morning after breakfast we’ll start our journeys with drive through the beautiful river view & Nepalese countryside to reach at Besishahar, a countryside hill on the footsteps of Annapurna & Manasalu. This town is very enjoyable and interesting town as well footstep for Annapurna circuit trek. After 6 hrs drive check in and we’ll explore the surrounding area and overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Besishahar to Bahundanda (1,310m/4,298ft)
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. The villages and people are an interesting mix. You eventually extreme ascend an hour to Bahundanda (Hills of Brahmins) for the overnight and takes 5-6 hrs in total, a village set on a long ridge and we over night at lodge.

Day 05: Bahundanda to Chamje (1,430m/4,690ft)
As we stayed first night in the terrain hilltop we manage to head on next camp to Chamje. Firstly, 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 will step for lunch. We will have one and half hours further rocky trail walk to reach at Chamje village after 5-6 hrs walk, which is a small village settlement with primary school surrounding by bamboo bushes.

Day 06: Chamje to Bagarchhap (2,160/7,085ft)
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 Dharapani village which is adjoin point of Manasalu trails and just above an hour you’ll reach at Bagarchhap village for the overnight after a 6-7 hrs walk. The first view of Mt. Annapurna II can be visible closely from this beautiful town.

Day 07: Bagarchhap to Chame 2,670m/8,758ft)
The beautiful walking day with open sky after a few days walking in valley with beautiful pine and juniper forest. Today 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. Today you will encounter some typical Tibetan village’s en-route before to reach at Chame. 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.

Day 08: Chame to Lower Pisang (3,200m/10,496ft)
Another pleasant walk through the narrow steep path with a very dense pine forest follow the river bank will lead you village of Bhratang 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 (Dove pond). From this small settlement we’ll see the first view of Pisang peak and surrounding other Himalayan ranges. After lunch we’ll walk an hour to get to next stop at lower Pisang village for the overnight.

Day 09: Pisang to Nawal village (3,657m/11,995ft)
After a good walk yesterday we star our walk as spiliting the trails to lower and upper trails as we head towards the Nawal village 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 for the overnight. Reminders explore the Monastery and if you have time then you can visit the oldest Cave just above the Nawal village which is a great place to look inside.

Day 10: Nawal to Manang village (3,450m/11,316ft)
The short and easy day to reach at Manang village 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 (one of the Ethnic Group people of Nepal) and reminder time explore the surrounding Gangapurna Glacier Lake and villages.

Day 11: Acclimatization day at Manang
This is rest and acclimatization day before you head to climb Chulu west peak. There is 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 (7,555 meters), Gangapurna (7,454 meters) to the South - Tilicho (7,132 meters) and the Grand Barrier to the West - Chulu West (6,583 meters) and Chulu East (6,059 meters) to the North. After explore and relaxing day at Manang, visit Himalayan Rescue Association and if needed go for movie show.

Day 12: Manang to Leather (4,200m/13,776ft)
After a wonderful exploration at Manang village this morning we heads towards the Yak Kharka 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 4,110m/13,484ft. 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.

Day 13: Leather to Base Camp (4,400m/14,432ft)
we start our real expedition day after breakfast and we head up to Base camp 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.

Day 14: Acclimatization day at base camp
Before we climb to Chulu west we require one day acclimatization. This day you can explore surrounding areas and take climbing practice in base camp and your guide will teach some technique and brief about the climbing methods and overnight at camp.

Day 15: Base camp to High Camp (4,685m/15,367ft)
After the tented camp this morning Sherpa will come to your tent with chirping good morning with a hot bed tea. You’ll have time to wake up and after breakfast we’ll 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.

Day 16: Move to camp 1 (5,300m/17,384ft)
After the high camp overnight we continually hed 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.

Day 17: Move to camp 2 (5,700/18,696ft)
Today, as usual we head again up to camp 2 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 .

Day 18: Summit day and back to camp 1 (6,419m/21,054ft)
As we planned yesterday 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. You’ll 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.

Day 19: Reserve day for unforeseen condition
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. If this day we don’t need we can use this day to stay one more night in Kagbeni village the entry gate of upper Mustang.

Day 20: Return back to Leather
Today, we stroll back to Leader and rest of the time you may relax and tonight celebration party of the success and overnight at camp.

Day 21: Yak Kharka to high camp (4,800m/15,744ft)
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 high camp for the overnight.

Day 22: Cross Throng la (5,416m/17,765ft) and to Muktinath (3,800/12,467ft)
Wake up with a 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 {5,416m/17,769ft} 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 (But not available at Dec - Feb) 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.

Day 23: Trek to Jomsom (2,700m/8,856ft)
After a great success down from Throng La today 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 Eklebhatti for the tea 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 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.

Day 24: Early morning flight to Pokhara (8, 20m/2,690ft)
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.

Day 25: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
This morning we’ll drive back through the scenic countryside and en route will stop for breakfast & lunch. It takes 7 hours 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 overnight at hotel. Evening we’ll pick up you from hotel for the farewell dinner in Thamel.

Day 26: Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

Note: The itinerary may flexible during the trek depending upon the clients requirements and fitness.

Extending your holiday
In Nepal, there are many choices and options if you’d like to extend your holiday before or after your main booking. Here are just a few suggestions of extensions available for this trip:

- Travel to the Trans Himalayan country with its mysterious and spiritual land of Tibet
- Visit land of the thunder dragon known as Bhutan
- Take a memorable wildlife safari with Elephant back ride in the Chitwan National park
- White water River rafting in the Himalayan country of Nepal
- 1 hour amazing mountain flight closest to the Mt. Everest
- Visit Darjeeling/Sikkim tour to India.
- Extend your trek in different trekking areas
- Bungee Jumping, Paragliding, Mountain biking and many more. >>>

Service Includes:

• 4 night’s deluxe twin sharing accommodation in Kathmandu in 4 star hotel &
• 1 night standred hotel in pokhara in 3 star hotel
• All local transportation by suitable vehicle(car, van, bus) in Kathmandu & pokhara
• Kathmandu to besishahar by suitable vehicle
• Complementary welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
• Rock climbing course or Kathmandu sightseeing with guide, vehicle & entry fees
• Jomsom to Pokhara flight tickets
• Pokhara to kathmandu by suitable vehicle
• Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) basis during the Chulu west Peak Climbing
• Accommodation on tented camp during the Chulu west peak Climbing as per itinerary
• Climbing leader (English speaking, First Aid and eco trained), camping chef and Sherpa porters, all payments with insurance
• Annapurna conservation entry fee and TIMS permit
• Climbing peak permit/ & other necessary fees
• Exclusive medical kit bag
• Emergency Oxyzen, Gamow bag
• Mobile phone for the communication onpay call basis
• Necessary group climbing gear & equipments
• Safe drinking water
• Sleeping bag and down jacket
• All government and local taxes
• Intl. flight ticket re-confirmation
• Submit your tourist registration form to the require embassy/consulate

Service does not Includes:

• Visa fees, intl. airfare & departure taxes
• Garbage deposit USD 250.00 (Sharing of the total person) and deposit fee will be not refunded if the clients (climber) don’t take back their garbage Pokhara/Kathmandu. 
• Personal climbing equipment (can be hire in Kathmandu)
• Excess baggage charges
• Lunch and dinner in city
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters
• Tips for driver, guides and porters
• Anything does not includes in service inclusive column

Enjoy the adventure with our Himalayan guides and take good memories away with you from Nepal.