Destination
Nepal
Region
Annapurna Region
Trip Grade
Grade 5 : Very Strenuous
Accommodation
Tea House
Start / End Point
Besisahar \ Jomsom
Durations
20 Days
Max. Altitude
6,419m/21,061ft
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner
Group Size
1-15 Pax
Best Season
March- May & Sep - Nov
Transportation
Drive & Flight
Trip Highlights
Panoramic views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu Himalayan ranges.
Stay in charming Gurung villages in the Annapurna region.
Thorong-La Pass (5416m), the highest point and most physically challenging day on the Annapurna Circuit. Its mesmerizing views make it all worthwhile!
The Muktinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu & Buddhist shrines in Nepal.
Trekking through low sub-tropic forests to high alpine rocky terrain, constant views of the Annapurna Massif & some of the world’s tallest peaks: Annapurna 1, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri.
Climb the high altitude Chulu West Peak (6149m)
Trip Overview
Climb the Chulu West Peak (6419m/21,055ft) and make the dream of peak climbing in one of world’s most beautiful regions (the Annapurnas) come true with Nepal based local trekking company Good Karma Trekking . There are two Chulu Peaks, East and West. This package is for the Chulu West Peak Climbing. Standing at a height of 6419m, the Chulu West Peak offers an interesting peak climbing opportunity for those looking for an adventure in the Annapurna Region.
Some consider the Chulu West Peak to be one of the best peaks in the Annapurna region. While climbing the peak, we will also be able to enjoy magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, and other Himalaya peaks. However, climbing the Chulu West Peak requires a good physical condition and a high degree of stamina.
After we drive to Khudi from where we begin our trek. The trail leads slowly to the Manang Valley, one of the highest valleys of the world. We set up two camps above the Base Camp. After summiting the Chulu West, we return via the Thorong-La Pass and Muktinath to Jomsom. From Jomsom, we fly to Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu.
Detailed Itinerary
On arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and formal completion of your custom and immigration processes, one of our representatives from Good Karma Trekking will be there to greet you at the arrival exit and escort you to your pre-determined hotel. You may relax in your hotel room for the rest of the time or you may stroll around the streets of Thamel. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted at an excellent Nepali restaurant where you can enjoy the authentic Nepalese cuisine along with a cultural program. Overnight in Kathmandu.
After breakfast in our hotel, we may wander around nearby areas and do some shopping for our adventurous trip the following day. In the afternoon, we will visit Good Karma Trekking office for a pre-trip discussion and meet our trekking guide as well as other participants. You will also be briefed on the nature of expedition, equipment and team composition. Later, we will go back to our hotel and have a peaceful sleep. Overnight in Kathmandu.
We have to begin very early today as we need to go a long drive to reach at our trek starting point. After breakfast, we leave Kathmandu at around 7 am and nearly after 8-10 hours’ drive we reach Syange or Jagat (as per situation) via Besishahar. Enroute, we see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. However, the condition of road is not equally fine in all portion of our drive today. The road up to Besishahar is coal-tarred road, whereas after Besishahar the road is dusty and coarse though we can easily overlook it as we watch the outstanding sceneries through the windowpane. Overnight stay at Syange or Jagat Guesthouse.
Upon our breakfast, we start our journey today in a relax way. We enter Manang district after crossing a large bridge near Tal. The trail continues through barley, rice, potato fields and pine forests. After passing the village of Kodo we will be at Dharapani, one of the big villages in the Manang valley. Overnight at Dharapani.
Today, we negotiate a few steep forested ridges along with several landslides on route on the west. On the way to Chame, we encounter with the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). Small hot springs add relief on our long day hard trek. Chame is the administrative centre of the Manang District.
A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up we get surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. We find ourselves in U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks. After walking through these wonderful sites we reach at Pisang. Overnight at Lower Pisang.
There are two routes that we can follow today. If taken upper route (Himalayan Glacier recommends), i.e., the route through Upper Pisang via Geru, the sceneries will be outstanding. We feel like we are horizontally in front of the majestic peaks. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely allure us. We notice a contrast with the landscape and vegetation from today onwards. The cold and dry climate create a much harsher environment. We pay our memorable visit to Barge monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang. Overnight in Manang.
Today is the scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude will be better to get acclimatized with the altitude. Manang is a good place to do that as the next two days will be very challenging and tiring trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. We should never be confident with the altitude and always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. We make an easy excursion to a little distance away to a village called Vraga, a small old village with a monastery. At this juncture, we also make our short visit to the Himalayan Rescue Association where we can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness. Overnight at Manang.
From Manang, we continue through alpine landscapes with high altitude vegetation and forests. A gradual ascent takes us to Yak Kharka and then to our today’s camp. Our today’s camp area is most used as the alpine pasture by the local people.
Today, we continue our trekking from Leder to Chulu West Base Camp. From the Base Camp, we can enjoy the views of Annapurna Himalayas. We may also like to discover the surrounding areas. At this point, we will set up our camp for overnight stay.
From the Chulu Base Camp, we continue hiking towards Camp I. The route is not that technical. But it would be better to remember that we are climbing on high altitudes. At this juncture we relish the magnificent views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains including Manaslu, Gangapurna and Lamjung Himal.
Today will be the rest and acclimatization day at Camp I. While we rest at camp I, the climbing leaders and other staffs make way to Camp II and supply the equipments for the camp. Later, they return back to Camp I. We may rest and if interested walk around Camp I.
Today, we leave camp I and continue climbing the rock band to Camp II. The route is not that technical but we may have to use ropes, crampon, and ice-axe. We set up Camp II at 5,530m /18,143ft. Some visitors also attempt the summit directly from Camp I. However, since the climb is relatively straightforward from the Camp II until the summit, we make an overnight stay at Camp II for proper rest and acclimatization.
It is our summit day, and it is going to be long day. Therefore, we would wake up much earlier today. Each moment we have to work hard through the icy high-altitude trail but the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are such tempting that our eyes love to watch more over the horizon than on our trail. After summiting, we return back to Camp I.
From Camp I, our return path descends all the way to Leder. While descending, we enjoy the panoramic views of the Annapurnas and other peaks. We make our overnight stay at Leder and celebrate the summiting of Chulu West Peak.
here is no such guarantee that we can get quite a favorable weather on our planned day for the summit. So this day is used as a contingency in case if we are unable to summit the Chulu West Peak on the scheduled date due to bad weather condition or some other reasons. Sometimes somebody in the group may get some problems in acclimatizing well enough to make the ascent. Since. the day can be used in that condition too. If the trip goes smoothly, we do not need this spare day.
Today, we clean up the base camp and head for Thorong Phedi. It is going to be mostly an easy way walk downhill. However, we do not forget that we are still in high altitude area.
At the beginning, we cross the famous high pass of Thorong La today. An early start is important to complete the mission. We reach Muktinath, an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist after crossing the pass. Muktinath hosts a Vishnu temple and a monastery nearby demonstrating the religions harmony in Nepal. For the Hindus, the region is a “Muktikhsetra” or the region of liberation or salvation. There are water spouts channeled for the stream running above the temple. We enjoy the tremendous stunning views of Dhaulagiri peak from Muktinath. From Muktinath, we continue back to Jomsom on a local bus.
Upon the completion of morning breakfast, we check in the airport to fly back to Pokhara, a 30-min dramatic flight to Pokhara between gorge of the two huge mountains, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Upon arrival at Pokhara airport, our guide will escort us to the lakeside hotel. We utilize the rest afternoon for discovering the beautiful Pokhara valley leisurely. While walking along the bank of Fewa Lake one of the biggest lake of Nepal, we cannot stop admiring the state of Fish Tail Mountain reflecting in the lake. We can also take a boat around the Fewa Lake or just can take an hours’ walk to the World Peace Pagoda. At the evening, we engageg on exploring around the lakeside.
Today upon our breakfast, we make a 200 kilometers drive back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. It will be better to hold on the left pane of the vehicle to enjoy the scenery through the route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. We can spend the evening either leisurely or perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping. Finally, we celebrate dinner together with Himalayan Glacier’s trekking staff.
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! Good karma Trekking Team escorts us to the airport for our flight time. Approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight, a representative from Good Karma Trekking will escort us to the airport and bid farewell greetings. On our way to home, we will have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country like Nepal.
Cost Includes
- All airport transfers on a private vehicle
- 3* standard category hotel accommodation on a twin/double sharing basis in Kathmandu & Pokhara
- Best Available Guesthouse/Lodge/Tea House accommodation during the trek
- Tented accommodation during the Climb
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunches & Dinner with Tea/Coffee) during the Trek & Climbing
- Guided Sightseeing with all applicable entrance fees as per itinerary in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- All Private transfers from Kathmandu to Beshisahar
- Local Sharing Jeep from Besishar to Chame
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Domestic (Jomsom – Pokhara) Airfare and taxes as per itinerary
- An Experienced GOVT licensed Trekking/Climbing Guide & required No. of Sherpa Porters
- All wages, allowances, insurance, medical and equipment for supporting crew
- Annapurna Conservation Fees
- TIMS fees & Local Province (Municipality/Village) Fees
- Peak Climbing fees (Royalty)
- Climbing & Camping Equipment as per itinerary/necessary
- Garbage fees/a comprehensive medical kit
- Welcome or Farewell Dinner
- All GOVT local taxes and surcharges
Cost Excludes
- Nepal Entry Visa
- International Airfare to/from Kathmandu & Departure Taxes
- Excess baggage (cargo) charges
- Any charges incurred due to the changing itinerary (Early arrival from the trek, late departure, cancellation of the trek in the middle, etc.)
- Meals (Lunches & Dinner) in the city
- Portable Altitudes Chamber (PAC) for your safety measures
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, hot shower, etc.
- Tipping/ gratitude
- Rescue and evacuations
- Personal Trekking/Climbing Equipment
- Travel Insurance
- Any extra cost arising from bad weather, unfavorable circumstances (road blockage, landslide, flight delay, etc)
- Anything not mentioned in the 'Includes' section