| Trip code | |
| Package name | Chulu East Climbing |
| Duration | 19 |
| Max. elevation | 6584 m |
| Level | DIFFICULT |
| Transportation | Touristbus/Private vehicle |
| Accomodation | Hotel /Teahouse/Camping |
| Starts at | kathmandu |
| Ends at | kathmandu |
| Trip route | |
| Cost | USD 0 per person |
Chulu East (6,584 m.) is situated high above the Manang valley with breathtaking views across to the Annapurna II, III and IV, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho Peak and Manaslu. The climb is combined with the classic trek around the Annapurna massif, ascending the Marshyangdi valley and crossing the Thorong La, before descending the Kali Gandaki valley to Pokhara. The climb is technically straightforward and you should be familiar with the use of your equipment, crampons, harness, ice axe, tying knots and handling climbing ropes. Most of the climbing will be involved walking roped together, including the glacial crossings. You should be very fit and have good experience of climbing. The North-East Ridge is considered the normal route to climb this peak from a Base Camp on the moraine at 5334m (17500ft). Most climbers make it to the top and back from Base Camp in one long day although some have, in the past, established a higher camp somewhere below the peak. Another subsidiary peak called Chulu Far East (6059m) 19880ft) may also be attempted from this approach.
Arrival in Kathmandu. You’ll meet guide at airport and taken to your hotel. If time allows you will have time to visit some Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting local traditions. Overnight in Hotel.
Half day Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley and in the afternoon our guide will brief you and help you sort out all the requires equipments for the trip. You can have question and answer session with our staff if you have any confusion or need any information about the trip. O/N Hotel.
After breakfast in Kathmandu, we'll start our journey towards Besishahar early in the morning. Following the road to Pokhara until Dumre, we'll leave the Kathmandu valley behind. The road winds westward, offering expansive views of the valley dotted with numerous villages. Along the route, we'll catch breathtaking glimpses of the mountains, especially the Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. Our path closely follows the Trishuli river valley, passing through villages like Galchhi, Baireni, Malekhu, Benighat (where the Buddhigandaki river joins), Chauridi (a Trisuli river rafting spot), Kurintar, and finally reaching Mugling, after Mugling we are continuous toward following road Pokhara via Khairenitar. We'll turn off the main highway from Dumre and continue our journey north of Besisahar, where we'll begin our trek (if conditions permit, we may drive further than Besisahar). From Besisahar, we'll trek downhill to the river and cross to the east side to avoid the new road currently under construction. Our trail then follows the Marsyangdi Valley northwards, offering stunning views of Himalchuli and Peak 29 dominating the horizon. For about two hours, we'll traverse quiet trails through rice paddies and villages until we intersect with the main trail at Bulbule. We'll spend the night in a Teahouse/lodge.
The trail continues up the east bank of the river passing a beautiful waterfall to Ngaddi. Here we cross a suspension bridge and then begin a steady climb through scrub forest finally arriving at Lampatta, a Manangi village with Tibetan style prayer flags. A final short sharp ascent brings us to the village of Bahundanda, perched on a ridge at 1311m. From the ridge we descend to the river at Syange (1136m) where we once more cross the river. The trail then follows the river to Jagat and then an undulating trail leads to Chyamje where we spend our night. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge.
From Chamche, we cross a suspension bridge and climb through oak forest. The trail then emerges into a level valley where 'Tal', the next village is situated at the foot of a grand waterfall (1700m). Crossing the river a couple of times we reach the village of Dharapani at 1943m.Beyond this village we continue our climb over a spur to Bagarchap, at 2164m. The name of this village means 'butcher's place' and, although Buddhist, the people of this region do hunt animals. Continuing we follow the trail through forest to Danaque. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge.
Today our journey begins climbing to Temang, where we have lunch with magnificent views of Manaslu and Peak 29. The trail then descends though fir and pine forests to Koto and Chame (2713m), administrative centre of the Manang district. We now experience a dramatic change of scenery. Leaving the forests and vegetation we continue our journey until Dhukur Pokhari. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge.
The trail then follows the steep narrow valley through deep forest from which there are fine views of Annapurna II. We cross the river where the impressive curved rock face of Paungda Danda rises nearly 1500m from the riverbank, and climb to the village of Pisang and walk until Humde. There is a small airport which have scheduled flight to Jomsom and Pokhara. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge.
A fairly hard day as we gain altitude and climb steeply up the valley to our base camp at approximately 4,700m. The trail climbs endlessly uphill to the crags high above where we establish our base camp.
A short day to high camp (5,300m), where there will be a full gear check and some practice for the climb. We will practice ice axe and crampon techniques, walking roped up and the use of the jumar and abseil device. From high camp expect views of the Annapurnas with an incredible sunset and sunrise. Camping.
Summit day will start very early (usually around 2/3am in the dark). From high camp we have a steep climb up to a col at 5,500m. We can see the wonderful summit ridge ahead. From the col we will walk roped up and as the trail gets steeper our climbing sherpas will fix ropes on the steeper sections. The hard work is rewarded by incredible views from the top - in front of us is Gangapurna, the Annapurnas and Herzog's 'Great Barrier', to our left is Manaslu and behind us lies Tibet. We descend carefully past the high camp all the way to base camp. Camping(BLD).
We say goodbye to some of our porters and cook as we trek back to the main trail again. An easier half day today as we descend to the Manang Valley and follow the main trail to Manang. We can visit the small village of Braga on the way with its ancient monastery towering high above the village. Braga is also home to a small tree nursery which is a project we have been supporting for the last 10 years. A short walk from Braga brings us to Manang where we stay in a tea house. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge (BLD).
Leaving Manang we head to the base of the Thorong La. We climb out of the Marsyangdi valley and turn northwest up the valley of the Jarsang Khola. We are above the forests now and pass through dry, alpine country, with scrub juniper and occasional clumps of birch. We stay tonight at Yak Kharka. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge (BLD).
The trail climbs further up the valley and at one point descends to cross the Jarsang Khola.Look out for herds of Blue Sheep. A traverse across a scree slope brings us to the lone teahouses at Thorong Phedi which is surrounded by high cliffs at the foot of the Thorong La (4,400m.). We should be there by lunchtime and those feeling energetic can take a walk up to the Thorong High Camp, about an hour from Thorong Phedi. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge (BLD).
A long day as we leave Phedi very early for the climb to the pass. The first part of the ascent is very steep, but it becomes easier as we approach the top, although the altitude still makes the going tough. Eventually, after numerous false summits, we reach the pass itself at 5416m. Ahead there is a magnificent panorama of snow-capped peaks extending northwards into Tibet, and looking back we can see several of the main peaks of Annapurna. Directly in front of us is the great chasm of the Kali Gandaki, 2,500m. below. The long descent starts gently but becomes steeper before easing off to a gentle descent to Muktinath (3802m). Overnight in Teahouse/lodge (BLD).
From Muktinath we pass through a landscape of bare, eroded hills with a backdrop of snow-capped high peaks. After visiting the temples above Muktinath, we follow the main trail down the valley through a magnificent landscape of wind-eroded cliffs in an array of beautiful colours. A final descent brings us to the Kali Gandaki Valley at Eklabatti, from where an easy trail brings us to the end of our trek at Jomsom. Overnight in Teahouse/lodge (BLD).
The flights from Jomsom to Pokhara are usually in the early morning due to the high winds which blow up the Kali Gandaki Valley later in the day. The short but very spectacular flight takes us all the way down the Kali Gandaki Valley with great views of Niligiri and Dhaulagiri. We fly to Pokhara, where we transfer on to another flight back to Kathmandu. Hotel (B).
6-7 hour of scenic drive along Trisuli river and beautiful landscape from Pokhara will take you back to Kathamndu. Hotel (BD).