Trip Highlights:
“Exciting adventure on climb Chulu West Peak one of the most stunning trekking peaks Fabulous cultural and scenic walks within both sides of Annapurna range of peaks Facing delightful scenery of rolling green hills with ever-present views of mountains Exciting journey from low warm areas to cool alpine woodland and into arctic zone Explore Manang, Thakali impressive villages of great interesting culture and traditions Into lovely alpine green woodland of tall rhododendron-magnolia and pine trees Sweeping mountain panorama from the top of Chulu West Peak and on high Thorang-la pass Completing beautiful adventure and climb with scenic swift flight to picturesque Pokhara”.
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels and Lodge on walks.
Trekking Grade : Moderate to Adventurous.
Chulu East Climb Grade : PD + (per difficule) straight forward climb with some technical difficulty as per French-Swiss Alpine Climbing Classification System.
Activities : Sightseeing tour, exciting drive, scenic trek and climb with flights from Jomsom to Pokhara.
People and Culture : Higher up dominated by Manang Gurung and Magar hill tribe of Buddhism religion, lower area mixed tribes Gurung-Magar-Thakali, Hindu Brahmins and Chettries with varied culture and custom of Buddhist and Hindu traditional life.
Area of Trekking : Nepal North West around Northern Annapurna Himalaya.
Trek and Climb : 14 Nights and 15 Days (with drives and flight to Pokhara).
Total Trip : 19 Nights and 20 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Season : March to May and September to early December months.
Introduction:
Mountain Challenger Treks and Expeditions, presents a challenging on top of Chulu West Peak Climb, one of the most prominent and massive range of Chulus peaks where climb leads you in high and top spirit facing fabulous panorama of Annapurna-Tilicho-Damodar and all of Chulus peaks. Chulu West Peak Climb leads in top 6,419 meter high, one of the highest trekking peaks of Nepal, where adventurer and climbers needs to be well equipped with right gears for the haul to its scenic summit top. The grade of Chulu West Peak Climb taken from French and Swiss Alpine Climbing Classification Systems with PD + which means more ‘Per Difficule’ walking on glaciers climb o rocks and ice face within deep snow to encounter. Chulu West Peak Climb begins right from Kathmandu hiring and buying appropriate equipments where our climbing guide will help you choosing the right gear, and then taking a drive to Nepal Mid West around lower warmer areas, where walk leads into cooler alpine hills past number of lovely villages. As walk proceeds encountering villages of more Buddhism strong influence, which you can witness along the walks as our routes leads higher areas with complete views of Annapurna Himalaya with Chulus and Pisang peaks. On leaving behind green tree lines for arid and barren scenic country within high Manang valley, enjoying walks with views having rest days at Manang to explore its interesting culture and scenery. From here after acclimatization days with pleasant time heading for our actual adventure towards Chulu West Peak Climb, where our walk leads beyond Manang village to sheer wilderness at Chulu West Peak base camp. At base camp within high peaks of Chulus where preparation starts for the climb, with right favorable weather our adventure begins with slow steady climb to the summit of Chulu West Peak. On top enjoy fantastic panorama of surrounding close high mountains with beautiful valley of Manang, and then adventure leads to cross high Thorang-la pass to reach at Mustang areas at Muktinath, considered as holy spots where you visit the main temple premises with 108 fresh and icy water spouts. From Muktinath our walk ends with a drive to Jomsom the headquarter town of Mustang district and hub of Thakali people who have been on trade on this ancient Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route which extends to Upper Mustang and beyond to Tibet. At Jomsom with relaxing and pleasant time and then taking a swift scenic flight to scenic Pokhara where our memorable and wonderful Chulu West Peak Climb concludes on this lovely city by the lake Phewa with views of Annapurna Himalaya.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour and trek-climb preparation.
Day 03: Drive to Jagat 1,290 m via Besar 800 m - 08 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Dharapani 1,920 m - 06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Chame 2,670 m - 05 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Pisang 3, 230 m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Manang Village 3,450 m - 06 hrs.
Day 08: At Manang rest day for acclimatization with short hikes.
Day 09: Trek to Leder 4,230 m - 04 hours.
Day 10: Trek to Chulu West Base Camp 4,700 m - 04 hrs.
Day 11: Trek and climb to High Camp at 5,500m -03 hrs.
Day 12-13: Ascent of Chulu West Peak summits and descends to base camp.
Day 14: Trek to Thorang High Camp 4,600 m - 04 hrs.
Day 15: Cross Thorang-La 5,416 m and to Muktinath 3,800 m - 07 hrs.
Day 16: Drive to Jomsom 2,715 m - 02 hrs.
Day 17: Morning flies from Jomsom to Pokhara 860 m transfer to hotel.
Day 18: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
Day 19: Free Day in Kathmandu for individual activities.
Day 20: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief on Chulu West Peak Climb and trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Morning after breakfast, our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which are listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha, after exciting tour back to hotel with free afternoon preparation for Chulu West Climb and treks.
Day 03: Drive to Jagat 1,290 m via Besar 800 m - 08 hrs.
Morning taking a tourist coach or smaller vehicle as per group size for an overland drive that leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues on busy main highway past farm villages and town then heading Nepal Mid-West to reach at Lamjung area in Besisar town. From here drive continues on rough jeep road heading higher up past farm villages and well Crops terraced as our drive ends at Jagat village for an overnight stop, in this nice village.
Day 04: Trek to Dharapani 1,920 m - 06 hours.
From Jagat, our first day walk begins, starting on winding path to Chamje, and to raging Marsyangdi River, and into forested area with super views of Annapurna and Manaslu range, walk continues reaching at Tal village located on a nice valley, after Tal another 2 hours walk to Dharapani village for an overnight stop. Dharapani a nice village with Buddhist culture, situated on the junction of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu trekking trail.
Day 05: Trek to Chame 2,670 m - 05 hours.
Start the morning walk a into cool rhododendron and pine forest passing villages of Bagarchap and Danque, then to Timang village from here onwards into more Buddhist area, with super view of Mt. Manaslu 8,163m / 26,781ft, from this village few hours trek leads to a large town at Chame for overnight stop, a major town and headquarter of Manang district.
Day 06: Trek to Pisang 3, 230 m - 05 hrs.
From here air gets cooler as the walk leads closer into mountains through a beautiful forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following Masrsyangdi River upstream to Bhratang village. From this village, an uphill into pine trees to Dhukure Pokhari a small place with few lodge and views of Chulu and Pisang peak, after a lunch stop walk downhill to Pisang village for an overnight stop.
Day 07: Trek to Manang Village 3,450 m - 06 hrs.
From Pisang village with views of mountains, from here onward altitude gains gradually as walk leads through the forest with short uphill and views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu’s and Pisang peak. Walk downhill to reach flat valley at Hongde village, from here onward tree lines fades for barren, arid landscapes with cold, dry arctic climate. Before Manang, visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics, ancient wall painting, and frescos and stunning views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour walk reaches at Manang village.
Day 08: At Manang rest day for acclimatization with short hikes.
Rest day at Manang village, where you can explore the more impressive culture of native Manang people, a great walks to a view point near Gangapurna and Annapurna II Ice Falls and glaciers that feeds the lake of Manang, as well the raging Marysangdi River. Rest of the after free at leisure catching with your dairy and planning for the climb of Chulu West Peak.
Day 09: Trek to Leder 4,230 m - 04 hours.
After a good rest at Manang, walk towards Ledar past Yak Kharka, an interesting high altitude walk with views of mountains, crossing small streams to reach at Ledar, a small settlement with incredible views of Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Chulu Peaks.
Day 10: Trek to Chulu West Base Camp 4,700 m - 04 hrs.
From Ledar leaving the main Annapurna trail to Thorang-la, our route leads towards complete Wilderness to reach a small glacial stream past Yak herder's shades and at Yak pasture fields which leads up to a ridge into a hidden valley where our base camp is located at 4,700 m high.
Day 11: Trek and climb to High Camp 5,100 m - 03 hrs.
After Base Camp with enjoyable rest and overnight with first camping of the adventure, morning walk leads uphill to a steep scree slopes at a col or a ridge and then reaching at north of the col ascending the snow slopes for 200 meters to the base of a band or rock at an altitude of 5,100m and where possible High Camp will be pitched for this great climb to the summit of Chulu West.
Day 12-13: Ascent of Chulu West summit and descend to base camp.
We have reserved two days for the climb on top Chulu West, as this peak summit is more technical, encountering rock and ice slopes and serac. For the summit bid starting the early morning before the crack of dawn climb towards a rock band with some difficulty to the north-west shoulder of Chulu West at 5,450m, where another camp can be pitched on a snow plateau above 5,530m. From the plateau continue the climb up the narrow ridge to the summit. A grand view awaits you scenery of all the snow capped mountains and of all Chulu's and Pisang peak, after a great success descend safely back to base camp using the same route.
Day 14: Trek to Thorang High Camp 4,600 m - 04 hrs.
Morning walk leads past Ledar settlement heading back at normal trekking trails of Annapurna circuit where walk leads towards Thorang-la, as walk progress crossing a bridge and then a climb along the Jarjung River, then leading at Thorang Phedi for short rest and then climb the last hour uphill to Thorang High Camp for an overnight stop.
Day 15: Cross Thorang-La 5,416 m and to Muktinath 3,800 m - 07 hrs.
An early start after breakfast heading for a long climb up at Thorang-la with the steep haul to reach at 5,416 m / 17,700 ft on top of Thorang-la festooned with Buddhist prayer flags. Highest point of the treks, the top offers superb vista landscapes and snowcapped peaks, from here a long descend to Muktinath at 3,800 m. Muktinath a holy place for both Hindu and Buddhist the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation’.
Day 16: Drive to Jomsom 2,715 m - 02 hrs.
After Muktinath, rest of the journey is easier with the exciting scenic drive all the way downhill with a big drop of 1,200m to Kaligandaki river valley, as ride leads at Kaligandaki river valley, from here heading to Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang area with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River. At Jomsom enjoy the afternoon exploring Thakali villages and town a nice spot with paved streets and well kept lodges. Famous for delicious apple and its products cider, brandy and juice this area from Kagbeni to Larjung is famous for apples orchard. Enjoyable time at Jomsom in the comfort of the nice lodge with views of Nilgiri’s peaks.
Day 17: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara 860 m - 20 mins flight.
Early breakfast and transfer to Jomsom airport for sweeping short flight of 25 minutes to Pokhara, during airborne spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri’s and Annapurna range of mountains with rolling hills dotted with farm villages, On reaching Pokhara airport transfer to respective hotels by the serene lake Phewa, afternoon free for individual activities or just relax and enjoy the views of the Annapurna Himalaya.
Day 18: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
After an exciting time and adventure on high hills and valley of Annapurna with last overnight at Pokhara, morning taking a drive back to Kathmandu on the same exciting highway where the interesting journey ends on reaching hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara airport).
Day 19: Free Day in Kathmandu for individual activities.
In Kathmandu free day for you to enjoy individual activities shopping or just relax, where one can join in our interesting sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley exciting places.
Day 20: International departure for homeward bound.
Last day in Nepal country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfer you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Chulu West Peak Climb and trekking.
