Chulu East Peak Climb

At Kathmandu, a free day where one can join in our interesting sightseeing tour options, as the capital Kathmandu of Nepal is steeped with historical and religious monuments of world heritage sites, afternoon at leisure and preparation for Chulu East Peak Climb.

Early morning after breakfast ready for a long and interesting overland journey on Nepal’s main highway to reach the warmer country around Mid-West at Lamjung district, and then continue drive from Besisar headquarter town of Lamjung, located in a warm sub-tropical temperature valley. Drive continue following farm village and Marysangdi River upstream till Syange village and then on winding uphill to reach a nice place at Jagat farm village for the first overnight stop of the adventure.

From Jagat our treks begin heading through farm areas above the river to reach at Chamje where you can notice the change in village people, vegetation and culture entering into a more Buddhism country. After Chamje crossing over Marysangdi river to reach in the cool shade of nice lovely woodland of pines and rhododendron tree lines heading above the river to reach a nice valley at Tal -Besi, where temperatures get much cooler from here onward. With refreshing stop heading towards the end of the valley and crossing over bridges with ups and downhill to reach nice Dharapani village, located above the river in between route to Manang and Manaslu area.

Morning walk leads into nice alpine woodland within a river gorge to reach a small village Bagchap and Danaque encountering Buddhist religious monuments of prayer walls and spinning bells and then walking with views of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna IV and A II peaks, to reach the higher side of the trail at Timang village.

This village of mixed hill tribes with Magar-Gurung and Manang people facing grand views of Manaslu and Annapurna mountain range, after Timing on the downhill then walk by the riverside to reach a large town in Chame. Chame headquarter and administrative town of Manang district with many good lodges for overnight stop, with time to browse its streets filled with shops and stores.

Enjoying time in of the largest town of this trek in Chame walk leads to follow the river upstream within thick woodland of pines and rhododendron the reaching Bratang village, as the walk continues crossing bridges then climb up into forested area on top a hill facing views of Pisang peaks and Chulus, and then descend towards a near flat terrain to Pisang village for an overnight stop.

After Pisang village, walk leads away from main Annapurna circuit path for few days, as our route heads into complete barren wilderness, continue higher above Nagawal village towards North West into the more arid and dry country to reach a small village of Julu for first overnight camping of the trip.

A necessary and important rest day for acclimatization as well getting preparation for the Chulu East peak climb, with a free hike around and explore Julu village with grand scenery of mountains with a view of Chulus peaks.

After resting at Julu, morning walk towards the remote area with views of Chulu and Annapurna range of mountains, climb leads above scenic Manang valley to Chulu East and Far East Peaks area. Enjoying walks with hard high altitude to reach a rocky moraine ridge to camp for overnight, a perfect spot to set base camp as well starting point for Chulu East Peak climb.

Another acclimatization day, and for final preparation check climbing gear for Chulu East Peak climb, here our guide will scout the route to make the climb more approachable and successful.

The main highlight of the adventure starting early before dawn climb over snowy slopes and ridges with quite a steep route facing some technical effort in a few sections to reach on top of t Chulu East summit; where our expert guide will set the route and fix ropes where necessary to make accessible to reach on top Chulu East Peak summit. After the final climb reaches the top where you feel high with the experience of a life time adventure, enjoy a grand panorama of mountains and descend back to base camp.

We reserve a spare as contingency day, in case of unfavourable bad weather conditions, if all goes well this spare can be used on the way before Thorang-la or on route to Jomsom.

Morning facing views of mountains, from here with short ups and more downhill overlooking views of Annapurna II and III, Gangapurna Chulu’s and Pisang peak. Descend to a valley at Hongde village, from here onward tree lines fade for barren, arid landscapes with a cold, dry arctic climate.

Before Manang, visit the old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics, ancient wall paintings and frescos and stunning views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour’s walk reaches Manang village. Rest of the afternoon relax and explore this interesting village adorned with age-old Buddhist religion and fascinating culture and customs.

From Manang onward towards the windswept high valley and barren hills and getting closer to snow-capped peaks as walk leads past Manang village and towards Ghunsa small village, then in the open wide country with views of Gangapurna-Tilicho peaks with Chulu West.

The walk finally ends on reaching a small Yak grazing pastureland known as Yak-Kharka for an overnight and lunch stop in one of its best available lodges with views of high peaks.

After a pleasant stop and overnight, the morning walk leads at the end of the valley rim to reach the bottom of Thorang-La Pass, where the walk leads on gradual ups with a few short descend to a river with a brief steep climb and then on a good trail to reach at Phedi with few good lodge. A break here on this high altitude, then a short steep climb on a stone scree path leads you to the top of the ridge where Thorang High Camp is situated with about 2-3 lodges for an overnight stop in this high country enclosed within giant peaks of Chulu and Damodar Himal.

A long walk starts early morning with a slow climb on a winding steep uphill past a few glacial ponds and then finally reaching the top of high Thorang-La pass where you can notice a big board on top with the name and height of the pass, festooned with thousands of Buddhist colourful prayer flags.

The top offers amazing scenery of the Mustang region due west with Dhaulagiri-Annapurna and Chulu including the Damodar Himal range. From the top a long downhill to reach the bottom of the pass with few shades and tea-house, as the walk continues on a nice wide trail to reach at holy Muktinath Temple premises for an overnight stop at Muktinath village, after a long tough walk of the day.

Due to the nature of road condition and the tiring walks of the previous day, today end of the walk for short period taking an opportunity of jeep drive on a med-arable road heading downhill towards Jomsom and Kaligandaki River Valley. Reaching Jomsom for the last overnight stop in the High Mountains, Jomsom headquarters town of Mustang area located on the old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade and Caravan Trail of Nepal and Tibet, where trade still exists beyond Upper Mustang through Karo-la pass to the frontier of Tibet/ China.

This area home to Thakali people of Buddhism religion has been on this trade for hundreds of years, from here around Kaligandaki valley which includes Marpha-Tukuche and Kalapani / Lete famous for delicious apples and products.

Morning a short walk to Jomsom air-terminal where scenic and sweeping short flight reaches at Pokhara, during air-borne excellent views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range on both side of the plane window. On landing at Pokhara airport an interesting short drive takes you at scenic and beautiful lakeside for overnight stops by its famous and serene Lake Phewa.

Morning from Pokhara an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu on route observe Nepalese country life as drive leads past farm villages and towns and to reach Kathmandu around afternoon time, rest of the day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

After a wonderful time in Nepal with amazing time in high mountains enjoying adventure on Chulu East Peak climbs and trek, with last day in Himalayan country enjoying adventure on high Himalaya, where our staff and guide transfers you to the airport for your flight back home or to next port of call.

From a minimum of 3-4 people in the group with a maximum of 10-15 persons in the group, in some cases we do allow booking for a single person as well, running independently at extra cost than in groups.

Season-wise, the best time is from March to May, when most of the day is clear with minimum temperatures of 0° to 20° Celsius depending upon the altitude and areas. Where most of the morning till middays clears for views and walks, sometimes afternoon can get overcast with chances of light rains and snow. March to May will be lively with wildflowers in full bloom especially various species of rhododendron (national flower of Nepal) from trees to short bushes.

Tea-House the word used in the early days when there were smaller numbers of lodges on route trekking, at present each village has more than 10 to 20 good lodges with pleasant room accommodations, serving excellent food menus as per the season wise. Some villages above 2,500 m and 3,000 m do have nice lodges, but due to freezing cold temperatures at night and morning time where they have toilets on the outside, with some inside as common bathrooms and restrooms. All rooms and dining with warm heating and cosy facilities make your stay much more pleasant and enjoyable.

Most of the places do have electricity on route trekking run by hydro-power after main villages, where much of the electric supply is private and individual the lodge owners with sun / solar power to activate electricity just for the lodge and as well for customers to charge their computers and cell phones. Some places do have networks for cell phones and as well for internet like Wi-Fi above Manang Valley some areas due to high peaks and hills, the networks are disturbed in deep areas like around river gorge areas. At present nearly all people in Nepal including remote villages do have assistance with cell phones with fine network connections only in bad weather the line can be broken, otherwise it is fine and in working order.

In this situation where our guides are well equipped with knowledge for emergency and medical purposes, depending upon the seriousness of the victims if it is much critical where nearest medical attention is needed, we call for immediate evacuation for Helicopter services to reach the victims to the nearest medical station and hospital.

Scenic views of the world’s highest mountains with Dhaulagiri-Annapurna and Manaslu range include magnificent Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish Tail’ peaks, where walk leads you around Buddhist country interwoven with old traditional life and custom similar to Tibetans. The walk leads to visiting Manang-Thakali-Magar / Poon and Gurung villages encountering many farm fields and terraces of interesting traditional life of the local villagers.

The above group of tribes are high hills people of Nepal Far Mid-West Himalaya spread out throughout Nepal, where most concentrated within Annapurna and Dhaulagiri area of both Hindu and Buddhist religion and origin, these hill tribes are famous as legendry Gurkha soldiers in foreign legion and army like British, India as well some as a police force in Singapore and security guards in many parts of the world overseas. Besides men-folk as famous Gurkha soldiers, the hill people are mostly farmers and cattle herders as a traditional profession.