Trip Duration
17 Days
Trip Difficulty
Challenging
Group Size
1-16
Max. Altitude
6,419m. /21,060 ft.
Accommodation
Hotel/ Lodge /Tea House
Best Seasons
Mar-May/Sept-Nov
Activity per day
Climbing
Start/End
KathmanduTrip Overview
Our Chulu West Peak Climbing trek happens within the famous Annapurna region of Nepal, which is famous for its many trekking destinations and beautiful natural scenes. The Chulu West Peak is graded as a trekking peak, reaching 6419 meters, and it is a part of the Damodar Mountain Range. This peak was first summited way back in 1952 by a group of Japanese mountaineers.
The standard itinerary of this trek follows the classic Annapurna Circuit trek route all the way up to the village of Ledar. From there, the trail diverges towards the base camp of Chulu West. Since we will be within the Annapurna region for the most part, we will get to experience the traditional Gurung and Magar culture that dominated the region. The Tibetan-influenced architecture and religion are something worth looking into.
Although the peak is graded as a trekking peak, it is not a walk in the park. It is actually a challenging climb that requires mountaineers to be in top physical form and have some level of priort mountain climbing experience. The ascent is very steep, exhausting, and sprinkled with crevasses. This Chulu West Peak Climbing trek is not meant for beginners at all.
Compared to other Annapurna trekking destinations such as Mardi Himal trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Annapurna Circuit trek, and more, this trek is a less crowded alternative. Incorporating sites like Thorong La Phedi, Muktinath, and a bunch of different attractions of Kathmandu and Pokhara, this trek takes us on a full-blown journey of Nepal.
To know more about this rewarding and exciting adventure, keep on reading till the end of the article. We will be discussing all the different aspects in detail, along with a detailed itinerary.
Highlights of Chulu West Peak Climbing
- Climb the 6419-meter-high Chulu West Peak, offering a wide panoramic scenery of the mountains in the north.
- Experience the pristine nature of the Marsyangdi River Valley and the conserved region of Annapurna, going from lush jungles to barren icy landscape.
- Visit a couple of ancient monasteries along with a morning prayer at the Muktinath temple.
- Visit the Ice Lake, also known as Kicho Tal, for a picturesque scene of the Himalayas and a frozen lake.
- Climb all the way up to Thorong La Pass’s summit and enjoy a scene of the Mustang region along with the Dhaulagiri mountain range.
Itinerary of Chulu West Peak Climbing
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
The first day of your Chulu West Peak Climbing requires you to travel to Kathmandu. After your flight lands at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be directed towards the immigration booth by airport officials. There, you must ask for a visa application form and fill it out with all your legal details. After that, you have to visit the bank counter nearby and pay your visa fees as per your intended stay in Nepal.
You are supposed to submit your passport, visa application, proof of stay, proof of return tickets, two passport-sized photos, and a bank receipt of visa fees. This whole process will be over in about an hour. Alternatively, online visa applications are also a valid option. Online applications are especially great for peak trek seasons as you can expect the airport to be a bit crowded than usual.
Max. Altitude: 1349m./4,426ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 02: Trek briefing, preparation, and Kathmandu sightseeing.
Day 2 of the Chulu West Peak Climbing begins with a breakfast at last night’s accommodation. During your stay in cities, we will only be responsible for providing you with breakfast; your other daily meals are considered extra expenses. After the meal, we will attend a short briefing session, where the guide will talk about all the safety protocols, essentials, and gear needed to complete this trek; we expect you to pack your bags accordingly.
Following the brief, we will go on a sightseeing tour. Our first destination will be Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as Monkey Temple. From there, we will head towards the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing the traditional Nepalese architecture and woodwork. Moving on, we will get to Pashupatinath Temple, a highly revered Hindu temple with a crematory site by the banks of the Bagmati River. Lastly, we will visit the Patan Durbar Square before we call it a day.
Our lunch will be done en route, at your preferred location, or you can ask the tour guide for recommendations. After the day tour is over, we will return to the hotel and work on packing all the important gear and equipment.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu )
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani.
Leaving Kathmandu, we will head west and climb the winding slopes of the hill to get out of the valley. Continuing westward, we will drive over the Prithvi Highway alongside the Trishuli River. After about 4.5 hours of driving, we will reach Dumre, the turning point of our drive today. From Dumre, we will head north, moving towards the Marsyangdi River Valley. Following a bumpy road, we will soon reach Besisahar, the central town of the region.
We will change the ride from Besisahar, since the upcoming road is very rugged and requires a powerful 4WD jeep for a smooth ride. After about 4 to 5 additional hours of driving, we will finally get to our destination of the day, reaching 1860 meters above sea level. The village of Dharapani is located within the Manang region and is a popular starting point for many treks in the region.
Activity: Drive
Max. Altitude: 1860m./6,102ft. (Dharapani. )
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 04: Trek from Dharapani to Chame.
Today is the first trekking day of the Chulu West Peak Climbing itinerary. Our elevation gain of the day is 810 meters with a total estimated trek duration of 6 to 7 hours. This trek stretches over 15.5 km and takes us to 2670 meters above sea level at the end of the day. Leaving Dharapani, we will first go down a forest of fir and pine following the Marsyangdi River. This route takes us through villages like Timang, Danakyu, and Bagarchhap.
All of those villages are traditionally driven, with Tibetan Buddhism-style architecture and stunning views of the Manaslu and Annapurna range peaks. After we pass Timang, we will descend once again and reach Koto, following an uphill climb shortly after. From there, the trail is easy and plain, leading us to Chame.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 2670m./8,760ft. (Chame.)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 05: Trek from Chame to Pisang.
Leaving Chame, we will cover a total distance of 14 to 15 km today to get to Pisang. The estimated trek duration is 5 to 6 hours with an elevation gain of 580 meters. The trek starts hiking alongside the Marsyangdi River and crossing it over a suspension bridge. Soon enough, we will have to ascend a lush rhododendron and pine forest to get to Talkeu village. This will take us about 50 minutes to cover.
From there, we will trek to Bartang, where the Khampang communities reside. Continuing the trek, you will notice that the vegetation has grown sparse. We will shortly reach Lower Pisang following the gently ascending trail. It’s up to you to decide if you want to stay in the lower or upper pisang. While Upper Pisang is more scenic, it requires an additional 45 minutes uphill climb. Along the route, you can enjoy a great view of Pisang Peak and a few Annapurna region peaks in the distance.
Activity: Trek
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 06: Trek from Pisang to Manang.
Day 6 of the Chulu West Peak Climbing trek stretches over 15.5 km with an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours. The elevation gain of the day is 290 meters, taking us to 3540 meters above sea level. Leaving Pisang, we will get on a difficult ascent to Ghyaru village. After that, we will trek to Ngawal and Julu before dropping down to the village of Munchi. En route, we will get to enjoy a panoramic scene of the Annapurna IV, Annapurna II, and a couple of other Annapurna range peaks.
From Munchi, the trail takes us to Braga, a village that showcases traditional Tibetan architecture and an ancient monastery. Leaving Braga, we will get on the final part of today’s trek. This will be a gentle walk through the barren landscape, a dry region that stays in the rain shadow of Annapurna.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 3540m./11,614ft. (Manang.)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 07: Acclimatization day in Manang.
Letting your body adapt to the highland conditions is crucial for this Chulu West Peak Climbing trek since it holds the power to make or break your journey. To acclimate better, we will go on short hikes around Manang; our main destination of the day is Ice Lake, also known as Kicho Tal. This acclimatization hike starts with a trek back to Braga, from there we will head towards the Braga monastery. Ascending sharply through barren vegetation, we will traverse a series of switchbacks and reach the lower Ice Lake.
Shortly afterwards, we will reach the Upper Ice Lake, where you will find a large stupa and tons of prayer flags fluttering away. This lake offers a stunning view of the Annapurna Himalayan Range, along with an icy lake that remains frozen for most of the year.
Activity: Rest
Max. Altitude: 3540m./11,614ft. (Manang.)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 08: Trek to Chulu West Base Camp.
Today’s trek is going to be a challenge as we have to climb all the way to the Chulu West Base Camp, reaching 4800 meters above sea level. This day trek will gain us 1260 meters of elevation, spanning over 12 km, and has an estimated trek duration of 7 to 8 hours. Leaving Manang, we will ascend a gentle trail all the way to Tangki Manang village, following the Thorong River upstream.
Continuing the trek, we will first get to Ghusang, followed by Ghycanchang; this part of the trek offers scenes of the Annapurna range. After a while, we will reach Yak Kharka, a highland meadow where shepherds often hang out. From there, we will ascend further to the village of Ledar. We will stop there for a while before heading to our final destination of the day. This final section is steep and features a rocky terrain.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 4800m./15,748ft. ( Chulu West Base Camp. )
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Day 09: Trek to Chulu High Camp.
Day 9 of the Chulu West Peak Climbing trek is an exciting day as we will climb even higher to 5100 meters above sea level. This trek will gain us 300 meters of elevation, spanning over 4 to 5 km, which will take us 4 to 5 hours to complete because the terrain is rugged and steep. Leaving the base camp, we will go over a steep ascent, traversing a rocky and icy trail. We recommend that trekker have their ice axes and crampons ready since the trail might require us to use them.
As we keep gaining elevation, the oxygen concentration in the air decreases, which in turn makes us tired faster as we have to breathe more to make up for the lack of oxygen. Continuing the climb, we will soon reach the high camp where a wide scene of the surrounding peaks awaits us.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 5100m./16,732ft. (Chulu High Camp.)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Day 10: Summit Chulu West Peak (6419 m) and return to Phedi.
Day 10 of the Chulu West Peak Climbing trek is the climax of the journey. Today’s trek duration is a whopping 10 to 11 hours, which features 7 to 8 hours of peak climbing and about 3 hours of descent to Phedi. The elevation gain of the day is 919 meters, at the top of the summit, and by the end of the day, we will lose 1519 meters of elevation.
Our day begins at 3 in the morning. Make sure that you have a headlamp, crampons, a harness, ice axes, and other essential climbing gear before heading out. The initial portion of the climb is steep, going over a glacier with multiple crevasses. As we approach the midpoint, the trail becomes somewhat narrow.
Passing it, we will reach the final part of the climb that features a sharp incline. This part requires careful foot placement and the use of climbing equipment. After we reach the summit, the scene we will see will be the finest of them all, including the Annapurna range peaks, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri range, and others. After a while at the top, we will get back down to the high camp, followed by a descent to Phedi.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 6419m./21,060ft. (Chulu West Peak)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Day 11: Reserve day in case of bad weather.
This day of the Chulu West Peak Climbing trek is reserved for unforeseen circumstances that might hold us back for a day, such as weather conditions, natural calamities, altitude issues, and more. If everything goes right, which happens 90% of the time, this day will be used for resting our tired bodies.
Max. Altitude: 6419m./21,060ft. (Chulu West Peak)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Day 12: Trek to Muktinath via Thorong-La Pass (5416m).
Day 12 of the Chulu West Peak Climbing trek is the first descending day of the journey. The total trek distance is 15 km with an estimated trek duration of 7 to 8 hours. This trek will bring us down 1616 meters of elevation, but we will gain about 876 meters of elevation as we reach the summit of Thorong Phedi, reaching 5416 meters above sea level. The day begins at 4 in the morning with a steep ascent leaving Phedi.
The trail is well-maintained, but it will be covered by snow and ice. Once we reach the top of the pass, a panoramic scene of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges shows up. The descent from the pass is equally difficult since it is a 1616-meter downhill trek, which can be heavy on your knees. So, we recommend the use of trekking poles.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 5416m./17,769ft. (Muktinath )
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tea House
Day 13: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom.
After a morning prayer session at the temple, we will have breakfast at last night’s accommodation before moving on to Jomsom. This is the last trekking day of the Chulu West Peak Climbing itinerary, taking us 6 to 7 hours to complete, with a total distance of 20 km. The elevation loss of the day is 1085 meters, taking us to 2715 meters above sea level.
Leaving Muktinat, we will first get down to the village of Jharkot, where a monastery and a centuries-old fortress lie. Moving on, we will reach the town of Kagbeni, where the Jhong and Kali Gandaki rivers meet. From there, we will follow the Kali Gandaki river until we reach our destination of the day.
Activity: Trek
Max. Altitude: 2754m./9,035ft. (Jomsom.)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 14: Drive from Jomsom to Pokhara.
Driving from Jomsom to Pokhara, we will cover about 160 km, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. The road condition is great with minimal bumps and potholes. Leaving Jomsom, we will follow the Kali Gandaki River and pass by villages such as Marpha, Tukuche, and Tatopani to reach the town of Beni. This is the part where we ride over the Pokhara Baglung Highway.
Activity: Drive
Max. Altitude: 822m./2,697ft. (Pokhara.)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 15: Explore Pokhara.
Day 15 of the Chulu West Peak Climbing trek is yet another exciting day as we will explore the beautiful city of Pokhara. We will start the day with an early morning sunrise view from the viewpoint of Sarangkot. We will begin the day at around 4:30 AM and get on a 45-minute ride to the hilltop viewpoint of Sarangkot. After this, we will get down to the base of the hill and visit the Bindabasini Temple. This temple sits atop a small hill and offers a peaceful visit with a backdrop of the Himalayas in the north.
After visiting Bindabasini, we will head straight to visit the Barahi Temple, floating in the middle of the Fewa Lake. The only way to get to this temple is a boat, which is an exciting ride on its own. After a prayer session, we will head to our hotel for breakfast and continue the day tour with a visit to the Shanti Stupa, sitting on a flat plain at the top of a hill. This stupa is a joint effort of many asian countries to promote peace around the world.
Along with being a religious visit, we will also get to enjoy a great view of the Fewa Lake and the entire city. From there, we will visit the Pumdikot Shiva Statue, one of the tallest Shiva statues in all of Nepal.
Max. Altitude: 821m./2,694ft. (Pokhara.)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu.
The following day, we will leave Pokhara and fly back to Kathmandu. This flight will last only 25 minutes, and after we reach Kathmandu, we will head to the hotel and drop you off there. You can spend the rest of your day exploring the neighborhood or visiting some local attractions. This is the perfect time for you to taste the local dishes of Kathmandu. You can ask our tour guide for recommendations.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Meal: Breakfast, launch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 17: Depart Kathmandu.
Day 17 is the ultimate day of the Chulu West Peak Climbing trek. We will have a farewell ceremony, celebrating your successful trek and peak climbing journey, before we drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport at your earliest convenience.
Max. Altitude: 1350m./4,429ft. (Kathmandu)
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- All arrival, departure transfers as per the itineary by car, van or coach.
- Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking guide, transport and entry fees.
- Domestic airfares and road transportation according to your choice.
- All hotel accommodation with breakfast.
- All meals (3 meals each day) during camping or tea-house trek.
- Full service from our guides, cooks, and porters.
- All camping and kitchen equipments and camp site fees.
- Staff salary, transport and insurance.
- Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit.
- Chulu west peak climbing permit.
- Serivce of Climbing Sherpa during the Climbing period.
- Necessery government taxes.
- Company ground handling charges.
What is not included?
- International flights to Nepal.
- Meals not mentioned above or in the itinerary.
- Travel and medical insurance including evacuation.
- Climbing equipments.
- Nepal entry Visa fee.
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, bar bill, telephone calls etc and tips for staff.
- Any additional activities not in the itinerary.
Trip Information
How does our trip start?
This Chulu West Peak Climbing trek starts on the day you arrive at the capital city of Kathmandu. After your arrival, we will send one of our representatives to receive you and escort you to your hotel for the night. On the 2nd day, we will take you on a ride around Kathmandu, exploring a bunch of its attractions and also give you a brief of the upcoming trek. Finally, on the 3rd day, we will drive to Dharapani, the starting point of our trek.
Difficulty
The Chulu West Peak Climbing has been graded as a moderately technical climb, which means that beginners and first-timers are not recommended to join this adventure. If you are someone with at least some level of trekking and peak climbing experience, this trek is going to be a great experience for you, but if you are not, this will be a hassle. We do not like to see trekkers and climbers struggling, so if you do not possess the right requirements, please do not join the journey at any cost.
The steep ascents, long trekking distances, the harsh climate, and the technical peak climbing make our Chulu West Peak Climbing a difficult trek. On a scale of 10, we have rated it 8.5.
Best seasons
Like many Himalayan trekking destinations, this trek is best done in the season of spring. The stable weather conditions, low chances of rain, and optimal daytime temperatures make this season a perfect time for trekking. Along with that, you will also get to experience the rhododendron flowers blooming and wildflowers vibrantly decorating the hills. While the lower region of our itinerary will be free of snow, the highlands will be filled with snow during this season, which can be a bit of a drawback.
Another great candidate for this trek is the season of autumn. This season offers very minimal chances of rain, crystal clear visibility in the air, and overall dry trails. The daytime temperatures are comparable to those of spring, but the mornings and nights are a bit cooler in comparison. This time of the year is also the festive period in Nepal, offering a great chance of experiencing the culture and tradition of the locals.
Altitude Sickness
There are slight chances of trekkers contracting altitude sickness during this Chulu West Peak Climbing trek, but following the preventive measures, we do not have to worry about it much. In general, you should maintain a safe climbing pace (just follow the guide’s pace), keep yourself well hydrated all along the route, and avoid consuming dehydrating food and drinks.
Usually, altitude sickness gets you if you climb too fast and spend the night at high altitude without proper acclimatization. However, we will not be making such mistakes; Adventure Tansen’s expert guides will make sure that you are far away from altitude sickness. He will also measure your blood oxygen levels before bed and before breakfast, to make sure that you do not have any early signs of altitude sickness.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
As per the standard, we offer a 3-star hotel room during your stay in Kathmandu, and it is on a twin-sharing basis. Every two trekkers in the group will share a single room with two different beds. This applies to every accommodation we arrange for you, does not matter if its within the city or during the trekking days. We can also arrange private rooms for you at a price.
Your stay in the remote highlands will be in tea houses. These rooms are not insulated or heated, so we recommend bringing a good sleeping bag, capable of handling extreme cold. In addition to that, there are no attached bathrooms. So, do not have high expectations from these accommodation arrangements.
When it comes to food, you will find the national dish of Dal Bhat everywhere, while pasta, sandwiches, soups, noodles, and other international dishes are found in select eateries, especially in the lower regions. Your breakfast options are toast, pancakes, eggs, and different types of bread, served with a cup of hot tea. Your drink options are different types of hot tea (lemon, ginger, milk, black, masala, etc.), hot chocolate, coffee (instant and ground), and soda.
Transportation
Our standard itinerary requires trekkers to drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani, Jomsom to Pokhara, and fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Along with this, you will also use a private vehicle for day sightseeing tours in Kathmandu and Pokhara. We will also receive you and escort you to the airport at the beginning and end of the trek. All of these transportation expenses are covered by our standard Chulu West Peak Climbing trek package.
Permit
In order to do this trek, trekkers are required to have the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and a peak climbing permit. Both of these permits are a part of the trek package.
Trip preparation and fitness
The best workout to prepare for this Chulu West Peak Climbing trek is cardio. Our itinerary requires us to walk for 5 to 6 hours on average, so it is beneficial to have your endurance up. The other physical training includes hiking with a light daypack, running or jogging, cycling, swimming, and gym training. You should do at least 4 to 5 sessions of physical preparation throughout a week and the total training duration should be 14 to 16 weeks.
If your mountaineering skills are a bit rough, you need to work them out, too. Get familiar with using crampons, ice axes, rope techniques, harnesses, belay devices, and more. Along with that, you also need to prepare yourself mentally as this trek will challenge your perseverance, patience, and willpower.
Cost & Budget
The total price for the standard Chulu West Peak Climbing trek package is USD _____ per person. Under this package, we will cover your transportation expenses, permit fees, daily meals during the trekking days, breakfast during the stay in the city, daily accommodation, daily wages of the crew members, local taxes, and more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
Charging your devices should not be an issue in the lower region of this itinerary, while the highlands might suffer from frequent power outages. However, you will have the option to use solar power to charge your devices, which will cost you a buck or two. Internet connectivity is not that great throughout the trek; the lower region has some level of connectivity, while the highlands are unaware of its existence.
Your Extra expenses
Things like laundry fees, bar bills, gadget charging fees, extra meals, international flight expenses, personal travel insurance, visa fees, tips for the crew members, etc., are not a part of the standard Chulu West Peak Climbing trek.
Things to Remember Before Climbing Chulu West Peak
- Remember that having prior experience is mandatory for this trek; without it, you will suffer throughout the journey.
- Cash is king in the remote highlands, you will not find any ATMs or banks for weeks, so carry some cash with you so you can pay for your extra expenses.
- During the training session, give it your all; it will only make you stronger and more fit, which translates to a better trekking experience.
- Make sure that your gears are in good condition; do not rent the ones that seem like they have been worn out (even if the discount is attractive).
- Without personal travel insurance, we will not take you on this trip, so make sure you have one before the start of the trek
Frequently Asked Questions
As stated above, the climb is fairly technical and requires some level of prior mountain climbing experience. Having experience using crampons, ice axes, harnesses, etc. is very necessary since we will to climbing steep icy trails and crossing glaciers.
No, there are no age restrictions. However, we strictly advise against bringing children and the elderly on this adventure. As wholesome and family-friendly as it may sound, it is just not practical. In general, you should not bring children under 16 and the elderly over 50 on this Chulu West Peak Climbing trek.
The only risk of this climb is altitude sickness, which can get anyone, regardless of age, gender, or trekking experience. However, there are ways to prevent it and pills that will get you back on your feet if you ever happen to contract altitude sickness.
Yes, emergency medical services and rescue services are available throughout the trek. If any trekker requires immediate medical attention, Adventure Tansen’s guide will contact an emergency evacuation service to come pick you up in a helicopter. This service is not a part of our standard trek package and will be charged separately.
While guides are mandatory for trekking in any destination that goes through a conservation area, porters are not mandatory. However, porters are very helpful during any trekking adventure, they carry all your heavy stuff while you get to enjoy a less stressful journey. A licensed guide should accompany you while visiting protected regions anywhere in Nepal, as per the state law.
