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.
Although the approach up the Marshyangdi is relatively quick and involves no great altitude gain, the trek takes you through a wonderful variety of landscape and culture; from the subtropical lower reaches of the valley with its terraced fields where Gurung people dominate, to the ethnically as well as socially interesting Managba people of the upper valley, crossing rhododendron and pine forests. After the ascent our route crosses the Thorung La, a 5350m high pass before dropping to Jomsom downstream the Kali Gandaki River. We fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara
Kathmandu (Google Map)
1 Hour Before Tour
“a grand adventure with Chulu East peak climb on Nepal’s highest trekking peaks, fantastic panorama of mountains of both Northern Annapurna and Damodar Himalayan range warm tropical areas to alpine scenic hills, beyond high Manang valley enclosed within mountains daily grand views of dramatic green landscapes within traditional villages of Buddhist cultures. Amazing walk and climb on world’s best adventure destinations with incredible scenery”
On reaching Kathmandu international airport, where you will be well received by Trek staff and guide, then transfer you to respective hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city, after refreshment join with other member of Chulu East Peak Climb with Annapurna Circuit trekking, for group briefing regarding your stay in Nepal with trekking information.
Morning after breakfast our city tour guide will take you on interesting sightseeing tour around Kathmandu, the city a mixture of modern with lively ancient culture where you can marvel medieval period villages, retaining old traditions and custom steeped with ancient history, full of world heritage sites of Buddhism, Hinduism with temples and monasteries. After an interesting tour heading back to your hotel, with free afternoon preparation for Chulu East Peak Climb and trek.
Chulu East Peak Climb and trek begins with an interesting and exciting long overland drive on Nepal’s busy highway to reach at Bhesisar a large town headquarter of Lamjung district. After Bhesisar taking another vehicle for the rough and interesting ride towards mid hills following Marysangdi River past Khudi, Bulbule, Nagdi villages to reach at Syange village. From here leaving the river behind drive climbs on steep road to reach at Jagat and Chamje village and then on scenic road to Dharapani village for overnight stop where the air is cooler with alpine temperature. This nice village located on the mid way of Annapurna circuit and Manaslu route.
Morning walk leads along winding path into rhododendron and pine forest past Bagachap and Danque village, then steep climb of few hours to Timang village with super views of Manaslu-Lamjung and Annapurna II. From here onwards into more Buddhist culture country. From Timang village downhill to Koto and then a short slow uphill to reach at large Chame town for overnight stop, Chame a major and headquarter town of Manang district.
Adventure continues from Chame heading into cooler zone and closer to mountainous region, as the morning walk leads into lovely alpine forest of rhododendron and pine trees, following Marshyangdi River upstream with short ups and down hills to Bhratang village. After Bhratang village on crossing a bridge over torrential Marysangdi River heading uphill through alpine woodlands with views of Chulu’s and Pisang peaks, then reach at a small settlement around Dukuri Pokhari for possible lunch stop. Afternoon walk downhill to lower Pisang village for overnight stop after passing rows of prayer wheels with closest views of Pisang and Annapurna II peaks.
At this altitude necessary for rest where you can relax and take a short hike to upper Pisang and visit its interesting old monastery with fantastic views of Annapurna range of mountains with Pisang-Chulu East peaks.
From Pisang village our route diverts from main Annapurna circuit trail leading to a steep climb above Marshyangdi River, walk offers impressive views of mountains on this high trail above Nagawa village, and then continues towards North into high and dry country to reach at Julu, a small village for overnight with our camping facilities for this adventure.
After an overnight at Julu, morning walk leads to high and dry terrain with views of Chulu’s and Annapurna, including Damodar mountains, climb leads to some gradual section towards high ridge of Chulu East and Far East Peaks. After few hours of tough walk reaching a rocky moraine beneath our overnight camp, a perfect spot on grazing field to set our base camp and starting point for the climb to Chulu East Peak summit.
A necessary to have one more day before the tough climb, proper acclimatization and checking climbing gear for the climb, where our guide will make sure that everyone is in top physical condition for next morning climb. At base camp our expert guide will offer suggestion and information regarding the climb and use of equipment for the climb of Chulu East Peak.
The highlight and goal of this adventure starting early before dawn then climb over snow slopes, can be quite steep with technical difficulties in few sections on reaching the summit; our guide will provide full support fixing ropes where necessary to make successful climb. After the final ascent to the summit and then feeling high on top of the world a gaining great experience of life time adventure along with fantastic views of mountains, descend back on the same route safely to base camp.
A spare day as contingency, in case of bad and unfavorable weather, which can happen occasionally around high Himalaya, if all goes well according to our itinerary using this spare day on route to Jomsom with short day enjoying beautiful views along the walks.
From the base camp of Chulu heading downhill with nice walk for short while and into forest of pines and rhododendron to reach a small ridge with amazing views of beautiful Manang valley and mountains. After enjoying rest with the views walk downhill to Hongde village with a small airstrip , from here on tree lines fades to barren and arid dry terrain. Trek with super views to Manang, on route visit old Braga monastery with old Buddhist relics and then an hour walk brings at Manang village for overnight stop. Afternoon at leisure for short walk or just relax and enjoy the views of close snowcapped peaks. Around Manang villages houses are built in traditional Tibetan style and origin as Manang people with strong Tibetan influence including culture-Buddhist religion and way of life.
After a pleasant stop at Manang, morning walk leads to Ghunsang village with gradual climb to reach a small settlement at Yak Kharka, an interesting high altitude walk with super views of Gangapurna-A II with Chulu peaks, after few hours of scenic morning walk reaching at overnight stop at Yak Kharka. Afternoon enjoy the mountain views at leisure.
Morning as the air gets much cooler leading to higher zone on dry and arid country in between mountains around Yak and Yeti country, where rare Snow Leopard are seldom located on this remote and isolated areas. Slowly after crossing a small Jurjung khola (stream) heading towards Thorang Phedi for short stop and to catch the fast breathing on this high altitude walks, after a fine rest and stop climb high above on steep zig-zag path for an hour or more to reach our highest overnight stop of the adventure at Thorang High Camp with 4,925 m high altitude. Overnight stop at High Camp makes much difference to cross the high Thorang-la next morning saving energy and time.
A great day and another highlight of the adventure, after early breakfast walk follows with long slow climb to reach at Thorang-la on the winding path on reaching the top at 5,416 m / 17,700 ft. Thorang-la highest spot of the adventure probably the world highest walking pass with super views of Dhaulagiri-Thorang peaks and as far to Chulus and Damodar Himal of Mustang area. After feeling high in Great Spirit a long descend to another western Phedi with few Tea-Shops and lodges, from here a pleasant walk of an hour reaches at holy Muktinath area for overnight stop after a tough and hardest day of this adventure. Muktinath a holy place for both Hindus and Buddhists the word Muktinath literally means ‘the place for Nirvana or Liberation’. Visit the temple premises with 108 holy water spouts with grand views of North Face of Dhaulagiri.
From Muktinath, rest of the walks is easier as the trail drop of 1,200m at Kaligandaki river valley to reach at Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang region with small airstrip above Kaligandaki River, an interesting country walking on Kaligandaki River valley around dry and arid country with incredible views of windblown hills and canyons. A pleasant walk of few hours brings you at Jomsom town mostly inhabited the capital of Thakali people of Tibetan Buddhism sects. Kaligandaki of lower Mustang area famous for delicious apples and its products, here celebrate with local apple products cider, brandy and juices. The area is also famously known as Apple Pie Trail.
Last day around Kaligandaki valley and at Mustang area taking an early morning flight to picturesque Pokhara by the serene Phewa Lake, after an exciting flight of less than half hour, during airborne breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range of mountains with rolling hills and valley dotted with farm houses. On reaching Pokhara rest of the afternoon free on this scenic city, a popular and famous touristic destination located on the laps of massive Annapurna Himalaya with pristine lakes of Phewa and Begnas.
After a wonderful time around Manang and Mustang area with Chulu East Peak climb and trek, morning depart from beautiful Pokhara, for exciting overland drive to Kathmandu of near six hours of interesting journey reaching back in Kathmandu, and then transfer to your hotels with afternoon free for individual activities and souvenirs shopping. (option by air 30 minutes of scenic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu with views of mountains)
Extra days for contingency in Kathmandu in case of delay and cancellation from Jomsom to Pokhara flight, which can happen occasional due to Himalayan sudden, unexpected bad weather. If all goes well as per our itinerary can use this day for another sightseeing tour around Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur or just relax and enjoy the rest day after two weeks of wonderful and scenic high altitude walks.
Your last day in amazing Nepal full of Himalayan wonders, as per international flight time leave the hotel, Trail Finders guide and staff transfer you to airport for your flight back home or to respective countries, after an enjoyable and memorable time on high Manang valley with fantastic adventure on Chulu East Peak Climb and trek, including great service and guidance.
