Chulu East Climbing

A professional guide and vehicle are provided for a day of sightseeing in and around Kathmandu city. We visit some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city along with other interesting cultural monuments that are found in the valley. These include Bauddhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath, Durbar Squares and other popular cultural attractions.

Our staff will arrive at your hotel at 7 am in the morning to pick you up for a 7-hour (185 km) drive from Kathmandu to the town of Beshisahar. Once at Beshisahar, you can witness the stunning snow-capped mountain panorama. We prepare for our trekking that will start from the following day. We take the graveled road to Khudi for our start of the trek.

There are good views of Himchuli and Manaslu as we descend to the Nadi Khola and then cross the Musi Khola on a suspension bridge and begin long ascent to Bahundanda (1,310m­). There are excellent views of the Marasyandi Valley ahead from the top of the hill. Cross the river to its west bank more to Syange (1,190m). About 7-8 hours walk with one long ascent.

We walk through forest to the settlements of Jagat and Chamje (1,430m) then we cross the Marsyandi to the east bank. Walking up though forests, we reach the board flat grassy valley of Tal (1,075m) and enter into the district of Mustang. Tal resembles a ‘Wild West’ town with its many painted wooden verandahs. 6 hours walk, ascending for most of the day.

Leaving the valley on a rocky path close up against the valley wall, we descend to cross the Marsyangdi yet again reach the village of Dharapani (1,930m) Continuing through we pass waterfalls to reach the police check post at Kuparkodo. There are wonderful views of Annapurna and Langtang from this point. We camp in the fields just before entering the village. About 6 hours walk gradually uphill all day.

A short walk from Kuparkodo brings us to Chame (2,630m), the administrative center for the Manang area. Continue to walk through pine forest crossing the river once again to reach the settlement of Tibetan Khampas before the village of Pisang.

After a 7-hour walk through trails and broad forested valley floor a small stool airstrip and a village of about 200 houses and Barge monastery which is the largest in the entire district and reach Manang.

A necessary day to rest and acclimatize and explore Nagawa village and around. Annapurna II, Annapurna III (24,787 Ft.), Gangapurna (24,457 Ft.) and Chulu East (19,880 Ft.) to the north can be well viewed.

Ascend slowly up to the Chulu Far East Base Camp crossing the glacier of Chulu region. While moving upwards along the steep trail, you can have the breathtaking vistas of Annapurna (8,091m) Massif and Chuu East itself. The amazing vistas of the mountain villages situated in the Manang Valley make your walking more remarkble.

A necessary day to rest and acclimatize and explore around Chulu Far East Base Camp. To better prepare yourself to reach the top of Chulu East Peak, visit around the rest camp. The team leader gives you the required techniques and demos of peak climbing. You had better learn to use the climbing gears like crampons, ice axes, rope, etc.

Ascent slowly towards a col on the left and follows left hand skyline ridge to reach Chulu Far East High Camp. Please note that your porters and trekking guide will not go any further than Base Camp. Only climbing guide will be together with you during the climbing period.

At around 3:00 A.M. get ready for climbing. Dress up before leaving for the summit. There are several short sections of steep snow or ice (45 degrees) and bulges produced by the glacier. One can see beautiful views of many snowy mountains from the summit. After summit back to high camp and after backpack go down to Base Camp to meet your porters and trekking guide who are waiting for happy news.

After a 7-hour walk through trails and broad forested valley floor a small stool airstrip and a village of about 200 houses and Barge Monastery which is the largest in the entire district and reach Manang.

We branch away from the Marsyangdi Khola steadily climbing into quiet distinct alpine areas. Rest for lunch at Lader. Crossing the Jarsang Khola we climb to a small grassy valley and camp at Thorong Phedi. Then rest. Approximately 5 hrs. Walk.

Ascent, sometimes over loose rocks, to reach a rocky pass marked with the gradient and after several false summits, the Thorung La (pass) finally comes into view marked by two large cairns with prayer flags (5,416m). The views from the top are simply stunning. We make a long, steep, descent to Muktinath (3,800m) and camp in a field in the village. The ascent can take 3 1/2 hours or longer and the descent from 2 1/2 to 4 hours. Muktinath is a village situated close to the Thorung La pass. It is also an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. We’ll spend some time here relaxing and participating in some leisurely explorations of the village, visiting the gompa which houses the ‘water that burns’. Hindus believe that bathing here gives salvation after death and it is an important site for many including the ‘Bho Tiya’ people who inhabit the valley of Muktinath. They are also known as the ‘Baraga Ule’ or ‘people of the 12 villages’.

In the early afternoon we will descend through Jarkot with its impressive fortress to Kingar and Kagbeni (2,810m). Kagbeni is like an oasis on this arid area with orchards and fields of barley along the banks of the Kali Gandaki. We are rewarded with good views of Dhaulagiri during our descent. From Kagbeni we turn south for Jomsom (2,713m) in the Kali Gandaki valley with the peak of Dhaulagiri directly in front of us.

A short flight takes us to Pokhara from Jomsom. Once in Pokhara, we’ll tour around Pokhara valley, covering Fewa Lake, Devi’s Waterfall, a museum, a Tibetan refugee settlement, Gupteshower Cave, and more. The placid Fewa Lake is the highlight of Pokhara, as are the crystal clear mountains seen from the lakeside and nearby hills. You can also travel to Pokhara from Mustang by bus driving along Beni Jomsom Highway as well.

This is a free day at Pokhara for relaxation and reflection of the wonderful trip we’ll have successfully completed. It is also a contingency day in case of flight cancellation to Pokhara. In the lakeside city, there is a ton of amazing activities you could try including paragliding, microlight and zip-liner among others.

A short and scenic flight from Pokhara gets us to Kathmandu where we can spend some leisure time and take rest. You are free to go souvenir shopping, spa and more exploration of the city, or extend your trip to include bungee jumping, rafting, mountain biking, Everest mountain flight and other adventurous activities. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner at Mul Chowk Restaurant’s cozy and elegant dining ambience.

After breakfast, we will take you to Kathmandu International Airport for your scheduled flight.