CHULU WEST PEAK CLIMBING

Welcome to Kathmandu, a city full of vibrant markets, bustling streets, colorful temples and grand pagodas. Our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to our hotel. The remainder of the day you will have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the shopping areas closest to your hotel and catch up on shopping for equipment. In the evening, our tour guide will give you a brief introduction and provide valuable information about the trek.

We follow the trail to today through the villages of Ghermu (1130m), Syange (1100m) and on to Jagat (1000m) before reaching our destination of Syange where we stay overnight.

The trail today begins by crossing a bridge and then there is a steep climb before we reach the village of Tal (1700m), situated next to the Marsyangdi River. Leaving Tal we continue on before reaching today’s destination, Dharapani Village where we will stay the night.

Today we begin trekking from Dharapani climbing higher and a noticeable change with cooler conditions. You will see a change in the landscape at this higher elevation as the trail passes through forests before reaching the Tibetan village of the Bagarchhap with its distinctive Tibetan architecture. Climbing higher we reach the apple growing region and farms along with pine forests and views of Lamjung and Annapurna II peaks. The trail then follows the Marsyangdi River heading upstream and passes the villages of Manang and Koto before reaching Chame. It is a very easy walk from Koto to Chame where we spend the night. Chame is the district headquarters of the Manang region.

After leaving Chame we pass through Telekhu and along the trail have some breathtaking views of Annapurna and Pisang (6091m) until we have to re-cross on a suspension bridge to the south bank of the Marsyangdi River. After crossing the river we then head higher passing a pine-forest as we trek through the upper reaches of the Manang valley to Pisang. At the upper edge of Pisang village we can see Pisang and Chulu peaks. Tonight we stay at Pisang.

The town of Pisang is the start of our trek in the upper Manang area. Today we head to Braga; a Tibetan village with its unique architecture with its houses constructed one upon the other. One of its main attractions is its Gompa (Buddhist fortification), the largest in the Manang region. Manang is popular with trekkers and is also a place to acclimatize before heading to higher altitudes. Today’s trek is around 4 to 5 hours. We stay here for the night.

Medical professionals recommend that before heading to higher elevations that trekkers spend some time acclimatizing. They also recommend staying active. From Manang you will be blessed with views of Annapurna II; Annapurna III (7555m); Gangapurna (7454 m); and to the south to Tilicho (7132 m); and the Grand Barrier (a 7000m ridge)to the west; Chulu West (6583m) and Chulu East (6059m) meters in the north. Today, to better acclimatize to these higher altitudes we will climb up to Khangsar (3756m). Tonight we stay at Manang.

Today we head off on a 10.4 km uphill trek of around 3 to 4 hours and head to Yak Kharka passing through juniper forests, and will see yak grazing in the pastures. On the route we pass the only teahouse at Thorong Khola. The vegetation at this elevation is mostly juniper trees. Depending on the conditions we may decide to go a little further and stay the night at Letdar.

Today we have a four to five-hour trek to Chulu West Base Camp from where we have some truly fantastic view over the Annapurna Ranges. We will camp here overnight.

Today we will continue ascending to High Camp where we again have spectacular views – even more so as we gain altitude. We will stay here overnight.

In order to reach the summit around lunchtime, we will be up real early. The higher we climb the more stunning the views over a vast white landscape of enormous peaks. We will then return back to Base Camp where we will stay overnight.

We now head to Thorong La Phedi where we will stay overnight.

Today is most likely the toughest day of the trek, hiking for around 7-8 hours. The higher altitude contributes to the degree of difficulty, and sometimes strong winds in these upper regions. Along the trail we may pass sheep, yaks and merchants transporting their goods. Once we reach Thorong La Pass we will be rewarded with breath-taking views of Annapurna, Gangapurna and eye-catching peak of Khatungkang (6484m). Leaving the pass we descend around 1600 metres and the brilliant Dhaulagiri (Dhavali giri, meaning “White Mountain”) is the highest mountain that is entirely in Nepal. The trail is more undulating and relatively easy before we reach Muktinath where we stay the night.

From Muktinath we pass through lush meadows, fruit trees and streams passing through Kagbeni before we reach Jomson in the .Kali Gandaki valley. Kagbeni has a well deserved reputation for its horticulture industry. Today we trek for around 7 hours. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today is our last day as we head to the small airport terminal at Jomson where we take a short 15 to 20 minute flight to Pokhara. Once airborne you will have some amazing views of the Himalayas. This evening you can sit back and relax, enjoy and drink or two and look back on your amazing adventure through the amazing Annapurna Conservation Area – stroll along Lakeside. Other attractions in Pokhara are the World Peace Pagoda (clearly visible across Phewa Tal (lake), Bindabasini Temple, Phewa Lake, Matepani Buddhist Monastery, International Mountain Museum and Devi's Falls.

Today we head back on a 6 to 7 hour drive to Kathmandu with many fond memories of Nepal and its unique culture and geography. These memories will last a lifetime!

Sherpa Expeditions & Trekking staff will transfer you to the airport for your final departure from Nepal. We hope that this epic trek will be firmly ingrained in your memory and will be enough to prompt you to consider your next trek with us!