Chulu east Peak was first climb by German Explore’s in 1955 via the north-east ridge. The peak of Chulu East Peak, together with Chulu West Peak, forms an integral part of the Manang Himal, which in turn is included in the Larger Damodar Himal range. Expeditions to Chulu take the main trekking trail of Annapurna circuit starting from Khudi after 7 hours bus ride from Kathamndu. From Manang valley the trail heads towards untouched remote area of northern Manang districts where Chulu East and West dominates the surrounding peaks. Chulu East lying south east of Chulu West is a comparatively easy to climb among other peaks in the area.
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.
At Kathmandu international Airport, After Visa formalities complete, we have to come downstairs to collect Luggage and proceed to outside from terminal Building. Please check our Company Name board, Our Guide will be waiting with Guide Nepal Holidays display board at the arrival gate. Upon our arrival at Kathmandu international airport, we will be warmly welcome by our Airport representative guide with Silk scarves as per Sherpa customs.
You will be transfer to hotel by Private Vehicle. Check in at Hotel, free welcome drinks tea/coffee or any cold drinks/Juices. Company Manager will meet you as per your prefer time & will provide detailed Plans and Briefing about the trip. At the Evening we will offer you welcome dinner at best authentic Nepali restaurant where you can enjoy the best Nepali food and cultural show.
Dinner included overnight stay at best hotel in the Kathmandu.
After Breakfast. Our trekking guide will come to the hotel at 07:00 hrs to pick you with private transport to leave for Besi Shahar (185km) and will take us about 6 hours. Along the journey you will witness some spectacular scenery of White Mountains, green hills, rivers and hamlets. We overnight at a guesthouse.
Estimated time: 5-6 hours drive
Today we take Local jeep to drive up to Tal. The newly build road allows us to drive by Local jeep. We can see wonderful views of waterfalls, village, rivers and Marshyandi Valley along the way to Tal.
Estimated time: 5 hours
estimated height gain: ~2199ft
We will pass the village of Tal at 1700 meter which lies at the foot of a large waterfall. The trail crosses a broad, flat valley that was once a lake (Tal means lake) after which we will cross the Marsyangdi by a 60 meter long suspension bridge. The trail will climb up from a second suspension bridge to a stone kani (an arch over the trail) which marks the entrance to Dharapani at 1960 meter. All old villages from here to Kagbeni have these arches and they become more elaborate and picturesque as the Tibetan influence becomes stronger. The trail slowly climbs from here on through a forest of blue pine, spruce, hemlock, maple and oak to Bagarchhap. This is the first village on the trek with typical Tibetan architecture: closely spaced stone houses, with flat roofs piled high with firewood. (5 hrs).
We will first follow the south bank of the river climbing to Syal Khola (the river of jackals) at 2210 meter, after which we will cross the river over a cement bridge near a spectacular waterfall. The route crosses several landslides as it works its way uphill through a walnut tree forest and aside apple orchards until we arrive at Chame. At the entrance of the village is a long wall with many prayer wheels. Throughout the day there are nice views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II and Annapurna IV (7525m) (6 hrs).
We will first pass the older part of Chame and climb up to Telekhu at 2840 meter and continue with a long pleasant and mostly level walk through the forest to Brathang, which lies at 2950 meter. After the trail rounds a bend here we will see the first view of the dramatic Paungda Danda rock face, a tremendous curved slab of rock rising more then 1500 meter from the river. We will cross back to the south bank of the Marsyangdi on a suspension bridge at 3080 meter and then make a long gentle climb over a ridge through blue pine forests. After this the trek will be reasonably level as it heads to the upper part of Manang valley to Pisang. This town marks the beginning of the region known as Nyesyang, the upper portion of the Manang district (4/5hrs).
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.
Ascent slowly up to the Chulu Far East Base Camp crossing the glacier of Chulu region.
Rest day for acclimatization:- A necessary day to rest and acclimatize and explore around Chulu Far East Base Camp.
Base Camp to Chulu Far East High Camp (5608 m.):- Ascent slowly towards a col on the left and follows left hand skyline ridge to reache 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
Chulu Far East High Camp to Summit (6059 m.) and back to Base Camp:- Early morning around 3:00 A.M. get ready for climbing. Dress up to be done and breakfast be taken 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.
Today our trek will slowly climb up to the Tibetan-style village of Bryaga at 3500 meter following the valley floor. At Bryaga we will see houses stacked one atop the other, each with an open veranda formed by a neighbor’s rooftop. The gompa, perched on a high crag overlooking the village, is the largest in the district and has an outstanding display of statues. We then continue through a very arid countryside, dominated by weird cliffs of yellow rock, eroded into dramatic pillars alongside the trail to reach today’s destination, the village of Manang, where the shops are surprisingly wellstocked with all the things you might want to refuel on (4 hrs).
Trekking slowly upwards to Thorung La we will leave the large trees behind and see vegetation consisting mainly of scrub juniper and alpine grass and we will pass a few meadows where horses and yaks graze. After we reach Yak Kharka we will see herds of blue sheep grazing the steep slopes as well.(4:30 hrs).
Again a relatively easy day to get used to the altitude before we have to cross the highest point in the trek, and possibly the highest point you have been on in your life. From Letdar we will continue to climb along the east bank of the Jarang Khola to Thorung Phedi, a rock-strewn meadow surrounded by vertical cliffs at 4420 meter. Blue sheep and even snow leopards can be sometimes seen in this valley. High in the skies above us we can see lammergeyers and Himalayan griffons circling around (3-4 hrs).
Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at maybe 04:00 hrs to reach the pass by 09:00/10:00 hrs at the latest, as otherwise weather conditions will greatly affect the journey. We cross over at an altitude of 5416m so can be exposed to strong winds if crossing too late. Local people have used this trail for hundreds of years to bring herds of sheep and yaks in and out of Manang. Thus the trail, while often steep, is well defined and easy to follow. Snow can block the pass at any time of the year if there has been an unseasonable storm. It takes from four to six hours from Thorung Phedi to the pass, but the many false summits mean the climb seems to go on for ever.
At the Thorung La pass, with its traditional prayer flags and stone cairn we will have outstanding views. You can see the Annapunas, Gangapurna and Khatung Kang, a heavily glaciated peak. Amazingly there is a teashop here on top of the pass at 5416 meter. From here we start a long descend of about 1600 meter with outstanding views of Dhaulagiri mountain standing alone in the distance across the valley. After the trail becomes less steep we will enter grassy fields and cross meadows to our final destination of Muktinath, which means place of Nirvana and is home to the Muktinath temple as well as several monasteries. It is said that all sorrows you feel are relieved when visiting the Temple, which is a scared pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists. The main pilgrimage normally takes place in September. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it from which Holy water pours. Another attraction nearby is the JwalaMai Temple and this contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural underground gas (7-8 hrs).
We now begin the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom and are rewarded with tremendous views of both Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Jomsom is a large town sprawled along both banks of the Kali Gandaki River, and it is here we will spend the final night of our trek. 4/5 hours.
Note: We can drive to Jomosom by Jeep also.
After breakfast, we will fly to Pokhara (One of best flight for real mountain scenery, just 20 min flight) then we will drive to Hotel in Pokhara by Taxi/Van or Private Vehicles. free day to explore Pokhara own. rest day
after breakfast we drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus and it takes 6 hours scenic drive, arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Morning free for last Minute shopping or time as your own.Our driver and airport representative drive you to the airport in time for your flight back home. We ensure that you leave Kathmandu with cherishing memory and an experience of a lifetime.