Chulu East Peak Climbing

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

Chulu East Peak, nestled majestically above the Manang valley in the Himalayas, is renowned for its stunning vistas and popularity among mountaineers. Designated as a 'trekking peak' by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, its allure lies in the lengthy and well-defined North-East ridge, often hailed as an excellent route to its summit. The ascent of Chulu East promises awe-inspiring panoramas, encompassing Annapurna I, II, III, and IV, along with Gangapurna, Glacier Dome, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho Peak, Manaslu, and even extending into the vistas of Tibet to the north. Our journey to conquer Chulu East begins amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Annapurna region, leading through the picturesque Marshyangdi Valley. Along the way, travelers are treated to a diverse tapestry of terrain, from the lush subtropical foothills to the verdant upper valleys adorned with terraced fields, rhododendron, and pine forests. First summited by a German expedition in 1955, Chulu East's base camp is typically accessed from the quaint village of Manang, with the popular ascent route tracing the North-East Ridge. Many climbers undertake the formidable challenge of reaching the summit and returning from Base Camp in a single arduous day. Base Camp itself is strategically positioned on a lofty moraine at 5334m elevation. The ascent involves navigating treacherous glacial crossings, traversing snow-laden terrain, and conquering steep scree slopes, presenting a formidable yet exhilarating test of mountaineering prowess.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. — Food Dinner Accomodation Hotel Elevation 1350 On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be greeted with flower garlands/Khadas. Our representative will then take you to your hotel. If time prevails, you will visit office for paperwork.Stay overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu. Day Day 2: Trip preparation and city tour of Kathmandu or Patan and Bhaktapur. — Food Breakfast Accomodation Hotel Elevation 1350 Today, you will visit popular world heritage monuments in Kathmandu including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath, and Pashupatinath. Alternatively, you can also choose Bhakatapur and Patan sightseeing. By late afternoon, you will drive back to your hotel.Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu. Day Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge After early morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Bhulbhule via Besisahar, takes about eight hours. During the drive you will follow Trisuli and Marshyangdi Rivers passing through several villages and you will enjoy views of green hills and snowcapped mountains. From Kathmandu to Besisahar is paved road and from there to Bhulbule is graveled.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 4: Trek from Bhulbhule to Chamje (1410m.) takes about seven hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 1410 Ahead the Marshyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape. Follow the winding mountain path down to Syange (1100m) and then climb steeply through sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. From here it is a few ups and downs before you reach Chamje.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 5: Trek from Chamje (1410m) to Dharapani (1960m) takes about six hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 1960 The first part of the trail descends to the Marshyangdi river at which point cross a suspension bridge and make a steep climb to Sattale (1550m). From here descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to the village of Tal (1700m) where you will find hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path follows winding cliffs. You will pass through the small village of Karte (1900m.) and cross a suspension bridge as you approach the Mani entrance to Dharapani (1960m.). Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 6: Trek from Dharapani to Chame (2675m) takes about five and half hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2675 Trek along the Dudh Khola that originates from the south face of Mt. Manaslu. With Annapurna II as your backdrop, you will arrive at the village of Bagarchhap, distinct with its prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and Buddhist monastery. Continue to climb through forests of pine and oak, before passing by Danaque (2210m.). The trail goes through flat path until you reach Chame where there are government offices, shops and hotels. Chame is the administrative headquarters of the Manang district. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 7: Trek from Chame to Pisang (3100m.) takes about five hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3100 With Lamjung Himal (6893m) sparkling in the morning sun, you climb the path up the valley, passing a huge apple orchard. The trail then enters fir and pine forest, and emerges out to a high, rocky cliff which is extremely steep that leads to Bhratang (2950m.). You now walk through a short stretch of pine forest as the path opens up to a wonderful vista of Annapurna II as well as Pisang Peak (6091m). Afterwards follow a long section of Mani wall to lower village of Pisang.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 8: Trek from Pisang to Ngwal — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3657 Trek from Pisang to Ngwal (3657m.) takes about six hours.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 9: Trek from Ngwal to Chulu East Base Camp — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 5140 Trek from Ngwal to Chulu East Base Camp (5140m) takes about five hours.Stay overnight at camp Day Day 10: Rest day at Chulu East Base Camp — Food BLD Accomodation camp Elevation 5140 Rest day at Chulu East Base Camp to explore the surrounding.Stay overnight at camp. Day Day 11: Ascend High Camp of Chulu East. — Food BLD Accomodation camp Elevation 5140 Stay overnight at camp. Day Day 12: Summit Chulu East (6558m.) and return to Base Camp. — Food BLD Accomodation camp Elevation 5140 Summit Chulu East (6558m.) and return to Base Camp takes about seven hours.Stay overnight at camp. Day Day 13: Trek from Chulu East Base Camp to Manang. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3540 Trek from Chulu East Base Camp to Manang (3540m) takes about five hours.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 14: Rest day at Manang. This is an important rest and acclimatization day before peak climbing. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3540 There are optional day walks such as crossing the river to see the tremendous icefall coming down from the Annapurna, or climbing high above the village for a full panorama of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 15: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4050m.) and it takes about three and half hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 4050 Now the trail ascends gently all the way to Yak Kharka passing through the Gunsang (3960m.) village. En route, you can see panoramic views all the day.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 16: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4420m) takes about 3 and half hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 4420 Leaving Yak Kharka, you climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of Marshyangdi. After a short ascend along the mountain path on the right bank, you follow a narrow trail across an unstable spree slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 17: Trek from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath (3850m.) via Thorong La (5416m.) Pass takes about seven hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3850 Today will be a long day of walking so you will leave early morning. The trail becomes steep immediately and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, you see chorten and prayer flags fluttering from the Thorong La pass. Thorong La pass is one of the highest passes in the Annapurna region. Once you are at the pass, you will start your descent along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath as the moraines eventually give way to grassy slopes. Muktinath is one of the most sacred places in the Himalaya for both Hindus and Buddhists.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 18: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (2743m.) takes about 4 hours. — Food BLD Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2743 Today you continue down for an early two hours and then walk along a flat path until you reach Jomsom.Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 19: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara takes about 25 minutes. — Food BLD Accomodation Hotel Elevation 900 The flight is a scenic one with panoramic views of Himalayan peaks, especially Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri etc. and Kaligandaki River. The flight to/from Jomsom happens only in the morning because of high wind in afternoon time.Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara Day Day 20: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu — Food BLD Accomodation Hotel Elevation 1350 After breakfast early morning, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu that takes about seven hours. En route, you will enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. If you choose to fly back to Kathmandu, it takes about 25 minutes. There are several flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara from morning to afternoon.Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. Day Day 21: Departure — Food Breakfast As per your flight schedule, our airport representative will transfer from your hotel to the airport for your final departure.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE