Trip Overview
| Duration: 18 days |
Country: Nepal |
| Max. Altitude: 6,420 m/21,062 ft. |
Walking Per Day: 6-7 hours |
| Accommodation: Lodge and Tent-camp |
 Grade: Fair Strenuous
|
| Best Season: Autumn and Spring |
Group Size: Minimum 2 |
| Mode: Tea-house and Camping |
Culture: Mixed Culture |
Trekking the Chulu massif is the sort of experience many walkers and climbers dream of, particularly as combining it with an Annapurna walking holiday provides access to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the planet.
Nepal Mountain Trekkers make that Himalayan dream holiday, a reality.
Adventure-filled acclimatization and Chulu climb
The temperature will drop on your trekking adventure holiday in Nepal, as the group spends a day acclimatizing at Manang. A mountain day hike shows you an ice lake and fabulous views of ancient monasteries, and across the Annapurna Ranges.
This careful preparation for high altitude trekking is a joy in itself and gets you ready to climb up to Ledar, at 4,200m (13,779ft. This leg puts you close to mountain wildlife, as you climb around a glacier lake, past typical Tibetan villages.
Amazing experiences on your Himalayan adventure
Now for the once-in-a-lifetime holiday achievement of spending time first at Chulu West Base Camp, 4,900m (16,072ft), and then climbing to Chulu West High Camp, 5,800m (19,028ft).
The scenery will be varied and captivating, from abundant alpine flora and fauna at your feet to breathtaking views of the Annapurna Massif. You will have the wonderful challenge of a night mountain climb, and the bucket list experience of sleeping in a mountaineering tent perched high in the Himalayas.
Plenty of time to savor this incredible achievement - and the triumph of conquering a high peak - as the group continues its adventure, descending back to Base Camp before trekking to Thorong High Camp at 4,925m (16,158ft). Will you see a Snow Leopard on your glacier walking holiday?
Journey through Thorong La Pass, and other incredible sights
Your magical mountain challenge continues as you trek to Muktinath, via the Thorong La Pass. This is one of Nepal’s most popular and famous trekking routes.
See the Jwala Mai gas flame and follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims who visit the area’s monastery lead by nuns.
Then your descent continues – and features a jeep safari in the mountains, taking in the hot spring at Tatopani, a cold desert, and more views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains.
This part of your trekking vacation provides more opportunity to soak up Nepalese culture as you travel from Tatopani to Ghorepani, with views of a glacial waterfall and hugely impressed Rhododendron Forests.
Sunrise, sunset, and golden stories of your mountain adventure
On the penultimate leg of this incredible trekking adventure vacation, you can see an unforgettable Himalayan sunrise from Poon Hill, as you walk and ride from Ghorepani to Pokhara, before returning to your Kathmandu holiday starting point.
What tales you will have to share, on your last evening, as you enjoy a celebration dinner with your trekking companions who could well have become your lifelong friends.
Best trekking company to organize your Himalayan adventure
This Nepal climbing and walking holiday put you in the safe hands of the team from Nepal Mountain Trekkers. We make sure you’re confident with the climbing gears needed for the best mountain trek experience. As this is a moderately difficult level trek and peak climbing experience, you will need to be fit and familiar with walking with ice picks and crampons. Advanced mountaineering skills won’t be necessary though.
We take care of your: climbing permit; mandatory TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) card; and ACAP permissions to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area Project.
Starting to climb Chulu, with your top team
You start your adventure activities at Kathmandu, sightseeing UNESCO World Heritage sites while getting to know your like-minded companions for this thrilling trekking holiday.
Then, you trek from Nepal’s capital city to Chame (via Besisahar) taking in views of glacial waterfalls and the Marshyangdi Rivers.
From Chame, your climbing expedition continues to Pisang – with a chance to see a fascinating Apple Garden and unique views of the Lamjung Himal and Buddhist Monasteries standing like beacons between the fresh pine forests and geological formations.
Your Nepal adventure trek then weaves through culturally significant and unspoilt villages, to Ngawal, providing magnificent views of Green Lake Pisang Peak, as well as more Annapurna peaks.
You will also have the unforgettable experience of visiting a Buddhist mountain village as you walk onwards to Manang, and seeing alpine landscape at its most impressive.
Equipment Checklist
Equipment lists for 18 days Chulu West Peak Climbing with Annapurna Circuit Trek
HEAD
Sun hat or scarf
Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
Sunglasses
Head Torch
Suncreams(40+) and Lip Balms
UPPER BODY
Cotton t-shirts and thermals
Fleece jacket
Waterproof jacket
Down jacket
LOWER BODY
Lightweight cotton pants (long)
Waterproof pants
Inner thermals
FEET
Thin inner socks (3 pairs)
Thick, warm wool hiking socks
Comfortable hiking boots
Shower sandals
HANDS
Gloves (Cotton and Waterproof)
Creams
Sanitizer
ACCESSORIES
Sleeping bag rated to (-20F/-30C recommended)
Trekking bag (Rucksack)
Duffel bag
Large plastic bags (for keeping items dry inside trek bag)
Trekking poles (optional, recommended)
Water bottle or camel bag
Toiletries and Tissue Papers
First Aid Kits
Personal Regular Medicines
Knee Caps
Bandages
Ointments
Blister Tape
MISCELLANEOUS
Medicines: We recommend you to bring your regular medicines; we will provide first aid kit from our side.
Light-weighted Towel
Swiss Knife
Passport and extra passport photos
Water Purifying Iodine Tablets, Drop or Sterilizer
Day Pack (35-45 L)
Crocs (evenings & washing)
Gloves (lighter & heavier for passes)
Camp Towel
Trekking Poles (optional, recommended)
Down Booties (optional, recommended)
Bladder (optional, recommended)
Extra Batteries
Battery Chargers
Yak Trax (for treks with icy passes)
Camp Washing Bowl (optional, collapsible for clothes)
Laundry Detergent (Kathmandu) or Bio-degradable Clothes Soap
Small Solar Panel (optional, recommended for iPods, iPhones, camera batteries, Kindles)
Zip-Lock | Plastic Bags
Rehydration | Electrolytes
Snacks!
Personal Medical Supplies
Micro Spikes
Medical Supplies
We strongly suggest bringing Western meds with you as there are a lot of Indian fakes on the market!
Suggested: Diamox, Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Tinidazole or Flagyl & Augmentin. Bring COMPEED for covering blisters & good tasting electrolytes &/or rehydration salts (Emergen-C is a good American brand). The local versions aren’t very appealing.
We also recommend bringing strong knee & ankle supports & braces, ACE bandages for sprains & strains, Tegaderm &/or other would coverings. Duct tape is always useful. We’re happy to take excess medical supplies off your hands when you leave if you won’t need them and pass them on to others. We use lots of the large amount we have with us to treat locals we meet when trekking.
