Himalaya Safety Treks
Chulu West Peak Climbing with Annapurna -
18
/Days
Chulu West Peak Climbing with Annapurna
The 18-Day Chulu West Peak Climbing Expedition stands as one of the most rewarding high-altitude alpine objectives in the Annapurna range. Soaring to 6,419 meters (21,059 ft) north of the Manang Valley within the Damodar Himal, Chulu West requires true mountaineering commitment, combining mixed rock scrambling, crevassed glacier travel, and steep fixed-rope climbing along an exposed snow ridge. Following proper acclimatization through the cultural villages of Ghyaru, Ngawal, and Manang, the expedition establishes Base Camp (4,900 m) and High Camp (5,530 m) on the northwest flank. After pushing for the summit and enjoying 360-degree vistas across Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Tibet, you rejoin the classic circuit to cross Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) into Muktinath and Mustang.
Availability
Includes
What's Included
- Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Chulu West Peak Climbing Permit & Garbage Deposit
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit and TIMS Card
- One-way domestic flight ticket (Jomsom to Pokhara) including airport taxes
- Private 4WD ground transportation (Kathmandu to Dharapani & Pokhara to Kathmandu)
- Certified IFMGA/NNMGA licensed high-altitude climbing Sherpa guide (1:2 guide-to-climber ratio on summit day)
- All group climbing equipment (high-altitude fixed and dynamic climbing ropes, snow bars, ice screws, rock pitons)
- 13 nights teahouse accommodation along trail + 4 nights full camping setup with four-season tents at Base Camp and High Camp
- All three daily meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) during trek and climbing days
- Daily pulse oximeter blood oxygen saturation monitoring, emergency medical oxygen cylinder, and comprehensive staff insurance
What's Not Included
- International airfare and Nepal tourist visa fees
- Travel and mountaineering medical insurance covering emergency high-altitude helicopter rescue up to 6,500 meters
- Personal technical climbing gear (double mountaineering boots, crampons, harness, ice axe, jumar, carabiners, helmet — rental available in Manang)
- Hotel accommodation and extra meals in Pokhara or Kathmandu outside the set itinerary
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electronic battery charging fees at lodges
- Summit climbing bonus for Sherpa guide (industry standard USD 200-300) and porter tips
Itinerary
Follow our carefully planned Chulu West Peak Climbing with Annapurna itinerary, designed with proper acclimatization and comfortable trekking days throughout the journey.
Depart Kathmandu early morning by private 4WD vehicle along the Prithvi Highway to Besisahar. Transfer onto the rugged dirt road along the Marsyangdi River canyon, driving through sheer rock gorges past cascading waterfalls and the settlements of Tal and Karte to check into your lodge in Dharapani.
Day 1
Ascend through pine, fir, and oak cloud forests, passing small streams and carved Buddhist Mani walls. The trail winds through Bagarchhap and Timang, opening up panoramic views of Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) and Peak 29. Continue through apple orchards to reach Chame, the administrative headquarters of Manang.
Day 2
Follow the river trail through pine woodlands where the valley narrows sharply beneath the 1,500-meter curved rock face of Paungda Danda. Cross the Marsyangdi River on a wooden bridge and climb stone staircases into the ancient, stone-paved Tibetan-origin village of Upper Pisang.
Day 3
Take the panoramic high northern trail, climbing switchbacks to the cliffside village of Ghyaru (3,670 m) for direct views of Annapurna II and IV. Walk along the high balcony ridge trail overlooking the wide Manang basin to settle into your lodge in the medieval stone village of Ngawal.
Day 4
Descend gently through pine forests past the ancient 500-year-old cliffside monastery of Braga (Bhraka). Explore its historic prayer hall, ancient statues, and thangkas before continuing into the bustling cultural hub of Manang for lunch and acclimatization rest.
Day 5
Spend a dedicated rest and acclimatization day in Manang. Take an easy morning hike to turquoise Gangapurna Lake and the Chongkor ridge viewpoint for views of the Gangapurna Glacier, Annapurna III, and Tilicho Peak before attending the high-altitude medical lecture in town.
Day 6
Climb out of the Manang basin through alpine scrub, passing the settlement of Tengi. The trail leaves the main river and ascends the valley of the Jarsang Khola past Gunsang, climbing across open juniper pastures to reach the high lodge cluster of Ledar.
Day 7
Branch north off the Annapurna Circuit trail, climbing into the secluded high alpine valley beneath the Chulu peaks. Traverse loose scree, rocky moraine ridges, and glacial streams to establish Chulu West Base Camp (4,900 m), pitching tents with views of the Annapurna massif.
Day 8
Ascend across steep rocky slabs, moraine gullies, and loose scree to reach Chulu West High Camp (5,530 m) on a rocky shelf. In the afternoon, your climbing Sherpa conducts technical mountaineering instruction: fixed-line jumar ascents, crampon placement on hard snow, rope management, and figure-eight rappelling.
Day 9
Wake at 12:30 AM under starlight for hot soup and gear up. Scramble across rock bands to Crampon Point. Put on crampons, rope up, and navigate crevassed snow slopes up the northwest ridge. Climb steep 45-to-50-degree glaciated headwalls using fixed ropes and jumars, traversing an exposed knife-edge snow crest to reach the summit of Chulu West (6,419 m). Savor a 360-degree panorama of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and Manaslu. Abseil down safely to High Camp for hot drinks, pack up, and descend to Base Camp.
Day 10
A dedicated contingency day built into the schedule to safeguard against high winds, heavy summit snowfall, or individual acclimatization adjustments. If the summit was achieved on Day 10, this day is used as a relaxed celebration and recovery day.
Day 11
Pack up base camp and descend through the side valley back onto the main circuit trail at Ledar. Continue climbing past tea shacks and cross the wooden suspension bridge over the Jarsang Khola. Traverse the scree slope beneath soaring cliffs to check into your lodge at Thorong Phedi.
Day 12
Rise at 4:00 AM under starlight to begin the steady ascent up the switchbacks of Thorong La. Reach the prayer-flag crest of Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) to celebrate with panoramic views across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Make a steep 1,600-meter descent into the arid Mustang desert to the pilgrimage town of Muktinath.
Day 13
Tour the sacred Muktinath Temple complex, revered by Hindus and Buddhists for its 108 holy water spouts and eternal flame at Jwala Mai. Descend through the desert villages of Jharkot and Kagbeni, walking along the wide, windy Kali Gandaki riverbed into the regional hub of Jomsom for a celebratory hot shower.
Day 14
Board a morning flight from Jomsom down the Kali Gandaki gorge between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to Pokhara. Transfer to your lakeside hotel for an afternoon of boating on Phewa Lake, massages, and relaxation.
Day 15
A free recovery day in Pokhara. Explore the World Peace Pagoda, Davis Falls, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, or relax at lakeside cafes overlooking the Annapurna range.
Day 16
Transfer to Pokhara Airport for a 25-minute flight or take a private vehicle along the highway back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel in Thamel for an evening farewell dinner.
Day 17
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before our airport transfer vehicle takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure flight.
Day 18
Things To Know
Requires an official Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Chulu West Peak Climbing Permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit, TIMS Card, and NMA Garbage Deposit. Maximum elevation is 6,419 m at the summit. Chulu West is technically more demanding and physically longer than Island Peak, Mera Peak, or Pisang Peak, requiring confident crampon technique, self-arrest skills, jumar ascending on steep slopes, and figure-eight rappel descent experience.
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