Chulu West and Annapurna Circuit
Chulu West Peak (6419m) is an exciting challenge for both seasoned trekkers and amateur climbers. Its location, above the Manang valley in the Annapurnas, its height and its moderate difficulty, make Chulu West one of the finest trekking peaks in Nepal. Climbing this peak, as part of our revised, new Annapurna Circuit trek (avoiding most newly-built dirt roads), provides one of the most spectacular of Himalayan experiences. The north-east ridge is considered the normal route to climb Chulu West peak from the Base Camp on the moraine at 5,334m (17500ft). There are unsurpassed and magnificent summit views of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Manaslu (8156m), Nilgiri (7061m), Lamjung (6932m), Tilicho (7134m), Gangapurna (7454m), Annapurna II (7993m), Annapurna III (7555m), and Annapurna IV (7525m): to the South is more of the superb, panoramic Himalayan range, and to the North are views of the Tibet plateau.
Although this exciting trek is, undoubtedly, physically and mentally demanding, our well-planned itinerary, with experienced staff and support team, and proper acclimatization, gives you the very best platform for your expedition’s success in climbing Chulu West Peak, not to mention making the whole trek a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 01: International arrival in Kathmandu and transport to hotel. Overnight in hotel [D]
Day 02: Kathmandu: world heritage sightseeing (Monkey temple & Patan/Bhaktapur), and preparing for trek. Overnight in hotel [B]
Day 03: Drive to Jagat (1330m) or Chamje (1410m) via Besisahar (760m). About 8-10 hours' drive; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 04: Trek to Dharapani (1960m). About 6 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 05: Trek to Chame (2710m). About 7 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 06: Trek to Upper Pisang (3310m). About 5- 6 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 07: Trek to Manang (3540m) via Ghyaru (3670m), Ngawal (3660m) & Braga (3360m). About 7 hrs hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 08: Acclimatisation/rest day at Manang. Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 09: Trek to Yak Kharka (4020m) or Lather (4230m). About 4 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 10: Trek to Chulu West Base Camp (4810m). About 4-5 hours walk; Overnight in tent [BLD]
Day 11: Rest & Acclimatisation at Chulu West base camp/Preparation. Overnight in tent [BLD]
Day 12: Trek to Chulu West High Camp (5100m). About 4 hours walk; Overnight in tent [BLD]
Day 13: Ascent to Chulu West Camp I (5530m). About 4-5 hours walk; Overnight in tent [BLD]???
Day 14: Summit Chulu West (6419m) and return to Base Camp. About 9-10 hours walk & climb; Overnight in tent [BLD]
Day 15: Return to Lather (4230m) or Yak Kharka (4020m). About 3-4 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 16: Trek to Thorong La hight camp (4750m). About 4-5 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 17: Cross Thorung La (5416m) & trek to Muktinath (3800m)/Ranipauwa (3700m). About 8-9 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 18: Trek to Jomsom (2715m) via Lupra (2790m). About 6-7 hours walk; Overnight in lodge [BLD]
Day 19: Fly to Pokhara and transfer to hotel. About 25mins flight; Overnight in hotel [BL]
Day 20: Early morning drive to Kathmandu. Overnight in hotel [BL]
Day 21: Kathmandu: leisure time or optional visits to Jamarko, our project in support of disadvantaged children & women. Overnight in hotel [B]
Day 22: Transfer to airport for international departure [B]
Date & Price
All ACCESS-HIMALAYA adventure travel trips are small group departures and therefore places can fill quickly. To avoid disappointment, we suggest you book your trip as soon as possible.
Price Includes
... in Lodge Trek
Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, bed & breakfast basis, (accommodation in twin room unless otherwise arranged) – see itinerary above for dates - accommodation facilities/details outlined belowAll three meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek
All internal transportation as stated in itinerary (see itinerary above)
All lodge accommodation on trek – twin room with clean beds and mattresses, toilet facilities may be outside – no attached bathroom, unless specifically arranged, and where available.
Annapurna Conservation Area entrance permit
Trekking Permits (TIMS) for Annapurna area
Experienced English speaking government licensed guide/s
The required number of local porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests on lodge treks)
Staff and porter insurance
Guided world heritage sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with private tourist vehicle (2 or 3 sites - Durbar Square/s and Swayambunath (Monkey temple)) (English speaking licensed guide & private transport only)
Lunch on the overland travel (see itinerary)
Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
Free gift of Access-Himalaya trekking kit bag for each member of group (to be distributed on arrival in Kathmandu)
Free hire of four seasons Sleeping Bag and fleece liner for trek (should be returned after the trek).
Free airport pick and drop
Price Excludes
... in Lodge Trek
Your personal equipmentInternational flights
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control
Your travel insurance, (Make sure the policy covers helicopter rescue and evacuation service)
Medical examination and vaccination costs
Personal expenditure, including bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, tips, shower/bathroom facilities on the trek etc.
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and elsewhere-apart from trek (see itinerary)
Heritage sights/Monastery/Temple entrance fees
Trek and Tour crew and driver gratuity/tips at end of tour/trek
Any others expenses which are not mentioned in 'Price Includes' section
Availability Explained
- A AVAILABLE - Trip date is available and open for bookings. Go for it!
- G GUARANTEED - Trip is reached minimum numbers and this is 'Guaranteed to Run'
- L LIMITED - Trip is 'Guaranteed to Run' and there are a very limited number of available places remaining. Immediate booking is recommended.
- C CLOSED - Trip has reached maximum numbers and it is unavailable. Please Contact Us to enquire about other trip departure dates or booking this trip as a private departure
Trip Info (Tour/Trek Styles) Explained
- PG Private Group: This style of trip is organized for specific groups of people (families, friends,school and college students, colleagues, business associates etc.), and is closed to outsiders. If you are interested in this particular trip departure date then please get in touch with us.
- OA Open to All: This trip departure is open to all. However, if you are interested in this particular trip departure date but want your own private group, then please get in touch with us.
- LT Lodge Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is lodge (teahouse) based. All accommodation, including food, is provided in local lodges. Occasionally however, where a large group is concerned we may choose to send our own cook along, as well, to take care of your food hygiene and to cook some special additional items.We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s) and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
- CT Camping Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is camping (tent) based. We will provide one 3-man tent for every two people, also single tents, where requested, on payment of supplementary costs. All food and drinks are provided by our experienced cook and his kitchen team. We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s), cook, kitchen crew, food and drink, and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
- GAP Guide, Accommodation & Porter only: In this trip neither food nor transportation is included. Clients are responsible for food and local transportation, and our responsibility is to provide insured guide, insured porter, and all necessary permits. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control. Clients pay for their own accommodation. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, We can arrange hotels and international airport transfer, on request.
- SG Self Guided/Budget Trip: This trip is specially designed for low-budget travellers who prefer fairly basic facilities with reduced services. It is a pre-requisite that a porter is hired for any self-guided trip, which is an ideal set-up for those who enjoy independent travel with minimum cost. We have added support to minimise the hard work of planning and costing, and we will be available to help in the unlikely event of an emergency. We will arrange all documentation (including permits), before you arrive in Nepal, so that you are free to get on with your adventure, relying only on your porter to help you on your way. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control. Hotel accommodation, local transportation and international airport transfers may be arranged, on request.
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Accommodation in Kathmandu
It is our policy to use Nepali-owned accommodation, always, as we feel this is an aspect of fair trade, and the hotels we use in Kathmandu are comfortable, clean, efficient and friendly. Most hotels are also family-run; we visit, and stay in the hotels ourselves, to ensure that facilities are ... read more.. -
Food on Camping Trek
Three meals a day, plus afternoon hot drinks with biscuits, are provided on our camping treks. We will provide a tasty, nutritious mixture of Nepalese, Indian and Western food prepared hygienically by our trekking Cooks who are masters at preparing foods under less then ideal conditions. As much as possible ... read more.. -
Food on LodgeTrek
On lodge treks clients are provided with three meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus will be fairly standard, according to the region visited, but will vary in style from place to place, according to availability of ingredients, and in more remote areas choice will be relatively restricted ... read more.. -
Travel Insurance
It is a strict condition of joining an Access-Himalaya adventure holiday that you must be insured against all medical and personal accident risks, including repatriation if necessary. Helicopter evacuation, in the unlikely event of your being injured or taken seriously ill on trek, is very costly - an average rescue ... read more.. -
Nepal Visa and Passport
All visitors to Nepal require a passport (valid for at least 6 months after your return to your home country) and an entry visa. A visa application should be obtained from the Nepalese Embassy, in London (click here to download Nepal visa application form ), or in your own country ... read more.. -
Travel Money
Travellers' cheques are no longer accepted in Nepal, so please do not bring these as your currency. However, ATM facilities are widely available in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other large towns, so a Visa, or other internationally-recognized credit/debit card, would be useful. Larger shops accept payment by credit/debit card, although they ... read more.. -
Arrival in Nepal
At Kathmandu airport you should proceed through Immigration (you apply for your Visa here) to the baggage collection area. Once you have collected your baggage you should move on to the Customs officers to have your baggage cleared and chalked up, before leaving the Arrivals lounge. Immediately outside, you will ... read more.. -
Tipping and Service Charges
Tipping is an entirely personal and optional matter and at the discretion of the individual. Should you wish to give a tip in a restaurant, if there is not already a service charge included you may consider a tip of 10%. Recently there has been a recommendation for 10% charge ... read more.. -
Trekking Clothing & Equipment Guideline
The following is a guideline, not a prescription: we hope it will help you find your way through the minefield of items of clothing and equipment which fill the catalogues of outdoor adventure outfitters! Jacket x 1This should be breathable, wind-proof and waterproof (not showerproof), with attached hood. Suitable fabrics to ... read more.. -
Climbing Equipment Guideline
Expedition grade plastic Boots (Koflach Style) or Leather Climbing Boots (B2 or B3 grad) Crampons (crampon rating depends on your boot rating) Extra Heavy Socks Winter Climbing Gloves Duvet jacket Ice-axes (walking or mountaineering axes) Ice hammer (optional) Climbing Harness (adjustable with a couple of gear loops) Descender (Belay Device or Figure of Eight) Ascender (Jumar) Mid-size 4 lock Karabiners ... read more.. -
Accommodation on lodge treks
Accommodation will be in simple lodges offering twin-bedded rooms with standard foam mattresses (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest or similar self-inflating mattresses). Toilets are mostly of the squat type, situated outside the main building. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring this ... read more.. -
Accommodation on camping treks
Camping trek accommodation will be in A-shaped Vango-style spacious two-man tents (over 5’ internal height x 5’ width x 8’ long), or, for high pass/peak climbing expeditions and rafting, two-man dome tents. On trek, cotton-cased, thick, foam mattresses are provided (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along ... read more.. -
Getting Around in Kathmandu
Your first day in Kathmandu is usually dedicated to settling in, and exploring the city. The next morning may include a sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath, Boudanath or the Monkey Temple (Swayambunath). During your free time, the best way to explore your environs is to walk, as this enables you to ... read more.. -
Accommodation in Pokhara
It is our policy to use Nepali-owned accommodation, always, as we feel this is an aspect of fair trade, and most of the hotels are also family-run.. The hotels we use in Pokhara are no more than 20 minutes away from the airport and are very close to the beautiful ... read more..
If our fixed departure dates are not convenient for you or your group, we can also arrange private departures on all of our small group tours. Private group departures will follow the same itineraries as our usual small group tours, or itineraries may be tailormade to suit your own convenient tour date/budgets.
Itineraries may be tailor-made to suit your dates. So if you can’t find a date to suit you or if you want to have your very own tour just with your friends or family then we can help you.
Customised Private Groups:
For most of our usual tours, or itineraries, where there is a group numbering 2 or more, we can customise and organise private group trip(s) where we design the itinerary and activities exclusively for you, according to your requirements and budgets, such as Honeymoon, Anniversary, Family, Scouts, School, College, Fundraising or Charity trips. Find out more about our private group tours.
To enquire about booking a private departure of this tour or about organising your own private group tour, please fill in the form below and we will get back to you shortly with details.
