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Chulu West Peak |
The
massif
of
Chulus,
it
stands
in front
of
spectacular
chain of
Annapurna
Himal.
Between
the two
Cholus,
the west
is
higher
then
east.
The view
of
entire
slope of
Annapurna
II, IV,
III,
Gangapurna,
Annapurna
I, is
outstanding
from the
top of
Cholu
West.
Chulu
West was
first
ascended
in 1952
by a
Japanese
Expedition.
The Base
Camp of
this
peak is
situated
in a
small
valley
north of
Manang,
off the
main
trail to
the
Thorang
La. This
trip
sets out
from
Beshi
Sahar,
the
district
headquarters
of
Lamjung
a
neighboring
district
of
Gorkha.
From
Beshi
Sahar
the
trail
leads up
slowly
to wards
Manang
valley,
one of
the
highest
valleys
of the
world
situated
at an
altitude
of
5000m.
One-day
rest
will be
set to
explore
the
Manang
Valley
and for
the
acclimatization.
From
Manang
valley
the
route
heads
north to
lead and
on to
the
Chulu
West
Base
camp.
Three
days are
set a
side for
the
ascent
of this
peak and
you head
to
Thorong-La
and
follow
the same
route
come
back to
Katmandu
as in
the
“Around
Annapurna
Trek”. |
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Facts
OF
CLIMBING |
Duration :
24 days
Trek Type :
Camping House
Max. Altitude :
6420 m .
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Minimum Pax : 1+
Mode Of Travel : Flight/Land
Grade :
Strenuous
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Itinerary
In
Details |
Day
01 :
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You drive along
the
Kathmandu-Pokhara
Highway to Dumre
and then follow
the narrow and
paved road by
the Marsyangdi
River to Besi
Sahar (823m.).
It takes almost
six hours.
Beshishahar is
the district
headquarters of
Lamjung
district. All
the local
government
offices are
situated here.
From here, you
can see some of
mountain peaks,
natural
sceneries
surrounding the
valley and the
daily activities
of local people.
This headquarter
is the centre
from where the
daily usable
commodities are
supplied to the
different
villages and
numerous towns.
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Day
02 :
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Trek from
Beshishahar to
Bahundanda
(1305m.) and it
takes about six
hours. The first
part of the
trail passes
thorough flat
level along the
bank of the
Marshyangdi
river. You can
enjoy the
sceneries and
the local
culture of
Gurung
community. After
lunch, the trail
goes steeply
upwards to
Bahundanda which
takes about 2
hours. At this
point, you can
see the area
surrounded by
eye-catching
scenarios with
snow capped
mountains.
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Day
03 :
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Trek from
Bahundanda to
Chamje (1410m.)
which takes
about six hours.
A steep trail
descends for
early half an
hour and then
follows flat
path through
rice terraces,
before crossing
a stream at the
bottom of a
small waterfall.
It then climbs
again and
traverses the
hillside high
above the river
before reaching
the village of
Lali Gaon.
Ahead, the
Marsyangdi
valley forms a
steep V-shape,
and you follow
the winding
mountain path
down through
Syange (1100m.)
where there is a
beautiful
waterfall above
it and along the
river for some
distance. The
trail then
climbs steeply
and the path is
cut into the
sheer cliff-face
some 200-300m
above the
riverbed.
Eventually you
descend to the
stone village of
Jagat (1330m.)
situated on a
shelf which juts
into the
precipitous
Marsyangdi
valley. Now the
trail begins to
observe small
ups and down to
Chamje through
the forests.
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Day
04 :
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Trek from Chamje
(1410m.) to
Dharapani
(1960m.) and it
takes about six
hours. The first
part of the
trail descends
to the river and
after crossing a
suspension
bridge, you
begin a climb to
Sattale (1550m.)
on a path so
steep that it
seems one slip
would send you
hurtling down
into the valley.
You continue on
an undulating
path above the
river, and at
one point, where
a tributary
flows in from
the opposite
bank, the main
river becomes
covered with
huge boulders
that hide the
water. Climbing
the zigzag path
to the top of
the hill, you
see the level,
plain of Tal
(1700m.) before
us. Though it is
enclosed by
cliffs, the
level area looks
reassuring after
the harrowing
mountain paths
just traveled
on. You descend
to a grassy
riverbank which
leads to Tal
with its hotels
and teahouses.
Beyond Tal, the
valley narrows
and the path
becomes high and
winding, and in
several areas
hewn from the
rock itself.
Beyond the small
village of Karte
(1900m.), there
is a bit more
cliff-walking
before the path
drops again to
the river. You
cross a
suspension
bridge, and
climb the short
distance to the
stone kani
marking the
entrance to
Dharapani
(1960m.), and
our camp for the
night.
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Day
05 :
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Trek from
Dharapani to
Chame (2675m.)
which takes
about five and
half hours. As
you cut through
a narrow field
from the
village, the
Dudh Khola,
which originates
from the south
face of Manaslu,
enters on the
opposite bank.
The Marsyangdi
then veers to
the left, and as
Annapurna II
becomes visible
ahead, you
arrive at
Bagarchhap, a
Bhote village
with prayer
flags fluttering
in the breeze
around Buddhist
monastery.
Continuing to
climb through
forests of pine
and oak, you
pass through
Danaque
(2210m.). There
comes a small
wooden bridge
which takes you
to follow steep
ascent path upto
Timang. It lies
at the bottom of
Lamajung Himal.
The trail goes
through flat
level until you
reach Chame
where there are
government
offices, shops,
and hotels.
Chame is the
administrative
headquarters for
the Manang
district.
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Day
06:
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Trek from Chame
to Pisang
(3100m.) which
takes about five
hours. With
Lamjung Himal
[6893m]
sparkling in the
morning sun, you
set off for
Pisang. The
mountain
disappears as
you climb the
path up the
valley, passing
a huge apple
orchard. You
continue through
a fir and pine
forest, climbing
to a high, rocky
area as the
opposite bank
becomes an
impassable
cliff. From this
point the valley
becomes
extremely
steep-sided as
you follow the
path to Bhratang
(2950m.).In the
past this was
the military
station for
troops who
fought against
the Khampa
tribal
revolution, but
the dilapidated
buildings are
all that remain
of that era. A
short climb from
the village
brings you to a
rock-strewn area
where you cross
a wooden bridge
and follow a
high, winding
path, before
crossing back to
the right bank
again. You now
walk through a
pine forest and
as the forest
ends, the valley
changes from a
V-shape to a
gentle U-shape,
opening up a
wonderful vista
before us. You
can see the east
peak of
Annapurna II as
well as Pisang
Peak (6091m.) to
the north-east.
Continuing on,
you come to a
long mani wall
by a bridge and
the lower
village of
Pisang.
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Day
07 :
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Trek from Pisang
to Manang
(3440m.) and it
takes about five
and half hours.
Beyond Pisang,
the trail climbs
a steep ridge
which affords
good views of
the Manang
valley and
Tilicho peak
(7145m.).
Descending past
Manang's
airstrip at
Hongde (3320m.),
you come to a
level area from
where the
north-east face
of Annapurna III
rises
majestically
above you. From
the wide plains
of the Sabje
Khola Valley,
Annapurna IV
[7525m] also
becomes visible.
Just beyond this
point you cross
the considerably
reduced flow of
the Marsyangdi
Khola via a
wooden bridge to
the tiny village
of Mungji.
Cultivated
fields appear on
both sides of
the path and off
to the right,
below a craggy
mountain, you
can see the
village of
Bryaga with its
splendid
monastery. Large
chortens and
mani walls
abound and the
tall peaks of
the Himalaya
spread out
before us -
Annapurna II,
Annapurna III,
Annapurna IV,
Gangapurna
[7455m] and, to
the rear,
Tilicho Peak
[7145m].
After a short
steep climb you
reach Manang
which is a
surprisingly
large village
for this remote
mountain region.
You camp here
for the night,
amidst the
fluttering
prayer flags,
which adorn the
houses.
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Day
08 :
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Rest day at
Manang and hang
in and around
town. This is an
important rest
and
acclimatization
day today before
crossing the
Thorung La.
There are
optional day
walks such as
crossing the
river to see the
tremendous
icefall coming
down from the
Annapurnas, or
climbing high
above the
village for a
full panorama of
the Annapurna
range and the
Manang Valley.
There is also a
Himalayan Rescue
Association [HRA]
aid post in the
village which
makes an
interesting and
educational
visit. Moreover
you can visit
Ganagapurna
Glacier Lake to
make your rest
day a memorable
one.
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Day
09 :
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Trek from Manang
to Yak Kharka
(4350m.) and it
takes about
three and half
hours. 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.
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Day 10 :
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Trek from Yak
Kharka to Chulu
West Base Camp
(4700m) which
takes about four
hours. You
ascend the rocky
and dry land all
the way. The
panoramic views
of Annapurna
range compensate
for the trekking
through bare
land.
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Day
11 :
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Trek from Chulu
West Base Camp
to Chulu West
High Camp and it
takes about
three hours. The
path is steep up
all the way. En
route you can
enjoy the
panoramic views
of Annapurna
range and Chhulu
West.
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Day
12 :
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Climb Camp I
(5400m).
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Day
13 :
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Climb Chulu West
(6420m.) and
return back to
Chulu West High
Camp Trek from
Chulu West High
Camp to Chulu
Letdar (4200m.)
which takes
about four
hours. You
descend all the
way to Chulu
Letdar. You are
quite
accompanied by
the views of
Annapurna range
and Chulu West.
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Day
14 :
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Trek from Chulu
Letdar to
Thorong High
Camp (4800m.)
and it takes
about five
hours. Till
Thorong Base
camp the path is
rocky and you
trek through
gradual ascend
path. Afterwards
the path is
steep up to
Thorong High
Camp.
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Day
15 :
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Trek from
Thorong High
Camp to
Muktinath
(3850m.) via
Thorong La
(5416m.) Pass
and it takes
about eight
hours. You start
early today for
your crossing of
Thorung La
[5416m]. The
trail becomes
steep
immediately on
leaving camp but
as this trail
has been used by
local people for
hundreds of
years the path
is well defined.
The gradient
then eases and
after around 4
hours of steady
climbing you
reaches the
chorten and
prayer flags of
the pass. The
views are
dramatic to say
the least, from
the snow-covered
mountains above,
to the head of
the Kali Gandaki
valley below and
the brown and
purple hills of
Mustang which
are spread out
before us. The
descent to
Muktinath is a
knee pounding
1600m but it's
compensated for
with excellent
views of
Dhaulagiri.
Eventually the
moraines give
way to grassy
slopes before a
pleasant walk
along the Jhong
Khola Valley to
Muktinath and
its shrines and
temple.
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Day 16 :
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Trek from
Muktinath to
Kagbeni (2895
m.) and it takes
about three and
half hours. You
now begin the
trek descent
down the
dramatic Kali
Gandaki Gorge,
initially
through arid
country in the
same
geographical and
climatic zone as
Tibet. After
passing through
Jharkot and
Khingar villages
with typical
Tibetan
architecture,
you follow path
steeply down to
Kagbeni, a
primitive
village famous
for Tibetan
architectures.
People living
there follow the
Tibetan life
style and
culture. There
is situated a
monastery said
to belong to
15th Century.
Kagbeni is the
border for Upper
Mustang.
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Day 17 :
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Trek from
Kagbeni to
Marpha (2650m.)
and it takes
about five and
half hours. You
now begin the
flat path along
the bank of
dramatic Kali
Gandaki Gorge,
initially
through arid
country in the
same
geographical and
climatic zone as
Tibet upto
Marpha. Marpha
is a big village
enriched with a
Buddhist
Monastery in
between the
village which
has its own
cultural
importance. It
is rich in
cultivating
apples. The
apple brandy
available there
is famous among
the local people
and travelers.
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Day 18 :
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Trek from Marpha
to Kalopani
(2530m.) which
takes about six
hours. Your
trail stretches
at almost flat
level through
forests to
Kalopani, a
Thakali village
and the
southern-most
limit of Tibetan
Buddhism. En
route, you find
Larjung which is
situated near
Dhaulagiri
Glacier. The
first part of
the trek passes
through the
windy area
covered with
pine forests,
rhododendron
forests and
birches are
seen. At
Kalopani, you
are quite amazed
at the panoramic
view of
Annapurna I
(8091m.),
Dhaulagiri I
(8167m.) and
Tukuche peak
(6920m.).
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Day 19 :
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Trek from
Kalopani to
Tatopani (1189
m.) which takes
about six and
half hours. The
trail descends
steeply upto
Rukse Chhahara (Rukse
Waterfall) which
is amazing to
look at. There
is situated the
deepest gorge of
the world
between two
mountains
Annapurna I
(8091m.) and
Dhaulagiri I
(8167m.) facing
each other near
Rukse Waterfall.
The trail again
descends
slightly to
Tatopani through
different human
settlements. You
can enjoy the
hot spring at
Tatopani as the
word Tatopati is
termed after the
natural hot
spring situated
at the bank of
the Kali Gandaki
river. It is
popularly
believed that
taking bath in
Hot Spring helps
you to get rid
of skin
diseases. Along
this, it gives
you physical and
mental
refreshment as
well.
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Day 20 :
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A rest day at
Tatopani to
enjoy the
natural hot
spring bath. It
is believed that
one who takes
bath get rids of
skin diseases.
After several
days trekking,
it is a great
idea to take
bath at hot
spring and
relax.
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Day 21 :
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Trek from
Tatopani to
Ghorepani (2853
m.) for about
seven hours.
Your trail
passes through
flat level of
the land at some
distance. Then
the trail begins
ascending
steeply for at
least one hour.
Now path goes up
through
different
villages
inhabited by the
people of
different caste
and agricultural
land. The
majority of the
people here
serve Gorkha
Regiment and
Indian Regiment
as well. While
trekking you
cross through
the Kali Gandaki
river with
panormic view of
Dhaulagiri and
Annapurna
ranges. The
trail ascends
gently all the
way to Ghorepani
passing through
small villages
like Phalate,
Chitre and so
on. While
trekking you
pass through
rhododendron
forests and come
across the wild
life such as
monkeys and
birds of various
species. You are
accompanied by
more panoramic
views of
different
mountains.Ghorepani
(Watering to
Horse) are a
small pass and
the village of
Deurali.
Although there
is time enough
to continue, it
is better to
stay here
overnight so
that you can
make the morning
trip to Poon
Hill (3180m.)
for an
outstanding
panorama of
Dhaulagiri
I,II,III,Iv,
Tukuche peak,
Dhampus peak,
Nilgir
ranges,Annapurna
I, Bahra Sikhar
(Twelve peaks or
renowned as
French
Fang),Annapurna
South, Himchuli,
Fishtail and
Mardi Himal. The
view you can see
from here is
probably the
best view in the
world. Not only
this, Poon Hill
is crowded by
different
visitors to
enjoy the
sunrise and
sunset over the
snow-capped
mountain.
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Day 22 :
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Trek from
Ghorepani to
Poon Hill
(3180m.) to
Hille (1475m.)
which takes
about five
hours. Early
morning trip to
Poon Hill
(3232m.) to
enjoy the
sunrise view
over Mt.
Dhaulagiri
(8167m.),
Tukuche Peak
(6920m.),
Nilgiri
(6940m.), Varaha
Shikhar
(7847m.), Mt.
Annapurna I
(8091m.),
Annapurna South
(7219m.),
Annapurna III
(7855m.),
Machhapuchhre
(6993m.),
Annapurna IV
(7525m.),
Annapurna II
(7937m.),
Lamjung Himal
(6931m.) and
other numerous
snowcapped
mountain peaks.
After breakfast,
you again follow
gradual descent
path through the
forests of
rhododendron and
oak upto
Banthanti. It is
a small village
where you can
pause for hot
and cold drinks.
Then the trail
descends to
Ulleri (1960m.),
a big Gurung
village from
where you can
enjoy view of
Annapurna South,
Machhapuchhre
and Hiunchuli.
From here the
trail upto
Tirkhedhunga is
steeply descent
passing terraces
and some
villages. After
a short walk of
15 minutes from
Tirkhedhunga,
you reach Hille.
It is also a
small Gurung
village with
surrounding
green hills.
Most of the
inhabitants of
this village are
occupied in
agriculture.
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Day 23 :
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Trek from Hille
to Nayapul
(1050m.) via
Birethanti and
it takes almost
three hours and
drive from
Nayapul to
Pokhara which
takes about one
and half hours.
This day’s trek
gradually
descends
following
Bhurung Khola (Bhurung
Stream) all the
way to
Birethanti
before you cross
the Modi Khola
over the
suspension
bridge. You are
amazed to pass
small villages,
see the
magnificent
waterfalls and
walk through the
sparse forests.
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Day 24 :
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Drive from
Pokhara to
Kathmandu by
tourist mini bus
that takes about
seven hours.
While driving
from Pokhara to
Kathmandu, you
head up to
Damauli,, Dumre,
Muglin and
Kurintar where
the Nepal's
first Cable car
is operated to
reach to
Manakamana
Temple. En
route, you could
enjoy the
mountain views,
green sceneries,
rice terrace
fields,
vegetable fields
and people being
engaged in their
daily life
activities. From
Naubishe you
climb up to
Thankot, the
gateway to
capital city.
You can also fly
from Pokhara to
Kathmandu which
takes about 25
minutes.
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