Chulu West with Annapurna Expedition - 22 Days

October-10^th, Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m./4,428ft.)

Upon our arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Traverse who will take us to star level hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

October-11^th, Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and Brief discussion upon the trip

After breakfast in the morning, we start a small sightseeing in Kathmandu in the three famous UNESCO World heritage enlisted sites: “Pashupatinath Temple” the biggest temple for Hindus, “Swayambhunath Stupa” also known as the monkey temple which is one of the famous religious Stupa for Buddhists and “Boudhanath Stupa” the biggest Stupa in Nepal located in Kathmandu. After this short visit to religious sites, we make early preparations for our trip and make sure everything is okay. As it is the second day, we will make you brief introduction on your trip and your guide/s too. At the evening we will host a welcome dinner offering typical Nepalese cuisine in one of the finest Nepalese Restaurants in Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu Hotel.

-Included meals: Breakfast,Dinner

October-12^th, Day 03: Syange (1,410m./4,626ft.) Drive,8-10 hrs.

We have to begin very early today as we need to go a long drive to reach at our trek starting point. After breakfast, we leave Kathmandu at around 7 am and nearly after 8-10 hours’ drive, we reach Syange or Jagat (as per situation) via Besishahar. Enroute, we see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. However, the condition of road is not equally fine in all portion of our drive today. The road up to Besishahar is coal-tarred road, whereas after Besishahar the road is dusty and coarse though we can easily overlook it as we watch the outstanding sceneries through the windowpane. Overnight stay at Syange or Jagat Guesthouse.

 

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-13^th, Day 04: Trek Dharapani (1,960m./6,431ft.), 7-8 hrs.

Upon our breakfast, we start our journey today in a relax way. We enter Manang district after crossing a large bridge near Tal. The trail continues through barley, rice, potato fields and pine forests. After passing the village of Kodo we will be at Dharapani, one of the big villages in the Manang valley. Overnight at Dharapani.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-14^th, Day 05: Trek Chame (2,710m./8,892ft.), 6-7 hrs.

Today, we negotiate a few steep forested ridges along with several landslides on route on the west. On the way to Chame, we encounter with the most sensational views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and Annapurna IV (7,525m/24,688ft). Small hot springs add relief on our long day hard trek. Chame is the administrative centre of the Manang District.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-15^th, Day 06: Trek Pisang (3,300m/10,827ft.), 5-6 hrs.

A steep and narrow path through a very dense forest will bring us to the dramatic curved rock face, rising 1500m from the river. As the trail opens up, we get surrounded by majestic Himalayan Peaks. We find ourselves in U-shaped valley of Manang hanging between two giant snow peaks. After walking through these wonderful sites, we reach at Pisang. Overnight at Lower Pisang.

 

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

October-16^th, Day 07: Ngawal (3,660m./12,010ft.), 4hrs

 

We move from Pisang to Ngawal. (One of the main attractions of this village is a centuries-old cave of guru Rinpoche that is on the hill overlooking Ngawal village).  Overnight in Ngawal.

 

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

October-17^th, Day 08: Acclimatization Day: Ngawal to Kang la pass (5,313m./17450ft.) 5-6 hrs. and back to Ngawal

 

This is an acclimatization day. For the very purpose we do kangla pass and be back. Overnight in Ngawal.

 

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

October-18^th, Day 09: Trek Manang (3,519m./11,546ft.),6-7 hrs.

There are two routes that we can follow today. If taken upper route (Himalayan Traverse recommends), i.e., the route through Upper Pisang via Geru, the sceneries will be outstanding. We feel like we are horizontally in front of the majestic peaks. The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely allure us. We notice a contrast with the landscape and vegetation from today onwards. The cold and dry climate create a much harsher environment. We pay our memorable visit to Barge monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang. Overnight in Manang.

 

October-19^th, Day 10: Trek Leder (4,200m./13,780ft.), 4-5 hrs.

From Manang, we continue through alpine landscapes with high altitude vegetation and forests. A gradual ascent takes us to Yak Kharka and then to our today’s camp. Our today’s camp area is most used as the alpine pasture by the local people.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-20^th, Day 11: Chulu West Base Camp (4,900m./16,077ft.), 4-5 hrs.

Today, we continue our trekking from Leder to Chulu West Base Camp. From the Base Camp, we can enjoy the views of Annapurna Himalayas. We may also like to discover the surrounding areas. At this point, we will set up our camp for overnight stay.

 

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-21^st Day 12: Chulu West High Camp (5,100m/16,733ft.),4-5 hrs.

From the Chulu Base Camp, we continue hiking towards Camp I. The route is not that technical. But it would be better to remember that we are climbing on high altitudes. At this juncture we relish the magnificent views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains including Manaslu, Gangapurna and Lamjung Himal.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-22^nd Day 13 High Camp Acclimatization (5,100m./16,733ft.)

Today will be the rest and acclimatization day at Camp I. While we rest at camp I, the climbing leaders and other staffs make way to Camp II and supply the equipments for the camp. Later, they return back to Camp I. We may rest and if interested walk around Camp I.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-23^rd Day 14: Summit Day then back to High Camp (6,419m/21,061ft.),9-10 hrs.

It is our summit day, and it is going to be long day. Therefore, we would wake up much earlier today. Each moment we have to work hard through the icy high-altitude trail but the outstanding high Himalayan scenes are such tempting that our eyes love to watch more over the horizon than on our trail. After summiting, we return back to Camp I.

 

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-24^th Day 15: Leder (4,200m./13,780ft.), 5-6 hrs

From Camp I, our return path descends all the way to Leder. While descending, we enjoy the panoramic views of the Annapurnas and other peaks. We make our overnight stay at Leder and celebrate the summiting of Chulu West Peak. -Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-25^th Day 16: Back up Day (Incase Bad Weather Condition)

There is no such guarantee that we can get quite a favorable weather on our planned day for the summit. So, this day is used as a contingency in case if we are unable to summit the Chulu West Peak on the scheduled date due to bad weather condition or some other reasons. Sometimes somebody in the group may get some problems in acclimatizing well enough to make the ascent. Since. the day can be used in that condition too. If the trip goes smoothly, we do not need this spare day.

 

October-26^th Day 17: Thorang High Camp (5,416m./17,770ft.),4-5 hrs.

Today, we clean up the base camp and head for Thorong high camp.

Overnight in thorang high camp.

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

October-27^th Day 18: Thorang Highcamp - Thorang Pass – Muktinath – Jomsom,7-8 hrs

At the beginning, we cross the famous high pass of Thorong La today. An early start is important to complete the mission. We reach Muktinath, an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist after crossing the pass. Muktinath hosts a Vishnu temple and a monastery nearby demonstrating the religions harmony in Nepal. For the Hindus, the region is a “Muktikhsetra” or the region of liberation or salvation. There are water spouts channeled for the stream running above the temple. We enjoy the tremendous stunning views of Dhaulagiri peak from Muktinath. From Muktinath, we continue back to Jomsom on a local bus.

 

 

-Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

October-28^th Day 19: Pokhara Flight,30m

Upon the completion of morning breakfast, we check in the airport to fly back to Pokhara, a 30-min dramatic flight to Pokhara between gorge of the two huge mountains, Overnight in Pokhara.

-Included meals: Breakfast

 

October -29^th Day 20: Pokhara Sightseeing [823m/2,700ft]

Early morning at around 7 am, In pokhara we will see more of beautiful mountain sceneries. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara is city of lakes and has numerous beautiful lakes. We can explore the most accessible and beautiful, Fewa Lake during the afternoon -enjoy boating too. Explore, relax and dine by tranquil Lake Fewa. You can even do some shopping during evening hours. Overnight in Sarangkot.

We will visit the below given places included in the Pokhara city tour.

Pokhara City Tour:

Devi’s Fall -

Devi’s Fall is one of the popular tourist sites in Pokhara. It is also popularly known as Patale Chhango (underground water fall). Devi’s Fall is named after the name of Swiss women Ms. Devi. One day in 1961, Ms Devi was swimming near the waterfall of Fewa Dam with her husband and at the same time the dam overflowed suddenly and swept away her into a deep gorge to death in 1961. Since then the waterfall is named as Devi’s Fall. It is and awesome waterfall just 2km south of the Pokhara airport. City buses and taxis are available to go to the waterfall.

 

Gupteswor Cave -

Opposite of the Devi’s fall, there is a beautiful cave. The whole area of the cave is very big and needs well preparation to explore it. The cave also a popular pilgrimage site. There is a natural image of Lord Shiva, which was naturally found beneath the earth. Many devotees visit the cave every day. Well-maintained steps are constructed with sufficient lights to enter into the cave. There is a small tunnel behind the Shiva image that links the cave to the Devi’s fall. It takes about 10 minutes to reach Devi’s fall through the tunnel. It is an exciting part of the cave that adventure visitors have also the opportunity to enjoy the underground view of Devi’s Fall. Since the tunnel is a kind of adventurous aspect that one should take care while being in the tunnel.

 

Mahendra Cave -

Mahendra Cave is another natural wonder in Pokhara is the Mahendra Cave. The cave has not been fully explored yet. It is advised that visitors should have a torch or a guide to enter into the cave. The cave management committee also provides guide a torch if requested. Mahendra Cave is named after the late King Mahendra and is situated some 9 km. North of Pokhara Airport. City buses and taxis are regularly available to go to the cave. There is another cave nearby Mahendra Cave known as the Bat’s Cave or ChamereGupha.

 

Bindabasini Temple -

It is a wonderful and the most popular pilgrimage site located on a small beautiful hillok some 4 km. North of airport. Bindabasini is regarded as Shakti Pitha of goddess Bhagabati. The temple area is like a park and is ideal for sightseeing. There are also few more temples including one Shiva temple nearby Bindabasini Temple.

 

Tibetan Refugee Camp -

There are three Tibetan refugee camps. One is 2km. South from the airport near the Devi’s fall at Chhorepatan, the second is in Prithwichowk and the third is 7km. North of airport in Hemja. All the camps are worth visiting to know Tibetan culture, their tradition and living style. Within the camps there are handicraft centers.

 

Buddhist Monastery -

It is also called Nyeshang Monastery established in 1960 by Manangi Buddhists. This monastery is situated at Matepani about 4km east of the airport. It is built on a small hillock and one can enjoy nice view of Pokhara city as well as the mountain ranges.

 

Seti River -

It is another mysterious natural wonder of Pokhara. Originated from the Machhapuchre glacier, Setiriver runs through the main city area. The river provides a perfect view of its dreadful rush before it goes underground or disappears at Bagar into a deep gorge. The gorge is narrow but very deep that in some place it goes down to more than 60 meters deep. KI Sing Bridge, Mahendrapool and Prithvichowk are the main places to observe the underground river and its roaring sound. The surprising aspect of the river that even during the rainy season the swelling floodwater does not block into the narrow gorge. 

 

Included meals: Bed and Breakfast

 

October-30^th Day 21 Kathmandu flight,6-7 hrs.

Today morning we see sunrise in sarangkot and then we head off for the Kathmandu flight. Overnight in Kathmandu.

 

-Included meals: Breakfast

October-31^st, Day 22: Final Departure

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. A representative will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.