Location
Chulu Far East
5.0
Chulu Far East trek is one of the best trekking destinations for those seeking breathtaking Himalayan vistas such as Mount Annapurna, Pisang Peak, and Dhaulagiri. The trek takes you through lush paddies, high deserts, and rich local cultures.
Chulu Far East
18 Days
Climbing
Tents and Lodges
All included
Min. 4 Pax
Spring and Autumn
6160m.
Chulu, located on the Annapurna Circuit, provides an extraordinary trekking experience that combines adventure with incredible natural beauty. As part of the famous Annapurna Circuit, Chulu provides climbers the chance to see amazing mountain views, including Gangapurna, Annapurna, Pisang Peak, and Dhaulagiri. The trek features a diverse range of landscapes, from lush rice paddies and banana groves to high-altitude deserts. It also shows a variety of lifestyles and ethnicities, such as Gurungs, Thakalis, and Tibetans. The ascent includes a loop through the Nar and Phu valleys before reaching the summit.
Among the Chulu peaks, Chulu Far East is the most accessible. Its climb involves setting up a high-altitude camp beyond the base camp and following an easier ridge to the top. To succeed, you’ll need to be skilled in walking with a rope, using crampons on slopes up to 45°, and handling a jumar and descender. This trek provides a rewarding combination of mountain views and cultural insights in the heart of the Himalayas.
We start with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Koto, setting the stage for exploring the remote Naar and Phu valleys. As we trek through these secluded regions, you’ll engage yourself in local village life. We’ll challenge ourselves with the ascent of Kang La Pass and the crossing of Mesokanto Pass. Reach the summit of Chulu Far East at 6160m and take in exceptional panoramic views. Enjoy the serene beauty of Tilicho Lake, a turquoise highlight nestled at the foot of Tilicho Peak. Along the way, we’ll visit the vibrant villages of Nar and Phu and traverse high-altitude passes that promise an adventure like no other.
We start our journey with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar, located west of the city. From Besisahar, a jeep takes you on a rugged ascent to Koto, the gateway to the Naar Phu valley. Here, you’ll set up camp for the night. The drive will take approximately 11 hours.
We will depart from the Annapurna Circuit trail and head north into the Nar Valley. As we cross several suspension bridges over the Nar River, the trail may at times be narrow. Along this route, we will enjoy breathtaking views of Kang Guru (7,010 m). As we progress, we will notice junipers gradually replacing the fir trees. Eventually, descend to Meta, a wintering village for the residents of Nar and Phu from January to April. It offers spectacular views of Annapurna II (7,937 m), Lamjung (6,932 m), and Pisang Peak. The day’s trekking will take approximately 7 hours. We camp for the night.
Today’s trek is through forests of pine and juniper. The route takes you to the plateau of Kyang, another wintering village. You’ll see clear views of Annapurna II and IV, as well as Kang Guru.
We ascend the valley a little further and then cross the Phu Khola to enter the Nar valley. We climb to the village of Nar, which appears perched on the steep edge of a basin. Nar, at 4,150m, means “the site of the blue sheep” (or Bharal). The houses are made of gray stone, intricately connected by log ladders. You can see prayer flags flutter in the wind. The trek takes about 5 hours. You will stay in a camp.
We begin our trek in the early morning, walking through a landscape that becomes increasingly dry as we ascend through a high Tibetan plateau-like terrain. We cross a series of bridges over the gorge of the torrent and ascend stairs carved into the rock, leading up to a stone gateway marked by three small chortens. The village of Phu, situated on a rocky promontory, is surrounded by soaring eagles and vultures. We will camp here for the night after 5 hours of trekking.
After leaving Kyang village, the trail goes downhill before leading to a challenging and lengthy climb toward a 30-meter-long prayer wall. The wall is decorated with Tibetan inscriptions and intricately carved Buddha images. As you continue the trek, Nar village comes into view, nestled on the steep edge of a basin. The houses, made of gray stone, are connected by log ladders. The fluttering prayer flags add vibrancy to the scenery. This trek is expected to take around 7 hours.
As we trek further up the scenic valley, we eventually arrive at the base camp of Kang La Pass. This will serve as a brief stopover before we cross the pass. The base camp provides an opportunity to rest and make final preparations before undertaking the crossing. The trek from our current location to the base camp is estimated to take approximately 3 hours.
Today we will take a steep ascent to reach Kang la Pass. This path takes us past serene small mountain lakes. Ascending, you can see the breathtaking views of majestic peaks like Manaslu, Himlung, and Himal Chuli unfold before us. Once we reach the summit, we are rewarded with a view of Mount Annapurna, Tilicho, and Chulu. The next descent takes us to the village of Ngawal, where we will set up camp. The journey will involve approximately 5 hours of trekking.
Continuing the trail, it gradually winds its way upwards, leading us toward the majestic peaks of the region. Gradually, the familiar sights of villages start to fade, making way for vast and quiet yak pasturelands. After a journey through this terrain, we establish our base camp at an altitude of 4800 meters. Our ascent involves approximately 6 hours of trekking.
We will spend a full day resting at Base Camp. During this time, you will have the opportunity to acclimate to the altitude and take part in training exercises led by your guide and Sherpa. This is the perfect chance for our bodies to adjust properly to the altitude. Use this time to thoroughly inspect and prepare your equipment for the days ahead of the expedition. You can also take some short hikes to enjoy the local scenery.
After resting at base camp, we will trek up the moraine to reach High Camp, located just before the pass. Today’s mountain trek offers views of the Annapurna Valley, Chulu East, Chulu West, and Chulu Far East. You’ll enjoy mountain vistas and eventually reach the high camp of Chulu Far East Peak. The climb is gradual but challenging as you approach 5000m. We will set up camp here for the night.
Start your journey early in the morning to begin the ascent to the pass situated at an elevation of 5590 meters. The route involves tackling the western ridge, which is relatively straightforward. However, there might be cases where it is necessary to secure a rope on particularly steep sections, where the incline reaches up to 45 degrees.
You can also see the summit ridge and exceptional views of the majestic Annapurna range and the arid expanse of the Mustang plateau. After experiencing these awe-inspiring sights, make your way back to the Base Camp located at an altitude of 5000 meters. The trekking duration for this expedition is approximately 8 hours.
Today, we will descend to Manang, the largest village in the valley and a renowned tourist destination. Manang is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and spectacular views of the Annapurna range. Known as the “crown jewel” of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, it features the pristine Gangapurna Lake and Glacier. After a rewarding 7-hour trek, we will relax and spend the night in a cozy lodge.
We will trek for 6 hours through desert landscapes to reach the Tilicho Base Camp. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty as you make your way to the camp. Enjoy a memorable overnight stay at the Tilicho Base Camp, surrounded by beautiful Himalayan views.
During this memorable trek, we will slowly ascend to reach a turquoise glacial lake, which is situated at an elevation of 4919m at the base of Tilicho Peak, standing at a height of 7134m. This lake is the world’s highest glacial lake and is part of the Annapurna Circuit trek. Once we reach our destination, we will set up camp by the tranquil lake. The trek will take approximately 5 hours, involving an ascent of 769m followed by a descent of 769m.
We’ll take a lengthy detour today due to glacier melt, navigating hills overlooking Mesokanto. This challenging 6-hour trek involves traversing rugged terrain and will lead us to a campsite just before the Mesokanto Pass.
Our expedition takes us from Mesokanto Pass to Kaisang at 3,510 meters. From the pass, you can see spectacular views of the Annapurna, Nilgiri, and Dhaulagiri ranges. We’ll face a steep descent of about 200 meters (656 feet), which requires special equipment for porters due to the challenging conditions. The trek today will take around 6 hours.
Today’s trekking involves a continuous steep descent from Kaisang to Jomsom. Jomsom is a significant town in the Kali Gandaki Valley, Lower Mustang. Here, we’ll switch from trekking to a jeep-supported trail for the final stretch. We’ll spend the night in a lodge in Jomsom, enjoying the comfort of the town after our demanding trek.
Our 18-day trekking journey concludes with a scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, followed by a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. This final leg of the trip allows us to enjoy the stunning aerial views of the Himalayas before returning to the capital.
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