Chulu West climbing

After breakfast, our city tour guide with a luxury vehicle will come to pick you up for the city sightseeing of some UNESCO world heritage sites for half a day. After that your free time for leisure and preparation for the trek.( Exchanging the money, shopping, gear check etc.

We start our journey quite early as we need to drive long  to reach our trek starting point. After breakfast we leave Kathmandu around 6:30 AM,After besisahar the road is  mostly offroad. Along the road , we will see Nepal's local villages,farms and beautiful mountain sceneries.

Manang is a bustling village with cozy teahouses, bakeries, and panoramic views of the Annapurna range. Trekkers often spend an extra day here to acclimatize, explore the surrounding areas, or visit the Gangapurna Lake and viewpoint.From Pisang we follow the jeep road track for whole day which is used by vehicle as well. We will get more chance to explore the beautiful landscape of Manang valley, The panoramic views of the mountain peaks, such as Annapurna, Pisang peak, and several others will definitely fascinates 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 Braga  monastery, the largest in the entire district of Manang. After the brief visit, continue to Manang village, which is only a 30 minutes walk. Manang is home to a huge Buddhist settlement. The town seems to be stuck in time with amazing stone houses, narrow alleyways.

Today is the scheduled acclimatization day. It is not recommended to stay idle but a short walk to higher altitude will be better to get acclimatized with the altitude. Manang is a good place to do that as the next two days will be very challenging and tiring trek for us with rapid gain in altitude. We should never be confident with the altitude and always be cautious. Bhojo Gompa or Gangapurna Lake is worth visiting sites from acclimatization point of view. We make an easy excursion to a little distance away to a village called Braga, a small old village with a monastery. At this juncture, we also make our short visit to the Himalayan Rescue Association where we can get some ideas about Mountain Sickness.

After early morning breakfast in Manang, we head to Leder. The trek from Manang to Ledar is a captivating section of the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, offering dramatic changes in landscape, altitude, and ambiance .From Manang, the path gradaulally ascends, winding through alpine meadows and sparse juniper bushes. As you leave the fertile valley behind, the scenery becomes more rugged, with towering cliffs, glacial rivers, and views of snow-capped peaks like Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Chulu East. we continue through alpine landscapes with high altitude vegetation and forests. A gradual ascent will take you to Yak Kharka, where you can make a brief stop. Passing by high-altitude vegetation of birch trees, you will reach Leder shortly after midday. Our today’s camp area is most used as the alpine pasture by the local people. As you ascend above the treeline, the views of open slopes come into display. Leder offers a camping site in the wide pastures, and there aren't many settlements in the nearby areas. After taking some rest, you can hike up to the nearby viewpoint to enjoy the views of high-standing mountains and also acclimatize. Along the way, you'll encounter yak pastures and small settlements. These areas are dotted with stone walls and grazing animals, showcasing the high-altitude lifestyle of the local Gurung and Tibetan-influenced communities. The altitude becomes more noticeable here, and trekkers are advised to rest well and stay hydrated. The surrounding scenery is stark yet beautiful, with peaks rising dramatically against the clear sky.

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.The trail becomes tougher as the altitude sees a rise and the terrain becomes rugged. Following a steep path, you will make an ascend on the rough terrain. On the way, you will witness prayer set up by the locals to worship the Buddhist gods.

The trek from Ledar to Chulu West Base Camp is an exhilarating journey that takes trekkers off the beaten Annapurna Circuit trail into a more remote and rugged alpine environment.

The trek from Chulu West Base Camp to Chulu West High Camp is a steep and demanding climb, taking you further into the high- altitude wilderness of the Annapurna region.From the Chulu Base Camp, we continue hiking towards high camp . 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. The base camp is set in an open area surrounded by towering peaks, offering a spectacular panoramic view of the Annapurna and Chulu ranges. The camp is typically a simple setup of tents used for climbing expeditions. It provides a surreal, peaceful environment perfect for acclimatization and preparation for further climbs.The terrain is dry and rugged, with stone steps in some parts. The need for proper trekking poles and shoes is needed in these steep climbs. The atmosphere may be windy and misty. The campsite at Chulu West Base high Camp is rocky and windy. However, the views of surrounding mountains are well with the stay. It’s a short yet strenuous segment, primarily undertaken as part of the preparation for summiting Chulu West. The climb may include sections that require careful footwork, especially over unstable scree or icy patches. The thin air is noticeable, making each step more physically demanding.

High winds and sudden weather changes are common at this altitude, requiring careful planning and adequate gear. Trekkers must maintain a slow and steady pace to conserve energy and acclimatize to the higher altitude.

It is our summit day, and it is going to be long day. The day begins early, often around midnight or 1 AM, to maximize daylight hours and ensure safe navigation. we gear up in the freezing predawn hours, donning crampons, harnesses, and warm layers. After a quick, light meal, the ascent begins.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 basecamp . The climb starts with headlamps lighting the way through steep and icy terrain. The early sections often involve navigating snowfields and ridges with moderate gradients. The crisp, star-lit skies and silhouettes of towering peaks create a surreal atmosphere.  The ascent includes steep snow slopes and exposed ridges. Some sections may require front-pointing or fixed-rope ascents, depending on snow and ice conditions. The summit  offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Annapurna range, including Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, and beyond.The descent is faster but requires careful attention, particularly on steep or icy sections. We use fixed ropes and take slow, deliberate steps to avoid slips or falls.The descent to base camp involves retracing the rocky and scree-filled trail. Though easier than the climb, fatigue from the summit push can make this section feel demanding. The summit day of Chulu West is an unforgettable experience, blending adventure, challenge, and the unparalleled beauty of the Himalayas. The return to base camp marks not just the end of the climb but the culmination of a remarkable journey.

The trek from Chulu West Base Camp to Yak Kharka is a descent into more hospitable terrain after the high-altitude adventure of the Chulu massif. This section offers a chance to recover from the exertion of the climb while still enjoying the breathtaking Himalayan landscape. After breakfast, you will take your steps back to Ledar. The descent is much easier and quicker than the ascend. Along the way, enjoy views of the mountains which will not be seen from here on. After an early breakfast and packing up, the descent begins from the rugged, high-altitude base camp. The fresh memories of the summit and the surrounding grandeur of the Annapurna  and Chulu  ranges provide a satisfying backdrop as you set out. The trail from the base camp involves navigating scree, loose rocks, and occasionally snow, depending on the season. Careful footing is essential on the steep sections. As you lose elevation, the air feels noticeably thicker, making the descentmorecomfortable.
After leaving the isolated path leading from Chulu West Base Camp, you merge with the primary Annapurna Circuit trail. The route becomes more defined, with occasional mule trains and other trekkers adding life to the journey. The harsh alpine terrain gradually gives way to high-altitude meadows dotted with shrubs and juniper bushes.The scenery includes dramatic cliffs, flowing streams, and distant viewsofsnow-capped peaks.
As you approach Yak Kharka, the presence of grazing yaks and herders’ shelters becomes more frequent. These areas are picturesque, with stone walls enclosing pastures and views of the Marsyangdi Valley below.

Yak Kharka is a peaceful settlement surrounded by alpine meadows and grazing yaks. After a hearty breakfast, the journey begins with a gradual descent toward Manang, retracing parts of the Annapurna Circuit trail.The trail gently slopes downward, crossing open meadows and rocky terrain. The path is well-trodden and easy to follow, with occasional encounters with mule caravans and fellow trekkers.The route involves crossing the Marsyangdi River multiple times via sturdy wooden bridges.The river’s glacial-blue waters add a picturesque contrast to the rugged surrounding.As you descend, the alpine vegetation transitions into greener, more fertile terrain. Juniper bushes, shrubs, and wildflowers begin to appear. Views of the Annapurna range remain spectacular, with Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna dominating the horizon.

The trail passes through smaller villages, where you can catch glimpses of local life. These hamlets often have stone-built houses, mani walls (prayer walls), and fluttering prayer flags.
The final stretch offers expansive views of the Manang Valley. The terrain becomes less steep as you approach the village, and the trail becomes wider and more populated.

This trek is a perfect conclusion to the higher-altitude segment of the journey, offering a smooth transition from the rugged, remote trails back to the vibrant heart of the Annapurna region.

The journey from Manang to Kathmandu marks the final leg of the Annapurna adventure, taking trekkers from the tranquil Himalayan village to the bustling capital of Nepal. While this transition involves a mix of trekking, vehicle travel, and sometimes flights, it provides a chance to reflect on the trek's incredible experiences. Manang, with its cozy teahouses, bakeries, and stunning mountain vistas, serves as a wonderful place to conclude your trekking adventure. After breakfast, you’ll begin your descent from the Annapurna region by Jeep about 6 hours drive to Besisahar, then another 5 hours to Kathmandu.