Chulu East Peak Climbing 18 Days | Itinerary & Summit

Your Chulu East peak climbing journey begins the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport. Once you complete your immigration process, collect your luggage and walk through the arrival hall, our guide greets you with a warm smile.

Then we will take the short drive to Thamel, from where you will start to notice the first scenes of Nepal: the busy roadside shops, and layers of hills rising in the distance. 

After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is kept intentionally light. You meet your climbing guide for a short briefing about the upcoming climb, followed by a gentle equipment check to make sure everything you brought matches the peak’s requirements.

If time allows, explore the streets of Thamel, well known for its outdoor gear shops, cafes, and narrow alleys that are always decorated with color and sound. 

The evening is relaxed, giving your body time to recover from the jet lag. 

Today is your first journey into the mountains. After an early breakfast, you leave Kathmandu and join the Prithvi Highway.

The first few hours take you past agricultural fields, roadside bazaars, and breathtaking views of the Trishuli River valley.

By late morning, you reach Besisahar, the actual starting point for our journey. 

Here, you switch to a local jeep, as the road beyond this point becomes rough and is made purely for mountain vehicles. In fact, from here on, the whole surrounding also changes dramatically: the road narrows, the cliffs grow steeper, and the Marsyangdi River thunders far below.

You slowly pass through villages like Bhulbhule, Syange, Jagat, Chamje, and Tal, each offering you the views of the rural Himalayan life. Honestly, the road here feels more like an adventure trail, twisting through forests, rocky bends, and suspension bridge crossings.

By late afternoon, you reach Dharapani, an important checkpoint where your ACAP permits are checked. 

The whole village feels peaceful, surrounded by pine forests and the sound of the river. You settle into your first teahouse of the trek, enjoy a warm meal, and rest early. 

From tomorrow, you officially begin walking deeper into the Himalayas.

The walk from Dharapani begins gently as you leave the Dharapani village and follow a forested trail toward Bagarchhap. This first stretch takes about 45–60 minutes and covers roughly 2 km of peaceful walking. 

By the time you reach Bagarchhap, you’ve already gained around 300 m in elevation without even noticing it.

From Bagarchhap, the route slowly rises again toward Danakyu(2,300 m). This section is only about 1 km long and usually takes 30–40 minutes, which apparently is one of the shorter climbs of the day. 

Once you leave Danakyu behind, the trail becomes difficult as you approach the steepest part toward Timang, which stands at close to 2,750 m. This climb takes 2–2.5 hours and adds another 450 m of height, so most trekkers take short breaks along the way.

In fact, Timang is the place where you really feel the change in the air and scenery, with cooler temperatures and a more open view of the mountains. After resting here, the trail becomes much easier. 

Then, you begin to dip slightly into Thanchok, losing about 70 m, before gently rising again to Koto at around 2,640 m. This part takes 1–1.5 hours and covers around 3–4 km.

The final walk to Chame is short and steady. It usually takes about 60 minutes to complete the last few kilometers. 

When you finally reach Chame at 2,670 m, you’ve climbed a total of 810 m for the day and walked about 15.7 km in total. 

Reaching the final destination for the day feels comfortable and well set up, making it a perfect place to rest before heading up to higher.

The next morning, you leave Chame after breakfast and follow a quiet trail through tall pine forests. 

Initial morning walk stays cool and shaded, and after about 7 km of gradual ups and downs, you reach Bhratang (2,850m) in 1.5–2 hours. This small settlement is famous for its apple orchards, and many trekkers stop here for a short tea break.

From Bhratang, the trail becomes steeper. The next 4–6 km takes 1.5–2 hours, and this is the hardest part of the day. In fact, here the path is cut into the side of a cliff, and far below you can see the Marsyangdi River. This is also where you first see Paungda Danda, a huge, smooth rock wall that rises more than a kilometer above the valley.

Then you reach Dhukur Pokhari (3,240m) for lunch. At this height, the air feels thinner, with around 75–78% oxygen compared to sea level. After resting for about an hour, you continue for another 30 minutes to 2 hours through open, windy meadows.

Finally, you climb the last steps into Upper Pisang (3,300m),a quiet, traditional village with stone houses, prayer wheels, and a beautiful old monastery. 

Tonight you sleep above 3,300 meters, giving your body a very important acclimatization boost before heading higher.

Today, you leave Upper Pisang at 3,300 meters and follow the high route. The total walking distance is around 10–10.6 km, with 4–6 hours of walking depending on your pace. 

Your final sleeping height in Ngawal is 3,660 meters, so you gain about 360–380 meters of net altitude today.

From Upper Pisang, you cross a suspension bridge and start the big climb to Ghyaru (3,730m). This section is about 5 km and usually takes 2.5–3.5 hours. 

However, you need to be careful as the trail here is steep and zigzags up a dry hillside. In fact, in this short distance, you climb around 430 vertical meters, which feels tough because you are already above 3,300 meters, where oxygen is around 75–78% of sea level.

Ghyaru offers the views of Annapurna II, III, IV, and Pisang Peak, all between 6,000 and nearly 8,000 meters. Most trekkers stop here for 30–45 minutes to rest and drink tea before continuing.

From Ghyaru to Ngawal (3,660m) is another 5 km and takes about 2–3 hours. The path rolls gently up and down between 3,600 and 3,730 meters, with little shades of pine forest 

You end the day in Ngawal after 10.6 kilometers of high-altitude walking, sleeping at 3,660 meters, where oxygen drops to roughly 74–76% of sea-level levels, helping your body acclimate. 

Today is one of the easier days of your Chulu East approach, even though you stay above 3,500 meters, where oxygen levels remain around 74–76% of sea level. 

You begin from Ngawal (3,660m) and follow a mostly gentle route to Manang (3,540m). The total distance for the day is around 9–10 kilometers, and most trekkers complete it in 3 to 4 hours.

The path from Ngawal drops gradually for the first 1.5–2 km, losing around 100–120 meters. This descent feels good after yesterday’s long climb. 

Soon, the trail levels out as you walk across open fields where yaks graze. The landscape here is dry and wide, sitting in the rain shadow of the Annapurna range.

After about 1.5 hours, you reach Braka (3,470m), a historic village known for its 500-year-old monastery. Many trekkers stop here for tea or a quick snack. From Braka, it takes only 30–45 minutes to walk the final 1.5 km to Manang.

Then, you arrive in Manang (3,540m) by early afternoon. Even though you descend slightly today, sleeping just under 3,550 meters still helps your acclimatization. Manang is also where your body begins serious preparation for the higher camps ahead, which is why this short, easier day is extremely important for your Chulu East climb.

Today is not about covering long distances; rather, it’s about helping your body adapt to the thin air. 

Manang sits at 3,540 meters, where oxygen levels drop to roughly 72–74% of sea level. This is the altitude at which trekkers often begin to experience stronger symptoms of altitude sickness, such as mild headaches, loss of appetite, or light sleep. 

To make this day a little bit easier, from the previous few days, we followed the classic rule of climb high, sleep low.

Most acclimatization hikes in Manang take you between 3,800m and 4,000m, which gives your body a gentle preview of the heights you’ll face later at Chulu East Base Camp. 

The most popular option is the short but effective Gangapurna Lake Viewpoint, which usually takes 2–3 hours round-trip and climbs about 250–300 meters.

Another option is the Bhojo Gompa trail, which climbs to around 400 meters and reaches viewpoints at 3,950–4,000 meters.

You return to Manang for lunch, hydrate well, and rest. Because sleep quality decreases at this altitude, guides recommend drinking 3 liters of water, eating light meals, and avoiding afternoon exertion.

This acclimatization day is crucial; it’s the day that decides your success at 5,330m Base Camp and on the 6,584m Chulu East summit, and it depends heavily on how well your body adjusts today.

Today, after breakfast, you leave Manang and slowly climb to Yak Kharka at 4,050m. Even though the total distance is only 10–11 km, the altitude makes every step feel heavier. 

The first hour takes you through the upper part of Manang, past old stone houses and prayer walls, until you reach Tenki Manang (3,620m).

After this point, the trail gets steeper. Then you begin the hardest part of the day, which is the trek to Gunsang (around 3,900m). Here, you gain nearly 300m in this short stretch, and the air begins to feel noticeably thinner with only about 62–65% of sea-level oxygen. 

Most trekkers stop in Gunsang for a short tea break, especially if they’re feeling breathless.

From Gunsang onward, the trail becomes gentler. The path follows an open valley where you’ll likely see yaks grazing on the hillsides. And the coolest part is from here on the landscape changes completely with no trees,  just dry slopes, and big mountain walls on both sides.

After 4–5 hours of total walking, you reach Yak Kharka, a small settlement with a few lodges. This is your first night above 4,000m, so sleep may feel lighter than usual. 

Here, a mild headache or tiredness is normal. The trick to overcoming this situation is to eat well, drink plenty of water, and rest. 

Additionally, this day is an important acclimatization step before you climb higher toward Chulu East Base Camp.

Let us remind you this is going to be the one of the hardest day of your entire Chulu East Peak Climbing journey. 

You start the day by leaving Yak Kharka (4,050m) in the early morning and follow the main trail heading north-east into a wide, open high-altitude valley. The first 1–2 km of the climb gently ascends across yak pastures, gaining around 150–200 meters of elevation. 

The trail is clear here, and you can still walk at a steady 2–3 km/h pace before the terrain gets steeper.

By the time you reach 4,500m, the oxygen level drops to around 55–58%, so most climbers take a short rest every 20–30 minutes. However, the views begin to widen, and our Chulu East appears directly in front, while Gangapurna and the Annapurna range sit behind you.

After the pastures, the path turns north-east and enters rough moraine terrain for the next 3–4 km. This section gains another 500–600 meters, with loose rocks and uneven footing. The wind usually becomes stronger after 11 a.m., so starting early is important.

The final 1–2 km involve the steepest climb of the day, taking you to the rocky platform of Chulu East Base Camp (5,300m). Afternoon temperatures sit between -5°C and -10°C, and nights can drop to -15°C with wind chill.

But from here on, the real journey starts to begin as there are no teahouses in the Chulu East Base Camp. So, you sleep in expedition tents (usually two people per tent) with -20°C sleeping bags and foam mats for insulation. 

Furthermore, the kitchen team prepares simple meals like soup, dal bhat, pasta, tea, and warm drinks. Water comes from a nearby glacial stream and must be treated before drinking.

At the end of the day, you have walked for around 5 to 6 hours and gained around 1250 meters in elevation. You can end the today’s day by enjoying the views of mountains like Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna, Chulu West, and Tilicho Peak.

Note: This is your first night above 5,000m, the most important acclimatization point before heading toward High Camp and the summit.

You begin this short but demanding climb from Base Camp (5,300m) in the early morning, heading north–northeast toward the upper slopes of Chulu East. The first 1 km moves over rocky moraine, gaining around 80–120 meters, where the air already holds only 48–50% oxygen. The pace naturally slows to 0.8–1.2 km/hour.

After the moraine, the trail steepens to 20–25 degrees, and you enter hard-packed snow and occasional ice patches. Over the next 1.5–2 km, you gain roughly 200–250 meters, climbing steadily toward the ridge line. Crampons and an ice axe may be required depending on surface conditions.

The final 1 km leads directly to High Camp, sitting anywhere between 5,600m and 5,800m. Here, oxygen drops further to 41–44%, and every step feels heavier. The trail stays narrow, with loose rocks in early sections and softer snow closer to camp.

Talking about accommodation and food, High Camp is a simple alpine setup with the 4-season tents, snow-melt water, and a light meal such as soup, noodles, or rice. There are no teahouses; all accommodation is expedition-style camping.

Most climbers rest for the afternoon, hydrate well, and prepare gear for the 1–2 AM summit push.
By the end of the day, you will have a total elevation gain of 300–500 meters over 3–4 hours of slow, steady climbing.

Summit Push: High Camp to 6,584m

You wake up in the dark at 1:00–2:00 a.m. at High Camp (5,600–5,800m). Outside, the air holds only about 41–43% of sea-level oxygen. You eat a quick, simple breakfast, clip on your crampons, switch on your headlamp, and start walking slowly uphill.

The route climbs north and north-east above camp on a steep, frozen snow slope. The gradient is often between 22 and 35 degrees, so every step needs focus. Your guide leads the rope team, and you follow their footsteps, using your ice axe for balance. You move very slowly, only 0.8–1.2 km per hour, stopping for short rests as your heart races and your breathing becomes heavy.

Above 6,000 meters, the only source of light is the beam of your headlamp and the crunch of your crampons. Oxygen is now around 37–38% of sea level. 

A dull headache, tired legs, and a light feeling in your head are normal. And your guide continuously checks that you can still talk clearly and walk in a straight line.

On the Ridge and the Summit

As dawn arrives, you reach the summit ridge, a mix of snow and ice, often only 1–3 meters wide in places. There are steep drops on at least one side, so you focus on every step. In steeper sections, you may follow fixed ropes, using your jumar or safety knot.

Finally, after 3–5 hours of climbing, you stand on the summit of Chulu East, 6,584 meters above sea level. Oxygen is only about 35–36% of what you get at home. 

You stay at the summit just for around 5–15 minutes, during that time you can take a few photos, a quick look at Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, and the Tibetan plateau on the horizon. Then it is time to go down.

Descent Back to Base Camp

The descent is long and tiring. You first go back to High Camp, carefully facing your crampons downhill on the steep snow. By late morning, the surface softens, so the slipping risk increases. This is why most teams aim to be off the steepest sections before 10–11 a.m.

From High Camp, you continue down to Base Camp (around 5,300m), losing nearly 1,300–1,500 meters of height in total for the day. By the time you reach your tent, you have been moving for 10–12 hours. You are exhausted, maybe with a light headache and no appetite, but you have done it. Today, you turned from a high-altitude trekker into a Himalayan summiteer.

You wake up at Chulu East Base Camp, take one last look at the summit, and start descending the same route you climbed up. The first part retraces the rocky moraine and snow sections back toward Yak Kharka. Your lungs feel happier with every meter you drop, but your knees and thighs work hard on the steep downhill.

By late morning or midday, you reach Yak Kharka (4,050 m), where you stop for a hot lunch and tea. The air already feels thicker, and walking becomes easier.

The final stretch follows the familiar open valley down to Manang (3,540 m). You check back into a teahouse with a proper dining room, thicker walls, and a wider menu.

Today, you lose roughly 1,760 meters of elevation over 6–8 hours of downhill walking.

You leave Manang after breakfast and follow the main trail down-valley toward Braka, walking gently along the river. This first section is easy, a soft re-entry after the expedition days.

From Braka, you rejoin the high route, climbing steadily back toward Ngawal (3,660 m). Even though you’re now well acclimatized, the 100+ meter gain still makes you breathe hard, but nothing like the summit push.

You settle again into a traditional stone teahouse in Ngawal, with views of Annapurna and the Chulu range. Dinner is simple but hearty: dal bhat, noodle soup, or potatoes.

Today you gain around 120 meters overall, spread across 4–6 hours of mixed gentle valley walking and one solid climb.

From Ngawal, you stay on the high route, walking along the dry, open hillsides toward Ghyaru. This is a scenic balcony walk with Annapurna II, III, IV, and Pisang Peak dominating the skyline. 

Past Ghyaru, the trail drops steadily toward Upper Pisang (3,300 m). The descent is steep in places, so trekking poles help protect your knees. The air feels thicker, and every breath comes easier.

You return to the quiet stone village of Upper Pisang, with its monastery and traditional houses. Teahouses here are simple but cozy, serving hot rice, soups, and tea.

You lose about 360–400 meters today, over 4–5 hours of mostly descending along a high, scenic ridge.

You leave Upper Pisang and retrace your steps down through Lower Pisang and Dhukur Pokhari. The path undulates but trends downhill, passing open meadows, pine forest, and the massive rock face of Paungda Danda across the valley.

After lunch, you continue toward Bhratang and finally Chame, following a mix of jeep road and forest trail. The air feels almost “rich” now compared to high camp, but the long descent can make your legs tired.

In Chame (2,670 m), you’re back to a bigger town with more comfortable lodges, warmer rooms, and slightly better facilities. 

Note: Hot showers are more likely here. 

Today, you lose roughly 630 meters of elevation over 5–7 hours of steady, mostly downhill trekking.

From Chame, you continue descending the Marsyangdi valley toward lower, greener country. The trail often follows or joins the trekking road, passing pine forests, waterfalls, and small villages.

By afternoon, you reach Dharapani (around 1,860 m), one of the main checkpoints on the Annapurna Circuit. The air is much warmer now, and you’ll likely be trekking in a light layer or even just a base layer.

Accommodation here is in standard roadside teahouses with simple rooms, shared toilets, and a familiar menu of dal bhat, fried rice, and noodles.
Today, you drop around 800 meters in elevation over 5–7 hours of mostly road-based downhill walking.

After breakfast, you board a local jeep from Dharapani and follow the bumpy road down the Marsyangdi valley to Besisahar (approx. 760 m). The drive takes around 3–4 hours depending on road conditions and traffic.

From Besisahar, you switch vehicles for the highway drive back to Kathmandu, usually 5–6 hours on winding roads along the Trishuli or Marshyangdi rivers.

You arrive in Kathmandu by late afternoon or evening and check into a hotel with hot showers, soft beds, and city comforts.
Today is a full travel day; no trekking, but 8–10 hours of road journey back to Kathmandu.

This is your final day of the trip. After having some rest, our team will come to meet you at your hotel. 

During that time, we will try to know about your whole experience and then invite you for a traditional Nepali dinner. 

Then, at the dinner, we will provide you with the certificate for successful summit completion, which you can now show to your friends back home.