Chulu West (6,419m)
Longer, tougher climb with serious altitude. Big objective in the Annapurna region for those ready for challenging days.
Days
20
Difficulty
Very Challenging
Max Altitude
6,419 m
Best Season
Trip Overview
Chulu West is a longer, tougher climb with serious altitude. If you want a big objective in the Annapurna region and you're ready for challenging days, it's a memorable choice.
Trip Information
- Day 1 : Arrival In Kathmandu (1,350m)
- Day 2 : Sight Seeing- Trek Briefing & Official Procedures (1,350m)
- Day 3 : Drive To Jagat (1,340m)
- Day 4 : Trek To Dharapani (5-6, 1,960m)
- Day 5 : Trek To Chame (6-7, 2,710m)
- Day 6 : Trek To Pisang (5-6, 3,300m)
- Day 7 : Trek To Chulu East Kharka (5-6, 3,700m)
- Day 8 : Trek To Chulu West Base Camp (5-6, 4,600m)
- Day 9 : Acclimatization & Climbing Training Day At Base Camp (3-4, 4,600m)
- Day 10 : Trek To Chulu West High Camp (5-6, 5,584m)
- Day 11 : Chulu West Summit Push & Return To Base Camp (11-13, 6,419m/4,600m)
- Day 12 : Reserve Day At Base Camp (4,600m)
- Day 13 : Trek To Chulu East Kharka (4-5, 3,700m)
- Day 14 : Trek To Manang (5-6, 3,540m)
- Day 15 : Trek To Chame (6-7, 2,710m)
- Day 16 : Drive To Besisahar & Back To Kathmandu (1,350m)
- Day 17 : Final Departure
Day 1: Arrival In Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,350m · Stay: Hotel · Meals: Dinner
Welcome to Nepal! Step off the plane into Kathmandu's warm chaos, where a Meander Himalaya teammate will be waving you down at arrivals. Settle into your hotel and meet your guide over dinner, Chulu West is a serious, high-altitude objective, and the next three weeks will properly test you.
Day 2: Sight Seeing- Trek Briefing & Official Procedures
Altitude: 1,350m · Stay: Hotel · Meals: Breakfast
A day to prepare properly. Visit Boudhanath and Pashupatinath in the morning, then sit down with your guide for a full briefing on the climb ahead, permits, gear checks, and the demands of a 6,000m-plus summit. Double-check your climbing kit today, this is a long, serious expedition.
Day 3: Drive To Jagat
Distance: 190 km · Altitude: 1,340m · Stay: Teahouse · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long, scenic drive out of Kathmandu follows the Marsyangdi River past Besisahar and deep into the valley, with the road now extending all the way to Jagat, a stone-built village perched on a shelf above the river. It's a long day on the road, but it cuts a full day of walking off the itinerary and gets you straight into the mountains.
Day 4: Trek To Dharapani
Distance: 15 km · Walking: 5-6 · Altitude: 1,960m · Stay: Teahouse · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail begins here, following the Marsyangdi River through forest, waterfalls, and small villages, crossing suspension bridges and climbing along dramatic cliffside paths. A proper, scenic introduction to trekking in the Annapurna region.
Day 5: Trek To Chame
Distance: 15 km · Walking: 6-7 · Altitude: 2,710m · Stay: Teahouse · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue up the Marsyangdi valley through pine forest and dramatic rock walls toward Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district. Your first proper close-up views of snow-capped peaks appear here, a strong sign of what's ahead.
Day 6: Trek To Pisang
Distance: 15 km · Walking: 5-6 · Altitude: 3,300m · Stay: Teahouse · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The valley opens up as you approach Pisang, with Annapurna II making its first big appearance. This marks the point where the main Annapurna Circuit trail and the Chulu West climbing route begin to diverge.
Day 7: Trek To Chulu East Kharka
Distance: 10 km · Walking: 5-6 · Altitude: 3,700m · Stay: Camp · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Branch off the main circuit trail into quieter, wilder terrain, following a high pasture route toward Chulu East Kharka. The crowds thin out almost immediately, and the scale of the peaks around you starts to feel a lot more serious. Distance: ~10 km
Day 8: Trek To Chulu West Base Camp
Distance: 9 km · Walking: 5-6 · Altitude: 4,600m · Stay: Camp · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb into stark, high-altitude terrain to reach Chulu West Base Camp, tucked beneath the mountain's long glaciated ridge. The setting is remote and dramatic, with Annapurna II and IV visible across the valley.
Day 9: Acclimatization & Climbing Training Day At Base Camp
Walking: 3-4 · Altitude: 4,600m · Stay: Camp · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day dedicated to altitude adjustment and technical preparation, your guides run through rope work, crampon technique, and glacier travel on nearby terrain. With a long, demanding summit push ahead, this day is essential.
Day 10: Trek To Chulu West High Camp
Distance: 5 km · Walking: 5-6 · Altitude: 5,584m · Stay: Camp · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A demanding climb across moraine and glacier brings you to High Camp, perched high above the valley with sweeping views across the Annapurna and Manang region. This is your final staging point before the summit attempt.
Day 11: Chulu West Summit Push & Return To Base Camp
Distance: 13 km · Walking: 11-13 · Altitude: 6,419m/4,600m · Stay: Camp · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is the big one. A pre-dawn start takes you up steep, glaciated terrain to Chulu West's summit, one of the toughest and most rewarding trekking-peak objectives in Nepal, with a massive panorama across the Annapurna range. Descend all the way back to Base Camp, a huge, exhausting, unforgettable day.
Day 12: Reserve Day At Base Camp
Altitude: 4,600m · Stay: Camp · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A built-in buffer day to absorb any weather delays on the summit push. If the climb went to plan, rest properly and recover at Base Camp, if not, this is your backup summit attempt.
Day 13: Trek To Chulu East Kharka
Distance: 9 km · Walking: 4-5 · Altitude: 3,700m · Stay: Camp · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With the summit behind you, begin the descent back down toward Chulu East Kharka. Legs are tired but spirits are high, you've just summited one of the more serious 6,000m objectives in the Annapurna region.
Day 14: Trek To Manang
Distance: 12 km · Walking: 5-6 · Altitude: 3,540m · Stay: Teahouse · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rejoin the classic Annapurna Circuit trail and descend into Manang, the largest village on the route. After days of remote glacier travel, the relative bustle of Manang feels like a proper reward, bakeries, cafes, and a good night's rest.
Day 15: Trek To Chame
Distance: 15 km · Walking: 6-7 · Altitude: 2,710m · Stay: Teahouse · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Retrace your steps back down the Marsyangdi valley toward Chame, watching the scenery soften and greenery return as you drop in altitude.
Day 16: Drive To Besisahar & Back To Kathmandu
Distance: 200 km · Altitude: 1,350m · Stay: Hotel · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With the road now reaching all the way to Chame, skip the multi-day walk-out entirely, a long, scenic drive retraces the Marsyangdi valley through Besisahar and back to Kathmandu in a single day. A hot shower and a real bed have rarely felt this good after three weeks in the Annapurna high country.
Day 17: Final Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Time to say farewell to Nepal, at least for now. With Chulu West's summit, glacier travel, and weeks of serious high-altitude climbing all behind you, our team will see you off at the airport for your onward journey. Namaste, and until next time!
Note: The trek itinerary is a guide only and may be subject to change at short notice.
Required equipment
- Backpack (30 to 40 liters) for daily use
- Duffel bag (provided by us)
- Sleeping bag rated for -20°C or lower (provided by us)
- Trekking poles (provided by us)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Water bottles or hydration bladder (2 to 3 liters)
- Water purification tablets or filter
- Insulated high-altitude mountaineering boots, waterproof and broken-in
Clothing list
- Moisture-wicking base layers (top and bottom)
- Fleece or wool mid-layers
- Insulated down jacket or down suit
- Waterproof and windproof outer shell (jacket and pants)
- Trekking trousers, 2 to 3 pairs
- Warm hat, sun hat, and neck gaiter
- Gloves, lightweight and insulated pair
- Warm wool socks, 4 to 5 pairs
Personal items
- Passport (with visa) and passport-size photos
- Travel insurance documents (confirming cover to 6,500m)
- Cash (Nepali Rupees) for personal expenses, no ATMs beyond Chame
- Personal first-aid kit and any personal medication
- Sunscreen (high SPF) and lip balm with SPF
- Category 4 glacier sunglasses (mandatory)
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Toiletries (biodegradable soap, toothbrush, etc.)
- Quick-dry towel
- Power bank and universal adapter
- Snacks or energy bars
- Camera (extra batteries, memory cards)
Technical climbing equipment
- 12-point crampons
- Technical ice axe
- UIAA-certified sit harness
- Ascender (jumar)
- Belay/descender device (ATC or figure-8)
- Locking and non-locking carabiners
- UIAA-certified climbing helmet
- All available to rent in Kathmandu if not bringing your own
Your trek cost includes
- Airport pickup and drop-off in a private vehicle
- 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu (4-star, B&B basis)
- Welcome dinner in Kathmandu at a traditional Nepali restaurant
- Farewell dinner to celebrate the successful climb
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek and climb, with tea/coffee included and fresh seasonal fruit served every evening
- Private vehicle drive Kathmandu to Jagat, and return drive Besisahar to Kathmandu (no domestic flight needed for this climb)
- All ground transportation by private vehicle as per itinerary
- Chulu West Climbing Permit (Nepal Mountaineering Association)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit
- Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card
- Experienced, government-licensed, English-speaking expedition guide
- Climbing Sherpa, 1 for every 2 climbers on summit day
- Assistant trek leader for groups of 4 or more trekkers
- Porter service (1 porter for every 2 trekkers, carrying up to 15 kg)
- Wages, food, accommodation, equipment, insurance, and transportation for all Nepalese staff
- 4-season expedition tents at Chulu West Base Camp and High Camp, twin-share, with kitchen and toilet tent
- High-altitude first-aid medical kit carried by the guide
- Oximeter checks twice daily to monitor pulse, oxygen saturation, and AMS symptoms
- Emergency helicopter rescue arrangement (cost covered by your travel insurance)
- Satellite phone with the guide for emergency communication (available for member use at an extra charge)
- Group technical climbing and rescue equipment: ropes, ice screws, snow bars, and pickets for the summit push
- Portable Altitude Chamber (Gamow Bag), on standby at High Camp during summit night
- Complimentary use of sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, and walking poles (returned after the trip)
- Meander Himalaya trekking duffel bag, t-shirt, and detailed trekking map to keep
- Official Chulu West Summit Certificate on successful completion
- All applicable Government of Nepal taxes and fees
Your trek cost does NOT include
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fee on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport ($50 USD for 30 days; other durations available)
- Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu (except the welcome and farewell dinners), including in case of an early return from the trek
- Extra hotel nights in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure, or unforeseen delays
- Travel and rescue insurance (mandatory), must cover mountaineering up to 6,500m and helicopter evacuation
- Personal expenses: phone calls, internet, toiletries (soap, shampoo, tissue paper, etc.), laundry, battery charging, hot showers, and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages (including mineral water, soft drinks, extra tea/coffee) purchased during the trek
- Personal climbing gear: harness, helmet, crampons, ice axe, ascender, carabiners, and glacier glasses (rentable in Kathmandu if not bringing your own)
- Personal trekking gear: clothing, packing items, bags, and your own medical kit
- Special permits and fees for filming, cameras, and drone use
- Tips for guides, climbing Sherpas, cook staff, and porters (expected and appreciated)
- Any other service or activity not explicitly listed under "Cost Includes"
1. How difficult is Chulu West? Do I need prior experience?
One of the more demanding trekking peaks in Nepal, rated a step above Island or Mera Peak. Expect steep snow and ice slopes, crevassed glacier travel, and a long, technical summit day from High Camp (5,584m) to the 6,419m summit. Prior high-altitude mountaineering experience is strongly recommended, ideally a successful climb of Island Peak or Mera Peak first, along with solid crampon, ice axe, and rope skills.
2. What permits do I need?
The Chulu West Climbing Permit (Nepal Mountaineering Association), Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, and TIMS card. All permits must go through a registered agency, we handle this for you.
3. When is the best time to climb?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most stable weather. Autumn tends to give sharper visibility for the summit push.
4. What's the climbing route like?
The route follows the classic Annapurna Circuit trail to Pisang, then branches off through Chulu East Kharka to Base Camp (4,600m) and High Camp (5,584m). The summit push involves glacier travel, fixed ropes on steep ice, and sustained high-altitude climbing, a serious objective requiring real technical competence.
5. What accommodation and food can I expect?
Teahouses along the approach through Chame, Pisang, and Manang, switching to expedition tents from Chulu East Kharka through Base Camp and High Camp, with a dedicated cook team. Food includes dal bhat and momos in teahouses, and hot freshly prepared meals at camp.
Have more questions?
Reach out by email, phone, or through our website FAQ Page for anything on technical training, gear lists, insurance, or itinerary customization.
Have Additional Questions?
Our team can help with altitude safety, packing lists, insurance, or a custom itinerary.
