Chulu Far East and the Tilicho La
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.
Day 2: We drive across country on the Pokhara road to the Marsyangdi River and follow this to the roadhead where we make our first camp.
Day 3: We begin our walk-in to Chulu Far East on the classic Annapurna Circuit. After a climb to the villages of Jagat and Chamje, we then descend and cross the river, entering the Buddhist region of Manang at Tal. We cross the river again to reach Dharapani (1943m..). Camp.
Day 4: Trek through Bagar Chap and Koto with views of Manaslu and Annapurna 2, to the important village of Chame (2713m). Camp.
Day 5: We cross the river several times today, passing a spectacular gorge section to a more open valley at Lower Pisang (3150m). Camp.
Day 6: We leave the Annapurna Circuit and trek via the villages of Ghyaru and Ngawal to Chulu village and beyond to a campsite beside waterfalls (3940m). Camp.
Day 7: We have a climb of around 1000 metres to reach the site of our base camp for Chulu Far East. Camp (4835m).
Day 8: A vital day for acclimatisation. There will be the opportunity to ascend to 5000 metres before returning to base camp. This is also a day for final preparations before the climb. Camp.
Day 9: A fairly short day climbing first on the grass-covered morraine and then over more rocky terrain to reach the site of our high camp beside a glacial lake (5334m). Camp.
Day 10: We have another day for acclimatisation prior to tackling the ascent of Chulu Far East. Today is also an opportunity to practice the techniques of ascending and descending fixed ropes. Camp
Day 11: A superb day of climbing over a variety of snow slopes from easy angled and broad to the narrow summit ridge at around 40 degrees of angle. The final ridge leads to a sensational summit with great views of the Annapurnas, Manaslu and north over Mustang towards Tibet. After the summit we return all the way to base camp.
Day 12: We now have a long descent from base camp back to the Marsyangdi Valley where we rejoin the Annapurna Circuit trail and continue to Manang. Camp.
Day 13: From Manang, the main Annapurna Circuit trail heads north towards the Thorung La. Our route leaves the crowds behind and continues along the Marsyangdi Valley through pine forest to reach the charming village of Khangsar (3770m). Camp.
Day 14: We start the day with a climb to the isolated Thare Gompa at 3930 metres. We then continue to the area known as Tilicho Base Camp (4150m).
Day 15: We continue our ascent with tremendous views of the peaks of Herzog's 'Great Barrier' range whose glaciers reach right down to Tilicho Lake. We make our camp beside the lake at around 5000 metres.
Day 16: Tilicho is bounded on both sides by glaciers and rock walls which make traversing the shoreline impossible. From our camp on the southern shore we climb to a pass at 5340 metres and then descend to our next camp close to the northern shore at around 5000 metres.
Day 17: A long day to cross the Tilicho Pass (5260m). From the top there are extensive views over the lake and over Mustang and the Tibetan plateau. We descend to a camp in the meadows near the Thini Khola. (3510m).
Day 18: A final day of trekking, mostly downhill takes us through the village of Thini and onto the Annapurna Circuit trail in the Kali Gandaki Valley. It is then a short walk to the airport town of Jomsom where we check into a lodge for the night.
Day 19: This morning we take a short but spectacular flight through the world's deepest gorge to the lakeside town of Pokhara. Here we check into our hotel and the rest of the day is free for sighseeing, shopping or relaxing in Nepal#s most laid-back city.
Day 20: Another superb mountain flight today, flying along the Himalaya from Annapurna to Ganesh and Langtang Himal before landing in Kathmandu. We transfer to the group hotel and the rest of the day is free for sightseeing or getting those last minute souvenirs.
Day 21: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
