Chulu East Peak (6,589 m) lies north of the Manang region in a rain shadow enclosed by the main Annapurna Himal. Climbing to Chulu East Peak is not difficult as other trekking peaks. The summit of Chulu East provides the most breathtaking views of Mt. Annapurnas II, III, and IV, Mt. Gangapurna, Mt. Manaslu. Mt. Dhaulagiri, Pisang Peak, Tilicho Peak, and many other mountains and Glacier Dome.
We start our trip from Kathmandu to Khudi via Beshisahar after a 6-7 hrs drive. The trail ascends gradually along the Marshyangdi river valley and eventually takes us to Pisang village where we leave the main trail and head toward the Chulu East base camp. On the trail you will encounter a wonderful variety of landscape and ethnic culture; from the subtropical lower reaches of the Marshyangdi valley with its terraced lands where the Gurung ethnic group of people dominate, to rhododendron and pine forests. The next day early morning we attempt to summit Chulu Far East. From the base camp, we follow the South-West Ridge on snow and ice up to the summit. After the summit, we rejoin the main trail and descend Kali Gandaki valley crossing a high Thorung La pass at 5,416 meters. Then we make a descent to Muktinath, a sacred place both for Hindus and Buddhists located in Muktinath Valley at an altitude of 3,710 meters at the base of the Thorong La mountain pass. From Muktinath, we walk to Jomsom, a beautiful town in the Lower Mustang located at an altitude of 2,800 m.
Most of the climbing involves walking, including a high pass crossing. You will enjoy walking through an interesting landscape with nice views mainly of the massif Nilgiri. Snow-white spike of Dhaulagiri begins to peep out as you pass through. Your short day walk ends in a beautiful and clean village of Marpha. Here, you will find different architecture than anywhere else in Nepal. There are beautiful houses with white plasters and wooden balconies. The walk from Jomson to the center of Marpha can take even three hours even though it is just less than six kilometers in distance.
You can visit Buddhist Monastery and Stupa on the way to Marpha. From Marpha you can either take a drive or Mountain Bike to Tatopani where you can enjoy a bath in a natural hot spring. After Marpha your journey concludes in Pokhara. Any physically fit individual can do this Chulu Far East Peak climbing and trekking trip anytime in spring and autumn.
