Tharpu Chuli
Trek and climb period: 21 days
Region: Annapurna Region
Dates: March / April / May / October / November
Tharpu's Chuli's relatively low altitude and Regionable approach, without serious objective danger, make this an attractive mountain. The summit gives an outstanding view of the Annapurna massive.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Katmnadu (Boudha, Swambunath and Pashupatinath).
Day 03: Kathmnandu to Phedi. Drive.
Day 04: Phedi - Pothana: From Phedi the trail climbs (2 hrs) through Dhampus where you will start to get a splendid view of the Annapurma range, and then gradually ascend a forested trail paved with stones. There is a short steep climb to Pothana and this will be our first stop.
Day 05: Pothana - New Bridge: The trail climbs through forest to a clearing on top of the hill at 2,010m, where there are views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. From there make a steep decent, through forests alive with birds, ferns and orchids into a huge side canyon of the Modi Khola. From here it's an easy walk, past fields, and a school before the trail drops a bit to the flagstone streets of Landrung, a Gurung village at 1,550m. The narrow trail to the sanctuary turns north up the Modi Khola valley passing alongside rice terraces then through forests and a short walk up the river bed leads to New Bridge (1,340m).
Day 06: New Bridge - Chommrong: A stiff climb leads to Jhine danda (1,600m) and from the trial continues to climb steep uphill along a treeless ridge to Taglung at 2,050m. A short distance from Taglung, the trail rounds a bend and enters the upper part of Chommrong at 2,040m. This is a 4 hrsr walk.
Day 07: Chommrong - Bamboo Lodge: Leaving Chommrong, the trail descends on a stone staircase and crosses the Chommrong Khola. Climbing high above the Modi Khoa on its west bank, the trail passes through the tiny settlement of Tilche in forests of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. The trail continues in rhododendron forests, climbing to Khuldi at 2,350m. It is then a short distance on a muddy trail to Bamboo Lodge at 2,190m.
Day 08: Bamboo Lodge - Deorali: The trail climbs steeply through stands of bamboo, then through rhododendron forest up the side of the canyon, occasionally dropping slightly to cross tributary streams, but ascending continuously to Hinko. The trail crosses a ravine and a major avalanche track just beyond Hinko, then climbs through large boulders. About half an hour beyond Hinko is Deorali at 3,000m.
Day 09: Deorali - Machhapucharee Base Camp: Above Deorali, the valley widens and becomes less steep and you can see the gates to the sanctuary. As the trail continues into the sanctuary, it crosses two wide avalanche tracks on a narrow trail that huddles up against the cliffs. The trail then descends to meet the Modi Khola and follows the river to Bagar at 3110m. From Bagar, the trail crosses a moraine and a stream and finally reaches Machhapucharee Base Camp at 3,480m.
Day 10: Machhapucharee Base Camp - Annapurna Base Camp. It's an about two hour climb to Annapurna base camp 3,900m. We will move very slowly today as it is also important for your acclimatization as you will be crossing the 4,000m.
Day 11: Annapurna Base Camp to Tharpu Chuli Base Camp: we will drop down into the moraine coming from the Annapurna range and then follow the trail up towards the Tharpu Chuli base camp. It will take you 3-4 hrs to reach the base camp.
Day 12: Tharpu Chuli Base Camp - Tharpu Chuli High Camp (4 hrs).
Day 13: Summit Tharpu Chuli and return to base camp (6 hrs). This is a long day, and we will start early from high camp to the summit.
Day 14: Base camp - Deorali (the walk is a 4 hrs max, which is all down hill from Annapurna base camp to Deorali).
Day 15: Deorali - Sinuwa (4-5 hrs, all down hill).
Day 16: Sinuwa - Jhinu Danda (There is 1 hr uphill to Chommrong, and it is 2 hrs down hill to Jhinu danda).
Day 17: Jhinu danda - Saule Bazar. (4-5 hrs which is a mostly straight walk and there is little down hill. The trail follows the Modi Khola. Still from Saule Bazar, you will be able to view Machhapuchhere (fishtail) peak).
Day 18: Saule Bazar - Birethati- Pokhara (This is 2 hrs walk to Birethati). From Birethati, we will take a car to Pokhara (1½ hrs drive).
Day 19: Rest day in Pokhara.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu.
Day 21: Departure.
Services Includes
All meals and accommodations in tea houses and camping during the trek and climb, guide, permit to climb Tharpu Chuli, all climbing equipment, tent, mattresses, cook, national park fees, porters, private transport from Kathmandu to Phedi, flight Pokhara / Kathmandu, three nights hotel in Kathmnadu, two nights hotel in Pokhara.
Services Excludes
Insurance (should cover helicopter evacuation in case of an emergency, drinks, and extra nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara, meals in Kathmnadu and Pokhara, any other extra expenses in case of any political disturbance or natural disaster.