Climbing Tharpu Chuli 5663m

One of Nepal’s absolute treasures is the beauty of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The wild and spectacular sanctuary offers close views at a whole range of massive and famous 7000m and 8000m peaks: Annapurna South (7219m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna III (7555m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Baraha Shikhar (7647m), Khangsha Kang (7485m), Tarke Kang (7193m), Gangapurna (7454m), Singu Chuli (6501m) en Gandharba Chuli (6250m). One of the smaller peaks in the middle of this stunning scenery is the trekking peak Tharpu Chuli (5663m). A very interesting climbing objective if you want to enjoy a short, tropical trek in the Annapurna region combined with a short, but beautiful alpine climb in one the world’s impressive mountain ranges. This expedition is very suitable for people with limited time!

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+ Trip description

Climbing to the Annapurna Sanctuary

Like we said, this trip is not just interesting because of climbing Tharpu Chuli. Starting in the tropical heat of Pokhara, you will literally climb almost 5 kilometers to your final goal. You will cross several climate zones with a wide variety in flora and fauna, the fascinating Gurung culture, across trails with well developed and cozy lodges and the most beautiful campsites. You will be trekking through rice and millet fields, across suspension bridges, through thick tropical bamboo and Rhododendrons forests. Higher up you will climb to the Machapuchare and Annapurna base camps from where the Thapru Chuli base camp will be established. The base camp is located just before the glaciers of Tharpu Chuli.

Climbing Tharpu Chuli

After proper acclimatization you will start your summit attempt from the high camp via the North-West Ridge to the summit of Tharpu Chuli. You will be stunned and rewarded by absolute impressive mountain scenery that cannot be compared with other mountain ranges, especially not at this altitude! After your climb, you will trek back to the lower areas by following an alternative route. This is a pleasant way to explore a bit more of this beautiful area while enjoying the tropics again. You finally return to Pokhara from where you travel back to Kathmandu. This Tharpu Chuli expedition is a lovely trek with a challenging alpine climb that certainly makes the difference and that will give you a total Nepal experience. All of it in a very short time!

+ Itinerary & different options

[ Arrival in Kathmandu / free days ]

Tharpu Chuli Expedition in Annapurna Sanctuary		Different options
1 - Kathmandu - Briefing 2 - Phedi - Dhampus 3 - Landrung 4 - Chhomrong 5 - Deorali 6 - Machhapuchhare BC 7 - Annapurna Base Camp 8 - Rest & acclimatization 9 - Tharpu Chuli Base Camp 10 - Tharpu Chuli High Camp 11 - Summit Tharpu Chuli 12 - Spare day	13 - Himalayan Hotel 14 - Tadapani 15 - Ghorepani 16 - Phokara 17 - Kathmandu	Do you prefer a different route or itinerary? Just contact us and we will be more than happy to think with you and organize the tailor made trip you're looking for...

[ End of services / free days / departure / continue travelling ]

+ What's included & excluded in the price?

To make things easy for you, we have put together different service packages that suit most people. However, if you want to make it really special, we also provide full tailor made services. Have a look at the fixed packages first or download a detailed comparison sheet.

» Download Comparison Sheet (pdf)

Summit Service - Pro
The Pro package provides you a full organized and guided expedition until the summit. This package includes organizational arrangements, a complete professional, experienced staff & crew, all needed equipment, all services and luxuries that makes your entire expedition as comfortable as possible. The staff takes care of all tasks and activities, you are not required to help.

Summit Service - Basic
The Basic package provides you a full organized and guided expedition until the summit. This package includes organizational arrangements, a small professional, experienced staff & crew, essential equipment & services only, without the luxuries of the Pro package. Although professionally organized, this package is much more basic and adventurous, you are required to help with all tasks and activities.

Base Camp Services
Base Camp services are not available in this trip

+ How difficult is this trip?

We have rated this Tharpu Chuli Expedition with CO-E2. This means that it's a streneous to very streneous trip while the climbing sections are easy (facile) to a bit difficult (difficile). Have a look at a general description of these codes! Below we'll try to describe the specific difficulties of this trip.

Trekking to the Annapurna Sanctuary
In this trip you start with a bus ride to tropical Pokhara and the starting point of the trek. Across good trails you will trek through little mountain villages, deep, green valley’s, across suspension bridges and wild streams up to cold alpine area’s. In the lower parts of this trip you will be trekking across sandy trails and long stone stairs, ascending fast. Proper acclimatization is necessary! From the Annapurna base camp you will enter the wild alpine valley where trails may not be visible anymore. A thick layer of snow may cover the entire area, which makes progress difficult. The trail leads you down to a moraine glacier which has to be crossed to reach a flat, grassy area. The base camp will be established here (4120m).

Climbing Tharpu Chuli
From base camp you will have to climb across rocky trails of an obvious ridge to another flat area at 4420m which makes a good spot for the high camp. To reach the fluted snow wall that connects Tharpu Chuli and Singu Chuli, a crevassed glacier is to be crossed. The snow wall is about 150m high with an angle of 50 degrees. The summit ridge is a narrow snow ridge that gets sharper near the summit and has an angle of about 40-50 degrees. To ensure safety, ropes will be fixed at all difficult sections.

In general...
You should feel comfortable with basic rock and alpine climbing techniques in winter conditions. This includes the following techniques: using ice axe and crampons, abseiling. This expedition is open for trekkers/climbers with basic mountaineering experience or fit and keen trekkers who like to gain mountaineering experience at higher altitudes. It's an advantage if you have previous experience in winter camping and basic rock and alpine climbing techniques, although this is not mandatory. Basic alpine climbing training is built into the trips itinerary. As you’re part of a group during difficult situations and demanding activities, you must have experience in working and living in and with a group of people who share the same, common goal. An easy going, flexible attitude is a must.

+ What clothes & equipment do I need?

After booking we will send you a final, detailed clothes & equipment list with all the required clothes and (climbing) equipment that you need for this trip. To get a really good idea what you will get from us, you may download an example equipment list.

» Download an Example Equipment List (pdf)

+ What is the best time to make this trip?

An indication of best seasons to make this trip (stable weather and clear views)

• Spring: March, April, May
• Autumn: October, November, December

Indication of temperatures: (depending on weather conditions)

• Below 5000m varying from: Day time: +10ºC / +30ºC. Night time: -5ºC / +15ºC
• Above 5000m varying from: Day time: -5ºC / +10ºC. Night time: -15ºC / -25ºC

Rain may be expected in the lower areas. If you like to try to avoid a late monsoon and possible flight cancellations, you should start this trip from half October. Normally, the weather will be more stable by then. However, mountain storms and fog are unpredictable and can arise quickly, changing trekking & climbing conditions dramatically. Rain, snow and strong winds are always possible.