Cost . . .

$4550 P/P

Please inquire about prices in your local currency. We accept payment in £GBP/ €EUROS/ $AUD

Deposit: $250 p/p required

2024 Chulu West Departures . . .

2024 Spring

6th - 25th May

2024 Autumn

1st - 20th October

Note - You can request your own travel dates. Minimum 2 bookings required. Guaranteed departure.

Extenstion Chulu Far East 6059M . . .

4 Additional days

$1100 USD

Single Supplement --

$600 USD Only applies if there is only 1 client member.

WHAT'S INCLUDED ...

• NMA Certified Sherpa Mountain guide

• $300 Individual tip pool. (This is not a summit bonus tip) Tip pool will be fairly distributed among all Namas staff members. (Guides, porters, drivers, hotel security, and staff). Guest may personally hand in extra tips to our guides and porters.

• Namas Branded merchandise (Down Jacket, Cap, Buff - for you to take home 🙂)

• 1:2 Sherpa ratio

• Mountaineering Gears (Gears Include: -23C/-30C Kailas Mountain 900 Down Sleeping Bag or Everest outfit -40C/-40F, 12 Point Kantz Crampons, Climbing, Helmet, Climbing harness, 3X Carabiners, Z-lite sleeping foam mat, L Duffle bag, Ascender)

• Cook and help team at Base Camp and High Camp

• 30Kgs per person

• 2 nights before the expedition and 1 day after the expedition. Hotel in Kathmandu. Twin room/sharing basis.(Should clients return early from their expedition, clients will be responsible for their extra Kathmandu hotel bookings)

• 1 night in Pokhara hotel. (Additional stay will have to be covered by client members)

• All trekking and climbing permits (Khumbu Region Permit and TIMS)

• All internal-local transportation to and from the trekking trailhead

• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on trek and expedition days.

• 1 Pot of hot water every night

• Hydration tablets, frozen foods at BC, and high camps

• Lodge accommodation during the trek

• Porters

• Arrival pick up and departure

• Internal flights

• Basic First aid kit

• Welcome/Farewell leave Dinner

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED ...

• Visas and travel insurance

• Summit Bonus Tip ($350 P/P)

• Entertainment and food ( Kathmandu )

• Bottled drinks and beverages

• Evacuation (will be done in your account)

• Tips (Service Charge in Hotel and Restaurants are included)

• Single supplement Charges

• Laundry, Phone services, Personal expenditure transactions

• Optional trips

• Tea breaks, chocolates or other snacks and any meals beside breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Delay and cancellation because of natural phenomenon

• International flights to Kathmandu

EQUIPMENT LIST . . .

Mountain climbing Gears

• Helmet (Black diamond, Petzel)
• A mountaineering harness, with adjustable leg loops.
• Ascender /Jummar
• Figure 8 or Belay device
• Carabiners: 3 locking and 6 regular

Mountaineering boots

• Mountaineering boots suitable for above 6000m; La Sportiva Gsm2 or equivalent
• Hiking shoes for the trek to base camp with ankle protection
• Thermal mountaineering socks or equivalent: 6 pairs
• Liner socks or equivalent: 3 pairs

Body Layers:

• 2 merino base layers: top / bottom set
• 1 mid layer top: breathable Underwear
• Lightweight Nylon Pants: 1 pair
• Hooded Soft Shell jacket To be worn over other layers
• Soft Shell Guide Pants: Gore Tex and breathable
• Hooded Hard Shell: Gore Tex and breathable
• Hard Shell Pants: Gore Tex and breathable, big enough to wear over your guide trousers
• Insulated Down Jacket with hood: North Face Himalayan parka or equivalent
• Insulated synthetic Pants: Worn primarily when climbing below Camp 2
• Long jones equivalent to Rab’s Polartec or equivalent: 2 pairs

Headgear and Hand wear:

• Wool hat (ski hat)
• Sunhat: To shade your face / neck from the sun on a hot day
• Buff: To protect your neck / face from the sun
• Glacier glasses: Full protection with side covers or wrap around
• Ski goggles: To be worn on summit day in the event of high winds
• Lightweight synthetic liner gloves: For wearing on a hot day; 2 pairs
• Soft shell gloves: To wear for moderate cold / wind
• Shell glove with insulated liner: To wear for severe cold / strong wind
• Expedition Mitts for bad weather

Personal Gear:

• Expedition Backpack: 65L pack should be large enough.
• Trekking Backpack: To carry on the trek to base camp. Simple and light.
• Sleeping Bag: Rated to at least -40°F. Goose down or synthetic
• Compression stuff sacks: 3 large ones; for reducing volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc., in your pack.
• High Quality sleeping pad (1 for base camp and 1 for high camps): Full length is preferred.
• Closed cell foam pad: To be used in conjunction with the inflating pad for warmth and comfort when sleeping.
• Trekking poles with snow baskets: Adjustable poles
• Cup: Plastic insulated cup for drinking
• Bowl: A plastic bowl for eating dinner or breakfast
• Spoon: Plastic spoon
• Head torch: 1 normal for base camp and 1 with remote battery systems for climbing at night. This will be used whilst climbing at night
• Sunscreen: SPF 50 or above
• Lip balm with sunblock
• Water bottles: 2 wide mouth bottles with 1 litter capacity
• Water bottle parkas (2): fully insulated with zip opening
• Thermos: 1 litre (buy a good ones to keep your water warm for longer hours)
• Pee bottle: 1 litre minimum bottle for convenience at night in the tent
• Toiletry bag: Include toilet paper and hand sanitizer and small towel
• Hand warmers & toe warmers
• Pen Knife or multi tool (optional)
• Camera: bring extra batteries and memory cards
• Personal solar charging system (optional but recommended)
• Travel Clothes
• Duffel bags (2) with locks: To transport equipment
• Base Camp extra Items: Kindle, I pad, smart phone, etc
• Snack food: Please bring a few days of your favourite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc. A variety of salty and sweet is recommended to give you extra energy.
• Small personal first aid kit: Include athletic tape, Band-Aid’s, Ibuprofen, blister care, personal medications, etc
• Medications and Prescriptions: Bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox and dexamethasone*

BLOG LINKS . . .

Related blog articles:

Altitude sickness

$20 BY 2020, a case for our himalayan porters

Mountain climbing gears checklist

EQUIPMENT HIRE . . .

**Equipment hire (link)

Bundle Price per expedition: £250 | $300 p/p**

Client’s will try and receive full gears when they arrive in Nepal.

“Rental gears are exclusively used by and for Namas adventure clients rental purpose only. We do not rent gears to other operators. We only provide high-quality gears.”

Benefits of renting gears with us:

• Save money on gears that will end up costing you £2000 | $2700
• Save cost on extra airline baggage weights $60 per kg (on average)
• Saves you time and energy to go through all the research and hassle of finding the gears

Gears Included (Bundle package)

• -23C/-30C Kailas Mountain 900 Down Sleeping Bag
• 12 Point Kantz Crampons
• Climbing Helmet
• Climbing harness
• 3X Carabiners
• Z-lite sleeping foam mat
• L Duffle bag

When is the best time to plan for Chulu Peak climb? . . .

(Spring) Mid April - May.

September - November (Autumn) is another best time to plan for Chulu Peak climb.

Which route will Namas team choose? I can see the mountain is very steep and exposed, What is your climbing strategy? . . .

We will climb through the west route to summit the Chulu west peak. Annapurna massif ranges, Himlung Himal, Manaslu and other surrounding peaks can be seen from the summit.

Our stragey will be to use Base Camp and high camo climbing through the standard route.

How long is a typical day on the mountain?? . . .

On normal climbing day can expect an average of 6 hours climb. Summit attempt days are usually the longest one, as we have to descend down to base camp.

What is summit day like? . . .

Summit day in Chulu West is the straightforward climb up to the summit with few crevasse openings along the way, which poses minimal risk. We will be mostly climbing through ice and snow terrains and will be a early day (am) start to the summit.

Can I see Annapurna from Chulu West summit? . . .

Like all climb, the view from the top is worth the climb. One reason Chulu west is preferred by many climbers is because of its accessibility, remoteness and less technical route. You will be able to see Annapurna massif ranges, Himlung Himal, Manaslu and other surrouding peaks.

Contingency Days during Chulu West Peak climb? . . .

We do not have contingency day added in our itinerary but can be extended upon request if our team is not able to summit due to bad weather conditions.

Guides /Sherpas for Chulu Peak climb? Ratio : clients. Qualification and level of English? . . .

On this expedition we aim to have max 8 climbers, we have 1 Main guide who will be IFMGA / NMA certified. He will be the main leader of the team. Western guide with IFMGA certified can be arranged upon request. Additional* charges apply. But we believe that Nepalese IMFGA certified guides are more than capable in this day and age and have an excellent level of English. We are committed to responsible tourism and want to enhance and prioritise local Nepalese leaders first, but if the clients request a western guide personally then we can have that arranged.

Sherpa ratio 1:2. Our Sherpas are NMA ( Khumbu climbing centre trained/certified ). Personal Sherpa for 1:1 can be arranged who will be solely responsible for the clients but extra additional charges apply. Our Sherpas have an intermediate level of English. Can understand, reply and instruct very well.

How much tips do you suggest for guides and porter teams? Summit tips? . . .

Most of our guest give tips during the end of the trek/climb. Your booking payment already consist a tip pool of $300. We will fairly distribute the tips among your drivers, assistant guides and porters.

Guest also donates trekking equipments like jackets, trek poles, gloves or hats to porters which is greatly appreciated. Guest can also buy our porters dinner, during the final day of the trek for all their hard work and for making their trek possible

Suggested Additional Summit tips $200.

Is Chulu West Peak suitable for beginner climbers and what level of fitness do I need? . . .

Yes, Chulu West is suitable for all novice climbers. The peak itself is a non-technical high altitude trek/climbing mountain. To reach the summit 6476M you do not need any special climbing skills such as climbing on ropes using gears or use of ice axe. Mera Peak is a very popular destination for clients with little or no mountaineering experience. The mountain has less to non-technical challenges, there are 3-4 small opening crevasses during the climb but apart from that, the climb is straight forward. All climbers are recommended to partake in preparative fitness training 3 to 4 months before the departure date. You should be able to carry 5-8 kgs of your bag pack, walk up and downhill every day for 15/16 days and be able to push yourself during the summit climb.

Physically for beginners, Mera Peak can be demanding. That is why we highly suggest you train well over 3 to 4 months before your trip. You will need good endurance and body strength. Aerobic exercises mixing with overall body strength building routines should help you prepare physically for your trip. Another aspect is your mental strength. We would say any mountaineering experience is more about testing your mental strength, to push forward and take on the challenge of completing a great adventure and being exposed to new uncomfortable environments.

How do I know this is the right trip for me? . . .

Chulu West climb is a 6000M peak climbing adventure for all beginner/novice climbers, this mountaineering adventure really depends on your ambition to go on a great challenging climbing adventure. To help you clarify if this is the right peak climbing adventure for you, [our grading][2] system can help you determine if this is the right expedition and if it is the right time to take upon trips of such nature. If you are yet unsure please do contact our team and we will walk you through where you are in your current experience level and guide you into choosing the right adventure.

How many guides/ Sherpas will be assigned to our group? . . .

For Chulu West climb 1:2 Sherpa guides are assigned to our group.

How many in a group? . . .

Min 2 - Max 8

Who is this trip for? . . .

All interested climbers, 18+ who is looking for a beginners/intermediate experience level climb. 15-17 years old must be accompanied by adults

Who goes on this Peak climbing adventure? . . .

Climbers from all over the globe with different backgrounds, interest and mountaineering skill level join our expeditoin.

Can my friends and family join me on the trek to Annapurna Circuit? . . .

Yes, it is possible. Please email us about this and give you relevant informations.

Can I contact other climbers to join Chulu west peak climb? . . .

Yes, we highly encourage that. Maybe its your friend with whom you have been on amazing/challenging adventure trips before, a you met during your other expeditions, a challenge you seek together or any other ideas where you think the other person might enjoy this amazing climb.

Baggage allowance by Namas Expedition team for Chulu West climb? . . .

We allow 35kgs of personal weight.

Is it possible to organise a private Chulu West climb? . . .

We will be more than happy to organise private Chulu West climb for you and your group. As long as it is with in the suitable season. Extra cost will apply as we will have to organise a seperate logistical and planning for private climb request. Please contact our team for any private trips or expeditions.

What fitness/conditioning level is needed for this climb? . . .

You need to be in excellent shape for this climb. Although Chulu West Peak climb is supported by Sherpa guides and ropes, due to the physical demand nature of the climb, it is critical that you are in the best shape possible.

Technical preparation and trainings for Chulu West? . . .

None technical skills needed but its always great to have one in your bank.

How hard is it to climb to the summit of Chulu West? . . .

Chulu West is classed as 1B alpine grade. When it comes to expedition the more fitter you are and more stronger the better your chances of successfully climbing to the summit and most of all enjoying the expedition. Summiting Chulu West mostly depends on the weather condition and your fitness level. The climb normally starts around 3/4 am in the morning and it is about 3-4 hours climb to the summit. For any climbers, it is a technically straightforward ascent. The main hurdle being proper acclimatization to the high altitude.

How heavy will my bagpack be? . . .

You will just need to carry your personal items and most of your heavy gears are carried by our porter team.

How do you I train for a trip like this? . . .

We have written blog post on training for mountaineering which can give yo a guidance and tips on how long to what type of training you should undertake to train yourself well for challenging peak climbing adventures.

Physical fitness needed for Chulu West climb? . . .

You need to be in a great shape for this climb. Due to the non technical nature of the peak, it is very important that you are in the best shape possible. Also, as Sherpa support is moderate on this climb, you are expected to be able to carry all of your personal gear needed for the climb. Sherpa teams are primarily responsible for carrying group gears to the camps.

Which Mountain can I aim for after Chulu West climb thats above 6500M? . . .

If you can commit time and you are feeling extra adventurous then you can Mix Chulu West with East or Pisan peak, which take you through a beautiful and challenging Thorong-la- pass.

Our main suggestion is take it one step at a time. The lure of Everest is there but taking small steps, gaining right experience and understanding your physiology is very crucial for climbing extreme high mountains. Amadablam 6810M, Baruntse Peak 7129M, Manaslu 8163M, Tilicho Peak 7134M are some of the 7000M+ - 8000M+ Peak expedition we organise at Namas adventure.

What sort of hotels do we stay at in the city? . . .

All Namas expedition team stays at the Hotel Manalsu or Tibet in Kathmandu. In Pokhara we will use Three Jewels botique hotel. Arrivals hotels are only 15 minutes walk from the tourist centre of Thamel. Our chosen hotel provides swimming pool, restaurants, spa and massage near by and plenty of local shops near by to buy souviners.

What are the lodges like? Can I have my own room or tent? . . .

Lodges or tea houses we use during trekking days are local Sherpa tea houses. You will love the cultural ambience of the tea houses. Places we book are kept tidy, clean, modern lodges—the best that are available in each village. They are well-known locations to us and we have a good relationship with the lodge owners. Private rooms can be booked at additional cost. Our standard trips are based on shared rooms, usually twin-share and sometimes triple-share. On the mountain you will share a tent with one, or sometimes two other climbers.

If you would like a personal tent during Expedition days, Base camp personal tent can be arranged. Please do let us know in advance so that our team can make the necessary arrangements.

How many nights will we sleep in our own tents during Chulu West Peak climb? How many nights in small houses on the way, are those heated? . . .

We will be spending two nights in our alpine camping tents; Mera La and Mera High camp. Rest once we land in Lukla all the way to Khare we will be sleeping in Tea houses. Almost all the houses in every trekking routes of Nepal are built the same way. The Dining hall is warm and heated but all the rooms aren't so once we are in our rooms we will have to depend on our clothes, blankets and sleeping bags to keep our self warm.

Will Showers and laundry be available? . . .

On our trekking days tea houses we stay will offer hot showers and laundry services for a small fee.

Is foods included in our booking fees? . . .

All our expeditions are all-inclusive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as ample hot and cold drinks during trek and expedition days are included. We can cater for vegetarians as well as many other special diets as long as we are informed of this prior to the trip.

What are the food like? . . .

During the trekking days in tea houses mostly foods are prepared according to your choice in the menu. Rice and Lentils (Dal bhat being the famous diet) to pasta, soups, pizza, mash potato, dumplings etc. But during the camping days we provide both cooked and packed/canned food supplies packed from Kathmandu.

Options are limited during camping days. Mostly Rice/lentils/veg/ pasta for cooked foods and freezed dried foods, chocolate/energy bars, biscuits, hydration tablets. We will have varieties of freezed dried foods (chicken, veg, spaghetti etc ) which are specially made for expeditions.

Will you provide all the equipment to produce drinking water? . . .

Bottled waters can be bought everywhere. Boiled waters are also available on the lodges. Or we would recommend bringing your own water treatment kit or filtered water bottle. (Lifestraw filtered bottles). Water Treatment: Iodine tablets (Potable Aqua or similar) or iodine crystals (Polar Pure)

What is the best way to get to Nepal? . . .

You will need to search for flights to Kathmandu Tribhuvan Intn'l airport. Regular flights operate into Kathmandu via Bangkok, Doha, Dubai, Trukey, Hong Kong, Singapore and Delhi.

Do I need to get a visa for Nepal? . . .

Yes. For most nationalities, a visa can be obtained on-arrival into Kathmandu airport or border entry points or can be issued prior through an Nepalese embassies or consulated abroad. Upon arrival, be sure to have the correct USD amount in cash for your visa application and photos can be take through the kiosk machine available at the airport. Currently, a 40-day visa costs $40 and 90-day visa costs US$100. Please dp make sure that your passport has at least six months validity.

Do I need to arrive the day before the trip starts? And when should I book my flight to leave? . . .

We have got you all covered. All our trip programme itinerary already have an arrival day and a departure day built into them. Please plan to arrive at early hours on Day 1 of the itinerary. If you plan to come early and explore Kathmandu then you are welcome as Kathmandy offers tons of culutral experiences. If you would like a 1-2 days tours please do let us know and we can provide suggestions. Namas Nepal representative will meet and pick you up at the airport and the first of many team briefings will take place on the evening of Day One. Please do not book to depart before the scheduled final trip itinerary day. All the details will also be sent on the final email.

When should I book my ticket? . . .

We recommeend you to book 90-60 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights, then ensure that you can make changes to your ticket or you run the risk of losing it if we do have to cancel the trip. In such situations, we are usually able to help you book on to an alternate departure, either with us or another operator.

Can I get a cheap ticket online? . . .

Yes, please make sure you have a flexible departure date on your ticket. With the nature of our expedition and the places we do are not straight forward as we due to unforseen cisrumstances we might have to add 1-2 days extras to complete our expedition which will lead to extension of our itinerary. In those circumstances you do not want to end up paying extra for your departures.

Where do we meet? Will I be picked up? . . .

As you arrive in Kathmandu, Namas guide or representative will receive you at the airport with our shuttle car/van. If you are arriving before the scheduled trip start date and want to be receiced at airport then please do let us know in advance and we can make the arrangements to pick you up. Or there are airport taxies to help you.

What if I am arriving early or departing late? . . .

Namas team can make necessary arrangements or recommendations should you want to explore more of Nepal. Please do let us know in advance or even to our team in Nepal to help you with these matter.

Will you provide clothing and expedition equipment list? . . .

Upon Chulu West climbing inquiry and confirmation email we will email you all the necessary documentation needed, including detailed equipment lists. If you have questions you have after reading through our equipment list you can always reach out to us and we can assist you in preparing for the trip as well as recommending and sourcing a range of clothing and equipment suitable for the climb. Our list are prepared with recommendation from our Sherpa climbing team.

Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list? . . .

Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared and please bring everything on the list!

Mountaineering boot choice for Chulu West Peak climb? . . .

La Sportiva G2SM or Scarpa Phantom 6000 are the best choice that's out there.

How heavy will my bagpack be? . . .

You will need to carry your personal items with you which we estimate will be around 8-10 kgs. All your other climbing gears will be carried by our porter team.

Logistical support for Chulu West Peak climb. Kitchen staffs and porters? . . .

We will set up camps at base camp and high camp. Our Sherpa and porter team will carry all the logistical items and foods up to this point. Number will depend on the size of the team.

What kind of Tents will we use during Chulu West Peak climb? Brands/sizes and setups? *. . .

We will use alpine 3/4 season tents from Salewa, Mountain Hardwear, Samaya equipment and Kailas. Most of our client tents are 2 person tents but a single tent can be provided for any solo climbers joining the team. Although we recommend 2 people in a tent to have company and preserve the natural heat. Head of Sherpa team Sardar will be in charge of all the tent setups. On 2020 we will have new tents, burners, and other climbing equipment.

What type of sleeping bag is recommended for Chulu West Peak climb? Will extra blankets available if required? . . .

4 season goose downfilled sleeping bag that can handle upto -40C is recommended. This will be clearly stated in your recommended gear list but for Ama Dablam expeditions. We suggest buying a sleeping bag big enough to allow you to wear extra clothes in if it is especially cold .

Will supplemental oxygen be provided during the expedition? Is this included in our expedition fee? . . .

During peak climbing, teams are not porvided supplemental oxygen, however our team do take oxygen as a medical backup. If you would like to request one then we can make the arrangements upon request. (Extra charges apply) as this is not included in our booking fees.

What high altitude medication will be available during the climb? Do we need to take tablets before/ during the trek? . . .

All our guides carry extensive medical kits including various medications for altitude illness. If you have a previous history of altitude illness then please discuss this with us and your physician, otherwise there is no need to take preventative medication before or during your expedition.

You need to bring any medications you regularly use (don’t forget to tell us about them), plus extras. Also bring a small first aid kit including a blister kit and mild headache medication for the normal altitude headaches.

Will there be any access to a satellite phone? If yes then what would be the charges for usage? . . .

Yes, on all our peak climbing and expedition our guides take satellite phones and you are welcome to use these at US$3 per minute. There will be a daily dispatches blog on our Namas adventure website, where your friends and family can follow your progress.

Is there internet throughout the expedition? . . .

Once you get hold of local Nepalese sim card, internet can be accessed throughout the trail all the way to Ledar village. Internet speed wont be as reliable once we go higher but we can expect some internet coverage. Once we start to ascend towards Chulu base camp and higher, there will not be any internet coverage.

Will there be any power source for charging batteries, etc. available throughout the trip? . . .

While on trek, tea houses will also have power available with with Asian plugs (needed) and offer recharging for a fee.

What is the best equipment for photography in alpine environments? . . .

As camera technology is changing and getting smaller and better, we recommed light and durable cameras for photography. If you are a serious photographer then you will have your preferences on camera gears but just for enthusiast to record and document your memory mirrorless cameras from SONY, Cannon and small action camera like gopro or insta 360 are recommended. Drone is gaining its popularity but please ask us information for drone use rules and regulation. For safety reason Nepal is very stict with drone use and we do not want it to be a hassle during our expedition days.

What insurance do we need to get? . . .

Insurances are mandatory in all our trips, there is a requirement for each expedition member to have insurance to cover any personal or medical mishaps that may occur before or during the expedition. [Click here for more information on expedition insurance.][2]

Do I need evacuation insurance? . . .

Yes, it is very important and a must. Many of our expeditions are in remote places with no roads and third world medical services. In an unlikely event scenario, we would want you to be evacuated asap and get you the right medical attention.

Who do you recommend for insurance? . . .

Insurances varies on your nationality but there are a handful of insurances that cover most of the countries especially for mountaineering expeditions. [Please click the link here][2], we have a list of recommended insurance providers that we tust and which our clients have previously used.

What is Trip Cancellation Insurance? . . .

For very unknown and unforeseen circumstances you may be forced to cancel their trips for reasons such as family illness, injury to one’s self, business issues, etc. In times like this you want to have a peace of mind protecting your investments on trips, flight tickets. So trip cancellation insurnace should gurantee protection of your money that you have paid for.