Tharpu Chuli

Overview

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A spectacularly positioned mountain at the head of the Annapurna Valley

Introduction

Tharpu Chuli (5,663m) is located above the Annapurna Valley directly opposite one of the most recognisable peaks in the world; Machhupuchare. Tharpu Chuli is sometimes referred to as 'Tent Peak' due to it's shape. The mountain is easily accessed from Annapurna Base Camp and it can be climbed in a three week round trip from the UK. The route we climb is the North West Ridge, which provides snow and ice difficulties at Scottish Grade II/Alpine PD and is similar, but more sustained than Island Peak (a popular mountain in the Everest region). If you are looking for a short Himalayan hit in the heart of the Annapurnas, join us on what promises to be a spectacular journey.

Join us on Tharpu Chuli

• Climb a significant Himalayan peak in the Annapurna range in just 3 weeks round trip.
• Approach the mountain via Poon Hill for better acclimatisation.

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Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Experience Required

To join this expedition you need to have completed climbs of Scottish Grade II or Alpine PD. Overall this trip is less sustained and physically tough than either Mera and Island Peak or Khumbu Climber.

Our Winter Mountaineering course in Scotland would be good preparation for this trip.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Nepal on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK airline taxes.
• One in-country, return flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara by scheduled, fixed-wing aircraft.
• Two return transfers between the airport and the hotel (one on arrival and departure of your international flight and one for departure and arrival of your in-country flight).
• 3 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis.
• 1 nights' full-board hotel accommodation in Pokhara on a twin-sharing basis.
• 15 nights' full board accommodation in tents on a twin-sharing basis.
• Emergency equipment (oxygen for therapeutic use, Portable Hyperbaric Chamber (PAC), Satellite Communicator (either phone or InReach)) – see trip PDF for more details.
• Jagged Globe Expedition Leader.
• All costs for Sherpa staff, cook staff and porters.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Kathmandu Team members joining on a "land-only", please plan to arrive in Kathmandu on Day 2 no later than 1030, when your services will begin. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Fly to Pokhara In the morning you may visit the temples of Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu before a 35-minute afternoon flight to Pokhara. Overnight hotel.
Day 4:	Drive to Naya Pul, trek to Ulleri (1,960m) It's a 2-hour drive to Naya Pul from where you trek via Tirkedunga (1,480m) to Ulleri. Overnight camp.
Day 5:	Trek to Ghorepani (2,855m) You follow the river to 'Jaljale' and climb slowly to a ridge at 3,233m before descending to 'Fulbari' for lunch. You trek to to Ghorepani in the afternoon. Overnight camp.
Day 6:	Poon Hill and trek to Tadopani (2,630m) It is worth ascending Poon Hill before breakfast, as the cool, still morning air should provide clear views across the Kali Gandaki towards Machapuchhre (Fish Tail Peak), Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and the Annapurnas. After breafast back in the lodge, the route descends through jungle, pine and rhododendron forests, then climbs back up from the riverbed to Tadopani. Overnight camp.
Day 7:	Trek to Chomrong (2,170m) A gentle descent to Kimrung Khola, then after an early lunch the route ascends high above the west bank of the Modi Khola. The village of Chomrong is tucked down at the very base of Huinchuli. Overnight camp.
Day 8:	Trek to Doban (2,600m) Descend to the river and then climb up to Sinuwa from where you walk through thick forest festooned with orchids and ferns on the western bank of Modi River to Khuldi. Then, it's a descent down a long, steep, slippery stone staircase into deep bamboo and rhododendron forests. After the small settlement of Bamboo, the trail climbs gradually to reach Doban. Overnight camp.
Day 9:	Trek to Deurali (3,230m) You trek steadily to Deurali, which is the home to troops of Langur Monkeys. At Deurali the forest disappears and the valley opens up, with the mountains now appearing very close by. Deurali is at the foot of the Modi Himal and Machhapuchhare, one of the most famous mountains in the Himalayas. Some teams prefer to continue to Machhapuchhare Base Camp in the afternoon, if everyone is feeling good. Overnight camp.
Day 10:	Trek to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3,700m) It is a gradual ascent to Machhapuchhare Base Camp, though the trail does cross a number of avalanche paths - a stark reminder of the heavy snowfall that can occur in winter. The mountain views are fabulous; the panorama includes Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna (7,454m) and Machhapuchhare itself Overnight camp.
Day 11:	Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) It's a pleasant 2 - 2½ walk up to Annapurna Base Camp. The trail follows a stream and passes by a few Shepherd's huts alongside the moraine. Hopefully in the evening you will see the sun setting on Annapurna I. Overnight camp.
Day 12:	Acclimatisation at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)
Day 13:	Move to Tharpu Chuli Base Camp (4,450m) The route takes you along the South Annapurna Glacier round the western aspect of Tharpu Chuli. A rock gully leads off the glacier and up to flat spot on a broad ridge where you camp.
Day 14:	Ascend to Tharpu Chuli High Camp (5,000m) You follow the edge of the moraine north west before reaching a gully, then strike up the hill side eventually crossing a stream and making your way to an obvious flat spot where you camp (4 hours).
Day 15:	Summit Tharpu Chuli (5,663m), descend to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3,700m) The North West Ridge is attained by climbing a fluted wall between Tharpu Chuli and Fluted Peak. From camp, you follow slopes to Rakshi Peak. You climb a couple of rock steps to access the glacier, then cross it at 5,335m to reach the base of the headwall (which we will fix with rope). This is followed on slopes of 40 - 45° to arrive on the ridge. The ridge is climbed in an airy position to the summit. Descend to Base Camp and then all the way down to Machhapuchhare Base Camp. Overnight camp.
Day 16:	Return trek to Bamboo (2,430m) You retrace your steps through Doban as far as Bamboo. Overnight camp.
Day 17:	Trek to Chomrong Today, you continue down the trail to Chomrong. Overnight camp.
Day 18:	Trek to Syauli Bajar Descend to Jhinudanda for lunch, then to the river at New Bridge and camp further down at Syauli Bajar.
Day 19:	Trek to Naya Pul, drive to Pokhara and return flight to Kathmandu You complete the final hour or so of our trek on reaching Naya Pul. Drive for 2 hours to Pokhara. In the afternoon you will fly back to Kathmandu. Overnight hotel.
Day 20:	At leisure in Kathmandu We have the whole day to explore the city, though today also acts as a "buffer" in case of a delay in our flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu the previous day. Kathmandu is a wonderful mixture of crowded bazaars, temples and shrines, in a blend of ancient, colonial and modern architecture. If you visited the temples of Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath on arrival, you might like to go to Durbar Square, or do some shopping in Thamel. The team will have a final celebratory meal in the evening. Overnight hotel.
Day 21:	Fly home Airport transfer. For those joining "land-only", you should book your flight home today.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The Expedition Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

Photos & Videos

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• Tharpu Chuli ascent and descent
• Tharpu Chuli summit ridge

Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: October 2011
Total: 5 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “The successful climb of a mountain in the Himalaya was a one of my ambitions and Jagged Globe's expertise helped make it happen.” AP, Tharpu Chuli - May '16
• “All in all a very successful trip,beautiful weather, really nice team, more difficult mountain than we thought, fantastic porters and sherpas....much enjoyed. Thanks, Hugh.” Tharpu Chuli

Leader Reports

• Tharpu Chuli - October 2019
  “The Annapurna Sanctuary has been described to me as one of the great cathedrals of mountaineering so I was pretty excited to be heading there this autumn. The team assembled initially in London Heathrow and then was completed by...”
  report added 19/Nov/19
• Tharpu Chuli - 4 to 24 May '14
  “Disappointment as mor(e)rain(e) sweeps away chances of a Tharpu Chuli summit bid... We all met at the Jet Airways check-in desk at Terminal 4, Heathrow with everything running like clockwork and no delays. Our initial flight...”
  report added 22/May/14
• Tharpu Chuli 21st Oct - 10th Nov '12
  “In summary, the Tharpu Chuli (5,663m) expedition proved to be a splendid all-round mountain experience with trekking-pole jaunts through villages hugging the hillsides to purposeful swings of an axe amongst mighty peaks. 10 out of...”
  report added 27/Nov/12
• Tharpu Chuli - 22 April to 12 May '12
  “Apparently the unofficial motto of the Bomb Disposal Squad is something like “If at first you don’t succeed, perhaps you chose the wrong job”. The same could apply to mountain guiding – cut the wrong wire, and............”BOOM”...”
  report added 31/May/12
• Tharpu Chuli - 9 to 28 Oct '11
  “After meeting most of the expedition members at London Heathrow airport, our flight via Delhi to Nepal gave us amazing views of the Himalayan mountains as we descended into the Kathmandu Valley. On arrival at the Summit Hotel we...”
  report added 30/Oct/11