Best Season to Visit

The best season to climb or trek Chulu east peak is autumn (September November) and spring (March-May). The average temperature in the autumn season during day time is 15- 20 degree Celsius while it may fall to 7-8 degrees Celsius at night time. Autumn season has the cleanest air with monsoon season washing all the dust and smoke.

With its clear atmosphere autumn provides beautiful views of mountain ranges. Similarly, the average temperature in the spring season is 13-15 degree Celsius and might fall to 5-7 degree Celsius at night. Spring has lovely weather with a gleam of sunshine during day time.

The trails are in the best condition during this season and offer mountain views and greenery throughout your way. The average temperature in summer is 20-25 degree Celsius making it the hottest season.

The winter season is quite cold with an average temperature of -5 degrees Celsius. The weather becomes harsh during this time. Monsoon season is also not favorable for trekking in Chulu East. The trails are slippery and muddy due to heavy rainfall. There is always a risk of trekking in winter and monsoon season.

Food and accommodation

Food and accommodation are not much of a problem in the Annapurna circuit. Lodges and small teahouses are available throughout the journey, especially in lower altitudes. However, once you reach a higher altitude the options are limited to teahouses.

They have basic facilities of single rooms with twin sharing beds, common toilets, and a common dining hall. During the peak climbing days, you would have to camp and prepare your food by yourself. If you belong to any travel agencies they will manage it for you. Warm sleeping bags, tents, and basic food items are necessary during this trek.

Food- there are enough options for food as well in this trek. From traditional dal, Bhat, and vegetables to Momo, pasta, noodles, eggs, bread bread, pizzas, chowmein, etc. Meat items are not much recommended during any trek. You can also get boiled water, tea coffee, and soft drinks in the teahouses.

Electronics and communication

Electricity is available in most of the lodges or teahouses. They also have solar panels so there will not be any problem charging your mobile phones or other electronics. Internet facility is available in few teahouses. Even though not so fast they help you to connect with your friends and families. The teahouses also have telephones and satellite phones so you can call your families by paying extra money to the owner. Once you reach higher altitudes these facilities might be very limited.

Transportation

Bus- bus facility is available from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes 4-5 hours and cost you around 500-600 NRS. Form Pokhara you can again take a drive to Besishahar. Or you can directly drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar which takes 8-9 hours. From Besishahar there is again bus available to Dharapani. Once you reach Dharapani you need to start your trekking.
Airplane- the flights available is from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes 30-35 minutes and cost around 4000 NRS. And Pokhara to Jomsom which takes 20 minutes and cost you around 3000-3500 NRS.
Permits/fees
Chulu peak climbing permit- the cost for this permit is based on seasons. Spring (March- May)- 400$
Summer (June-August)- 70 $
Autumn (September- November)- 200$
Winter (December- February) – 70$
Annapurna conservation Area permit (ACAP)- this permit cost you 3000 NRS (30$) excluding 13% VAT. For SAARC countries this permit cost only 1500 NRS (15$) excluding 13 % VAT.
TIMs- this permit is necessary for every trekkers trekking in Nepal. This cost 1000 NRS (10$).

Safety/fitness

Peak climbing is always difficult and requires physical and mental preparations. Chulu East is one of the tough trekking and climbing destination. You need to have extra fitness, experience in climbing, skills to use all the equipment and be mentally strong. Even though the trails to
base camp is easy the peak climbing itself requires a lot of effort.

There is altitude or mountain sickness on the other hand. Yes, there is a very high chance of getting mountain sickness. You need to be prepared for that too. Some symptoms of altitude sickness are shortness of breath, nausea, fast heartbeat, headache, dizziness, extra tiredness, etc.

Staying hydrated throughout the journey, having nutritional food, avoiding alcohol, and meats, and taking the journey slow so that you can adjust to increasing heights, are some of the solutions or precautions for altitude sickness.

However, if you ever start experiencing these symptoms you need to immediately talk to your travel guide. There are also some medicines available for altitude sickness. If you decide not to climb the peak you can also enjoy your trek by staying in base camp.

Guides and porters

Guides and porters are one of the most important parts of this trek. Since Chulu East is one of the tough destinations, you will need a proper guide to lead you. It is better if you trek through agencies. They hire well-educated, English-speaking guides for you. If not you can also hire a local guide.

They help you with directions, trails, accommodations, and, many more. Guides usually charge 30-35$ per day. Porters are more than necessary on this trek. You will be carrying all the equipment for climbing, tents, food, etc.

It is quite impossible to carry all this stuff by yourself and walk. Porters charge you 20-25 $ per day for carrying all your belongings but they must not exceed 20 kilos. You can share one porter for two trekkers if you don’t have many belongings.

Other requirements

Travel insurance– all the trekkers need travel insurance in Nepal. Travel insurance has become a part or requirement of trekking. You can always purchase your own travel insurance from your travel agencies. It usually cost around 150$(15000 NRS) which is good for 30 days. You need to give
them complete details about the places and altitudes you will be reaching because your insurance depends on details you have given earlier.
Valid visas/passports – foreigners other than Indians need to have valid visas and passports prior to visiting Nepal. The passport must hold minimum 6 months of visa validity from their date of arrival. They can have the Nepalese visa at Tribhuwan International Airport.