Chulu Far East

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Daniel Allen

  Chulu Far East and Annapurna Trek

  

  Written October 2012

  An excellent combination of fine trekking and a tough mountain ascent using tea houses and camping in a good variety of locations. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The views of Annapurna II and Gangapurna were superb, and also the 'Wall of Pisang' was something I'd never seen anything like before.

  2 beautiful long drop waterfalls on the way to base camp were stunning.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Sukman was possibly the most protective leader I'd ever had the pleasure of spending time with. I'm sure he would have tied my shoelaces for me if I'd let him.

  Nothing seemed to be too much trouble and he always had plenty of time for us clients even though he was also organising the camp staff and porters etc.

  There were occasional misunderstandings which is quite normal and he did try very hard to make sure everything ran smoothly.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you want a good trek with a good hard snowy peak in the middle with a few days of camping then this is a very good option. The trekking itself isn't too hard apart from the Thorung La day which you will be well acclimatised for by the time you get there (it's only 2 days before the end of the trek), and even that day is long and enjoyable with a massive change in scenery from the green Annapurna side to the much drier Mustang area.

  The main medical problem we had was dry throats, so take things like strepsils and mentho lyptus just to keep your throat moistened. The walk towards Jomsom is apparantly always very windy and dusty so a buff or thin scarf over nose and mouth is very handy.

  Also I bought a pair of down mitts which I thought was overkill but it turned out that they were really useful and worked well although I couldn't use them in conjunction with my ascender, but that wasn't a big problem.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The road building is likely to put off trekkers who won't want to share their path with motorised vehicles. Just when we got back to Kathmandu there was a report in the paper that several jeeps had driven to Manang which was quite a few walking days into our route.

  The trek isn't only on the road - you do spend a lot of time on the old trekking route aswell, but it is something to bear in mind.

  Definitely take your binoculars for the Griffon Vultures and Lammaguyer, plenty of sun cream and lip balm !

   
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  Elkie Thorndyke

  CHULU FAR EAST

  

  Written October 2012

  An incredible trip - classic Annapurna circuit route, with comforts of the teahouses for the majority, but with a tough element once you got off the circuit and headed into the heart of the mountains to camp and climb Chulu Far East. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Having completed a half day hike to get up higher towards Chulu, then needing to do an acclimatisation walk further up the mountain after lunch. We left the weight of our bags at the teahouse and climbed up to a Buddhist temple, our way marked with silk prayer flags. Sitting on the steps of the temple with my husband looking out at the setting sun over Annapurna 2 was an inspirational moment.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  He was incredibly diligent and knowledgeable. Clearly very hard working and had a good relationship with the crew. His mountain experience shone through and i trusted him completely.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  I'd say if you are new climbers like my husband and I then use the forum beforehand to talk to other group members who are often very experienced (from what we found), they will be able to give advice on kit and what they have bought.