Tent Peak, quite popular as Tharpu Chhuli (5663m / 18580 ft) climbing is one of the most popular trekking peaks in the Annapurna region. Tent Peak climb offers you one of the best opportunities to get a taste of mountaineering in the Himalayas. The top of the Tent Peak offers soul-stirring views of the mountains, including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and several other peaks.
Tent Peak rises more than five thousand vertical feet above Annapurna Base Camp below the massive south face of Annapurna I, the tenth-highest mountain on the planet. The climbing route ascends non-technical terrain to a snowy, knife-edge summit ridge where climbers are rewarded with stunning views of Annapurna I and nine other peaks taller than 6,000 meters, including the sacred Machhapuchhre.
Tharpu Chuli is a relatively lower elevated peak which is the best climbing practice for those who want to challenge themselves to amateur mountaineering and wish to climb high mountain peaks. It is an easier peak that is not as challenging as Island peak, Mera Peak, Ama Dablam, or Yala Peak.
While climbing this peak, you will be reversing a few technical sections while climbing the peak. This Himalayan adventure demands you to be physically fit, mentally strong, and determined.
It is appropriate for everyone; novices as well as experienced trekkers. Previous experience in high-altitude trekking isn’t a requirement yet beneficial and boosts your confidence level. This journey allows you to experience both camping and tea house style of trekking.
A journey to Tent Peak begins and ends and concludes in Kathmandu. Upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport, a representative from Outward Adventure Treks will receive you, welcome you, and shift you to the hotel. Check into your hotel and, in the evening, walk on the lively streets of Thamel.
The next day, we will have a sightseeing program of some of the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu such as Swyambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Patan/Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath, etc. In the evening, you will meet your climbing guide, who will brief you about the trip. You will get to learn about the condition of the trekking trail and the challenges lying ahead. Also, you will get the answer to your queries from your guide.
On the following day, we take a picturesque drive on the hilly Prithivi Highway from Kathmandu to Pokhara via Muglin. On the way, we will get the lustrous sceneries of the mountain peaks, rivers, streams, hills, terraced farms, and so on. Upon reaching Pokhara, we check into the hotel for an overnight stay. After getting refreshed, we go to the lakeside and enjoy the views there.
The next day, we drive to Nayapul, where we begin our trek. Today, we reach Tikhedhunga walking alongside Modi Khola with the beautiful mountain scenery. The next day’s hike takes us to Ghorepani passing a lot of stone steps via Ulleri.
Leaving Ghorepani early morning, we hike to Poon Hill to catch the mesmerizing sunrise over the majestic mountain peaks including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Watch the sunrise over the Himalayas and make your way to Tadapani village residing on the lap of Fishtail Peak. Walk on the descending stone steps followed by a forested trail to Chomrong. You will be trekking through dense forest to Dovan and trek past the tumbling glacial river, and Hinku Cave will take you to the Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC).
From here, we head for Annapurna Base Camp. The majestic views of the Himalayas and glaciers will overwhelm everyone throughout the journey. We spend a day acclimatizing at the Annapurna Base Camp, where we will be doing your pre-climb training (from our climbing experts) and learning the techniques to use the mountaineering gears.
Now, we will be walking passing the rugged terrain and maneuvering a technical section to Tent Peak Base Camp. The following day, we ascend to high camp. The next day, we are summiting the Peak, which will reward you with a stunning view of the Himalayas. For that, we will begin our journey at around 1 am following the steps of our climbing guide. Early in the morning, we summit the peak and get back to Base Camp on the same day.
We retrace our steps back to Bamboo, and on the following day, we reach Jhinu Danda. Here, we take a dip in the natural hot spring at Jhinu Danda, which is known to relieve our aching muscles. Continue your trek to Nayapul, we drive back to Pokhara on the same day.
We, relax and indulge in the activity of our choice, and celebrate the achievement with staff before leaving for the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. The next day, the last day of the entire trip will be ended with the airport drop for your international flight.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,338 m/4,390 ft) - Transfer to Hotel
Day 2: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trip Preparation
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (822 m/2,697 ft)
Day 4: Drive Pokhara to Nayapul (1071m/3514ft) and Trek to Thikhedhunga (1,750m/5,741ft) – 2 to 3 hours drive and 4 hours trek
Day 5: Trek Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,874m/9,429ft) – 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 6: Morning Hike to Poon Hill (3,210m/10,529ft) and trek to Tadapani (2,600m/8,528ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 7: Trek Tadapani to Chhomrong (2,170m/7,118ft) – 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 8: Trek Chhomrong to Dovan (2,600m/8,530ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 9: Trek Dovan to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m/12,136ft) - 4 to 5 hours trek
Day 10: Trek Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,547ft) - 2 to 3 hours trek
Day 11: Acclimatization day at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,547ft) and pre-climb training
Day 12: Trek ABC to Tent Peak Base Camp (5,695m/18,684ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 13: Trek Base Camp to High Camp (5,230m/17,159) - 3 to 4 hours trek
Day 14: Summit Tent Peak or Tharpu Chuli (5,695m/18,684ft) and back to Base Camp – 7 to 8 hours trek/climbing
Day 15: Trek Base Camp to Bamboo (2,310m/7,577ft) – 6 to 7 hours trek
Day 16: Trek Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,760m/5,773ft) - 5 to 6 hours trek
Day 17: Trek Jhinu Danda to Nayapul (1071m/3514ft) and drive to Pokhara - 2 hours trek and 2 to 3 hours drive
Day 18: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,338 m/4,390 ft) - 6 to 7 hours drive
Day 19: Final Departure
The Tent Peak (Popular as Tharpu Chuli) is graded as Level IIC by the Nepal Mountaineering Association. For this climbing, you may need ropes, ice axes, and crampons along with the veteran climbing guide to achieve this peak. Outward Adventure Treks and Expedition provides adequate training and techniques on how to use these gears and equipment before your actual climb.
The technical grade of level II is defined as mountain climbing with occasional use of hands, chains or ropes, and fitness level C is defined as moderate: reasonably fit hikers who hike at least once a month with elevation gain of 800-1500 m and distance of 15 km in a day.” Thus it is a moderately difficult journey that can be achieved by novice climbers as well.
However, a basic level of fitness is required and every trekker/climber. No previous climbing skills and experience are required but an alpine walk is highly appreciated. Every day, you need to walk 6-7 hours for a couple of weeks (around 20 days). The climbers must mention their pre-existing medical conditions if any to our team beforehand.
The autumn months (September to November) and Spring (March to May) are the best time to trek and peak climb in Nepal and it is the same for the Tharpu Chuli. The temperature during this period is moderate and favorable making it adorable to climb. Autumn comes just after the monsoon and the clouds will have entirely disappeared by then. The bright blue skies provide excellent sceneries of the mountain peaks and the surrounding environment. The hills look lush green and everything seems astonishing. Many tourists come to Nepal for travel, trekking, and mountaineering in autumn as it is the peak season. Hence, it might be a little more crowded than usual. You might need to Book in advance for safety.
The spring is another best season for climbing Tent Peak as the flowers bloom and the hills turn colorful with rhododendrons and other flowers. The entire Himalayan lands are full of snow as the winter is just over and the mountains gleam astonishingly.
The summer and winter periods are not recommended for trekking and climbing peaks in Nepal as we do have more challenges in those periods. The summer days (June to August) are wet as we have heavy rainfall. In the winter days, the days are shorter and cool. You need to be more prepared for the extreme temperature and atmosphere. On the way, you can witness snowfall while climbing/trekking. The tea houses also shut shop. Hence, the best season for climbing is autumn and spring.