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PRICE

$1,995 (4-day climb extension)
See Annapurna Sanctuary Trek pricing

SCHEDULE

Fall
November 6 – November 22, 2023
ABC & Tent Peak Climb

DETAILS

17 days in Nepal
Grade: Beginner

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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OVERVIEW

Tent Peak rises more than 5,000 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. At 18,684 feet (5,663 meters), Tent Peak, known as “Tharpu Chuli” to the Nepalese, is an excellent introduction to Himalayan mountaineering and a spectacular challenge for climbers of all skill levels. Mountain Gurus offers the Tent Peak climb as a four-day extension to our Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek and Tent Peak Climb • 17 Days

This adventure combines a climb of Tent Peak with a trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Our journey begins in the historic city of Kathmandu. We fly to Pokhara and then trek into the Annapurna Sanctuary via Poon Hill and the dramatic Modi Khola Gorge. From Annapurna Base Camp, we spend the next four days climbing Tharpu Chuli. To safely acclimatize, we establish an intermediate camp, then ascend a steep ravine to our base camp the following day. Our summit day begins early as we ascend fixed lines up slopes as steep as 70 degrees to the Northwest Ridge. We traverse the ridge as it gradually steepens into a short knife edge section and we step onto the summit. The massive amphitheater of the Annapurna Sanctuary surrounds us, a wilderness of ice and rock crowned with Annapurna I (8,091 meters), Annapurna South (7,229 meters), Machhapuchare and many other peaks.

Need help choosing a trip?
Read our Four-Legged Stool blog post for tips on finding the right adventure for you. Each of our expeditions requires a different mix of fitness, technical climbing skill, altitude and expedition experience. We use a simple system to help you find an itinerary that fits your goals and your abilities. The trip you choose should offer you just the right mix of challenge and enjoyment.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 – 8 • Kathmandu – Annapurna Base Camp
Day 9 • Tent Peak Base Camp
Day 10 • Tent Peak High Camp
Day 11 • Tharpu Chuli • 18,684 ft
Day 12 – 15 • Dovan – Pokhara
Day 16 – 17 • Pokhara – Kathmandu

ITINERARY

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek and Tent Peak Climb

Expedition begins and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal

Day 1 – 7 • Arrive Kathmandu – Machhapuchhre Base Camp • 12,139 feet

Please refer to our Annapurna Sanctuary Trek itinerary for the approach to Annapurna Base Camp and Tent Peak.

Day 8 • Annapurna Base Camp • 13,550 feet

Today, we immerse ourselves in the spectacular scenery that surrounds us. From camp, we sip our morning tea as the rising sun illuminates the massive south face of Annapurna I (8,091 meters). Ten peaks taller than 6,000 meters tower just above us, including Annapurna South, Annapurna III and Hiunchuli. After breakfast, we trek higher into the Sanctuary, where the deep silence is broken only by the roar of distant avalanches.

Vertical Ascent Trekking: 1,400 feet
Trekking Time: 1 hour

Accommodations:  Lodge in Annapurna Base Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)

Day 9 • Tent Peak Base Camp • 13,800 feet

After breakfast, we follow a climbers trail to the southern edge of the lateral moraine of the Annapurna Glacier. From this access point we descend steeply by fixed line onto the dry glacier. We follow the glacial bed for an hour or more towards Annapurna’s south face. The path now ascends the northern moraine via a weakness in its steep rampart. Once on top of the glacial moraine it’s a short walk to Tent Peak Base Camp. If time allows we have the option of ascending to Middle Camp at 14,800 feet.

Vertical Decent Trekking: 600 feet
Vertical Ascent Trekking: 1,000 feet to Tent Peak Base Camp
Vertical Ascent Trekking: 2,000 feet to Tent Peak Middle Camp
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

Accommodations: Tented Camp at Base Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)

Day 10 • Tent Peak High Camp • 16,386 feet

We break camp and ascend a steep trail to the Tent Peak (Tharpu Chuli) High Camp. Our team ascends 30-40 degree grassy slopes for approximately 1-2 hours until reaching a flat bench on the ridge line known as Middle Camp. We continue up moderate terrain passing more camp sites along the way and arrive at the terminal moraine of Tent Peak Glacier. From the high camp we get panoramic views of Hiunchuli (6,441 meters), Annapurna South (7,229 meters), Annapurna I (8,091 meters), Machhapuchhre. After setting up high camp, we spend the day relaxing and discovering the surrounding area. Before nightfall we prepare for our summit ascent the next morning.

Vertical Ascent Trekking: 2,600 feet
Trekking Time: 3-5 hours

Accommodations: Tented Camp at High Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)

Day 11 • Summit Day • Tharpu Chuli • 18,684 feet

Summit day starts early. We scramble up rock ledges for about two hours to a glacial bench where we gain the Northwest Ridge. Our team ascends a steep, 70-degree slope for 300 feet to a flat trail on the crest of the ridge. Thirty minutes later, our guide clips us into fixed lines and we climb onto the narrow summit of Tharpu Chuli. From the summit we enjoy breathtaking views of the Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheater. We descend to base camp.

Vertical Ascent Climbing: 2,300 feet
Climbing Time: 8-10 hours

Accommodations: Tented Camp at Base Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)

Day 12 – 15 • Dovan – Pokhara

Over the next four days, we retrace our steps from base camp to Pokhara. If we arrive early in Pokhara, we can enjoy the day exploring this idyllic, lakeside city.

Accommodations: Lodges and Hotel in Pokhara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)

Day 16 • Flight to Kathmandu

We say farewell to our staff and depart to Kathmandu on an early morning flight. The rest of the day remains flexible depending on the desires of the group. Some in the group may simply want to relax and shop in Thamel, while others may tour Kathmandu’s many world heritage sites. This ancient city is home to Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in Nepal, and the enchanting Buddhist temples of Boudhanath and Swayambunath, as well as many other wonderful museums and holy sites.

Accommodations: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals Included: Breakfast (B)

Day 17 • Depart Kathmandu

Transport to Tribhuvan International Airport for flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast (B)

Itinerary Notes
Mountain Gurus makes every effort to uphold the scheduled itinerary, although our guides are given discretion to adapt the itinerary for reasons beyond our control or due to the needs of the group. Meal schedule: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

DETAILS

Price

$1,995 (4-day climb extension)
See Annapurna Sanctuary Trek pricing

Deposit and Payments

  • A non-refundable deposit of $1000.00 per person secures your reservation.
  • The balance is due 120 days prior to the start date.
  • The balance can be paid by credit card with a surcharge of 3.0%, or Zelle payment network.
  • If your balance payment is not received 120 days before the start of your program, your reservation will be canceled, and all program fees forfeited.

Price Includes

  • Park fees and climbing permit
  • Lodges during the trek
  • Tented accommodations
  • Scheduled meals during the expedition
  • Professional mountain guide
  • Scheduled porter service based on itinerary
  • Baggage transport (limited to 30kg / 66lbs)
  • All group equipment for the expedition (including tents, stoves, group climbing gear, fixed ropes, emergency oxygen)

Price Does Not Include

  • International airfare and meals during travel
  • Visa fees
  • Non-scheduled airport transfers
  • Non-scheduled meals
  • Personal gear
  • Non-scheduled porter service
  • Trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended)
  • Single room supplement (hotels only)
  • Medical and evacuation coverage
  • Helicopter flights due to delays or mountain weather
  • Early departure fees
  • Excess baggage fees
  • Tips and gratuities

GEAR LIST

A complete clothing and equipment list specific to your trip will be sent to you in the PreClimb information upon reservation.

Head and Face

  • Warm Hat: Wool or synthetic that cover the ears
  • Buff or Balaclava
  • Sun Hat or Baseball Cap
  • Glacier Glasses: Essential eye protection at altitude. Wrap around style or side shields. A category 4 lens is required.
  • Sunscreen: SPF 30+
  • Lip Balm: SPF 30+
  • Climbing LED Headlamp: Bring one extra set of batteries.

Upper Body

  • Baselayer Tops: One synthetic long-sleeve shirt. Hoods for sun protection are strongly recommended.
  • Mid-layer Top: A synthetic or fleece top.
  • Softshell Jacket: This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket. Hoods are highly recommended.
  • Hardshell Jacket: A fully waterproof shell. GORE-TEX© or equivalent. Hoods are required.
  • Insulated Jacket: Heavy weight down. 700+ fill or higher required.

Handwear

  • Lightweight Softshell Gloves: One pair. Leather palms offer durability and grip.
  • Heavyweight Gloves: Insulated glove or mitten with GORE-TEX© or waterproof outer.

Lower Body

  • Baselayer Bottom: One pair. Synthetic, no cotton.
  • Softshell Pants: One pair. Synthetic, stretchy, non-insulated.
  • Hardshell Pants: One pair of GORE-TEX© pants. Full-length side zips are required; you may need to take off your hardshell pants without removing your boots.
  • Gaiters: Full-sized waterproof gaiters that must fit snugly over your mountaineering boots.

Footwear

  • Mountaineering Boots: Full shank crampon compatible double plastic, or Heavy weight synthetic/ hybrid mountaineering boots are required.

Note: Please read our Mountaineering Boots and Crampons guide for recommendations.

  • Mediumweight Socks: Two pair of wool or synthetic socks.
  • Heavyweight Socks: One pair of wool or synthetic socks for sleeping in and for summit day.

Sleeping

  • Sleeping Bag: Bring a warm bag (rated to 0ᵒ Fahrenheit).
  • Sleeping Pads: A full-length closed-cell foam pad or an inflatable pad.

Packing and Backpack

  • Backpack: One 65-75 liter pack for personal gear. Should have an effective waist belt, fit properly and provide good support while carrying 45-60 lbs.
  • Liner Bags: 1 large plastic contractor bag.
  • Day Pack: Lightweight 30-liter pack 
  • Duffel Bag: One large, waterproof PVC duffel bafor transporting gear via porters or pack animals. 

Climbing Gear

  • Ice Axe: 55-75 cm mountaineering axe.
  • Crampons: 12-point steel with anti-balling plates.
  • Climbing Helmet: Lightweight
  • Alpine Harness: Lightweight alpine harness with adjustable leg loops.
  • Trekking Poles: Adjustable and collapsible with snow baskets.
  • Locking Carabiners: (2) Large pear-shaped, screw gate locking carabiners.
  • Non-Locking Carabiners: (2) Wire gate non-locking carabiners.
  • Ascender: Left or right handed
  • Rappel/Delay device: Figure 8 recommended
  • Nylon Slings: (2) 60 cm nylon slings

Hydration

  • Water Bottles: Two, 1L wide-mouth plastic bottles. NALGENE©

Personal Travel, Health and First Aid

  • Travel wallet for passport, cash and travel documents
  • Two (2) passport photos
  • Casual travel clothes
  • Personal snacks: We recommend a mix of sweet and salty whole foods (nuts, dried fruit, dried meat) and energy foods such as Gu, Clif Bars and Shot Blocks
  • Plastic bowl, insulated mug, and spoon
  • Toilet paper, blue bag or wag bag
  • Hand sanitzer (several small bottles)
  • Small soap
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Toothbrush / paste
  • Nail trimmers
  • Baby wipes
  • Earplugs
  • Camera
  • Altitude watch
  • Small personal first-aid kit including:
    • Diamox / acetalzolamide: 125 mg
    • NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen
    • Antibiotics: such as Azithromyacin for upper respiratory, Ciproflaxin for gastrointestinal
    • Melatonin
    • Antacids
    • Cold and flu meds
    • Blister kit
    • Bandaid
    • Wound closure strips
    • Triple antibiotic ointment
    • Scissors
    • Any personal prescription meds or asthma meds

TRAVEL & FITNESS

Travel

Program Location:
Begins and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal

Visa/Entry Information:
Passport must have six months or more validity remaining at the time of entry. American citizens may obtain a visa prior to travel or upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

• 30 days multiple-entry tourist visa ($50 USD)
• 90 days multiple-entry tourist visa ($125 USD)

Health & Immunizations:
Immunizations are not required for entry into Nepal. Consult your doctor, local travel clinic or Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for updated immunization recommendations in Nepal and China. Recommended immunizations include: diphtheria-tetanus (DPT), polio, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), meningitis, hepatitis A and B, cholera, typhoid, rabies. Malaria medication is only necessary if you plan to visit low-lying areas of Nepal / India after the climb.

Flight Travel Information:
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal

International Departures:
Itineraries reflect the date and time you will need to arrive in-country for a program. Mountain Gurus programs begin and end in the country’s destination city. When booking your flight, you will need to account for travel time and crossing the international dateline if applicable. It is easiest to give your booking agent the day and time you will need to arrive.

Meals and Food:
All meals are provided as per meal schedule. See itinerary.

Gear:
A complete clothing and equipment list specific to your program will be sent to you in the pre-departure packet upon reservation. For your safety and comfort, it is extremely important that you adhere strictly to the equipment list.

Tent Peak Fitness & Training

Climbing Grade: Beginner

Tent Peak is usually climbed after an acclimatization trek to Annapurna Base Camp. We strongly recommend this itinerary because your body’s response to altitude can determine whether or not you succeed on this climb. Climbers should have basic snow and glacier climbing skills before attempting this peak. Good physical fitness is essential. While ascending to base camp and to the summit you will be breathing heavily and moving slowly while carrying a pack weighing between 30 and 40 pounds.

Before the expedition we recommend that, at minimum, you take a mountaineering course and spend time at altitude.

Here’s a suggested progression of climbs before attempting Tent Peak.

  • Northwest Climb (Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, Mount Shuksan)
  • Mount Elbrus
  • Mexican Volcanoes, Ecuador Volcanoes

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I climb Island Peak or Tent Peak?

Island Peak (20,305’) and Tent Peak (18,684’) both offer excellent introductions to Himalayan mountaineering, and both climbs are accessed via treks through some of the most spectacular mountain terrain on Earth. If you’re choosing between the two, consider your goals and how much time you have. Island Peak is more popular because it is located just below the most famous mountain on the planet, Mount Everest. Island Peak expeditions are also longer because we need more time to safely acclimatize for its higher summit. Tent Peak is climbed much less often. In the solitude of the Annapurna Sanctuary you’ll enjoy a more remote expedition experience while still climbing in legendary mountaineering terrain at the foot of Annapurna I, which was the first 8,000-meter peak to be climbed. Our Tent Peak expeditions are four days shorter than our Island Peak climbs.

What are the physical requirements of this trek and climb?

For the trek, you must be able to hike for 6 to 8 hours per day with a 20-pound daypack. On Tent Peak, we will climb for 10 to 14 hours per day while carrying 25-pound packs. On our largest days, we will gain 4,000 or more feet of elevation. You must have strong hiking skills and excellent physical fitness for this expedition.

Who will guide the trek and climb?

Our Nepal climbs are led by a Sherpa mountain guide native to Nepal or an American mountain guide with extensive experience leading our international expeditions. Your head guide will assisted by additional Sherpa guides and porters. Many of our guides are native to the Khumbu Region of Nepal at the foot of Mount Everest.

What are the Nepal climbing seasons?

Nepal’s climbing seasons are dictated by the annual monsoon, which brings heavy rain and snow from June to September. Trekking conditions are excellent from March through May, before the monsoon arrives, and in October and November, after it ends. The winter months are very cold in the high mountains.

How much will my pack weigh?

During the trek you will carry only the gear you’ll need for each day. Porters will carry all your extra clothing and overnight gear. At no point will you carry your own camping gear or any group expedition equipment while trekking. For your comfort, your daypack will not weigh more than 15 to 20 pounds. On summit day we will be breathing heavily, moving slowly and carrying 25-pound summit packs. You must be in top physical and mental condition to succeed on this climb.

Where will we stay?

In Kathmandu and Pokhara we stay in clean, comfortable hotels. During the trek, we rest and recharge each night in the finest available mountain lodges owned and operated by local people. On the climbing portions of the trip and in remote areas we overnight in top-quality mountaineering tents.

Why Choose Mountain Gurus

Since 2008, we have offered world-class Seven Summits expeditions, high-altitude climbs, and specialized treks around the globe from the Himalayas to the Andes, and from the heights of Africa to the rainforests of the Amazon Basin. We make safety our foremost priority. We employ some of the most talented guides in the industry, and we maintain low client-to-guide ratios to ensure that you enjoy the best possible experience. Our business is rooted in environmental and social stewardship. We also offer a wide selection of mountaineering courses and climbs in the Pacific Northwest through our partner company, Northwest Alpine Guides. To learn more about our services, history and philosophy, please visit: Why Choose Mountain Gurus.

INTERNATIONAL CLIMBS

Orizaba Express

Mexico Volcanoes

Ecuador Volcanoes

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