Government Opens New Peak for Climbing in Annapurna Region

The government has opened a new peak for mountaineering, highlighting its vantage point along the popular Annapurna Circuit.

The peak, named Chulu Sudur Purba (Chulu Far East), stands at 6,059 meters and lies under the Damodar mountain range within the Annapurna Conservation Area in Manang district. According to the state-run national news agency RSS, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation formally announced the decision citing a notice published in the Nepal Gazette on August 28.

According to RSS, climbers can reach the base camp via two routes. One approach follows Jomsom, Kagbeni, Jharkot, Muktinath, Thorang La and Ledar, while the other passes through Chame, Sipang, Humde and Manang’s Ledar.

The peak is often linked to the Annapurna Circuit Trek, offering enchanting views of Annapurna II, III and IV, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho and Manaslu. The Nepal Mountaineering Association has been entrusted with managing climbing activities on the mountain.

The government last year announced the opening of 57 additional mountains for climbing, as part of its tourism development plans for Fiscal Year 2024/25.

With the addition of the new peaks that range between 5,000 and 6,500 meters in height, the total number of mountains open for climbing in Nepal stood at 461 in 2024, according to the Department of Tourism.

According to Reuters, the latest data suggests that the country has opened over 491 of its peaks for climbing.