Makalu - West Col, Sherpani Col & Amphu Labtsa Pass Trek

Detail Itinerary

• Day 1Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft):On arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu you will be welcomed by one of our company representative with your name on the display card where you will be welcomed and assisted with your transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu.
• Day 2Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley:After breakfast you will be briefed about the trek and there will be the opportunity to discuss any particular personal requirements for your trek. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions along the way, as well as meet with your trekking guide and field staffs. After the brief you will be accompanied by a guide for visiting world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley and the surrounding areas. Your guide will then take you to visit Bouddhanath Stupa, a pilgrimage place which is most popular and important place for Buddhist. You will then have the opportunity to visit the Hindu temple, Pashupatinath, one of the most important shrines of Shiva temples. After visiting Pashupatinath you may go to Patan and Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Kathmandu Durbar Square. All sight-seeing options are dependent on the time available, as well as your interest, and your guide will be available to discuss the possibilities with you.
• Day 3Trip preparation at Kathmandu:It is usual for additional days to be kept free for the trip preparation as well as to allow for any last minute changes to flights to Tumlingtar, which can be possible due to adverse weather or industrial action. This could result in the flight departing on the second day of your arrival and the extra day will be used on the mountain for an extra acclimatization day or could be saved for a rest day after fly back to Kathmandu. Departures will be organised as per the flight schedule of airlines to Tumlinngtar
• Day 4Kathmandu - Tumlingtar (950m/3,116ft):As per flight schedule you will be transferred to the airport to fly to Tumlingtar. On a clear day the magnificent panoramic views of snow capped peaks from Gaurishanker all the way to Mt. Everest; Makalu & Mt. Kanchenjunga can be viewed. On arrival at Tumlingtar airport, which is a village town located on a shelf of the Arun River, there will be plenty of opportunity to explore the town as accommodation will be organised overnight in the local area.
• Day 5Tumlingtar - Mani-Bhanjyang (1,200m/3,936ft):Early In the morning after setting up all the loads and having breakfast the trek begins the adventurous journey from Tumlingtar with a pleasant walk through the farm, fields, terrace, and villages the trail climbs up gradually towards Khadbari in the heart of the sub-tropical forest of Sal tree and more farm fields along the way. The approach leads to a part of a major town, Khadbari of the Makalu region and from Khadbari the trail runs up and down leading to the camp at Mani Bhanjyang where a camp will be set up for overnight accommodation.
• Day 6Mani bhanjyang - Chichila (1,800m/5,904ft):The morning begins with breakfast and after breakfast we start our adventurous ascending 3-4 hrs to the ridge on a wide and well-used trail, reaching our lunch spot at Bhotebas. After lunch we walk passing through fertile land and forested path brings you to the top of the small ridge at Chichila village for the overnight, which has traditional few local houses with superb scenic mountains of Mt. Makalu and Khumbakarna range.
• Day 7Chichila - Num (1,500m/4,920ft):The trail continues and so is our exciting journey from Chichila to Num which leads us through the breezy and peaceful forest of rhododendron, oaks and hemlocks as we climb to the top of the ridge and the trail gradually goes downhill all the way to Num, which is a small village with few houses and a primary school on the large flat ground. From this point, there will be a good view of the route for the next few days. The camp will be setup for overnight accommodation.
• Day 8Num - Seduwa (1,493m/4,897ft):After breakfast in the morning, we start our trek by descending an amazing set of steps, terraced slopes towards the Arun River, nearly 800 meters below. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are compactly forested and the paths are rather slippery, after reaching the bottom, crossing the suspension bridge across the deep Arun River, and climb back out of the rain forest, reaching our lunch place at Runruma. A further steep climbs up takes all the way up to Seduwa, a village with a small health post and a primary school nearby where we will camp for the overnight
• Day 9Seduwa - Tashi Gaun (2,200m/7,216ft): To provide some interval from the many ascents and descents, the trek will provide a day of an easy, pleasant short walk that takes through to rural farm villages, on the gradual trail through the farm fields and terraces, as the path approach to Tashi Gaon. It’s only a gentle uphill climb for shot time through the millet and rice fields. Overnight camp will be set up where there will be time to reflect rest and explore around the local village to soak up some of the Himalayan lifestyle and enjoy getting to know some friends from the local ethnic group in this region.
• Day 10Tashi Gaon - Kahuma Danda (3,500m/11,480ft):Today is the day that adventure begins all the way up to the Makalu and after this village the walk is refreshing but beautiful shadow of the rhododendron and oaks forest, after leaving the dense forest coming to a summer pastures with traces of temporary huts. From here onwards to Kahuma ridge is challenging uphill climb, as the tree lines declines for the bushes of rhododendron and juniper. Accommodation will be provided locally, where the Scenic Mountain ranges can be viewed, as well as the valleys below.
• Day 11Kahuma - Mumbuk (3,400m/11,152ft):After the superb mountains view and the surrounding landscapes and snow capped peaks, the trek follows a gradual trail with a few ascents and descents as we pass through the Thulo Pokhari and Sano Pokhari in the heavy snow. The path from here can be quite deceptive and it can be laborious to find the trail some times, but enjoy the challenge as the trail crosses the pass of Tutu-la at 4,075m. The onwards journey, is all downhill back to vegetation, a small clearing place for camping in the middle of the woods of pines, hemlock, birch and rhododendrons to reach at Mumbuk for an overnight stay.
• Day 12Mumbuk - Nehe Kharka (3,750m/12,300ft):The camp settled in the shade of the tree, the view of the Mt Kumbakarna can be seen through the vegetation of the tree lines, the walk from here is downhill to the enclosed and concealed Barun Valley, one of the least explored area in the eastern Himalayan region of Nepal. This unique landscapes within the Makalu-Barun National Park are some 3,000 species of flowering plants, 440 bird species and 75 species of mammals, including the endangers clouded leopard, red panda and musk deer are inhabited . As the trail reaches the thriving alpine area of Barun Valley the walk is very pleasant with gradual uphill slopes, following the Barun River upstream on the valley gorge towards the camp at Nehe-Kharka, one of the summer pastures for the local folks of Tashi gaun and Nava gaun.
• Day 13Nehe Kharka - Sherson (4,600m/15,088ft):As the continuing onwards journey crossing the wooden bridge on the Barun River and walk on the boulders, where is a large prayer wall at Ramara, after a few hours walk the vegetation gets sparse, although the rhododendron, barberries, cotoneaster and juniper bushes persist for some time. As pleasant walk approaches to Sherson, it offers sight of the lower Barun glacier and the towering majestic Mt. Makalu, Sherson is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu. There are number of stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with outstanding view of masses of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu south face, and Mt. Baruntse 7,220m and at Sherson we make camp for the night after 6-7 hrs walk.
• Day 14Acclimatization day:This is the most wanted day for last two weeks and now finally a full day rest at the camp for acclimatization. You may take the opportunity to explore as well as trek to some local view points and enjoy the most scenic walk. For example, take a walk on the right side of camp and enjoy closer views of Mt. Makalu, Barun Pokhari and the view of the rare face of Everest the Kanshung face with Lhotse. An hour steep up brings you to the large meadow you can walk farther up to have a greater view of the above mentioned peaks and more other peaks of this area and beyond. After exploring the area stroll back to the camp for the overnight in the camp.
• Day 15Sheron - high Makalu base camp (4,800m/15,744ft):The trail continues to more isolated area towards the higher base camp, which is less than a three hour trek above Sherson, at the beak of the Barun glacier, near its glacial pond. Here in High Makalu base camp where accommodation will be provided for the night. Upon arriving at the camp the rest of the afternoon is free for short hike above this camp, a climb on the moraine ridge, for more spectacular views of Mt Makalu, and of the usual hidden east sides of Lhotse and Everest, which looms above the Barun glacier to the North West. The rest of the day will spent at leisure and preparing for the next big adventure.
• Day 16High Makalu Base camp – higher (Puja) camp (5,200m/17,056ft):The trail from here heads towards the west camp just below Makalu west pillar, as the altitude gains steadily, we go up slowly but surely with enough breaks in this high terrain the walk follows a path which climbs an ablation valley on the west side of the Barun glacier. Following this valley onto the glacier we make our way over the boulder-strewn caves and ice to a camp known as Puja camp below the towering Mt. Makalu's West Pillar. Our strenuous trek on the glacier is rewarded with unique views of Lhotse and the rare Khangsung face of Mt Everest. Today’s journey time will be between four and five hours and we will stay overnight at the camp on the clearing of the moraine
• Day 17Puja camp - higher camp (5,700m/18696ft):Heading towards higher altitude we leave camp and take the path to follow a steep climb up the rocky slopes of the Barun's west bank, until a line of cairns leads us into the valley where two small glaciers are fed by the slopes of the Sherpani Col. We will make our camp beneath the ice cliffs at the terminus of these two glaciers after 4-5 hours of vigorous climb.
• Day 18Rest day at Higher Camp (5700M):Today we will take a day off and let our body rest to regenerate the most needed energy for the following days hard ascend and steep descend. From the top elevation superb views of the enormous West Face and West Pillar of Makalu can be seen. Here, the route will checked and make the pass accessible by fixing ropes en route pass if needed.
• Day 19Camp on the Moraine:(5,640m/18,500ft) after Sherpani Col. We leave the camp and climb on the icy snout of the Sherpani Glacier, we will choose the most appropriate of these routes, according to the general conditions, the climbing follows on steep snow covered slopes, with the back-up of the fixed ropes which we had set up on the previous day. From the Col we will rope up to cross the glacier to the rocky crest of the West Col. This stunning mountain valley is framed by the icy ridges to the north, the vast cliffs of Makalu, the wall of Chamlang to the south and the sharply spiral of Ama Dablam ahead of us to the west. Today we will be having our packed lunch on the world's highest picnic spot. In the meantime route will inspect the safe climb down the West Col. After a break a descent from the Col on fixed lines leads us to the Hongu Glacier, and end our long hard day with a gradual walk over snow slopes down to our camp on the moraine.
• Day 20Moraine - Panch Pokhari (5,480m/17,975ft):The journey leads to our next adventure over the Amphu Laptsa before heading towards the main busy trail of Lukla, Namche Bazaar and Tyangboche. The trail follows across the wide area of the upper Hongu Basin towards Kang Leyamura a 6,430m peak to the west. Following the rocky glacier in the beginning, then towards old and more recent moraine deposits, we reach the beautiful Panch Pokhari (five pounds) and set up our camp here at the foot of our final pass Amphu Labtsa 5,780m.
• Day 21Rest day at Panch Pokhari:Another well earned rest day, which gives us a break to pull back our strength together for the final challenge of our trip over the last big pass. Either relaxing or for the energetic people there is an opportunity to climb smaller hills behind the camp for the excellent views of the Hinku Glacier and the Mingu-la.
• Day 22Trek to Amphu Labtsa high camp:Today is an easy day; we only have a short walk up to high altitudes to Amphu Labtsa high camp. We will pitch our camp at high camp. Here our guides will go up to the Amphu Labtsa and will fix ropes on some difficult section for the safe descent towards Imjatse valley for the next day cross to high Amphu Labtsa cross
• Day 23Cross Amphu Labtsa Pass (5,780m/18,958ft) and to Chhukung (4,730m/15,515ft):Another big day, an early start from the camp for few hours’ treks leads us to the top of the pass and overlooking stunning views of the impressive south face of Lhotse and Lhotse shar and the summit of Island or Imajatse Peaks which looks as if it could almost be even lower than point we are standing on. As soon the kitchen staffs and porters arrive at the pass, they will be lowered the 150 meters to the relatively less steep ground below the pass. Similarly, loads have to be carefully lowered, after checking every member in the group we slowly and carefully descend with the help of ropes and ice axe if required, then reaching the safe side from the pass by early afternoon everybody should be off the snow. Once in the safe ground away from the snow and ice area, an hour or more walk will take us to the ablation valley by the side of the Imja Glacier, now being within the Imja-tse valley walking will be more easier most of the way to Chhukung a temporary settlement with 5-6 teahouse and lodges. We camp overnight camp at Chhukung.
• Day 24Chhukung - Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft):The walk today will be easy heading downhill to a lower elevation from Chhukung the walk is pleasant and all the way to Tyangboche. After the Dingboche valley and getting down to bridge our route descends following the stream towards Pangboche village, and further down to Tyangboche is one of the most beautiful place in the Himalaya the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peaks Ama Dablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards north east and more peaks all around you.
• Day 25Tyangboche - Namche (3,440m/11,283ft):Today the trail leads downhill from Tyngbuche through the forested path of silver fir, blue pinnes, rhododendron and some magnolia and birch trees with great memories and after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River the trek ascend to Sanasa and reach to Namche Bazaar.
• Day 26Namche - Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft):After breakfast we descend all the way crossing and recrossing Dudha Koshi River several time and arriving phakding for lunch. We slowly trek down as enjoying the flourishing green scenery around and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village. At arrival in Lukla, we will stroll around the areas and the flight tickets will be re-confirmed for your flight back to Kathmandu for the next day.
• Day 27Lukla – Kathmandu:We fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and a transfer to hotel will be organised for you. The rest of the day you may want to relax at your hotel or stroll around Kathmandu.
• Day 28A day for Leisure in Kathmandu:This is a well earned and pleasant day in Kathmandu to sort out your photos or do laundry or just sit in a cafe and finish writing your journal or explore Kathmandu for a last day shopping.
• Day 29Departure from Kathmandu:Depending on your flight time you may still have some time for a last shopping trip or a stroll around Kathmandu or even meet friends for quick drink. We will organise a vehicle for your airport transfer and wish you a lovely trip back home or onward journey.