Nepal: The Colors Of Makalu with Sherpani col

Day to day schedule to Nepal: The Colors Of Makalu with Sherpani col

• Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel (D)

  Arrival and transfer to hotel, after some refreshment, we will invite for typical Nepali welcome dinner.

• Day 2: Sightseeing around in Kathmandu valley , o/n in a hotel (B)

  After breakfast we will start for sightseeing tours around in Kathmandu valley, the sightseeing program is focused to introduce some highlights and UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu such as Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Bouddhanath. Preparation for the trek and check the equipment list and buy the equipment that is necessary for trip.

• Day 3: Flight to Tumlingtar and Drive to Num (4/5hrs drive, 1560m)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  It’s about a 50-minute flight before we touchdown on a grass airstrip at Tumlingtar (400m). Eventually drive to Num which is on a ridge above Arun Koshi River. Almost every evening Num experiences a dramatic display of thunder and lightning, which makes life here that little bit more interesting.

• Day 4: Trek to Seduwa (1540m, 5hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  We will descend steeply from the western end of the Num ridge through the cornfields of Lumbang. The trail passes over the suspension bridge and ascends through forest and a few traditional villages. People of this area are mainly engaged in agriculture and crops grown here are paddy, millet, potatoes and vegetables depending on the season. Ascend continue through dense forest, eventually brings to beautiful camp site Seduwa. Here is large flat camping lawn ridge above the Makalu Barun National park check point, where needed to be registered.We can enjoy a beautiful view looking back towards Num and the ridgelines bounding the Arun Valley.

• Day 5: Trek to Tashigoan (2070m, 3/4hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  From Seduwa, we ascend the ridge, which is bounded by the IpsuwaKhola on the west and KasuwaKhola to the east, with flat and easy hiking through the bushes. The path cuts across the hillside, contouring through quiet villages along the way. You will see the locals using buffalo to plough the small paddy fields, as every piece of land possible is being utilized for farming. Finally, we climb to the last settlement of trek to Tashigoan. The camping spot in this village is really a praiseworthy site below the national park office.

• Day 6: Trek to Kouma Pain (7/8hrs, 3500m) o/n in Lodge (B,L,D)

  We ascend steeply through dense forest of remote scrub and Rhododendron passing many ridges and seasonal Yak herders. Trail rises to Chipla (2520m) and even becomes steeper, struggling up past stream and a huge overhanging rock right below the Mani danda. We have a packed lunch because of the lack of the water in between Tashigoan and Khongma. Khongma is the last opportunity we have to stop before crossing the Shipton La and dropping down into the upper sections of the remote BarunValley.There are no buildings here and many of the tent sites are on the sloping hillside.

• Day 7: Trek to Mumbuk (3550m, 5hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  From Khongma, climb the ridge on steep switchbacks to a stone chorten at 3840m and feast your eyes on views of Chhamlang, Peak 6 and Peak 7. Scrubby rhododendrons and mossy boulders line the trail as you climb a stone staircase over several false ridges towards the small pass known as Ghungru La (4050m). The path twists and turns steeply, passing through forest before emerging on to a ridge with Mani walls, numerous prayer flags and superb mountainviews, including Kanchenjunga. Descend to a small turquoise lake after which we will ascend again through Shipton Pass. We then drop down the saddle for a rest by the lake KaloPokhari, before passing over the Keke La (4152m) and an easy descent walk through rhododendron and pine forest towards Mumbuk. It is a serene camping spot surrounded by green forests.

• Day 8: Trek to Nghekharka (3750m,4hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  From Mumbuk, the trail drops down a scree-covered slope into the long, curving Barun Valley. The Barun River running through the trail adds more dimensions to the trek with its spectacular views of Mt. Tutse (Peak 6) 6739m and Peak 7 (6185m). It’s a pleasant walk, slowly gaining altitude, until we arrive at Yangri Kharka (3610m). Yangri Kharka is a very small village situated in a meadow at the base of the valley. From Yangri Kharka climb gently to Nghekharka, another cluster of herd’s hut and prayer flags on the opposite side of Barun.

• Day 9: Trek to Merek (4570m, 3hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  Beyond Nghekharka, the river makes a huge S-shaped curve between curtains wall of cliffs that tower on either side of river. From the meadow at Riphuk (3930m), climb past a waterfall and up over swampy ground to a lonely stone hut. Another gentle climb passes a Mani wall to YakKharka (4400m). The final climb to the rather bleak camp site at Merek passes through a dizzying landscape of Himalayan giants. Have marvelous views of Chhamlang, Peak 3, Peak 4 and Peak 5.

• Day 10: Trek to Makalu Base Camp(5000m, 4hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  As the path turns northwards into a side valley, Makalu finally soars into view. Stick to the faint, flat trail following the east bank of river to Shersong (4660m). From Shersong, it is a gradual climb to a minor pass about 100 meter above Makalu base camp after which we descend to a stream and cross boulders to the base camp on the west side of the river. There are terrific views of the south face of Mt. Makalu. There are no huts, shelters or vegetation at base camp which is at an elevation of about 5000m.

• Day 11-12: To Swiss Base Camp (5150m/4hrs); Rest/Exploration Day o/n in Camp +B+L+D

  The trek to Swiss BC is tricky and involves boulder hopping as we follow the Barun Glacier directly beneath Makalu enormous west face. Swiss Base Camp is situated amongst the moraine in a sandy spot directly opposite the mighty West Pillar on Makalu. We have a full day set aside to rest and acclimatize and will aim to reach a vantage point above camp (weather permitting) with a great view of Everest and the fabled Kangshung Face.

• Day 13-14: To Sherpani Col Base Camp (5700m/5hrs); To Baruntse Camp (West Col@6050m/12hrs) via Sherpani Col (6146m) o/n in Camp +B+L+D

  We have allowed 2 days to position ourselves for the crossing of the Sherpani and West Cols. Depending on our group movement and progress we may need to be flexible on our approach. As we near the Sherpani Col base camp the trail is much less defined and with more boulder hopping, and now that we are climbing high cloud may obscure the trail. We camp high at the snout of the glacier at 5688m with the Sherpani Col 3 hours above us. If conditions are favourable and the group
  are moving at a good pace we may attempt to make the crossing of both Cols in a day, but in all likelihood, we’ll be camping at Baruntse C1 on the West Col @ 6100m on the first night and descending the Col to the Honku valley the next day. Although these are the most demanding days of our trek, we are deep in the Himalaya and the massive scale of the mountains around us are an awesome sight to behold. There will be sections of roped up travel and abseiling, and our Sherpa guides and mountaineering leader will manage the coming days as snow and weather conditions
  dictate.

• Day 15-17: Cross West Col to Honku Basin (5500m/4hrs); Honku-Amphu Labsta Base Camp(5527m/5hrs); Amphu Labsta Rest/Exploration Day o/n in Camp +B+L+D

  After our crossings are completed, we descend into the Honku valley nearby five large glacial lakes which sprawl out before us. They are known as Panch Pokhari (five lakes). The Amphu Labsta pass is situated immediately at the head of the valley to our right and is basically the low point on the ridge between the Honku and the Imja valleys. A new vista of peaks span out before us including Ama Dablam to the distant west, and many unnamed peaks. Amphu Labsta Base Camp is set close to the rocks that lead up to the pass. On these stages we ask that members be flexible and co-operative. Camps will be set where conditions allow, and your leader will keep you advised as to each days
  plan.

• Day 18: Trek to Chukung (4730m/9hrs) via Amphu Labsta La (5848m) o/n in Lodge +B+L+D

  The approach to the pass from the Honku is deceptive. Facing east and southward, there is much more sun and little snow, just a collection of rocks that gradually lead up to the gap we travel through. On the north facing side we find steep slopes of snow that we must take care to descend by fixed ropes to the snow basins below and subsequent moraine and alpine valley beyond. The views from this 5845m pass crossing to the peaks of Khumbu are unmatched. Any spare moment whilst we are climbing and descending will allow us to appreciate the spectacle of the peaks of the region.

• Day 19: Trek to Tengbuche via Pangboche (6/7hrs, 3860) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

  Leaving behind the views of the High Himalaya we trek down to Tengboche with its gompa(monastery), a World Heritage Site, which may be visited for self-purification. Then we trek forward to the Pangboche Village. There is a famous monastery at Pangboche believed to have been the oldest in the Khumbu region. From Pangboche, we descend down the alpine desert and back into greenery of pine forests. The path leads to a steep uphill climb into Tengboche. We pay our visit to the famous Tengboche Monastery.

• Day 20: Trek to Namche Bazzar (5/6hrs) o/n in Hotel +B+L+D

  Now from Tenboche, we need to steep descent and the trail leads us back along the Dudh Kosi River. We keep a lookout for wild life such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, etc., while passing through the forest by the trail. After passing a Chorten, we reach the army camp at of Namche Bazaar where we want to take a long last look back to Lhotse, the tip of Everest and Tengboche. The final steep climb traverses the hill side taking us to Namche Bazaar.

• Day 21: Trek to Lukla (2,800m, 6hrs) o/n in lodge +B+L+D

  The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. We walk through the Sherpa villages; noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag while we walk through the villages.

• Day 22: After breakfast we will fly back to Kathmandu o/n in a hotel (B)

  We fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu early in the morning which takes about 45 minutes. Then transfer to Hotel by private car. Refresh and relax.

• Day 23: Free day in Kathmandu o/n in a hotel (B)

• Day 24: Transfer to the international airport for onward fly to your destination (B)