DETAILS ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival in KTM, Transfer to Hotel& Briefing
After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to go through custom formalities. You will be greeted by our representative who will be anxiously waiting for you with a placard displaying your name in his hand. You will be transferred to the 3-Star category hotel in a private vehicle. Once you get refreshed, you will get briefing regarding the itinerary and you will also be introduced with your crewmembers and other climbers who are going to join you on the trip. Enjoy welcome dinner in the evening where you can taste authentic Nepali dinner. Stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 2
Half Day sightseeing and afternoon equipment checking and fitting
In the morning after breakfast, we will organize half day sightseeing tour during which you will be taken on memorable UNESCO Heritage Tour. Tour begins with visit to Nepal’s holiest Pashupatinath Temple Complex and takes us through Nepal’s largest Bouddhanath Stupa and 2500 years old Swoyambhunath Stupa. We will return to hotel in the afternoon and time for shopping of any missing items, equipment checking and getting ready for the trip.
Day 3
Final preparation and packing
This is the preparation day. Expedition is a long and challenging activity. We need to get well prepared and equip ourselves with all necessary equipment and accessories for successful and enjoyable expedition.
Day 4
Kathmandu to Tumlingtar flight (45min), Drive to Num (1,560m) - 5hrs
It takes 45 minutes of flight to reach Tumlingtar from Kathmandu. The air route is scenic with aerial views of mountains like Ganesh Mountain, Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. We will reach Tumlingtar Airport that is perched atop the hill. Descending from airport, we will take local Jeep drive along the river, we will proceed towards Khadbari, continue drive via Mane Bhanjyang village, Bhotebas and past tiny local settlements, we will traverse rhododendron forest to Num, where we will stay overnight in a local Teahouse.
Day 5
Trek to Sedua (1,980m) - 5hrs
We will follow the descending path from Num and walk through forest to Lumbang. From there, the trail drops down to Arun River. Moving through the slippery path, we will reach a suspension bridge from where we will climb uphill to Sedua. Entry point to Makalu Barun National Park exists in Sedua. Stay overnight in Sedua.
Day 6
Trek to Tashi Gaon (2,100m) - 4hrs
From Sedua, the trail continues through farmland and mani walls. Climbing to the top of hill located aboveIpsuwa and Kasuwa rivers, we will pass through Sherpa village of Navagaon to reach KharsingKharka. Moving further, we will reach Tashigaon which is the last significant village that we encounter on our expedition.
Day 7
Trek to Khongma (3,200m) - 5 / 6hrs
Leaving Tashigaon early in the morning, we will walk through rhododendron and oak forest. The trail takes us through meadow area where we can see local herd grazing lazily over lush green vegetation. The trail contours up through stone steps to Khongma which is located atop the hill. Stay overnight in Khongma.
Day 8
Acclimatization Day at Khongma (3,200m)
We stay extra day at Khongma for better acclimatization and get adjust with the local environment etc. We might go for short hiking around the hills and take a good rest the remaining time.
Day 9
Trek to Dobato (3,520m) - 6hrs
From Khongma, we will traverse the colourful forest and reach to the ridge with mani walls and prayer flags. Enjoy the panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and cross Keke La pass (4,230m) and Tutu La pass (4,200m) before lowering down through rhododendron forest to Dobato. Stay overnight at Dobato.
Day 10
Trek to Yangle Kharka (4,200m) - 7hrs
Trek after Dobato is bit challenging. We will walk through landslide prone area for about 3 hours. Barun River can be seen from most of the point. We can also enjoy the panoramic views of Peak 6 (6,739m) and Peak 7 (6,185m). Stay overnight in Yangle Kharka.
Day 11
Trek to Langmale Khaka (4,630m) - 8hrs
Walking upstream, we will reach Ngle Kharka. Enjoying mountain views from Ngle Kharka, we will reach the alpine meadow of Rupak Kharka from where we will walk towards another shepherd area of JhakKharka. Walking past waterfall, we will reach summer grazing land of Yak Kharka from where we will head west and walk through gravel area with breath-taking view of Lower Barun glacier to Sherson from where we will stay overnight.
Day 12
Trek to Makalu lower base camp (4,870m) - 6hrs
Walking along eastern side of valley that allows scenic view of Makalu mountain, we will take slow descend to small pass. Climbing that pass, we will lower down to river and walk through boulders to reach Makalu Base Camp that is located on the western edge of river. Enjoy the breath-taking view of south face of Makalu from base camp and stay overnight.
Day 13-14
: Rest, Acclimatization & Preparations day
This is the rest day which helps us for proper acclimatization to the increasing altitude before climbing Makalu. To the right side of our camp exists many interesting view points from where we can get closer look at Makalu Mountain, Barun Pokhari, Lhotse and Everest. We can take short hike to the meadow and return to Base Camp for overnight stay.
Day 15
Trek to Advance Makalu base camp (5,600m) - 3 / 4hrs
Walking through the desolate area from lower Makalu Base Camp,we will reach to Advance Makalu Base Camp that exists at the snout of Barun glacier. We will place our camp nearby the glacial pond. We can climb a little higher than our camp for better view of Makalu. Return to Advanced Camp.
Day 16-19
Acclimatization and preparations for climbing to higher camps
We will spend the first couple of days at Advanced Base Camp. The guide will share Makalu Climbing strategy with us. We will climb to High Camp I and lower down to Base Camp. Rotation of camps help us in acclimatization.
Day 20-48
Acclimatization, load ferries, route opening, summit attempt of the Mt. Makalu (8,463m) and descend to the base camp
Days from 18 to 50 are dedicated in climbing Makalu. We will choose the normal route that progresses through southeast ridge.We will place 3High Camps.
High Camp I and High Camp II
High Camp I is located at 6500m and High Camp II exists at 7300m. These two Camps are founded at the base of southeast ridge. We will cross glacier and pass through snow field and hanging ice fall. Basic Alpine climbing technique is enough to reach up to Camp II. We need to climb 35 to 45 degree slope.
High Camp III
High Camp III is located at the beginning of southeast ridge at 7900m.We need to climb 50 to 55 degree slope till we reach High Camp III.
Climb to Makalu Summit and Descend to Base Camp
Expect to climb 70 to 75degree slopes to reach to the summit. We will need help of fixed ropes. After enjoying spectacular views of mountains and surrounding from summit, we will return to base camp where we will celebrate successful climbing of Makalu.
Day 49
Trek to Yangle Kharka - 7 / 8hrs
Return trip begins on this day. We will clean Makalu Base Camp and return to Yangle Kharka via Sherson.The path is scenic with panoramic views of several mountains. Stay overnight at Yangle Kharka.
Day 50
Trek to Khongma - 8hrs
Return trail from Yangle Kharka to Khongma is also a long day walk following descending trail for most of the day. Leaving Khongma early in the morning, we will walk through rhododendron and fir forest. We need to cross Keke La, Shipton La Pass and Ghurung La Pass so that we can reach Khongma. We will be greeted with green sceneries. Stay overnight at Khongma.
Day 51
Trek to Sedewa - 8hrs
From Khongma, we will lower down to Arun River and retrace the route to Seduwa. Walking through forest, we will lower down once again to river to reach Seduwa where we will stay overnight.
Day 52
Trek to Num and Drive to Tumlingtar - 8hrs
After early morning tea, we will walk up to Num and take a jeep drive to Tumlingtar where we stay overnight at Tumlingtar or may be at Khadbari Bazar
Day 53
Fly to KTM, transfer to hotel
We will take flight back to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar. Once we reach domestic airport in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to hotel. Take rest. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 54
Free Day for Shopping & Evening celebration time
This is a free day. You can go for shopping in freak street of Thamel. Return to hotel. We will celebrate the successful adventure.
Day 55
Final departure to HOME with good memories
You will be transferred to the Airport as per your flight schedule. Safe journey. We hope to see you soon.
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