Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek

Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and equally fascinating trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. This trek goes through the high and technical; East Col and West Col (Ice Col), more popularly known as Sherpani Cols and is regarded as one of the hardest treks of Nepal. This is an adventurous trek recommended only for seasoned trekkers of the Himalayas and not for the faint hearted.This trek is also listed as Off The Beaten Path Trek as most part of this trek is done in wilderness away from civilizations and settlements. Almost one third of this trek is in high altitude above 5500 meters.There is another technical pass Amphu Laptsa (Lapcha) (5620 meters) towards the end of the trek as well.

Breathtaking up close views of some of the giants of Himalayas are abundant in this Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek. The lower valleys aren’t blessed with such scenic panoramas but lush rhododendron forests provides a different charm to this trek. The East Col and West Col provides a unique challenge and also rewards with panoramas that includes towering Makalu (8463 meters) and Baruntse (7162 meters). While negotiating the Baruntse Plateau, the trek actually passes through Advanced Camps of Baruntse. This trek through the Baruntse Plateau is one of the major highlights of the trek as it is as close as any trek gets to a 7000 meter peak.
Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek starts from a very low and humid Tumlingtar. The trek snakes it way through the valleys into alpine meadows at the foot of Makalu. Usually a trek comes to its climax once nearing to such elevations but here it is only the start of Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek. From Makalu Base Camp on wards, the trails are almost non existent, unforgiving and treacherous and is strictly forbidden for first timers in the Himalayas. On the way towards Sherpani Col, one can also enjoy superb views of Everest, Lhotse (8516 meters),  and Island Peak (6189 meters) from a very different angle. The trek finally ends at Lukla in Khumbu valley after crossing another technical pass, Amphu Laptsa (Lapcha) (5620 meters). We also offer another similar trip climbing highest trekking peak Mera peak  over Amphu Laptsa Pass climb Island peak and  into popular Everest Baser Camp trek.

Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1335 meters).
Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Num
Day 03: Trek to Seduwa.
Day 04: Trek to Tashi Gaon
Day 05: Trek to Khongma
Day 06: Trek to Dobate
Day 07: Trek to Yangle Kharka
Day 08: Trek to Langmale Kharka
Day 09: Trek to Makalu Base Camp
Day 10: Rest Day Acclimatization day.
Day 11: Trek to Sherpani Col Base Camp
Day 12: Trek to Sherpani Col High Camp
Day 13: Trek to Baruntse Base Camp
Day 14: Rest Day. Acclimatization day
Day 15: Trek to Amphu Laptsa Base Camp (5620 meters).
Day 16: Cross Amphu Laptsa (5800 meters) and trek to Chukung valley.
Day 17: Trek to Chukung (4730 meters).
Day 18: Extra Day.
Day 19: Trek to Tengboche (3860 meters).
Day 20: Trek to Monjo (2835 meters).
Day 21: Trek to Lukla (2810 meters).
Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 23: Free day at Kathmandu.
Day 24: Departure.

Detail Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1335 meters) .

  A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. (Overnight at Hotel)

• Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Num

  Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Num.

• Day 03: Trek to Seduwa

  From Num, the trail drops steeply all the way down to the river. Especially, the end towards the river is a very steep section. This drop takes around an hour half and after a suspension bridge, it is a straight ascent all the way to Seduwa. It is a little less than an hour to LumLumba (also known as Betghari) and another two hours climb to Seduwa. LumLumba is just a small hamlet with a souple of houses scattered on the trail whereas Seduwa is a big village on a face of a cliff. (4 hours 30 minutes)

• Day 04: Trek to Tashi Gaon

  The trail climbs briefly and takes a right at a fork. A gradual and steady climb continues with some small steep sections as the climb lasts for a full two and half hours. At the end of this walk is Chekse (also known as Chekse Danda). There is a small teashop, school and a rest place right at the start of village where also the climb ends. The remaining trail for the day is very similar to the one in the morning to Chekse and also takes a similar time to get there. A steeper climb is required right at the end of the day to get to (campsite or the lodge). ( 5 hours)

• Day 05: Trek to Khongma

  The trail at the start of the day is gentle. But after 10 minutes ir so, the trail starts to climb and keeps climbing through the day. A steep ascent lasting for a little less than 3 hours ends at Danda Kharka. The ascent continues but is more steeper for the next hour and the trail stays in the rhododendron forest the whole time. The end of this ascent is at small pass and an easy traverse follows for a very brief period. Again, another steep ascent of an hour follows. At the end of this ascent, the tress clears and village of Khongma can be seen. The whole of the day’s climb goes through rhododendron forests in a narrow gorge but Khongma village is surprisingly perched at the top in a wide valley. (5-6 hours)

• Day 06: Trek to Dobate

  The trail starts to climb in a similar way to the climb of the previous day and just keeps climbing for the most of the day. There are couple passes in this day. It takes an hour to get to the 1st pass (there are some chortens). After this pass, a brief steady trail and once again another climb for another hour to get to the 2nd pass (again some more chortens). A brief 15 minute drop and the trail passes by a small pond and another climb follows. This climb is only a little less than an hour and ends at a 3rd pass, popularly known as Shipton Pass, named after the famous Eric Shipton. An half hour drop ends at Thulo Pokhari (there are some teashops here) and once again starts to climb towards the day’s last pass, the 4th pass. After the pass, a steep drop for more than half an hour though a forest of smaller rhododendron trees leads to Dobate. (5-6 hours)

• Day 07: Trek to Yangle Kharka

  The trail continues though the forests and steeply (extremely steep) drops down to the river for the first hour. The trail now continously undulates in through a very bad section. Most of this section goes through an eroded trail and boulders and makes a very uncomfortable walk. After an hour or so the trail finally starts to get better. Once on a better trail, it takes an hour to get to Femtang (a single lodge here). After Femtang, it takes one and half hours of easy walk to get to Yangle Kharka. It is big meadow with lodges on the rither side of Barun River that the trek had followed throughout the day. (4 hours and 30 minutes)

• Day 08: Trek to Langmale Kharka

  The trek gets to the right side of Barun river and is comfortable for the next half an hour or so. After that, an uphill through the jungle follows for the next hour. Trees disappear and valley clears and opens up at the end of this climb. Some unnamed peaks tower in the left side of the valley. There are couples of meadows like this on the day's trail. After the first meadow, another gradual and easy ascent of around little more than half an hour leads to a second meadow. And a very similar timing and trail leads to the third meadow. A brief but steep climb over a ridge finally ends the day at Langmale Kharka. Stunning views of Peak6 and Peak 7 can be enjoyed once in Langmale Kharka. For more enthusiastic people there is a view point on the top of a ridge right above Langmale Kharka. (4 -5 hours)

• Day 09: Trek to Makalu Base Camp

  Now in the scenic valley with snow capped mountains all around, the day starts with a climb for a little less an hour. Then it undulates for the next hour and half. A new valley to the right of the valley appears and more views of Peak 6 and Peak 7 apperas to the left and an unnamed peak rises to the right side of this valley. After the appearance of this new valley, it takes around two hours walk in a comfortable trail to get to Shersong. Now there are two routes, higher route and lower routes to get to Makalu Base Camp. The time difference of these routes isn't much but mostly higher route is used. It takes a little less than two hours to get to Makalu Base Camp. Makalu Base Camp has a similar appearance as that of Gorakshep and offers stunning views of peaks surrounding the valley with an excellent view of Makalu being the pick of the lot. (5 hours)

• Day 10: Rest Day

  Acclimatization day .

• Day 11: Trek to Sherpani Col Base Camp

  A comfortable and easy gradual climb starts the day. Makalu and Barun glacier stays on the right as the trail enters further into the valley. After another 30 minutes of undulating trail, the trek enters into the glacial moraine. The trail stays on the left side and Barun glacier lies to right all the time. The trail snakes through this moraine (mostly boulders) and mostly climbs its way to reach a small clearing at the bottom of gulley coming from left side. Another similar terrain for a little less than an hour leads to another similar kind of clearing. This place is also at a bottom of a gulley. Apart from the first hour of the morning, the trail looks non existent and passes through loose rocks and boulders the whole. After the first hour in the morning, Everest and Lhotse appears towards the end of the valley. (4-5 hours)

• Day 12: Trek to Sherpani Col High Camp

  A 45 minute straight steep climb on a loose scree takes to the top of the ridge. From the ridge, there is an easy traverse for a brief period. Once again, the trail now gradually starts to climb through the boulders with scattered cairns working as markers. After around half an hour, the trail now steeply drops through a eroded part on a non existent trail. This drop is extremely loose and maximum caution is needed. Once this drop ends, the trail once again starts to climb its way to a small clearing. Now a very very steep climbing (like in the morning) on a ridge right above starts and lasts almost a little more than an hour. Once the climb ends, a comfortable 15 minute walk finally leads to the Sherpani Col High Camp

• Day 13: Trek to Baruntse Base Camp

  This is the longest and the hardest day of the entire trek. Staying to the boulders on the right side og High Camp, the trail climbs up and then enters the glacier. At the end of valley a high wall appears and it takes almost more than four hours to get to the bottom of this wall. Another one hour to get to the top as this is the top of the East Col. The top is marked by some prayer flags and also have some old korean ropes that have been left behinf. The whole climb and the descent that follows should be taken with extreme caution as there are many loose rocks all around this place. A 150 meter fixed line is required to get to the bottom. A small climb on the glacier leads to Baruntse Plateau which takes another two and half hours to get to the other end. At the end of Baruntse Plateau is a sheer drop of 250 meters. This place is also marked by some flags (but these flags get blown away or get buried in snow) and offers good views of both of the valleys. After this techinal drop, it takes another three hours on a decent trail to get to Baruntse Base Camp

• Day 14: Rest Day.

  Acclimatization day

• Day 15: Trek to Amphu Laptsa Base Camp (5620 meters) .

  Another short day trek ends the day at Amphu Laptsa Base Camp. A good rest is a must as the trek crosses one of the most technical pass in the following day. (2 hours) (Overnight at Camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

• Day 16: Cross Amphu Laptsa (5800 meters) and trek to Chukung valley .

  The trail climbs through huge sections of rocks and ices and only ends at the top. A steep drop from the top leads into the Chukung valley. The day ends in the valley as we camp on a flatland at the bottom of the pass. (8-9 hours) (Overnight at Camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

• Day 17:Trek to Chukung (4730 meters) .

  The trek starts to descend down in the valley and after couple of hours reaches the village of Chukung. Finally after almost a week, the village of Chukung marks the trek back into the civilization. Yet again, the trek ends shortly for the day as we once again prepare for another climb. (2 hours) (Overnight at Camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

• Day 18: Extra Day .

  This spare day can be used in case of bad weather during the crossing of the pass. If the trek goes according to itinerary, the day can be used to split the trek from Chukkung to Island Peak High Camp into two days. The day can also be used as a rest day.

• Day 19: Trek to Tengboche (3860 meters) .

  The day starts with the trail descending down to the valley passing Dingboche on the way and a brief climb afterwards leads to the village of Hortse. After Hortse, the trek joins the main trail Everest trail. The trek goes through villages of Pangboche and Debocheen route to Tengboche. (7-8 hours) (Overnight at Camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

• Day 20: Trek to Monjo (2835 meters) .

  Staying on the busy Everest trail, the trek heads towards Namche via Kyangjuma . On the way down from Namche, we take a last look at the Everest and merrily continue the trek down to river. The exit from the Sagarmatha National Park and a brief drop leads to the village of Monju and ends the days trek. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Camp. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

• Day 21: Trek to Lukla (2810 meters) .

  We trek back to Lukla via through bigger village of Phakding and finally end the trek at Lukla. We also bid farewell to our support crew and formally end their trek for them as well. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

• Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu .

  A 25 minute flight to Kathmandu and a whole day to explore the capital. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

• Day 23: Free day at Kathmandu .

  A leisure day in Kathmandu which can used for an early morning mountain flights to Everest or can extended into further more tours to Chitwan, Lumbini etc. Further adventure activities like rock climbing, hiking, biking around the Kathmandu valley with bungee jumping, rafting near the valleys can be done on this free day. (This is also spare day in case of cancellation of flights) (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

• Day 24:Departure .

  A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)

• NOTE:ITINERARY CAN BE CUSTOMIZED AT YOUR REQUESTS ACCORDING TO YOUR CONVENIENCE

  Bad weather has been a recurring problem at Lukla in the last few years and caused a lot of trouble with flight cancellations. We would like to strongly suggest you to have some spare days at the end of the trek and also a travel insurance that partially or fully covers the sum of emergency evacuation to catch up the international flights. The problems of bad weather at Lukla and people missing their international flights have been well documented in the last few years.

Includes

• Arrivals and departure transport by car (We will collect you from the Kathmandu international airport) and transfer to Hotel.
• 3 nights accommodation (2 persons per room) in Kathmandu 3* standard Hotel with breakfast. before and after the trip.
• Kathmandu – Tumlingtar & Lukla Kathmandu air fare.
• Full Camp trek with supporter staffs – Guide, cook, porters.
• A porter to carry your luggage on treks (Per person 20 kilogram luggage).
• Makalu Barun and Sagarmatha National Park entry fee and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).
• All meals and hot drinks during the trek serve by cook and staffs.
• Group climbing gears like rope, snowbars and icescrews.
• Salary, insurance, food, accommodation for guides and porters.
• First Aid Kit.

Excludes

• Nepal visa Visa Fee.
• Personal Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
• Personal expenses like beverages (mineral water, alcohol, soft drinks), telephone bills, laundry, bar bills, personal tips etc.
• Personal climbing gear.

Gear List

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG.

You must bring the following items:
Hiking boots
Socks
Trekking trousers / pants
Waterproof overtrousers / rainpants
Baselayer shirts
Casual shirt and/or T-shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Waterproof jacket
Sunhat
Warm hat
Sunglasses
Thermal gloves
Warm and waterproof over gloves or mittens
Headtorch/Headlamp with spare bulb and batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 L.
Antibacterial handwash
Small towel
Daypack,25/30Litres
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag 4 or 5 season * (rated down to – 20ºC)
Warm jacket (down)*

Medical
Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
1 skin-blister repair kit
Anti-diarrhea pills
Anti-headache pills
Cough and/or cold medicine
Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
Water purification tablets or water filter
1 set of earplugs
Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

Climbing gear you should bring:
01: Ice Axe w/Leash (General mountaineering tool. Sizing is important: under 5’7" use a 60cm tool; 5’7"- 6’1" use a 65cm tool; over 6’1" use a 70cm tool. (Too short is preferable to too long).)
02: Crampons (With flat rather than “cookie cutter” frame rails)
03: 40 ft 6mm perlon (For Prussiks or bring your glacier rig.)
04: Alpine Climbing Harness (Harness should fit over all clothing; have gear loops, adjustable leg loops and be reasonably comfortable to hang suspended in.)
05: Carabiners (2 Large Pear or D-shaped locking. 2 standard ovals or D’s)
06: Climbing helmet (Must be adjustable to fit, with or without hat or balaclava on)
07: 1 Ascender (Recommended: left or right hand.)
08: Ski or trekking poles (Snow baskets required. Helpful for balance when carrying a heavy pack or if you have knee problems)
09: Double plastic climbing boots.
10: Gaiters (Please make sure your gaiters fit around the plastic boot without being to tight around the boot.)

Note: Walking pole, down jacket, sleeping bag, etc available on hire in Kathmandu or request we will provide it.

Faqs