Makalu High Pass Trek

After you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), we will come to pick you up. From there, we will transfer you to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu via a comfortable private vehicle. After assisting you with the check-in procedure, we will leave you to settle in and rest.

If you have enough time left after arrival, you can do some short sightseeing around the capital city or check out local restaurants and cafes. You will meet your guide on this day and get briefed about your exciting Himalayan adventure. In the evening, we will also host a welcome dinner in the evening where you can meet the other members of the expedition team.

Elevation Gain: 60 meters/ 196 feet

Flight Duration: 45 minutes

Drive Duration: 6-7 hours

You will take a morning flight from Kathmandu to the start point of the trekking adventure in Makalu region, Tumlingtar. In this exciting short flight, you will be able to enjoy the lush beauty of the high hills, charming deep valleys, and the fascinating peaks in the Himalayan range.

After you land on Tumlingtar, you will take a break and prepare for the remaining part of this day’s adventure. On the scenic driving adventure of this day, passing across the dramatic mid-hill landscapes and charming settlements along the route like Chilchila, Khandbari, and Hururu. During the last part, you will drive past the farm village of Num to reach Seduwa. This is the entry point of the Makalu Barun National Park; you will have to show your entry permit and TIMS Card at its checkpoint.

Elevation Gain: 610 meters/ 2,001 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

You will commence the trekking adventure of your Makalu high pass trekking from this day onward. After a warm and nutritious breakfast, you will begin your trekking journey across the gradual stone stairs. Moving through the charming bamboo, rhododendron forest, and terraced farms, you will make your ascend to Narbu Gaon.

From here, you wil continue your trek along the rice and fillest fields and forested area in the rewarding trail amidst the Ipsuwa Khola (on the west) and Kasuwa Khola (on the east). During the last part of this day’s trek, you will follow the downhill trail to a bridge and trek across the small village of Chyaksa Danda to arrive at Tashigaon. This charming high-altitude village in the Makalu region is mostly populated by the Sherpa people. You will catch a stunning glimpse of Chamlang and Baruntse from Tashigaon.

Elevation Gain: 1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

Moving along the ascending route, during the first leg of this day’s exploration, you will first trek past some stone steps and switch to the gradual inclining trails through the rhododendron, oak, and pine forest.

Your delightful trekking journey will then take you to Dhara; you will take a short break here before following the path that stretches to the Unshisa. Then, you will follow the steep trail that passes through yak pastures and leads you to the summit of the ridge via stone stairs and little lakes. A short walk from here will take you to Kauma Danda, which offers fascinating views of the Kanchenjunga to the far east and Makalu to the north side.

Elevation Gain: 700 meters/ 2,296 feet

Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

It’s an exciting and challenging day’s adventure in your exploration; today, you will take on three of the magnificent Himalayan passes. After breakfast, you will follow the trekking route across the rhododendron forest and make your way to Kauma La. From the top of this pass, you will be able to catch an incredible glimpse of the Chamlang and Makalu peaks.

Then, after descending from the pass, you will make your way toward the Kalo Pokhari Lake [4,022 meters/ 13,195 feet], which is significant in the Hindu religion. A large number of pilgrims take baths in this lake during the Janai Purnima.

Moving further in this day’s exciting trekking route, you will traverse across Tutu La and Keke La Pass, enjoying the magical views of Peak 6, Peak 7, and Chamlang. Following the gentle descending trail during the last leg, you will traverse across the rhododendron, pine, and hemlock forest to reach Mumbuk.

Elevation Gain: 130 meters/ 426 feet

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

After breakfast, you will trek along the sharp descending trail into a narrow valley, which leads to the riverbed of the Barun Khola. Enjoying the incredible views of the Chamlang and Tutse mountains, you will trek across the Themathang Kharka and stunning waterfall en route.

Then, you will cross a wooden bridge and move along an uneven path to reach Yangle Kharka, following the northern bank of the Barun Khola. From here, you will follow the gradually ascending trail to the northwest to reach the wide pasture of the Nehe Kharka.

Elevation Gain: 915 meters/ 3,001 feet

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

This is another day’s rejoicing exploration in your Makalu High Pass Trek. After breakfast, you will trek on the gradually inclining trail, enjoying the magnificent views of the Barun Glacier and Makalu Peak. Following the crusading Barun River, you will move along the route that stretches to the widespread area of the Barun Valley.

A short trek further ahead will take you to Shersong, this day’s resting point. Shersong is also known as the Makalu Lower Base Camp, and from here, you can catch the spectacular views of the Makalu, Chamlang, Baruntse, and Peak 4.

Elevation Gain: 185 meters/ 606 feet

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Today, you will explore the major highlight of your incredible Himalayan adventure. After breakfast, you will leave the lush green vegetation behind, switching trails to ice and rock segments of the glacial moraines. Then, traversing across several curves and small pastures in the remote and secluded region, you will arrive at Makalu Base Camp.

This base camp is located near the snout of the Baruntse Glacier and a glacial pond next to Baruntse Himal. From this base camp, you will be able to catch the rare and magnificent views of the East Face of Everest, which is also known as the Khangsung Face, as well as other adjacent peaks like Makalu and Kanchenjunga.

As you have climbed over a significant altitude in this Makalu Base Camp trekking with high passes, this day will be the first acclimatization in your Himalayan adventure. You will use this day to do some refreshing short hikes around the base camp to make the acclimatization process effective.

From the vantage points in Makalu Base Camp, you will be able to catch clear and stunning views of the Himalayan gems like Everest, Lhotse Shar, Lhotse, Makalu, and Ama Dablam. You will spend another night at the foothills of these towering surrounding peaks, embracing the magnificence of the Himalayas.

Elevation Gain: 350 meters/ 1,148 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

After acclimatizing properly, you will proceed with the further inclining trekking route that takes you toward the towering western pillar of Makalu. During the first leg of this day’s adventure, you will move along the charming trails on the west side of the Barun Glacier before switching to its lateral moraine.

Moving along with this day’s exhilarating trekking adventure, you will be greeted with spectacular and towering views of the West and North West Makalu ridges. During the last part of this day’s trek, you will overcome the rock and ice-strewn trail as you proceed across the slopes to reach the Swiss Base Camp. This camp is also known as Puja Camp and is situated right beneath the west pillar of Makalu.

Elevation Gain: 550 meters/ 1,804 feet

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

Moving further ahead with your exciting Himalayan adventure, today, you will conquer another popular base camp of the Makalu region. Moving along the steep climbing sections along the rocky ridge near the western pillar of Makalu, you will drop to the valley. Then, again, traversing across the inclining route, you will move past a small flat area with wild grass and rows of cairns before reaching the Sherpani Col Base Camp.

This will be the second acclimatization day in your Makalu High Pass Trek; you can do some hikes around the region to adapt to the new altitude. As the altitude at Sherpani Col Base Camp is significantly high, you need to pay proper attention to your body language and let your body acclimatize properly before proceeding further with your trekking route.

Elevation Gain: 480 meters/ 1,574 feet

Trek Duration: 8-9 hours

Today’s trekking adventure in your Makalu with high pass trekking is slightly challenging and demanding as you trek over one of the technical passes in the Makalu region, Sherpani Col. You will start this day’s adventure early in the morning to avoid the later afternoon wind on the top of the pass. Following the glacial path across the base camp, you will make your ascend on the Sherpani Col Pass with the help of fixed rope.

Overcoming the snowy gulley and granite steps enroute, you will push for the summit of the pass. From Bartuntse Base Camp, you will be able to enjoy the incredible close-up views of Makalu, Chamlang to the south and Ama Dablam to the west. After admiring the incredible beauty of the Himalayas from the top of the pass, you will then make your descent toward Hongu Glacier from the pass with the help of a fixed rope. From the glacier, you will continue your trek to the Upper Baruntse Base Camp, your camping site.

Elevation Gain: 460 meters/ 1,509 feet

Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

After breakfast, you wil leave this remote base camp behind and move along your ascending to reach the Panch Pokhari (Five Ponds) situated right beneath Apmhu Labtsa. During the first leg of this day’s adventure, you will proceed toward another high Himalayan pass in the Makalu, West Col Pass. Another pass in your trekking trail will take you to Imjatse Valley near the Everest region.

You will then move along the inclining trail to reach the wide area of Upper Hongu Basin, which is close to Kang Lyeamura Peak [6,430 meters/ 21,095 feet]. From here, trekking across descending rocky glacial moraines, you will reach the Amphu Labtsa Base Camp.

Elevation Gain: 450 meters/ 1,476 feet

Trek Duration: 8-9 hours

You will start your adventure early in the morning to conquer the final Himalayan pass of your Makalu High Pass Trekking adventure. Starting your adventure early in the morning, after breakfast, you will move along the rocky moraines and icy slopes to reach the base of the Amphu Labtsa Pass. After conquering the pass from the top, you will rewarded with magnificent views of Lhotse Shar, Lhotse South Face, Island Peak, and other surrounding peaks.

Then, after enjoying the serene-peaceful domains of the fascinating Himalayas, you will make you descend by rope to reach the other side of the Hongu Valley that descends toward Imjatse Valley. Then, enjoying the pleasing views of the Mera Peak, you will follow the pleasant trekking trail to Chukkung Village.

Elevation Loss: 863 meters

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

After completing the exploration of the Makalu region and Hongu Valley, from this day onward, you will traverse across the mainstream trekking route of the Everest region. Leaving Chukkung behind, you will trek toward the Chhukung Ri during the first leg of this day’s adventure. From Tyangboche, you will be able to enjoy the mesmerizing views of Makalu, Nuptse, and Lhotse.

Then, moving further with the exploration of the Khumbu region, you will trek past the beautiful Sherpa villages of Dingboche and Pangboche, which are heavily influenced by the Tibetan culture. You will also explore the Pangoche Monastery (the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region) and Dibuhce Nunnery (the oldest Buddhist nunnery outside Tibet) along the trekking route. The gradual descending trail further ahead will then bring you to Tyangboche; here, you can visit the largest monatery in the region, Tyangboche Monastery, which offers 360° panoramic views of Everest.

Elevation Loss: 427 meters/ 1,400 feet

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Descending further ahead in the most popular base camp adventure in the world, Everest Base Camp Trek, you will leave the spiritual ambiance of the Tyangboche behind, making your way toward the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar. You will make your descent across the charming rhododendron and pine forests, enjoying the delightful views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thyangboche, and Dudh Koshi Valley.

Moving further in your trekking route, you will cross a bridge at Phunki Tenga and climb to Sansa, the junction point for Gokyo Valley and Khumbu Valley. During the last stretch of this day’s trek, you will trek to the Khumjung Village and make your descend to Namche for an overnight stay.

Elevation Loss: 640 meters/ 2,099 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

This will be the final day of the trek in your Himalayan adventure; after breakfast, you will trek along the cascading Dudh Koshi River and move across several suspension bridges, including the popular Hillary Suspension Bridge, to reach Phakding. Then, from here, you will move along your ascending route uphill to Kusum Stream in the Dudh Koshi Valley before trekking past Toktok to reach Lukla. You will enjoy the final night of this adventure amidst the peaceful Himalayan environment.

Elevation Loss: 1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet

Flight Duration: 35 minutes

This day will officially mark the end of your delightful Himalayan adventure; after breakfast, you will take a morning flight from Lukla heading toward Kathmandu. Flying over the lush green hills, soaring rivers, and deep valleys, you will also get the opportunity to enjoy the bird-eye views of the pristine snow-clad peaks before your touchdown in Kathmandu. After landing, you will then be trasnpoorted back to your hotel. Thank you for trekking with Nepal Guide Treks. Have a safe trip!