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Nepal Environmental Trek
Nepal Environmental
Treks & Expedition

Makalu Expedition

Duration
54 days
Max. Elevation
4812m
Group size
Min 1+
Level
ADVANCE
Transportation
Flight
Best Season
Autumn: SEP-OCT-NOV Spring: MAR-APR-MAY
Accomodation
2-3 Star Hotel Accomodation in Kathmandu. Camping Accomodation during Expedition
Meals
3 Meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Starts at/ Ends at
Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Trip Route

Highlights

Overview

Makalu stands 8463m tall and is the fifth highest mountain in the world. It belongs to the Everest Massif or the Mahalangur Himal section of the Himalayas. From its top Cho Oyo, Lhotse and Everest are easily visible-in fact it is just 19 km southeast of Mount Everest. Makalu stands along the Nepal-China border.
 
The native Limbu inhabitants have a local name for the mountain: Makalungma. Unlike other mountains Makalu is unique in the sense that it rises up into pyramid like structure with four faces. It has been attempted to climb via southeast ridge, west face, south face or northeast ridge. Makalu has been considered one of most difficult mountains to climb, especially among 8000-ers. A mountaineer is likely to be faced off with both technical and climatic challenges, including steep slopes on the southern side, glaciated sections, high speed storms, sheer pitches and sharp ridges and rock/ice climbing.
 
It was in the year 1955 that Makalu was first climbed by a French expedition team of Jean Franco, Lionel Terray, Jean Couzy, G. Magnone and Gyaltsen Norbu Sherpa.

Trip Itinerary

Arrive to Kathmandu airport, meet our airport representative and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Preparation day for climbing. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Briefing at Ministry of Tourism. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

After early-morning breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and drive to the domestic airport terminal. Receive your boarding pass and fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (510m.) takes about 45 minutes. Then you will have free time for preparation of the trek. Stay overnight at camp in Tumlingtar.

This day, you begin your trek from Tumlingtar to Maney Bhanjyang which takes about five and half hours. The trail ascends all the way through forest of rhododendrons and Sal trees. En route, you pass through a few villages. Mane Bhanjyang is a ridge inhabited by some people. It is surrounded by forest and this is grazing field for local people. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Mane Bhanjyang to Chilchile (1830m.) which takes about five hours. The trail ascends through forest of rhododendrons and Sal trees for about three hours and you will ultimately walk over a flat trail and you approach Chilchile. This is a small village mainly inhabited by Gurungs and other communities as well. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Chilchile to Num (1500 m.) which takes about four and half hours. The trail ascends for about 2 hours and then descends to follow the route of a small perennial river and the walk on a flat trail for about 1 hour and reach Num. Num is an idyllic village with many tea shops and telephone booths. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Num to Seduwa (1510 m.) which takes about four and half hours. The trail descends steeply for about 2 and half hours up to the river Neguwa Khola. The trail passes through the suspension bridge and then ascends through forest and a few hamlets. People of this area are mainly engaged in agriculture and the crops grown here are paddy, millet, potatoes and vegetables depending upon season. There is a check post and local office of Makalu Conservation Area. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Seduwa to Tashigaon (2070 m.) takes about four hours. The trail slightly ascends but major part of the trail is flat and easy through the bushes. Tashigaon, surrounded by verdant forest is a big Sherpa village. You find prayer flags fluttering in the sky in and around village. The camping spot in this village is an ideal choice. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Tashigaon to Khongma la (3560 m.) takes about six hours. The trail ascends throughout the day and you will walk through forest of rhododendrons and Sal trees until you reach destination. Kongma la is a ridge and there is only one tea house here. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Khongma la to Mumbuk (3550 m.) takes about six and half hours. The trail ascends and then follows a trail until you reach a beautiful lake named “Kalo Pokhari” at the height of (4004 m). Thereafter you trek downhill to reach Mumbuk. It is a camping spot surrounded by green forests. Stay overnight at lodge/local house.

Trek from Mumbuk to Yangle Kharka (3600 m.) takes about four and half hours. The trail today is bit adventurous and strenuous. The trail passes for about 3 hours through a landscape which is very prone to landslides. The Barun River adds more dimensions to the trail with its spectacular views of Mt. Tutse (Peak 6) 6739 m, Peak 7 (6185 m.). Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Yangle Kharka to Yak Kharka (4810 m.) takes about five and half hours. The trail ascends through the grassland and forest. You can enjoy the majestic peaks such as the Mt. Tutse (Peak 6) 6739 m, Peak 7 (6185 m), Isuwa La (5340 m) and many unnamed mountains and peaks. Yak Kharka is a grazing field and you camp overnight here. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Yak Kharka to Makalu Base Camp (4812 m.) takes about four hours. The trail passes through a flat trail and will descend to a perennial river. As you reach Makalu Base Camp, you will be mesmerized by the views of Mt. Makalu (8463 m), Baruntse (7152 m), Kali Himal (6985 m), Chamlang (7390 m), Makalu II (7640 m), etc. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek to Makalu BC. Stay overnight camp.

Makalu Base Camp to Advance Base Camp. Stay overnight at camp.

Climbing period. Stay overnight at camp for all nights.

Trek from Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka (3600 m.) takes about four and a half hours. After ascending for a few hours, the trail moves along flat level path and at the end it descends to reach Yangle Kharka. En route, you walk through rocky forest path with views of green hills and huge stones at some distance. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobato takes about four and a half hours. The trail ascends for almost three hours through the same landscape of landslide. Then, you have to trek uphill passing through jungle all the way to Dobato. This is not a village but a camping place. You camp for the night.

Trek from Dobato to Tashigaon (2070 m.) which takes about six hours. The trail descends steeply up to Khongma la via Kali Pokhari through jungle. You again walk along downhill all the way to Tashigaon. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Tashigaon to Num (1490 m.) which takes about five hours. The trail steeply descends in the beginning and will pass through a steep ascend later on to reach Num. You pass through a small forest of bamboo and small villages. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Num to Mane Bhanjyang (1158 m.) which takes about five hours. The trail ascends in the starting through the forest and will gently descend in the second half of the day. Stay overnight at camp.

Trek from Mane Bhanjyang to Tumlingtar which takes about five and half hours. Stay overnight at camp.

Fly out from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

City sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Free Day in Kathmandu for shopping and recreation. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.


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Equipment List

Mountaineering Equipment
Crampons, Ice axe, Helmet, Harness, Lock and unlock Carabineers, Shovel, Climbing pack, Rope, Ski poles, Desender/abseil device, Jummer (Asender), Tapes, Prusik Loops, Rappel device, Hand Warmer (if possible)

Clothing and Wears
Trekking shoes with spare laces, Mountaineering Boots, Plastic or leather for mountaineering boots, Gore-Tex pants, Long shorts, Insulated Parka, Jumper, Waterproof Jackets, Down Jacket, Fleece Vest, Wool cap, Neck Gaiter, Gloves, Climbing Socks, Thermal Underwear, Sandals, Snow Goggle

Essential Gears
Backpack, Duffle bag, Sleeping Bag, sleeping pad, Tents

Gadgets
Map, Compass, Camera, GPS, Two way radios, Binoculars, Head Lamp, Flashlight

Sun Protection Items
Sun glasses, sun scream, Lip balm,

Medical
First aid Kit (Brufen / Ibuprofens, Antibiotic, Diamox, Paracetamol, Handy Plaster, Crack Bandage, Tincture Iodine, etc.)

Other Essentials
Energy Bars, Water bottle, Water Purification Tablets, Toiletries, Trekking poles, Pocket knife, raincoat, Satellite Phone, Altimeter

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Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal