Day 01: Reach at Kathmandu via airlines and transfer to respective hotels.
On reaching at Kathmandu international airport where you will be greeted with warm welcome by High Five Adventures staff and guides, and then transfer to your hotel where you will be joined with other members of Mt. Makalu Expedition, here our guide and group leader will information and brief with wide information regarding the trek and Mt. Kanchenjunga Expedition.
Day 02-03: In Kathmandu optional tour and preparation for Makalu expeditions.
With free days in Kathmandu for necessary preparations where you will be busy packing and purchasing necessary required equipments for the expeditions, on last final day in Kathmandu with final briefing regarding the climb including do’s and don’ts, where our expert climbing guide will provide much information and items required for the climb.
For interested people can join in city tour around Kathmandu at places of interest, as Kathmandu valley full of world heritage sites of impressive historical and cultural monuments.
Day 04: Fly to Tumlingtar 950m with overnight stop around Arun Valley.
Morning on sweeping short flight to land at Tumlingtar around Arun valley, during 40 minutes of scenic flight views of breathtaking mountain range includes Everest-Makalu and Kanchenjunga, as the plane touch down at Tumlingtar airstrip received by our trekking staff and porters and then transfer into a nice lodge at Tumlingtar town.
Tumlingtar of warm sub-tropical climate located on a plateau higher shelf of Arun River, afternoon explore the interesting movement of the local people and farmers.
Day 05: Drive to Num 1,500m - 05 hours overnight in local lodge.
From Tumlingtar starts with exciting drive heading mid hills through farm villages and Khandbari the headquarter town of Makalu area, our drive continues on rough dirt road leading higher to Chinchela village from here with long descend to Num village, at present slowly turning into a town as the motor-able road reached this mid hill village.
At Num with overnight in a lodge or in tents with views of beautiful landscapes and peaks of Jalajala Himal and Makalu.
Day 06: Trek to Seduwa 1,493m - 05 hours.
Today our first day walk starts with downhill and up to Seduwa village, a steep descend to the bridge over raging Arun River around this place quite tropical, and then with a climb towards farm fields and small villages of Runmura, here with lunch break and then with a gradual climb to reach overnight stop at Seduwa village, a small place with primary school and small health post with views of Num across the ridge and of other adjoining hills of Bhojpur and Jalajala rocky peaks.
Day 07: Trek to Tashi Gaon 2,200m - 04 hours.
After Seduwa village, morning walk on undulating winding trail to Tashigaon a Sherpa village, the last village before Makalu base camp, walk leads through farm areas with nice terraces of millet, a major crops after rice and wheat’s of this area, and then for 3-4 hours of good trek reaching at Tashigaon for lunch and overnight camp with time to visit the local village around, which is quite interesting. The Sherpa of this area is quite different to Khumbu highlanders.
Day 08: At Tashi Gaon rest with local hike and preparations.
Today a free day in this last village, which provides excellent rest and preparation for onward journey above higher areas of Barun Valley and Makalu base camp, this day where porters and camping staff can reorganize their luggage and buy fresh vegetables and other food products around the villages.
Day 09: Trek to Khoma Danda 3,500m - 05 hours.
Leaving last village at Tashigaon, morning walk on gradual path into forest of rhododendron, oaks and tall pines trees passing many cattle herder’s temporary shelters of shades and stone huts after few hours of pleasant walk stopping for lunch on the grassy meadow and summer pasture ground.
Afternoon walk with steep climb for few hours to reach at Khoma ridge top, as the tall trees gives away for smaller rhododendron and juniper bushes and small birch trees.
This high ridge offers excellent views of Kanchenjunga mountain range and of Mt. Makalu with adjoining peaks, from here in complete wilderness for month.
Day 10: Trek to Mumbuk 3,400m - 06 hours.
From Khoma Danda morning walk on a ridge line following a gradual path with few ups and down reaching at icy ponds of Thulo Pokhari (big pond) with Sano Pokhari(small pond) after crossing Tutu-la and Shipton la at above 4, 200 meters passes, and then downhill back into forest with views of Khumbakarna Himal range of mountains towards north, overnight camp on a level ground in the middle of tall trees.
Day 11: Trek to Nehe Kharka 3,750m - 06 hours.
Today walks leads to scenic Barun valley famous for rare species of vegetation- plants and herbs including wild-life, starting the morning with down-hill for an hour and crossing a small stream to reach Barun valley, walk with gentle up views of peaks on both side of the valley passing few Sheppard’s shelters with a small Buddhist Gompa (monastery), after a pleasant walk of 5 hours reaching at Nehe Kharka for overnight camp around Barun valley.
Day 12: Trek to Sherson 4,600m - 05 hours.
From Barun valley walk to Sherson leading at the end valley near Makalu base camp leading on gentle uphill crossing streams with great views of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse peaks, after a nice walk of 5 hours reaching at our destination at Sherson for two nights camps.
Day 13: At Sherson for short hike above hills and view-points.
Rest day for acclimatization and preparation for onward adventure here enjoy the views of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse peaks with peak IV, today optional hike with excellent views of rare East Face of Everest known as Kanshung face with Lhotse.
Day 14: Trek to Makalu Base Camp 5,060m - 03 hrs.
From Sherson, heading higher to Makalu base camp, a three hour trek above Sherson, at the snout of the Barun glacier, near a glacial pond, on reaching at base camp afternoon free for short hike above this camp, a climb on the moraine ridge, for more spectacular views of Mt. Makalu with hidden east sides of Lhotse and Everest, which looms above Barun glacier towards North West.
Day 15: Climb to Advance Camp at 5,800 meters.
Climb westwards to setup Advance camp just below Makalu west pillar, as the altitude gains slowly, taking time with few stops walk follows a faint path which climbs an ablation valley on the west side of the Barun glacier. Following this valley onto the glacier make the way over the boulder-strewn caves and ice to a camp known as Puja Camp below the towering Mt. Makalu West Pillar. Our strenuous climb on glacier to Advance Camp rewarded with unique views of Lhotse and the rare Kangshung face of Everest.
Day 16-17: At Advance Camp for final preparation for the ascent of Makalu summit.
Two days for necessary rest and acclimatization, preparation for the climb on this day where you will be busy dividing the loads with necessary gear for the climb.
Day 18-37: (20 days) Expeditions period for the climb to Makalu summit.
High Five Adventure reserves 20 days for the ascent with enough time to get acclimatize and practice on rock and ice climbing before making the final bid to the summit.
Maximum 3 camps are required with final and last Camp III, at above 7,200 meters with members sleeping only one night at this top camp before heading to the summit top.
At about 7,200 meters the ridge is a line of ice cliffs here fixing ropes and snow bars. Normally we will have one rope for the ascent and another for descent on this pitch, which is about 80 meters high.
Above Camp II broad snow slopes with Camp III at above 7,600 meters, our highest and last camp before climb to the summit.
The top of the summit a small plateau offering views of Everest-Lhotse-Baruntse Himal with adjoining peaks and as far towards Kanchenjunga at eastern horizon. After a successful climb feeling high on top of the world, and then head back to Advance Camp depending upon fitness of the members on descend after a vigorous to reach world 5th highest summit.
Day 38-39: Back to Base Camp.
After a huge success two days of safe descend back to base camp, as well clearing camps on route downhill, on these two days all the climbing members and staffs should be at Base Camp for return journey and packing.
Day 40: At Base Camp clean-up day.
At base camp with final packing and checking on members health and fitness, a necessary day for the clean up at the Base Camp.
Day 41: Trek to Yangre Kharka 3,645m - 06 hours.
Retrace the journey back on the Barun valley to Yangre Kharka enclosed with high mountain cliffs and views of cascading waterfalls after a descend reaching the overnight camp at cow herders temporary summer grazing place at Yangre Kharka.
Day 42: Trek to Mumbuk - 05 hours.
After a wonderful time at Barun valley, today walks leaving the last of this valley with a climb to reach back to dense forest and to Mumbuk for overnight camp.
Day 43: Trek to Khoma Ridge - 05 hours.
On the same trail back to Khoma ridge morning walk with a climb for an hour or more through forest on reaching the hill top ridge leaving the tree lines, and passing the ponds and over Tutu la and Shipton la reaching at Khoma ridge for overnight camp.
Day 44: Trek to Nawa Gaon 2,500m via Tashi Gaon -06 hours.
Morning walk heading downhill and back to thick forest and tree lines reaching back to villages and farm fields, from Tashigaon taking different higher route to Nawa gaon village, through cool shade of woodlands and farm terraces and then reaching a large Sherpa village of Nawagaon for overnight stop, with time in the afternoon to visit this nice traditional farm village.
Day 45: Trek to Num via Seduwa - 06 hours.
From Nawagaon morning walk leads to easy descend reaching at Seduwa gaon after a rest here continue downhill on steep path to Arun River, then cross the bridge with steep climb for few hours to Num village for last overnight around the hills of Makalu.
Day 46: Drive to Tumlingtar via Khadbari - 04 hours.
After a wonderful time in the high hills and mountains and in rural farm villages, from here an interesting and exciting drive on rough road passing many villages with beautiful scenery of surrounding green landscapes and snowcapped peaks, after few hours of drive reaching at a large town of Khadbari major town and headquarter of Sanka Sambua district of Makalu region. From here an hour downhill back to Tumlingtar in the comfort of nice simple lodge.
Day 47: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Getting up early to catch the early flight back to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar (sometime the flight time can get delayed due to bad weather), depart for Kathmandu taking a sweeping scenic flight in a small twin otter or Dornier plane.
On arrival in Katmandu domestic airport a short drive leads you back in the hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, transfer back to your hotels in the hub of Kathmandu in and around Thamel area.
Day 48-49: In Kathmandu for individual activities.
Two days as spare and free day in case of flight delay and on climb or road conditions, due to bad weather conditions, on this free day busy to sort out climbing equipments, where our leader and guide will submit the expeditions report to concern Nepal Government department.
On this free day you can join in our guided tour of interest with culture and heritage sites as Kathmandu valley is full of world heritage sites, however some of them been damaged from recent earthquakes.
Day 50: International departure for home ward bound.
Mt. Makalu Expeditions completes today in Kathmandu, as per the time for your international flight homeward bound or to next respective countries and port of call, transfer to airport with mesmerizing and exciting adventure with High Five Adventures and its cheerful friendly guides and staff.
