Great Himalaya Trail | Makalu to Everest traverse over 3 cols (East Col 6146m, West Col 6143m and Amphu Labsta 5848m) 25 days
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Duration: 25 days
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Trip level: adventurous/expedition (info?)
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Maximum altitude: 6146 m
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Accommodation: camping/ teahouse
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Season: April, May, September, October
One of the toughest and most technical treks in Nepal. You cross 3 high altitude and technical passes. The rewards are views of another world. The Khumbu and Makalu mountains are almost touchable. And this trek will be remembered for the rest of your life. This high altitude adventure starts with a flight to the remote airstrip of Tumlingtar. From this airstrip, you will hike the trail to Makalu Base Camp. After Base Camp the climbing adventure starts with the East Col, followed by the West Col. And finally after crossing the Amphu Labsta you enter the easy trails of Everest where you can take some rest.
The adventurous climbing trek begins with a flight to Tumlingtar at an altitude of 400 meters in a remote region of Nepal. In ten days you will hike to Makalu Base Camp at the high point of 4755 meters. The trekking route is scarcely populated by people. Many of the locals live in isolated villages and rely on subsistence farming for their livelihoods. On the first days, you will trek through the lush green subtropical Arun Valley. Through dense rhododendron and pine forest, you climb up to the alpine meadows which are close to the Barun Glacier. Fantastic panoramas offer themselves with every increasing height. You cross the two passes Shipton La and Keke La. In between lies the picturesque lake of Kalo Pokhari. Through the Barun Valley, you climb up to the base camp at 4755 meters. This base camp lies directly at the foot of the striking rock and ice wall of the beautiful Makalu (8463m). From a viewpoint above base camp, you can enjoy a superb panorama of some of the world’s highest mountains, including Everest (8850m), Lhotse (8516 m), Makalu (8463 m) and Baruntse (7220m). After Makalu Base Camp you will cross over the moraine trail towards the East Col. The days crossing East Col and West Col are the toughest days of this traverse. At East Col, we take our time for abseiling. From this small ridge, you already can see West Col in the distance. Baruntse mountain is right next to you and you can see Chamlang mountain. The white Baruntse glacier lies between East Col and West Col. You are now truly aware you are in the middle of the high Himalayas with high snowcapped peaks and glaciers all around you. After crossing the col we will rope up to cross the glacier. Crossing the West col is a second tough climb. At Panch Pokhari a well deserved break in the most remote and wild setting possible. Towards the Amphu Labsta, it is again hopping over stones and moraines because there is no obvious trail. From Amphu Labsta you will have a good view of Mount Everest (8848m) and the Lhotse (8516m), Island Peak (6189m) and countless other high peaks all around you. After the pass, you enter the Imja Tse valley (Island Peak area) and here you will find good hiking trails and teahouses with more trekkers and climbers. Compared to the past days, the trail to Lukla is a pleasant stroll passing the monastery of Thyangboche and the Sherpa capital Namche Bazaar. From Lukla, you will fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 01 Arrival Kathmandu; pick up International Airport Kathmandu and drop off hotel
Day 02 Preparations trek and permits
Day 03 Flight Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (1 hr.) and jeep drive to Num ( 700 m – 5 hrs)
Day 04 Trek to Seduwa (1530 m – 6 hrs.)
Day 05 Trek to Tashi Goan (2065 m – 4 hrs.)
Day 06 Trek to Khongma (3470 m – 7 hrs.)
Day 07 Resting day at Khongma for acclimatization
Day 08 Trek over Shipton La pass (4257 m) and Keke La pass (4150 m) to Dobate (3875 m – 7 hrs.)
Day 09 Trek to Yangri Kharka (3600 m – 5 hrs.)
Day 10 Trek to Langmale Kharka (4410 m – 4 hrs.)
Day 11 Trek to Makalu Base Camp (4810 m – 5 hrs.)
Day 12 Trek to Swiss Camp (5150m – 6 hrs.)
Day 13 Resting day at Swiss Camp for acclimatization
Day 14 Trek to East Col Base Camp (5688m – 5 hrs.)
Day 15 Climb over East Col (6146m) and West Col (6143m) to Honku Basin (5500m – 10 hrs.)
Day 16 Trek to Amphu Labsta High Camp (5527m – 6 hrs.)
Day 17 Climb over Amphu Labsta La pass (5848m) to Chhukhung (4720m – 10 hrs.)
Day 18 Rest day / buffer day Chhukhung
Day 19 Trek to Dingboche (4260m – 5 hrs.)
Day 20 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3340m – 6 hrs.)
Day 21 Free day at leisure Namche Bazaar
Day 22 Trek to Lukla (2830m – 6 hrs.)
Day 23 Flight Lukla to Kathmandu (0,5 hrs.)
Day 24 Free day at leisure Kathmandu
Day 25 Pick up hotel and drop off International Airport Kathmandu
During the trekking season prices may rise. The final price depends on the trekking season, group size and, if applicable, the cost of the local transfers.
Please inquire about the price.
We have noticed the ways of travelling and booking are changing rapidly. Many customers book a hotel or a guesthouse themselves prior to their journey. However, we would happily like to arrange accommodation for you. We have excellent contacts with various hotels and guesthouses and will be able to offer a good price rate for any budget.
When you arrive at the International Airport we will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation. Here we will give you a short briefing about the trek. In addition we will give you advice about hygienic food, customs, and sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Cost include:
-Pick up and drop off from Kathmandu International Airport to hotel
-Flight Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and Lukla to Kathmandu , and transfer to and from Kathmandu domestic airport
-Certificate of CO2- emission free return flight to start and from end trek
-Licensed and certified climbing guide. Well experienced and English speaking
-Porter service for carrying luggage, tent equipment and cooking equipment. One porter for two persons, max. luggage 12 kg. per person
-Free use of waterproof bag for your luggage
-Free use of tent equipment; including one tent for two persons and a light sleeping mattress
-Teahouse room during trek (if available). Shared room for 2 persons; couples or same gender in one room
-Climbing gear including: climbing harness, crampons, ice axe, helmet, climbing ropes, prusik ropes, and jumar
-Satellite phone hire
-3 meals a day during trek: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tea/ coffee/ hot water
-Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for the mountain guide, porters and cooking staff
-Makalu Barun National Park restricted area permit, Sagarmatha National Park permit, TIMS card and local taxes
-Support of the Sherpa Heritage Trails head office in Kathmandu
Cost exclude:
-International flight to Kathmandu
-Nepal entrance visa
-Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
-All other beverage bills, hot shower, internet services, laundry and battery charge during trek
-Use of satellite phone calls or sms messages
-Personal travel insurance
-Rescue operation charge in case of an emergency
-Any cost that arises due to a change of itinerary like flight delay, natural calamities, etc.
-Gratitude and tips for climbing Sherpa, mountain guide and porters