Makalu Basecamp trek in October/November is the best season to trek in Makalu Barun National Park. October and November are non as the autumn season here in Nepal. After several monsoon months in Nepal, we have another great fall start with blue sky, sunshine days, less rain, and not so many clouds in the mountains from mid-September till the end of December, so then most of the trekkers come to the Himalayan country Nepal for Trekking, Climbing, and tour in this preferable weather in autumn, Compared to other trekking areas in Nepal Makalu-Barun national park is lately open for trekkers at 1992, and Mount Makalu (alt 8486m) higher first time climbed at 15 May 1955 by Lionel Terray, and Jean Couzy from french, but Annapurna, Langtang, and Everest region) Sagarmatha National Park was already popular for trekkers, and other tourism activities.
While you trek to Makalu base camp, it doesn’t matter late or early, but there is no other place where people can find one of the great adventure experiences of trekking, Climbing including different beauty of natural flora-fauna, cultural, social, massive big Makalu Mountain with many other over 7000m, 6000m. As well as the arum and Barun river is possible to see only at Makalu Barun National Park.
In the Makalu base camp trek, There is not yet properly made luxurious guests for tourists to spend overnight but basically, typical homestays are available in every place to reach Makalu base camp. Many companies and tourists still prefer organizing their won camping to feel more adventure and verities of continental Western food. Which is a little bit more expensive because all camping gear, food, cruise members, need to manage from Kathmandu. Which is not possible to manage locally in kadbari or Tumblingtar, But those tourists who also like to feel a bit of Nepali way, sleeping in dometry hall sharing with homestay families and other trekkers, Eat basic Nepali food Dal Bhat and trek costs cheaper than they can also trek nowadays in Makalu with hiring just guides and porter. But homestay trek possible until Makalu base camp, for those who want to go further different areas like sherpani-col, amphu laptsa, mera, or Kanchenjunga they have no other options then camping.
Makalu base camp, and Sherpini –col pass trek in details:
Makalu Barun national park is another hardcore adventure trip called sherpani-col high pass trek and this over 6000m. Adventure high pass trek most probably worlds tough trek, in between Makalu base camp trek and sherpani-col high pass trek up to until Makalu base camp daily itinerary is same but sherpani-col pass separated from Makalu base camps like in given below details and Makalu base camp return same way back to tumlingtar to get to the starting point of Makalu base camp trek and sherpani-col pass trek, we need to fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar it takes 55 minute which is the lowest altitude of this high adventure trek 450m, located in province 1 eastern Nepal, Sankhuwasava district’s Airport Tumlingtar
following Arun river for a while and take right side up towards Bhotebash via mane bhanjyang, once you are in Bhotebash you feel a little bit cooler in the hillside after some hours driving in hot temperature. While you reach the hillside than a beautiful place called Chichila from where you can see Makalu mountain range in distance, then again you down to num which is the last point of driving. Tumblingtar to num driving it takes around 4 to 5 hours. So you must stay in num for overnight to prepare for walking to Makalu base camp. Basic lodge in num, at least you can have good sleep and get some common Nepali food as well as some Chinese food. Next is for Seduwa which goes steep down again to Arun River around 600m.altitude and steep up to Seduwa, in 7 to 8 hours you can reach in Seduwa which is mostly walking in lots of sweating all day. Seduwa to Tashi gaun is easy to walk for a few hours and preparing for some bigger walk. After staying in Tashigaun next is for kongma dada. Which is big up around 8 to 10 hour take to reach in Kongma dada throughout forest walking all day? This day is good warming up for altitude and bit of training for Sherpani-col pass. Kongma-la to cross to the next day which is not that high pass but ground fugue most of the time and that makes little difficult to climb up and down to Dobato. This is again a big day and takes around 9 to 10 hours but can be less than an hour if the weather is clean. Once After Dobato, it is just down to Barun river and easy up to Yangri kharja, which is beautiful Makalu valley Yangri kharka and Makalu base camp valley it is the most beautiful scenery of Makalu range mountain day by day more and more once you reach in Makalu base camp it is just amazing beautiful of world top 5 big mountain base camp. Explore the barun glacier and rest is needed for the next destination.
Enjoying in a base camp then you go towards Swiss camp, walking distance looks not so long but walking into glacier stone makes it harder but still possible to make it by 4 to 5 hours with enjoying the front of Makalu mountain walking.
Swiss camp to high camp it is harder to accent up rocky hillside walking. 5600m. Non as called sherpani-col high camp located in the front for huge Iceland. Preparing for next to sherpani -col pass you need to acclimatize here for climbing training and get used to the altitude. Guide and climbing guide may prepare for the fixed rope to top off of sherpani -col top to make it easier for the next day to everyone. Early Morning Starts from high camp to sherpani -col top next is a challenging job. It may take 7 to 8 hours to reach the top. First 5 to 6 hour you can manage to reach the button of sherpani-col, every step after high camp sherpani-col top looks very near but due to crevasses and hard snow makes it harder to keep walking somehow after struggling some hours lack of oxygen to accent to button of sherpani-col then you have to go through rope to top for 200meters.untill top to reach its ok it is not very steep but still for porters to climb up it is not easy with carrying load once you are in top of sherpani -col at 6190 meters you can see west -col and huge ice field of baruntse camp ii in the west and stunning view of mount makalu it is always with you to go to camp site now it takes time because 250m.steep rocky part decent, here everyone need to go turn by turn normally guide make decision first to cross Clint and after other sherpa, kitchen crew and porters carrying down potters load is most hard work, if few meter bag took wrong direction then bag can fall down to deep crevasses which is after woods very hard to pullback to right direction and it need many man power, so one person stay in turning point of ice fall and one person in the button to collect safely and one person stay in top manage load to send slowly down walking to baruntse camp ii it takes hours and hours. Looks like 10 times bigger than a football stadium it is huge ice field end of the field it is camp ii located where you spent overnight .similar strategy like Sherpani- col high camp, here also climbing guide and other crews go to prepare for west-col small accent and long descent for next day to make sure rope condition and other preparation.
This place is most probably one of the most beautiful places in this hole adventure trip.lap of barunte to sleep with seeing massif mount makalu is definitely there is no other place to something similar like this you are sleeping here over 6000m,so this can be tired and hard to sleep in this altitude in next morning descending down from west-col it is most hard pass in this trip among other passes around 300 meter to decent street to baruntse camp i from west –col during descending time lose rock may fall and can hit anybody so you need to be careful personally too descending method are same as sherpani-col, guide need to sent down clients first one by one and then after other crew member and potters load via rope even completely reach in the button of west-col still you need to be careful to falling crevasse, land and trail shape are always changing due to heavy avalanche during heavy snowfall time, doing hard job to decent down to baruntse camp I then you will more decent down to baruntse high camp for overnight stay, this day could be the hardest day no doubt. Next Days for amphu laptsa high camp which day is will be no high pass, just trek up to high camp for 5 to 6 hours and camp then one more day here is rest and prepare for another high pass Amphu laptsa(5900m.).here again, you sleep in 5400m but by this time you sleep more night in over 500m.so comfortably you can relaxing sleep. from high camp to amphu laptsa it takes around 2 to 3-hour maximum to reach on top, near the top here again you need to climb via rope but this one is easier and much safe the last pass of this trip in top when you reach you can again start seeing Everest regions mountain, which is completely different than previously you were seeing decent down from amphu laptsa top again one more last hard work which is 200 to 250 meter steep down south and turn north to descend by rope finally you are in chhukung then difficult part of this trek is finished here than you will trek decend to Lukla fewer days and final last day of this trek you will take a short flight to Kathmandu from Lukla with great trekking experience with nature explore trek team
Makalu Base Camp and Shepini- Col pass Trek Highlights:
- A magnificent Makalu, Everest and Kanchenjunga mountains, and many other mountains view from a close distance.
- Visit several local villages and their culture, religions and basic daily lifestyle
- Stay at homestay with warm hospitality.
- Test of delicious organic food and drinks.
- A scenic mountain flight to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu.
- Cross Sherpini –Cola pass (alt. 6119m)with few times ascending and descending
- Encounter with wild animal and birds domestic in Barun national park
- One of the adventure and challenging trekking and climbing experience in life.
- From begging to end of the trek is full of joy and excitement.
- Unforgettable memories of trekking and climbing in Nepal.
- Great chance of Photograph of big mountains from a close distance
Ethnic groups and religions of Makalu base camp and Sherpini –cal pass trek.
Makalu Barun national park is also very important for a place for Hindus and Buddhist religious because of starting source of Barun river is Makalu glacier and Barun staring points and down below near sherson are an equally important place for both religions. So every summertime when there is not so cold and easy to go for all age people.
Specially Hindus people visit in the source of Barun river every July time with a shaman (jhakri) in a small groups from their own society and cast, such as Limbu, Rai, Chhetri, Tamang and some more cast to fulfill their pray in high altitude religious place.
Overall other lower populated areas of Makalu are similarly celibate many national festivals and their won festival as national calendar and their generation tradition. Higher up sherpa culture have followed same as Buddhist Colander.
Popular Vegetation in Makalu Base Camp trek:
From 400m. Meter Arun Valley to 4000m.Yargri kharka valley there is found probably a very large number of flora. Where more than 3200 species of flowering plants,
More than 22 types of rhododendron trees found in this national park.
In this Eastern large national park, more than 70 types of economically valuable medical plants are found such as, junipers, many types of herbs, and yarsa gumba.
Overall around 50 types of orchid’s family plans are available here.
Sal tree to bamboo, botanists, rhododendron, juniper, alpine pastures so then we can call Makalu Barun national park is also can be popular destination who like to photograph and study about rarely found flora.
Popular ar Flora and Fauna in Makalu base camp trek:
Makalu Barun national park is also rich from fauna as similar to flora. Here more than 320 species of butterflies found, which is possible to see from 400m. of Arun Valley to yangri kharka. In the record of the department of national parks and wildlife conservation in Makalu Barun national park found more than 450 types of birds and 45 types of reptiles are found which are like turtles, crocodiles, snakes, frog, lizards and many more.
One of the little areas where we can capture in camera snow leopards and red panda is also possible to see at Makalu, as well as other popular wildlife also easily found here like, Indian leopard, clouded leopard, black bear, hanuman languor, Himalayan Thar, Assam macaque, musk dear, Himalayan wolf, leopard cat, jungle cat, golden jackal, barking deer, Asian golden cat, and much other common wildlife can see in Makalu Barun national park so this national park is not only famous for trekking and mountaineering it is also can be easily destination for those people who like to see wildlife.
Makalu base camp and Sherpini-Col pass trek Outline itinerary:
Day 1- arrived in Kathmandu & transfer to your hotel (alt 1300m.)
Overnight at Hotel
Day 2 – Half Day sightseeing and afternoon trek preparation.
Day 3 – Fly to Tumlingtar from ktm, total flight duration is 50 minutes (450m.) and drive to Num (1560m.) 4-5 hours.
Day 4 – Trek to Seduwa (1510m.), 6 -7 HOURS.
Day 5- Trek to Tashi Gaun (2030m.) 4 – hours
Day 6 – Rest day in Tashi Gaun.
Day 7 – Trek to Kongma dada (3700m.) 5 to 6 hours.
Day 8 -Trek to Dobato (alt, 3520m), 6 to 7 hours.
Day 9 – Trek to Yangri kharka (3500m.) ,5 to 6 hours.
Day 10- Trek to Sherson (4040m.) , to 6 hours.
Day 11- Trek to Makalu base camp (5000m.), 4 to 5 hours.
Day 12 – Explore Makalu base camp and acclimatization day.
Day 13 – Trek to Swiss camp (5350m.), 6 to 7 hours.
Day 14 – Trek to Sherpani – Col high camp (5600m.) 5 -6 hours.
Day 15 – Rest and prepare for Sherpani-col pass(this day climbing guide go up to Sherpani- col to fixed the rope to top)and porters take some load to the top as well to make easier next day)
Day 16 – Early morning trek to Sherpani – Col pass (6190m) top last 200 meters by rope and descend 200m by rope to Baruntse camp II, and camp at Baruntse camp ii nearby west- Col,( total time minimum 10 to 12 hours.
Day 17- Climb up to west – Col (6220m) and go down Baruntse camp I by rope approx.300meter for overnight stay.(time 10 to 11 hours)
Day 18 – Trek to Amphu laptsa high camp (alt.5400m.) ,5 to 6 hours.
Day 19- Rest and prepare for Ampuhu laptsa pass.
Day 20- Early morning trek to Amphulaptsa pass(5900m) 100 meter up by rope and from top 170 meters down by rope and trek to imjase lake corner camp for overnight
Day 21- Trek to Dingboche (alt.4400m.) 5 hours
Day 23- Trek to Namche Bazar,(alt.3400m.), 6 hours
Day 24- Relaxing day
Day 25- Trek to Lukla , Alt.2800m, 6 hours .
Day 26- Fly back to Kathmandu 35 minutes and your trip ends here.
Day 27- free time in Kathmandu, and evening invited for farewell dinner.
Day 28 – Departure to your won destination.
Makalu base camp and Sherpin Col pass trek and trek equipment list.
Ice axe (it’s not necessary to bring from there, the climbing guide will carry one for the summit day.) but if you have your own then you can bring it.)
- Crampons
- Harness)
- Tape slings (2)
- Screw gate karabiners (2 locks, 2 unlock)
- Descended/eight-figure
- Plastic mountaineering boots
- Ascender/Jhumar
- Helmet
Group Climbing Gears ( it’s not useful for the single climber)
- Snow bar*
- Rope*
- Ice hammer*
- Ice screw*
Head
- Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions
- Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
- Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Prescription sunglasses (if required)
Upper Body
- Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket *
- Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
Hands
- 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves
- 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
- 1 pair of mittens; consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched, waterproof, polar-fleece mitt liner
Lower Body
- Non-cotton underwear briefs
- 1 pair of hiking shorts
- 1 pair of hiking trousers
- 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms
- 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
- 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric
Feet
- 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
- 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
- 1 pair of hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
- 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
- Cotton socks
- Gaiters
Sleeping
- 1 sleeping bag -30 degree centigrade
- Fleece sleeping bag liner
Rucksack and Travel Bags
- Daypack/backpack of 35 to 50 liters for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
- Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
- We provide you duffle bag for the trip.
Medical (we will also have our first aid kit bag)
- 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 Acetazolamide
- Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Note: Do not bring sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants!
- Water purification tablets or the water filter
- 1 set of earplugs
- Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
Practical Items
- 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
- 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches
- 1 compass or GPS(optional)
- 1 alarm clock/watch
- 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
- Large Ziplocs
- 2 water bottles (1 liter each)
- 1 small folding knife
- Binoculars (optional)
- 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks
Toiletries
- 1 medium-sized quick drying towel
- Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
Personal Hygiene
- Wet wipes
- Tissue /toilet roll you can buy everywhere on the trip
- Anti-bacterial handwash
Extras/Luxuries
- Reading book
- Trail map/guide book (Map we provide you.)
- Journal and pen
- 1 modest swimsuit
- Voltage converter (from 220 to 110 ampere)
Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs.
Why Makalu base camp trek is Popular?
Those who have done already many hiking and trekking from easy to medium, and difficult treks from 0 levels to above 5000m higher In Nepal or anywhere in the world, and want to go higher and adventure trekking in Nepal then we would highly recommend for Makalu base camp trek, and it’s the perfect trekking and climbing route in Nepal. Mount Makalu is the fifth highest mountain among 14 peaks above 8000m in the world. Mount Makalu is very popular and famous for climbing and trekking around, for the first time mount Makalu is climbed by French expeditions group on 15 May 1955 and Makalu base camp trek was open from 1992. Makalu base camp trek is very popular for adventure walk in Himalaya, and a magnificent mount Makalu, Everest range, mount Baruntse view from a close distance including several mountain peaks and visit the rare culture and religions of the region. Along the way, you shall cross so many different types of’ villages, ethnic groups, religions, and their daily basic lifestyle. A great chance for capture beautiful photos and video of big mountains from a close distance, And crossing Sherpini-Col pass (alt 6219m) including twice ascending and descending by rope is one of the most challenging parts of this trek, anyone going Makalu base camp and Shepini- Col pass you should know basic climbing skills, and these passes are very risky and big trip in the Himalaya, if you are not trekking before do not try this passes and trek, we highly suggest you all adventures lovers please be well prepared before you planning this type of trek and high passes. This is the trek hundred percent give you satisfy and adventure experience in your lifetime.
Final say:
Makalu base camp and Sherpini –col pass trek is one of the challenging adventure trekking routes in Nepal. You should be well prepared for this type of trek, basically, you should know climbing skills, how to use climbing equipment, and well fit and fine for higher acclimatization, minimum you need to have done other hard treks before you plane this trek. Minimum time required 4 weeks time to finish the whole trek including Sherpini -col pass to Everest region via Amphu laptop pass or if you want to do only Makalu base camp them two and half weeks will be more than enough.
So if anyone interest in Makalu base camp and sharpen- col pass trek, please contact us anytime here we are happy to be your help, we have been organizing these types of adventure trips in Nepal for a long time with 100 percent success with safety and security. We have a good experienced and professional guide and kitchen crew who have been this trek many times. Recently we organized Upper GHT trail long trek (Upper Great Himalaya Trail) starts from Kanchenjunga and ends far west Nepal in Simikot, (total 1800km, days 129).
