Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and equally fascinating treks in the Himalayas of Nepal. This trek goes through the high and technical; East Col and West Col (Ice Col), more popularly known as Sherpani Cols, and is regarded as one of the hardest treks in Nepal.
This is an adventurous trek recommended only for seasoned trekkers of the Himalayas and not for the faint-hearted. This trek is also listed as Off The Beaten Path Trek as most part of this trek is done in the wilderness away from civilizations and settlements. Almost one-third of this trek is in high altitudes above 5500 meters. There is another technical pass Amphu Laptsa (Lapcha) (5620 meters) towards the end of the trek as well.
Breathtaking up-close views of some of the giants of the Himalayas are abundant in this Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek. The lower valleys aren't blessed with such scenic panoramas but lush rhododendron forests provide a different charm to this trek. The East Col and West Col provide a unique challenge and also reward with panoramas that include towering Makalu (8463 meters) and Baruntse (7162 meters).
While negotiating the Baruntse Plateau, the trek actually passes through the Advanced Camps of Baruntse. This trek through the Baruntse Plateau is one of the major highlights of the trek as it is as close as any trek gets to a 7000-meter peak.
Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek starts from a very low and humid Tumlingtar. The trek snakes its way through the valleys into alpine meadows at the foot of Makalu. Usually, a trek comes to its climax once nearing such elevations but here it is only the start of Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek. From Makalu Base Camp onwards, the trails are almost non-existent, unforgiving, and treacherous and are strictly forbidden for first-timers in the Himalayas.
On the way towards Sherpani Col, one can also enjoy superb views of Everest, Lhotse (8516 meters), and Island Peak (6189 meters) from a very different angle. The trek finally ends at Lukla in Khumbu Valley after crossing another technical pass, Amphu Laptsa (Lapcha) (5620 meters). We also offer another similar trip climbing the highest trekking peak Mera Peak over Amphu Laptsa Pass climb Island Peak and into the popular Everest Base Camp trek.
Makalu Base Camp Sherpani Col Trek Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1335 meters).
Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar (410 meters) and drive to Num (1560 meters)
Day 03: Trek to Seduwa. (1500 meters)
Day 04: Trek to Tashi Gaon. (2100 meters)
Day 05: Trek to Khongma Danda. (3500 meters)
Day 06: Trek to Dobato (3540 meters)
Day 07: Trek to Yangle Kharka. (3557 meters)
Day 08: Trek to Langmale Kharka. (4410 meters)
Day 09: Trek to Makalu Base Camp. (4870 meters)
Day 10: Rest Day Acclimatization Day. (4870 meters)
Day 11: Trek to Swiss Base Camp. (5150 meters)
Day 12: Trek to Sherpani Col Base Camp. (5688 meters)
Day 13: Trek to Baruntse Base Camp. (5400 meters)
Day 14: Rest Day. Acclimatization day. (5400 meters)
Day 15: Trek to Amphu Laptsa Base Camp (5620 meters).
Day 16: Cross Amphu Laptsa (5800 meters) and trek to Chukung Valley.
Day 17: Trek to Chukung (4730 meters).
Day 18: Extra Day. (4730 meters)
Day 19: Trek to Tengboche (3860 meters).
Day 20: Trek to Monjo (2835 meters).
Day 21: Trek to Lukla (2810 meters).
Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 23: Free day at Kathmandu.
Day 24: Departure.
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided.
After breakfast there is an optional complimentary guided sightseeing tour of the several historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites. Or you may prefer to do on your own while our office staffs will manage for necessary permits for treks. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing for the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided.
After breakfast drive to Kathmandu’s domestic airport. It is about 40 minute flight Tumlingtar airstrips (400m). We will drive to Num about 4 hours bumpy jeep ride where we will meet our porters and team stay at Camp.
From Num, the trail drops steeply all the way down to the river. Especially, the end towards the river is a very steep section. This drop takes around an hour half and after a suspension bridge, it is a straight ascent all the way to Seduwa. It is a little less than an hour to LumLumba (also known as Betghari) and another two hours climb to Seduwa. LumLumba is just a small hamlet with a souple of houses scattered on the trail whereas Seduwa is a big village on a face of a cliff. (4 hours 30 minutes)
The trail climbs briefly and takes a right at a fork. A gradual and steady climb continues with some small steep sections as the climb lasts for a full two and half hours. At the end of this walk is Chekse (also known as Chekse Danda). There is a small teashop, school and a rest place right at the start of village where also the climb ends. The remaining trail for the day is very similar to the one in the morning to Chekse and also takes a similar time to get there. A steeper climb is required right at the end of the day to get to campsite. ( 5 hours)
The trail at the start of the day is gentle. But after 10 minutes ir so, the trail starts to climb and keeps climbing through the day. A steep ascent lasting for a little less than 3 hours ends at Danda Kharka. The ascent continues but is more steeper for the next hour and the trail stays in the rhododendron forest the whole time. The end of this ascent is at small pass and an easy traverse follows for a very brief period. Again, another steep ascent of an hour follows. At the end of this ascent, the tress clears and village of Khongma can be seen. The whole of the day’s climb goes through rhododendron forests in a narrow gorge but Khongma village is surprisingly perched at the top in a wide valley. (5-6 hours)
It quite big altitude gained from Tashi Gaon to Khongma Danda, before crossing the Sipton La Pass 4125 meters and ke Ke La Pass 4170 meters we need to well acclimatization. Walk around the hill side stay overnight at Khongma Danda at Camp.
The trail starts to climb in a similar way to the climb of the previous day and just keeps climbing for the most of the day. There are couple passes in this day. It takes an hour to get to the 1st pass (there are some chortens). After this pass, a brief steady trail and once again another climb for another hour to get to the 2nd pass (again some more chortens). A brief 15 minute drop and the trail passes by a small pond and another climb follows. This climb is only a little less than an hour and ends at a 3rd pass, popularly known as Shipton Pass, named after the famous Eric Shipton. An half hour drop ends at Thulo Pokhari (there are some teashops here) and once again starts to climb towards the day’s last pass, the 4th pass. After the pass, a steep drop for more than half an hour though a forest of smaller rhododendron trees leads to Dobato. (5-6 hours)
The trail continues though the forests and steeply (extremely steep) drops down to the river for the first hour. The trail now continously undulates in through a very bad section. Most of this section goes through an eroded trail and boulders and makes a very uncomfortable walk. After an hour or so the trail finally starts to get better. Once on a better trail, it takes an hour to get to Femtang (a single lodge here). After Femtang, it takes one and half hours of easy walk to get to Yangle Kharka. It is big meadow with lodges on the rither side of Barun River that the trek had followed throughout the day. (4 -5 hours)
The trek gets to the right side of Barun river and is comfortable for the next half an hour or so. After that, an uphill through the jungle follows for the next hour. Trees disappear and valley clears and opens up at the end of this climb. Some unnamed peaks tower in the left side of the valley. There are couples of meadows like this on the day's trail. After the first meadow, another gradual and easy ascent of around little more than half an hour leads to a second meadow. And a very similar timing and trail leads to the third meadow. A brief but steep climb over a ridge finally ends the day at Langmale Kharka. Stunning views of Peak6 and Peak 7 can be enjoyed once in Langmale Kharka. For more enthusiastic people there is a view point on the top of a ridge right above Langmale Kharka. (4 -5 hours)
Now in the scenic valley with snow capped mountains all around, the day starts with a climb for a little less an hour. Then it undulates for the next hour and half. A new valley to the right of the valley appears and more views of Peak 6 and Peak 7 apperas to the left and an unnamed peak rises to the right side of this valley. After the appearance of this new valley, it takes around two hours walk in a comfortable trail to get to Shersong. Now there are two routes, higher route and lower routes to get to Makalu Base Camp. The time difference of these routes isn't much but mostly higher route is used. It takes a little less than two hours to get to Makalu Base Camp. Makalu Base Camp has a similar appearance as that of Gorakshep and offers stunning views of peaks surrounding the valley with an excellent view of Makalu being the pick of the lot. (5 hours)
We spend a day exploring around Makalu Base Camp stay overnight at Makalu Base Camp.
A comfortable and easy gradual climb starts the day. Makalu and Barun glacier stays on the right as the trail enters further into the valley. After another 30 minutes of undulating trail, the trek enters into the glacial moraine. The trail stays on the left side and Barun glacier lies to right all the time. The trail snakes through this moraine (mostly boulders) and mostly climbs its way to reach a small clearing at the bottom of gulley coming from left side. Another similar terrain for a little less than an hour leads to another similar kind of clearing. This place is also at a bottom of a gulley. Apart from the first hour of the morning, the trail looks non existent and passes through loose rocks and boulders the whole. After the first hour in the morning, Everest and Lhotse appears towards the end of the valley. (4-5 hours)
about 1 hour straight steep climb on a loose scree takes to the top of the ridge. From the ridge, there is an easy traverse for a brief period. Once again, the trail now gradually starts to climb through the boulders with scattered cairns working as markers. After around half an hour, the trail now steeply drops through a eroded part on a non existent trail. This drop is extremely loose and maximum caution is needed. Once this drop ends, the trail once again starts to climb its way to a small clearing. Now a very very steep climbing (like in the morning) on a ridge right above starts and lasts almost a little more than an hour. Once the climb ends, a comfortable 15 minute walk finally leads to the Sherpani Col Base Camp
This is the longest and the hardest day of the entire trek. Staying to the boulders on the right side og High Camp, the trail climbs up and then enters the glacier. At the end of valley a high wall appears and it takes almost more than four hours to get to the bottom of this wall. Another one hour to get to the top as this is the top of the East Col. The top is marked by some prayer flags and also have some old korean ropes that have been left behinf. The whole climb and the descent that follows should be taken with extreme caution as there are many loose rocks all around this place. A 150 meter fixed line is required to get to the bottom. A small climb on the glacier leads to Baruntse Plateau which takes another two and half hours to get to the other end. At the end of Baruntse Plateau is a sheer drop of 250 meters. This place is also marked by some flags (but these flags get blown away or get buried in snow) and offers good views of both of the valleys. After this techinal drop, it takes another three hours on a decent trail to get to Baruntse Base Camp
Acclimatization day at Baruntse Base Camp.
Another short day trek ends the day at Amphu Laptsa Base Camp. A good rest is a must as the trek crosses one of the most technical pass in the following day. (4 hours)
The trail climbs through huge sections of rocks and ices and only ends at the top. A steep drop from the top leads into the Chukung valley. The day ends in the valley as we camp on a flatland at the bottom of the pass. (8-9 hours)
The trek starts to descend down in the valley and after couple of hours reaches the village of Chukung. Finally after almost a week, the village of Chukung marks the trek back into the civilization.
This spare day can be used in case of bad weather during the crossing of the pass. If the trek goes according to itinerary, the day can be used to split the trek from Chukkung to Island Peak High Camp into two days. The day can also be used as a rest day.
The day starts with the trail descending down to the valley passing Dingboche on the way and a brief climb afterwards leads to the village of Hortse. After Hortse, the trek joins the main trail Everest trail. The trek goes through villages of Pangboche and Debocheen route to Tengboche. (7-8 hours)
Staying on the busy Everest trail, the trek heads towards Namche via Kyangjuma. Namche Bazaar is gate way of Everest one of the beautiful Sherpa town located in Lap of the Himalayas.
On the way down from Namche, we take a last look at the Everest and merrily continue the trek down to river. The exit from the Sagarmatha National Park and a brief drop leads to the village of Monju and village of Phakding and finally end the trek at Lukla. We also bid farewell to our support crew and formally end their trek for them as well. (6-7 hours)
A 25 minute flight to Kathmandu and a whole day rest at Hotel.
A leisure day in Kathmandu which can used for an extended into further more tours to Chitwan, Lumbini etc. Further adventure activities like rock climbing, hiking, biking around the Kathmandu valley with bungee jumping, rafting near the valleys can be done on this free day. (This is also spare day in case of cancellation of flights)
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future.
Start Dates are your arrival date in Nepal and End Dates are the returning date from Nepal.
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
Upcoming Trip Departure
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Looking for a personalized experience? We organize a privately guided trip designed to fit your taste and interest. Please fill out the form below to get started.
We always try to be flexible to design the trip itinerary for our client’s needs. However, if you are not convinced as our suggested itinerary then off-course you are always welcome to customize or change the trip itinerary.
Holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. Along your trek, we can add days at your request with additional costs to cover guides, porters, accommodation, and food.
An average physical fitness should be maintained prior to booking a trek. Any sort of illness or recent medical problems should be mentioned while booking a trip. Most of our itineraries are prepared to give you maximum time to acclimatize and pace-setting on the treks would be done according to your convenience. If you are having regular medication then tell us before the trip started which would be better for us to give you the physical feedback.
Our main concern is your safety. We never compromised on your safety during the Trekking and all our guides are properly trained and well equipped to take care of our client's safety even in remote areas as well.
There would be always back support in case of an emergency situation like severe high-altitude sickness or accident (which is least expected), you will be sent to the nearest hospital, if possible, otherwise rescued by a helicopter and sent you to the hospital as soon as possible. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred for the use of such emergency services, please make sure that your travel insurance covers both- medical and emergency evacuation costs.
It is not a problem at all because in this trek we will supply most of the foods from the nearest store and remaining foods we buy from Locals that mean most of the time we served vegetarian food as well and our camping cook and guide will take care as well.
We use standard quality of (Camping Gears) like Clients tents (3 men tents for couple and two men tent for single), dining tents, Shower Tent, Toilet Tent, staff tend thick mattress, etc. Also, we care for our staff and provide them with proper equipment for the camping trek. You will also be requested to have the proper gear for your personal use which will be suggested while confirming the trip.
While during the camping trek it is really difficult to find the place to charge gadget somehow we will manage to charge if we stay close by village otherwise we have to take the portable solar panel to carry with us and charge our gadgets.
Now a day’s most of the areas has been covered by cell phone network connection. However, in this trek, we always send satellite phones along with our guide so you can easily be in touch with your family.
Yes, either you can store at the same hotel as you stayed or we can store your goods with us safely in our office free of cost.
This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 25 to USD 900 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide. However, we recommend you to spend a minimum of 10% of your total trip cost for tipping the entire local staff.