Epic Adventures Nepal

Makalu & Sherpani-West Col Trekking

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
from 0 reviews
Days
25
  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
No of people Price per person
Share
Print
Max. Elevation
6142 m / 20150 ft
Group size
Min 2
Level
Difficult
Transportation
All ground transportation and domestic flight as per itinerary
Best Season
March - May, Sep - Nov
Starts at / Ends at
Kathmandu /
Accomodation
3*** Hotel in Kathmandu and Lodge / Tea house during the trek
Meals
Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during the trek
Trip Route

Highlights

  • One of the longest, highest traverse around Himalayas from Makalu to Everest
  • Sweeping panorama of Eastern Himalayas with world highest mountain range
  • Adventure from low warm paddy fields to cooler hills and towards arctic cold zone Country of great bio-diversity from climate, vegetation to dramatic landscapes
  • Around beautiful temperate forest to barren remorseless fields of ice and glaciers

Overview

‘dramatic adventure traversing from Barun valley and Makalu to Everest region’ 
Makalu & Sherpani-West Col Trekking, an adventure around the high country of eastern Himalaya in the shadow of the world's highest peaks.
One of the longest, highest traverse around Himalaya range crossing Sherpani pass and West Col from Makalu to Everest region. Truly a great dramatic journey of a lifetime experience with Epic Adventures expert guide and field staff.  

Trekking between world 5th highest Mt. Makalu 8,463 m / 27, 766 feet and Baruntse Himal 7, 129 m high. Crossing high Sherpani Pass and West Col towards Honku and Imjatse valley within Khumbu and Everest region.
Makalu & Sherpani-West Col Trekking involves high passes and offers complete wilderness hidden by giant peaks for some days. An adventure for hard-core trekkers as well as for travelers interested in high altitude walks away from the mainstream trail.

The most interesting about this adventure is walking from low sub-tropical Arun valley to cooler hills covered in a lush forest. Where walk follows around scenic Barun valley towards an arctic zone of ice and glaciers at Makalu base camp.

Our wonderful journey Makalu & Sherpani-West Col Trekking starts with a short flight from Kathmandu to land at Tumlingtar airport. Located around Arun valley, from here adventure leads to cooler hills where our walk begins towards high Barun valley. Num a farm village the starting point of the trek, where the route leads down and up to Seduwa village. As walk progress on a gradual path towards Tashi-Gaon, the last human settlement before our adventure takes you to the Khumbu area.

On leaving the last village Tashi-Gaon, heading into pure mountain wilderness for two weeks, onwards to pristine surroundings. From Tashi-Gaon adventure starts with a steep climb through a beautiful forest of tall pine, rhododendron, and fir trees.

As climb leads to Kongma-La, and then to a small pass Shipton and Keke-La then down to scenic Barun valley. On leaving the forested area past Mumbuk, the walk follows to the end of Barun valley at Makalu base camp.     

Makalu base camp is located right beneath the towering South Face of Mt. Makalu and close to Chamlang and Baruntse Peaks. Our actual daring adventure begins from here for a week-long traverse towards Khumbu and Everest's region crossing high Sherpani Col. Spending extra days at Makalu base camp for acclimatization and to explore around the hidden corners on least ventured areas.

The climb begins following our lead expert guide heading higher above 5,000 m over the moraine of rocks, ice, and glaciers. Before reaching on top Sherpani West Col with enough days for practice climb, as well fixing ropes on technical sections.

After a tough climb on reaching both high ridges of Sherpani and West Col pass above 5, 600 m high. A long descend takes you down at Honku valley around Panch Pokhari, a place with five glacial ponds. Having another rest day to pull back the energy for the last final climb to cross Amphu Labtsa-La pass.  

An early morning climb towards the last pass of the adventure, our guide will make necessary arrangements to make the route accessible. After a long strenuous climb to the top of Amphu Labtsa-La at 5, 845 m high. 

Enjoy a mind-blowing panorama of giant snow peaks that surrounds you on top overlooking Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse towards the north. Includes close views of Ama Dablam, Baruntse Himal with Mt. Makalu in the east direction.

From the top, a long descend reaches you at Imjatse valley close to the base of Island Peak. After a tough adventure of two weeks within glacier and moraine in between giant peaks of Makalu and Baruntse. Walk gets easier as the route leads to the end of Imjatse valley to Dingboche past Chukung. On reaching the first human settlements after leaving the last village at Tashi Gaon. From here onward comfort of nice lodges to the end of the walk at Lukla.
 
After spending overnight at Dingboche, walk downhill on the main trail of Namche Bazaar and Everest base camp. On the scenic trail back into the forest with a climb to beautiful Tengboche Monastery, surrounded by an array of high snow peaks. Includes grand view of Mt. Everest with majestic Ama Dablam peaks from scenic Tengboche and its impressive monastery. 

From Tengboche rest of the walk is pleasant on a downhill with short ups to the famous Namche Bazaar. A large village almost the size of a moderate town, where one can find all types of facilities. Like banks, good restaurants, fresh bakeries to bars and pubs with many shops and well-stocked stores. 

After an enjoyable stop at Namche Bazaar, the final day walk of the adventure takes you down to Dudh Kosi River. Where walk follows the river downstream for some time with the last climb to Lukla town for final overnight halt. Lukla is a busy town and the gateway to various adventures around high Khumbu areas, a place with an airport. Spending overnight in Lukla, next morning a short flight brings you to Kathmandu where our wonderful adventure completes. After a great memorable experience on Makalu & Sherpani-West Col Trekking.

Important Note

Trekking Mode: Tented Camping, and staying lodge where available.
Trekking Grade: Moderate, Adventurous to Challenging.
Area of Trekking: From Makalu and Barun Valley to Everest region around Sankhuwa Sabha and Khumbu districts.
Location: Nepal Far North East Himalaya range.
Highest Elevation: Over Sherpani & West Col at 6, 135 m and 6,142 m with Amphu Labtsa Pass 5, 845 m / 19, 176 feet.
Culture and Religion: Lower area mixed tribes of both Hindu and Buddhism religions, higher area populated by Sherpa interwoven to Buddhism heritage and culture.
Trekking duration:  20 Nights and 21 days with flight and drives.
Total Trip:  24 Nights and 25 days from arrival to departure.

Trip Itinerary

On first arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport, received by our Epic Adventures staff and guide for short transfer to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu. After a short refreshing rest in your room then join with other group members for trek briefing, our expert guide will provides full information regarding the trek, culture, tour of Kathmandu at places of interest.

Evening a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurants with local folk cultural program entertains, while you have dinner. 

A day in Kathmandu for trek preparation and tour at places of great interest around best historical and cultural places. Our city tour guide will take you to famous areas listed in World Heritage Sites and then back to hotel after a wonderful time at sightseeing tour with time for preparation for next day adventure to Makalu & Sherpani-West Col trekking.

Morning as per the flight time for Tumlingtar airport board in a moderate size or small aircraft for exciting scenic flight with super panorama of Central and Eastern Himalayas with views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu as far to Kanchenjunga in the east. After 40 or 45 minutes then landing at Tumlingtar airport, received by our trekking staff and guide. At Tumlingtar a refreshing break with time to get organized then drive in a local jeep or four wheel drive for interesting journey to reach Num village. On leaving the low warm farm town, as drive climbs to Khandbari a large town and headquarter of Sankhuwa Sabha district.

Journey continues heading uphill past many rural farm areas to reach at Chinchilla village as air gets cooler, located on a high ridge with views of Makalu. From downhill into forest on rough road to reach overnight stop in Num village, where our adventurous walks starts and end.

Overnight in a simple lodge with time to visit around this hill farm village and witness local culture.

From Num first day walk starts with long descend to Arun River within a deep gorge, from the bridge climb leads to spread out farm fields and hamlets. As walk progress, where our camping cook will provide hot lunch on the way, then continue climb to Seduwa a small farm village for overnight stop.

Start the morning lovely walk on gradual winding path a short day to Tashi Gaon, which is the last village and permanent human settlement. On reaching at Tashi Gaon either in simple local lodge, or camp in the farm field. Rest of the afternoon after lunch at leisure or for short walk around Sherpa village and interesting place to witness local way of simple farm life as well the culture interwoven to Buddhism religion of age-old heritage.

Morning on leaving the last village Tashi-Gaon, walk into a deep forest of tall rhododendron, oaks, firs and pine trees. As route leads to steep climb all the way to the top of Kongma Danda or a ridge. Overnight camping on an open level field with short rhododendron and juniper bush around facing excellent views of Mt. Makalu, Baruntse and Kanchenjunga the 3rd highest in the east direction.

From Kongma Danda onwards feel the altitude and walk slow as walk takes you past Thulo / Sano Pokhari, means Big and Small ponds. Then cross over Tutu and Shipton La, the passes named after a legendary pioneer and explorer Eric Shipton.

After the small pass of over 4,000 m high and then head downhill back into woods at Mumbuk for overnight camp, amidst dense tall alpine tree lines. 

Enjoy a good breakfast, morning walk leads to short descend to reach the famous and picturesque Barun Valley enclosed within high rocky cliffs and snow-capped peaks. Walk on gentle ups following the Barun River and crossing over several times to reach overnight camp at Nghe or Nehe Kharka. 

A small temporary Yak herder settlement with few stone built huts and shades which also serves as lodges serving simple local meals. Our tented camp is pitched on a vast field with time to marvel the beautiful scenery that surrounds this nice Barun valley.

Slowly adventure reach you close to our destination, walking on vast valley with few smaller alpine bush and shrubs and crossing streams, and then reach at Shersong a summer grazing field for Yaks and other cattle, this is the last place with some vegetation of short bush of Burberry, Juniper and rhododendrons. 

Overnight camp at Shersong with excellent views of majestic Mt. Makalu towards North West.

The shortest day of the trek, on leaving Shersong after a hearty breakfast clear the camp and walk over moraine of rocks and boulders. On leaving the vegetation behind, after few hours reach our main highlight at Mt. Makalu base camp the highest camp of the adventure at 4, 870 m / 15, 978 feet.

At Makalu base camp for two overnights, tents is set on a clearing right at the bottom of Mt. Makalu and close to Baruntse glacial pond. Enjoy rest of the day having rest and enjoying the fabulous scenery of surrounding high snow-capped peaks.

A full day rest and a free day to explore around this least ventured areas by only few groups of trekkers or mountaineers. Climb above the base camp and enjoy an epic panorama of the Himalaya’s highest peaks includes rare East / Khangsung Face views of Everest, Mt. Lhotse with Chamlang, 7,319 m, and Baruntse Himal 7,129 m. After a wonderful day excursion return to camp for lunch and catch on with your dairies and marvel the views of lovely mountain scenery.

After a nice rest at base camp, climb leads to high mountainous area within rugged rocky faint path, all needs to follow our lead guide as walk heads North West right at the bottom of Makalu Western Pillar. 

From here taking precaution from rock falls as altitude gains, as climb takes you to a small valley ablation on the west side of Barun Himal glaciers and then reaching a small valley. As route leads to a climb over boulder of rocks and ice with strewn ice caves. Finding a suitable spot for overnight camp and lunch stop at remote place called Puja Camp, situated directly beneath towering Mt. Makalu's West Pillar. 

Start the adventure with climb for few hours, although a short day but takes much time due to rough route and rise in altitude. Morning from Puja camp, leads to a rocky ridge lined close to Baruntse Himal at its west end. 

Continue the hard climb towards series of rock cairns, which form as a marker on this vague and confusion route. Finally climb reach you at the bottom of Sherpani Col a glacial valley for overnight camp and lunch stop. Afternoon preparation for the next big day to cross over high Sherpani Col.

An early morning start follow our expert guide, sometimes our staff needs to make our own accessible route to the top of the pass.

As climb leads higher coming across Sherpani Col glacier with icy snout to reach three individual Col's provides entrée to the cirque. Our guide will choose the most suitable and safe way. As climb follows over steep snow covered slope, where staff and members will be fixed ropes as back-up.

From the Col all roped to cross a glacier on the rocky ridge of  Sherpani West Col. This striking cirque is covered by icy ridges to the north of Baruntse glaciers, offers super view of Mt. Makalu, and the rocky wall of Chamlang peak to the south facing towering Ama Dablam towards west. 

After a tough day climb descend from the Col using a fix ropes to reach Hongu Glacier, and then complete the long day walking over snow slopes beneath the moraines near Baruntse base camp for overnight camp.

On leaving Makalu area, walk from here leads to Khumbu within Everest region, as morning leads to long descend to our next overnight camp at Panch Pokhari “five ponds” situated close to Amphu Labtsa peak and the pass.

As walk progress walk on a rocky moraines then reach a wide area of Upper Honku Basin close to Kang Leyamura peak 6,430 m high, and then follow a rocky glaciated path towards moraine where our campsite is located beneath Amphu Labtsa Peak and the pass which is above 5,780 meters.

Today’s walk follows a small path with gradual climb, as trail leads over steep sides moraine and rocky glacier, and then towards an old and recent moraine deposits. As walk continues to enter Honku valley and Panch Pokhari means five ponds, where our camp is set for overnight at an altitude of 5,035 m high.

A necessary rest day as well for acclimatization and preparation for the last final climb on the highest pass of the adventure. Panch Pokhari a glacial ponds which is close to Baruntse Himal, and on route to Imjatse valley and Mera Peak area.

A short morning walk of few hours to the base of Amphu Labtsa-La Pass and the peak itself. From Panch Pokhari trail leads on gradual path with short climb over moraine and rocky terrain, as walk leads to ice sections and crossing small frozen streams to Amphu-Labtsa base for the last camp, around Honku valley.

Rest of the afternoon free for short hike around this remote isolated corners of eastern Himalayas. Where our guides will check the route of Amphu Labtsa-La Pass, and fixing ropes where necessary on few technical sections for safe climb and descent towards Imjatse Valley.

Today the Big Day! Of the adventure, starting early as possible on clearing the camp head for a steep climb for few hours on rocky and ice ledges. As climb continues till you reach on top of the pass, enjoy the hard effort overlooking grand panorama of surrounding giant peaks of Makalu, Baruntse, Ama Dablam with Everest and Lhotse.

After a tough steep climb and checking all members including staff and porters are safe and in sound health, having a short rest then descend abseiling on fixed ropes towards the bottom of the pass. On reaching at the base of Amphu Labtsa continue walk heading towards an ablation valley by the side of Imjatse Glacier. Where Imja-Tse valley starts from a place called Parsya Gyab near Island Peak Base Camp for overnight camp.

From the camp at Parsya Gyab around Island Peak and Imjatse valley, walk is easier with short ups and downs over rocky moraine and icy path, heading towards a small settlement at Chukung for lunch. Afternoon and easy walk of few hours on the wide Imjatse valley to Dingboche for overnight stop in the comfort of nice lodges, from here onwards overnights accommodation and meals in lodge and tea-houses all the way to Lukla.

On leaving Dingboche with super views of Amadablam, Nuptse and Lhotse, then downhill back to lower altitude within tree lines, as walk leads past Pangboche reaching a bridge where an hour climb brings you at scenic Tengboche Monastery for overnight stop. A beautiful place amidst lovely forest of pines, rhododendron and firs trees surrounded by an array of snow peaks facing view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. At Tengboche afternoon visit the monastery of great religious and colorful cultural interest.

Morning enjoy the glorious panorama of snow mountains, as walk begins with downhill to Imjatse River at Phunge tenga, after crossing a bridge a short uphill for an hour, and then on gentle winding trail all the way to Namche Bazaar for overnight stop. At Namche with various facilities that one can enjoy, take a stroll around the street of Namche Bazaar lines with many shops and stores with fancy restaurants and fresh bakeries.

Last day walk of the adventure, morning starts with downhill to Dudh Kosi River, and then on pleasant trail crossing bridges to Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo village. From here walk follows to Phakding for short refreshing break or lunch stop. From here few hours walk to Lukla for final overnight stop around Khumbu and Everest region.

Morning as per the flight time walk to Lukla or Tenzing & Hillary airport, and then board in a small aircraft for exciting scenic flight to Kathmandu, and then short drive back into city life of Kathmandu. On reaching your hotel rooms, rest of the day free at leisure.

Spare and contingency day, enjoy this free day after a great adventure around Makalu and Everest region. This free day allows to maintain the itinerary days in case of bad weather on route trekking that might delay our schedules. 

On this extra day enjoy individual activities or join in for another exciting sightseeing tour of other interesting places like Patan and Bhaktapur worth a visit.

Last day in Kathmandu and in Nepal, as per your international flight time our staff and guide will accompany you for a short drive to international airport for final departure, after a memorable and fabulous adventure on Makalu & Sherpani-West Col Trekking around amazing Nepal Himalaya.

Not satisfied with this itinerary? Make your own.
Plan My Trip

Includes

  • Airport pickup and drop
  • All Ground transportation
  • All accommodation in 3*** hotel.
  • Kathmandu sightseeing with a city tour guide
  • Full board meal 3 times a day during the trek and 3 cups of tea / Coffee
  • All Accommodation in the lodge as per Itinerary
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Order by Our Company
  • Govt. trained guide and necessary no. of porters with their insurance, salary, and meals
  • First Aid kit box
  • National park entry fees and TIMS permit card
  • All Domestic Flights according to the itinerary in fixed-wing aircraft
  • All government taxes and official charges
  • Farewell dinner last night in Kathmandu

Doesn't Include

  • Laundry service/battery charge
  • Rescue/emergency and Travel insurance
  • Personal equipment’s and personal expenses
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Tips for guide and porter
  • Personal Travel Insurance
Why Book with Us?
  • Excellent customer service. Our travel experts are ready to help you 24/7.
  • Best price guaranteed.
  • No credit card or booking fees.
  • 100% financial protection.
  • Environmentally-friendly tours.

Join our Newsletter

Sign up to stay updated with latest offers, recent events and more news.
Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal