DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our local team warmly welcomes you at the airport. You will then be escorted to the hotel, where you can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. The itinerary includes a briefing about the trek's progress and presentation, followed by leisure time. If you arrive in the morning, you'll have the entire day at your disposal. This can be used for rest or for those interested, to explore the surroundings freely. It's an ideal chance to deeply experience Nepalese culture and indulge in the local culinary delights.
Transfer to hotel
Final altitude: approximately 1350 m
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: night in the hotel
DAYS 2: DAY IN KATHMANDU
We take advantage of this moment to take stock with the expedition manager about the equipment taken. If necessary, the numerous mountain equipment shops in Thamel can help you complete our equipment. Meanwhile, our local team is working to complete essential paperwork and climbing permits.Accompanying persons will be able to take tours of Kathmandu.
Meals: breakfasts – free lunches (not included) – free dinners (not included)
Accommodation: nights at the hotel
DAY 3: FLIGHT KATHMANDU / TUMLINGTAR — NUM
We leave Kathmandu in the morning for a superb one-hour flight to Tumlingtar along the Himalayan range of Nepal: Langtang, Rolwaling, Khumbu in the distance. When the flight arrives, our vehicle is waiting to transport us to Num, a village perched above the Arun River, the starting point of the trek.
Transport: by private vehicle and plane
Drive: about 3 hours
Flight: approximately 1 hour
Altitude: approximately 1,490 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 4: TREKKING FROM NUM — ARUN — SEDUWA
The trek continues for a few more kilometers and plunges towards the tumultuous Arun. We leave our vehicles to continue on foot with our porters. Crossing on a suspension bridge and long climb to the village of Seduwa with the characteristic habitat of the lower valleys.
walking: about 5 hours
Attitude different: + 950 m / - 235 m
Final Altitude: approximately 1,600 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 5: TREKKING FROM SEDUWA TREK — TASHI GAON — SADEMA
The path continues to rise above the valley but this time more or less following the contour lines, in a dense forest of bamboo then birch and rhododendron. Passage to the last village of the Arun valley, Tashi Gaon. Beyond, the path winds up to reach the Sadema mountain pasture.
Approximately 6 hours of walk
Altitude different: + 750 m / - 180 m
Final Altitude: approximately 2,135 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 6: TREKKING FROM SADEMA — KONGMA KHARKA
Regular but long climb. The forest thins out and we begin to really enjoy the high mountain scenery around us. The rhododendron forest, depending on the year, may still be in flower.
Approximately 6 hours of walk
Altitude different: + 1,100 m
final altitude: approximately 3,470 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 7: TREKKING FROM KONGMA KHARKA — SHIPTON LA (4,127 M) — KEKE LA — DOBATO
One of the most beautiful days of the trek, with the crossing of Shipton La (4,217 m) among the rhododendrons. At the start of the stage, we climb a grassy ridge with a clear view of the Chamlang and the Makalu. The path follows the ridge and goes upstairs. First pass, the Ghungru La (4,050 m) before descending to a small lake (3,850 m). Finally, a rocky corridor leads to Shipton La (4,217 m). Descent toward two other lakes (4,020 m), a new climb to cross Keke La (4,180 m). On the opposite side of the pass, pleasant descent to the Mumbuk mountain pasture and further Dobato.
Approximately 6 hours of walk
Altitude different: + 950 m / - 630 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,800 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 8: TREKKING FROM DOBATO TREK — YANGLE KHARKA
The path, clinging to the steep sides of the Arun River basin, becomes more uncomfortable because it is less frequented. Only a few shepherds venture here. We continue through the primary forest before confronting the “Nepalese flat” (alternating climbs and descents, etc.) on a track constantly swept by landslides. One piece of advice: don’t hang around! We have lunch at the Phemathang kharka before crossing the river on a new wooden bridge, the last one having been swept away by a gigantic mudslide in spring 2017. A new path was hastily traced on the left bank of the Barun Khola but it still requires some adjustments. That said, it is still of much better quality than that of the morning… We reach Yangle Kharka, a “village” made up of a few wooden houses.
5 hours of walk
Altitude different: + 400m / - 600m
Final Altitude: approximately 3,650 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 09: REST AND ACCLIMATIZATION DAY IN YANGLE KHARKA
Rest is essential for our body to acclimatize to the altitude.
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 10: YANGLE KHARKA TREK — BARUN GLACIER — LANGMALE KHARKA
The first part of the day takes place on the left bank of the river on a temporary path traced on the pebble bed. The traces of a mudslide are impressive, if we consider these rocks weighing several dozen tons which are in the middle of the river. We find the historic path after an hour of walking and we continue in a pine forest. Through the branches, we have splendid views of the glacial valleys of peaks VI and VII. The climb is gradual up to the Merek camp where we can see, perched on the grassy moraine which closes this part of the valley, the Langmale lodge, recognizable by its blue roof. But before getting there, we will have to cross the “new” river bed, created by the mudflow, an indescribable hodgepodge of piled rocks in the middle of which the Sherpas have traced a marked route. Beyond that, all that remains is to climb the grassy moraine to reach the Langmale sheepfolds and 20 minutes further to reach the lodge. Superb view of Chamlang (7,320m), Peak IV (6,720m), Peak III (6,477m) and Peak V (6,404m).
5 hours of walk
Altitude different: + 800 m / - 35 m
Final altitude: approximately 4,300 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 11: BARUN GLACIER TREK — MAKALU BASE CAMP
After crossing the Langmale mountain pastures, we reach the left bank moraine of the West Barun glacier valley. We continue without much effort until Shershong where we turn to the right towards a well-marked pass in the middle of the moraine. At 4,900 meters, we discover the imposing mass of the Himalayan giant, master of the place, Makalu and its immense south face. It's really huge! We continue along a contour path on the side of the moraine as we discover the base camp lodges in the mineral valley below. A short descent to cross the river and we are warm in the common room next to the lodge. Exceptional and unforgettable views, it goes without saying... In the afternoon, you can go in 15 minutes to the moraine lake right next to the lodge and even gain a little height at the top of a pebble mound on which a A labtse was erected in the middle of which colorful Buddhist flags, darchoks, are planted.
4 hours of walk
Altitude different: + 520 m / - 100 m
Final altitude: approximately 4,870 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 12:MAKALU BASE CAMP
We take advantage of these two days to climb Makalu Pattar (5,795 m), in order to complete our acclimatization and obtain a better view of Makalu and its satellites. Beautiful panorama of the north face of Everest (Tibetan side). Return to camp and rest.
4 hours of hike
Altitude different: + 925 m / - 925 m
fina altitude: approximately 4,870 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 13: MAKALU BASE CAMP — LANGMALE KHARKA — YANGRI KHARKA
Descent towards Langmale kharka via a route of grassy ridges allowing you to admire from above the frontal glacial lake of the West Barun glacier. Then, in the space of an hour, we are again on the grassy mountain pastures of Langmale. We go back down along the Barun Khola to Yangri Kharka.
5 hours of walk
Altitude different: + 100 m / - 1,400 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,530 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 14: TREKKING FROM YANGRI KHARKA — DOBATO
We take the Shipton trail which owes its name to Eric Shipton (one of the pioneers of Himalayanism). This trail is also known for its difficult terrain and the characteristic of being affected by the first snowfall in the region. The Barun Khola valley remains dry while the only route available to quickly reach "civilization" is often stuffed with fresh snow... Departing from the kharka we take a path that crosses several rocky and sandy scree. We find a primary forest and, after passing a natural cave, here is the path which turns right to go up a thalweg in which "path" and torrent sometimes blend intimately... How high the steps are! We then climb into a forest of rhododendrons and reach the small clearing of Dobato from which we can try to look in the mountain range opposite for traces of the path on the side of which we followed between Kalo Pokhari and Korlangue kharka. about 4 hours + 630 m / - 300 m approximately 3,860 m Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner Accommodation: night in lodge
About 4 hours of trek
Altitude different: + 630 m / - 300 m
final altitude: approximately 3,860 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 15: DOBATO — KEKE LA (4,185 M) — SHIPTON LA (4,216 M) — KHONGMA DANDA
We climb steadily into the rhododendron forest which fades as we progress in altitude. We arrive at Keke La (4,185 m), the first pass of the day, marked by a chorten and prayer flags. We descend along the Kalo Pokhari (black lake) where the surrounding peaks are reflected before continuing towards the Shipton La (4,216 m) and its endless staircase climb before descending to cross the Ghungru La (4,020 m), the last pass of the day. Then, we follow the edge of the ridge to reach the lodges of Khongma danda.
6 hours of trek
Altitude different: + 630 m / - 950 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,580 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 16: TREKKING FROM KHONGMA DANDA — SEDUWA
A day of pure descent! We feel the difference both in terms of altitude and temperature. First part of the day on stairs in the forest before happily returning to the first places inhabited all year round and firstly the Tibetan village of Tashigaon. In the afternoon, a lightly marked up/down balcony path takes us through villages mainly of the Rai ethnic group until we reach the hamlet of Seduwa.
approximately 7 hours of trek
Altitude different :+ 150 m / - 2,060 m
Final altitude: approximately 1,670 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 17: SEDUWA — ARUN (735 M) — END OF THE TRACK (1,060 M) — NUM (1,560 M) — ROAD TO TUMLINGTAR
One last effort! We descend in wide bends on a rocky path to the metal footbridge which allows you to cross the Arun Khola then, once on the other side, in previous years the endless climb to the Num ridge began! Today, the track has (fortunately or unfortunately) been traced at the height of the Arun Khola valley and the climb is lighter. The Jeeps wait for us at 1,060 meters and we arrive at Num for lunch. We have 3 hours of trail left before arriving in Khandbari. The commercial town is not very exciting and it is preferable to go down to Tumlingtar via the tarmac road to stay in one of the guesthouses facing the airport.
by private vehicle
about 4 hours drive
about 3 hours of trek
Altitude different: + 300 m / - 950 m
Final altitude: approximately 500 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in guesthouse
DAY 18: FLIGHT TUMLINGTAR — KATHMANDU
No more than 200 meters of flat walking to reach the boarding hall with a late morning flight to Kathmandu for a splendid “mountain flight” which allows us to review our Himalayan geography. To enjoy to your heart's content!
by private vehicle and domestic flight
approximately 2 hours
about 35 minutes
approximately 1,300 m
Meals: breakfast – free lunch (not included) – free dinner (not included)
Accommodation: night at the hotel
DAY 19: FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU
It is a free day in Kathmandu.
Meals: breakfast – free lunch (not included) – free dinner (not included)
Accommodation: night at the hotel
DAY 20: FINAL DEPARTURE TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Free time depending on the departure time of your flight and our representative will drop you at the airport, ending your journey in Nepal. We hope to be of service to you again. Thank you and safe travels.