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 — LUKLA — PHAKDING
We leave Kathmandu in the morning for a superb flight to Lukla where we meet our porters who share the loads. Gentle descent then small climb along the Dudh Kosi (milk river in Nepali) to Phakding.
flight about 25 minutes
about 3 hours of trek
Altitude different: + 100 m / - 300 m
Final altitude: approximately 2,610 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 4:TREKKING FROM PHAKDING — NAMCHE BAZAR
We travel up the Dudh Kosi River, with the magnificent Himalayan pines lining our route. Several bridges make us change banks as the river meanders. Steep climb to the capital of Khumbu (the Sherpa country). On the way we admire Thamserku and from time to time we see Everest. At Namche Bazar, visit the village, very picturesque. You can wander the streets of this village built like an amphitheater.
6 hours of trek
Altitude different: + 1,000 m / - 350 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,440 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 5: TREKKING FROM NAMCHE — KHUMJUNG
We climb into a small forest and admire for the first time the high peaks of Khumbu (Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam), we arrive in the villages of Kunde and Khumjung. It may be possible to visit the Hillary High School and the Kunde Hospital built at Hillary's initiative.
3 hours of trek
Altitude different: + 420 m / - 20 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,780 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 6:TREKKING FROM KHUMJUNG — PHORTSE
Very beautiful day, quiet walk with beautiful views of the Himalayan range, we are starting to be acclimatized. Crossing the Dudh Khloa, we are at the foot of Thamserku (6,608 m) and Kangtega (6,685 m).
3 hours OF trek
Altitude different: + 220 m / - 180 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,810 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 7:TREKKING FROM PHORTSE — PANGBOCHE
We continue the gradual climb into Khumbu. It is advisable to walk slowly to have the best possible acclimatization.
5 hours trek
Altitude different: + 450 m / - 150 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,960 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 8:TREKKING FROM PANGBOCHE — DINGBOCHE
Vegetation begins to become scarce from 4,000 meters. We go up along the moraines of the Khumbu glacier - Some alpine villages line our route and the last yaks still hang out here and there, before going down to the villages to spend the winter.
5 hours trek
Altitude different: + 400 m / - 100m
Final altitude: approximately 4,400 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in lodge
DAY 9:TREKKING FROM DINGBOCHE — CHUKUNG
After the mountain pastures and the Tulka ridge, we arrive at the foot of the Lobuche peak, before us the Nuptse and the Pumori are revealed.
5 hours trek
Final Altitude: approximately 4,730 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent or lodge
DAY 10: CHUKUNG
Rest before starting the key point of the crossing. It should be remembered that the Amphu Laptsa pass is obligatory to leave Khumbu. It is entirely possible to leave this region, but it would take so many days that reaching Kangchenjunga would be unrealistic.
approximately 4,730 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent or lodge
DAY 11: CHUKUNG — AMPHU LAPTSA BASE CAMP
A short descent, then a bridge and it is time to start the climb which will take us to the Amphu Laptsa base camp. The Ama Dablam disappears from our view well before following a small lake. The camp is well hidden in a recess and the water is some distance away. All we have to do now is try to find where our pass of tomorrow is located.
5 hours trek
Altitude different: + 650 m
Final altitude: approximately 5,300 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in tent
DAY 12: AMPHU LAPTSA BASE CAMP — AMPHU LAPTSA PASS (5,845 M) — EAST BASE CAMP
Once we have crossed a small place of fine sand, some traces point us towards the pass. These tend to disappear, but following a set of tracks we gain height before reaching a small platform where we must stop. Our guide will have to place a rope on a belay placed above a granite rock. Once past this barrier, the path becomes easy again and propels us directly onto the ridge. Ama Dablam reappears, beautiful east face. A set of snow/ice ledges allows you to descend quickly. Depending on the snow conditions, it may be necessary to lay a piece of rope to reach the rock. From there, one last effort and the camp is there in front of us. Well deserved rest.
7hrs of trek
Altitude different: + 650 m / - 400 m
Final altitude: approximately 5,500 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in tent
DAY 13: EAST BASE CAMP — BARUNTSE BASE CAMP
The path is “cairned”, but as luck would have it, it still ends up disappearing. We leave a large lake on our right to head towards an immense glacial moraine. You have to find the best descent to get back on the other side. In the distance, we see the camp where multiple tents are crowded together which serve as a base camp for the ascent of Baruntse. The West pass is becoming clearly visible, all that remains is to cut it tomorrow. Take the time to go have something to drink at the improbable guesthouse.
6 hours trek
Altitude different: + 250 m / - 300 m
Final altitude: approximately 5,430 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in tent
DAY 14: BARUNTSE BASE CAMP — WEST COL (6,150 M) — BARUNTSE HIGH CAMP
After another night at more than 5,000 meters, we follow the lake to continue over a few bumps that we have to pass. They bring us to the foot of a large face of snow that we will have to go back up. Using the fixed ropes, we finally reach the West Col which opens the doors to the immense basin of the Lower Barun glacier. This is where we will set up camp. The night will be cold, but the sunset over Makalu, which seems so close, will warm us up as much as possible….
6 hours trek
Altitude different: + 750 m / - 100 m
Final altitude: approximately 6,100 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in tent
DAY 15: BARUNTSE HIGH CAMP — SHERPANI PASS (6,180 M) — SHERPANI HIGH CAMP
Two options are available to us. Take the classic Sherpani passage or use the pass opened by Laurent Boiveau, a little further to the east. In the first case, you will have to unwind the ropes which allow you to descend towards the Sherpani base camp. A route of rock and snow. In the second case, you will have to continue to climb a little after crossing the glacier to reach a well-hidden pass which allows you to descend without difficulty, returning to the old route of the East pass. All that remains is to reach the Swiss base camp, making the best use of the terrain of the glacier.
7hrs of trek
Altitude different: + 200m / - 600 m
Final altitude: approximately 5,450 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in tent
DAY 16: SHERPANI HIGH CAMP OR SWISS CAMP — MAKALU BASE CAMP
In both cases, we reach the Makalu base camp along the moraine of the Baruntse glacier. The glacier is far below, the Makalu with its 8,481 meters is omnipresent, it attracts all eyes. The moraine is quite bad, so you have to follow the cairns so as not to lose too much time. One last descent and everything becomes easier. A wide path allows us to reach the base camp guesthouses. After this last day, don't forget to make some offerings to the tutelary gods. A small altar for fumigations is also provided for this purpose.
6 hours trek
ALtitude different: + 250 m / - 850 m
Final Altitude: approximately 4,850 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in tent
DAY 17: MAKALU BASE CAMP — MORAINE (5,350 M) — MAKALU PATTAR (5,795 M) — MAKALU BASE CAMP
This morning we gain height to head towards the eastern moraine which dominates the base camp. Halfway up you can see the Khumbu mountains and more particularly the Lhotse and Sagarmatha in “person”. The latter is hardly recognizable because it is its north face that is presented to us, the Tibetan side. From a small plateau, it is possible to measure yourself against a “small” stony summit of almost 5,800 meters which allows you to broaden the view of the satellite peaks and glaciers of Makalu, always as impressive it goes without saying… Return to the Camp from Makalu Base for a second night.
6 hours trek
Altitude different: + 1000 m / - 1000 m
Final altitude: approximately 4,850 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent or lodge
DAY 18: 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 trek
Altitude different: + 100 m / - 1,400 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,530 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent or lodge
DAY 19: 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 that 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.
4 hours tent
Altitude different: + 630 m / - 300 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,860 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent or lodge
DAY 20: 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 trek
Altitude different: + 630 m / - 950 m
Final altitude: approximately 3,580 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent or lodge
DAY 21: 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 reaching the hamlet of Seduwa.
hours trek.
Altitude different: + 150 m / - 2,060 m
Final altitude: approximately 1,670 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in a tent or lodge
DAY 22: SEDUWA — ARUN (735 M) — END OF THE TRACK (1,060 M) — NUM (1,560 M) — ROAD TO TUMLINGTAR
One more 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 ascent is lightened. 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 shopping 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
4 hours drive
about 3 hours trek
Altitude Different: + 300 m / - 950 m
Final altitude: approximately 500 m
Meals: breakfast – lunch – dinner
Accommodation: night in guesthouse
DAY 23: 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 drive to airport
about 35 minutes flight
approximately 1,300 m
Meals: breakfast – free lunch (not included) – free dinner (not included)
Accommodation: night at the hotel
DAY 24: KATHMANDU
Free day in Kathmandu, safety day can be used during the trek...
Approximately 1,300 m
Meals: breakfast – free lunch (not included) – free dinner (not included)
Accommodation: night at the hotel
DAY 25: 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.