Mt Makalu Expd
Fact Box
Other names/spellings : Makalufeng
Elevation (feet) : 27,765
Elevation (meters) : 8,462
Location : Khumbu Region, Himalaya Tibet - Nepal
Latitude : 27? 53' N
Best time of the year: April/May & Sep/Oct
Longitude : 87? 05' EFirst Climber(s) : J. Franco's French Expedition
Convenient Center(s) : Hille, Nepal via Dharan Bazar
Just 22 km east of Mount Everest & Situated between Everest and Kanchenjunga, on the Nepali-Tibetan border. Its size alone is impressive, but its structure, that of a perfect pyramid with four sharp ridges, makes this mountain all the more spectacular.
It has proved to be not only a beautiful peak but also challenging and potentially dangerous mountain climb, as only five of its first sixteen attempts were successful. Previously, it had been admired and studied by several Everest parties, but like so Mt Makalu route mapmany other giants in the Khumbu region, it was not attempted until the summit of Everest had been attained in 1954. it was first climbed by the French in 1955
Our expedition we'll trek from Tumlingtar, just above the ARUN River to Makalu Base Camp at approximately 5100 meters. We'll ascend via the Northwest Ridge establishing 4 high camps on the mountain. Our strong & professional high altitude climbing sherpas will fix ropes as required. Depending on our fitness, we'll be moving up and down the mountain several times, acclimatizing and stocking the higher camps. This expedition is fully supported with all the base camp & high camp services. The team work is most important factor to scale the summit of Mt Makalu.
Chomo Lonzo (7,818 m/25,650 ft.) is a subsidiary peak of Makalu, rising just north of the higher summit, separated by a narrow saddle.
Day 1 :We fly to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu
and land on the long plateau. Our trek begins as we head up the trail to the town of Khaadbari at 3,500 ft.
Day 2 : We trek along the ridge through the town of Manebhanjyang (3700 ft.) to Chichila.
Day 3 : From Chichila we continue through a glorious mixed broadleaf verdant hobbit forest. We pass through the village of Mude at 6,500 ft. We head north along the West side of the ridge. The trail consists of red mud (rato mato). We then reach our destination for the day Num, at 4,920 ft.
Day 4 : We descend through incredibly lush jungle on the east side of the valley and cross the Arun Khola at 2,260 ft. We then climb up to Sedua at 5,000 ft.
Day 5 : From Sedua we ascend a ridge with valleys on both sides, Ipsuwa Khola to the west and Kasuwa Khola to the east. We enter Sherpa country and begin to notice Sherpa homes clustered on the hillsides. We then gradually ascend to 6,860 ft. and the village of Tashigaon, also known as "Luck Village."
Day 6 : Today we head north, crossing many streams as we travel through a dense cloud forest. Overhead, the trees are adorned with orchids. At 10,140 ft., we reach a notch and officially enter the Makalu-Barun national Park. We leave the forested ridge crest and descend into more open country on the west side of the ridge. Our campsite for the evening is at Kongma Danda.
Day 7 : From Kongma, we continue along the ridge and past Gongrua La. The views on this day are spectacular: the trail is streamed with prayer flags and views of Makalu, Chamlang, Baruntse, Kangchenjunga and Jannu tower overhead. We reach Sano Pokhari (12,720 ft.), which means "Little Lake," where the reflection of the nearby peaks are stunning. We then begin climbing the first of two passes, Tutu La at 13,875 ft. and then descend slightly to Thulo Pokhari, the magical lake. The trail climbs again to the Kekela at 13,725 ft. where there are spectacular views of Tibet. We then descend through Fir, Rhododendron and Birch forest to Mambuk and place our camp at approximately 11,000 ft.
Day 8 : Today we descend slightly and heap up the valley in the Barun canyon where one can see glimpses of the "Great Black One," Makalu. We pass panting and tare through open meadows among forests of silver fir and birch to our camping ground at Yang Kharkov, 11,800 ft. The views of the nearby ice covered peaks are impressive.
Day 9 : The path contours around the Barun canyon along a serene pasture. There is a remote cave up high in the rocks where Guru Rimpoche stayed. During the fall moon of August in the monsoon, there is a festival held here in which people will go up to the cave, where it is said that if you are infertile or barren and do a puja, you will bear children. There are the sheer cliffs to the south and the one on the right is the mother and the one on the left, the father. We then cross the Barun Khola to a quiet, peaceful valley. There are many waterfalls which cascade off the canyon walls (if not frozen). We reach the point called Ripu Maidaan at 13,040 ft. and cross many tributaries to Tadosa, meaning "horse tie," where Shiva tied his steed. We continue to Jark Kharka with its roofed hut, near the upper limit of the forest at Jark Kharka, 13,850 ft. We continue over a ridge for a view of the Barun Glacier and then to a string of stone enclosures and a designated campsite at Merek, at 15,000 ft.
Day 10 : We continue on to Shershong at 15,450 ft. We trek back north, up the valley and beneath the south face of Makalu into the "throne of the gods." We arrive at base camp at 15,825 ft.
Days 11-46 : Arrive at Base camp, elevation 15,825 ft., and establish camp. We have 36 days to establish four camps, properly acclimatize and summit Makalu. This leaves plenty of time to make several summit attempts. Camp I is located up the Chago glacier at 6150m. Camp II will be placed at the foot of the west face at 7000m. We climb the west face to gain the northwest ridge at Makalu La and the site of camp III at 7500m. Camp IV will be placed on our summit push at 7850m. Summit day we climb the remaining 613m up the couloir to gain the final ridge at the summit.
Day 47 : Fly out via helicopter from basecamp to Kathmandu or trek back same way to Tumlingtar & fly out for Kathmandu.
OPTIONAL ITINERARY :
Tumlingtar to BC :
Day 01: Fly to Tumlingtar;
Day 02: Trek to Mani Bhanjyang; Camping
Day 03: Trek to Chichila; Camping
Day 04: Trek to Mure/Num; Camping
Day 05: Trek to Murmi Danda/Sedua Area; Camping
Day 06: Trek to Tashigaon; Camping
Day 07: Rest Day
Day 08: Trek to Unshisha; Camping
Day 09: Trek to Khongma; Camping
Day 10: Trek to Nghe Kharka/Mumbuk; Camping
Day 11: Trek to Merek Langmale Kharka; Camping
Day 12: Trek to Makalu base camp; Camping
Day 13: Makalu base camp; Camping
Day 14 to day 45: Climbing period for Mt Makalu
Day 46 to Day 56: Treks back to Timlingtar
Day 57: Fly out from Timlingtar to KTM.
Day 58: Free Day for Shooping & Evening celebration time
Day 59: Free day for explore the City
Day 60: Depart home or Extension of trip
Itinerary subject to change
