Makalu,
19 days trek/4 nights Kathmandu total 23 days
Difficult (max. altitude 5,000 m)
March-May, Sep-Nov
This trek into one of the remotest areas in Nepal - the
valley of the Arun river and the Barun valley behind it - is
between Kanchenjunga and the Everest region, though closer
to the latter and accessible from there too, for the very
adventurous. In this wonderful national park, the newest of
all in Nepal, involves high passes and walking through truly
wild country. Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain
(8,463 m), shadows a typically Nepali mix of people -
Chhetri, Bahun, Gurung, Tamang, Sherpa, and Limbu, but the
Rai people indigeneous to the area have distinct ways,
clothing, appearance, language, food and drink. They are
best known for their numerous languages (at last count, 19),
skilled soldiering, and the handwoven nettle cloth called
allo. In the higher reaches of the Kanchenjunga region,
like in all high-altitude settlements in Nepal, the
prevailing culture is heavily Tibetan-influenced, and
usually Buddhist. The vistas here run from Makalu to Lhotse
and Everest.
Day Program
Day 01. You will be picked up by our representative from
airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02. Free day in Kathmandu, night at hotel.
Day 03 Fly to Tumlingtar (475 m), night at hotel.
Day 04 A long day. Start off with a ridge walk on a
'highway' trail with views of the imposing Chhamlang massif.
Walk through the large stone-paved village of Khandbari and
eventually through fields and bamboo stalls to reach
Bhotebas (1,760 m)
Day 05 The walk this morning offers great vistas of
Makalu, Chhamlang, and Jaljale Himal. Today involves ridge
walks and forest walks through oak and rhododendron, and a
final rocky descent to reach Num (1,500 m) on the
banks of the Arun river.
Day 06 It's a steep, rocky and slippery descent down to
the river through maize fields, and then another steep climb
into rocky country again, with rice, barley, buckwheat and
maize fields to reach Sedua (1,524 m).
Day 07 Today ford many streams and walk past a high
mani wall, fields and forest to reach the bottom of a
long set of stone stairs up to Tashigaon (2,070 m),
the last permanent settlement here.
Day 08 There are numerous steep ridge walks with lots of
switchbacks today up to Khongma (3,560 m), though the
picturesque goth (sherpherds' shelters) make for nice
'company' along the way.
Day 09 Up and down all the way today, over the famous
Shipton La (4,216 m) and Keke La (4,150 m), along
switchbacks, ridges, and a rocky gully. The spectacular
rhododendron forests, views of snow peaks including Makalu,
and lakes between the two passes make the walk to Mumbuk
(3,550 m) less strenuous than it sounds.
Day 10 The landscape changes today; as you scramble down
a wet rocky gully and through a landslide, you see fir,
scrub rhododendron, birch, and alpine meadows on the way to
the pasture called Yangri/ Yangle Kharka (3,600 m).
Day 11 Another pasture day. Walk past two more, with
some dramatic cliff-walking thrown in far above the river,
to reach Yak Kharka (4,400 m).
Day 12 Crossing a ridge you reach the moraine of the
Barun Glacier from where there are stunning views of
Chhamlang and Peaks 3,4, and 5 (all 6,000 - 7,000 m). Walk
past potential avalance sites and rockfall, across a scree
slope and along an alluvial valley to see Makalu and the
pastures that herald Sherson (4,720 m).
Day 13 Spend the day exploring the area around Makalu
Base Camp (4,923 m); there are boulders to hop and
buttresses to climb and out-of-this-world views of Makalu,
Baruntse (7,220 m), Everest, Lhotse, and Peaks 6 (6,739 m)
and 7 (6,105 m).
Day 14 Walk back to Nhe Kharka (3,750 m), just
before Yangri Kharka where you camped on the way up.
Day 15 Return to Mumbuk (3,550 m).
Day 16 A long day with a long up and down first to
Khongma, and then the vigorous descent to Tashigaon
(2,070 m).
Day 17 Walk down the long flight of stone steps, ford
streams, and then walk through forests and maize, rice, and
barley fields, follow valleys and cross a suspension bridge
to stop in the heart of Rai country at Balung (880
m).
Day 18 Walk by the river and streams, along ridges, and
through paddy fields and forests to reach Pukuwa (400
m)
Day 19 A suspension bridge as well as a cantilever
bridge provide two of the crossings today. For the rest of
it, a knife-edge ridge, forest and fields to reach
Bumling (370 m) on the banks of the Sankhuwa river,
surrounded by Rai and Sherpa villages.
Day 20 Rice terraces, boulders, suspension bridges and
flat land to reach Tumlingtar (360 m).
Day 21 On the flight back to
Kathmandu.
Day 22 Free day in kathmandu for shopping.
Day 23 Transfert to the airport or own destination.
Cost
per person in US $ Dallar
|
Type |
1per. |
2-4 pers |
5-8pers. |
9-15pers. |
|
Camp |
xxx |
1538 |
1443 |
1320 |
Cost quoted in itineraries includes:
ü
Airport-hotel transfer at arrival and departure
ü
Domestic land and air transport as described in itinerary
Kathmandu-Tumlingtar-Kathmandu US $ 210 per person
ü
Four nights tourist class accommodation in Kathmandu with
breakfast Hotel UTSE or Similar.
ü
All trekking and conservation area and national park permit
fees,
For Camping or Tented Trek
ü
All meals, camping gear (except sleeping bags) such as
tents, kitchen equipment etc, salaries and insurance for
guides, sherpas, cooks, porters (who will carry 15 kilos of
personal belongings per person) etc during tented treks.
ü
Re-confirmation of flight
Cost
quoted does not include:
ü
Your international flight into and out of Nepal
ü
Travel insurance
ü
Domestic and international airport taxes
ü
Lunch, dinner, drinks in Kathmandu (US$6-15 per day)
ü
Tips, souvenirs or other shopping
