Expedition Makalu

After a long international flight, you'll arrive into Kathmandu and be met at the airport to transfer to your hotel. The rest of the team will be waiting to greet you. We advise you to get some rest but Kathmandu is hard to resist exploring.

Enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing around Kathmandu, or strike out on your own to discover Thamel and the surrounding area. Whichever you choose, there's a team dinner waiting for you in the evening. 

Today we'll get out of Kathmandu and journey to Tumlingtar, then drive to Num. You'll notice that other tourists don't go this way. We're going somewhere different.

The trail descends steeply from Num (1490m) through the Cornfields of Lumbang. The landscape is particularly rocky; tiny terraces planted with corn and barley. A tough, steep climb to Sedua (1460m). 5/6 hrs hiking.

The trail crosses meadows and several streams then climbs to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon (2070m), the last permanent settlement in the valley. 5 hrs hiking.

A very hard day of the trek as the trail gets really steep. We walk through the sparse forests along ridges, over a mountain and descend a bit to Kauma (3470m). 6 hrs hiking.

Today will be a rest and acclimatisation day. We need to give our bodies a chance to make more red blood cells before we head up higher.

Off again, with a steep climb through rhododendron forests to the top of the ridge. We'll have superb views of Chamlang (7,290m) Peak 6 (6,739m) and Peak 7 (6,105m). Descend through a forest of firs and rhododendrons to Mumbuk (3570m). 5 hrs hiking.

Today the trail descends a steep gully with a stream for about 500m. The trail is ill-defined, rocky and muddy in places as it leads up the glacial valley. From here you can have a good view of Peak 6. Nehe Kharka (3000m) is located on a large open grassy plain. Amazing mountain views all around. 6 hrs hiking.

The trail today turns westward and leaves the rhododendron forests for alpine tundra. There are excellent views of Pyramid Peak (7168m) and Peak 4 (6720m). We're heading for Sherson Base camp, which is at 4615m. The height gain is a bit of a monster, but we don't have any choice due to a lack of camps between. 7 hrs hiking.

Today is a gradual climb to a minor pass. From here you will have magnificent south face views of Makalu, you will also be able to see the complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse. Reach Makalu Base Camp (5250m) by the evening.

Explore the camp, venture up towards the start of the expedition ice climbs, chat to the summit team about their fears and excitement, drink in the atmosphere. Celebration team dinner that night in the mess tent.

Wave a fond farewell to the summit team and start back down the Barun Valley. Don't worry, it's not just the same route in reverse, and there is plenty left to explore.

Back down to Mumbuk heading for Kauma and Tashi Gaon. The air gets thicker and you'll feel much fitter as you descend.

Trek across Shipton La pass and descend to Kauma. Here you'll be treated to real local hospitality by the trekking guides.

A long walk today, thankfully you're now a seasoned trekker. Back into the stronghold of the Sherpa. Tomorrow you'll go off the familiar path once again and discover new vistas.

We'll walk through farming settlements and the wide-open spaces of the Rai Valley. Continue through forests, past several streams, to Pukuwa. Time to reflect on the adventure.

We'll walk through more forests and follows some spectacularly exposed, narrow and high tracks as we climb over rocky ridges. We'll camp across in the Chhetri village of Bumling.

We follow the east bank of the Arun river, passing through Chyawabesi before making a short climb back to Tumlingtar. Explore Tumlingtar and stay overnight.

Head back to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and a chance to experience the manic capital once more before heading home.

Either have a free day in Kathmandu (the hotel's already pre-paid and Sam's bar is just around the corner) or head back home. The choice is yours, but we know which one you'll take.