After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be doing a half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. Sometime, depending upon your flight arrival if it's late in the night we will do this tour in the afternoon instead of morning to give you a nice rest before you venture out of the Hotel in our interesting tour. The sightseeing places could be Pashupatinath, famous Hindu Temple combined with Bouddhanath, a Buddhist Shine or Kathmandu Durbar Square, famous for its old architecture and place where you can visit living goddess with Swyambhunath, commonly known as Monkey Temple. 

Also complete the permit formalities and do some last moment shopping required for the expedition and get fully prepared for the climb.

Morning transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for short and scenic flight to land Tumlingtar airport around Arun valley, during air grand views of Himalayan peaks from Ganesh-Langtang-Jugal Himal to Everest with Makalu and Kanchenjunga towards far eastern horizon.

Soon landing at Tumlintar airstrip after 40 minutes of sweeping flight, where our trekking crews and porters receives you for an exciting drive towards mid hills of Makalu areas. Ride leads north past warm sub-tropical areas of Arun valley through number of farm villages and town of Khandbari, and then reaching cooler areas with views of Makalu in the distance. After an interesting drive of four hours or less reaching at Num village for overnight stop in a hill village inhabited by mixed tribes of Nepal, Newar-Rai-Sherpa-Tamang –Gurung and Magar with Hindu Brahmins and Chettries.

From Num setting off down with steep slopes past terraced farms towards Arun River, with about 800 meters drop, the lower area of the narrow gorge densely forested and the paths are quite slippery, on reaching at the bottom.

After downhill then cross a suspension bridge over torrential Arun River, our route leads to a climb and out of the rain forest, reaching our lunch spot at small farm areas of Runruma. After lunch, a steep climb up to Seduwa for overnight stop in a village with a small health post and a primary school.

Morning walk leads past rural farm villages, on gradual winding trail into farm fields and terraces with 3-4 hours of walk to reach Tashi Gaon. Tashi Gaon populated with mostly Sherpa people which is quite unlike from the Sherpa of Everest, although follows the same culture and religion of Buddhism. Different in the way they live, as the Sherpa of Tashi Gaon being migrated and settled in low warm areas a bit different with agriculture way of life and traditions. With free afternoon to enjoy walk around this interesting village and its nice cultivated farm fields and terraces.

Tashi Gaon, the last village on-route to Makalu basin, after this village starting with refreshing walks for an hour into beautiful shade of rhododendron and oak forest. On leaving dense forested areas then reaching a summer pastures with traces of temporary cattle herder’s shades.

From here heading to a steep climb into cool forest to Kohama ridge, where tall tree line fades for short rhododendron and juniper bush. Khongma Danda offers the views Mount Kanchenjunga and Mount Makalu towards north with fresh mountain cool air.

A rest day at this height of above 3,000 m high for acclimatization. A pleasant and scenic spot for short hike and rest. This scenic high spot with number of overhanging rocks forming caves which makes good cozy shelters for local herders, travelers and as well to our porters.

With wonderful morning and views of surrounding beautiful landscapes and snowcapped peaks, morning walk follows on gradual path with few short ups and down through Thulo Pokhari (big pond) and Sano Pokhari (small pond).

In snow condition, the trail can be quite misleading and arduous to locate. The trail from last pond leads to over Tutu-la and Shipton-La pass at above 4,230 m high. Here onwards downhill and then back into vegetation with trees at Mumbuk area with the views of Khumbukarna Himalaya. Afternoon walk leads downhill to reach within Barun Valley. Barun valley, one of least explored area around eastern Himalayan region. This unique valley at present added as Makalu & Barun National Park, with more than 3,000 species of flowering plants, 440 different birds life and 75 mammal species, which includes endangered clouded leopard, red panda and musk deer.

After a wonderful trek entering into lush alpine area at Barun Valley with gradual up slopes, following Barun River upstream towards our overnight stop place at Dobato, a summer pastures for the locals.

From here onward within scenic and beautiful enclosed and hidden valley of Barun with glacial streams that joins further down into Arun River. Morning walk heading due west on slow uphill with bushes of juniper and azalea (dwarf rhododendron) along the trails crossing the same icy stream several times to reach at a large field at Yangle Kharka for overnight stop.

As our walk progress heading closing to our destination at Makalu, where morning continues with gradual uphill climb with views of surrounding peaks of Baruntse-Chamlang and Makalu and the finally ending our nice day walk at Langmale Kharka / Jark Kharka for overnight stop on a summer pasture of Yaks summer grazing field.

A little beyond the camp crossing Barun River by way of couple of wooden bridges, which make use of conveniently situated boulders encountering large prayer wall. After few hour walk, as green vegetation gets sparse, although rhododendron, barberries, cotoneaster and juniper bushes persist for some times. Our lovely day walk leads into high alpine areas reaching at Sherson within lower Barun glacier with towering Mt. Makalu.

Sherson located lower from the base camp of Mt. Makalu, walking past number of stone enclosures around on high grazing areas with outstanding host of peaks to look at includes upper part of Makalu south face, with Mt. Baruntse 7,220m peeking above peak 4. From Sherson trek on with closer views of Mt. Makalu and Barun Pokhari as walk finally reaches at our highest point at Makalu base camp with rare sight of Everest Khanshung face with Lhotse nearby.

Rest day at Makalu base camp with free time for individual activity or hike further up for best view of the peaks of that surrounds base camp, a great opportunity for grand view of Everest East Face and some other peaks that adjoins with Makalu Mountains.

With time sorting gears for the climb and enjoy the day relaxing saving your energy for the Big Day!

Morning leads to a climb westwards to reach our advance camp, below Makalu west pillar as the altitude gains slowly, taking time with few stops walk follows a faint path which climbs an ablation valley on the west side of the Barun glacier. Following this valley onto the glacier make the way over the boulder-strewn caves and ice to a camp known as Puja Camp below the towering Mt. Makalu West Pillar. Our strenuous climb on glacier to Advance Camp rewarded with unique views of Lhotse and the rare Kangshung face of Everest.

A necessary and spare as contingency day for proper acclimatization and preparation for the climb to Mt. Makalu summit, on this day where you will be busy sorting out the gear and foods for the climb and then final checking of the equipment, where our expert guides scouts possible and safe route for the climb.

Thirty Five Days maximum duration for the final bid and assault on top Mt. Makalu summit and return adventure to base camp, over this stretch of time provides you ample time to acclimatize with some practice on rocks and ice, before heading for final bid to the summit top.

35 days includes climb to the summit, where our expert guides and team members will be busy ferrying loads to respective high camps. Makalu one of the tough and technical mountains which requires maximum of 3 more camps before the summit top.

Our team of climbing guides will set camp III, at above 7,200 meters where members will sleep only one night at this top camp before heading to the top.

After full preparation at ABC climb through moraine covered in glacier and then head towards Camp I at 5,350 meters, after climbing on boulders of rocks and ice within scree slope to reach the required Camp I.

The camp is located on a broad snow field at the foot of the ridge leading up to a serac barrier which is one of the few technical sections on route.

At about 7,200 meters the ridge is a line of ice cliffs here fixing ropes and snow bars.  Normally we will have one rope for the ascent and another for descent on this pitch, which is about 80 meters high.

This is the toughest part of the climb but with some difficulty, high above the serac climb out onto a plateau cut by huge crevasses, a winding path between to pitch Camp II at about 6, 800 meters.

Above Camp II broad snow slopes lead more easily to Camp III at 7,600 meters.  This is the highest camp and make the summit bid from here. Summit day as always involves an early start.  Depending on snow conditions might encounter some easy scrambling as the climb gets in progress making way up and across the low angled South West Face.

The top of the summit a small plateau offering views of Everest-Lhotse-Baruntse Himal with adjoining peaks and as far towards Kanchenjunga at eastern horizon.

After feeling in high spirit with successful climb head back to Advance Camp after a tough adventure to reach world 5th highest Mt. Makalu at summit at above 8,463 m and 27, 766 ft high.

After great successful climb taking maximum of two days to reach back at base camp with long descend, on route gather and clean the camps, within two days all climbing members and staffs should be at Base Camp for return journey and packing.

At base camp with final packing and checking each members health, necessary spare day to clean up the Base Camp and leaving nothing except your foot prints and memory.

Trek back towards end of the valley to Yangle Kharka for overnight, using the same route with chances of spotting some wild-life along this pristine surrounding.

Trek back to Dobato near Mumbuk, on leaving at the end of beautiful Barun Valley with some ups to encounter and back into tree lines to reach our overnight stop in the midst of alpine woodland at Dobato near at Mumbuk.

Retracing our journey back to Khongma Danda located on a high ridge after crossing Shipton-la and Thulo and past two glacial ponds or Pokhari to reach at Kohongma for overnight stop.

Trek back to Tashi Gaon and continue walk towards Seduwa taking the same or another alternative route through Nabagaon on the upper trail for 2-3 hours, where walk leads into cool shade of forest after leaving the forest area. Coming towards the farm terraces to the village of Naba-Gaon, another Sherpa village which is much larger than Tashigaon, situated right above the Seduwa village. From here an hour downhill to camp at Seduwa around its primary school premises with time for local short walks.

Last day walks of the adventure on leads downhill through the farm fields for an hour or more, then reaching at Arun River to cross over a bridge with few hour climb back to Num for the drive to Tumlingtar. A further downhill of few hours to Khandbari, headquarter and administrative town of Sankhuwasaba district of Makalu region.

From here with long descend to reach warmer areas at Tumlingtar for last overnight stop in a local lodge with time to arrange last night dinner party with fellow members-crews and porters before flying back to Kathmandu.

Depending upon flight time transfer to Tumlingtar air terminal and then boarding in a small aircraft for scenic flight to Kathmandu overlooking view of snowcapped mountains. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, meet and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. 

With full two days reserved as contingency or a spare day in case of delay on climb or on local drive, which can occur due to landslide with bad weather conditions on this free days enjoy relaxing or join in for sightseeing tour.

On these days our leader and guide will submit the reports of Mt. Makalu Expeditions to concern Nepal Government Tourism department.

After a grand adventure and experience on world 5th highest Mt. Makalu with successful climb, depart from the hotel to the airport for final departure homeward bound or to your respective destinations.