Makalu – 8,463m/27,765ft

Mount Makalu, Himalaya, Nepal

Makalu – 8,463m/27,765ft

Mount Makalu, Himalaya, Nepal

Expedition Price

$15,999.00

Duration

Group Size

12

Status

Reviews

No reviews yet
Extreme Difficulty

DIFFICULTY

Destination:
Region:
Type:
Max. Altitude:
Duration:
Group Size:
Regular Date:
Difficulty:
Nepal
Makalu
Expedition
8,463m
42 Days Program
Max. 12
8th April – 20th May 2023
Extreme

Call or Whatsapp
+977-1590-9980

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

Mount Makalu is the fifth highest mountain on earth raising at an elevation of 8,463 meters above the sea level.

It is located in the Mahalangur Himal 19km southeast of Mt. Everest on the Nepal-Tibet border in Makalu-Barun National Park.

The name “Makalu” is derived from a Sanskrit word “ Maha and Kala” which means “Big Black”. As it's named, it is the mountain having four sharp ridges forming a perfect pyramid of rock and ice on the top.

The Everest summiteers take Makalu as evidence of reaching the summit of Everest if anyone presents a photograph having Makalu in the background, as Makalu is visible from the Everest summit.

Makalu was first climbed on 15th May 1955 by a French expedition team members Jean Couzy and Lionel Terray. A few days later, the other seven team members reached the summit.

Makalu 40 Day Itinerary Overview

Makalu 35 Day Itinerary Overview

EXPEDITION DOSSIER

Download Our
40 Day Regular Program Makalu Expedition
Dossier

Download our detailed expedition notes for Mount Makalu, including our detailed itinerary and kit list.

Download Our
35 Day Special Program Makalu Expedition
Dossier

Download our detailed expedition notes for Mount Makalu, including our detailed itinerary and kit list.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Extreme Difficulty

Full-day hikes in heavy snow (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 5,000 feet) on many days. Requiring extreme fitness. 

Speak With Our Customer Relationship Manager For More Details

Anjan Rai Thamserku

Anjan Rai

Customer relationship Manager

Mobile: +977-9823338761
Office: +977-1-5909982
Email: Rai@thamserku.com

EXPEDITION DOSSIER

Download Our
Makalu Expedition
Dossier

Download our detailed expedition notes for Mount Makalu, including our detailed itinerary and kit list.

Download Our
35 Day Special Program Makalu Expedition
Dossier

Download our detailed expedition notes for Mount Makalu, including our detailed itinerary and kit list.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Extreme Difficulty

Full-day hikes in heavy snow (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 5,000 feet) on many days. Requiring extreme fitness. 

Speak With Our Customer Relationship Manager For More Details

Anjan Rai Expedition Manager

Anjan Rai

Customer relationship Manager

Mobile: +977-9823338761
Office: +977-1-5909982
Email: Rai@thamserku.com

PRICE AND SERVICE – OPTION 1

Makalu Expedition (35 Days)

$15,999 USD per person (tax inclusive)

Price based per person (maximum 12 members)

This price includes the following charges:

GOVERNMENT AND RELATED CHARGES

SERVICE IN KATHMANDU

SERVICE DURING TREKKING

BASE CAMP SERVICE

SERVICE AT HIGHER CAMPS

CAMP I, II, III AND IV

This price does not include the following charges:

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

ITINERARY

- DAY 01 - Arrive in Kathmandu

You will be met at the airport and taken to the hotel to relax.

- DAY 02 - In Kathmandu

Free day in Kathmandu for equipment preparation, attend government briefing and arrangement of documentation needed for the expedition.

Welcome dinner will be at a Le Sherpa restaurant

- DAY 3 - Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Num (1550m)

Depending on your flight time, after breakfast you will be transferred to Kathmandu domestic terminal for 35 minutes flight to Tumlingtar. From Tumlingtar Ariport you will take a 4 hours’ drive towards Khandbari to Num. The drive is not a pleasant one as it’s on off-road, rocky, muddy and bumpy.

- DAY 4 - Trek to village of Seduwa (1530m) - 6 hours

The trek starts with a couple of hour’s steep descent to the bank of the Arun River and after crossing the suspension bridge you start a steep climb to Seduwa passing through bamboo forest and small teahouses.

- DAY 5 - Trek to Tashigaon (2065m) – 6 hours

In the Arun valley you continue through the bamboo and rhododendron forest and the fields of small hamlets up to the Sherpa town of Tashigaon (2.180 m), the highest permanent settlement in the valley.

- DAY 6 - Trek to Khongma Danda (3500m) – 7 hours

Leaving Tashigaon, you climb uphill through dense forest and lushly blooming rhododendron trees to the small mountain pasture of Kauma La (3560 m), at the foot of the high passes to the Barun valley.

- DAY 7 - Rest and acclimatisation day at Khongma Danda

Today as part of the acclimatization to cope your body with the altitude, you hike up to an elevation of 3,900 meters to Khongma-La. After breakfast at the hotel, start ascending on the stone steps through the rhododendron forest to reach the Khongma-La. After spending 15-20 minutes, retrace the same route down to the lodge for a hot lunch. Afternoon is on your own either to relax or to explore.

- DAY 8 - Trek to Dobato (3860m) – 7 hours

After leaving the steep forest you enter the high alpine landscape with shrubs and pastures. Many walls with prayer stones and flags, as well as ice-cold, deep blue lakes make for a scenic setting in front of the gigantic mountain massive of Makalu. With traversing the double passes of Shipton La (4170 m) and Barun La (aka Tutu La 4080 m) for the first time we surpass 4000m of altitude. A long descent takes you down to the jungle clearings of Dobato (3860 m) or Mumbuk (3520 m) above the densely wooded valley floor of the Barun river valley.

- DAY 9 - Trek to Yangle Kharka (3690m) – 5 hours

A pleasant descent through the rhododendron and pine forest and thickets of shrubs down to the Barun River is followed by a long traverse alongside the stream, at last crossing over a wooden bridge to the high pastures of Yangle Kharka (3690 m) on the other side.

- DAY 10 - Trek to Langmale (4420m)

Behind a wild valley end, we leave the timberline behind us and camp on the high pasture of Langmale surrounded by numerous impressive six and seven thousand meter high peaks.

- DAY 11-12 - Trek to Hillary BC/Makalu Basecamp (4800m)

Today you will reach the historic Makalu Basecamp also known as Hillary Basecamp passing the uninhabited pasture of Sherson (4650 m) in a short Day. This will give you time for a short stroll through the vicinity with spectacular views on the West Ridge of Makalu in the afternoon. You will spend a couple of nights at the base camp.

- DAY 13 - Trek to Makalu Advance Base Camp (5300m)

An arduous ascent will take you up to the advanced basecamp (ABC). Following the side moraine of the glacier, you finally cross the stream of ice and scree to the other side. Steep slopes, covered with big blocks of rock, are obstructing the way up the side valley of the Chago Glacier. Beware of rockfall and to lose the at times hardly visible path amongst the scree! On a small hill right at the tongue of the Chago Glacier, you reach ABC at 5300 meters.

- DAY 14-41 - Climbing period

  • Rest day – Puja – climbing training
  • First Rotation
    • Climb to camp I (6100m)
    • Touch Camp II (6600m) and descend to Advance Base camp
  • Rest day at Base camp
  • Second Rotation
    • Climb to camp I (6100m)
    • Climb to Camp II (6600m)
    • Touch camp III (7400) and descent to Camp II (overnight)
    • Descend to Base camp
  • Rest and prepare for the summit push
  • Summit Push
    • Climb to camp I (6100m)
    • Climb to camp II (overnight) – start at 5 am
    • Climb to Camp III (overnight) – start at 9 am
    • Climb to Camp IV – start at 4 am – reach by 1 pm – rest for 6 hours – start for summit at 8 pm
    • Climb overnight at reach summit around 6-7 am and descend to Camp IV
    • Descend to Camp II
    • Descend to base camp
  • Packing and clearing the Base camp after summit

Note - Be advised that the mentioned activities during the climbing period are a tentative plan. The actual planning of the summit is made at the base camp by your climbing guide. The activities may change because of the unstable weather conditions in the Himalayas and also your level of fitness. We advise you to book a Flexi flight and allow extra days in case if you need for the summit push.

- DAY 42-47 - Retrace the trial to Num and drive to Khandbari or Chopper in Optional

After the expedition is over, retrace the same route to Num passing Yangle Kharka, Dobato, Khongma, Tashigaon and Seduwa, and drive to Khandbari.

Note - In case of time shortage for the summit attempt, you can save 6 days by booking a chopper from the Makalu Base Camp to Lukla Airport or to Kathmandu. You can also save some money if you took a chopper to Lukal and take Lukla-Kathmandu flight.

- DAY 48 - Drive to Tumlingtar Airport and fly to Kathmandu

Early morning drive from Khandbari to Tumlingtar Airport. Fly back to the Kathmandu. After 35 minutes of flight, our representative will be waiting for you at the domestic airport to take you back to the hotel where you can enjoy your chilled beer and warm shower.

- DAY 49 - Free day in Kathmandu for official documentation and collect the certificate

Free day in Kathmandu for official documentation, closing briefing by the government and collecting certificate if successfully reached in the summit. Farewell dinner and celebration at Piano Piano restaurant at Nomad Hotel. 

- DAY 50 - Final Departure

Depending on your flight time you will be transferred to the airport. The airport check-in is 3 hours before the departure time and the hotel checkout time is noon. In case your flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT INFO

 

MOUNTAINEERING GEAR CHECKLIST (7000m to 8848m)

Bodywear

  1. Down Suit - Recommended Absolute Zero Over suit by Mountain Hardwear, or Ulvetanna Suit by Berghaus, or The Himalayan Suit by The North Face, or the Expedition Suit by Rab. 
  2. Down Jacket and a pair of Down Salopettes - Recommended Absolute Zero Parka and Absolute Zero Pants by Mountain Hardwear, or by Rab. - not very bulky
  3. Waterproof Jacket and Over trousers that goes over your alpine boot
  4. Balaclava - Recommended The North Face A3543 Unisex Wool Balaclava or similar covering nose and face
  5. Long sleeve Thermal shirt and Trousers - Recommended anti-sweat
  6. Fleece Jacket and Trousers - Recommended Patagonia, or The North Face, or Mountain Hardwear

Hand wear

  1. Liner gloves - thin and warm
  2. Down mitts - Recommended The North Face, or Marmot Expedition mitt, or Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Mittand.
  3. Mountain Gloves - Recommended water & windproof
  4. Gore-Tex Primaloft Glove - Recommended the North Face, or Mountain Hardwear.
  5. Smartwool Mountaineering Socks (2 pairs - new)
  6. Ultra-Soft Running / Hiking Socks (2 pairs - new)
  7. Mountaineering boot Recommended La Sportiva Olympus Mons Evo or Millet Everest GTX
  8. Alpine boot - Recommended La Sportiva Men's Nepal EVO GTX Boot or similar

Climbing equipment

  1. Climbing helmet - Recommended Black Diamond
  2. Ski Goggles with UV protection and anti-fog system
  3. Headlamp - Recommended Black Diamond & Petzl
  4. Spare batteries - Recommended Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries
  5. Harness Set
    1. Lightweight Harness - Recommended DMM Super Couloir, or Black Diamond Couloir Harness, or Mammut Ophira 3 Side climbing harness
    2. Ascender (Jummer) - Recommended Petzl or Black Diamond
    3. Abseiling device - Recommended Black Diamond ATC Guide Bley Device, or Petzl GRIGRI 2 Grey Belay, or Descent Device D14BG
    4. Screwgate Carabiners (2 X large, 2 X small sizes) - Recommended Petzl or Black Diamond
    5. Bent Gate Carabiners (2 medium sizes) - Recommended Petzl or Black Diamond
    6. 6 mm rope - Recommended 2 meters UIAA tested
    7. 6 mm rope - Recommended 5 meters UIAA tested
    8. 1 X tape sling - Recommended 120 cm UIAA tested
  6. Dynamic 8.9 mm rope (single rope) - Recommended 2 m UIAA tested
  7. Classical Alpine ice-axe - Recommended (70-90 cm) Petzl, or Grivel Air Tech, or Black Diamond
  8. Crampons that fits Mountaineering boots - Recommended Grivel G-12 New-Matic Crampons

Other equipment

  1. 55-65 Liter Rucksack - Recommended POD Black Ice, Crux AK47 (extendable) and Crux AK57
  2. Base Camp Duffel – XXL
  3. 2 X 5 season sleeping bag with compression bag - Recommended North Face and Mountain Hardwear
  4. 2 X 5 season foam sleeping mat - Recommended 72 x 20 inches (20 x 5 x 5.5 inches folded) and weigh around 14 ounces
  5. Swiss Army Knife with a multi-tools system or leathermen
  6. 1-litre stainless steel thermos - that works in extreme weather condition

TREKKING GEAR CHECKLIST(2000m to 5000m)

Headwear

  1. Sun Hat/Normal cap
  2. Fleece or woollen hat
  3. Earmuffs/Ear warmers (optional)
  4. Sunglasses with UV protection
  5. Buff Scarf / thin face mask

Handwear

  1. Fleece or woollen thin gloves
  2. Gore-Tex mitten gloves

Bodywear

  1. Gore-Tex Jacket
  2. Gore-Tex Pant
  3. Hiking pant
  4. Fleece trouser and jacket or warm jumper - Recommended not thick but warm enough that fits inside the Gore-Tex pant
  5. Anti-sweat T-shirt
  6. Thermal inner trouser
  7. Down jacket with hoodie

Footwear

  1. Trekking boots
  2. Hollow Out Outdoor Slipper
  3. Trekking socks (4-5 pair)
  4. Snow Gaiter

Other equipment

  1. Sleeping bag (comfort rated - 15 ºC)
  2. 30 Liter Rucksack with cover
  3. Large size Duffel Bag with padlock
  4. Headlamp with spare batteries
  5. Water bottles 1 Liter
  6. Thermos
  7. Basic First Aid Kit including antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea.

Washing Kit & Toiletries

  1. Waterproof washing kit bag
  2. Towel - medium size
  3. Washing soap, towel, tooth pest, toothbrush etc.
  4. Sun Lotion Enough +30SPF (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
  5. Handwash & sanitizer
  6. Toilet paper (you can buy this in the lodges)
  7. Wet tissues

Optional items

  1. Trekking poles
  2. Trainers or similar for use in the lodges
  3. Shorts
  4. Baselayer leggings
  5. Gaiters
  6. Sleeping bag liner
  7. Pillowcase
  8. Earplugs (particularly if you are not the one snoring)
  9. Camera
  10. Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
  11. Repair kit – (e.g. needle, thread, duct tape)
 

ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION INFO

Required Documents:
  1. Scanned copy of the main page of the passport
  2. Scanned passport size photograph
  3. Confirmed airline ticket
  4. Proof of COVID vaccination both dose 1 and dose 2
  5. A copy of medical insurance including COVID insurance of up to $5000 coverage
  6. Fit to join the expedition letter from personal Doctor
  7. Completed Bio-data form (the form will be emailed prior the expedition)
We recommend that you photocopy the main pages of your passport, your airline ticket, itinerary, insurance policy and credit cards. Keep one set of photocopies with you, separate from the originals. Leave one set of copies at home with family or friends. It is also worth taking some extra passport photos with you. Medical preparation/Travel Insurance and Safety Guidelines Every expedition members are required to have comprehensive travel insurance. This covers you for medical costs associated with hospitalization, emergency travel and repatriation back to your home country. Remember to bring a copy of your insurance policy with you or send us the scanned copy.
  • Apart from having travel insurance and being in generally good health, some pre-holiday health preparation is advised. We strongly recommend you visit your doctor to discuss health requirements for your trip. Some vaccines need to be administered a few weeks before departure so allow plenty of time. Obtain a certificate of vaccination and carry this with you on this trip. A dental checkup is also highly recommended before departure.
Emergency Contact
  • Dawa Sherpa (Expedition Manager): +977-9801333616
  • Anjan Rai (Expedition Manager): +077-9823338761 
  • Office Hours only: Thamserku Office: 00977-1-5909982
Responsible Travel We are a partner with Travelife – sustainability in Tourism. We believe strongly in low impact or rather positive impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimize the negative aspects of tourism on the local cultures and environments that we visit and highlight the positive aspects.

Reviews

No reviews yet
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Location
  • Amenities
  • Services
  • Price
  • Rooms

Try Our Other Extreme Mountain Adventure Expeditions

Speak to our experts directly on +977-1590-9980

Or WhatsApp & Email us by clicking below.

Follow us on social media

Thamserku is Nepal’s leading adventure-travel company with over 30 years of steadfast experience in operating high-altitude mountaineering and trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, Tibet and Pakistan.

customer support
Get in touch with us and book your Expedition.
Get Updates & More

Subscribe to our Thamserku newsletter and get up to date with new expeditions, survival products, world news and Yeti World Nepal news, trips, holidays and flights. Including discounts.

follow us
Copyright © 2021-2022 Thamserku Expeditions. All Rights Reserved.

Login

Need Help?

Language Selector

Thamserku is Nepal’s leading adventure-travel company with over 30 years of steadfast experience in operating high-altitude mountaineering and trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, Tibet and Pakistan. Get in contact for any help on your expedition choices.

Address

Thamserku Expedition
Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Phone

+977-1590-9980

Email