Makalu Expedition 8,485 m

We welcome you upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you directly to our hotel in Kathmandu. Take time to settle in and unpack your gear after your international flight.

Our team conducts a thorough equipment check and briefing at our Kathmandu headquarters. In the evening, we gather for a traditional welcome dinner to discuss logistics and meet your fellow expedition members.

We board an early morning domestic flight to Tumlingtar, taking in views of the eastern hills. From the airstrip, we board a vehicle for the drive over winding mountain roads to reach Num village for our overnight stop.

Our descent begins as we drop steeply through terraced fields and subtropical forests down to the Arun River suspension bridge. After crossing the river, we pull uphill on stone steps to reach the village of Seduwa.

The trail ascends gradually alongside cascading streams and traditional hillside settlements. We walk through patches of dense rhododendron forest before arriving at Tashi Gaon, the last permanent Sherpa village on our approach.

A sustained uphill climb takes us away from the valley floor and onto the forested ridge leading toward Kauma. We gain elevation steadily through mossy trees until we reach our camp on the high ridge.

We spend today resting and undertaking a short acclimatisation hike around the ridges above Kauma. This helps our bodies adjust to the rising altitude before we cross the high passes ahead.

Our path leads us across high ridgelines and over mountain passes including the Keke La and Shipton La. We traverse rocky terrain with panoramic vistas before descending to our camp at Khongma.

We navigate steep descents through gullies and forested slopes down toward the Barun River valley. The trail requires careful footing as we make our way toward the sheltered campsite at Mumbuk.

The route follows the wild Barun River upstream, passing through alpine meadows and rocky boulder fields. We maintain a steady pace as the valley walls rise sharply around us on the way to Neh Kharka.

We continue our march deeper into the Barun glacial basin, surrounded by towering granite walls and hanging ice fields. Our camp at Sherson sits beneath the massive lower flanks of the peak.

A short final push across glacial moraine brings us to Makalu Base Camp. We establish our camp on the rocky flats, ready to begin our high-altitude acclimatisation and climbing rotations.

Our team spends these weeks executing rotations between base camp and the upper camps on the mountain. We establish Camp 1, Camp 2, and Camp 3, fixing ropes and caching supplies.

We continue rotations up the mountain, sleeping at higher elevations to stimulate red blood cell production. Weather windows are monitored constantly from base camp by our lead guides.

Rest days at base camp allow us to recover strength and hydrate properly between heavy carrying shifts. Equipment checks and route reviews keep our team prepared for the summit push.

We move back up through the established camps as we await a stable weather forecast for the final ascent. Oxygen systems and technical gear are thoroughly tested at altitude.

Climbing rotation reaches the upper technical sections of the route, preparing our team for the physical demands of the summit pyramid.

We consolidate our position at high camps, ensuring ropes and anchors are secure along the exposed ridges.

Rest periods at base camp provide essential recovery time while meteorologists track wind speeds and pressure systems.

Additional acclimatisation and gear preparation as we standby for the primary summit weather window.

Our Sherpa team and guides coordinate logistics for the upcoming push to the higher camps.

We review safety protocols and emergency procedures with all climbers ahead of the summit attempt.

Final gear sorting and nutritional planning for the days ahead on the upper mountain.

Weather monitoring continues as we prepare to move upward from base camp when conditions align.

We ascend from base camp to Camp 1, carrying personal gear and establishing our rhythm on the route.

We climb from Camp 1 to Camp 2, navigating steep rock and mixed terrain under the guidance of our lead team.

We push onward from Camp 2 to Camp 3, settling into high camp in preparation for the final summit bid.

Summit push day: leaving high camp in the early hours, we navigate the technical rock and ice of the final pyramid to reach the summit at 8,485 m before descending safely.

Descent from the upper camps back down to base camp for rest and recovery after the summit effort.

Contingency day utilized for weather delays or additional rest following the summit climb.

Contingency day held in reserve for safety margins during the climbing phase.

Contingency day kept open for weather flexibility on the upper mountain.

Contingency day available for additional weather windows if required.

Contingency day maintained for operational safety margins.

Contingency day reserved for unexpected weather or recovery needs.

Contingency day kept available for summit attempts if earlier windows closed.

Contingency day held for secondary weather opportunities.

Contingency day reserved for high-altitude operational flexibility.

Contingency day maintained for safety management.

Contingency day kept open for team rotation adjustments.

Contingency day available for final mountain cleanup and packing.

Final day of the climbing period, completing equipment retrieval from upper camps.

We pack up base camp and begin our return trek down the Barun Valley, walking alongside the river toward Neh Kharka.

Our descent continues through alpine pastures and boulder fields, climbing up toward our overnight halt at Mumbuk.

We climb out of the valley floor through forested gullies and steep slopes, returning to the high ridge camp at Kauma.

The trail drops down across the high passes and ridgelines, bringing us back to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon.

We descend through stone-paved paths and terraced hillsides back down to Seduwa.

Our final morning of trekking takes us down to the Arun River and back up to Num, where our vehicle waits to drive us to Tumlingtar.

We take the morning flight from Tumlingtar back to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel for a comfortable night.

A free day in Kathmandu to rest, shop, or explore the city at your own pace after weeks on the mountain.

We provide transport to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight home.