Makalu is the fifth-highest Mountain in the world at an altitude of 8463m (27838ft). It is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas 19 km (12 mil) southeast of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Makalu was first summited on May 15, 1955, by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition led by Jean Franco.
Traditionally there are 3 camps, C1 (6,500m), C2 (7,300m) at the bottom of the Southeast Peak ridge and C3 (7,900 m) at the beginning of the SE ridge. With very low Base Camp, the Advance Base Camp is set up at 5500m. The terrain encountered on the ascents varies from glacier crossings to steep snow fields and requires a good understanding of basic alpine climbing techniques. Makalu has climbed Alpine style, but traditionally all commercial operators practice expedition style to improve the chances of summit success for the clients.
The bottom part starts from the base of the West Face at 5,800 meters and climbs to the hanging ice-fall at 6,100 meters to the right part of the ice-fall. The second part extends from the plateau above the ice-fall along 35 to 45 degree elevation's rock up to the 6,500 meters high. The next section is an ice-rock wall, 50 to 55 degrees steep & that extends to 7,400 meters height. The last final section begins 70 to 75 degree elevation's rock pillar, which leads to the west ridge at 8,000 meters height till to the top of the summit. Ropes are typically fixed from 5800m to 6100m and from 6500 m to 7500m.
Recommend Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu 1340m
Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel, overnight hotel (B).
Day 2: Kathmandu official briefing and final preparation:
On this day you will be briefed by our guide about expeditions in the Tourism ministry (BB).
Day 3: Tumlingtar 510m and drive to Num 1500m.
Kathmandu to Tumlingtar 510m, 40 minutes by flight and drive to Num 5 hours, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
Day 4: Seeduwa (1540m):
Num to Seeduwa (1540m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 5: Tashigaon (2070m):
Seduwa to Tashigaon (2070m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 5: Khongma (3560m):
Tashigaon to Khongma (3560m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 6: Mumbuk (3550m):
Khongma to Mumbuk (3550m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 7: Nghe Kharka (3750m):
Mumbuk to Nghe Kharka (3750m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 08: Shersong (4610m):
Nghe Kharka to Shersong (4610m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 09: Shersong rest day:
Rest day for acclimatization, (B/L/D).
Day 10: Makalu Base Camp (5050m):
Shersong to Makalu Base Camp (5050m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 11 to 30: Makalu Climbing days:
Makalu Climbing days: Climbing Period for Makalu (8463m), returning to base camp, Overnight in Tented Camp, (B/L/D).
Day 31: Yangle Kharka (3600m):
Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka (3600m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 32: Kongma la (3560m):
Yangle Kharka to Kongma la (3560m), overnight Lodge/Guest house, (B/L/D).
Day 33: Seduwa (1540m):
Kongma La to Seduwa (1540m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 34: Num (1500m):
Seduwa to Num (1500m), overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 35: Tumlingtar(1840)
Num to Tumlingtar(1840), By Jeep to Tumlingtar 5/ 6 hours drive, overnight in Lodge/Tea house, (B/L/D).
Day 36: Kathmandu:
Tumlingtar to Kathmandu, overnight in Lodge/Tea house (B/L/D).
Day 37: Kathmandu:
Leisure in Kathmandu, overnight in hotel (BB).
Day 38: Departure
Drop to airport for final Departure from Kathmandu (B).
Cost Includes
- All arrival and departure airport transfers with Asian Hiking Team Assistance.
- Hotel in Kathmandu as itinerary with breakfast (3/4 5 star hotel on request).
- Domestic air ticket/land transport to/from trek start/end point for members/ cargo fees as itinerary.
- Domestic air ticket/land transport to/from trek start/end point for Liaison Officer and our staffs as itinerary.
- Makalu Expedition royalty and climbing permit fees.
- Makali Barun National Park / permits.
- One high altitude Climbing Sherpa per climber to assist the member during climb and summit attempt.
- Government appointed Liaison Officer.
- Expedition/Mountaineering insurance for Liaison officer, our guide and staffs.
- Accommodation during the trekking as best available Guest house / Hotel as itinerary.
- Base Camp single tent with mattress and pillow for each member, climbing Sherpa, BC staff and Liaison Officer.
- High altitude tents for all members and climbing Sherpa’s.
- All camping equipment like camp furniture (table, chairs), kitchenware, kitchen, dining, guest, shower and toilet tents in Base camp.
- Major Meals during the trekking (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) by Guest house /Hotel menus and cooked 3 meals with tea or coffee by professional cook in Base Camp.
- All high food and fuel for Base Camp and higher camps during expedition.
- Baggage/ Equipment allowance for trekking up and down is maximum 30-40kg per person.
- Base Camp Manager, Base Camp cook, necessary staffs.
- Emergency Oxygen (4 bottles per member) with mask and regulator.
- Common climbing equipment (necessary rope, ice bars, ice screws, etc.).
- Wages, meals, accommodation, equipment, medical and accidental Insurances for Sherpa guide and other staffs.
- Solar panel/generator at Base Camp for light and charging small electronics (e.g. mobile phones, amateur digital cameras and handheld video cameras).
- Rope fixing fee.
- Satellite phone carrying by Guide for communication and available for members with nominal cost.
- First Aid medical kits.
- Our service charge and Government Taxes.
- Fare-well dinner.
Cost Excludes
- International airfare from / to your country.
- Nepal entry visa fee (can be obtained at the airport upon arrival).
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu as itinerary.
- Hotel accommodation beyond itinerary (as per itinerary) stay in Kathmandu.
- Personal trekking and climbing gears.
- Personal insurance such as travel, accident, medical, emergency evacuation, and lost luggage.
- Expenses of a personal nature such as hard and soft drinks, laundry, postage, telephone, email, internet etc.
- Applicable customs duty and import license fees for all personal expedition goods arriving in Nepal by air/road as cargo.
- Personal solar pack (if any) for charging heavy electronics (laptops, professional camera, batteries, etc.).
- Summit bonus (For Everest $1800) / staffs Tips/ Donation.
- Gifts, souvenirs.
- Any other item not mentioned in “THE PACKAGE COST INCLUDES” section.