Sherpani Col Pass Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel, Welcome assistance by Himalayan Wander Walkers' representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to hotel, rest at the hotel, and briefing about the trip.

Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan.

Today after breakfast we will start the city tour to most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. These landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites; including the historic Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swyambhunath), and the world largest Buddhists stupa, Bouddhanath. Briefing regarding the trek with two-way question-answer with the trip leader (The Guide).

Overnight accommodation is in the same hotel as the BB Plan.

This is the first day of your journey. In the morning you'll be transferred to the domestic airport and fly to Tumlingtar, observing the ranges of snow-capped peaks from Ganesh Himal to Mt. Everest, Makalu & Mt. Kanchenjunga. We will arrive at Tumlingtar after 40 minutes. Then we drive to the Num by jeep 3 to 4  hours through the Kumal village to the Khadbari in the midst of the sub-tropical forest of Sal tree (Sorea-Robusta) and more farm fields along the way, as we come to a town of Khadbari a major town of the Makalu region and from Khadbari.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

At first, we head down an extremely steep and terraced slope towards the Arun River, nearly 800 meters below. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are densely forested and the paths are quite slippery, after reaching the bottom we cross the suspension bridge across the torrential Arun River. Then we climb back out of the rain forest, reaching our lunch place. Another steep climb takes us up to Seduwa a village with a small health post and a primary school. Our camp will be set up nearby.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

After breakfast, we have a pleasant and short walk taking us to countryside farm villages. Again it is a gradual trail and an uphill climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields. This takes us to Tashi Gaon. We'll stay overnight at camp and rest for a time, before walking around the village.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Today, we leave human settlements for our new destination. After Tashi Gaun we walk through the refreshing beautiful shade of the rhododendron and oak forests. Then leaving the dense forest before coming to summer pastures with traces of temporary made shepherd huts. From here onwards to Kahuma ridge is a strenuous uphill climb, where the treeline declines and the bushes of rhododendron and juniper rise up. We'll stay overnight at our tented camp with scenic mountain ranges visible in the moonlight.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

We have a superb view of snow-capped mountains and of the surrounding landscapes. Our trek follows a gradual trail with few ups and down pass through the Thulo Pokhari (big pond) and Sano Pokhari (small pond). In the heavy snowfall, the path from here can be quite misleading and it will be difficult to find the trail sometimes. We walk further to cross the Keke La pass (4230m) Tutu-la (4,200m) where there is a Chorten. Then we walk downhill back to vegetation, a small clearing place for camping in the middle of the woods of pines, hemlock, birch, and rhododendrons to reach Mumbuk.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

The day begins with a sharp descent down a wooden narrow valley and continues on to cross the Barun Khola just beyond Tamatan Kharka. It can also be slippery with occasional rockfalls so you will have to walk carefully. After this, you follow the Barn Khola along its northern bank. This trail goes through the seasonal settlement of Yangri Kharka.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Today, our trek begins crossing the wooden bridge on the Barun River and walk on boulders, where a large prayer wall is can be seen. After a 2-3 hour walk, the vegetation gets thin, although the rhododendron, barberries, cotoneaster, and juniper bushes keep on for some time. After a pleasant walk, we get nearer to Sherson, where we will have sight of the lower Barun glacier and the towering majestic Mt. Makalu. This is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu. There are a number of stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with an outstanding view of a host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu south face, and Mt. Baruntse (7,220m) and at Sherson we make camp for the night.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

This is a rest day for acclimating so you will have a full day’s rest at the camp or, if you wish, wander around or some take a small hike. The most scenic walk would be a hike on the right side of the camp for a closer view of Mt. Makalu, Barun Pokhari, and the view of the rare face of Everest, the Kanshung face with Lhotse. A one-hour steep climb brings you to the large meadow from where you can walk farther up to have a greater view of the mentioned peaks as well as other peaks. After exploring that area, stroll back to the camp.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

From here, we have a really adventurous journey awaiting us. We continue from Sherson to a more isolated area at the higher base camp. This base camp is less than a three-hour trek above Sherson nearby the nose of the Barun glacier with several glacial ponds. We will arrive at the camp in the afternoon. Then we can make a short hike above this camp climbing on the moraine ridge for even more spectacular views of Mt. Makalu as well as the usually hidden east sides of Lhotse and Everest looming above the Barun glacier to the northwest. The rest of the day we will spend leisurely and prepare for the next big adventure. Some of the porters will set off back with equipment that we do not need in order to make the load as light as possible to overcome the traverse over Sherpani Col and beyond.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

After a hot breakfast, our journey heads westwards to a camp just below the Makalu west pillar. Gaining altitude slowly, we take our time with enough breaks in this high terrain. Our walk follows a path that climbs an ablation valley on the west side of the Barun glacier. Following this valley onto the glacier we make our way over the boulder-strewn caves to a camp known as Puja Camp below the towering Mt. Makalu's West Pillar. Our strenuous trek on the glacier is rewarded with unique views of Lhotse and the rare Kangshung face of Everest. Stay overnight at a camp on the clearing of the moraine.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Having had breakfast, we leave the camp taking a path that climbs the rocky slopes of the Barun's west bank until a line of cairns leads us into the valley. Here two small glaciers are fed by the slopes of the Sherpani Col. We will set our camp beneath the ice cliffs at the terminus of these two glaciers after 4 to 5 hours of vigorous climbing.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

This is an important rest day for acclimatization before hard high climbs and steep descents. From this altitude, we have superb views of the giant West Face and West Pillar of Makalu. Our expert guides will check the route and make the pass accessible by fixing ropes en route pass.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

This is the big day! We will be leaving the camp before daybreak, climb on the icy snout of the Sherpani Glacier, three separate Col's give access to the cirque. We will choose the most appropriate of these routes, according to the prevailing weather conditions. Our climb follows these steep snow covered slopes with a back-up of fixed ropes which we had set up the previous day. From the Col we will rope ourselves up to cross the glacier to the rocky crest of the West Col. This striking cirque is framed by the sweep of Baruntse's icy ridges to the north, the vast cliffs of Makalu, the wall of Chamlang to the south and the shapely spire of Ama Dablam loom to the west. We will be having our packed lunch on the world's highest picnic spots! In the meantime our guides will scout the safe route down the West Col. After a break, the descent from the Col on fixed lines leads us to the Hongu Glacier, ending our long hard day with a gradual walk over snow slopes down to our camp on the moraine.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Today, our journey leads to our next adventure over the Amphu Labtsa before we head towards the main trail of Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and Tangboche. Our walk goes across the wide reaches of the upper Hongu Basin towards Kang Leyamura, a 6,430m peak to the west. Following the rocky glaciers in the beginning, then towards old and more recent moraine deposits, we reach the beautiful Panch Pokhari (meaning 'five ponds'). We make our camp near to the largest pond at the foot of our final pass, Amphu Labtsa at 5,780m.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

After breakfast, we start our trek to the Amphu Labtsa Base Camp. Here our guides will go up to the Amphu Labtsa to fix ropes on some difficult section for a safe descent towards Imjatse Valley. We stay overnight at Amphu Labtsa Base Camp.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

This is another big day! Early in the morning, we walk 2/3 hours from the camp, then treks lead us to the top of the pass, overlooking stunning views of the impressive south face of Lhotse and Lhotse Shar and the summit of Island Peak or Imajatse Peaks, which looks as if it could almost be even lower than our vantage point. We descend slowly and carefully with the help of ropes and ice axes if required, reaching the safe side from the pass by early afternoon everybody should be off the snow. Once in the safe ground away from the snow and ice area, an hour plus walk will take us to the ablation valley by the side of the Imja Glacier. Now being within the Imja-Tse valley walking will be more or less easier since most of the way to Chhukung, a temporary settlement with 5 to 6 teahouses and lodges, is not terribly difficult. Overnight at tented camp or lodge at Chhukung, after 8 to 9 hours of a hard adventurous trek.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Today you can feel easier heading downhill to a lower elevation. From Dingboche, the walk is pleasant all the way to Tangboche. You can see a very old Pangboche Sherpa village. Further down to Tangboche is one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas. The first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery or Gumba. After this, a large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the soaring majestic gorgeous peak like Ama Dablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Lhotse Shar towards north east comes into view.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

After breakfast the trail goes down through the forest with pine, juniper, rhododendron, and a few magnolias and birch trees, leaving us with a great memory after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. We trek onwards to the Sanasa and to Namche Bazaar to stay overnight.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

After a long walk, we'll have a long last trek back to Lukla today, we descend the long way before crossing the bridge and walking to Monju, and stop in Phakding for lunch. We will remind ourselves again to enjoy the lush green scenery around and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village until Lukla. You'll have time to wander around the areas and the guide will re-confirm your flight ticket and enjoy the last celebrate dinner with your crew and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight at tented camp.

Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Normally the flight for Kathmandu is in the morning due to wind in the afternoon. Sometimes the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reasons beyond our control. Anyway we will fly back to Kathmandu and your guide will transfer you to the hotel

Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan.

We are saying goodbye as your journey to Nepal comes to an end today. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Himalayan Wander walkers will take you to the airport for an outbound flight back to your home country. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Meal: (Breakfast)