Mt. Makalu (8,463m.) Expedition

Autumn – Spring
Tumlingtar & Hile, Exit: Tumlingtar
Fixed Departure: Sept. 01, 2008 – April 05, 2009

Mount Makalu is an impressive mass of red granite. The Great Black One, so called due to its dark brooding appearance is considered a massif with a "future". Makalu lies in the northeast region of Nepal and is a close neighbor to Mount Everest. Despite it being the fifth tallest among the eight thousands, the mountain is still virtually 'new'. A French Team led by Jean Franco in 1955 first climbed it. The French team were the first to reach the Makalu summit back in 1955, an year after the American team set off the first ever attempt on the mountain. A British Expedition took valuable sighting and photographs of Makalu during the reconnaissance of the eastern approaches to Mt. Everest in 1921. Now it becomes very popular for those people who have long dream to be summit of eight thousands meters mountain.

Makalu has fixed five routes by every expedition team and four variations along with other interesting opportunities like the West Face, the Northeast from Nepal and North Flanks from Tibet. Our trek follows one of the most remote and unfrequented areas of Nepal. Starting to fly to Biratnagar and drive to Hile where we start to walk towards Arun River, we walk through the snow, rain and cloud prone Kauma. Base Camp is just south of the snout of the Barun Glacier at an elevation of 4823m. Finally, after the climbing of Mt. Makalu expedition, our trip will finish at Tumlingtar plateau where we take plane to fly in to Kathmandu directly.

• Latitude: 27º 53’ 23”.
• Longitude: 87º 05’ 20”.
• First time scaled by: Mr. Jean Couzy and his team in May 15, 1955. France
• Normal Ascent Route: North West Ridge

Expedition Itinerary: A

Hotel/ Lodges/ Camping
48 Days Trek/Climbing
Grade: Mountaineering
Food: Included except main meals in Kathmandu
Accommodation: 5 Nights Kathmandu, 49 Nights Camping
Recommended Season: Spring & Autumn

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Preparation for Expedition.
Day 03: Official works for expedition and briefing by officer of Ministry of Tourism.
Day 04: Kathmandu – Tumlingtar 285m. by flight then overnight.
Day 05: Tumlingtar – Kuwapani 1430m.
Day 06: Kuwapani – Chichira 1980m.
Day 07: Chichila – Num 1891m.
Day 08: Num – Seduwa 1500m.
Day 09: Seduwa – Tashi Gaun 2100m.
Day 10: Tashi Gaun – Khongma La (Danda) 3760m.
Day 11: Khongmadanda – Mumphuk.
Day 12: Mumhuk –Yangle Kharak.
Day 13: Yangle Khark – Merak.
Day 14: Merak –Hillary Base Camp 4800m.
Day 15: Sersung – Makalu Base Camp 4870m.
Day 16-47: Climbing Period for Makalu 8463m.
Day 48: Makalu BC – Mumbuck.
Day 49: Mumbuck – Khongma La (Danda).
Day 50: Khongma La – Seduwa.
Day 51: Seduwa – Chichila.
Day 52: Chichila – Tumlingtar, overnight at tented Camp.
Day 53: Tumlingtar – Kathmandu by flight then transfer to Hotel.
Day 54: Free in Kathmandu.
Day 55: Last minute, transfer to airport for onward journey.

Expedition Itinerary: B

Hotel/ Lodges/ Camping
35 Days Trek/Climbing
Grade: Mountaineering
Food: Included except main meals in Kathmandu
Accommodation: 5 Nights Kathmandu, 34 Nights Camping
Recommended Season: Spring & Autumn

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, meet our staff then transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Preparation for Expedition.
Day 03: Official works for expedition and briefing by officer of Ministry of Tourism.
Day 04: Kathmandu – Biratnagar by flight then drive to Hile 1850m..
Day 05: Hile – Mangmaya.
Day 06: Mangmaya – Surtibari.
Day 07: Surtibari – Tumlingtar 3900m.
Day 08: Tumlingtar – Khandbari 1036m.
Day 09: Khandbari – Bhotebas.
Day 10: Bhotebas – Gogone 2185m.
Day 11: Gogone – Num.
Day 12: Num – Tashi Gaon.
Day 13: Tashigaon – Khongma – La.
Day 14: Khongma-La – Makalu Base Camp 5000m.
Day 15 – 32: Climbing period of Mt. Makalu 8,463 m. Tented Camp
Day 33: Makalu Base Camp – Numbuck.
Day 34: Numbuk – Khongma-La.
Day 35: Khongma-La – Seduwa.
Day 36: Seduwa – Chichira.
Day 37: Chichira – Tumlingtar and transfer to Tented Camp.
Day 38: Tumlingtar – Kathmandu by flight then transfer to Hotel.
Day 39: Free in Kathmandu.
Day 40: Last minute, transfer to airport for onward journey.

Expedition Cost in group joining basis;

US $ / Euro         Per Person
Climbing Sherpa: Per Sherpa US $ 1800 (if required by climber)

Service includes:

• All land transportation: Airport /Hotel/Airport, trekking, expedition pick up & drop.
• 5 Nights Accommodation in Kathmandu at a tourist class Hotel on bed & breakfast plan as per given itinerary.
• Transport as per itinerary for members, staff and Liaison Officer.
• Transportation of all food and climbing equipments to base camp and back.
• Peak permit fee.
• Full board basis during the trekking.
• All kitchen equipments; kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, shower tent, chairs and tables at the base camp.
• Cook and Kitchen boys at the base camp.
• Base camp tents for members and staff.
• Per Person 50 KG. Equipment’s luggage / barrels allowed till to Base Camp.
• Equipment allowance, wages and insurance for base camp staff and Liaison Officer.
• Airfare: KTM//Tumlingtar/KTM with airport tax & cargo fees. Itinerary A.
• Airfare: KTM/Biratnagar/Tumlingtar/KTM with airport tax & cargo fees. Itinerary B.
• Visa extension.
• National Park Conservation Fee.
• Satellite phone (Pay calls).
• Emergency Oxygen -Mask and regulator.
• Helicopter rescue insurance for Nepalese staff.
• Agency service charges.

Service does not include:

• Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu.
• Airfare from / to your country.
• Nepal entry visa fee. (Can be obtained at the airport upon arrival).
• Hotel after 5 nights stay in Kathmandu.
• Service above Base Camp.
• Drinks except tea and coffee.
• Personal climbing gear and equipment above base camp.
• Walki -Takie permit & Satellite phone permit.
• Oxygen & Mask -regulator for climbing.
• Climbing guide (Sherpa).
• Personal insurance such as travel, accident, medical and emergency evacuation.
• Nepal custom duty for import of expedition goods arriving to Nepal by air or road.
• Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, laundry, postage, telephone, etc.
• International airport departure tax & tourist tax.
• Tips and climbing bonus.
• Garbage deposit US $ 3000.00 for a team. After expedition deposit will be refundable.

We suggest our every climber to hire the Heli Copter Charter for transport the whole gears needed for expedition from Kathmandu/ Low Base Camp/ Kathmandu due to the caravan trail start from Tumlingtar or Hile.

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