Makalu 3 Cols Trek

Overview
Detailed Itinerary
Cost Info
Trip Facts
Gallery

Makalu 3 Cols Trek in Nepal is one of the challenging treks in Himalaya that is not only stunningly beautiful but also tough and ultimately rewarding. The trip winds through high mountain trail across Barun Glacier from Makalu Base Camp emerging into Hongu valley and finally to alpine valley of Khumbu across the most treacherous East Col (6,100m), West Col (6,135m) and Ampu labtsa (5,850m). The giant mountains, the craggy peaks, the windy high altitude Passes and the steep rock faces provide an ultimate adventure and challenge: only few hardcore trekkers dare to undertake the challenge.

Makalu Three Cols Trek is undoubtedly the most challenging treks which demands high physical fitness, extensive preparation, high altitude experience and intense determination to complete the trip. Don’t dare to trek 3 Cols independently even if you are seasoned trekker. The series of challenges and obstacles that mountain throws can only be handled; with the guidance of experienced guide who knows the route well.

While it involves: Rock Climbing, Glacier walking and use of mountain gear – crampons, ice axe, ropes, you don’t need to have any technical mountaineering skills to get to the altitude and cross the Cols. But it do includes a sustained period at high altitude with some steep slopes (use of rope is required) which is only suitable for highly experienced and physically fit trekkers. The temperature might drop to -5 to – 10 degree Celsius so participants must be well-equipped and accompany a professional team.

It is an extremely high and challenging yet truly rewarding route where you get the feast of Himalayan panoramas including five of six high highest peaks in the world – Cho Oyu (8,153m), Lhotse (8,501m), Everest (8,848m) and Kanchenjunga (5,586m).

Physical Fitness and Experience Required

Makalu 3 Cols Trek usually requires 6 – 7 hours trek on rugged and remote mountain trail. Sometimes you may even have walk for 10 – 12 hours. Therefore, we suggest you to prepare yourself jogging or walking 12 km every day for around 3 months before the trip. Remember – taking on 3 Cols Trek means, you are considering walking in high altitude and remote area for many days. Apart from excellent fitness, you must have intense passion and ability to tolerate harsh weather. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions like heart, lung and blood diseases must consult doctor before the trip.

No technical mountaineering skills are required but having some knowledge on using climbing gears would be an asset. Previous high altitude experience is also required.

Accommodation

We offer the best to our clients. A top-notch tent with good mattress and sleeping bag is provided to ensure a good sleep amidst of mountains. At Kathmandu, we accommodate our client at star hotel or even at boutique or resort type hotel according to guest’s demand and preference. We also offer high quality accommodation; wherever the lodging options are available during the trek.

Meals

We provide you an expert cook with helper to serve you the hygienic and delicious food every day during the camping trek. If you want any special food, we suggest you to notify us earlier as it has to be bought from Kathmandu and carried all the way through mountains to the camp sites. At Kathmandu and Namche, you will find many restaurants that well-satisfies your needs. While at teahouses or lodges along the trekking route, the most common food; they serve is DaalBhaatTarkari along with some international cuisine like Pizza, Pasta, Mo. Mo. And soup items.

Makalu Three Cols Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport (1,300m)

Day 02: Flight: Kathmandu – Tumlingtar (400m) – 40 minutes , Drive to Num

Day 03: Treks starts: Num – Seduwa (1,493/5 – 6 hours)

Day 04: Seduwa – Tashi Gaun (2,050m/3 – 4 hours)

Day 05:Tashi Gaun – Kahuma Danda (3,050m/ 5 – 6 hours)

Day 06: Kahuma Danda – Mumbuk (3,500m/ 5 – 6 hours)

Day 07: Mumbuk – Nehe Kharka (3,750m/ 6 – 7 hours)

Day 08: Nehe Kharka: Rest and acclimatization day

Day 09: Nehe Kharka – Sherson (4,600m/ 6 – 7 hours)

Day 10: Sherson – Makalu Base Camp (4,800m)

Day 11: Explore Makalu Base Camp and Barun Glacier (5,200m)

Day 12: Camp at Barun Glacier

Day 13: Barun Glacier – Sherpani East Col BC (Below East Col) (5,500m/ 7 – 8 hours)

Day 14: A Contingency Day

Day 15: Traverse East Col (6,100m) and Camp at moraine (5,640m/ 7 – 8 hours)

Day 16: Spare day weather & preparation

Day 17: Camp site – Panch Pokhari (5,445m) via West Col (6,135m/ 8 hours)

Day 18: Contingency day for weather

Day 19: Cross AmphuLabtsa Pass (5,700m) and trek to Chukung (4,730m/ 8 hours)

Day 20: Chukung – Pangboche (3,950m/ 6 – 7 hours)

Day 21: Pangboche – Namche (3,440m/ 6 – 7 hours)

Day 22: Trek Ends: Namche – Lukla (2,840m/ 6 – 7 hours)

Day 23: Flight: Lukla – Kathmandu

Day 24: Enjoy free day in Kathmandu: Attend farewell dinner

Day 25: Final Departure

Makalu 3 Cols Alternative Itinerary

Day01: Kathmandu – Tumlingtar (410m): by air/ to Num (1,560m): by Jeep

Day02: Num (1,560m) – Hedangna Gadi

Day03: Hedangna Gadi – Pathibhara

Day04: Pathibhara – Gola (1,100m)

Day05: Gola – Hatiya (1,560m)

Day06: Hatiya – Hongon (2,323m)

Day07: Rest day at Hongon

Day08: Hongon – Molum Pokhari (3,954m) – 7 hours

Day09: Molum Pokhari – Dhungge Kharka (3,590m) – 5 hours

Day10: Dhungge Kharka – Cave Camp (3,115m) – 3.5 hours

Day11: Cave Camp – Kalo Pokhari (4,192m) – 5 hours

Day12: Kalo Pokhari – Yangla Kharka – 9 hours

Day13: Yangla Kharka – Makalu Base Camp (4,870m) – 8 hours

Day14: Rest day at Makalu Base Camp

Day15: Makalu Base Camp – Sherpani Col Base Camp (5,688m) – 5 hours

Day16: Sherpani Col Base Camp – Sherpani Col (6,146m) – Baruntse Camp (6,070m) - 7 hours

Day17: Baruntse Camp – West Col (6,143m) – Honku Basin (5,500m)

Day18: Honku Basin – Amphu Labtse Base Camp (5,527m) – 5 hours

Day19: Amphu Labtse Base Camp (5,527m) – Amphu Labtse La (5,848m) – Chhukung (4,730m)

Day20: Chhukung – Pangboche (3,930m)

Day21: Pangboche – Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

Day22: Namche Bazaar – Lukla (2,840m)

Day21: Lukla – Kathmandu

OR

From Chhukung: Trek to the heart of Everest

Day21: Rest day at Chhukung

Day22: Chhukung – Chhukung Ri (5,550m) – Chhukung

Day23: Chhukung – Lhotse South B.S. (5,150m) – Chhukung

Day24: Chhukung – Kongma La (5,540) – Lobuche (4,910m)

Day25: Lobuche – Dzongla (4,830m)

Day26: Dzongla – Cho La (5,420m) – Gokyo (4,970m)

Day27: Rest day at Gokyo (4,970m)

Day28: Gokyo – Gyzumba Tsho – Cho Oyu B.C.

Day29: Cho Oyu B.C. – Sumna Pass (5,510m) – Sumnag Phug

Day30: Sumnag Phug – Kanchung (5,100m)

Day31: Kanchung – Jasemba Kharka – Nagpa La (5,716m) – Kanchung (5,100m)

Day32: Kanchung – Sumnag Phug

Day33: Sumnag Phug – Thame (3,820m)

Day34: Thame – Kongde (4,250m)

Day35: Kongde – Phakding – Lukla (2,750m)

Day36: Lukla – Kathmandu

The alternative Makalu Three Cols trek is relatively easy but only during first days of the trek. Later the trail connects with Classic Makalu Base Camp Route at some point of the trek. Also Remember you will have more camping days in alternative route.

Makalu 3 Cols Trek with a high pass trip in Everest allows deeper insight of Nepalese Himalayan and culture than normal 3cols itinerary. Be noted that adding Makalu Three Cols with a Everest high altitude trek demands an excellent fitness similar to Great Himalayan Trail (GHT). Also remember that 3 cols trek is the most challenging part of GHT in Nepal.

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport (1,300m)

Welcome to the land of Himalayas. After the completion of airport formalities, you will meet the representative from Four Season Mountain Trek outside the Arrivals Terminal. You will receive you and transfer you to the hotel in Thamel in Private vehicle. Take your time to refresh and settle from the fight exhaustion in the cozy hotel room. In the evening, attend a farewell dinner hosted by Four Season Mountain Trek in finest cultural restaurants.

Overnight at Kathmandu

Included Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Flight: Kathmandu – Tumlingtar (400m) – 40 minutes , Drive to Num

After breakfast, you will be transferred to domestic airport to fly to Tumlingtar. The flight offers majestic aerial view of snowy peaks – Ganesh Himal, Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Kanchenjunga. 40 minutes of exiting flight will land you to Tumlingtar. Drive to Num.

Accommodation: Hotel