Sherpani Col Trekking

On arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be met by a representative from Everest Expeditions Nepal who will take you to your 3-star hotels. You can rest at your hotel or stroll around Thamel and do some last-minute shopping and take in the sights.

Today we will make preparations ahead of our trek, which includes organizing the required permits, confirming your medical insurance.

Today we will fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar on a scenic flight that offers spectacular views of the snow-covered peaks of Ganesh Himal to Mt. Everest, Makalu & Mt.Kanchenjunga. The flight to Tumlingtar will take around 40 minutes and then the adventure begins as we head towards the Kumal (caste) village of Khadbari set amidst a sub-tropical forest and surrounded by terraced fields. We will stay here overnight.

This morning we head off on a five to six hour trek, first arriving at Bhotebas where we will stop for lunch. The trail passes through cultivated fields and forests until we reach the ridge where Chichila is located. Tonight we will stay at Chichila in a tent. From our campsite we have awesome views of Mt. Makalu and the Kumbakarna Himal.

Day 5 : Trek from Chichila to Num (1500m) Duration: 5-6 hours.

Today we begin our trek down a steep slope to the Arun River 800 metres down in the valley. As we get closer to the valley floor the path is often slippery and is densely forested. After reaching the valley we cross the suspension bridge across the raging Arun River before heading back up into the forest again where we stop for lunch. We then ascend up another steep hill to Seduwa where we set up camp.

Today the trail takes us through farming villages with terraced fields of rice and millet until we reach Tashi Gaon where we camp overnight. Because of the relatively short trek we will have time to explore and wander around the village.

Today we trek for between five and six hours and head off on a trail with very few villages along the way as we walk through oak and rhododendron forests. We then ascend to a higher altitude to where shepherds graze their animals. The climb from here becomes more physical as we head to Kahuma Ridge and pass through less dense vegetation with only rhododendron and junipers before reaching our campsite at Kahuma Danda. We are surrounded by various mountains.

On the trail today we pass Thulo Pokhari (big pond in Nepali) and Sano Pokhari (small pond) and continue and eventually come to Keke La Pass (4230m) and Tutu La Pass (4200m) where there is a chorten. We then descend to a clearing where we camp for the night surrounded by forests of pine, birch and rhododendron forest at Mumbuk.

The trail and trek today of about six to seven hours leads down a steep descent through a narrow valley and then crosses the Barun Khola (river) near Tamatan Kharka. We follow the river bank until we reach the summer settlement of Yangri Kharka.

Today the trail takes us across a wooden bridge over the Barun River and then trek across a rocky river bed and past a prayer wall until we arrive at Sherson where we can see the lower Barun glacier and the soaring splendid Mt. Makalu. This is the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu. There are some amazing views from here of Makalu’s south face and Mt. Baruntse (7220m). We will set up camp for the night at Sherson.

Today is a rest and acclimatization day. Medical professionals suggest that in order to better acclimatize before heading to higher altitudes that you should remain active. This is a good reason to wander around the village or take a short hike into the hills where you will be rewarded with some great views of Mt. Makalu, Barun Pokhari and Kangshung face of Everest and Lhotse. Tonight we will camp here again.

From Sherson we climb to the isolated higher base camp that should take us about two to three hours close to the lower end of the Barun Glacier and some small glacial lakes. After arriving at the camp in the afternoon we will have time to take a short trek to the moraine above the camp where we have even better views of Mt. Makalu and the east side’s of Mt. Lhotse and Mt.Everest. Tonight we will camp at Barun Che Base Camp.

An early start takes us on a trek of about five to six hours to just below Makalu west and along the way have several rest breaks as we gain altitude. We follow a valley on the west side of the Barun Glacier and across a rough rocky terrain to Puja Camp below Mt. Makalu’s West pillar. Our arduous trek over the glacier is rewarded with exceptional views of Lhotse and the Kangshung face of Mt. Everest. Tonight we set up camp on a clear space on the moraine.

We will trek for around four to five hours across the rugged slopes of Barun Valley’s west bank until we reach some cairns that are a sign to head down into the valley. There are two smaller glaciers that have their origin at Sherpani Col. We will camp the night just below the bottom of these glaciers.

Again we must take time out to acclimatize before heading to higher altitudes. From High Camp we again have some awesome views of the west face and west pillar of Mt. Makalu. We will camp here overnight.

This is the highlight of our trek and we have to leave very early in the morning. We have to trek along the base of the Sherpani Glacier and head up and across snow-covered slopes using fixed ropes if necessary. We then cross to the West Col using fixed ropes as we cross the glacier. We are surrounded by Baruntse’s icy ridges to the north, the huge cliffs of Makalu, the wall of Chamlang to the south, and the peak of Ama Dablam in the west. We will stop at the top of Sherpani Col for lunch. After our lunch break, we will descend using fixed ropes to the Hongu Glacier and back down to our previous night’s camp on the moraine.

Today we ascend to Amphu Laptsa and then follow the trail toward Hongu Basin and on to Mt. Kang Leyamura (6430m) in the west. We finally reach Panch Pokhari (meaning ‘five ponds’) where we make camp at the base of Amphu Labtsa at (5780m).

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.

We have a seven to eight-hour trek today, firstly heading to the pass from where we have some stunning views of the south face of Lhotse, Lhotse Shar and Island Peak (Imjatse). We carefully descend from the pass using ropes and an ice axe. Once through the pass and heading down the going gets easier as we leave the snow and ice behind us. We continue on down to the valley close to the Imja Glacier and then on to Chhukung where we will camp overnight.

Our trek of four to five hours today is mostly downhill and at a lower altitude as head to Dingboche and on toward Tengboche. The next leg of our trek takes us to the very old Pangboche Sherpa village. Tengboche is often spoken about and said to be one of the most quaint villages on this trek and in the Himalayas. The large Gompa there is worth a visit. Next we come to a camping area where we will camp overnight and have fantastic views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt.Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Mt.Lhotse.

Today we trek for four to five hours heading through rhododendron, pine and juniper forests and then cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. We continue on and follow the trail to Sanasa Village and then to Namche Bazaar where we will stay the night.

We will follow the trail today for six to seven hours to Monju Village and then to the Sherpa Village of Phakding where we will stop for lunch. On arriving at Lukla you will have time to browse the shops while you wait for your flight to Lukla. We will stay here overnight and celebrate this mammoth undertaking to some extreme high altitudes.

We board our flight to Kathmandu and once in the air can look back over the majestic peaks and mountain ranges in the distance. After arriving back at Kathmandu, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will take you to your hotel.

Your adventure comes to an end today – but your memories will last a lifetime! Our company representative will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you’ll have plenty of time to reminisce and plan your next adventure and opportunity to explore the most magnificent mountains of Nepal.