Makalu & Everest Traverse via Sherpani Col 50th Anniversary Trek with Soren Kruse Ledet

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 4.30-5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket and a gear check will be carried out. This evening we will head out for dinner, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals:  Nil

Today you have a full day to explore Kathmandu’s bustling streets and significant landmarks. You may wish to start by exploring the city’s two most important World Heritage Listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Alternatively you could wander through the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct or explore some more of the city’s significant sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage Listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur or Durbar Square.

Meals:  B

An early start for breakfast before transferring to the airport for the short 35 minute flight to Tumlingtar. We fly above mountain ranges before reaching Tumlingtar which sits on a wide plateau in the Arun Valley. We meet our transportation and drive to Num where we will make our first overnight camp. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

The trail descends steeply from the western end of the Nun ridge through the cornfields of Lumbang. Below Lumbang the trail becomes very steep as it drops on slippery rocks through jungle to a suspension bridge over the Arun Kosi at 620m. From the bridge the trail climbs steeply to a primitive teashop at 820m, then through rice, corn and buckwheat fields. The landscape here is picturesque with tiny terraces planted with corn and barley. Finally we make a long climb to Seduwa. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Climbing along the ridge from Seduwa we pass the National Park Forest Nursery project and then climb gently northward through rice fields to Manigaon on the next ridge. There are several streams to cross that may or may not have bridges. From Manigaon the trail turns west and makes a gradual climb high above the Kasuwa Khola to a mani wall at 1890m. It’s an easy walk through terraced fields and forested areas to Hindrungma village and on to Ropesa, where we may find monks sitting beside the trail collecting donations for the small gompa nearby. Our route crosses meadows and several streams before reaching the Tashigaon school and eventually the village proper. This is the last permanent settlement in the valley. We make the long climb on a stone staircase to thee corn fields at the top of town at 2100 metres where we make camp for the night. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

This is a tough day, with an elevation gain of 1400m on a steep trail. Initially climbing over a ridge we pass by a herders’ hut and then the trail levels out and climbs to a shepherds’ hut called Chipla atop another ridge at 2520m. The route now becomes steeper with switchbacks through forest to Unshisha, a tiny meadow at 3180m. Once we gain the ridge we will continue a short distance through sparse forests before making a final descent to Kongma (3560m). There are no buildings and many of the tent sites are on the sloping hillside in this often muddy camp site. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Steep switchbacks take us to the top of the ridge at 3840m where there is a stone chorten adorned with prayer flags. This is a superb viewpoint with Makalu in the distance. Following along the ridge line through rhododendrons we ascend a stone staircase, and few false summits along the trail, before gaining a side ridge. This is Ghungru La (also known as Tutu La; 4050m). Descending to a lake we then climb steeply up a shallow gully to our major pass crossing - Shipton La. The pass was named when Eric Shipton and Sir Edmund Hillary used this route enroute to Dharan after their 1952 Everest reconnaissance. Descending from the La we pass two lakes at 4020m, and climb through large boulders to Keke La (4170m). On the other side of the pass the route enters a valley filled with rhododendron forests. In Spring the valley floor is a carpet of brilliant wild flowers. We camp tonight at Dobato. The following day sees us descend steeply to the valley floor where we cross the Barun river before starting our gradual ascent to Yangla Kharka (3557m). Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

It is a short trekking day to Langmale Kharka to aid acclimatisation,we take in the impressive mountain scenery found in this area.Great rock walls tower above as we make our way through the enormous U-shaped valley. Snowy peaks are the stunning backdrop to this valley often referred to as the Yosemite of the Himalaya, and it is a magnificent place to spend a well deserved rest day. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Makalu Base Camp affords stunning views of its south face, with the south buttress of Makalu offering views of Baruntse (7220m), Everest and Lhotse. The Hillary and French base camps are far up the glacier, past Barun Pokhari, and these are now the traditional base camps used by climbing parties to Makalu. An optional walk from BC is a spectacular climb up grassy slopes to the top of the ridge. At the 5250m mark there is an outstanding view of Everest, Lhotse and Lhotse Shar as well as both the south-east and north ridges of Everest, along with the Kangshung Face and the South Col. Makalu looms above the ridge to the north. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

The second half of trek to Swisse BC is tricky and involves boulder hopping as we follow the Barun Glacier directly beneath Makalu enormous west face. Swisse Base Camp is situated amongst the moraine in a sandy spot directly opposite the mighty West Pillar on Makalu. Very few campsites a this close to one of these 8000m giants. We have a full day set aside to rest and acclimatise and will aim to reach a vantage point above camp with a (weather permitting) great view of Everest and the fabled Kangshung Face. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

We have allowed 2 days to position ourselves for the crossing of the Sherpani & West Cols. Depending on our group movement and progress we may need to be flexible on our approach. As we near the Sherpani Col base camp the trail is much less defined and with more boulder hopping, and now that we are climbing high cloud may obscure the trail. We camp high at the snout of the glacier at 5688m with the Sherpani Col 3 hours above us. If conditions are favourable and the group are moving at a good pace we may attempt to make the crossing of both Cols in a day, but in all likelihood we’ll be camping at Baruntse C1 on the West Col @ 6100m on the first night and descending the Col to the Honku valley the next day. Although these are the most demanding days of our trek, we are deep in the Himalaya and the massive scale of the mountains around us are an awesome sight to behold. There will be sections of roped up travel and abseiling, and our Sherpa guides and mountaineering leader will manage the coming days as snow and weather conditions dictate. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

After our crossings are completed we descend into the Honku valley nearby five large glacial lakes which sprawl out before us. They are known as Panch Pokhari (five lakes). The Amphu Labsta pass is situated immediately at the head of the valley to our right and is basically the low point on the ridge between the Honku and the Imja valleys. For this day or so we are in the Honku. A new vista of peaks span out before us including Ama Dablam to the distant west, and many unnamed peaks. Amphu Labsta Base Camp is set close to the rocks that lead up to the pass. On these stages we ask that members be flexible and co-operative. Camps will be set where conditions allow, and your leader will keep you advised as to each days plan. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

An alpine start for our pass crossing. Ferrying across all our loads together with all party members, crew, porters and members takes time. The approach to the pass from the Honku is deceptive. Facing east and southward there is much more sun and little snow, just a collection of rocks that gradually lead up to the gap we travel through. On the north facing side we find steep slopes of snow that we must take care to descend by fixed ropes to the snow basins below and subsequent moraine and alpine valley beyond. The views from this 5845m pass crossing to the peaks of Khumbu are unmatched. Any spare moment whilst we are climbing and descending will allow us to appreciate the spectacle of the peaks of the region. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Day 23 brings us to Dingboche and our comfortable private permanent campsite. Over the past week we have made crossings of some of the most challenging terrain found in the Himalaya. From our camp we have excellent views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Chukung Peak and Imja Tse (6189m) are had from both in the valley or from the ridge above the camp. Massive glaciers drape beneath cliffs that soar up to 3,500 metres in this dramatic valley. The following day is a contingency day which could be used anytime throughout the trip for inclement weather or rest as required. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we start our descent from the mountains and make our way to Thyangboche monastery and our camp for the next two nights. Here we will join the other trekking groups converging for the celebrations. You will have a full day to explore the village or kick your feet up and take a well earned break with one of the best views in the region. We will have a tour of the famous Monastery and learn of its significance for the surrounding villagers. We will celebrate World Expeditions' 50th Anniversary with a black tie banquet dinner hosted by some of the people who helped shape World Expeditions into the pioneering adventure travel company it has become today, including Tim Macartney-Snape and Garry Weare. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

If the weather is clear, the mountain views from Thyangboche monastery as we pass through are outstanding - Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse are at the head of the valley, their line of sight flanked by Taweche on one side and Ama Dablam on the other. Almost directly above us are Kantega and Thamserku. Completing a 360 degree panorama of mountains are Khumblia and Kongde Ri which encircle us from across the valley. It's a pleasant walk down to Monjo, and as we near the village we pass through terraced fields that are home to a brightly colored pheasant, the Danphe Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. Overnight: Wilderness Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Leaving Monjo we descend through the forest towards the Dudh Kosi, and continue our return journey crossing and re-crossing the river. It will seem like a long time since we passed through the villages on our first days of the trek. Retracing our steps along the valley, we pass through a variety of settlements and forests before a gentle climb to Lukla. We savour our final mountain sunsets of the trek as we complete this exhilarating journey. Our last evening of the trek is a good time to celebrate a successful journy and have a small party for all the team, especially the porters who will return to their villages from here. There is usually lots of music, dancing and singing and if we are lucky, one of the superb cakes that our Nepali chefs are renowned for. Overnight: Eco-lodge.

Meals:  B,L,D

We start the day with a stunning morning flight over forests and villages to Kathmandu directly or to return via Ramechap. Upon arrival, you be will be transferred back to the Radisson Hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon free. There will be plenty of time to relax or do some last minute shopping/sightseeing. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  B

After breakfast arrangements cease unless further ones have been made. Those people departing by aircraft will be transferred to the airport and assisted with check-in procedures.

Meals:  B