Ice Col Trekking

(... Looking Behind Mount Everest... A Route Via Sherpani Col.)

breathtaking in the whole Himalayan range: sublime vistas in which are amplified the power of three of the world's five highest mountains: Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Everest.

Here too is offered the satisfaction of absorbing at first hand the culture and folklore of tribal hill and mountain peoples and the flora and fauna of remote Eastern Nepal and the dates selected should ensure some of the best weather and panoramic views.

From Kathmandu, the majestic backbone of the Himalayan glides our wingtips as we head east for Tumlingtar. Beyond here our trekking route follows a great are, rising north onto the ridges of Num and sweeping slowly westwards into the uninhabited heartland of the world's most spectacular mountains and passes.

On the map overleaf, you can follow our journey as it emerges out of tranquil pastures and ascends the hidden Arun River valley. Climbing and descending gradually, taking us from villages at 457m to the Khongma Pass at 3,090m, this trail gives us the best possible form of acclimatization. Beyond Num there are no villages. The track climbs all the way to Neghe Kharka, crossing the Barun Khola flowing from Makalu. The route to Sherpani Col (6,135m) involves a sustained period at altitude with some steep slopes, but rewards with powerful views of Makalu (8,463m) to the north and the aptly named Island Peak (6,160m) to the west. This is the realm of the glaciers, surrounded by the unforgettable presence of the world's mightiest mountains; and brooding above the towering bulk of Everest itself.

The trailheads towards the setting sun, mounting West Col and crossing the wide Hongu glacier. In a long day it climbs easily to the Amphu Labtsha pass, descends to skirt under Amphu peak (5,335m) and, with the elegant cones of Island Peak dead ahead, serves to gain the wide Imja glacier and relax on its westerly descent to the village of Chhukhung.

This first Sherpa habitation, nestled at 4,730m above the junction of five major glacial valleys, is a typical low walled grey stone village, colored with traditional Sherpa smiles. Tumbling into the Khumbu valley, heartland of the Sherpa people, and past the relative metropolis of Dingboche, we make for Pheriche (4,252m). The village is perched above the Dudh Kosi, or river of milk, which drains the western flanks of Mt. Everest, and is guarded by the dramatic twin shoulders of Ama Dablam (6,856m).

Below, the Khumbu Icefall trumbles out of the Western Cwm and, swallowing up another four glaciers, slowly grinds its way toward the Ganges. Our route picks its way through the moraine, to the last huts of Lobuche and, with our prior level of acclimatization, we should probably take the altitude in our stride.

The run home is a very pleasurable re-entry to the calm valleys and rhododendron forests. We call at Thyangboche monastery and visit Namche Bazar as we flow onward down the valley to our aircraft at Lukla. The flight home to Kathmandu surpasses the flight out. It is as if mountains march westward beside us until waves of gentle terraced hills raise up to guide us back into the modern world.

Itinerary In Detail

Days 1 Arrive Kathmandu & Transfer to Hotel. (See the Hotels we use).

Days 2 Full day guided sightseeing around of the Kathmandu valley.
Join us for the welcome dinner at evening. Hotel Overnight.

Days 3 Flight: Kathmandu - Tumlingtar.Trek to Khadbari (1,040m) (4 hrs). Camp

Days 4 Trek Khadbari to Chichila (1,830m) (5/6 hrs). Camp

Days 5 Trek Chichila to Num (1,490m) (5 hrs). Camp

Days 6 Trek Num to Sedua (1,460m) (5/6 hrs). Camp

Days 7 Trek Sedua to Tashi Gaon (2,070m) (5 hrs). Camp

Days 8 Trek Tashi Gaon to Kauma (3,470m). Camp

Days 9 Rest / Exploration day at Kauma. Camp.

Days 10 Trek Kauma to Mumbuk (3,570m) (5 hrs). Camp

Days 11 Trek Mumbuk to Nhe Kharka (3,000m) (6 hrs). Camp

Days 12 Trek Nhe Kharka to Sherson (4,615m) (7 hrs). Camp

Days 13 Trek Sherson to Makalu Base Camp (5,000m) (4/5 hrs). Camp

Days 14 Explore the Makalu Base Camp.

Days 15 Trek to Hillary Base Camp.

Days 16 Trek to High Camp.

Days 17 Exploration / Rest day.

Days 18 To Sherpani Col (20,127 ft / 6,135 m), and Baruntse Base Camp

Days 19 Trek to West Col (20,154 ft / 6,143 m), cross. Camp

Days 20  Trek to Panch Pokhari (). Camp

Days 21 To Amphu Lapcha (19,193 ft / 5,850m), cross. Camp

Days 22 Trek to Chukung (4,730m) (6 hrs). Camp

Days 23  Trek to Dengboche (4,380m) (5 hrs). Camp

Days 24  Trek to Tengboche to (3,860m) (4 hrs).Camp

Days 25 Trek to Namche Bazar (3,440m) (4 hrs). Camp

Days 26 Rest / Exploration day at Namche. Camp

Days 27 Trek to Phakding, continue to Lukla (2,840m) (6 hrs). Camp.

Days 28 Flight: Lukla - Kathmandu. Hotel Overnight.

Days 29 Free day to explore, and enjoy Kathmandu. Hotel Overnight.

Days 30 Final Departure

We can customize this trek according  to your travel needs.

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