Overview
The Makalu Sherpani Col Pass Trek is not your usual trekking experience—it feels more like stepping into a wild, untouched corner of the Himalayas where very few people go. This route connects the remote Makalu region with the Everest area by crossing high mountain passes, including the challenging Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Lapcha. It’s the kind of journey that demands respect, not just for the altitude but for the sheer remoteness of the landscape. Out here, the trails are quieter, rougher, and far more adventurous than the popular routes.
The trek begins in the Makalu region, gradually leading you through lush forests, deep valleys, and scattered villages before the scenery turns rugged and dramatic. As you move higher, the greenery fades into rocky terrain, glaciers, and towering peaks that seem almost within reach. Crossing the high passes is the heart of this trek—it’s tough, sometimes technical, and often requires ropes and guidance—but it’s also what makes the journey so unforgettable. Standing on those icy cols, surrounded by massive Himalayan giants, gives you a feeling that’s hard to put into words.
What makes this trek special isn’t just the landscapes but the sense of isolation and raw adventure. You won’t find crowded teahouses or busy trails here. Instead, much of the journey involves camping, carrying supplies, and relying on a well-prepared team. It’s a trek where you disconnect from comfort and reconnect with nature in its purest form. Every day feels earned, and every view feels like a reward for the effort you’ve put in.
By the time you descend toward the Everest region, there’s a quiet sense of achievement that stays with you. You’ve crossed high passes, walked through remote valleys, and experienced a side of the Himalayas that few get to see. The Makalu Sherpani Col Pass Trek isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about pushing your limits, embracing the unknown, and coming back with stories that feel a little bigger than words.
Highlights
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You can witness the stunning views of mountains like Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Chonku Peak, Cho Polu, and Island Peak.
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You get to cross three high-altitude passes that are Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Labtsa Pass.
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You get to trek through Makalu-Barun National Park, which is the home for many wildlife species.
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You can explore and experience the culture and traditions of Rai, Sherpa, and Tibetan-influenced Buddhist culture.
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You get to walk through remote glaciers and technical mountain passes.
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You’ll descend to the Everest region, passing through Namche Bazaar.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu
Description
You land in Kathmandu and the city greets you with its usual beautiful chaos. Your guide will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours. Take a slow walk around Thamel if you have the energy, pick up any last-minute trekking supplies, and get a feel for the city. In the evening, sit down with your guide for a proper briefing on what lies ahead. Sleep well because this is one of the last beds you will have for a while.
Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, Drive to Num
Description
The morning flight to Tumlingtar is a treat in itself. The Himalayan peaks slide past your window like something out of a painting. Once you touch down, a jeep picks you up for the road journey to Num. The road is rough in places but the scenery makes up for every bump. Num is a small, quiet settlement and a good spot to stretch your legs before the real walking begins tomorrow.
Trek from Num to Seduwa
Description
The trail drops steeply from Num down to the Arun River, crosses a suspension bridge, and then climbs right back up on the other side. This up-down pattern introduces you quickly to the eastern Nepal terrain, which does not believe in flat ground. You pass through terraced fields, dense forest patches, and small hamlets where children wave without any self-consciousness. Seduwa is a charming village with warm locals and your camp tonight sits right among their homes.
Trek from Seduwa to Tashi Gaon
Description
Today's walk takes you deeper into the Arun Valley. The trail climbs gradually through mixed forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron. You enter the boundary of Makalu Barun National Park somewhere along the way, and the shift in the environment is palpable. Tashi Gaon is the last proper village on this route, a lovely Sherpa and Rai settlement where traditional stone houses cluster together and prayer flags snap in the mountain breeze. Stock up on anything you might need because after this it is wilderness all the way.
Acclimatization Day at Tashi Gaon
Description
Do not skip this day. The altitude gains ahead are significant, and your body needs time to adjust now while it still can. Take a short walk up to around 2,500 m, breathe the air, look at the hills above you, and come back down to sleep low. Spend the afternoon chatting with locals, checking your gear, and eating well. There is a certain pleasure in a rest day this early in a trek. You feel strong, everything is still fresh, and the excitement of what is ahead has not yet turned to exhaustion.
Trek from Tashi Gaon to Khongma Danda
Description
This is a big day in terms of altitude gain. The trail leaves Tashi Gaon and climbs steeply through rhododendron and bamboo forest before opening up into alpine meadows. The views start becoming genuinely spectacular as you rise above the tree line. Khongma Danda is a high ridge camp with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. The temperature will drop noticeably tonight, so get your layers out before you need them.
Trek from Khongma Danda to Mumbuk
Description
You actually lose some altitude today as the trail descends into the Barun Valley, which can feel a little disheartening after yesterday's hard climb, but this is part of the rhythm of high-altitude trekking. The Barun Valley is extraordinary. The river rushes through a wide, glacially carved floor with towering walls on either side. Mumbuk is a kharka, a seasonal grazing camp, and your tents go up beside the river. Fall asleep to the sound of rushing water and the distant rumble of settling ice.
Trek from Mumbuk to Nehe Kharka
Description
The valley narrows as you push further upstream. Waterfalls drop from great heights on either side and the trail picks its way carefully over moraine and grassy benches. Nehe Kharka sits at the edge of the alpine zone, just where the grass gives way to rock and stone. On a clear evening, you catch your first real glimpse of Makalu's upper ridges, enormous and white and impossibly close-looking, even though there is still a long way to go.
Trek from Nehe Kharka to Makalu Base Camp
Description
This is one of those days that will stick with you. The trail follows the Barun Glacier moraine and the landscape turns completely raw and elemental. No trees, no grass, just rock and ice and sky. Makalu Base Camp sits on a wide, flat area beside the glacier and the view of Mt. Makalu (8,481 m) rising directly above you is genuinely awe-inspiring. The fifth-highest mountain in the world is not some distant silhouette here. It fills the entire sky above your camp. Have your camera ready the moment you arrive.
Acclimatization Day at Makalu Base Camp
Description
You need this day. Breathe slowly, drink plenty of water, and resist the temptation to do too much. A short hike up the moraine or to a nearby viewpoint is good for acclimatization and it gives you angles on Makalu that you cannot see from camp. This is also a preparation day in a practical sense. Your guide will brief you on the technical days ahead involving Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Labtsa. Check your crampons, your ice axe grip, and your harness. Tomorrow the real technical climbing begins.
Trek from Makalu Base Camp to Hillary Base Camp
Description
The trail moves onto the Upper Barun Glacier and travel becomes more demanding. You cross lateral moraines, navigate around crevasse zones, and the going is slow and careful. Hillary Base Camp, named after Sir Edmund Hillary who explored this glacier long before Everest, sits on a rocky shelf above the glacier. From here you can already see the steep slopes of Sherpani Col rising above you. It looks intimidating and honestly, it should. Sleep early tonight.
Trek from Hillary Base Camp to High Camp
Description
This is a short day by distance but demanding by effort. Every step at this altitude costs more than it should. The trail climbs directly up the glacier towards the base of Sherpani Col, fixing ropes on sections that require it. High Camp is a bare, exposed place where tents must be secured firmly against the wind. The views are extraordinary but the cold is intense. Eat well, drink plenty, and go to bed early. Tomorrow is the hardest day of the entire trek.
Trek via Sherpani Col and West Col to Baruntse Base Camp
Description
You will be up before dawn. The pre-dawn start is not optional here. You need to cross both Sherpani Col and West Col before the afternoon winds and sun start destabilizing the snow. The climb to Sherpani Col involves fixed ropes, crampons, and sustained steep ice. It is physically brutal and mentally demanding, but the moment you reach the top and look back at Makalu and forward at the Baruntse massif, you understand completely why people put themselves through this. West Col comes next and requires another technical descent and ascent. By the time you drop down to Baruntse Base Camp on the glacier, you will be exhausted in the deepest and most satisfying way possible. This is the highest point of the entire trek and one of the most memorable days you will ever spend in the mountains.
Acclimatization and Rest at Baruntse Base Camp
Description
Your body has just done something extraordinary, and it needs time to recover. Rest completely. Eat whatever your appetite allows, which may not be much at this altitude. The views of Baruntse (7,162 m) and the surrounding peaks from camp are phenomenal. Use this day to mentally prepare for Amphu Labtsa Pass, the third and final col of the trek, which still lies ahead.
Trek from Baruntse Base Camp to Amphu Labtsa Base Camp
Description
The descent from Baruntse Base Camp crosses glacial terrain and requires careful navigation. The landscape here is stark and beautiful in equal measure. Amphu Labtsa Base Camp sits in a rocky bowl at the foot of the final pass. From camp you can see the line of the pass above and the steep mixed rock and snow terrain you will climb tomorrow. It is a serious face and deserves your respect.
Cross Amphu Labtsa Pass to Chhukung
Description
Another predawn start and another day that demands everything you have. The climb to Amphu Labtsa Pass involves fixed ropes on steep rock slabs and ice, and the descent on the far side is equally technical, dropping sharply into the Imja Valley of the Everest region. When you finally reach Chhukung, a proper village with teahouses and lodges, the relief is enormous. You have crossed all three passes. The worst is behind you. Celebrate with hot food and a proper roof over your head for the first time in many days.
Trek from Chhukung to Dingboche
Description
A relatively gentle day after the hard technical days behind you. The trail follows the wide valley down through classic Khumbu scenery: stone walls, yak herds, fluttering prayer flags, and the great white peaks rising on every side. Dingboche is a busy teahouse village by the standards of this route and it feels genuinely luxurious after weeks of camping. Take a slow walk around the village in the afternoon. The views of Ama Dablam from here are among the finest anywhere in Nepal.
Trek from Dingboche to Namche Bazaar
Description
The trail drops steadily through Pangboche and Phortse, two of the oldest Sherpa villages in the Khumbu. The rhododendron forests reappear and the air grows noticeably richer with every hundred meters you descend. Namche Bazaar arrives like a small miracle after the severity of the high camps. It is a bustling, surprisingly well-stocked mountain town carved into a horseshoe-shaped hillside. Hot showers, bakeries, and Wi-Fi are all available. Treat yourself to whatever you have been craving most.
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,840 m)
Description
The final day of trekking follows the classic Everest trail down the Dudh Koshi valley through Phakding and Monjo. The trail is busy with trekkers coming up as you head down, and there is something strangely emotional about moving in the opposite direction. By the time you reach Lukla, you will have trekked through two of Nepal's greatest national parks, crossed three passes above 5,800 m, and walked a route that only a small handful of trekkers attempt each year. Celebrate that tonight in Lukla with your team. They deserve it as much as you do.
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Description
The flight from Lukla's famously short runway is its own adventure and a fitting end to a trek full of them. The mountains you have spent three weeks living among recede into the distance as you drop into the lowlands. Back in Kathmandu, a hot bath, a proper bed, and a city full of restaurants are waiting. Take the afternoon for yourself: walk through Thamel, visit a temple, buy gifts, or simply sit somewhere quiet and let the whole thing sink in.
Final Departure from Kathmandu
Description
This is your last morning in Nepal. Depending on your flight time, there may be a few hours for a final breakfast or a last wander through the city. Your guide will arrange your airport transfer and see you off properly. You leave carrying not just photographs and souvenirs but the particular kind of confidence that comes only from doing something genuinely difficult. The Makalu Sherpani Col Pass Trek is not for everyone, but for those who complete it, there is very little in the mountains left to fear.
Accommodations
On the Makalu Sherpani Col Pass Trek, accommodation is quite different from the typical teahouse trekking experience. For a large part of the journey—especially while crossing the high passes—you’ll be staying in tents. Your trekking team will set up camps in some truly remote and dramatic locations, often surrounded by glaciers or beneath towering peaks. It’s basic, of course, but there’s something incredibly special about falling asleep in a tent with nothing but mountains around you. Once you descend toward the Everest region, you’ll start to find teahouses again, and those simple lodges can feel like a real luxury after days of camping.
Food during this trek is more organized and expedition-style rather than ordering from a menu every day. While camping, a dedicated kitchen crew usually prepares meals for the group. You can expect simple but nourishing food—things like rice, lentils, vegetables, pasta, soups, and sometimes even pancakes or fried potatoes if conditions allow. It’s not fancy, but it’s warm, filling, and exactly what your body needs after long, demanding days on the trail. Hot drinks like tea, coffee, or soup become something you really look forward to, especially in the cold.
Once you reach areas with teahouses, the food options open up a bit more. You’ll find familiar trekking meals like dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, eggs, and basic bakery items. After days of eating camp food, even a simple plate of dal bhat or a cup of hot tea in a cozy dining room feels incredibly satisfying. It’s these small comforts that make the transition from remote camping to village life so memorable.
Overall, the experience is less about variety or comfort and more about the journey itself. Meals are shared, tents are set up together, and there’s a strong sense of teamwork throughout. It’s the kind of trek where food and shelter aren’t just services—they become part of the adventure, adding to the raw and authentic feel of being deep in the Himalayas.
Trip Information
Why Choose Nepal Outdoor Expeditions?
At Nepal Outdoor Expeditions, we believe trekking is more than just walking trails; it’s about experiencing the heart of the Himalayas with comfort, meaning, and a sense of adventure. From planning to execution, our dedicated team handles every detail, ensuring your journey is stress-free and deeply rewarding. Whether you’re exploring Nepal for the first time or returning for another adventure, we’re here to make your trek unforgettable from start to finish.
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Inclusions & Exclusions
✓ Included
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Cost of Domestic flights
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Cost of Makalu Barun National Park and TIMS permits
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Standard meals during the trek
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Accommodation in Teahouses.
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First aid and medical service
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Cost of guide or porters.
✗ Not Included
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International Airfare
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Nepal Visa Fees
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Cost of Travel Insurance
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Cost of personal expenses
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Extra accommodation in Kathmandu
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Tips for guide or porters
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FAQs
This trek is extremely difficult due to high altitude and long duration.
Yes, you need to have experience in order to go for this trek, as it is not recommended for beginners.
Yes, due to high altitude, there is a high risk of altitude sickness.
Yes, you need a Makalu Barun National Park permit and a TIMS permit.
There is availability of tea houses in lower altitudes and camping in higher altitudes.
Spring and autumn are the best times for this trek.
The temperature can drop below -20 Celsius at high passes during wintertime.
The trek typically takes 18-22 days.
