trek
Sherpini Col Trek Via Makalu Base Camp
Overview
Why you’ll love this trek
- Cross Sherpani Col (6,135m), one of Nepal's highest and most technical trekking passes a genuine mountaineering challenge rewarding you with views of Makalu, Everest, and Kanchenjunga together
- Reach remote Makalu Base Camp (5,000m) beneath the sheer face of Makalu (8,463m), the world's fifth-highest peak, with a fraction of the crowds found at Everest or Annapurna.
- Traverse three linked high passes Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Labtsha a rare, demanding sequence of glacier travel few trekkers anywhere attempt in one continuous trip.
- Walk through untouched Makalu-Barun National Park, one of Nepal's most biodiverse protected areas, with dense forest, glacial rivers, and real chances of spotting red panda or Himalayan tahr.
- Finish by descending into the classic Everest region — Chhukhung, Tengboche Monastery, and Namche Bazaar arriving via one of the wildest, least-trodden approaches in the Himalaya.
An extremely daring Sherpini Col Trek into a remote and wild territory of the Great Himalayas, with finish strategic help – this truly is an adventure that looks for another highway, another view, an obstruction.
Our way navigates a tremendous, once in a while visited zone of Nepal and crosses three High Mountain passes. Just on the specific last section does this match the most loved southern technique to Everest Base Camp in Chhukung. The rare points of view, a couple of which are our own alone, are somewhat the most amazing from the whole Himalayan range. Eminent vistas where can be the intensity of the majority of the planet’s five most astounding slopes: Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Everest.
Here is given the pride of engrossing at firsthand the way of life and legends of ocean and mountain people groups and in addition the fauna and vegetation of all far off Eastern Nepal alongside the dates picked should ensure probably the best climate and picturesque perspectives.
By Kathmandu, the illustrious spine of this Himalayan encompasses our wingtips as we go east for Tumlingtar. Past here are climbing course pursues an incredible being, ascending north on the edges of Num and clearing progressively westwards to the uninhabited heartland of the planet’s most stunning mountains and moves.
On the guide, it is conceivable to pursue our adventure since it develops out of quiet fields and climbs the covered Arun River valley. Climbing and plunging gradually, removing us from towns in 457m into the Khongma Pass at 3,090m, this course gives us the best conceivable kind of acclimatization. Past Num there aren’t any towns. The way to Sherpani Col (6,135m) involves a supported interim at a height with some precarious inclines, yet benefits with solid perspectives of Makalu (8,463m) into the north and the apropos called Island Peak (6,160m) into the west.
This is the kingdom of the ice sheets, encompassed with the significant presence of the planet’s mightiest mountains; and agonizing over the transcending main part of Everest itself. On a difficult day it climbs promptly into the Amphu Labtsha pass, differences to skirt underneath Amphu summit (5,335m) and, utilizing all the classy cones of Island Peak dead forward, serves to get the wide Imja ice sheet and loosen up on its westerly plummet into the town of Chhukhung.
This unique Sherpa residence, settled at 4,730m over the convergence of five noteworthy icy valleys, is a typical low-walled dim stone town, shaded with regular Sherpa grins.
Underneath, the Khumbu Icefall tumbles from the Western Cwm and, devouring the following four icy masses, progressively crushes its way toward the Ganges. Our way chooses its way through the moraine, to the specific last cabins of Lobuche and, together with our past measure of acclimatization ought to most likely spend the height in our pace.
The lead home is an extremely pleasurable reentry into the peaceful valleys and rhododendron woods. We phone at Thyangboche religious community and see Namche Bazar since we spill down the valley into our airship in Lukla. The flight home to Kathmandu outperforms out the airplane terminal. It resembles slopes walking westbound with us influxes of delicate terraced slopes increment up to guide us into the advanced world.
An extremely daring trek into a remote and wild territory of the Great Himalayas, with finished strategic help – this truly is an adventure that looks for another highway, another view, an obstruction.
Our way navigates a tremendous, once in a while visited zone of Nepal and crosses three High Mountain passes. Just on the specific last section does this match the most loved southern technique to Everest Base Camp in Chhukung.
The rare points of view, a couple of which are our own alone, are somewhat the most amazing from the whole Himalayan range: eminent vistas where can be the intensity of the majority of the planet’s five most astounding slopes: Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Everest.
Here is given the pride of engrossing at firsthand the way of life and legends of ocean and mountain people groups and in addition the fauna and vegetation of all far off Eastern Nepal alongside the dates picked should ensure probably the best climate and picturesque perspectives.
By Kathmandu, the illustrious spine of this Himalayan encompasses our wingtips as we go east for Tumlingtar. Past here are climbing course pursues an incredible being, ascending north on the edges of Num and clearing progressively westwards to the uninhabited heartland of the planet’s most stunning mountains and moves.
On the guide, it is conceivable to pursue our adventure since it develops out of quiet fields and climbs the covered Arun River valley. Climbing and plunging gradually, removing us from towns in 457m into the Khongma Pass at 3,090m, this course gives us the best conceivable kind of acclimatization. Past Num there aren’t any towns.
The way to Sherpani Col (6,135m) involves a supported interim at height with some precarious inclines, yet benefits with solid perspectives of Makalu (8,463m) into the north and the apropos called Island Peak (6,160m) into the west.
This is the kingdom of the ice sheets, encompassed with the significant presence of the planet’s mightiest mountains; and agonizing over the transcending main part of Everest itself. On a difficult day it climbs promptly into the Amphu Labtsha pass, differences to skirt underneath Amphu summit (5,335m) and, utilizing all the classy cones of Island Peak dead forward, serves to get the wide Imja ice sheet and loosen up on its westerly plummet into the town of Chhukhung.
This unique Sherpa residence, settled at 4,730m over the convergence of five noteworthy icy valleys, is a typical low-walled dim stone town, shaded with regular Sherpa grins.
Underneath, the Khumbu Icefall tumbles from the Western Cwm and, devouring the following four icy masses, progressively crushes its way toward the Ganges. Our way chooses its way through the moraine, to the specific last cabins of Lobuche and, together with our past measure of acclimatization ought to most likely spend the height in our pace.
The lead home is an extremely pleasurable reentry into the peaceful valleys and rhododendron woods. We phone at Thyangboche religious community and see Namche Bazar since we spill down the valley into our airship in Lukla. The flight home to Kathmandu outperforms out the airplane terminal. It resembles slopes walk westbound with us influxes of delicate terraced slopes increment up to guide us into the advanced world.
Itinerary Overview
Day 01 : KATHMANDU-TUMLINGTAR – KHADBARI – 1,040 m – 4-hrs walk.
Day 02 : KHADBARI – CHICHILA – 1,830 m – 5/6 hrs walk
Day 03: CHICHILA-NUM – 1,490 m – 5 hrs walk
Day 04 : NUM-SEDUA – 1,460 m – 5/6 hrs walk
Day 05: SEDUA-TASHI GAON – 2,070 M – 5 hrs walk
Day 06: TASHI GAON – KAUMA – 3,470 m – 6 hrs walk
Day 07: KAUMA Today is a rest day as well as an acclimatization day.
Day 08 : KAUMA – MUMBUK – 3,570 m – 5 hrs walk
Day 09 : MUMBUK-NHE KHARKA – 3,000 m – 6 hrs walk
Day 10 : NHE KHARKA – SHERSON – 4,615 m – 7 hrs walk
Day 11 : SHERSON – MAKALU BASE CAMP 5,000 m – 4/5 hrs walk
Day 12 : EXPLORE MAKALU BASE CAMP
Day 13 : TREK TO HIGH CAMP
Day 14 : REST/EXTRA DAY AT HIGH CAMP
Day 15 : TREK TO SHERPANI COL, BARUNTSE BASE CAMP
Day 16 : TREK TO WEST COL
Day 17 : TREK TO PANCHE POKHARI
Day 18 : TREK TO PANCHE POKHARI, AMPHU LAPCHA CROSS
Day 19 : TREK TO CHUKUNG – (4,730m) (6 hrs)
Day 20 : TREK TO DENGBOCHE – 4,380m (5 hrs)
Day 21 : TREK TO TENGBOCHE – (3,860m) (4 hrs).
Day 22 : TREK TO NAMCHE BAZAR (3,440m) (4 hrs).
Day 23 : LEISURE DAY
Day 24 : TREK TO LUKLA (2,840m)
Day 25 : FLY TO KATHMANDU.
Itinerary
1DayDay 01 : KATHMANDU-TUMLINGTAR – KHADBARI – 1,040 m – 4-hrs walk.Day 1 of 25
KATHMANDU-TUMLINGTAR – KHADBARI – 1,040 m – 4-hrs walk.
2DayDay 02 : KHADBARI – CHICHILA – 1,830 m – 5/6 hrs walkDay 2 of 25
KHADBARI – CHICHILA – 1,830 m – 5/6 hrs walk
3DayDay 03 : CHICHILA-NUM – 1,490 m – 5 hrs walkDay 3 of 25
CHICHILA-NUM – 1,490 m – 5 hrs walk
4DayDay 04 : NUM-SEDUA – 1,460 m – 5/6 hrs walkDay 4 of 25
NUM-SEDUA – 1,460 m – 5/6 hrs walk
5DayDay 05 : SEDUA-TASHI GAON – 2,070 M – 5 hrs walkDay 5 of 25
SEDUA-TASHI GAON – 2,070 M – 5 hrs walk
6DayDay 06 : TASHI GAON – KAUMA – 3,470 m – 6 hrs walkDay 6 of 25
TASHI GAON – KAUMA – 3,470 m – 6 hrs walk
7DayDay 07 : KAUMA Today is a rest day as well as acclimatization day.Day 7 of 25
KAUMA Today is a rest day as well as acclimatization day.
8DayDay 08 : KAUMA – MUMBUK – 3,570 m – 5 hrs walkDay 8 of 25
KAUMA – MUMBUK – 3,570 m – 5 hrs walk
9DayDay 09 : MUMBUK-NHE KHARKA – 3,000 m – 6 hrs walkDay 9 of 25
MUMBUK-NHE KHARKA – 3,000 m – 6 hrs walk
10DayDay 10 : NHE KHARKA – SHERSON – 4,615 m – 7 hrs walkDay 10 of 25
NHE KHARKA – SHERSON – 4,615 m – 7 hrs walk
11DayDay 11 : SHERSON – MAKALU BASE CAMP 5,000 m – 4/5 hrs walkDay 11 of 25
SHERSON – MAKALU BASE CAMP 5,000 m – 4/5 hrs walk
12DayDay 12 : EXPLORE MAKALU BASE CAMPDay 12 of 25
EXPLORE MAKALU BASE CAMP
13DayDay 13 : TREK TO HIGH CAMPDay 13 of 25
TREK TO HIGH CAMP
14DayDay 14 : REST/EXTRA DAY AT HIGH CAMPDay 14 of 25
REST/EXTRA DAY AT HIGH CAMP
15DayDay 15 : TREK TO SHERPANI COL, BARUNTSE BASE CAMPDay 15 of 25
TREK TO SHERPANI COL, BARUNTSE BASE CAMP
16DayDay 16 : TREK TO WEST COLDay 16 of 25
TREK TO WEST COL
17DayDay 17 : TREK TO PANCHE POKHARIDay 17 of 25
TREK TO PANCHE POKHARI
18DayDay 18 : TREK TO PANCHE POKHARI, AMPHU LAPCHA CROSSDay 18 of 25
TREK TO PANCHE POKHARI, AMPHU LAPCHA CROSS
19DayDay 19 : TREK TO CHUKUNG – (4,730m) (6 hrs)Day 19 of 25
TREK TO CHUKUNG – (4,730m) (6 hrs)
20DayDay 20 : TREK TO DENGBOCHE – 4,380m (5 hrs)Day 20 of 25
TREK TO DENGBOCHE – 4,380m (5 hrs)
21DayDay 21 : TREK TO TENGBOCHE – (3,860m) (4 hrs).Day 21 of 25
TREK TO TENGBOCHE – (3,860m) (4 hrs).
22DayDay 22 : TREK TO NAMCHE BAZAR (3,440m) (4 hrs).Day 22 of 25
TREK TO NAMCHE BAZAR (3,440m) (4 hrs).
23DayDay 23 : LEISURE DAYDay 23 of 25
LEISURE DAY
24DayDay 24 : TREK TO LUKLA (2,840m)Day 24 of 25
TREK TO LUKLA (2,840m)
25DayDay 25 : FLY TO KATHMANDU.Day 25 of 25
FLY TO KATHMANDU.
What's included
Included
- Airport picks up and drops off by the private vehicle.
- All government and local taxes
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits and TIMS.
- An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (10 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
- Flight Ticket From Kathmandu to Tumlingtar to KathmanduGuided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
- Three-time Meal During trekking(Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
- Trekking certificate after trek.
- Trekking map
Not included
- Nepalese visa fee
- Excess baggage charge(s)
- Private transportation except what is mentioned in the What Is Included section
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason like natural disaster and your own problems) than the scheduled itinerary Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary) International flights
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Trekking equipment
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.) Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
Before you book
The realities of this route, told straight, so nothing surprises you later.
This is not a standard trekking-fitness trip: technical mountaineering experience is genuinely required
Crossing Sherpani Col (6,135m), West Col, and the Amphu Labtsha pass involves glacier travel, exposed and icy terrain, and typically fixed ropes set up by accompanying climbing Sherpas. This route is suited to trekkers with prior high-altitude or basic mountaineering experience — crampons, an ice axe, and a climbing harness are standard gear here, not optional extras. If you haven’t done glacier travel before, talk to the operator honestly about what training or support is provided before booking.
A serious, sustained altitude profile not a single high point
You’ll spend consecutive nights above 4,500m for well over a week, culminating in the 6,135m Sherpani Col crossing. The itinerary builds in rest days at Kauma and High Camp, but the cumulative altitude exposure across this trip is far greater than almost any standard trek in Nepal. Any headache, nausea, or breathlessness needs to be reported immediately and taken seriously, given how remote this section of the route is from any form of rescue.
Camping, not teahouses, for the vast majority of the trip
Once you’re past Tashi Gaon, there’s no teahouse infrastructure at all this is a full expedition-style camping trek, with tents, a dedicated cook, and full logistical support carried in by porters and yaks. There’s no charging, no Wi-Fi, and no resupply once you’re deep in the Barun Valley and beyond this is a genuine wilderness expedition for the majority of its 25 days.
Rescue is genuinely harder to access here than on any standard trek
Given the remoteness of the Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Labtsha sections, helicopter rescue is far more limited and weather-dependent than on popular routes like Everest Base Camp. Insurance covering high-altitude mountaineering and helicopter evacuation above 6,000m is essential, not optional, and should be arranged with a policy that explicitly covers technical terrain, not just standard trekking.
Flights bookend the trip and carry real schedule risk
The trip starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and ends with one from Lukla back to Kathmandu both weather-dependent, similar to other remote-airstrip routes in Nepal. Given the length and technical nature of this itinerary, build in several buffer days around your international departure, not just one or two.
Useful Info
Permits required
A Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit and a restricted-area permit covering the eastern high-mountain section (Sherpani Col to Chhukhung) are both required, arranged for you and included in the trip cost. A Sagarmatha National Park entry permit is also required for the final descent through the Everest region.
Visa
Nepal tourist visas are available on arrival at Kathmandu airport for most nationalities, or in advance at a Nepali embassy. The visa fee itself is not included in the trip cost.
Recommended gear
Beyond standard trekking gear (sturdy boots, warm layered clothing, sun protection, headlamp, first-aid kit), this route requires technical mountaineering equipment: crampons, an ice axe, a climbing harness, and a helmet for the Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Labtsha sections. Confirm with the operator exactly what’s provided versus what you need to bring yourself.
Accommodation and meals
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at either end of the trip, with full camping support (tents, dedicated cook, all meals) throughout the trek itself, since teahouse infrastructure ends after Tashi Gaon.
Getting there
The trip includes a flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar at the start, and a flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu at the end — both weather-dependent mountain airstrip routes, so build in generous buffer days around international travel.
Guide and crew
Given the technical nature of the pass crossings, this trip requires experienced climbing Sherpas in addition to a standard trekking guide, along with a dedicated cook and porter or yak support for the fully-camping sections of the route. Confirm crew composition and guide-to-client ratio directly with the operator given the seriousness of this specific itinerary.
FAQ
How difficult is the Sherpini Col Trek via Makalu Base Camp?
This is one of the most difficult and technical treks offered in Nepal not a standard walking trek. Crossing Sherpani Col (6,135m), West Col, and the Amphu Labtsha pass involves glacier travel and typically fixed-rope sections, and requires prior high-altitude or mountaineering experience. It’s built for experienced trekkers and mountaineers, not beginners.
How long is this trek?
The standard itinerary runs 25 days, including a flight to Tumlingtar at the start, the trek through Makalu Base Camp and the three-pass traverse, and a flight out from Lukla at the end.
What's the highest point on this trek?
Sherpani Col, at 6,135m, is the highest point on the route one of the highest and most technical trekking passes anywhere in Nepal.
Do I need mountaineering experience for this trek?
Yes, genuinely. The Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Labtsha crossings involve glacier travel and typically require crampons, an ice axe, and a climbing harness, along with fixed ropes set up by climbing Sherpas. Prior high-altitude trekking or basic mountaineering experience is strongly recommended before booking.
Is this a teahouse trek or a camping trek?
It’s almost entirely a camping trek. Teahouses exist only in the lower villages before Tashi Gaon; from there through Makalu Base Camp and the pass traverse, the trip is fully supported by tents, a dedicated cook, and porter or yak-carried logistics.
Is altitude sickness a serious risk on this trek?
Yes, very much so. With sustained time above 4,500m and a technical crossing at 6,135m, this trip carries significantly more altitude risk than a standard trek. Built-in rest days at Kauma and High Camp help, but this route demands serious respect for acclimatization and honest self-assessment of symptoms.
Is travel insurance included in the price?
No, and given the technical, high-altitude nature of this route, insurance needs to explicitly cover mountaineering-grade terrain and helicopter evacuation above 6,000m, not just standard trekking cover. This should be arranged well in advance of the trip.
What permits do I need for this trek?
A Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit and a restricted-area permit for the eastern high-mountain section are both required, given the remoteness of the route near the Makalu and Everest region border. These are arranged for you and included in the trip cost.
- Duration25 days
- DifficultyModerate 4-6 hours/day walking
- Max altitude6,155 m
- Group size1-10



Book direct with the team in Kathmandu
- No middle-man markupYou book with the local operator who actually runs this trek, and save the agency cut.
- Licensed & bondedGovernment of Nepal registered operator (No. 198664/075/076); NTB, TAAN and NMA affiliated.
- Flexible & fairFree cancellation up to 30 days before departure. No booking fees. No payment is taken online.



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