Overview
Peak 4 and in between the East and West Col. of Makalu. The traverse to Everest region via Sherpani Col and Amphu Laptsa is done through up the rocky slopes of the Barun's West Bank. After the great strenuous adventure climb, we retrace the journey back to Lukla trail and finally back for the spectacular flight to the bustling Kathmandu.
Baruntse peak at 27 52 19 Latitude & 86 58 55 Longitude. It is a one of the full scale Climbing Expedition Mountain taking minimum of 1 month for the trek and climb. Climbing can be done within a 10 days in good weather from the Base Camp.
Baruntse peak with ridges forms the icy wall between the Barun Valley, Hinko Valley and the Imjatse valley of the` Khumbu area. Most of the Ascent is done via Sherpani and West Col and it is technically tough in most places.
Our expedition starts from Lukla on the quiet trail crossing several high passes and through the unspoiled forest of Hinku Valley area. Adventure continues over the Mera-La to the upper Hinku basin in complete wilderness amidst the great snow peaks that surrounds our high camp near Hongu and Panch pokhari. The walk-in follows a picturesque and rarely trekked route, which passes through moraine and ice path.
The higher camp leads at the foot of the Barun Glacier, from where most of the climbing is done. Baruntse lies hidden behind the
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu. 1,300m and transfer to Hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and transfer you to the Hotel, where our guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking/Camping, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.
Day 2: A day in Kathmandu. 1/2 Day preparation for the Climbing
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest, next day preparation for the Expeditions.
Day 4: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. Approx: 45 minutes flight to Lukla 2,800m. and begin trek to Chutanga 3,430m 3-4 hrs walks.
Early morning transfer to domestic Airport after the necessary security formalities board in the smaller twin otter or similar plane for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla, on arrival you will be received by our trekking guides. In Lukla you will have time to wander around, while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the load baggage to prepare for this outstanding adventure. First day trek is an easy walk which leads eastwards, the path from here is less frequented than the other main trails from Lukla, walk follows through a number of hamlets and wood yards until we reach a thick forest of silver fir, birch, pines and rhododendron trees and bushes on the hill side below Nau Lekh also known as Kalo Himal Ridge, on this portion follow the Sherpa or the group as there are many path leading away from the main trail. There are many small streams with numerous places for camp, whole of this area referred to as Chutanga which is a summer pasture. Campsite in the wilderness is pitched on the meadows with time for a short walk around.
Day 5: Rest day at Chutanga.
Necessary rest day for acclimatisation before advancing to the higher region and crossing of Zatrwa-la at 4,600m. A short hike can be done to stretch your leg and muscle walking up to a small peak at around 4,000m below the Zatrwa Teng Pass, which offers excellent views over the valley of Dudh Koshi, and also views of our route towards the Zatrwa-la.
Day 6: Trek to Tuli Kharka 4,300m. 6-7 hrs.
After a good rest day at Chutanga, adventure continues with a steep climb to cross the Kalo Himal Ridge in the Nau Lekh range which separates the Khumbu from the Hinku Valley. A steep uphill climb from the camp brings to a cairned notch in the ridge with a collection of buddhist prayer flags at 4,450m. This small pass is called the Zatrwa Og, from here the path traverses across a boulder slope, round a corner and climbs once again to the Zatrwa-La at 4,600meteres. In bad weather to find the path of our route can be quite misleading care should be taken, in fine weather, the view across the Dudh Kosi towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal are very impressive, and the scenery across the rolling foothills of the Hinku Valley. From here less than hour descends will bring to a large boulder which will be the campsite for the overnight at Tuli Kharka.
Day 7: Trek to Mousum Kharka. 3,430m. 3-4 hrs.
After camp at Tuli Kharka, a short trek on the down hill slope, the path descends with superb scenery of Peak 43 and Kusum Kanguru and then coming to a fine vantage point of the Hinku Valley, with grand views of the South Face of Mera Peak entering the forest once again, the trail drops steeply into the Hinku Valley.
A pleasant walk leads through the forest full of tall Himalayan pine and rhododendron trees. Camp on the clearing known as Mosum Kharka by the Hinku Drangka River.
Day 8: Trek to Tagnag. 4,360m. approx. 5 hrs.
From Mousum Kharka, route follows the west bank of the Hinku Drangka northwards, eventually leaving the forest, the valley widens and opens, coming to a pasture and small kharkas (a shade of the Shepard’s) then the path leads to a small bridge to reach at Gondishung at 4,350m, a summer settlement of Tagnag with its huts and stone walled enclosures. Gondishung itself has a fascinating 200 year old gompa (monastery) beneath a great rock overhang. Trek continues for another hour passing beyond Lungsamba as the valley narrows between the flanks of Kusum Kangguru 6,369m to the west and the truncated far western peak of Mera 6,255m then finishing our today's walk here at Tagnag, a settlement made by the yak herders. Nowadays there are several tea houses here to cater the needs of the local staffs and porters who accompany Mera expeditions and beyond. Here we will have three nights camping on this beautiful surrounding
Day 9: Rest day for acclimatization.
A rest day for acclimatization and local hike in this wonderful setting, surrounded by stunning peaks, specially Peak 43 which rises to 6,769m altitude.
Just north from the camp there is a huge moraine behind which is dammed a beautiful glacial lake known as the Sabai Tsho, into which plummets the hanging Sabai Glacier well worth exploring with time spent will help you to acclimatize well.
Day 10: Trek to Khare. 5,000m. 4-5 hrs.
After a great time at Tagnag, todays destination is a short day walk of 3-4 hours but take it slowly acclimatizing and enjoying the surrounding scenery. Route follows a relatively good trail leading up across the moraine which dams the Charpatti Tal, and then reaching a high point lined with cairns overlooking the glacial lake after more than half hour climb. From here the path descends slightly before touring the ridge and crossing a sandy bowl to the steep stream that descends from Dig Kharka, proceed on the right bank until after 45 minutes then reach the large pasture of Dig Kharka, here cross the stream with the help of stepping stones towards the walls of an old shelter, after Dig Kharka, walk leads to a steep climb for few minutes, passing a large bivouac stone and then contouring around the hillside reaching the stream once again. Re-cross the stream at an obvious spots on large boulders. Following a trail for more than an hour across the boulder strewn hillside, reaching Khare for the overnight
Day 11: Trek to Upper Hongu Valley 5,000m.4-5 hrs.
After completing first part of the adventure, continue to traverse into the main section of the Hongu Valley, passing small col with superb views of Chamling, Makalu and Baruntse. From the last col descend for two hours to a nice spot for lunch beside the Hongu Drangka, under the west face of Chamlang. After a break here walking below Chamlang, and gradually climbing into the Upper Hongu Valley the walk from here is dominated by views of Lhotse and Everest, after two hours of good hard walk leads to a grassy flat slope campsite near some moraine hills.
Day 12: Trek to Hongu Pokhari. Approx. 5,000m. 4-5 hrs.
Trek at first follows a gradual climb, then more steeply on the moraine and rocky glacier, then leading towards old and more recent moraine deposits, we reach Hongu Pokhari and make our camp near to the pond.
Day 13: Rest day at Hongu Pokhari.
Another rest day which gives a break to pull back the strength back for the final assault to the last challenging climb to Baruntse, either relaxing or for the energetic people there is an opportunity to climb smaller hills behind the camp for the excellent views of the Hinku Glacier and the Mingbo-la.
Day 14: Trek to Baruntse Base Camp. Approx. 5,300m.
The trek follows towards east on the ill define path, past the Hongu glacier and moraine with amazing view of the surrounding peaks, including north eastern view of Ama Dablam, Hongu and Amphu peaks. Walk follows with a climb towards the Baruntse Base Camp taking about 4-5 hours of good walk with lunch break in between. The overnight camp is made near the Baruntse Glacier.
Day 15: Rest day for acclimatization
A free day for acclimatization an optional hike around the unexplored area of this region and preparation for the climb.
Day 16: 16-25: Climbing and preparation for the summit of Baruntse.
Reserved ten days for this adventurous climb to the summit of Baruntse,
number of days are required to establish required camps from the high camp to the 3rd camp and finally to the summit, Sherpa climbing guides and high altitude porters will ferry the necessary gear to the high camps and for the climb, and fix the ropes where necessary and make the best possible routes for this great ascent to the top of Baruntse.
Day 26: Back at Base Camp.
An extra day to re-organise the camping and climbing equipment and to clean up the rubbish, picking up everything that has been brought leaving nothing except your foot prints behind.
Day 27: Trek back to Hongu Pokhari.
The walk back will be more or less on the same path most of the way to Hongu Pokhari or beyond depending upon the time, availability of water and camping site.
Day 28: : Trek on route Khare. 6-7 hrs.
The route back involves a climb over the Mere-la and slowly descending towards to the overnight camp at Khare.
Day 29: Trek to Kothe. 6-7 hrs.
Journey follows the same way back to Kothe and beyond till Lukla.
Day 30: Trek to Tuli Kharka. 6-7 hrs.
Retrace the journey back to Tuli Kharka and good to be back to the tree lines and greenery.
Day 31: Trek to Lukla via Zatarwa-La.6-7 hrs.
The way back before Chutanga leads to a long climb over the Zatarwa-la and to a steep downhill towards the grassy meadow of Chutanga from here the walk is more or less gradual to Lukla.
Day 32: Fly to Kathmandu.
The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason, depending upon the flight time make way to the terminal for security check, this scenic flight from Lukla takes about 30 minutes to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen during the flight. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, Office staff will be there to receive and escort you back to the Hotel.
Day 33: Free day at leisure
A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley.
Day 34: Transfer to Airport for the International departure
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.
