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Ice Col Trekking

 

Ice col trekking

 

With some of the most spectacular vistas's of Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Everest, this ice col trek takes you to one of the more remote regions of Himalayas, traversing three High Mountain passes.

On this trek, we allow time for acclimatisation following the principle of climb high, sleep low. The route from Makalu Base Camp to the Everest region is over Sherpani Col - West Col - Panch Pokhari - Amphu Lapcha.

 

The route traverses a spectacular, seldom visited region of Nepal and crosses three High Mountain passes. On the final section, the route meets the popular southern approach to Everest Base Camp at Chhukung. The rare views are some of the most breathtaking in the whole Himalayan range: around you lie vista's of three of the world’s five highest mountains: Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Everest.

 

The climb ascends and descending gradually, taking us from villages at 4570m to the Khongma Pass at 3,090m, allowing excellent acclimatisation. 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 one 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; all in the shadows of the towering bulk of Everest itself.

 

The route from Makalu Base Camp to the Everest region is over Sherpani Col - West Col - Panch Pokhari - Amphu Lapcha.
 
Basically all these passes lie on the three main ridges of Baruntse. The southeast ridge drops down to Sherpani Col at 20,127 ft (6,135m); the south ridge has West Col at 20,154 ft (6,143m), and the west ridge, which ultimately joins Ama Dablam dips down to 19,193 ft (5,850m) at Amphu Lapcha.  
 
Amphu Lapcha is probably the most demanding phase with some exposed snow and ice work. You will need plenty of rope and anchors, as there are two long descents to be set up. This can take a long time with porters! It could take 14 hours day crossing the first two Cols. Dependant on weather condition. Our guides know how best to approach this problem and we would suggest you leave it to them. You will need full mountaineering equipment and your party will need to be fit.

 

ice col trek nepal

 

Itinerary

 

Day -1: Arrive Kathmandu overnight at the Hotel.

 

Day 02: Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu and some preparations for the climb.

 

Day 03: Kathmandu - Tumlingar - Khadbari- 1,040 m - 4-hrs walk. Fly one hour to Tumlingtar. Here your trekking crew will meet you and provide a briefing about the trail, and we then start walking up to Khadbari (1,040 m). We break for lunch in the shade of Kabra Trees before walking north towards Khandbari, and onto a plateau for about 45 minutes after which the trails climbing gradually to Khandbari. We camp above the village

 

Day 04: Khadbari - Chichila 1,830 m - 5/6 hrs walk After breakfast we will walk through many small picturesque villages, bamboo groves and a rhododendron forest. Our camp is at Chichela a small settlement of Gurungs at 1,830m.

 

Day 05: Chichila - Num 1,490 m - 5 hrs walk Today we start walking with views of snow capped peaks in the distance such as Makalu and its surrounding peaks. The walk for the rest of the Day is a steady pass with a few ascents and descents, untill we reach Num. Camp

 

Day 06: Num Sedua 1,460 m - 5/6 hrs walk The trail today descends steeply from Num through the Cornfield of Lumbang. The terrain is particularly rocky; tiny terraces planted with corn and barley, after which we start a tough ascent to Sedua. Camp

 

Day 07: Sedua-Tashi Gaon 2,070 M - 5 hrs walk Today , the trail crosses meadows and several streams, then climbs up to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon, the last permanent settlement in the valley. Camp overnight.

 

Day 08: Tashi Gaon - Kauma 3,470 m - 6 hrs walk The trail follows a steep ascent through sparse forests along the ridge over a hillock and descends slightly to Kauma at 3,470 m. Camp overnight.

 

Day 09: Kauma Today is a rest Day as well as acclimatisation Day .

 

Day 10: Kauma - Mumbuk 3,570 m - 5 hrs walk We again start today with a steep climb then through rhododendron forests to the top of the ridge. You will have superb views of Chamlang (7,290 m) Peak 6 (6,739 m) and Peak 7 (6,105 m). Then we will have a final descent through a forest of firs and rhododendrons to Mumbuk. Camp overnight.

 

Day 11: Mumbuk-Nhe Kharka 3,000 m - 6 hrs walk

The trail descends steeply into a gully with a stream, along ill-defined, rocky and sometimes muddy terrain, as it leads up the glacial valley. From here you can have a good views of Peak 6. Nhe Kharka is located on a large open grassy plain at an elevation of 3000 m. from here you will have great mountain views. Camp overnight.

 

Day 12: Today is quite a lengthy climb and are relatively long Day.

 

Day 13: Sherson - Makalu Base Camp ( 5,000 m) - 4/5 hrs walk

Today, we only trek about 400m in altitude, and camp overnight.

 

Day 14: Explore Makalu Base Camp

 

Day 15: Trek to Hillary Base camp

 

Day 19: Trek to West Ice Col

 

Day 20: Trek to Panche Pokhari

 

Day 21: Trek to Panche Pokhari , Amphu Laphu Cross

 

Day 22: Trek to Chukung- (4,730m) (6 hrs)

 

Day 23: Trek to Dengboche (4,380m) - 5 hrs We follow the main Khumbu Valley down to site of the Himalayan Rescue Association's Trekkers' Aid Post and continue to Dingboche. Camp Overnight.

 

Day 24: Trek to Tengboche (3,860m) - 4 hrs

The trail continues through meadows where yaks graze. In the distance you can glimpse the summit of Everest, girt by the impressive rock walls of Lhotse and Nuptse. Start by passing by a spring, and then continue slightly takes you to Tengboche. Camp Overnight.

 

Day 25:Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) - 4 hrs.

The trail descends to the right flank of the Dudh Kosi and then leads to the large Sherpa settlement and then ascends to the Namche Bazar.

 

Day 26: Rest Day at Namche Bazaar

 

Day 27: Trek to Phakding (2,610m) 4 hrs.

 

Day 28: Trek to Lukla (2,840m) 1.5hrs.Today , we ascend to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla to catch your return flight to Kathmandu the following morning. Overnight Camp.

 

Day 29: Fly to Kathmandu and spend the rest of the Day shopping or resting.

 

Day30: Final Departure

 

End of services

 

ice col trek nepal

 

Dates/Prices

 

Trekking dates are arranged to suit you with no set fixed departures.
We can accommodate you at any time of year.

 

Please email us for current prices

                                         

Services Included:

1. All ground transfers by private coach as per our itinerary.

2. Five star Hotel in Kathmandu. (Twin Share, Bed and breakfast basis)

3. Welcome Dinner with Live Nepalese Cultural Program hosted by our partner Adventure Company.

4. Guided sightseeing around world heritage sites of Kathmandu. (Includes all applicable entrance fees.)

5. All domestic airfares (Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and Lukla to Kathmandu)

6. High altitude experienced working crew and porters

7. Organized Camping Trek arrangement, including all high quality German Salewa / UK Super Quasar, F10 Spindrift camping equipments and tents such as Two Men Tent, Kitchen Tent, Dinning Tent, Toilet Tent, Tables, Chairs, Mattresses, Hot Water Bags, Pillows, Inner Sheet and etc.

8. Meals on the mountain

9. National Park Permit Fee. 

10. Guide, porters and their daily wages

117. Safety equipment like Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC), Oxygen Cylinder, Satellite Telephones for emergency use etc.

 

Services Excluded:

1. International flights, departure taxes and any excess baggage charges.

2. Airport taxes.

3. Entry Visa $40

4. Expenses of a personal nature such as bottled drinks, mineral water, laundry and etc.

5. Meals while staying at the hotels in Kathmandu (only breakfast is included along with accommodation).

6. Extra expenses and/of additional days caused due to unexpected events  (delays, porterage because of land slides and other natural events.)

7. Rescue and evacuation

8. Personal medical and travel insurance

9. Tips and Gratitude.

 

ice col trek nepal

 

Photo's

   

 

ice col nepal, ice col trek

ice col nepal, ice col trek

col trekking

       

trekking ice col

ice col trek makalu baruntse

island peak

ice col trekking

Glacier Camp

East Col

Makalu

Sherpani Col

 

ice col trek nepal

 

Grade - 4e FP

 

Difficult and continuous trekking and climbing over steep sections at high altitude. Crampons and ice picks may be required as well as the use of ropes. Long, steep snow and ice slopes with short steps of very steep ice of around 60 degrees. Low grade rock climbing. Prior technical experience is advisable and all round climbing ability at high altitudes up to 7000m. Expertise  similar to Scottish III/Alpine AD. High risk of altitude sickness.

 

Strenuous physical effort at extreme altitudes are required along with a high level of fitness, endurance and mental stamina.  Several months of endurance training are required. Trek weight loss in the region of 5-9 kg.

 

Fully Portered

 

 

Nepal Visa Requirement

 

Entry
Tourist entry visas can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following entry points in Nepal:

 

Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
 

Tourist Visa Fees

Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Tourist Visa Extension

Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day
 Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).
 

Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

Transit Visa

Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency.

 

ice col trek nepal

Nepal Tours

Pokhara Jungle Safari

- 10 Days, 9 Nights

Poon Hill

- 10 Days, 9 Nights

Annapurna Trekking

- 15 Days, 14 Nights

Everest Base Camp

- 17 Days, 16 Nights

Everest via Goyko Lakes

- 24 Days, 23 Nights

Dhaulagiri Trekking

- 21 Days, 20 Nights

Island Peak Everest Base 20 Day

- 21 Days, 20 Nights

Island Peak 16 Day

- 16 Days, 15 Nights

Ice Col Trekking

- 30 Days, 29 Nights

Mera Peak Trek

- 21 Days, 20 Nights

Tilicho Lakes Mountain Biking

- 22 Days, 21 Nights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ice Col Trekking Overview

Trip Duration

30 Days, 29 Nights

Altitude

6,143m

Destination

Nepal

Activities

Trekking, Ice Climbing

Travel times

March to-May, Sep-Nov

Minimum Numbers

2

Accommodation

Tents and Hotels

Trip Grade

4E (FP)

 

 

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