Overview
Mt. Baruntse, elevating at an impressive altitude of 7,129m in the heart of the Khumbu region is comparatively an easier peak with similar altitudes. “Barun-Tse”, as its name implies, is the peak in the western part of the Barun Glacier Valley. Towards the south of Baruntse lies the Hunku Glacier while Imja Glacier limits it towards the Northwest. Crowned by four peaks, Baruntse has four routes that lead to the summit, the South one being the popular one. However, the route via Southeast ridge is a bit challenging as it is a straightforward climb that goes through hard sections of an ice cliff that rises up to 50 degrees and also poses the risk of avalanches.
Successfully ascended for the first time on May 30, 1954, by Colin Todd and Geoff Harrow from the Expedition team led by Sir Edmund Hillary, Baruntse is an ideal choice for those wanting to leap from 6000 m to 7000 meters peaks. With a higher rate of success than other peaks above 7000 m, Mt. Baruntse is a spectacular peak to prepare for an 8000 meters peak.
Mt. Baruntse Expedition is led through two significant trekking routes. The first one goes through Lukla to Zwatra La Pass all the way to Mera La Pass that turns to Hunku Glacier up to the Base Camp. The other route goes through Makalu Trail across the West Barun Glacier. Whichever route you take, you will be mesmerized by the pristine beauty and tranquility that the region houses. Walking through the ancient Sherpa settlements, grassy meadows, high pass that offers majestic views of high mountain peaks of the Khumbu region.
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1-2: Arrival In Kathmandu And Prepare For Expedition
Tracking the details that you provide, we will be waiting for you at the airport at your estimated arrival time. As soon as you complete your VISA obtaining procedure, we will meet and greet and transfer you to a cozy hotel where you can rest and relax. Exploring the streets of Thamel can be a good option for the evening.
On the second day, we will complete all official formalities like obtaining permits to climb Mera Peak and other necessary documents. Our guide will take you around the city for general shopping. We will conduct a briefing in the evening and pack up everything for the trek and peak climbing.
Altitude 1400 m
Meals Breakfast
Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
DAY 3: Fly To Lukla And Trek To Chutang (3050 M)
After early morning breakfast at the hotel, we take a short and scenic flight to Lukla, one of the highest altitude airports. As we land at Lukla, we will meet our local team members and porters who will carry our luggage to Chutenga. We will hike towards the southeast of Lukla that leads towards Makalu Barun Conservation Area where we will obtain entry permits with nominal fees. We then follow a path that goes across small rivers and takes us past monasteries until we reach the Chutenga village.
Altitude 3050 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 4: Trek From Chutang To Tuli Kharka (4100 M) Via The Zwatra La Pass (4610 M)
After Chutenga, we will slowly move towards Zwatra La Pass that lies at 4610 m. After the steep ascent, our trail descends towards Thuli Kharka. We walk on barren lands down the hills until we reach our destination. Walking slowly and steadily for about 6-7 hours we finally reach Thuli Kharka.
Altitude 4100 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 5: Trek From Tuli Kharka To Kothe (3700 M)
After an appealing breakfast at the lodge in Thuli Kharka, we will head towards Kothe. The trail passes through the Hinku Valley, starting with a decent downhill with mesmerizing views of mountains. As we walk along, we will be going up and down hills through the dense green forests. As we enter the Hinku valley, we will behold the sight of Mera Peak, our ultimate destination. Then, we make a steep descent to the Hinku River and climb a gentle steep h]uphill to reach our stop for the night.
Altitude 3700 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 6: Trek From Kothe To Thangnak (4350 M)
After a night’s rest at Kothe, we move towards our next stop in the Mera Peak climbing journey. We will walk along the bank of the Hinku river towards Gondishung where we will stop for lunch. Gondishung is famous for a 200-year-old monastery, Lungsumgba Gompa, and other attractive heritages. It is believed that if one makes prayers at this Gompa, the Mera Peak climbing will be successful. We continue to walk until we reach Thangnak, a pasture land, used widely in summer to graze yaks. We will rest at a teahouse for the night.
Altitude 4350 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 7-8: Trek From Thangnak To Khare And Acclimatize (5054 M)
The next stop after Thangnak is Khare. The trail from Thangnak to Khare is a bit challenging and demanding as it requires travelers to walk on steep moraine ridges from Dig Glacier to Dig Kharka, right in front of the Charpate Himal, meaning the four-sided hill.
Following the glacier is a 3-4 hours steep hill climb that leads to Khare. We will be walking above the tree line here. So, we will stay here for another day to acclimatize ourselves.
Altitude 5054 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 9: Trek From Khare To Khamedingma
From Khare, the route diverges towards Baruntse and Mera Peak. If you wish to add Mera Peak to the trip, we will head towards Mera Base Camp. In other cases, we will move forward to Khamedingma. We walk steadily to acclimatize our bodies and avoid hazards. We set up our camp and rest overnight.
Altitude 5200 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 10: Trek From Khamedingma To Seto Pokhari (5035 M)
After resting at Khamedingma, we head towards Seto Pokhari, meaning the White Lake. It is an eye-pleasing sight of a wonderful lake at a high altitude that appears white. Our trail will be braced by the beauty of this region.
Altitude 5035 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses/Camping
DAY 11: Trek From Seto Pokhari To Base Camp (5400 M)
From Seto Pokhari, we walk through rugged terrain and rocky paths above the treeline. With big boulders all around, we will cross several passes until we reach the Base camp for Baruntse.
Altitude 5400 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Full Board Camp Service
DAY 12-27: Climbing Period
Our climbing routine starts from the 12th day. We will start with the prayer rituals at the base camp and conduct some basic training and practice with our climbing gears. Our team will set up ropes and explore various routes for climbing while we will conduct rotations enjoying nutritious meals prepared by our kitchen team. We will ascend to higher camps and return to lower camps to rest overnight for proper acclimatization. Even if we are fully prepared, we must wait for favorable weather for the summit.
We will set up camp 1 at 6100 m altitude on the South-East ridge of the peak. The slopes rise up to 45 degrees which is why we need to fix ropes all the way up to the West Col through the Upper Barun Glacier traversing a steep 50-degree snowy slope.
Camp 2 is set up at 6400 m in the Upper Barun Glacier that is led by an uphill climb on a glacial slope from Camp 1. We must follow the fixed line as we must pass through numerous crevasses and there are also the risks of avalanches at times.
Finally, from Camp 2, we will climb an ice wall as steep as 75 degrees to reach a small Col at 6500 m. After reaching the Col, we follow the ridge to the Summit peak of Baruntse. The panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Mera Peak, Nuptse, and others can be clearly seen from the top of this peak. We will then prepare to descend to lower camps.
Altitude 7129 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Full Board Camp Service
DAY 28: Trek From Baruntse Base Camp To Khamedingma
On this day, we will clean up the base camp, manage the garbage and tip our staff. Then we will return down to Khamedingma to rest overnight.
Altitude 5400 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses/Camping
DAY 29: Trek From Khamedingma To Thangnak (4350 M)
From Khamedingma, we will wake up for a warm breakfast. Then we will descend to Thangnak.
Altitude 4350 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 30: Trek From Thangnak To Chatrabu (4340 M)
Our trek to Chatrabu goes on rugged terrain and dry, barren trails. With very few settlements and almost zero green trees, we will finally reach Chatrabu to rest overnight.
Altitude 4340 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
DAY 31: Trek Back To Lukla (2610 M)
From Chatrabu, we descend back to Lukla and rest in a cozy hotel.
Altitude 2610 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Hotel/Lodge
DAY 32-33: Fly Back To Kathmandu And Explore Around
It’s time to leave the Khumbu region and fly back to the Capital city. As we reach Kathmandu, you are free to explore around and go shopping for souvenirs. You can chill in Thamel or go sightseeing around the World Heritage Sites. On the 33rd day, we will all get together for a farewell dinner at a typical Nepali restaurant.
Altitude 1400 m
Meals 2 Breakfasts And Farewell Dinner
Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
DAY 34: Final Departure
After a wonderful journey and teamwork for 33 days, it’s the day when we will need to say goodbye until next time. You will be dropped at the airport by one of our representatives 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure.
Altitude 1400 m
Meals Breakfast
Accommodation N/A
Includes
- Airport Transfer Costs
- 4 nights accommodation while in Kathmandu with Bed and Breakfast
- Makalu Barun Conservation Area Entry Permit Fee
- Mt. Baruntse Climbing Permit
- Garbage Deposit Shipment Charges
- Domestic Flight Fares and Land Transportation
- Full Board Meals while on the trek
- Tents for Base camp as well as high camps
- High altitude food, cooking set, and toiletries
- Camping types of equipment, Tents, Cooking sets, Food, etc.
- All costs incurred for Supporting staff (A Professional Mountain Guide)
- 1 Porter for 1 member to carry personal luggage
- All costs including wages, insurance, meals, transportation, and allowances for porters and guides
- Technical Climbing Gears, Rope, Rock Pistons, Ice Crops
- All taxes imposed by Nepal Government
Excludes
- International Airfares
- Nepal Entry Visa Fee
- Heritage Entry Fees
- Dinner and Lunch while in Kathmandu
- Extra meals while on trek (besides breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Travel and Medical Insurance and Emergency Evacuation costs if needed
- Expenses of personal nature like alcoholic beverages, laundry, boiled water, mineral water
- Extra batteries, cell phone charging, Wifi while on the trek
- Personal Climbing equipment
- Tips and Gratuities for porters and guides
- All expenses incurred in case of early arrival or late departure
- Risk of flight delays to and from Lukla
- Anything not mentioned in the cost inclusion section