Approach Trek

All four teams will follow the same approach trek as far as lower Makalu base Camp.

From the start of our trek at the airfield at (435m), the Himalayas rise to 8463m (Makalu). We will pass through diverse ecosystems, climate systems and a series of cultures. Communities of Rai farmers will give way to Sherpa and Bhatia villages as altitude is gained. In the isolated villages people live as they have done for centuries as the area receives few foreign visitors due to its inaccessibility. The forests that we will pass through have many types of Orchid and over 3000 species of flowering plants. They are also home to some very rare animals such as the endangered Red Panda and to over 400 bird species.

Our trek to Base Camp will visit one of the most remote and unfrequented areas of Nepal, the Barun Valley, which is a huge internationally protected area. The area contains some of the last remaining pristine forest and alpine meadows in Nepal. The Makalu-Barun National Park was established in 1992 as Nepal's eighth National Park and it covers an area of some 2330 square km. New park management encourages local people to become actively involved in protecting the forests and natural resources. Community controlled grazing and forest guardianship are being strengthened and low-level technologies are being introduced where it is considered appropriate.

We will commence our journey by flying from Khatmandu to the small grass airstrip at Tumlingtar. From there, the trail winds up to the substantial town of Khandbari which has flagstone pavements and 3 storey buildings. Forested ridge tops will then lead us through to Chichila.

From Chichila we follow the ridge on to Num in a spectacular location on a promontory, high above the Arun River. We will then descend to an airy suspension bridge crossing over the Arun River before pulling up the steep climb to Sedina. By now, the sub-tropical climate will give way to Rhododendron and pine forests as we head towards the remote Sherpa village of Tashigoan. Where we have raised funding to refurbish the local school.

Tashigoan will be the last permanent settlement that we see for the next two and a half months. Ahead of us now lies the crux of the Trek; we will have to cross three high passes barring our way to the isolated Barun Valley. Kelu La at 3880m, Shipton La at 4230m and Tutu La at 4180m may have considerable amounts of snow still covering them as we pass. After navigating the passes we will drop steeply down a rocky gully to the waters of the Barun Khola-the Gateway to the Upper Barun Valley.

From the Barun Khola we will then cross open moorland and pass beneath the un named Peak 7. On reaching Jangle Kharka we will hopefully be rewarded with impressive views of Peak 6 (Mt Tutse) and Peak 4 before descending to follow the River Barun. We will then drop down to follow the River Barun. From Sherson, it is just a short journey up the valley to the lower Base Camp area. From here, the Main team will push up as far as the snout of the Chago Glacier to establish a high Base Camp at 5500m above sea level. In all, our trek should take 12 - 14 days.

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