Find out more

Expedition Makalu

Trek the most remote trail in the high Himalayas

Expedition Makalu

Overview

Namaskāra! Welcome to Expedition Makalu - our really remote Himalayan expedition. Expect beautiful scenery, epic trails and a culture that climbs into your heart and never leaves. Huge mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests, fresh air and rough terrain are all waiting to be tackled. Legendary climber Nims Purja (14 Peaks) called this route the toughest, most remote trek in the Himalayas, so it's going to push all of us.

But Nepal is also a place that welcomes you with wide-open arms, it soothes you and gives you strength you never knew you had. It’s home to the biggest mountains on Earth, and some of the kindest people. We'll have plenty of interactions with both, while waving goodbye to the stress and pressures of every day life on OUR two or three-week trip of a lifetime. (You can fly back from Basecamp in a badass chopper reducing the trip by 1 week).

Enroute you’ll drink local brews and eat homemade Dal Bhat. You’ll trek over high passes, gaze in awe at majestic peaks (including Everest), and, together with a few dozen new friends, you'll feel yourselves swept up in the mystique and wonder of this beautiful country, as we rise above the world, helping each other get to our goal - Makalu.

This is our time. Our adventure. Let’s get out there.

Properly out there.

Paul Parrish

Paul was selected as one of 'Britain's Toughest' in the BBC TV show Ultimate Hell Week. But anyone who meets him will says he's the kindest person they've ever met. He loves to see people inspired by the challenges they set themselves.

Sophie Street

Sophie is a pocket rocket. She brings the vibes whilst being a qualified physio and trainee medic. A chat with her is like having five expressos back to back. She can often be found sleeping in a dirty puddle with the UK Army reserves.

Danny Bent

Danny's passion in life is to bring people together to show what's possible through teamwork and positivity. He's pogoed across Togo, cycled to India, run across North America and survived the BBC TV show "Ultimate Hell Week".

Nick Carter

Nick has climbed Everest, swum the English Channel and crossed Iceland unsupported. His passion is to organise adventures that stretch people beyond their comfort zones and prove what's possible with a bit of grit and determination.

Schedule

Day One
Arrive into Kathmandu

After a long international flight, you'll arrive into Kathmandu and be met at the airport to transfer to your hotel. The rest of the team will be waiting to greet you. We advise that you get some rest, but Kathmandu is hard to resist exploring.

Day Two
Look Around a Bit

Enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing around Kathmandu, or strike out on your own to discover Thamel and the surrounding area. Whichever you choose, there's a team dinner waiting for you in the evening.

Day Three
Flight to Tumlingtar

Today we'll get out of Kathmandu and take an internal flight to Tumlingtar, then drive to Num. You'll notice that other tourists don't board this flight. We're going somewhere very different

Day Four
Num and Sedua

The trail descends steeply from Num (1,490m) through the Cornfields of Lumbang. The landscape is particularly rocky; tiny terraces planted with corn and barley. A tough, steep climb to Sedua (1,460m). 5/6 hours hiking.

Day Five
Tashi Gaun

The trail crosses meadows and several streams then climbs to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon (2,070m), the last permanent settlement in the valley. 5 hours hiking.

Day Six
Kauma

A very hard day of the trek as the trail gets really steep. We walk through the sparse forests along ridges, over a mountain and descend a bit to Kauma (3,470m). 6 hours hiking.

Day Seven
Rest Day

Today will be a rest and acclimatisation day. We need to give our bodies a chance to make more red blood cells before we head up higher.

Day Eight
Shipton La Pass (4,300m)

Off again, with a steep climb through rhododendron forests to the top of the ridge. We'll have superb views of Chamlang (7,290m), Peak 6 (6,739m), and Peak 7 (6,105m). Descend through a forest of firs and rhododendrons to Mumbuk (3,570m). 5 hours hiking.

Day Nine
Yangle Kharka

Today the trail descends a steep gully with a stream for about 500m. The trail is ill-defined, rocky and muddy in places as it leads up the glacial valley. From here you can have a good view of Peak 6. Yangle Kharka (3,000m) is located on a large open grassy plain. Amazing mountain views. 6 hours hiking

Day Ten
Langmale

The trail turns westward, leaving the rhododendron forests for alpine tundra. There are excellent views of Pyramid Peak (7,168m) and Peak 4 (6,720m) as we head for Langmale (4,615m). The height gain is a bit of a monster, but we don't have any choice due to a lack of camps between. 7 hours hiking.

Day Eleven
Makalu BC

Today is a gradual climb to a minor pass. From here you will have magnificent south face views of Makalu, you will also be able to see the complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse (without the tourists). Reach Makalu Base Camp (4870m) by the evening.

Day Twelve
Makalu Base Camp (MBC)

Explore the camp, venture up towards the start of the expedition ice climbs (5,250m), chat to the few summit teams about their fears and excitement, drink in the atmosphere. Celebration team dinner in the mess tent

Day Thirteen
Langmale

Those who have opted to take a helicopter directly down to Kathmandu (saving one week on the expedition) will depart. Those who are trekking down will wave a fond farewell to MBC and start the decent.

Day Fourteen
Yangle Kharka

Back down to Yangle Kharka heading for Kauma and Tashi Gaon. The air gets thicker and you'll feel much fitter as you descend.

Day Fifteen
Dobate

Trek across Shipton La pass and descend to Dobate. Here you'll be treated to real local hospitality by the trekking guides.

Day Sixteen
Kauma

A long walk today, thankfully you're now a seasoned trekker. Back into the stronghold of the Sherpa.

Day Seventeen
Tashi Gaon

We'll walk through farming settlements and the wide-open spaces of the Rai Valley. Continue through forests, past several streams, to Tashi Gaon. Time to reflect on the adventure.

Day Eighteen
Seduwa

We'll walk through more forests and follow some spectacularly exposed, narrow and high tracks as we climb over rocky ridges.

Day Nineteen
Tumlingtar

We follow the east bank of the Arun river, passing through Chyawabesi before making a climb back to Num. Cars to Tumlingtar. Explore Tumlingtar and stay overnight.

Day Twenty
Kathmandu

Head back to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu with a chance to experience the manic capital once more before heading home.

Day Twenty-One
Decompress

Either have a free day in Kathmandu (the hotel's already pre-paid and Sam's bar is just around the corner) or head back home. The choice is yours, but we know which one you'll take

Find out more

Gallery

FAQ

This will be the most supportive and helpful group you've every been on an adventure with. No one gets left behind. Having said this, it is a demanding trek, so a bit of training is very much needed if you're not used to long distance hiking.

Yes! Contact Nick Carter (he does all pre-trip logistics) on +447944913245 or nick@runwild.global

Yes! That's how we normally do it. You can choose to spread the cost evenly (monthly or weekly until the expedition due date), or you can just put down a 10% deposit, then pay in any way you like, over a time scale that suits you.

Yes, of course! Please enter your details and click "Get Expedition Info" in the "Find Out More" section and you will get full date and pricing information for the event of interest sent to you, as well as the full info pack. The dates and prices change slightly each year.

More than one person could sign up, so you can do the event with friends, but most people enter as solo hikers (there's normally a 60/40 female/male split) and then make life-long, like-minded friends on the journey.