Providing expeditions
since 2005
Duration
39 Days
Group
4-8 members
Price range
$ 29,140
Deposit
5 000 $
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu. Hotel accommodations
Days 2
Day in Kathmandu. Preparing for the expedition, gear check up
Day 3
Flight from Kathmandu to Yangle Kharka (3600m). Kathmandu - Lukla by plane, Lukla - Yangle Kharka by helicopter.
Another option for acclimatization - trek to the Everest Base with an overnight stay. Then flight from Ding Boche to Base Camp Makalu
Day 4
Trek to Langma La (4450m)
Day 5
Trek to Makalu Base Camp (4800m)
Day 6
Acclimatization at Makalu Base Camp (4800m)
Day 7
Trek to Advanced Base Camp (5600m)
Days 8 - 9
Acclimatization in the Advanced Camp (5600m)
Day 10 - 24
Period of acclimatization and rotation between camps
Day 25 - 34
Climbing period to the top of Makalu (8485m)
Day 35 - 36
Descent to BC Makalu (4800)
Day 37
Flight from BC Makalu to Kathmandu (via Lukla)
Day 38
Kathmandu
Day 39
Flight home

PAYMENT POLICY
A deposit of $5,000 is due at time of registration to reserve a space on the expedition.
A full payment is due 60 days prior to the expedition start date.

CANCELATION POLICY
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the scheduled date.

Date
Guides
Price
Group
Date
April 17 - May 25, 2025
Guides
Price
$29,140

Price includes

  • Meeting at the airport in Kathmandu, airport pick up and drop off
  • 5* Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu, single occupancy, breakfast included
  • Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu
  • All group transfers in Kathmandu 
  • Guided city tour of Kathmandu
  • Accommodation in lodges on the trek
  • Helicopter flight: Kathmandu - Makalu Base Camp - Kathmandu
  • Bus, truck, helicopter for the expedition and team loads 
  • All land transportation for the team
  • All expedition organisational requirements
  • Personal equipment carried on the mountain
  • Bus, truck, helicopter for the expedition and team loads 
  • All land transportation for the team
  • All expedition organisational requirements
  • Personal equipment carried on the mountain
  • Yaks and porters
  • All climbing and trekking permits
  • Experienced expedition leader from 7 Summits Club (Everest Summiter)
  • Guides services (Everest Summiters) - Ration 1 guide per 6 climbers
  • High altitude Sherpa (Everest Summier) - Ratio 1 Sherpa per 1 climber
  • Full services camps in BC and ABC
  • Personal tents for each team members in BC and ABC
  • Tents for high altitude camps
  • Mess tent in BC and ABC with tables and chairs
  • All kitchen equipment, utensils and dishes in BC and ABC
  • Electric generator in BC
  • Full catering in BC and ABC and food provided on the summit day
  • Gas cylinders
  • Nepalese cooks and kitchen assistants
  • Nepalese liaison officer
  • First Aid kit
  • Ropes
  • Walkie-talkie: 1 per 1-2 expedition members
  • Oxygen: 4 cylinders per each member and 2 cylinders per Sherpa
  • Oxygen mask + reducer: 1 set per each member
  • 7 Summits Club logo team jacket, 2 team long sleeve shirts, buff
  • Medal and certificate for a successful climb

 

Price does not include

  • Air travel to and from Nepal
  • Nepalese Visa
  • Personal clothing and gear
  • Personal expenses
  • Extra hotel nights in Kathmandu
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
  • Personal insurance/ trip cancellation insurance/ medical evacuation insurance
  • Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of 7 Summits Club
  • Gratuities for guide team
  • Additional services such as additional Sherpa support or private guide
  • Mandatory summit gratuities for your high altitude sherpa $1800-$2000

Nepal, Makalu (8485m), Mountaineering


Trip overview

Kathmandu - Helicopter up to 3600 (Yangle Kharka) or trek to Everest BC - Makalu Base Camp -
Climbing - Makalu Base Camp - Kathmandu


Why go there?

 

This season we are happy to offer an expedition to Makalu with a full service, including  helicopter transfers.

The high level organization of the expedition allows to ensuren the maximum safety of climbers.

 
 

Mount Makalu is a symbol of both natural beauty and mountaineering challenge, captivating adventurers with its unique pyramid shape, rugged terrain, and remote wilderness.

Here are its main highlights:

 


1. Fifth-Highest Mountain

  • Standing as the fifth-highest peak, Makalu is part of the prestigious Eight-Thousanders club and is a highly sought-after summit for experienced climbers.

2. Unique Shape

  • Makalu is famous for its pyramid-like shape with sharp ridges and steep slopes, making it one of the most visually striking peaks in the Himalayas.

3. First Ascent

  • The mountain was first successfully climbed on May 15, 1955, by a French expedition led by Jean Couzy and Lionel Terray via the Northwest Ridge.

4. Technical Difficulty

  • Known for its extreme technical challenges, Makalu features sheer rock faces, knife-edge ridges, and unpredictable weather, making it one of the most difficult 8,000-meter peaks to climb.
  • The Southeast Ridge and Northeast Ridge are the primary climbing routes, both of which demand exceptional skills.

5. Makalu-Barun Valley

  • The mountain lies within the Makalu-Barun National Park, a protected area renowned for its stunning biodiversity, including rare species like the snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan blue sheep.

6. Subsidiary Peak - Makalu II (Kangchungtse)

  • Makalu has a prominent subsidiary peak called Makalu II (7,678 meters/25,138 feet), adding to its impressive massif.

7. Climbing History and Records

  • Fewer climbers have attempted Makalu compared to Everest or other Himalayan peaks, making it a more exclusive and prestigious climb.
  • The peak has a reputation for low success rates due to its technical and physical demands.

8. Scenic Beauty

  • From its summit and surrounding trails, Makalu offers breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Baruntse, and the lush Makalu-Barun Valley.

9. Cultural and Spiritual Significance

  • Makalu holds cultural importance for local Sherpa and Rai communities, who regard the mountain and its surrounding area as sacred.

 




Tips guidelines (important information!)

You entrust your life, health, your time and money to the guides. And the guides take this responsibility for you and for the success of the whole trip. They are doing this 24 hours per day. 15-20 USD per day is expected as the normal amount of tips for the Guides and the staff of the program. If you liked everything about the trip, please don't forget to thank them. You can give the tips directly to the Main Guide and he will distribute it among the staff; additionally, you can thank specific staff members.


Necessary travel papers (documents)

- Passport with 6 months validity after the return flight.
- 2 digital copy of passport photos
- Medical and evacuation insurance
- Visa to entry Nepal
- Climbing permit


Staff

- Experienced expedition Leader (Everest Summiteer) from 7 Summits Club
- Guides (Everest Summiteers) 1 for 6 climbers
- High Altitude Sherpa 1 for 1 climber
- Nepalese liaison officer
- Nepalese cooks
- Nepalese kitchen assistants


Health and medical insurance

- We provide a full expedition First Aid kit with all necessary medicine, but we also highly recommend that you bring your own specific medicine
- All team members must have personal and medical evacuation insurance


Personal gear

GEAR LIST
General Information

Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional
If seasonal fluctuations impact the requirement for an item on your list, it will be specified
All other items are required regardless of the forecast to ensure your well-being, as weather and conditions can change quickly in the mountains


TRAVEL ITEMS

- Backpack
45 - 55 L
This pack can be used as a carryon bag for the trip and then for the expedition.

- Expedition Duffel Bag
An approximately 150-liter expedition-ready duffel bag used to transport all gear. All items need to fit securely into the duffel bag.

- Casual Travel Clothes
We recommend wearing clean clothing while traveling and before and after your trip. It's a good idea to pack a comfortable variety of outfits, including some t-shirts, swimsuits (optional).


TECHNICAL CLOTHING

- Baselayer Bottom
2-3 pairs of thermal bottoms: lightweight and heavy weight. Fabric: wool, wool blend, synthetic or polyester. No cotton.

- Baselayer Tops
2 thermal long sleeved tops: one light weight and one heavy weight. Fabric: wool or synthetic. No cotton.

- Trekking Pants
A pair or two of lightweight trekking pants. Zippered pockets are good and thigh vents can be useful. We also recommend synthetic fabrics.

- Softshell Pants

-Non-insulated, stretchy softshell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms.

- Hardshell Pants
These must fit over your thermal under layers and softshell pants. These must be non-insulated, lightweight, waterproof and have full zips on the side to get on and off over your climbing boots and crampons.

- Insulated Synthetic Pants
Fabric: Synthetic or Down. Medium weight is ideal. These should fit over both your thermal under layers and your climbing pants. These must have full zips on the sides to get them on and off over your climbing boots and crampons without taking your boots off.

- Midlayer Top
A midweight, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Very light down jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.

- Softshell Jacket
This breathable, wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. A hooded model is highly recommended. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top.

- Hardshell Jacket
A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. This layer must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, softshell, and potentially a lightweight insulated layer. Helmet-compatible hoods are required.

- Lightweight Insulated Jacket
You may use this as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. Down or synthetic insulation. Down is more packable and lighter weight, and synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.

- Insulated Synthetic Puffy Parka
Insulated parka with hood. Synthetic insulation is better for dealing with wet weather.

- Expedition Down Parka
An 8000 meter rated, expedition ready parka.

- Expedition Down Pants
Must be heavily insulated and must fit over all other layers, with a weather proof outer shell fabric.

- Down Suit instead of Expedition Down Parka and Expedition Down Pants
Expedition down suit can be used instead for down parka and down pants.


HANDWEAR

- Lightweight Liner Gloves
Lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves.

- Softshell Gloves
Midweight, lightly insulated gloves. Leather-palm construction is recommended.

- Insulated Shell Gloves/ Climbing Gloves
One pair of warm shell gloves with insulated removable liners. We recommend models with a durable leather palm.
These need to have room in the fingers to not be constructive and cut off warmth and circulation to your fingers. More room in the gloves is better than less. You must have enough dexterity to use your technical gear (ascender, carabiners, rappel device) while wearing these gloves. It is important to be very familiar with these gloves and get used to using them with your gear before your climb.

- Expedition Mittens/ 8000 mitts
These must fit over your medium weight liner gloves and your heavy weight climbing gloves without constriction. Larger is always better than smaller. These down mitts serve as a backup in case you drop a glove or your hands are simply too cold in the heavy weight gloves and need a warmer option (gloves plus mitts).

- Hand Warmers and Foot Warmers (Optional)
Bring enough pairs to get you through the expedition but not more as they are heavy to carry up the mountain. If you are bringing the Hotronics electric foot warmers you will likely not need the chemical warmers. Note: chemical hand warmers use oxygen to burn so do not work well at high altitude and the foot warmers in the boots do not really work at all on summit day.


HEADWEAR

- Buff Neck Gaiter
- 2 Balaclavas: one heavyweight and one lightweight
- Sunhat
- Wool or Synthetic Ski Hat
- Facemask
- Glacier Glasses
These must be the high quality darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4) and have full coverage around the eyes to block all light.

- Sunglasses (Optional)
These must be high quality dark lenses.

- Ski Goggles
High-quality goggles for sun and wind protection at altitude.
These must be the darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4). If your goggles accept multiple lenses, bring one super dark lense and one clear or high light transmission yellow for low-light/high wind conditions.

*Note: If you need prescription Glacier Glasses contact the manufacturer for options well in advance of your trip.

- Headlamp
200-300 lumens and extra batteries.

FOOTWEAR

- Liner Socks
4-5 pairs of liner socks.

- Wool or Synthetic Socks
4-5 pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.

- Light Hiking Boots or Trekking Shoes
For any approaches across dry trails. Light weight, high comfort, plenty of room in the toe box, and good ankle support.

- High Altitude All In One Boots
Boots rated for 8000 meter

- Down Booties
Down or synthetic insulated camp booties for use inside the tent and sleeping.

- Base Camp Boots (optional, but recommended)

CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

- Alpine Ice Axe
- 12 Point Crampons
General mountaineering crampons. We recommend modern steel 12-point crampons with anti-balling plates.

- Trekking Poles
- Locking Carabiners 5 items
- Climbing Helmet
- Harness
- Belay Device With 1 Locking Carabiner
- Ascender
- Rappel Device
We do highly recommend a figure 8 style rappel/ belay device.


PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

-40 F Down Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag should be rated to -40°F and must be down-filled, not synthetic.

-20 F Down Sleeping Bag
This bag will remain at BC and you will take your -40 F bag above basecamp,

- Inflatable Sleeping Pad
- Foam Pad
- Water Bottles
2 one-liter wide-mouth hard-sided water bottles.

- Water Bottle Parkas
2 insulated water bottle parkas that fully cover your water bottle with closing lids.
We recommend the Forty Below Bottle Boot or the Outdoor Research Water Bottle Parka.

- 1 Liter Stainless Steel Thermos
- One Insulated Mug
- Spoon
- 0.5 Nalgene Bottle (Optional)
- Pee Bottle
Collapsible or hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene models.

- Pee Funnel For Women
Optional. Practice is needed for the use of this item.

- Sunscreen
Should be with a high zinc content and sweat resistance. This must be 30 spf or higher.

- Lip Balm with SPF 30+
- Water purification: Iodine tablets, filter or UV treatment
Water on the upper mountain is usually just melted, not boiled. It is very important to have a way to purify your drinking water up high.

- Altitude Watch (Optional)
- Small Pocket Size Camera (Optional)
- Solar Panel (Optional); Power Bank
- Medical Kit
Should include: blister kit, low dose aspirin, Band-Aids, wound closure strips, triple antibiotic ointment, basic repair kit, scissors, Diamox (acetazolamide, 125mg) for AMS, nifedipine (for pulmonary edema, time release), dexamethasone (for cerebral edema, 4mg), antacids, NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, duct tape, ear plugs, Antibiotics (upper respiratory such as Azithromycin and a gastro-intestinal such as Ciprofloxacin), melatonin, Asthma medication if you use it (Advair), cold and flu medication. Prescription medications in consultation with your doctor.

- Toiletry Bag
Should Include: toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, shampoo,
trek towel (compact and quick drying), and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip.

- Snacks
We recommend assortments of hard candies; chocolate; dried fruits; special athletic foods such as energy gels (Gu); electrolytes (Nuun); Clif Shot Bloks; energy bars; protein bars; trail mix nuts.

  1. We have the biggest record of orginizing many commertial technical and altitude expeditions.
  2. Our guides are highly experience with guide work on many serious climbs all over the world.
  3. We offer the best accommodation and food conditions. Your personal needs any special kinds of food will be considered.
  4. You can contact your personal advisor in the gear issue for free consultation. Plus free delivery of your personal rented gear to base camp.
  5. We offer the scheme of discounts for loyal clients.