Baruntse Expedition - 7129 M with Amphu Laptsa Pass - 34 Days

Your expedition begins on arrival in Kathmandu. Our team will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel. The remainder of the day is free to rest and recover from your journey. In the evening, we gather for a welcome briefing with your expedition leader to walk through the itinerary, logistics, gear requirements, and any final questions before the expedition begins.

A full day in Kathmandu for permit formalities, gear checks, and team briefings. You will have time to visit any remaining gear shops in Thamel and attend a detailed technical briefing with your expedition leader covering the route, high camps, and acclimatization strategy. The Kathmandu gear market is one of the best in Asia and any last-minute items are easily sourced.

An early morning flight to Lukla on a small mountain aircraft - the gateway to the Khumbu and one of the most spectacular short flights in the world. After landing, we meet the full support team and begin the trek. Rather than heading north towards Namche as most EBC trekkers do, we turn south and descend into the quiet terrain that leads towards the Hinku Valley. The trail drops through rhododendron and pine forest to the village of Paiya.

A steady day on the trail as we descend further into the Dudh Koshi valley before climbing again through terraced farmland and forest towards Pangom. The route passes through traditional Rai and Sherpa villages with a way of life largely unchanged by the trekking traffic further north.

The trail climbs steadily today onto a broad ridge with expanding views back across the valley and forward towards the high peaks of the Hinku region. Ramailo Danda sits on the ridge with clear sightlines in both directions and a significant altitude gain from yesterday's camp.

From the ridge we descend into the Chatra Khola valley, dropping below yesterday's high point as the trail winds down through forest and across the river. A shorter day designed to allow recovery before the long climb into the Hinku valley begins.

We enter the Hinku Valley properly today. Kothe is the main village in the lower Hinku and a familiar landmark for Mera Peak trekkers. The valley opens up dramatically here, with the first glacial peaks becoming visible at its head. Teahouse accommodation is available.

A significant altitude gain as we move deeper into the Hinku Valley. The vegetation thins and the glacier terminal moraine begins to dominate the landscape. Thangnag is a small settlement at the foot of the Hinku Glacier with clear views towards Mera Peak and the high passes above

A full rest and acclimatization day at Thangnag. The body is adjusting to altitude above 4,000 meters and this day is important preparation for the days ahead. We recommend a short morning walk to higher ground and back to aid acclimatization before resting in the afternoon. Your expedition leader will use this day to brief the team on the terrain above Khare and the Mera La crossing.

We continue up the Hinku Valley to Khare, the last teahouse settlement before the high passes. The trail climbs steadily across moraine and glacial debris with Mera Peak dominating the skyline above. Khare is a busy stopping point for Mera Peak climbers and offers basic but comfortable teahouse accommodation.

One of the most dramatic and rewarding days of the entire expedition. We climb from Khare to the Mera La pass at 5,390 meters, crossing from the Hinku Valley into the Hunku drainage. The pass itself offers a sweeping panorama of the high peaks surrounding Baruntse. From the pass we descend to Kongma Dingma in the Hunku valley below. This crossing marks a clear transition in the expedition - from the trekking approach into genuinely remote high mountain terrain

We move further into the Hunku valley, navigating glacial terrain towards the Seto Pokhari (White Lake), a high-altitude lake that sits in remarkable stillness between the glaciers at over 5,000 meters. Camp is established here with Baruntse now clearly visible ahead.

The final approach to Base Camp. The route navigates the Hunku glacier and the moraines above the lake before reaching the established Base Camp site at 5,231 meters. The surrounding terrain is extraordinary: Baruntse's Southeast Ridge rises directly above, with Lhotse and the high peaks of the Khumbu visible to the north. Our Base Camp team will have tents established and the kitchen operational on arrival. Today marks the beginning of the expedition's climbing phase.

The 15-day climbing window allows the team to follow a proper acclimatisation rotation schedule before the summit push and provides sufficient buffer for weather delays.

The first phase involves two acclimatization rotations from Base Camp. The first rotation climbs to Camp 1 on the lower glacier and returns. The second rotation pushes to Camp 2 on the Southeast Ridge before descending. Each rotation is followed by a rest day at Base Camp to consolidate the altitude gains. The Sherpa team will be fixing ropes on the technical sections during this period.

Your expedition leader monitors weather forecasts in coordination with the Kathmandu operations team. These days are essential recovery before the summit push and allow for assessment of conditions on the upper ridge.

The summit push begins with a move from Base Camp to Camp 1, followed the next day by a climb to Camp 2. Summit day begins between midnight and 2am. The route above Camp 2 follows the upper Southeast Ridge, negotiating the 45-degree section above the West Col and the prominent ice cliff near 7,000 meters before the final approach to the summit at 7,129 meters. The summit panorama, taking in Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga, is among the finest available from any peak in Nepal. After the summit we return to Camp 2 and descend to Base Camp the following day.

The descent from Baruntse exits via a different route from the approach, adding one of the Hunku region's finest high-mountain experiences. We trek from Baruntse Base Camp towards the base of the Amphu Lapcha pass. The terrain between the Hunku glacier and the pass base is remote and spectacular. Camp is established at the foot of the pass.

The Amphu Lapcha crossing at 5,845 meters is the technical highlight of the descent. The pass requires fixed rope on the upper sections and careful movement across glaciated terrain. From the far side, the trail descends steeply into the Khumbu valley and the welcome familiarity of Chukung, a well-established teahouse settlement below the Island Peak base camp area. The views across to Lhotse, Island Peak, and the Nuptse wall on the descent are exceptional.

A long descent day from Chukung down the main Khumbu valley through Tengboche and Phunki Tenga to Namche Bazaar. The drop in altitude is significant and the body responds quickly. The rhododendron forests and the familiar infrastructure of the main Everest trail feel like a different world after the remoteness of the Hunku.

The final full day of trekking, descending from Namche through Phakding and along the Dudh Koshi valley to Lukla. A team dinner in Lukla to mark the end of the expedition and acknowledge the effort of every member of the team.

After a morning flight from Lukla, you’ll arrive in Kathmandu and enjoy a relaxing day to recover. Spend your time reflecting on your climb and exploring the city, or simply relaxing at your hotel

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Our team will see you off and assist with any final logistics.