Baruntse Expedition
The Baruntse expedition is an adventurous undertaking that allows you to explore one of Nepal’s most remote regions.
Among the hundreds of peaks in the world, Baruntse stands out as one of the most beautiful and symmetrical snow peaks rising to 7,162 meters. It is located at the confluence of three glacial valleys: the Imja, the Hunku and the Barun valley. The peak occupies a central position among some of the highest mountains in the Himalayas, lying between Everest and Makalu. On summit day climbers are rewarded with spectacular views of Lhotse, Everest and Makalu.
The first successful ascent of Baruntse was achieved on May 30, 1954 via the southeast flank by a New Zealand expedition led by Colin Todd and Geoff Harrow.
Baruntse is considered a relatively easy and safe seven-thousander making it a popular target for commercial expeditions alongside peaks such as Pumori, Ama Dablam and Everest. The route primarily traverses snow and ice. The climb is not technically difficult except for the steep ascent to West Col and the sometimes heavily crevassed ridge near the summit.
This mountain serves as an excellent preparation peak for climbers planning to attempt Mount Everest or other 8,000-meter peaks. Baruntse provides climbers with high chances of successfully reaching the summit.
The most successful ascents occur in the spring from March to May when snow conditions are favorable and the mountain is relatively safe. Autumn expeditions can also be undertaken from late September to early December though temperatures drop and winds can be cold.
The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The approach routes and terrain are similar to those used for Everest expeditions. After approximately ten days of trekking with proper acclimatization climbers reach Baruntse Base Camp at 5,250 meters.
Baruntse Expedition Cost
The estimated cost for the Baruntse expedition ranges from $7,000 to $8,000. This includes accommodation in Kathmandu, permit fees, food and lodging at hotels and tea houses during the trek and porter costs.
The expedition royalty fee for Baruntse Peak depends on the season. Spring expeditions cost $500, autumn trips $250 and winter and summer treks $125.
Climbers must also cover the cost of a Nepal tourist visa which can be obtained on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. A 60-day visa is suitable for a Baruntse expedition lasting 30 to 35 days costing $120 per person.
An additional $100–$200 is recommended for personal expenses such as toiletries, personal equipment and tips.
Baruntse Climbing Route
The southeast ridge is the primary ascent route. It is mostly a snow climb at high altitude with some ice flanks up to 50 degrees steep and a prominent ice cliff near 7,000 meters.
Avalanche risk is minimal on the lower slopes though the upper sections require caution. Steeper sections and cornices are secured with fixed ropes.
Base Camp is situated at 5,250 meters a few kilometers above the glacier at the valley entrance. From here climbers can access the East Col and reach a large snow-covered plateau at the lower Barun Glacier just below the southeast ridge. An advanced base camp can also be established on this plateau.
Two high camps are typically set above Base Camp. Camp I is located beneath the East Col at 5,700 meters and Camp II is on the southeast flank at 6,420 meters. Direct access from the lower Barun Glacier is not recommended due to an icefall on the glacier tongue making the route impassable in recent years. Camp II at approximately 6,500 meters serves as the launching point for the summit attempt.
Climbing Difficulty
Baruntse is considered a comparatively easy climb and is an excellent training peak for aspiring 8,000-meter climbers. The expedition exposes climbers to the physical and mental challenges of high-altitude mountaineering and provides a reliable measure of their ability to endure harsh conditions.
Climbers should have basic skills in steep, exposed and technical climbing, experience at altitudes above 6,000 meters and familiarity with ice climbing. The ability to climb five to seven hours per day is advantageous. The most challenging section of the expedition is a steep 55-degree flank approximately 150 meters high.
Fixed Departure Dates
| Trip Date | Seats Remaining | |
|---|---|---|
| October 1 - October 31 | 10 Seats Left | Book Now |
Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu ,Transfer to Hotel
Welcome to Nepal for the Baruntse Expedition! As you arrive at Kathmandu Airport, our team will receive you. You will receive a warm welcome from our lovely team. Then you will steer towards your hotel in the city and do check-in. The team will leave you at the hotel as you must take some rest after the flight.
When you rejuvenate, we will meet again for an evening stroll and a welcome dinner. It is our norm to welcome our guests. While we eat together, we will also talk about ourselves and the Baruntse Expedition. It is a great way of introduction. After dinner, you will return to the hotel for the night.
Fly to Lukla(2800m) and Trek to Chhuthanga(3020m)
The adventure will kick off now. Like most Everest region trips, we will start the Baruntse Expedition with a scenic Lukla flight. The flight will be around 30-40 minutes, during which we will view the amazing Himalayas and Nepal. Soon, the aircraft will touch the runway of Tenzing Hillary Airport, a famous airport. After arriving, we will stop at a teahouse for breakfast.
We will begin the trek up to Chhuthang after breakfast and a break. We will stroll via green pasture and vegetation areas. It will feel great to walk on a peaceful and lush trail. During the walk, we will also pass some local & rural hamlets. We should arrive in Chhuthang after 5 hours of strolling. Overnight in a teahouse.
Trek from Chhuthang to Tuli Kharka(4100m) Via Zatrawala Pass(4,600m)
Promptly after breakfast, we’ll begin our hike to Thuli Kharka, which is doable in around 5-6 hours. It follows a steep path and several ups & downs. We will trek uphill to reach Zatrawala Pass(4,600m).
Staying there for a while, we will relish views of Karyolang Peak, Numbur Himal, Kong Ri, and several others. Thuli Kharka is one straight descent from the pass. It should not be that hard. We will trek gradually to reach the place for the night. Overnight in a teahouse.
Trek from Thuli Kharka to Kothe(4,182m)
Now we will put Thuli Kharka behind us and move ahead toward Kothe. To do so, we will begin by walking via a lush forest dotted with juniper, pine, oak, and rhododendron. We will also picture amazing mountains along the walk ahead.
Gradually, we will head down to the riverbed of the Hinku River. From the river, we will be traversing the scenic Hinku Valley. Our destination, which lies west of the valley, will come shortly. We will call it a day in a teahouse.
Trek from kothe to Thagnak
We will wake up to a mesmerizing view of Kothe village. After breakfast, we will continue the walk to Thangnak. We will pass along the Hinku River for a while before reaching Gondishung. Then our path will cross the Lungsumgba Gompa, a primitive Buddhist shrine.
Slowly, the route will begin to climb upwards, leaving the Hinku River. We will trek gently on the trail. As we gain heights, we will catch the satisfying sights of Kusum Kanguru Peak, Mera Peak, and others. The trail will get a bit straightforward now as we pass via the scenic pastures of Thangnak. Thangnak is close to there. We will reach the village for the night in a teahouse.
Trek from Thagnak to Khare
On this day of the Baruntse Expedition, we will touch the 5000m by reaching Khare. We will start our walk by marching above the Hinku River. Soon, we will be trekking above Shar Glacier too. We will acknowledge the altitude and trek gradually. There will be amazing views to enjoy.
We will keep trekking further up to Khare to admire the great views. Mera Peak looks fantastic! In this manner, we will arrive in Khare, a beautiful village. We will explore it before dusk. Overnight in a teahouse.
Rest at Khare
It is time to leave our backpacks in our teahouse and rest. We are already above 5000m. Thus, we should also acclimatize to the high elevation. A free day in Khare is the perfect way to do so. Without any pressure, we will do a short hike to Mera Glacier. We will trace the glacier through a steep path. It will also prepare for the upcoming climb. We will explore the area and retrace Khare. Overnight in the teahouse in Khare.
Trek from Khare to Mera La Pass (5,400m)
We will leave Khare by climbing a sharp steep climb above the Mera Glacier. The road from Khare to Mera La Pass is around 3 miles. However, the steep path will take more time and energy. We will climb slowly and carefully. Several hours of steep walk will take us to the top of the ridge. We can enjoy unparalleled views of the surrounding place.
The path from the top to Mera La Pass is snowy. We will have to use crampons and basic climbing gear. Shortly, we will reach Mera La Pass. Our team will set up a tented camp. Overnight in the tented camp.
Trek from Mera La Pass to Seto Pokhari (4,850m)
After breakfast in the tented camp, we will trek towards Seto Pokhari. The walk will begin with an uphill climb. Right across, we will reach a meadow area, a yak pasture. We will enjoy the views of rising peaks and higher valleys. From there, we will trek more and reach Seto Pokhari, a place of lakes and mountains. We will have a good rest in the place. Overnight in a tented camp.
Trek from Seto Pokhari to Baruntse Base Camp
Now, we will move towards Baruntse Base Camp on the Baruntse Expedition. It will be a demanding day as we will cross rugged terrain. We will be trekking for around 5 hours from the lake area. We have to trek slowly as we are regularly heading up. The base camp is located at 5,300m meters. By passing gently via rough boulders, we will reach the camp. A tented camp will be our roof for the night.
Summit Mt Baruntse(7,129m) and Back to Base Camp (5,300m)
The real journey begins here as we leave the base camp. We will do ups and downs on the trail to acclimatize for several days. Our climbing guide will lead us the way and preach things. We will follow them along the snowy and steep path.
With praying rituals at the base camp, we will start the Mt Baruntse climb. The walk will progress on an inclining snowy slope and over Hinku Glacier. We will have to use ladders to cross the crevasses coming upfront. We will reach the high camp area by doing it the guide's way.
From High Camp, the climb will get steeper and more exposed. The walk could be more technical around here. But we must be aware of snowstorms, which is normal here. We will climb the path to Baruntse's summit (7,162m). As a reward from the peak, we will embrace awe-inspiring views of Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Everest, and more. We will also view glaciers and pristine lakes.
When finishing the watch, we will gradually descend via the snowy crest and drop to the base camp. After returning from the summit, we will spend a night in the base camp.
Cleaning Base Camp and Return to Seto Pokhari
We will begin cleaning our trash the next morning after arriving at the base camp. It is our utmost responsibility to clean the garbage. We will collect the garbage and manage it. After the cleaning, we will descend up to Seto Pokhari, a place of lakes. The trek is easier than the last few days. We will reach Seto Pokhari after 3-4 hours of trekking. Our day will end in a tented camp at Seto Pokhari.
Trek from Seto Pokhari to Mera La Pass
Following breakfast, we will begin moving towards Mera La Pass. The walk to the pass is steeper than the last day. We will be retracing the path the other way. We will reach the Mera La Pass by seeing the same views of the Khumbu Region. The mountains will be visible once again. Overnight in a teahouse.
Trek from Mera La Pass to Thagnak
We will begin the day with a mesmerizing view from the top. Soon we will eat breakfast and continue retracing our path. The walk will start with a gentle uphill from the Mera La Pass. Shortly, we will embark on a descending trail that brings us back to Thangnak village. We will pass the Khare village around midway. Upon reaching Thangnak, we will take a sleepful rest.
Starting the day with a warm breakfast and glimpses of splendid view, we'll continue the Baruntse Expedition. The trek begins with an uphill walk via Mera La Pass, which provides magnificent scenery of alpine valleys and gleaming snow peaks, including Baruntse, Haling, and Makalu. We keep descending the trail from above the pass and through the beautiful village of Khare to arrive at Thangnak.
Trek from Thagnak to Kothe
After eating breakfast, we will leave Thangnak village for Kothe. Our walk will be easy; it is mostly downhill. We will gently descend to a Sherpa hamlet. The path winds downward along the hill. Ahead, we will also cross a lush forest of Pine and Oaks. Listening to the chirps of birds and the forest’s healing sound, we will return to Kothe, a lovely village with an amazing backdrop. Overnight in the village.
Trek from Kothe to Thuli Kharka
With a gentle uphill walk, we will depart from Kothe in the fresh dawn. We will cross a lush area along the path, experiencing true nature. After a while, we will trek across the western side of Hinku Valley, where Thuli Kharka lies. Unlike the past few days, we will gain some altitude on this day. We will be trekking uphill to reach Thuli Kharka. As we reach the Thuli Kharka, we will see outstanding views of Mera Central, Mera Peak, and other peaks. Overnight in Thuli Kharka.
Trek from Thuli Kharka to Lukla
It is the final day of trekking the Baruntse Expedition, where we retrace Lukla. We will begin by climbing a ridge, Kalo Himal. After the climb, we will ascend another hill to reach and cross Zatrawala Pass. Like before, we will have a mesmerizing panorama.
After the pass, our trek will drop down to Chhutang. The path will lower further until we reach Lukla. We will have to pass some rugged sections and deep forests. As it is the last walking day, we will try to walk with a full heart. Ultimately, we will finish the walk in Lukla and celebrate it with a good drink and rest.
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Following an exciting return from Baruntse Expedition to Lukla, we shall prepare for the Kathmandu flight. We will leave the beautiful palace after breakfast. We will view amazing landscapes, woods, and mountains as the flight takes off. It will be some special 35 minutes. Shortly, we will land in Kathmandu. We will head to our hotel and throw all our backpacks and things to destress. The remaining time be free in Kathmandu. Overnight in the hotel.
Final Departure
As the Baruntse Expedition finishes here, our team will transfer you to the airport for departure. We will offer a lovely farewell. With many good memories of the Baruntse Expedition, you will sail toward your home.
Includes/Excludes
- Airport Arrival Departure transfer as per mentioned in Itinerary.
- 3-star hotel 2 night in Kathmandu with BB Plan.
- All essential ground transportation by Private Vehicle – as mentioned in Itinerary.
- Well-versed Government licensed, trained, and experienced guide (03 Times Everest Summiteers Climbing/Expedition Guide) including a team leader (Sherpa) to lead each expedition group.
- Guests traveling with us will be allotted 60 kg of personal climbing gear during onboarding and expedition that will be carried by porter, yaks, and mules.
- The package cost includes the Mount Baruntse regular route climbing royalty and the climbing permit issued by the Nepal Government (Department of Tourism).
- Pass for the exploration of Makalu Barun National Park, a renowned national park in Nepal that hosts 25 species of rhododendron, 56 species of rare plants, and 47 species of orchids. High-altitude wildlife like musk deer, wild boar, red panda, and snow leopard are the highlights of this vastly bio-diversed national park.
- All essential Trekking permits and National Park fees.
- Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu Flight.
- Tea House and Camping accommodation during Trekking and Climbing period.
- Full Board meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during trekking and climbing period.
- Required number of porters, and kitchen staff for camping.
- All essential camping equipment – Dining tent, toilet tent, store tent, table – chair for an expedition.
- Liaison officer.
- All staff's salary, food, clothing, and insurance.
- One oxygen cylinder per client.
- Solar panel for batteries charging & lighting in base camp.
- Charging alternative (generator) at a higher altitude where solar charging may not be much effective.
- Handbook and guide map to learn more about the expedition and not-to-miss landmarks of the region.
- Satellite Phone (Need to pay as per usages per minute).
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- ll the costs have been accounted for in the package (including service charges, vat, tax, and government expenses). Our guests will not be liable for any hidden expenses.
- Personal Climbing Gear
- Your climbing insurance.
- package doesn't include the expenses of an international flight ticket and a Nepali tourist visa.
- Bar and Beverage bills.
- All personal nature expenses.
- Employment of extra crew members, use of extra services, and other personal expenses will not be covered by the package.
- TIPS for staff.
- Refundable garbage deposit.
- he allotted sum of US$700 as a summit bonus for the successful conquest of the peak alongside Sherpa Guides, a law set by the Mountaineering Association and Department and Department of Tourism.
- Extra expenses incurred due to natural disasters, political disturbances, or changes in government regulations.