Sherpani Col Amphu Laptsa passes trekking
Sherpani Col Amphu Maptse passess trekking is technically the most challenging high pass trek in the remote of Makalu and Khumbu region with full logistic support. The trail takes you through the high and technical East Col and West Col (Ice Col), more popularly known as Sherpani Col.
Sherpani Col Amphu Maptse passess trekking is technically the most challenging high pass trek in the remote of Makalu and Khumbu region with full logistic support. The trail takes you through the high and technical East Col and West Col (Ice Col), more popularly known as Sherpani Col.
The East Col and West Col provides a exceptional challenge and also rewards with panoramic views of towering Makalu (8463 m) and Baruntse (7162 m). As it is an audacious trek, we especially recommend only for those experienced trekkers and not for the faint-hearted.
Sherpani col pass requires good physical fitness, strength to cope in the high Himalayan environment and strong mind setup. Use this as a template; you’ll need to adapt for fitness, weather, group size, guides, etc.
Here’s a proposed itinerary for trekking from Makalu Base Camp over Sherpani Col to Amphu Laptse pass to Chhukum and continues trek to Lukla
Trip Facts
Group Size
15
Maximum Elevation
6110m
Location
Makalu to Everest region
Accommodation
Hotel/Lodge plus Tented house
Grade
VI (harderst)
Transportation
KTM to Tumlingtang and from Lukla to KTM by flight
Sherpani Col (6,100-6,200 m), West Col (6,100-6,200 m), Amphu Laptsa (5,800-5,900 m) etc.
Some sections will require fixed ropes, glacier travel, use of crampons, ice axe, possibly snow travel. It's an expedition trekking route, not just “walking trek.”
Very important. Multiple rest/acclimatization days required. Altitude gain needs to be managed.
Best in pre-monsoon (Mar-May) and post-monsoon / autumn (Sep-Nov). Snow, avalanche risk etc outside those windows.
Pick up/drop from International Airport to Hotel. Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and Lukla to Kathmandu both way domestic flight ticket.
- Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast as itinerary (here are so many options, we provide on cost 3-star hotel if you want higher star please add on option.
- Accommodation during the trekking: Single/Twin-sharing room with wooden beds, foam mattresses, and blankets (bring a sleeping bag for extra warmth/hygiene). Most of the place have shared toilets (usually Asian-style squat or Western toilets). Some of the place has attached toiled. Hot showers available (on extra cost). Higher up, hot water is scarce.
- Tented Camping: North face Tented Camp, Dom Tent, kitchen/dinning/toilet Tents, matters, all kitchen camping equipment, and cooking fuel during the climbing/mountaineering as itinerary.
- Camping / Upper camps’ meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) with hot drinks, high foods etc.
- Snacks for climbing: Pack energy bars, nuts, chocolate, or local chyura (beaten rice) for quick energy boosts between meals during the climbing/expedition only.
- Breakfast: Porridge/Oatmeal (often with honey, fruits, or nuts), eggs (fried, scrambled, or omelets with veggies), Pancakes or Tibetan Bread (served with jam, honey, or peanut butter), Muesli/Cornflakes (with hot or cold milk), Tea/Coffee (black, milk tea, or ginger lemon honey tea) etc.
- Lunch: Dal Bhat (Nepali staple: lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry, and pickles—unlimited refills!), Noodles/Pasta (fried noodles, garlic pasta, or ramen), Momos (dumplings stuffed with veggies or meat), sandwiches (egg, cheese, or tuna), soup (garlic, mushroom, or veggie—popular for warmth and hydration) etc.
- Dinner: Dal Bhat, Curries (veggie, potato, or chicken with rice or chapati), Thukpa (local noodle soup), Pizza, Pasta, Fried Rice/Noodles, Desserts (apple pie, rice pudding, or Snickers rolls etc.).
- Sagarmath (Everest) National Park permit /Entrance fees.
- Makalu Barun National Park permit.
- Peak climbing (NMA) permit /Royalty.
- Khumbu Pasang Rural Municipality Entry permit / Entrance fees.
- Entrance fees in Monastery/temple during the trek.
- Trekking Guide: A First Aid and Eco trained & Government licensed holder professional equipped English-speaking climbing/mountaineering sherpa guide.
- Support Sherpa: if the group size more than six persons, we provide one extra Sherpa to support the group.
- Porters: One Porter between each 2 members while on trek (Maximum weight for a porter is 25 Kg). If you are single booking the porter cost need to pay extra, please add the cost add on option.
- Accommodation, meals, daily salary, equipment, transportation & Insurance of Asian Hiking Team staffs (guide, Sherpa, porter).
- Peak Climbing/trekking Map /Itinerary: Asian Hiking Team provides free a copy of trekking map /trekking/peak Itinerary to our client.
- Group Climbing equipment such as fix ropes, main ropes Ice tool, Ice screws, Ice Bar, Carabineers, Locking carabineers, Short-5- millimeter accessory cords, Slings etc.
- Sleeping Bag: Asian Hiking Team provide sleeping bag, the sleeping bag is (-20 degrees). If you are planning high passes trekking/ camping trekking or climbing you should be need to bring your own which is -30.
- T-short: Asian Hiking Team provide the company T-short for a souvenir.
- Certificate: Asian Hiking Team provide Trekking/Hiking/Tour/Climbing success certificate for your memory and awardees.
- First Aid: First aid is the immediate assistance given to someone who is injured or ill until professional medical help is available. Its goal is to preserve life, prevent further harm, and promote recovery. Asian Hiking Team staff carry the basic first aid. You need to bring your own personal medicine with you. If you are trekking in high altitude should be bringing Diamox for acclimatization (125 mg tabs recommended; enough for a week or more). You can buy here in Kathmandu any pharmacy.
- Farewell dinner: Asian Hiking Team provide a farewell dinner with Nepalese cultural programs the last day of the trip.
- Travel & Rescue arrangement service: You should bring insurance, must include emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue services.
- International air ticket to/from Nepal.
- Nepal tourist visa: for the Nepal Tourist visa fees, process of visa, further rules and regulation please check here https://www.immigration.gov.np.
- Accommodation: Asian Hiking Team provide the hotel in Kathmandu and during the trekking as itinerary. If you stay an additional day, you need to pay an extra cost.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner are not includes in Kathmandu.
- Hot drinks: Tea/ Coffees/ Hot water, hot showers etc during the hotel/lodge.
- Cold/soft drinks: All cold drinks, alcohol drinks, beer, bottle water etc.
- Snacks: Pack energy bars, nuts, chocolate, or local chyura (beaten rice) for quick energy boosts between meals during the trekking.
- Personal trekking/climbing gears & clothing (some of the equipment is possible to rent in Kathmandu): please check in check list for peak climbing equipment list…
- Personal solar pack (if any) for charging heavy electronics (laptops, professional camera, batteries, etc.).
- Internet / Wi-Fi/Telephone: There are almost all trekking reason you can buy internet/ Wi-Fi service in the hotel. It is also possible to buy the NCAL or NTC Sim card for telephone or use data.
- Insurance: Medical evacuation in case of emergency, expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslide, strikes, political unrest etc. in such case extra will be charged as per actual.
- Kathmandu: During the sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara the entry fees for Temple or Monastery, Durbar Square are not includes in the cost.
- The tip for guide or porter/ Summit bonus: It's a way to show appreciation for good service and is often left as a small present or in addition. Tips are a common practice in many cultures and are often expected for services.
- Porter: Asian Hiking Team provide one porter between two members. If you want to hire the additional porter, the cost in not includes.
- Sherpa/ Guide: If you want personal Sherpa/guide, it is not including on the cost.
| Date | Duration | Status | Booked | Action |
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Tailored add-ons in Nepal trips refer to customizable essentials that enhance and personalize your travel experience. Options include:
- Customized Accommodations: Upgrade from standard lodging to luxury hotels or homestays.
- Porter/Sherpa Service: Hire a porter to carry up to 25 kg of gear for US$22-25/day.
- Helicopter Flights: Opt for helicopter transport to your own destination (as for cost, its depends).
- Adventure Activities: Add paragliding (US$100), bungee jumping (US$100), or rafting (from US$30).
- Cultural & Spiritual Journeys: Include visits to Lumbini, Pashupatinath, tours or local festivals.
- Wildlife Safaris: Extend your trip with a safari in Chitwan (from US$99) or Bardia (US$299).
- Flexible Scheduling: Adjust dates and durations to fit your needs.
Hotel/ Lodge: Single/Twin-sharing room with wooden beds, foam mattresses, and blankets (bring a sleeping bag for extra warmth/hygiene). Most of the place have shared toilets (usually Asian-style squat or Western toilets). Some of the place has attached toiled. Hot showers available (on extra cost). Higher up, hot water is scarce.
Tented Camping: Tented camping is a classic and essential part of trekking, peak climbing, and expedition in remote areas of the Himalayas where teahouse accommodation is unavailable. Asian Hiking Team provides Tent (2-person or single occupancy Dom and Box tent depends on area and numbers of days), Sleeping mat (foam or inflatable), Dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent (group use - for expedition), Kitchen equipment and utensils (carried by support crew), Power bank or solar charger, heater, Generator (for expedition) etc.
Meals: During the hotel/Guest house trekking, there are international menu so you can choose whatever you like. During the camping,...
The difficulty of the climbing or expedition depends on the peak. Trekking peaks are easier than high mountain expeditions, but some of the less high trekking peaks are also technical for climbing.
We have to calculate the grade focus on following topic:
a) Length of trek and walking days /Easy glacier route.
b) Which Mountain and altitude conditions.
c) Average altitude, maximum altitude and average gain/loss per day.
d) Likely prevailing weather conditions and temperature range.
e) Remoteness of local services and general level of comfort.
f) Rock climbing or Ice climbing.
g) Technical climbing and complicated glaciers.
h) Steep climbing or long snow/ice slopes
i) Very difficult Long, serious, remote, and highly technical Climbing over thousands of vertical feet
j) High commitment, and few bivouac sites.
Grade I: Easy glacier rout, average altitude.
Grade II: Half a day or less for the technical portion of the route or not technical but exposed to knife-edged ridges, weather, and altitude.
Grade III: Moderate...
Asian Hiking Team’s Guides/Sherpa are professionals with proven records of honesty and personal integrity, committed to environmentally responsible climbing practices that minimize ecological impact. Our Climbing Guides possess extensive knowledge of all climbing disciplines, local cultures, customs, and religions, and they enthusiastically share these insights with clients. All Guides are fluent in English and speak additional languages upon request. Asian Hiking Team’s Climbing Guides/Sherpa bring years of experience and exceptional expertise in all facets of Nepal mountaineering. Each holds a Nepal Government License, Mountaineering Association Accreditation, and Summit Certificates for Nepal Himalayan peaks. Our high-altitude Sherpa guides are qualified through rigorous training from NMA, TAAN, and NATHAM.
Every climbing guide undergoes comprehensive technical training and possesses practical mastery of:
- Rock, ice, and snow climbing techniques;
- High-altitude camp logistics, setup, and operations;
- Advanced safety protocols for high-altitude camping;
- Fixed-rope climbing, belay techniques, and all mountaineering gear usage;
- Oxygen systems, high-altitude nutrition, and avalanche/mountain rescue techniques. All Mountaineering Guides...
Climatic Zones by Altitude:
Tropical and Subtropical Zone (Below 1,200 meters): Found in the southern Terai region, this zone experiences hot summers (often exceeding 40°C) and mild winters (7°C–23°C). Monsoon rains are heavy here, with annual rainfall reaching 1,400–1,900 mm Temperate Zone (1,200–2,400 meters): This includes cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Summers are warm (20°C–35°C), and winters are cool (2°C–12°C) with occasional sub-zero temperatures at night. Pokhara, nestled near the Annapurna Range, receives Nepal’s highest rainfall (up to 3,900 mm annually) due to orographic lift during monsoon. Cold Zone (2,400–3,600 meters): Areas like Namche Bazaar experience cold winters (average January temperature around 0°C) and mild summers (12°C in July). Snow is common in winter Subarctic and Arctic Zones (Above 3,600 meters): In high Himalayan regions (e.g., Everest Base Camp), temperatures remain below freezing in winter (-16°C in January) and rarely exceed 10°C in summer. Permanent snow and ice dominate above 6,000 meters.
Nepal...
Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (TMI) flights:
Air company: Buddha Air operates one flight daily, generally departing around 10:30 AM and arriving at 11:05 AM (35-minute flight) and Yeti Air offers a second daily departure at about 11:10 AM, arriving at 11:45 AM, on select days . Flight time is approx. 35–45 minutes over 185 km Cost: Every season all cost are changeable so please check by email or WhatsApp for recent cost.
Kathmandu to Tumlintar by land
Distance: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar is approximately 600 km by road, with a driving time of around 12 hours under good conditions. In practice, expect 12–14 hours, or even longer if roadwork or landslides occur. Public Bus + Taxi/Jeep Transfers; Kathmandu to Dharan or Itahari and Dharan/Itahari to Tumlingtar Departure: Frequent daytime buses from Gongabu/New Bus Park. Duration: 10–12 hours. Dharan/Itahari to Tumlingtar -Local shared jeeps or buses depart early morning. Duration: 4–6 hours, depending on road conditions. Private Jeep (Direct Hire) - yes, it is possible to...
Asian Hiking Team strongly recommend that you take out trip cancellation, air ambulance/helicopter rescue insurance. You should be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, cover for this type of travel. You must ensure that the policy you do take provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved. Furthermore, you must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday; if you cannot provide this at the start of the holiday, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time. If this is not done or impossible for practical reasons, then you will not be allowed to continue with our trekking/climbing trips and will not be entitled to any refund for services not provided. Your insurance must include emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue services.
Recommended Insurance Company in Nepal (Only for Nepali)
- Neco Insurance Co Ltd. -...
At Asian Hiking Team, we believe that every journey should be both transformative for the traveler and respectful to the host environment and communities. Responsible tourism isn’t just a practice—it’s a core value that shapes how we operate, lead tours, and engage with people and places.
Environmental Responsibility
We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our operations while encouraging a greener way of traveling.
Our eco-conscious practices include:
- Limiting group sizes to a maximum of 20 to reduce environmental pressure.
- Using stainless steel mugs for tea/coffee to reduce single-use waste.
- Relying on gas for cooking instead of wood fires, preserving forests.
- Carrying out waste from high altitudes for proper city disposal.
- Avoiding the use of soap near natural water sources.
- Using reusable containers and encouraging travelers to bring their own refillable water bottles.
- Leaving campsites cleaner than we found them.
- Encouraging minimal water usage, especially in high-altitude regions.
- Preventing...
Climbing Gear: : Ice Axe/Ice Hammer: Bring a lightweight axe with a pick that will stick easily in hard glacier ice. Attach a lightweight wrist leash that is usable for climbing steeper terrain. Boot: Double Climbing Boots with expedition liners: Make sure your crampons can be adjusted to fit them. Or for the peak climbing you can use plastic boot too. Crampons: These must be sharp and must fit your boot perfectly. Harness: Make sure the buckle is easy for you to thread in cold conditions! Gear loops will be useful for this trip, as well as adjustable leg loops. Helmet: Be sure you can comfortably fit a warm hat underneath. Hardware: Bring 2 locking and 3 lightweight regular carabineers. It is helpful if at least one of the locking carabineers has a "key gate", like the Petzl Attaché. Our guide have Ice tool, Ice screws, Carabineers, Locking carabineers, Short-5- millimeter accessory cords, slings. Ascender / rappel: Bring one handled ascender, Rappel for descend and one Petzl Tibloc for ascending the fixed rope.
Footwear Items: : Hiking Boot: These boots provide more stability and ankle protection against protruding limbs and rocks than hiking shoes do. Mountain walking or hiking boots are designed for mountain and hill walking, backpacking and mountaineering. Gaiters and Micro spikes: if you are trekking in high passes you should prepare gaiters and Micro spikes in case of snow. You can buy in Kathmandu. Sport sandals: Sandals (such as Teva's) are lightweight and tough, doubles as shower slippers. Socks: Three/Four sets of warm socks.
Climbing Gear: : Necessary Climbing Clothes: Jacket: Lightweight waterproof-breathable construction with a hood -20 Down Jacket. Pants: Lightweight waterproof-breathable shell pants or bibs with full-length leg zippers. ALSO, very useful are synthetic insulation full-zip pants, for example, Mountain Hardware Compressor Pants--for evenings and cold summit days or down paint. Mid-Layers: Fleece or Soft Shell layering pieces that work well with the rest of your clothing. A Soft Shell jacket and an expedition weight long john top will work well. Climbing Pants: Look for construction that provides freedom of movement and/or stretch materials. Fabric should be a breathable synthetic that preferably holds up to abrasion. Base Layers: - 2 synthetic tops and 1 bottom. Zip neck tops are the way to go. Mittens: Fleece mittens with an over mitten. Nothing competes with a mitten for warmth when the going got tough. Ski Gloves/Light Gloves/ Leather gloves: A warm insulated glove with leather palm will be worn a lot of the time. Polypropylene or fleece. Leather palms handle the fixed line better. Or good abrasion resistant climbing glove for the rock sections. Trousers: Water-resistant hiking pants (for TK), North Face and Patagonia are good brands, avoid jeans, pants with zip-off legs can come in handy. T-Shorts: 1/2 pair of t-shorts (for TK), walking shorts. Loose and comfortable, preferably nylon, which (for men) double as a swimsuit. (Avoid shorts which are too revealing.) T-shirts (TK/TR). Over-shirt: 1 long-sleeved over-shirt, light to medium weight and breathable, to protect you from the sun and bug bites. Hemp, linen or cotton is recommended. Belt: 1 belt, cotton or nylon lashing strap doubles as a gear strap. Hat: Wool or fleece stocking hat with ear protection and Sun hat. Neck Gaiter and/or a Buff (highly recommended), Baseball hat and Bandana. Underpants/panties, Bra: 2–3 pairs.
Trekking Gear: : Trekking Poles: Poles come in handy for balance and easing impact to your knees. Get collapsible poles that can attach to your backpack and fit into your Duffel. Backpack: You may choose to bring a smaller "day pack" for your airline travel carry on, and this can be used on the trek if you want to carry a smaller (35 liter or so), light trekking pack. You need a pack big enough for your clothes, water, camera, food, etc. during the day. Pack Cover: Waterproof rain cover for your trekking pack. Sleeping Bag: Bring a sleeping bag comfortable to -20 for trekking, however it is better to bring -30 for climbing. During the trekking in hotel/guest house -20 is fine but on the tented home you need -30. Down is lighter and much more compressible. Keep in mind that many of your nights will be much warmer than -20, especially on the trek in to base camp. Duffel Bags: Asian Hiking Team provide one duffel bags each member as you want. We normally pack all our equipment in large Duffel bags. Make sure they are well labeled with indelible ink as well as a travel tag. The duffels go on the trek/climb with you and will be carried by porters or yaks. Except for them to get wet and muddy, so rugged, waterproof duffels are good. Bags with wheels are nice for the airport, but the porters and yaks don't like to carry them, so don't bring wheeled bags (or at least not two of them). You will also store some travel clothes at the hotel in Kathmandu while trekking, so a small additional bag with a lock might be handy. Bring 5 large plastic garbage bags to pack gear inside duffels to protect gear from rain.
Others Accessories: : Headlamp: Bring a good LED headlamp with 2 sets of lithium batteries for cold conditions. Water Bottles: 2 wide mouth plastic water bottles with insulated covers. A small Thermos bottle is great for cold mornings. Bring a pee bottle too (optional: Water purification: Iodine tablets (Potable Aqua or similar) or iodine crystals (Polar Pure). One bottle of Potable Aqua (enough to treat 25 liters) should be more than sufficient. Sleeping Bag: Bring a sleeping bag comfortable to -20 for trekking, however it is better to bring -30 to -35 for climbing. During the trekking in hotel/guest house -20 is fine but on the tented home you need -30 or -35. Down is lighter and much more compressible. Keep in mind that many of your nights will be much warmer than -20, especially on the trek in to base camp. Eyewear: Bring good sunglasses with side protection. For contact lens wearers, ski goggles with light color lenses (for use at night) might be useful in windy conditions. The ski goggles are essential for all climbers in really stormy conditions and can serve as an emergency backup for broken or lost sunglasses. Vision correction: Bring extra prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses if you wear them. Lens solutions are not widely available in Nepal, bring enough for the duration. Wrist Watch: With alarm and night light. An altimeter watch is useful. First Aid: Hand sanitizer (Pirelli), moleskin or Compete, athletic tape, aspirin (some climbers take a baby aspirin every day up high) and/or ibuprofen / acetaminophen, Imodium, Band-Aids, antacid, insect repellant, ear plugs, and two rolls of toilet paper in quart Ziploc bags (we will have a supply at Base Camp), small towel, soap/shampoo. Prescription Medications: Antibiotic for upper respiratory problems, Antibiotic for GI problems, Diamox for acclimatization (125 mg tabs recommended; enough for a week or more), Tylenol 3 or similar for severe headaches, Asthma medication, if any history. Skin Care: Sun block lotion (at least #30 protection factor -- have at least one smaller tube (1 oz) that can fit in your pocket) and lip salve. Put your lip protection on a string and hang it from your neck. That way you'll use it. It also works great for your nose. Personal Snack Food: The food is great on the trek, but you might enjoy a few snacks/chocolates.
Travel Items: : Passport (valid for at least 6 months): It is easy to get your Nepal visa on arrival in Kathmandu at the airport, bring a passport photo. Bring a copy of the information pages and a couple of extra passport photographs. Carry these in a separate location. You'll be glad you did if you ever lose a passport. Camera: with spare batteries, and film or memory cards, but keep it reasonable and weight. Consider a small USB drive to make it easy to share photos with your teammates. Bathing Suit: Towel, Toothpaste and brush, floss, mini hairbrush, razor, soap, mini bottle of shampoo, travel mirror, nail clippers etc. Travel Wallet: Some type of secure travel wallet is a must. Remember a pen for travel documents. MP3 Player and Books: As you want to read on the way to trekking. Plan on sharing books on hotel/guest house or MP3 player. Chemical Hand Warmers (not compulsory).
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