Baruntse Expedition (7,129 m)

Today is reserved for rest, the official expedition briefing and final preparations. We complete the Baruntse climbing permit formalities while your climbing leader checks your equipment piece by piece, so anything missing can be bought or hired in Thamel. Group gear and expedition food are packed and sent to Lukla. In the evening we review the acclimatisation plan, communication and safety procedures together.

A short, scenic flight from Kathmandu, or from Ramechhap in the busiest seasons, lands at Lukla. Instead of heading north towards Everest, we turn east and climb through rhododendron and pine forest to the summer pastures of Chutanga. The walk takes 3-4 hours. Gaining height gently here is important before tomorrow's high pass. Overnight in a simple teahouse.

A steep climb takes us to the Zatrwa La, the expedition's first high pass, marked by prayer flags and cairns, with wide views back over the Lukla valley and the peaks beyond. We then descend a short distance to the teahouses of Thuli Kharka. Allow 6-7 hours. This is a key acclimatisation day, so walk slowly, drink plenty of water and keep warm layers to hand.

The trail descends steeply into the Hinku valley through forest of pine, fir and rhododendron, with the first views of Mera Peak's broad snow summits ahead. We cross side streams and follow the Hinku Khola to Kothe, a small settlement of teahouses on the riverbank. Walking time is 5-6 hours. Losing height today helps the body consolidate yesterday's altitude gain.

We walk up the Hinku valley beside the river, passing the small Lungsumgba gompa tucked beneath a rock overhang, to the summer grazing settlement of Thangnak. Peaks such as Kusum Kanguru and Mera line the valley, and the landscape becomes more open and alpine with every hour. Walking time is 4-5 hours, leaving time to rest in the afternoon. Overnight in a teahouse.

A short but steady climb along the moraines of the upper Hinku valley leads to Khare, the last settlement below Mera Peak, with impressive views of the Mera glacier and north face. Walking time is 3-4 hours, leaving the afternoon free to rest. The altitude gain is significant, so take it slowly, drink plenty and tell your guide about any symptoms of altitude sickness.

A full rest day to let the body adapt. We take a short hike higher towards the Mera glacier and return to sleep at Khare. Your climbing guide also runs a refresher on crampon, ice axe, jumar and abseil techniques on the nearby slopes, so that the whole team works efficiently on fixed ropes later. The evening is for resting, eating well and drinking plenty of fluids.

We climb onto the Mera glacier to the broad saddle of the Mera La, then descend steeply on the far side into the remote Hongu valley. Glacier and moraine give way to open pasture at Kongma Dingma, where we camp. It is a long day of 7-8 hours, with crampons needed on the glacier. From here onwards our camping crew takes care of all meals and accommodation.

We follow the Hongu river upstream through a broad, rocky valley, with Chamlang towering above to the east. Seto Pokhari, meaning white lake, is a beautiful glacial lake set in an amphitheatre of peaks and a quiet place to camp. The walk takes 4-5 hours, and the modest gain in altitude is a useful step in our acclimatisation before base camp.

A gradual climb along the valley and over moraine brings us to base camp at around 5,400 m in the upper Hongu, beneath the snow slopes of Baruntse. Our kitchen and Sherpa team set up the dining tent, kitchen and an individual tent for each member. Walking time is 4-5 hours, and the afternoon is free to rest, settle into camp and enjoy the setting.

After a puja ceremony, the Sherpa team fixes ropes up the steep headwall to Camp 1 at around 6,100 m and on to Camp 2 at around 6,400 m on the south-east ridge. Members make acclimatisation rotations, returning to base camp to recover between them. With a stable forecast, we make the summit push along the ridge and up a steep ice section to the top, then descend to base camp. Spare days allow for bad weather.

We dismantle base camp, pack out all rubbish and walk back down the Hongu valley past Seto Pokhari to the pastures of Kongma Dingma. Losing around 550 m of height improves sleep and appetite, and the walk of 5-6 hours feels far easier than on the way up. The evening is a good time to celebrate the climb with the whole crew around the dining tent.

We climb back to the Mera La (5,415 m) and cross the glacier with crampons, then descend to the familiar teahouses at Khare. With full acclimatisation, the pass feels much easier than on the way in, although it is still a long day of 6-7 hours. Enjoy final views back over the Hongu valley and the peaks that surround Baruntse.

A long descent down the Hinku valley through Thangnak returns us to the forest and the riverside teahouses at Kothe. Losing more than 1,400 m in a day, you will notice warmer air and the scent of pine and rhododendron. Walking time is about 6 hours. After weeks of camping, a hot meal in a lodge kitchen feels like real luxury.

We climb out of the Hinku valley through dense forest, retracing our route back up to the open meadows of Thuli Kharka. It is a steady day of 6-7 hours with some steep sections, but your acclimatisation makes the ascent far easier than it would have been at the start of the trip. Overnight in a teahouse, ready for the last pass.

A short climb brings us back to the Zatrwa La (4,610 m), the last pass of the expedition, followed by a long, steep descent through Chutanga to Lukla. Allow 6-7 hours, and take care on the steep and sometimes icy trail below the pass. In the evening we share a farewell dinner with the Sherpa team and porters who made the expedition possible.

Morning flights leave Lukla when the weather allows, landing in Kathmandu after a short flight, or at Ramechhap followed by a drive of 4-5 hours. We transfer you to your hotel for a long shower and some rest. Lukla flights are weather dependent; if delays occur, our Kathmandu office rearranges your onward plans with you. The evening is free.

Our team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport around three hours before your flight home. If time allows, enjoy a final stroll around Boudha or Thamel for souvenirs. Thank you for climbing Baruntse with Nima Adventure. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next Himalayan objective, perhaps an 8,000-metre peak.