Makalu Base Camp Trek

If you are willing to travel a less trodden path and off the beat, face up the challenges that few have faced before you and do not mind traversing in relatively remote yet tranquil regions that Himalayas of Nepal have to offer, Makalu Base Camp Trek might be just the right one for your daring soul!

Makalu Base Camp Trek falls under restricted region trekking and as such requires special trekking pass. The major part of trail involves trekking in Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, which was established in 1992. Mt. Makalu is fifth highest mountain in the world (8,481m), yet this region has surprisingly less visitors because of its relative isolation compared to other popular and more frequented routes. Even though, there is an airport (Tumlingtar) which is couple of hours of drive from the commencement point of trek (Chichila) and there are tea houses and lodges aplenty throughout the way.

What is the best time for trekking to Makalu Base Camp Trek?
Makalu Base Camp trek graces you with a distinct allure when you visit this region during April/May. When you travel during spring time, the sight of lush green forests adorned with red, pink and white rhododendron flowers will surely make your hike easier. It’s as if mother nature is compensating you for your strenuous walk, with blooming flowers, serene waterfalls and views of the mountain ranges, that are better in reality than anything human imagination can muster.

Makalu Barun National Park is the eighth largest in Nepal (covering 2,330 sq. km) and is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in Nepal, including the Red Panda. March to May and September to November is considered most ideal season for Makalu Base Camp Trek.

Trekking Through Makalu Base Camp Trek
Makalu Base Camp trek is considered one of the most challenging trekking venture, yet one of the most enthralling as well. The trail passes through remote villages, green terraced farmlands, rivers and rivulets, granite cliffs and waterfalls.

As you pass through Arun valley, you will realize that this trek consists of wide variety of altitudes and climates and vegetation sheltering hundreds of different species of plants and animals in Nepal. Makalu base camp at an altitude of (5000m) brings us to the one of the most far off and infrequent regions in Nepal. on the way, Makalu trek provides us a majestic contact in which the high waterfall cascade into deep gorges are seen. Makalu trek is also a place of outstanding herbal splendor.

Most famous Mountains you see while trekking to Makalu Base Camp Trek – 22 days!
You will be able to see the world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest from a unique angle, it’s eastern Kangshung face. The uncommon views of number of world’s tallest mountains like; Makalu, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Baruntse,Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Thamserku and others will surely be a prize in itself, yet, there is more to this trek. Not to mention, while traversing through this circuit, one has to cross through three challenging passes at high altitude; Sherpani Col (6110m), West Col (6140m) and Amphu Laptsha (5850m).

Would you?
To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles and in every walk with a nature one receives far more than he seeks. Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing your lawn. Climb the damn mountain. As they say, the best view comes after the hardest climb!

Is fitness necessary before this Makalu Base Camp Trek – 22 Days?
This trek is usually recommended for people who have prior experiences or are in good physical stamina, as the route is sure to be bring challenges and test the resolve of travelers, thus making it a bit strenuous. Makalu Base Camp Trek can be completed in 22 days.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

As most of the trekking in Makalu region, Makalu Base Camp Trek begins with a short flight usually takes around 35 minutes and the views of the mountains are great if you are lucky enough not to have any cloud! You will then have to take a Jeep to Num which might take approx. 3/4 hours. After we start our trek with our professional trek guide and porters from Trek Venture Nepal from Num to Seuda, Kongma Danda, Yangla Kharkha, Sherson and finally Makalu Base Camp Trek and descend to Tashi gaun, Seuda to Tumlingatar where you will catch a fight back to Kathamandu.

The Makalu Base Camp Trek will be done in 22 days of summary and also be customized according to the time and needs of trekkers.

Day 1 :

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft), Check in hotel (B&B plan).

Welcome to Kathmandu, an ancient city rich in cultural heritages, vibrant and full of diversity in every sense of the word. Our guide will receive you at the gate of Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA) with your name on the board. He/she will brief you about your schedule and information you might need the most while driving towards hotel room. We make sure your are comfortable and leave the rest of the day to yourself to relax.

Day 2 :

Sightseeing, cultural tour followed by preparation for the trip.

We visit UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu by our private van. We will start by visiting the Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple. A panoramic view of Kathmandu city can be seen from the top of Swayambhunath. We then visit the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, followed by a visit to another Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath.

At the end of the day we return back to the hotel and go through pre-briefing about next schedule. Our guide will assist you to prepare your necessary gears as per the need of upcoming trek.

Day 3 :

Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar 410m/50 minutes then drive to Chichila 1980m/3-4 hours drive

With thrills and adventures in our minds, we kick off our journey with an early morning flight to Tumlingtar. Relishing a breathtaking view of the mountains, hills, and rivers that make up the Nepalese landscape, we arrive in Tumlingtar, where we rest for an hour or two. We then drive to the Gurung village of Chichila with greenery filling up our landscape. Overnight at a lodge in Chichila.

Day 4 :

Trek from Chichila to Num 1560m/6-7 hours

On the first day of our trek, we trek through lush Himalayan forests of rhododendron and pass some beautiful small villages to reach Num. We can get a scant glimpse of the Himalayas from Num. Overnight at a lodge in Num.

Day 5 :

Trek from Num to Seduwa 1500m/6-7 hours

Crossing a wooden bridge over Barun River, we enter the Makalu Barun Conservation Area. Our guide will deal with all kinds of legal permits for the trek. We trek through dense forests of juniper and rhododendron passing few villages to finally reach Seduwa. Overnight in a lodge in Seduwa.

Day 6 :

Trek from Seduwa to Tashigaon 2100m/4-5 hours

Trekking with Isuwa Khola and Kusuwa Khola on each side, we cross a wooden bridge over Isuwa Khola and pass several small villages and forests. After trekking for a couple of hours and crossing the bridge, we reach the Sherpa village of Tashigaon. The vista of the Himalayas is magnificent from Tashigaon. Overnight at a lodge in Tashigaon.

Day 7 :

Trek from Tashigaon to Khongma Danda 3500m/6-7 hours

We may have a tough day today as we walk on steep trails on our way to Khongma Danda. We climb stone stairs and come across few lakes and fields filled with yaks, blue sheep, and other Himalayan cattle grazing in the field. Upon reaching Unshisa, we enter Makalu Barun National Park. After 7 hours of trek, we reach Khongma Danda. Overnight at a lodge in Khongma Danda.

Day 8 :

Acclimatization Day

To acclimatize ourselves with high altitude, we take a break from trekking today. Later, we can visit some nearby Buddhist monasteries and learn about Sherpa culture and ways of life from the locals. Overnight at a lodge in Khongma Danda.

Day 9 :

Trek from Khongma Danda to Dobate 3520m/6-7 hours

Today will be a tough day for us as we have to pass four passes to reach Dobate. We start with climbing over Kauma La Pass (3603m) and then head on to Keke La Pass (4127m). We further climb on to Shipton La pass (4170m), where we stumble across beautiful Kalo Pokhari Lake. Then, we trek for a couple of hours and pass Tutu La Pass (4080m) to finally reach Dobate. We relish the alluring view of Chamlang (7319m), Peak 6 (6524m), Peak 7 (6758m), and the other Himalayas from Dobate. Overnight at a lodge in Dobate.

Day 10 :

Trek from Dobate to Yangri Kharka 3557m/6-7 hours

Trekking through dense rhododendron forests, we cross Barun River and trek towards Yangri Kharka. On our way, we may come across yaks grazing in the field. The yaks are the chief transportation means in these regions. After 7 hours of trek, we reach Yangri Kharka. Overnight at a lodge in Yangri Kharka.

Day 11 :

Trek from Yangri Kharka to Langmale Kharka 4410m/5-6 hours

We trek along the lush Himalayan forests and cross a couple of wooden bridges over small streams to reach Merek. Chasing the mesmerizing view of the Himalayas, we continue our trek walking on moraines and pass small Himalayan villages to reach Langmale Kharka. Overnight at a lodge in Langmale Kharka.

Day 12 :

Trek from Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp 4870m/6-7 hours

Climbing on a steep trail alongside Barun Nadi, we walk through icy glaciers and ridges to reach Shershong. We relish the beauty of Mt. Makalu (8481m) on our way to the base camp. We trek for an hour or two to finally reach Makalu Base Camp. The panorama of the Himalayas from the base camp is jaw-dropping. Overnight at a lodge in Makalu Base Camp.

Day 13 :

Exploration around Makalu Base Camp, Makalu Glacier

Today, we explore the Makalu Base Camp vicinity with a superb panorama of Makalu from the south face, Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), and the other Himalayas in eastern Nepal. We relish the beauty of the surrounding glaciers and glacial lakes. We can also hike a little up to Barun Glacier and make a side trip to the tranquil Barun Pokhari. Overnight at a lodge in Makalu Base Camp.

Day 14 :

Trek from Makalu Base Camp to Yangri Kharka 3557m/6-7 hours

After our successful trek to Makalu Base Camp, we bid farewell to the base camp and descend to Yangri Kharka. Trekking through sparse forests along the rocky trails, we pass small villages of Shershong, Langmale Kharka, and Merek on our way to Yangri Kharka. Overnight at a lodge in Yangri Kharka.

Day 15 :

Trek from Yangri Kharka to Dobate 3520m/6-7 hours

Trekking along free-flowing Barun River, we pass alpine forests, rocky ridges, and few small streams to finally reach Dobate. We relish the beauty of nature while descending to Dobate. On our way, we may come across some yaks, snow pigeons, and blue sheep. Overnight at a lodge in Dobate.

Day 16 :

Trek from Dobate to Khongma Danda 3500m/5-6 hours

Today, we leave Dobate for Khongma Danda. We trek along rhododendron, juniper, and fir forests to reach Mumbuk. From Mumbuk, we cross Tutu La Pass (4080m), Shipton La Pass (4170m), Keke La Pass (4127m), and Kauma La Pass (3603m) to finally reach Khongma Danda after 7 hours of trek. Overnight at a lodge in Khongma Danda.

Day 17 :

Trek from Khongma Danda to Tashigaon 2100m/4-5 hours

We trek through dense forests and pass few lakes on our way back to Tashigaon. Trekking along steep rocky trails, we exit Makalu Barun National Park as we trek for 5 hours to enter the beautiful Sherpa village of Tashigaon. Overnight at a lodge in Tashigaon.

Day 18 :

Trek back from Tashi Gaun To Sedua – 5 hrs

Trekking along small streams, we pass the isolated valley of the Barun River through small settlements. We trek with Isuwa Khola on one side and Hingsa Khola on the other side to reach Seduwa after 5 hours of trek. Overnight at a lodge in Seduwa.

Day 19 :

Trek from Seduwa to Num 1560m/5-6 hours

We trek across several dense rhododendron and bamboo forests and cross Arun River to exit Makalu Barun Conservation Area. We pass a small rural settlement of Sherpas on our way to Num. We then trek for a couple of hours to reach the Sherpa village of Num. Overnight at a lodge in Num.

Day 20 :

Trek from Num to Tumlingtar 410m/6-7 hours

Today is the last day of our trek. We relish the joy of trekking along steep trials with the beautiful panorama of Mt. Makalu (8481m) for the last time before reaching Tumlingtar. After trekking for 7 hours, we reach Tumlingtar. Overnight at a lodge in Tumlingtar.

Day 21 :

Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu 50 miutes flight

After a successful trek, we fly back to the capital enjoying the beautiful aerial view of the mountains. Feel free to spend your leisure time as you please. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 22 :

Departure!

According to your Departure schedule, our office representative will pick you up from the hotel and takes you to the airport three hours before the scheduled flight.