Overview
The Makalu Base Camp Trek is a challenging and rewarding journey that takes you to the base camp of Mount Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world. Situated in the eastern part of Nepal, this trek offers a unique opportunity to explore pristine wilderness, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.
The Makalu Base Camp Trek typically takes around 18 to 23 days to complete, covering a distance of approximately 65 kilometers. The trek starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, followed by a drive to the village of Num, which serves as the starting point of the trek. From Num, you will gradually ascend through dense forests, terraced fields, and traditional villages, gradually gaining altitude.
The Makalu trekking trail follows the beautiful Barun Valley, part of the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area. This protected area is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, including rare wildlife like the elusive snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan black bear. The region is also a haven for birdwatchers, with numerous species of birds inhabiting the area.
The height of Makalu Base Camp is approximately 4,870 meters (15,978 feet) above sea level. It is important to acclimatize properly and be aware of the risks associated with high altitude trekking.
As you trek further into the Barun Valley, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, including Makalu (8,463 meters), Chamlang (7,319 meters), and Baruntse (7,129 meters). The landscape varies from lush green forests to alpine meadows, glacial moraines, and high passes.
The trekking is challenging yet fascinating. You will overview spectacular views of Kangshung face of Everest 8,848m, as well as Lhotse 8,516m, and Kanchenjunga in the Far East from Makalu Base Camp.
Apart from this, you will also witness the unbelievable view of Glaciers, Mountains, lakes, Hungu Valley, the rarest flora and fauna including the Red Panda, the Tibetan group who predominantly reside near Everest, rhododendron forests (most impressive in the spring, when the flowers bloom amazing in red, purple, pink and white color), cloud forest, alpine meadows.
Staying in the tea house and having a good time with the locals you will make amazing memories of friendly hosts with warm, good, and simple nutritious foods. We will come across the very small tea houses on the trekking trails where we get hot and tasty Foods, Soups, and drinks like Masala Tea and many more.
Regarding the cost of the Makalu Base Camp Trek, it can vary depending on various factors such as the duration of the trek, the number of participants, the level of services, and the inclusion of additional activities. The above cost is for the standard itinerary and service which we include here. This trek is customizable according to your days and interest so we advise you to contact our trekking tour manager for detailed cost information.
Trek Overview:
Thamel Marga Central Thamel Kathmandu (Google Map)
Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu (1300m/4428 ft.)
Kilometers:
Meals: Dinner
Our guide will receive you from the airport and will assist you to accommodate in a nice hotel. You can freshen up and can explore the nearby shops buy souvenirs and equipment needed for the trek.
You can visit pubs and bars that are highly famous among tourists, located onthe streets of Thamel or you can also take the day as a rest and give time to prepare yourself for the trek.
You will be explained about the trek in the evening in the hotel itself after a beautiful welcome dinner delight.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Trip duration: 9 hours.
Maximum Altitude: Kathmandu(1300 m/ 4428 ft.)
Meals: Breakfast
Afterhaving breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and will take you to the Pashupatinath temple. This place holds great religious significance to Hindu devotees. Lord Shiva is worshipped here.
The next place will be Bouddhanath; it is one of the oldest Tibetan stupas. You can taste several Tibetan delights like Laughing, Thenduk, Khapse, etc.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Flight duration: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (35 minutes flight)
Trek Duration: (Tumlingtar to Chichila (3-4 hrs)
Maximum Altitude: Chichila (1900m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After having breakfast, from Tribhuwan International Airport we will take a domestic flight to Tumlingtar. We will fly above mountain ranges overlooking a spectacular view of snow-capped peaks from Langtang to Mt. Everest, Makalu, and Mt. Kanchenjunga.
After arrival, we will drive to Chicila which will take 3-4 hours through bumpy, dirt, and offroads. We will go through a winding road uphill to Kandbari, a major town in the district that houses government officials.
Overnight: Chichila
Trek duration: 3-4 hours
Kilometer: 8km
Maximum Altitude: (1,980 m. /6,497 ft.)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After having breakfast at Chichila with beautiful views of natural fresh surroundings we will start our trek. This will be the 1st day of the trek and if the weather is clear we will get a beautiful view of snowcapped Mt. MakaluWe will start walking through a forest of rhododendron and bamboo picturesque villages with a superb view of the Himalayas including Makalu at a moderate pace.
We will stop for lunch for 30minutes and continue walking. We will reach a small Sherpa village of Mure from where our walk descends to the village of Num.
Overnight: Num
Maximum Altitude: 1,500 m. /4,922 ft
Kilometer: 8km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we hike through the opposite side of the Seduwa valley. For this, we will walk through descend steeply first to the terrace fields.
We will cross the Suspension bridge of ArunKhola and walk down to the river through cardamom crops before reaching the other side of the valley to reach Seduwa.
We will pass through the giant bamboo and bustling life of the village. You will encounter small shops, small basic teahouses. Our guide will go to visit the MakaluBaron National Park checkpoint which is essential to take a permit.
Overnight: Seduwa
Maximum Altitude: 2,100 m. /6,890 ft.
Kilometer: 7.2km
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we walk through many small farms that are dotted across the hillside, bamboo, and rhododendron forests. It will be a lovely day to walk without brutal ascents and descents than the day before.
We will begin climbing on a path with many steps of stones and pass mani walls as we head towards Sherpa country. We continue climbing out of the valley of the bamboo forest then start trekking through terrace rice fields to Manigaon village.
We have to reach Tashigaon School through forest and farmland and get to the entrance to Tashigaon village. It will take longer than you might have thought to get to this place. And also this is the last settlement of permanent people of the valley.
Overnight: Tashigaon
Maximum Altitude: 3,500 m. /11,483 ft.
Kilometer: 7.6km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will have a day full of hiking uphills. We will start our journey by ascending out of Tashigoun to gain more altitude and leave the green forest behind. After a short hike of the strenuous uphill climb, we will cross the log bridge and continue to ascend towards stunning bushes of rhododendron and juniper forest.
With a lovely walk through trees and colorful bloom of flowers, we will continue trek in sparse forests before making a final reach a few huts in Chipla. After 3 hours of walking steep uphill, you will reachDhara at 2,867m. It has few teahouses and we can have lunch or refreshments there.
Eventually, after walking for a couple of hours we will reach upwards from Unshisha. We will witness stone rest shops which has prayer flags surrounded. After half an hour of the hike from there, we will reach KhogmaDhada which might have a bit of snow.
Overnight: Khongma lodges
Maximum Altitude: 3890m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You are required to acclimatize properly and it’s essential to take a rest day after ascending a whole day of 1400m on the previous day.
You will acclimatize this day, before crossing Shipton La the next day. We will leave the lodge and slowly begin to walk to reach the pass as an optional morning walk which will help with the acclimatization process. You will get fabtastic view of Khongma and Kanchenjunga.
Overnight: Khongma
Maximum Altitude: 3650m
Kilometer: 6.8km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will cross four high passes with dramatic ridges and stunning views of mountain peaks. It will be a long, difficult, and spectacular day and be prepared if you are trekking in the autumn season.
We will carry enough snacks, food, and drinks with us because we will rarely find one tea shop in Shipton La. So we will only have lunch once we reach our destination Dobate.
As it will be a tough and tiring day, we will slowly start our trek through bushes of rhododendron until we reach the first pass which is Khongma La at 3890m. With the trail that climbs steeply along hills, we will witness fantastic views of Makalu a Chamlang including Kanchenjunga in the east. We continue walking to Sano PokhariDanda with the lake below at 4105m. It will take about an hour to reach here and we will come across a tiny teahouse.
We will steep ground to KaloPokhari Lake which is surrounded by prayer flags and is also famous among Hindu Pilgrims. This place is visited to celebrate the Hindu festival that is JanaiPurnima. After an easy walk from this lake, we will reach a lodge at Debate.
Overnight: Dobate
Maximum Altitude: 3,557 m. /11,670 ft.
Kilometer: 7.9km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will travel through huge rhododendrons and a descent forest of pine, fir, and birch. On our way to YangriKharka, we will have a really pleasant look for minivets, tragopans, and magpie trees.
We will trek to the south bank river of The Barun, and cross several areas of landslides to arriveat a small and beautiful village. You will reach YangriKharka that is situated in a meadow at the base of the valley. Despite being the worst landslide area, this place has great views of peak 6 and peak 7 down the valley which we will get to see it.
Overnight: YangriKharka
Maximum Altitude: 4,410 m. /14,468 ft.
Kilometer: 10.5km
Trek duration: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will pass through yak pastures to Small River and monastery. It’s a beautiful start to hike through lush forests and boulder fields with the river on the left side with the fantastic smell of juniper flowers around the environment as you walk. You will pass through various prayer flags in colorful lining the trail.
As we will begin to approach high altitude, we take breaks at some point to let our body acclimatize. You will see the views of Peak 4; Peak 6and Peak 7 as you realize that today is a fabulous day with snowcapped summits, vertical cliffs, rivers, and waterfalls.
We will go along with the trail for 2 hours of walking to JhakKharka, Yak Kharka, and Merek where we will see a small teahouse. After continuing upward for 2 hours we will reach Langmale.
Overnight: Langmale
It’s already been a week of trekking for 4-6 hours per day. So we will take a rest to acclimatize. We can use this day to hike in a good hill that has a viewing point behind the tea house and you can also extend this hike as far as you want.
Maximum Altitude: 4,900 m. /16,076 ft.
Kilometer: 8.5km
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will have a very short and easy trekking trail to reach our destination. The heights of today’s trek will be the mesmerizing view of Peak 7 and Peak 6. We begin ascending to a good path as the altitude is very easy.
The river will be on our left side as we move towards the valley. We will get a chance to see stunning views of Everest and Lhotse, of its south face. From the LanagmaleKhare we will move towards Shersong and within an hour or so we will reach Makalu Base Camp. Majestic Himalayan paranoia surrounds the camp that we will stay overnight in. Many Tibetan hill pigeons and black redstarts may be seen around the camp.
Overnight: Shershong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will roam around Makalu base camp which assures the most gorgeous panoramic views of mountains. We will climb to the ridge which is around 5,300m above the base camp.
We will cross the river on the bridge and walk upwards for around 3 hours. In this viewpoint, you will see the mesmerizing view of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. A closer and dramatic view of Manaslu can be seen as well. We will return to our basecamp.
Overnight: Makalu Base Camp
Maximum Altitude: 3,600 m. /11,811 ft.
Kilometer: 16km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will leave Manaslu Base camp and begin to re-track our steps to YangleKharke. It will take approximately about one and half hours of hike to reach Shershong. We will pass Merek and have lunch at the tea shop and make our way to Barun valley leaving yak pastries and lush forests behind to reach YangriKharke.
Overnight; LangmaleKharke
Maximum Altitude: 3,650 m./11,975 ft
Kilometer: 9.3km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Passing through the forest of rhododendron bushes as we approach the river down to the tea shop at Themanthang. It’s pleasant following the river and a wooden bridge surrounded by prayer flags to cross just before Themathang.
After a short while, we will have to walk through the landslide area which will take about an hour to reach. We should take care of our steps and be careful with the road as it has narrow sections to pass. We will start climbing steeply through the forest of rhododendron and we might also get the chance to witness a view of the Himalayan monal- National bird of Nepal.
The only tea shop is at Themanthang and after you come across Dobate there will be no shops, so take lots of snacks with you.
Overnight: Dobate
Maximum Altitude: 600m
Kilometer: 7.6km
Trek duration: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will trek from Dobate to KhongmaDanda. Trek will be relatively easy and enjoyable. Today will also be the last for us to captivate the views of mountains like Kanchenjunga. We will begin the trek by ascending to Keke La which is at 4.170m which will take about half an hour. The next point will be the Shipton La at 4,200 which will take about half an hour to reach. It is also the highest point of today. We will also stop here at the tea house for lunch.
We will come across Sano Pokhari after another hour of hiking to the mountainsides. We will come back to Khongma lodge after 250m of descent on stone and gravel steep roads.
Overnight: Khongma Lodge
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
Kilometer: 6.4km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start our journey by descending from Khongma after having breakfast. Our day will begin with a short ascend to DharaKharka which will take about 2 hours of hike. We will continue to see and feel tree lines of rhododendrons and juniper scents.
With a decent and steady walk, we will come across the beautiful village of Sherpa Tahshigaon.
Overnight: Tashigaon
Trek duration: 4-5 hours
Kilometer: 8.9km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a long day of steep and descent back to the village as we go through the mountains. We will reflect on the beautiful journey we had in the past few days. We will leave behind the MakaliBarun National Park and pass through the Barun River. We will walk to the hillside with Rhododendron and bamboo forests with terraced rice fields. After hours of walking, we will reach Seduwa.
Overnight: Seduwa
Trek duration: 5-6 hours
Kilometer: 8km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the final day you will take walk-in beautiful steps to Num. It will be a long, steep climb mainly on gravel and stone roads until you reach55Arun Valley at 770. As you walk deep into the forest you will feel very warm. We will cross the river and climb 800m back to Num. We will have lunch in the middle at a tea house.
Overnight: Num
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After having breakfast at Num our guide will transfer you back to Tumlintar by vehicle. But for that, we will retrace our footsteps back to Sherpa Village by crossing forests of bamboo along with the ridge village. We will reach Chichila village after an hour of walk. We will drive back to the same route that we came from before starting our journey.
Overnight: Tumlingtar
Trek duration: 50 minutes flight
Meals:Dinner
Our guide will take you to the domestic airport to catch a flight to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to the hotel and you can relax and have a day off. In the evening you can have a farewell dinner and enjoy the night.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast
After having breakfast our guide will help you with the luggage and you will be safely driven to the airport. Today your beautiful journey in Nepal ends. You will take a beautiful memory of Nepal with your friends, family or with yourself too.
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The best time to trek would be in spring (March-May0 or Fall (Sep-Nov). The weather of this region remains fine and with good temperature. Apart from these months, Trekking in Makalu during the winter season will also be good but cold temperatures will not be in good favor.
Yes. You will need two types of Permits for the Makalu trek.
a. Makalu Barun National Park permits
b. TIMS permit issued by Nepal Government for trekking to Makalu region.
This is a challenging yet exciting trek that every adventurous traveler takes. Comfort levels are more basic than some popular trekking routes of Nepal. However, trek to this region is not extremely challenging as we take a couple of acclimatization during the trek.
Makalu Barun National Park is also the main attraction during the trek to base camp. This region is famous for being the world’s only protected area with an elevation gain of more than 8000m, with tropical forests and snow-capped peaks.
You can reach there with the direct flight from Kathmandu to tumlingtar or from Biratnagar to Tumlingtar. It is a 6/7hrs drive to Hile and a 3-day trek to Tumlintar from there.
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