Makalu Base Camp Trek
The Makalu Base Camp Trek is a challenging and remote trekking route in Nepal that offers trekkers a unique and adventurous experience. However, because it is not as well-known as other Nepalese trekking sites, its off-beaten pathways are relatively calmer and more solitary. Makalu Base Camp Trip, the trek to the base camp of the fifth-highest mountain in the world, is one of the country’s most underappreciated trek routes. This trek is ideal for adventurers who wish to visit the remote regions of the Himalayan nation and learn about the culture and way of life of those who live at higher altitudes.
In this 22-day Makalu Base Camp Trek, hikers have the opportunity to explore the picturesque Tibetan and Sherpa settlements in the calm Himalayas. In addition, the trekkers will traverse Arun Valley and Barun Valley, two of the country’s most remote regions. Consequently, kids will learn about the difficulty of living in such locations. The Makalu Base Camp Trek also affords trekkers a unique vantage point of Mount Everest (8848m). After a strenuous ascent to Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m), trekkers will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Makalu (8481 m), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Baruntse (7129 m), Chamlang (7329 m), and other Himalayan peaks on the eastern side of Nepal. The Makalu Base Camp Trek also includes the Makalu Barun National Park, which is home to numerous plant and animal species. Makalu Base Camp Journey is the greatest trek for adventure-seeking trekkers with the courage to discover new areas.
Makalu Base Camp Trek Highlights
This trek is among the most difficult and exciting hikes Nepal has to offer. Here are some of the highlights of the Makalu Base Camp Trek.
Spectacular Scenery: The trek offers breathtaking views of the world’s fifth-highest peak, Mount Makalu (8,485 meters), as well as other stunning Himalayan peaks like Lhotse, Everest, and Baruntse. The landscapes vary from lush forests to alpine meadows to high-altitude rocky terrains.
Remote and Less Crowded: Unlike some of the more popular trekking routes in Nepal, the Makalu Base Camp Trek is relatively less crowded. This remoteness adds to the sense of adventure and provides a quieter and more peaceful trekking experience.
Rich Biodiversity: The trail passes through the Makalu Barun National Park, a conservation area known for its diverse flora and fauna. Trekkers have the chance to encounter various wildlife species, including red pandas, Himalayan tahrs, and a variety of bird species.
Cultural Encounters: The trail goes through traditional Sherpa and Rai villages, allowing trekkers to experience the local culture, lifestyle, and customs of these ethnic groups. The villages are adorned with colorful prayer flags, intricately carved mani walls, and monasteries.
Challenging Passes: The trek includes crossing several high passes, including the challenging Shipton La Pass (4,220 meters). These passes offer stunning panoramic views but also require good physical fitness and trekking experience.
Varied Landscapes: The trekking route takes you through a range of landscapes, from terraced fields and dense forests to high-altitude rocky terrains and glacier views. This diversity keeps the trek interesting and engaging.
Makalu Base Camp: The ultimate destination of the trek is Makalu Base Camp, situated at an elevation of about 4,800 meters. The base camp provides breathtaking views of Mount Makalu and the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Challenges and Rewards: This trek is considered a strenuous trek due to its remote location, challenging terrain, and altitude gain. While it requires physical fitness and prior trekking experience, the rewards are unparalleled, with stunning natural beauty and a sense of accomplishment.
It’s important to note that the Makalu Base Camp trip is not as developed in terms of infrastructure and facilities as some of the more popular trekking routes in Nepal. Trekkers should be well-prepared, physically fit, and equipped with proper gear. As the region is less visited, it’s recommended to trek with a local guide or through a reputable trekking agency for safety and logistical support.
The Best time for Makalu Base Camp Trek
The best time is during the pre-monsoon spring season (March to May) and the post-monsoon autumn season (September to November). These months offer the most favorable weather and trekking conditions for this challenging and remote trek. Both spring and autumn offer excellent trekking conditions, and your choice between the two depends on your preferences. Spring is known for its vibrant flora and lush landscapes, while autumn provides clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Keep in mind that the Makalu region can be affected by heavy snowfall and challenging weather conditions during the winter (December to February), making trekking more difficult and risky.
When you arrive at Tibhuvan International Airport, our guide will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax for the next journey, see the city’s attractions, or shop for adventure gear in one of Kathmandu’s many adventure supply stores. We’ll assemble our bikes and be ready for the journey in the afternoon.
With excitement and adventure in mind, we begin our trip with an early morning flight to Tumlingtar. We arrive in Tumlingtar, where we stop for an hour or two while taking in a spectacular vista of the mountains, hills, and rivers that make up Nepal’s landscape. We then drive across a verdant countryside to the Gurung settlement of Chichila. Spend the night in a Chichila inn.
On the first day of our walk, we travel through rhododendron-filled Himalayan woods and picturesque tiny villages to reach Num. From Num, we may catch a sight of the Himalayas. Spend the night in a lodge in Num.
We enter Makalu Barun Conservation Area by crossing a wooden bridge over the Barun River. Our guide will acquire all necessary permits for the journey. We travel through dense juniper and rhododendron forests, passing through a few settlements, until we reach Seduwa. Spend the night in a Seduwa lodge.
We trek with Isuwa Khola and Kusuwa Khola on either side, cross a wooden bridge over Isuwa Khola, and pass by a number of small settlements and forests. After a few of hours of hiking and crossing the bridge, we arrive at the Sherpa settlement of Tashigaon. From Tashigaon, the view of the Himalayas is breathtaking. Spend the night in a Tashigaon inn.
As we traverse high trails on route to Khongma Danda, today could be difficult. Few lakes and pastures populated by yaks, blue sheep, and other Himalayan cattle are encountered as we ascend stone stairs. We enter Makalu Barun National Park upon arriving in Unshisa. After seven hours of hiking, we arrive at Khongma Danda. Spend the night in a Khongma Danda lodge.
Today, we’ll take a break from hiking in order to acclimate to the high altitude. Later, we can visit Buddhist monasteries in the area and learn about Sherpa culture and customs from the people. Spend the night in a Khongma Danda lodge.
Today will be difficult as we must cross four passes to reach Dobate. We begin by ascending Kauma La Pass (3603m) and then continue to Keke La Pass (4127m). We continue our ascent to the Shipton La pass (4,170m), where we discover the lovely Kalo pokhari lake. Then, we hike for a few hours and cross the Tutu La Pass (4,080 meters) to reach Dobate. From Dobate, we appreciate the captivating view of Chamlang (7319m), Peak 6 (6524m), Peak 7 (6758m), and the other Himalayas. Spend the night in a Dobate lodge.
We hike through dense rhododendron trees before crossing the Barun River en route to Yangri Kharka. On our journey, we may encounter yaks grazing in a field. Yaks are the primary mode of transportation in these locations. After seven hours of hiking, we arrive in Yangri Kharka. Stay in a lodge in Yangri Kharka for the night.
Merek is reached by hiking through verdant Himalayan forests and via a few wooden bridges over tiny streams. In pursuit of the magnificent Himalayan panorama, we continue our hike via moraines and small Himalayan settlements to reach Langmale Kharka. Spend the night in a Langmale Kharka lodge.
Along a difficult trail that parallels the Barun Nadi, we traverse cold glaciers and ridges to reach Shershong. On our trip to base camp, we appreciate the magnificence of Mt. Makalu (8481m) Two hours of hiking brings us to the Makalu Base Camp. The view of the Himalayas from base camp is breathtaking. Spend the night in a lodge at the Makalu Base Camp.
Today, we visit the region of Makalu Base Camp, which offers a magnificent view of Makalu’s south face, Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), and other Himalayan peaks in eastern Nepal. The neighboring glaciers and glacial lakes are breathtaking. We can also climb a short distance up to the Barun Glacier and visit the serene Barun Pokhari. Spend the night in a lodge at the Makalu Base Camp.
After a successful trip to Makalu Base Camp, we bid the base camp farewell and descend to Yangri Kharka. On our way to Yangri Kharka, we go through sparse forests over steep trails and through the little towns of Shershong, Langmale Kharka, and Merek. Stay in a lodge in Yangri Kharka for the night.
We reach Dobate after passing alpine woods, rugged ridges, and a few tiny streams while trekking along the free-flowing Barun River. We appreciate the natural splendor as we descend to Dobate. On our journey, we might encounter yaks, snow birds, and blue sheep. Spend the night in a Dobate lodge.
We depart Dobate today for Khongma Danda. To reach Mumbuk, we travel through rhododendron, juniper, and fir forests. After 7 hours of trekking, we reach Khongma Danda after crossing Tutu La Pass (4080m), Shipton La Pass (4170m), Keke La Pass (4127m), and Kauma La Pass (3603m) from Mumbuk. Spend the night in a Khongma Danda lodge.
On our trip back to Tashigaon, we through lush forests and pass a few lakes. We leave Makalu Barun National Park over steep, rocky routes and trek for five hours to reach the picturesque Sherpa settlement of Tashigaon. Spend the night in a Tashigaon inn.
As we trek through little streams, we pass past small communities in the secluded valley of the Barun River. We hike for 5 hours with Isuwa Khola on one side and Hingsa Khola on the other to reach Seduwa. Spend the night at a Seduwa lodge.
To leave Makalu Barun Conservation Area, we traverse through lush rhododendron and bamboo forests and the Arun River. On the route to Num, we pass by a small rural Sherpa community. Then, we hike for a few hours to reach the Sherpa settlement of Num. Spend the night in a lodge in Num. Today is the final day of our journey. We will be trekking from Num to Tumlingtar, a distance of 410 meters and a duration of 6-7 hours. Before reaching Tumlingtar, we savour the pleasure of trekking along high trails with a view of Mt. Makalu (8481m) for the final time. After seven hours of hiking, we reach Tumlingtar. Spend the night in a Tumlingtar lodge.
After a successful walk, we fly back to the capital with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. Feel free to utilize your free time as you see fit. Stay at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu for the night.
Today we will take you to the airport to catch your flight out of Nepal. Alternatively, if you’d like to stay longer, we may make additional travel arrangements to assist you continue your Nepal experience.
- All necessary ground transfers.
- All necessary accommodations as per the itinerary.
- Tea House accommodations during the trek.
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking.
- All necessary paper works.
- All necessary trekking permits.
- Experienced and First Aid-trained trekking guide.
- Strong, helpful porters.
- Comprehensive medical supplies.
- Trekking map.
- Insurance of all local team.
- Warm clothing and trekking gear for staff.
- Sleeping bag and trip duffle bag.
- Trekking certificate issued by us.
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- Nepal Visa fee.
- International flights.
- All meals not mentioned in inclusions.
- Personal expenses not stipulated.
- Optional add-ons.
- Gratuities.
Price Per person starting from
US$ 2045
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