Makalu Base Camp Trekking

trek to makalu base camp

Makalu Base Camp Trekking takes you to the base camp of the world’s fifth highest Mountain, Makalu, located 22Km to the east of Everest and 80 km west of Kangchenjunga. The trail confines in the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area renowned for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The region offers one of the most outstanding and diverse trekking routes in the Himalayas. The isolation due to the remoteness of the region has been successful at preserving the region’s distinctive culture, flora and fauna. The region  provides striking contrasts, with high waterfalls cascading into deep gorges, craggy rocks rising from lush green forests, and colorful flowers blossoming  beneath white snow peaks. This exceptional region  shelters some of the last pristine mountain ecosystems on land. Rare species of animals and plants flourish in the diverse and undisturbed habitats of the region. The untouched beauty of this region is sure to stun anyone visiting  this region.

We begin our trek from a small village called Tumlingtar. The trail then takes us through several Sherpa Villages, cultivated fields, dense forest of rhododendron and several  passes before arriving at Makalu  Base Camp. From a view point above Makalu Base Camp there are stunning views of the world’s highest mountains, including Everest (8,850m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Chamlang (7,319m) and Baruntse (7,220m).

For exceptionally strong  and fit trekkers longing more challenging adventure, we can combine the Makalu Base Camp trek with a high altitude trek to Baruntse Base Camp at 6140m. The trail takes the West Col through Panch Pokhari (5445m), Amphu Lapcha La (Amphu Lapsa La, 5845m), Chukung Valley, Pangboche to Namche Bazaar in Khumbu, Everest. It is necessary to emphasize that the route that traverses Upper Honku Valley is only for those with greater physical endurance and some former mountaineering experience.

The Makalu Base Camp trek takes place at the high altitude. Travelling to such high altitude involves a considerable amount of risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The best way to avoid the altitude sickness is to let the body adjust to the thin air of the mountains by acclimatization. Your health and safety is our paramount concern. Thus, we have specially designed our itinerary to minimize the risk of AMS by allowing adequate time or acclimatization. Our guides are trained for the first aid medication and are experts in detecting any early symptoms of the altitude sickness. We work on every minute detail of trek to make your experience full of pleasant memories.

Makalu Base Camp Trekking Cost Includes:

    • International Arrival and Departure Transfers
    • Pre and Post Trek Deluxe Star Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu
    • Domestic Airport Transfers
    • Domestic Flights from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
    • Half Day Guided Cultural Sightseeing
    • Comprehensive Trekking Map
    • Authentic Nepali Welcome Dinner
    • All the accommodation and full board meals and hot beverages on the trek
    • Eco Conscious Camping accommodation with crews, chef.
    • Toilet tent, shower tent, kitchen tents, dining, kitchen utensils.
    • Makalu Conservation Area Project Special Permit
    • Our Extensive Knowledgeable Licensed Guides and porter services with porter gears
    • Field staff Insurances
    • Private Transportation to/from Trekking put in Point
    • Domestic Airport Taxes
    • Dawn Jackets, sleeping bag, walking poles, duffel bag, facilities
    • Extensive First Aid Medical kit
    • Quick Rescue supporting services in case of Emergency
    • Extra snacks services
    • Satellite phone/Communication services in case of Emergency
    • Applicable government Taxes
    • Himalayan Eco Trek Team Management

 

The Makalu Base Camp Trekking Cost Excludes:

    • All the personal expenses like Alcoholic beverages, Bottled drinks etc.
    • Medical and Travel Insurances
    • International Airfare and taxes
    • Visa Fees
    • Gratuities/Tips
    • Emergency Helicopter Rescue charges
    • Main Meals in Kathmandu

Day 01 : Arrival Kathmandu

Welcome to beautiful country Nepal! We will be happy to receive you  upon your arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. The hotel transfer and check in will be followed by a short briefing concerning the necessary formalities of the trek.  After the short briefing, you will be free to rest or explore the nearby areas. In the evening we will pick you up for a welcome dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant where we can enjoy charming cultural dances.

adventure family holidays

Day 02 : World Heritage Sightseeing in Bhaktapur

After the breakfast you will be picked up for the guided day trip to the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites and is filled with artistic palaces, shrines temples and ponds. The temples and palaces have intricately carved arts and designs  reflecting the rich Newari architecture. There will be plenty of time to explore these sites at your own pace.   After the tour, you will meet your guide for the trek who will brief you about the upcoming about the trek and assist you for the final trek preparation.

Day 03 : Kathmandu to Mane Bhanjyang (1030m) via Tumlingtar (510m)

In the early morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to be transferred to the domestic airport for a flight to Tumlingtar, from where we will start our trek.  After our lunch at Tumlingtar we start our trek with an ascent from the Arun Koshi and the Sabha Khola rivers.  We will pass through numerous villages,  plateaus, subtropical forests and cultivated fields to arrive at Mane Bhanjyang to spend the night. (4:30 hrs).

Day 04 : Mane Bhanjyang to Chichira (1840m)

As we move further in our journey, the locality becomes more rural. We climb along the ridge to Arun Than to pass through big rocks, fertile land and forested path  to villages of  Sheka and Bhotebas. Walking through bamboo groves and a rhododendron forest, we will reach our campsite in the village of Chichira inhabited by hospitable Gurungs.

Day 05 : Chichira to Num (1500m)

We start our trek with the fresh view of Makalu at the dawn. Our journey further to Num leads us through the cool streams and tranquil forest of rhododendron, hemlocks and oaks. We pass though several settlements of Sherpas and Rai before our descent through a rocky, eroded trail to Num on a ridge above the Arun Koshi River. We spend our night at Num.

Day 06 : Num to Seduwa (1540m)

We start the walk with a steep descent down through the forests, terraced plots of land and cornfields of Lumbang towards the Arun River. The slopes of this narrow valley are densely forested and the paths are quite slippery. We cross a suspension bridge over the Arun Koshi  river (620m) to steeply ascend up to Seduwa. Seduwa is an excellent large camping ground and a starting point of the Makalu Barun National Park, where we will register our trekking permits. (5:30 hrs).

Day 07 : Seduwa to Tashigaon (2070m)

We have easy and pleasant short walk through several streams, Mani walls, forested areas, meadows and terraces. We cross the hillside through quiet Sherpa villages and  small paddy and millet fields to reach the exotic village of Tashi Gaon surrounded by the stunning panorama of the Himalayas. (5hrs)

Day 08 : Tashigaon to Khongma (3560m)

We will ascend through the cool shaded forest of  rhododendron and oaks, passing through several streams to reach summer pasture where we can see small shepherds huts called Chipla (2520m).  The trail becomes steeper as we pass Kharka land and series of rough stone stairs to the top of the ridge to Khongma. (6 hrs)

Day 09 : Khongma to Mumbuk (3550m)

We can see the fantastic views of Chamlang (7321m), Peak 6 (6,524m) and Peak 7 (6,758m) after a steep climb through prayer flags towards the Shipton Pass. We travel along the ridge through a rhododendron forest to Ghungru La (4050m) pass. We enjoy a small turquoise lake  after the descent from the Ghungru la pass and  ascend to pass through the Shipton Pass and the Keke la Pass. After crossing three passes, we will enter a valley filled with rhododendron forest to our campsite at Mumbuk. (7 hrs).

Day 10 : Mumbuk to Nghe Kharka (3750m)

We pass through rhododendron and fir forest as we descend towards the Barun River. We pass a small cave at 3250 as we walk downhill to the enclosed and concealed Barun Valley. This is  one of the least explored areas in the eastern Himalayan region of Nepal famous for its exotic flora and fauna. The valley widens as we pass through several streams to cross the Barun river on a wooden bridge to Yangle Kharka onto the large grassy plain of Nghe Karka (6 hrs).

Day 11 : Nghe Kharka

This is acclimatization day at Nghe Karka. This is a very special day to rest and explore the rich flora and fauna of the valley. This is a region where you barely find any modern facilities and amenities, but blessed with an incredible diversity of natural beauty.

Day 12 : Nghe Kharka to Shersong (4610m)s

We walk from Nghe Kharka and pass Piphuk Kharka (3930m) as we  climb alongside a waterfall to a swampy meadow and stream. We pass the meadows of Yak Kharka alongside a moraine formed by the Barun glacier enjoying the spectacular views of Peak 4 (6720m), Peak 3 (6477m) and peak 5 (6404m). We will continue our way through the valley passing through beautiful rhododendron forests and grassy plain to reach our campsite at Shersong. (7 hrs).

Day 13 : Shersong to Makalu Base Camp (5050m)

We gradually climb to a minor pass about 100 meters above Makalu base camp, from where we descend crossing a stream and boulders to the base camp on the west side of the river. We enjoy the  spectacular views of the south face of Makalu from here. There are no huts, shelters or vegetation at base camp, which is at an elevation of about 5000 meters. We will return to Shersong on the same day for our overnight camp (6 hrs).

Day 14 : Shersong to Yangle Kharka (3600m)

We will retrace our steps down the Barun valley to the pleasant camp of Yangle Kharka (5hrs).

Day 15 : Yangle Kharka to Mumbuk (3550m)

We will continue descending through the rockfall area and then climb up the rocky gully and forests to Mumbuk (4:30 hrs).

Day 16 : Mumbuk to Khongma La (3560m)

We retrace our way through  the Tutu La, Shipton La, Keke La and descend to the Khongma La (6 hrs).

Day 17 : Khongma La to Seduwa (1540m)

Day 18 : Seduwa to Num (1500m)

Day 19 : Num to Tumlingtar (1840)

We take a drive to Tumlingtar in a Jeep.

Day 20 : Tumlingtar to Kathmandu (1100m)

Day 21 : Leisure in Kathmandu

Day 22 : Departure Kathmandu
Nepal Trekking offers the best way of experiencing country and its people ‘warts and all’. However it can be very handy if you have brief knowledge about where you are going for a trek. Hence our team has summed up with some very useful information about Nepal Trekking.

This will close in 3 seconds