Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek: A rugged trek in the remote Makalu Barun National Park for experienced hikers.

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is a challenging, and a true wilderness 150 km trek spanning 17-days of rugged trekking trail in the remote and far flung Makalu Barun National Park, and is ideal for experienced trekkers only. Basic accommodation in teahouses at high altitudes, and long, rugged hiking days are the norm on this trek. The highest point reached on this trek is Makalu Base Camp at an altitude of 4870m or 15,978 feet.

The high point of this trek is the awe-inspiring vistas of Makalu, Chamlang, Baruntse, Lhotse, and the Kangshung face of Everest seen from the Makalu Base Camp, and acknowledged by very few.

It’s the most challenging base camp trek in Nepal due to its remote location, steep ascents and descents, high-altitude conditions, and rugged trails, on an average trekkers walk between 10–15 kilometers per day

The Makalu Base Camp trek in Nepal is reserved for those who seek the thrill of true wilderness trekking offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore the untouched Eastern Himalayas in Nepal. Though not your average trek, the trek to the Makalu Base Camp is challenging yet a rewarding trekking adventure that’s fit for the adventurous and seasoned hikers.

Conquering the highest base camp in Nepal, the Makalu Base Camp is a feat that’s on the bucket list of many hikers.

Moreover, be flexible as the flights to Tumlingtar are often delayed because of uncertain weather conditions. Therefore, it pays to have a few extra days in your hand in case of flight delays so that you do not miss out on your International flights.

Best Time

The best times for the Makalu Base Camp Trek is the Spring season (March – May) and Autumn season (September – November).

The weather during both of these seasons remains stable and clear, allowing for comfortable trekking temperatures during the day time.

During the spring the trekking trails are easy to navigate with lower chances of rain, and nature’s beauty can be enjoyed to its fullest in the eastern Himalayas.

Autumn adds post-monsoon freshness and inviting, crisp air, while Spring provides blooming Rhododendrons along the trail which makes it more pleasant.

Both these seasons provide a perfect ambience for the Makalu Base Camp Trek trek as they provide an feasible window to experience awe inspiring Himalayan views.

Accommodation and Kind of Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a tea house and a lodge based trek in Nepal. When compared to the lodges on the more popular trek routes like in the Everest or the Annapurna regions, the lodges here are very basic. The lodges may not have enough blankets for visitors, so it is advisable to bring a sleeping bag along.

Food

The food served along the Makalu Base Camp trekking trail is relatively basic compared to other popular trekking routes in Nepal, such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit. This is due to the remote and less-developed nature of tourism in the Makalu area.

Daal (lintel soup) Bhaat (rice) and Tarkari (Vegetable Curry) is the staple food of Nepal and a common meal served throughout this trek, often, accompanied by pickle (achar), salad, and papad (crispy flatbread). This is a highly nutritious and filling diet, and teahouses offer unlimited servings of this dish.

Noddles and eggs are also available in the lodges and tea houses and are served as per the demand.

Coffee may be a delicacy as you reach the higher areas, but black tea is readily available in the tea houses and lodges.

Highlights of the Trek

Of the many, one of the highlights of the Makalu Base Camp Trek is it’s remoteness. The trek route located in the far flung Eastern Himalayas is less travelled, which means you will meet very few hikers on the trekking trail.

The trail also passes through varied landscapes, from lush rhododendron forest to high passes to alpine vegetation providing hikers with immense oppurtunity to savor the beauty of the Makalu Base Camp Trek.

The other highlight but not the least are the awe-inspiring views of Mount Makalu, standing at 8,485 meters (27,838 feet) tall, this pyramid-shaped peak is one of the most iconic mountains in the entire Himalayas.

Also, from the Makalu Base Camp (4,870 meters), you can get the panoramic views of other towering peaks such as Mount Everest (8,848 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Chamlang (7,319 meters), and Baruntse (7,129 meters). The base camp itself offers a surreal setting surrounded by glaciers and rugged alpine terrain.

Another highlight of the Makalu Base Camp Trek includes crossing high mountain passes such as the Shipton La Pass (4,216 meters), and the Keke La Pass (4,127 meters). These passes offer breathtaking panoramic views but require physical endurance due to their steep ascents.

Cultural immersion is another highlight of this trek in Nepal, as the trek route passes through a number of small himalayan villages inhabited by the Rai, Sherpa and other ethnic tribes, and this provides an opportunity to interact with local communities.

For instance villages like Seduwa and Tashigaon are traditional villages on this route to the Makalu Base Camp and these two villages provides an insight into the unique lifestyles, customs, and hospitality of these ethnic tribes.

Starting and Ending Points of the Trek

The trek begins with a flight to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu, followed by a jeep ride to Num. From here the trek to the Makalu Base Camp gradually ascends through culturally rich villages. After reaching the base camp the trek finally ends with a trek back to Num following the same path back with a flight back to Kathmandu.

Brief Itinerary for Makalu Base Camp Trek 

TRIP FACTS

MAKALU BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY :

Day 01:   Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. Drive to Num (1040m/4hrs). Lodge.

Fly into Tumlingtar from Kathmandu a 45minutes flight. Get a glimpse of the Himalayas from Ganesh Himal (7422m) to Mt. Everest (8848m) to Makalu (8463m) and even in the distance the Kanchenjunga Range. After arriving at Tumlingtar, drive to Num. Overnight Guest House.

Day 02: Num to Seduwa (1460m/5/6hrs). Lodge.

The days trek starts with a steep downhill (descend about 800m) on a narrow path along the slopes of Barun River through dense forest, which is nearly 800 meters below. On reaching the bottom of the River valley, cross a suspension bridge over the Barun River and slowly climb out of the rainforest as we reach our lunch spot. After lunch its a steep uphill trek till Seduwa a picturesque small village which has a Small Primary School and a Primary Health Post. Here you enter the Makalu Barun National Park, and where your park pemits will be checked. Overnight Lodge.

Day 03: Sedua to Tashi Gaon (12 Km/2070m/5hrs). Lodge.

A 5 hour Trek to Tashi Gaon through Paddy and Millet fields and through two beautiful villages of Hindrungma and Rupisa. The last one hour is a steep climb upto Tashi Gaon which incidentally is last village in the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route. Afternoon explore the Village. Overnight Lodge.

Day 04: Tashi Gaon to Khongma (15 Km/3470m/6hrs). Lodge.

The Trek from Tashi Gaon to Kauma passes through beautiful Rhododendron and oak forest for about three hours. Then the forest gives way to meadows with some traces of  shepherd’s huts here and there. The Trek Route to Khongma from here is a strenuous uphill climb.

But once you reach Khongma Dara the tree line dissappears and gives way to stunted Rhododendron and Juniper Bushes. The Mountain range starts appearing from this point onwards offering breathtaking views of Chamlang, Peak 6, and Makalu, among others. Overnight Lodge.

Day 05: Rest/Exploration day at Khongma. Lodge.

Day 06: Khongma to Dobato (13 Km/3610m/5hrs). Lodge.

The Days Trek to Dobato is asteady climb with a couple of small downhills until we pass the two lakes, Thulo Pokhari and Sano Pokhari. After this we will have three Passes to cross so take it slowly. Climb further to cross Keke La Pass (4170m) , Shipton La Pass (4170m) and Ghungru La Pass at 4,055 m. Enjoy the view of the Makalu range. Then Trek down Do Bato. Overnight Lodge.

Day 07: Dobato to Yangla Kharka (16 Km/3557 m/6hrs). Lodge.

The day starts with a steep downhill trek through a narrow gorge to cross Barun Khola just beyond Tamatan Kharka. The trail runs along Barun Khola for quite sometime and then the trail climbs through meadows to reach the Riphok Kharka. Which is a transit campsite for the migrating Sheep herders and Yak herders. Overnight Lodge.

Day 8: Yangla Kharka to Langmale Kharka (4410 m/7hrs). Lodge.

goes through high altitude meadows and a little while later through moraines Today you will be gaining an altitude of almost 1000 m, this means the trail is steep, and traverses through high altitude meadows and a little while later through moraines to reach Langmale Kharka, this is the summer pasture for Sheep and Yaks.

From here enjoy the mesmerizing 360Degree view of stunning views of Peak 3, Peak 4, Peak 5, Chamlang and Hongku Chuli, and other Himalayan peaks. Overnight Lodge.

Day 9: Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp (4870 m/4/5hrs). Lodge.

The Trek to Makalu Base Camp is steady and a difficult uphill climb on a moraine along narrow and slippery path.

Day 10: Explore Makalu Base Camp. Lodge

Exploration day of Makalu Base Camp. Take a short trek to the right of the base Camp for a closer view of Makalu,  Chamlang (7,319 m / 24,012.4 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m / 27939.6 ft) and the Kangshung Face of Everest. If you do not The Kangshung face of Everest is remote, steeper and technical. It was first discovered by Goerge Mallory in 1921, but was later summated by a Japanese expedition team in 1982. This face of the Everest falls inside Tibet/China, and is more famous than the South Col or the North Face, and is rarely heard or spoken of by climbers and trekkers. But from here you get to see this side of Everest too.

If your legs are fit enough to take a climb than a one hour of vertical climb will take you to a fairly large place from where you can get a better view of the surrounding peaks. Overnight Lodge.

Day 11: Retrace back your steps to Yangla Kharka. Lodge.

Day 12: Yangla Kharka to Do Bato. Lodge.

Day 13: Do Bato to Khongma. Lodge.

Day 14: Kauma to Tashi Gaon. Lodge.

Day 15: Tashi Gaun to Seduwa. Lodge.

Day 16: Seduwa to Num. Lodge.

Day 17: Drive Num to Tumlingtar. Lodge.

Day 18: Fly Tumlingtar – Kathmandu. End of  Makalu Base Camp Trek.

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• COSTS : US$2000 per person
• Kathmandu – Tumlingtar-Kathmandu Airfare: US$280/person ( Fare extra as applicable )
• Restricted Area Fees Extra as applicable: US$ 10/person/week. After one week it is US$20 per person per week payable in convertible foreign currency.

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TREK COST INCLUDE:

• Porter/s to carry luggage (1 porter for 2 persons);
• Accommodation in Lodges with all meals.
• Contribution to guide transport;
• Guide/porter insurance costs;
• National Park Fees.
• Services of an English Speaking registered Guide.

COST EXCLUDES:

• Airfare Kathmandu – Tumlintar – Kathmandu.
• Restricted area fees
• Any services in Kathmandu, hotel/meals, etc.
• Nepal visa fees;
• Sleeping bags (can be hired @ $1 per night in Kathmandu);
• Personal clothing/equipment;
• Tips;
• Client insurance of any kind;
• Cost of evacuation (if any);
• Bottled/alcoholic drinks;
• Snacks/desserts;
• Tea/coffee – other than at breakfast;
• Expenses of personal nature

Note: The above itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participant’s safety, comfort and general well being.

Recommendations:  The trek is a relatively difficult requiring good physical fitness. Few weeks  training is advised and a physical fitness check-up is a must

(All relevant Terms & Conditions apply).