Home » Restricted Area Trekking » Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek Trip Fact

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    Trip Style : Trekking
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    Trip Difficulty : Strenuous plus
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    Destination : Nepal
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    Max Altitude : 5050m
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    Daily Walking Hours : 6 to 7 hours
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    Accomodation: Hotel & Guest house
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    Food : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner(BLD)
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    Start-End : Kathmandu - Kathmandu
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    Transport : Aeroplane / Tourist Bus
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    Best Season : February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November & December

Makalu Base Camp Trekking

The Makalu base camp trek is demanding trekking in Nepal. This region is protected by the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Project, set up in 1992. The park covers altogether 2330 sq km. Mt. Makalu (8463m), is the fifth-highest peak in the world and is the home of other mountains-Mt Chamlang (7319 m) and Mt. Baruntse (7129m).

Makalu Base Camp trek offers an exceptional opportunity to explore high-altitude terrains, snow-clad landscapes, and ethnic lifestyles. This trek has earned its popularity for its remoteness and wilderness as it takes us deep into the high mountains and remains as one of the most unfrequented trekking trails of Nepal. The region is remote and isolated where we hardly find any modern facilities and amenities but the stunning natural surroundings and rich flora and fauna abound in this region will definitely leave us spellbound. For adventure trekkers and nature enthusiasts who seek solace and tranquillity in pristine natural habitats and those who wish to avoid crowds, Makalu base camp trek is an ideal pick.

Makalu base camp trek commences with a one-hour scenic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar whereas the real trek begins from Chichira (about three hour drive from Tumlingtar airport) The trek is relatively a bit hard with either ascending or descending trails with rare flat walking sections. The lower reaches of the route are renowned for their lushness with beautiful rhododendron forests whereas the upper reaches of the trail comprise polished granite cliffs capped by hanging glaciers, overflowing with waterfalls. As we ascend we rise from the lowland of Tumlingtar airport to one of the highest and most stunning base camps at almost 5050 meters.

Trip Highlights

  • Explore an exceptional opportunity to explore high-altitude terrains, snow-clad landscapes, mountains, and ethnic lifestyle

You will be met by one of our trek leaders and transfer to hotel and a short brief about the trekking after refreshment. Overnight at hotel. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Hotel
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Kathmandu
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:1345m

Breakfast at hotel, starts Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhanath Stupa. Overnight at hotel. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Hotel
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Kathmandu
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:1345m

After breakfast, we will be escorted to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for morning flight to Tumlingtar), a gateway destination from where our trek begins. After an adventurous one hour flight above the breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach the Tumlingtar airport. Upon arrival at Tumlingtar, we meet our other crew members and after some arrangements, we drive towards Chichira which takes 3-4 hours. Overnight at Chichira. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Tumlingtar & drive to Chichira
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:1980m

From Chilchira we follow the ridge in forests passing the Sherpa settlements of Baisake and Kuwapani then to Sakuranti Majuwa and Hururu from there the route climbs 100m and then drops into deep oak forests and follows alongside a stream and reach Mure. Below Mure the trail passes many tracts of burned trees. The route cuts across a ridge then makes a tedious descent on a rocky eroded trail to some steps and a final walk to Num. Overnight at Num.  

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Num
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:1500m

Descending steeply from the western end of the Num ridge the trail reaches to Lumbang, from where the trail becomes exceptionally steep as it reaches to the suspension bridge over the Arun Koshi at 620 m, from where we make a rough climb to Sedua. We camp at Sedua for the night.

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Sedua
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:1540m

From Sedua to reach Tashigaon we pass through Manigaon, where the trail turns west and makes a gradual climb above the Kasuwa Khola and reaches to Chyaksadanda from there to Hindrungma Village and on to Ropesa. The route crossing the meadows and several streams finally reaches to Tashigaon. Overnight at Tashigoan.

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Tashigaon
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:2070m

In this trek we first climb over the ridge ascend through forests to a stream, then onto a ridge. We climb through two small streams, and then get connected to Kharka and further up to Unshisha, from where the trail joins the ridge that separates two drainages, a short distance from there will lead us to Khongma. Overnight at Khongma. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Khongma
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:3560m

On the way to Mumbuk, we climb on steep switchbacks for a while to the top of the ridge, at 3840m, from where astounding view of Chhamlang, Peak 6 and Peak 7 of 6739m and 6105m respectively can be seen. Following the ridge through rhododendrons we ascend a staircase and reach to Ghungru La one of the first pass among the three passes we cross to reach the Barun Khola. From here descending a small lake we climb up to Shipton La then to Keke La (4150m). The route then enters to a valley filled with rhododendrons, finally making a steep descent through a forest of firs to Mumbuk. Overnight at Mumbuk. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Mumbuk
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:3550m

Descending 300meter down from Mumbuk to a rocky gully we continue our trail westward in fir forests at the bottom of the Barun Valley. We cross several streams, then cross the Barun on a wooden bridge to Yangle Kharka. Yangle Kharka is a large meadow at an elevation of 3600m, a fine place to make a camping site. We make the large meadow of Yangle Kharka our resting place. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Yangle Kharka
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:3600m

Passing from Nghe Kharka, a large open, grassy plain, we connect our trek to Riphuk Kharka which is at an elevation of 3930m and then turning westward to reach to the potato field at Jhak Kharka, climbing from there we reach at Yak Kharka. Beyond Yak Kharka the trail climbs over a ridge and then from there, to Merek. Overnight at Merek. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Merek
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:4570m

The trail from Merek climbs in sand beside a stream alongside the moraine. As we pass a ridge, the valley turns slightly north. Entering into an alluvial valley Makalu pops into view just before Shersong. Staying towards the eastern side of the valley we head up to the valley over a low ridge to Shersong (4,660m). Rest of the day can be used for acclimatization.

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Shersong
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:4660m

This day we make a trip to Makalu Base Camp. After early morning breakfast at Shersong, we stay to the right in a gully on the east side of the valley. It’s a gradual climb to a minor pass about 100m above Makalu Base Camp. Descending to a stream and crossing on the boulders to the base camp on the west bank of the river. There are terrific views of the south face of Makalu. There are no shelters and vegetation at the Makalu Base Camp, which is at an elevation of 5000m. We can make this a day trip and return to Shersong to spend a night. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Makalu Base Camp
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:5000m

Now getting over with our day trip to the Makalu Base Camp begins our journey to return. So after a heavy breakfast at Shersong we begin with our trek. We retrace our steps down to the Barun Valley to the pleasant camp of Yangle Kharka. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Yangle Kharka
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:3600m

As descended from Shersong to Yangle Kharka on the earlier day, we continue descending through the rock fall area and then climb up the rocky gully to the trees of Mumbuk. Overnight at Mumbuk.  

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Mumbuk
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:3550m

From the steep hillside of Mumbuk where we had our campsite for the night on arrival from Yangle Kharka, we continue to retrace our way back- we trek across Shipton La and descend to Khongma. Overnight at Khongma. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Khongma
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:3560m

On this day we do not need to climb up we only descend; this will really help us to comfort our trek and reach to Tashigaon. We will make a long, steep descent back to the civilization. Overnight at Tashigaon. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Tashigaon
  • itinery-iconMaximum Altitude:2070m

We retrace our steps as we exit the Makalu Barun National park and descend down to Barun River. We then cross the hillsdie and come across villages and settlements as we move further down finally stopping at Sedua again. Overnight at Sedua

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Sedua

We further trek through the forest for about 5 to 6 hours from Sedua to Num. The trail goes up and down and passes through dense forests and Sherpa villages as we move downwards. Overniath at Num.

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Num

Again we retrace our footsteps to Chichira from where we can savor the glorious vista of Mount Makalu for the last time. The final return leg of the trek will see us overnight at Tumlingtar, ready for an early departure to Kathmandu the following day. Overnight at Tumlingtar. 

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Guest House
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Tumlingtar

After breakfast at the lodge we are taken to the airport at Tumlingtar, to connect flight to Kathmandu. In the evening, join a farewell dinner at a typical Nepali restaurant to celebrate your great trip. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

  • itinery-iconAccommodation: Hotel
  • itinery-iconMeals: BLD
  • itinery-iconPlace: Kathmandu

After breakfast, transfer to international airport for your flight back home. Have a safe and sound flight and see you again in the future

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Note: Please contact us for the price details and departure dates. 

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Please call us on +977 98510 36844 to talk about your adventure or chat with Ram Kumar on WhatsApp (Available 24hrs) for best quote and detailed information.    
  • small-thumbnails All necessary Airport pick up and drop as per the above program.
  • small-thumbnails Standard hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
  • small-thumbnails Sightseeing tour as per the above program.
  • small-thumbnails Necessary flights from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar return trips.
  • small-thumbnails Restricted area permits with national park fees.
  • small-thumbnails All meals (B/L/D) during the trekking period.
  • small-thumbnails Accommodation (Camping + Teahouse) during the trekking period.
  • small-thumbnails English speaking guide and highly experienced staffs.
  • small-thumbnails Staffs food, clothing, salary and their insurance.
  • small-thumbnails All necessary grounded transportation.
  • small-thumbnails Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
  • small-thumbnails Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service which will be paid by your Travel insurance company.
  • small-thumbnails Our service charges with VAT and Local / Government Taxes.
  • small-thumbnails Personal nature expenses.
  • small-thumbnails Bar bill and all kind of drinks.
  • small-thumbnails Rescue & Evacuation.
  • small-thumbnails Gratitude (tip) for staff.

Useful Information

Equipment ad packing list gears are pretty much essential for your great trip. Please contact us for the comprehensive packing list for this trip.

Permits and Formalities

A trek to a restricted area must be arranged as a fully equipped organized trek through a registered trekking agency using tents, Sherpa staff, cooks and porters. We arrange the permit through a series of applications, guarantees, and letters, a process that requires a couple of working days. You may not trek alone; there must be at least two members in each group. For some areas, there is a limit to the number of trekkers per season.

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Sangita Adhikari

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Ram Gopal Adhikari

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