Makalu Base Camp Trek

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46 reviews
Recommended by 99% of travelers
At a Glance
20 Days
Duration
Moderate to Strenuous
Trip Grade
Nepal
Country
4,870m
Maximum Altitude
2 - 3
Group Size
Sept - Nov and Mar - May
Best Time
Overview

The newly constructed Makalu Base Camp Trek is a tea house trek located inside Makalu Barun National Park. Because it has access to the road leading up to Num Village, it can be completed in the shortest amount of time—18 days.The 5th highest mountain in the world, Mt. Makalu, has an elevation of 8,485 meters (27,838 ft) in the shape of a pyramid. It is situated in the Mahalangur Himalayan Range, 19 km (12 mi) southeast of Mt. Everest, on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China.

Makalu Base Camp Trek heads you through limited valleys and high mountain passes with a troublesome trek through a particularly remote region of Nepal. Most of the mountain peak base camp trek track lies inside Makalu-Barun National Park, well known for a fine-looking climactic variant display of generally changed vegetation. During the Makalu Base Camp Trek, you have the chance to observe breathtaking mountain scenery, starting from the clearing Arun watercourse, despairing, over the Barun La 4200m to the cutthroat ice fields encompassing Makalu 8463m. This trek is the best chance to watch some of our country's fowl species, and additionally, the swarmed Babbler, the sole sort of minding inside the planet. This area is very untouched, and it has a significant amount to supply you with besides winged creatures and life. Makalu Base Camp Trekking Route offers you a new experience while moving ahead to base camp and makes you alive with all the natural beauty residing.

Makalu Base Camp Trekking holds the wealthiest differently and for the most part, diverse pockets of plants and animals in the nation. Covering 2.330 sq m, Makalu-Barun National Park may be, to a great degree, the principal segment of the more amazing mountaintop plan. Likewise, in the Makalu base camp trek, you may experience some ethnic settlement gatherings of individuals like Newar, Limbu, Rai, and Tibetan Buddhist culture. Additionally, you have the chance to see Everest, Lhotse, Baruntse, and other mountain views.

Makalu Base Camp Trek is an amazing and troublesome Trek in the remote regions of Nepal that has been visited by only a few trekkers in a year. The trek begins from the Khandbari, opens by road, or flies to Tumlingtar, the focal station of the Sankhwasabha. Drive to the Num village on the same day as the Kathmandu to Tumlingtar flight, through the Khadbari (a headquarters of Sankhuwashabha district), then get to Seduwa after crossing the Aruna River. The trail heading Makalu Base Camp through the villages and picturesque landscape scenery like; Tashigaon, Khongma Danda, Debate via Shipton La (4200 m), Yangle Kharka, Langmale Kharka, Sherson, and finally get in Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m) and walk back to Tumlingtar for your home destination. Now, there are house facilities available for the entire Makalu Base Camp Trek, so there is no need to carry tents and food for the trek.

We at Nepal Mother House arrange Makalu Base Camp Trek for every possible service to offer the best holiday experience to our clients. We are glad to customize the Makalu Base Camp Trekking Itinerary according to your holiday schedule and requirements. This trek can be done wholly year-round, but the best time for this trek is spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (September, October, and November) Come and join us for this excellent destination trek.

Makalu Base Camp Trekking Route

Before leaving for the starting point of the trek, you will spend a couple of nights in Kathmandu, exploring the city and preparing for the trek. A short and scenic flight from Kathmandu will take you to Tumlingtar. After landing, drive to Num, which takes around 3 to 4 hours. Following a steep path, you will descend toward Arun Valley. The trail then passes through lush forests and crosses a suspension bridge before reaching Seduwa.

Continue walking towards Tashi Gaun and ascend to Khongma Danda. The trail from here passes by two ponds and crosses Keke La Pass (4,230 m) and Tutu-la Pass (4,200 m). You will reach Mumbak and descend along a narrow valley, crossing the Barun River to reach Yangri Kharka. Further, trek through Langmale Kharka and Sherson to reach Makalu Base Camp. Explore around the base camp and descend, following the same path to Num. Then you will drive to Tumlingtar via Chichila and Khadbari and fly to Kathmandu.

Makalu Base Camp Trek Solo

Unlike some restricted areas, Makalu Base Camp Trek solo is allowed for foreign trekkers. However, it doesn't mean the trek is moderate. The first thing you have to be careful about is the itinerary. Make sure these places—Kimathangka, Chepuwa, Hatiya, and Pawakhola—don't come into your itinerary as they are restricted areas and require special permits. Trekking alone can get risky if you are not familiar with the Himalayan trail.

You will be trekking in a very remote part of the Himalayas, where only a handful of trekkers trek, increasing the chance of fewer to no trekkers on the route even in the peak season. If you get off the trail and can't find your way back, it can get hectic. Trek solo if you are sure and properly equipped. We highly recommend that you at least hire a guide.

Highlights

  • Situated in the eastern part of Nepal, between Sagarmatha and Makalu-Barun National Parks.
  • An alternative approach to the Everest Base Camp via Salpa Pass (3350 m).
  • Unspoiled culture, varieties of vegetation, rare wildlife, and “off the beaten trail.”.
  • Nearby Tibet border: Ancient Buddhist monastery, Chorten, and Mane Wall.
  • An amazing view includes the top of the world, Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m), Makalu, and others.
  • Scenic flight Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and end Lukla to Kathmandu.
Day-to-day

Makalu Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Upon arrival at international airport, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport assist and transfer to the Hotel.

Day Highlights

Trekking preparation and permit organize day. Please, check your insurance details and have a copy of your travel medical insurance policy with you.

Day Highlights

This is the first day of your journey. In the morning you'll be transferred to the domestic airport and fly to Tumlingtar, observing the ranges of snow capped peaks from Ganesh Himal to Mt. Everest, Makalu & Mt. Kanchenjunga. We will arrive at Tumlingtar after 35 to 40 minutes. Then we drive to Num  47.7 Kilometer Jeep/Van/Bus whatever available via Tumlingtar settlement of Kumal ethnic group, to the Khadbari in the midst of the sub-tropical forest of Sal tree (Sorea-Robusta) and more farm fields along the way, as we come to a town of Khadbari a major town of the Makalu region and get in Num after 3 to 4 hours drive via Chichila village. Where is settled few local houses with superb scenic mountains of Mt. Makalu and Khumbakarna range. Staying overnight at Tea House.

Day Highlights

At first, we head down an extremely steep and terraced slope towards the Arun River, nearly 800 meters below. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are densely forested and the paths are quite slippery, after reaching the bottom we cross the suspension bridge across the torrential Arun River. Then we climb back out of the rain forest, reaching our lunch place. Another steep climb takes us up to Seduwa a village with a small health post and a primary school. Stay at Tea House.

Day Highlights

After breakfast, we have pleasant and short walk taking us to countryside farm villages. Again it is a gradual trail and an uphill climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields. This takes us to the Tashi Gaon. We'll stay overnight at tea house and rest for a time, before walking around the village.

Day Highlights

Today, we leave human settlements for our new destination. After Tashi Gaun we walk through the refreshing beautiful shade of the rhododendron and oak forests. Then leaving the dense forest before coming to summer pastures with traces of temporary made shepherd huts. From here onwards to Kahuma ridge is strenuous uphill climb, where the tree line declines and the bushes of rhododendron and juniper rise up. We'll stay overnight at tea house, you can see scenic mountain ranges from your’s window also.

Day Highlights

We have a superb view of snow capped mountains and of the surrounding landscapes. Our trek follows a gradual trail with few ups and down pass through the Thulo Pokhari (big pond) and Sano Pokhari (small pond). In the heavy snow fall, the path from here can be quite misleading and it will be difficult to find the trail sometimes. We walk further cross the Keke La pass (4230m) Tutu-la (4,200m) where there is a Chorten. Then we walk downhill back to vegetation, a small clearing place for camping in the middle of the woods of pines, hemlock, birch and rhododendrons to reach at Mumbuk. After having dinner go to bed at Tea house.

Day Highlights

The day begins with a sharp descent down a wooden narrow valley and continues on to cross the Barun Khola just beyond Tamatan Kharka. It can also be slippery with occasional rock falls so you will have to walk carefully. After this you follow the Barn Khola along its northern bank. This trail goes through the seasonal settlement of Yangle Kharka. Staying at tea house for the night.

Day Highlights

After taking hot breakfast at tea house, our trek begins with beautiful scenery with amazing landscape. As you are already in high elevation, even for short walk you feel taking long time. We walk through the high Himalayan pasture land called Yak Kharka and probably will have lunch at Merek (4,100m). After five to six hours walk we get in tea house at Langmale Kharke for overnight stay.

Day Highlights

Today, our trek begins crossing the wooden bridge on the Barun River and walk on boulders, where a large prayer wall is can be seen. After a 2-3 hour walk the vegetation gets thin, although the rhododendron, barberries, cotoneaster and juniper bushes keep on for some time. After a pleasant walk we get nearer to Sherson, where we will have sight of the lower Barun glacier and the towering majestic Mt. Makalu. This is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu. There are a number of stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with outstanding view of host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu south face, and Mt. Baruntse (7,220m) and at Sherson we staying overnight at tea shop/home stay.

Day Highlights

This is your ninth day of your walk, so today it not long day. As you are in the heart of Himalaya, it is amazing walk, you fell piece of heaven. Some people who don’t have longer time, they make one camp Lamake kharka to Makalu Base Camp. About 3 to 4 hours walk, you will get in Makalu Base Camp (4,870m), it will be about noon, after having batter to walk around the Base Camp; Barun Pokharai, Panch Pokharai. You have astonishing view including Mt. Makalu (8,486m), SE Peak, Peak 3 (6,682m), Peak 5 (6,432m), Yaupa (6,422m). Return back to Tea House for overnight stay.

Day Highlights

This is a rest day for acclimating so you will have a full day’s rest at the camp or, if you wish, wanders around or some take a small hike. The most scenic walk would be a hike on the right side of the camp for a closer view of Mt. Makalu, Barun Pokhari and the view of the rare face of Everest, the Kanshung face with Lhotse. A one hour steep climb brings you to the large meadow from where you can walk farther up to have a greater view of the mentioned peaks as well as other peaks. You may visit Japanese camp and French camp also. After exploring that area, stroll back to the camp.

Day Highlights

After a wonderful romp in the surrounding valley, we trek back to end of the Barun valley named Yangri Kharkha (some time people called Yangla Kharka also) for the overnight camp.

Day Highlights

After breakfast, we continue our journey back to Mumbuk. After leaving the Barun Valley it is all uphill to the overnight camp in the midst of the alpine forest of Mumbuk. Here we enjoy the day and stroll around.

Day Highlights

We retrace the journey back to Kohuma Danda (ridge) via Shipton-la and Thulo Pokhari to reach the overnight Tea House. Enjoy the scenic picturesque spot and evening rest at the camp.

Day Highlights

Today, we trek back to Tashi Gaon and continue walking towards Navagaun on the upper trail for another 2/3 hours through the cool shade of the forest. After leaving the forest area we come to farm terraces and eventually to the village of Navagaun, another Sherpa village which is much larger than Tashigaun, situated right above the Seduwa village.

Day Highlights

After breakfast, we follow a downhill track through the farm fields for an hour or two to Seduwa village. From Seduwa we retrace the journey to Num, with 2-3 hours downhill and after the bridge we have another 2/3 hours before making it back to Num. Enjoy the walk during the way back to Num village. Stay at Tea house.

Day Highlights

Today, after breakfast we will drive back to Tumlingtar recalling scenery via Chichila, Khadbari. The first 3/4 hours drive get in Tumlingtar as last overnight at tea house as memorable journey. This will be your last night with the trekking staffs and porters as well. We celebrate in the evening after the completion of the long trek and stay overnight at camp.

Day Highlights

This is last munities in the mountain. So, before heading to airport you may take look around the Tumlingtar Bazaar. We fly Tumlingtar to Kathmandu 35 to 40 munities flight. We will come to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel and spend remaining time simply resting at the hotel.

Day Highlights

In this pleasant day you may have full day at leisure either relax at hotel or explore the around Thamel. Today is day of ending your journey, so we would like offer you farewell meeting hand over you Trip Certificate, Trekking Permit and TIMS Card for memory of Nepal trip. Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until departure flight/drive. Our assist will be transfer to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination, taking with you the memory of a life time.

Day Highlights
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Included

Makalu Base Camp Trek Cost Details

Includes

  • Arrival and Departure of all transportation (airport to Hotel to airport).
  • Star level 3 night’s Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu twin bed sharing basic. 
  • All ground transportation is by private vehicles, local buses, or Comfort Tourist buses.
  • Transportation from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar or drive to Hile and Lukla to Kathmandu Air ticket (weight limit: 10 kg main baggage and 5 kg hand per passenger/flight) and private tourist bus, car, or van to the hotel. 
  • Warm down with a jacket and Sleeping Bag for the trek.
  • Government license holders have experienced local guides who speak English and are friendly with their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
  • Porter (on a two-person basis) Max.20-25 kg. Plus their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
  • 1 Sherpa (assistance guide) if the group size is more than 10 people. Plus their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, and equipment.
  • Makalu Barun Conservation Area permits and Sagarmatha National Park Permit Fee.
  • TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Cards
  • Duffel Bag during the trek.
  • First-aid medical kid.
  • Three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
  • Tourist service charge, vat, Governments Tax, and official expanse if necessary.
  • First-aid medical kit during the trip, including an oxygen meter to measure Oxygen and pulse at high altitude.
  • Welcome and farewell program.

Excludes

  • All kinds of cold and hot drinks, including drinking water, tea, coffee, chocolate, cookies, dessert, phone calls, laundry, and hot showers.
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance (compulsory).
  • Tipping the crew and your meal at Kathmandu.
  • Personal expenses like shopping, souvenirs, or gifts.
  • Personal mountaineering gear.
  • Optional trips and sightseeing are available if they extend. 
  • International airfare and airport departure tax.
  • Visa fee: you obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu.
  • Things that we don’t mention above in our services (trip cost includes).
Good to Know

Essential Information

Difficulty Level of Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek is an adventure trek with a lot of steep ups and downs through the rugged trail at high elevation and someday you will need to walk for more than 7 to 8 hours to get to your destination. So this moderate-to-strength-level trek is recommended only for experienced trekkers who have some high-altitude trekking history and good physical fitness. The accommodation also determines the trek difficulty level; as this is a recently opened tea house trek, the accommodation is more basic than some popular treks. However, you don’t need to carry a tent and other camping gear. If you have a plan to trek beyond the Makalu Base Camp onwards to Everest and Lukla via Sherpani coal, you also require mountaineering skills to cross the adventure passes, so it is categorized as very strenuous.

Makalu Base Camp Trek Permits and Paper Work

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a less frequented tea house trek in Nepal. For this trek, you need 2 different permits.

[I] Makalu Barun national Park Permit,

[II] TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System)

To organize these permits, we need each of your passport copies and three copies of PP-size pictures by email then we will prepare all permits before your arrival.

What is the Best Time for the Makalu Base Camp Trek?

Among the four seasons in Nepal, spring (March, April, and May) and fall/autumn (September, October, and November) are the best times for the Makalu Base Camp Trek, as the weather, pleasant temperature, and clear sky make your journey joyful. Spring is full of the colorful jungle in the high area, especially Rhododendron (Nepalese National Flower) blooming and it is the best time for peak climbing and expeditions. Likewise, the colorful festivals Holi, Shivaratri, Buddha Jayanti, Nepali New Year, Indra Jatra, and Ghodejatra fall this season. Similarly, during the autumn, many festivals like Bijaya Dashami, Dipawali/Tihar, and Chhatha are celebrated in Nepal. Autumn is the best time for the Nepal Trek, including the Makalu Base Camp Trek. During this time, the monsoon is just over and paints hills with lush greenery and pleasant weather, where wonderful snow-capped mountain views can be seen on the trek. Monsoon is not suitable for the Trek due to heavy rain, foggy weather, and a high risk of landslides and floods. Additionally, the high elevation makes winter too cold, and heavy snowfall could close the trail.

Transport for Makalu Base Camp Trek

Tumlingtar is the main entrance for the Makalu Base Camp trek, It is a 30- to 45-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar Airport, approximately 500 kilometers north-east of the capital. Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines operate daily flights. Now that there is road access to Num Village, it is a four-hour drive from Tumlingtar. If you prefer a road trip, you may drive from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar via Dharan Dhankuta, which is almost a full day through various landscapes.

Packing Lists for Makalu Base Camp Trek: Trekking Equipment

Gear plays the most important role in making your trip successful. Makalu Base Camp Trek is an adventure in the Himalayas, Any time, the weather can change, so you need to be well prepared with sufficient gear to adjust to changing weather. It is best to recheck the Nepal Trekking packing List before departure home and not miss anything at home. As this is a tea house trek, you do not need to carry camping gear; however, good Trekking Boots, fleece inner cloths, worm shocks, a day bag, a sleeping bag, and down jackets are recommended. Likewise, the sandals, globs, hat, sun-protected Hat, waterproof jacket, trousers, sunglasses, sun Lotion, water bottle (minimum 2 liters per head), some medicine for cold, cough, sprain, fever, food position, Dimax, bandage, microspikes or clamps for high passes, Gaiters (waterproof), waterproof jackets, etc.

Accommodation on Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a less-frequented trekking route in the Himalayas. If you have already visited other famous trekking routes in Nepal, then this newly developed teahouse trek is suitable for you. There are very basic accommodation facilities available in the tea house and lodge in Makalu compared to other popular tea house treks in Nepal. Most of the lodges are on a community basis, where accommodation will be provided turn-by-turn and share will be shared in the community. In the tea house, there is a room with a good enough mattress, bed sheets, a pillow, and a blanket. The bathroom and toilet are shared, and some tea houses have a hot shower with a solar system or gas geyser; if there is none, then provide buckets of hot water. In most of places, you can get a private room; however, sometimes you need to share a room with others during trekking peak season.  

Is Insurance required for the Makalu Base Camp Trek?

Insurance is not mandatory for the Makalu Base Camp Trek to obtain permits; however, it would be best to have travel insurance for your safety, which must cover anything that happens, such as missed flights, lost lockage, if needed helicopter evacuation hospitalizations, and medication. The insurance must cover up to 5,000 meters of elevation. Several insurance companies provide services worldwide; you may choose the most reliable and reasonable cost for your selection or recommend it to your friends and review it. The insurance you can buy online using credit cards easily. There are some insurance companies also in Nepal that provide services worldwide but as your journey begins from home, it is better to buy before departure.

Food and Drink Water on the Makalu Base Camp Trek

If you are wondering what kind of food you can get on the Makalu Base Camp Trek,? Well, during the Makalu Trek, you will get various foods depending on different places, but the Nepalese dish (rice lentils soup + vegetable curry + pickles+ +) is the most popular due to the various ingredients in a dish and you can add more than one time until you have a full stomach. If you sign up for the Full Package program with us at Nepal Mother House Treks, then you can order meals from menu cards (breakfast, lunch, and Dinner) with a cup of normal tea at each meal. When you order one team meal and it is not sufficient for you, you can order other items as well. A small item such as MOMO (dumpling) provides a bowl of soup. It means each time you will get sufficient food according to our services.

Likewise, for the drinking water at most of the tea houses, you can buy a bottle of mineral water (NPR 50 to 400 for a bottle of water, depending on various places) and boiling water. But for the environmental concern of using a plastic bottle and minimizing trek cost, it would be better to drink self-treated purified water using an iodine/chlorine filter machine (Steripen).

Equipments

  • good Trekking Boots
  • fleece inner cloths
  • worm shocks
  • a day bag
  • a sleeping bag and down jackets
  • sandal
  • globs
  • Worm Hat
  • Sun-protected Hat
  • waterproof jacket
  • trousers
  • Sunglass
  • suns Lotion
  • water bottle (minimum 2 liters per head)

Some Medicine

  • For cold cough, sprain, fever, food position, Dimax, bandage, Microspikes/Crampons- for high passes, Gaiters –waterproof, waterproof jackets, etc.