Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek – Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, at 8481 meters. This trek to Makalu Base Camp (5100 meters) passes through a region rarely visited by trekkers due to the misguided impression that it is inaccessible. It isn’t! Unusual views of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, and Kanchenjunga wait, as well as diverse terrain that rises from green farmland to snowy mountains.

Makalu Base Camp Trek highlights

View Everest from a rare vantage point, the east
Pass river gorges, sheer cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, high-altitude lakes and Sherpa and Rai villages
Spot rare wildlife, such as the red panda, in the Makalu Barun National Park

Although not so far from Everest, Makalu Base Camp is far less frequently visited by trekkers. This trek offers quiet trails, unobstructed views, varied landscapes and the opportunity to get into the wilderness.

Makalu is in eastern Nepal, so there are wonderful views of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, on Nepal’s eastern border with India.

This area is Sherpa and Rai country, so you’ll get a chance to witness the rural life of these ethnic groups. While the Sherpas are well known through their connection to Everest, you will see a side to their lifestyle that is less touched by mass tourism.

This trek falls within the Makalu Barun National Park, an eastern extension of the Sagarmatha National Park (where Everest sits). This is an extremely varied park that houses tropical forest at its lower reaches as well as snow-capped mountains higher up. It has been designated Nepal’s first Strict Nature Reserve, to protect the natural ecosystems and wildlife, which includes red pandas, snow leopards, and black bears.

Makalu Base Camp The Route Followed

Begin by flying from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, in eastern Nepal. Then, drive to the trailhead at Num to begin the 16-day trek.

Start trekking at a relatively low altitude, where the landscape is green and lush and the farmland is inhabited by the Rai people.

As the trail rises, terraced hills give way to Rhododendron forests (at their best in spring, when the flowers bloom). Trek through some of the last areas of pristine forest in Nepal.

Follow the Arun River and then its glacier-fed tributary, the Barun. At higher altitudes, you will pass through Sherpa settlements. There are a number of beautiful waterfalls within the Barun River Valley, as well as glaciers and sheer cliffs.

Spend a couple of days at, and around, the Makalu Base Camp to fully appreciate the mountain vistas, high-altitude lakes, and the Barun glacier.

The trek from Base Camp retraces the in-route back to Tumlingtar, although the descent will be faster than the ascent. Acclimatization days are built into the itinerary.

Accommodation availability on Makalu Base Camp Trek
There are basic lodges along the Makalu Base Camp trek. They may not be as luxurious and plentiful as those in the Everest region, but that is a plus for many travelers as it adds to the wild nature of the adventure.

Makalu Base Camp Trek Itinerary;
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar Drive to Num. (1572 meters).
Day 04: Num to Seduwa (1,500m).
Day 05: Seduwa to Tashi Gaon. (2100 meters)
Day 06: Tashi Gaon to Khongma (3500 meters)
Day 07: Acclimatization day at Khongma danda (3500 meters)
Day 08: Khongma Danda to Mumbuk (3540 meters)
Day 09: Mumbuk to Yangri Kharka. (3557 meters)
Day 10: Yangri Kharka to Shershong (4630 meters)
Day 11: Shershong to Base Camp (4870 meters)
Day 12: Explore around Makalu Base Camp.
Day 13: Trek back to Langmale Kharka (4410 meters)
Day 14: Trek back to Mumbuk. (3540 meters)
Day 15: Mumbuk to Tashi Gaon (2100 meters)
Day 16: Tashi Gaon to Num.
Day 17: Drive to Tumlingtar.
Day 18: Fly Tumlingtar to Kathmandu.
Day 19: Free day at Kathmandu.
Day 20: Departure.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport receive and transfer to Hotel Stay Overnight at Hotel Kathmandu.

Day 02

Day 02: Sightseeing and trek Preparation stay overnight at Kathmandu.

After breakfast your sightseeing tour will start with our historical city guide, Swayambhu Nath temple, Boudhanath Stup, Pasupatinath temple and Kathmandu Durbar Squire.

Day 03

Day 03: Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and drive to Num. (1572 meters) stay overnight at Camp.

After breakfast drive to Kathmandu’s domestic airport. It is about 40 minute flight Tumlingtar airstrips (400m). We will drive to Num about 4 hours bumpy jeep ride where we will meet our porters and team stay at Camp.

Day 04

Day 04: Num to Seduwa (1,500m).

After breakfast we start our trek decent down through the forest and terraced fiend. We can view our camp site opposite side of the valley. Crossing the Arun River lead us steep climbing route toward to Num. it is quite hot because of lower elevation and Arun river shape, a challenging day. This is the boundary of the Makalu Barun National Park; we will camp at top of the Village overnight at camp about 5 hours trek.

Day 05

Day 05: Seduwa to Tashi Gaon. (2100 meters)

Comparing easier day then a day before, we ascend the ride that is bounded by Isuwa Khola on the west and Kasuwa Khola to the east. The Path leads us across the hill side through the village. Ascending steady trail lead us a busier village of Tashi Gaon about 5 hours trek stay overnight at Camp.

Day 06

Day 06: Tashi Gaon to Khongma (3500 meters)

Another big day, walking uphill toward to Khongma danda, we leave the green forest behind which are replaced by remote scrub and lovely rhododendrons forest that cover the lower reaches of the mountains about 6 hours trek stay overnight at Camp.

Day 07

Day 07: Acclimatization day at Khongma danda (3500 meters)

It quite big altitude gained from Tashi Gaon to Khongma Danda, before crossing the Sipton La Pass 4125 meters and ke Ke La Pass 4170 meters we need to well acclimatization. Walk around the hill side stay overnight at Khongma Danda at Camp.

Day 08

Day 08: Khongma Danda to Mumbuk (3540 meters)

One of the challenging day, steady climb up hill trail lead us toward to Shipton La Pass 4125 meters, Shiptonla Pass provide superb views of the Num on backdrop. Again gently downhill lead us to kalo Pokhari (black Lake in Nepalese word) and continue to Ke Ke La Pass (4170 meters). Along the way we have the opportunity to enjoy fantastic views of Chamlang Himal (7,319m). About 7 hours trek stay overnight at Camp at Mumbuk.

Day 09

Day 09: Mumbuk to Yangri Kharka. (3557 meters)

Descending through the rhododendron forest connecting us to Barun upper river valley. Pleasant walk slowly gaining altitude lovely and peaceful small village located in meadow at the best of the valley. About 6 hours trek stay overnight at Camp.

Day 10

Day 10: Yangri Kharka to Shershong (4630 meters)

Climbing up through the Yak grazing valley and impressive boulder fiends, Shershong is popular for Yak and goats graze from the local. About 5 hours trek stay overnight at Camp.

Day 11

Day 11: Shershong to Base Camp (4870 meters)

The trek onward valley opens up little, just before turn of the right great pyramid of Mount Makalu comes into the full view on right and Chamlang Himal on right. Continue walking toward until reaching to Makalu Base Camp 4870 meters about 5 hours trek stay overnight at Camp.

Day 12

Day 12: Explore around Makalu Base Camp.

We spend a day exploring around Makalu Base Camp, with the aim of climbing up to Advance Base Camp. From the edge of the Icy slopes we can get glimpse of Barun valley of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Baruntse. Alternatively we can explore Swiss Base Camp and Baruan Pokhari in the North Ride area Stay overnight at Makalu Base Camp.

Day 13

Day 13: Trek back to Langmale Kharka (4410 meters)

After breakfast and a final photo opportunity, we begin our return trek back down the valley Langmale Kharka via Shershong stay overnight at Camp about 6 hours trek.

Day 14

Day 14: Trek back to Mumbuk. (3540 meters)

Continue with decent our journey lead us to Mumbuk the familiar trail we walked earlier on our way up to Makalu Base Camp. During the month of late march April rhododendrons flowers are blooming that replacing the roc, snow and ice of the mountains.

Day 15

Day 15: Mumbuk to Tashi Gaon (2100 meters)

Long day re crossing the pass Ke Ke La, Kalo Kalo Pokhari, Shipton La toward to Khongma Danda and continue steep downhill lead us to Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon about 8 hours trek stay overnight at Camp.

Day 16

Day 16: Tashi Gaon to Num.

Our Last day trekking as we re-trace our footsteps all the way down to Arun River, Crossing the Arun River steep uphill climb lead us to familiar Village Num stay overnight at Camp about 6 hours trek.

Day 17

Day 17: Drive to Tumlingtar.

After breakfast we drive to Tuimlingtar via newly constructed road that’s takes about 4 hours drive stay overnight at Tumlingtar at Hotel.

Day 18

Day 18: Fly Tumlingtar to Kathmandu.

Complete the journey with a flight to Kathmandu, Transfer to Hotel stay overnight at Hotel Kathmandu.

Day 19

Day 19: Free day at Kathmandu.

Free day at Kathmandu, visit historical sites or join wildlife activities, Rafting, etc. Stay overnight at Hotel Kathmandu.

Day 20

Day 20: Departure.

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)

Gear List

Visit Himalaya Treks has always been keen on safety on the journey. We have prepared Trekking Equipment List which the trekkers will need during their trek in Nepal. The following list should help you with your packing. Generally, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG. You must bring the following items:

Fleece jacket or warm jumper	Thermal shirts/underwear	Nightwear thermals
Fleece/sweatpants	Day-wear shirt/rain pants	Trekking pants
Wind pants	Warm hat/balaclava	Neck gaiter
Sunhat	Warm hat	Sunglasses
Mittens/gloves	Water bottle	Torch / Flashlight
Quick drier Towel	Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen 35++
Water purification	A set of Earplugs	Trekking Poles
Hiking Boots	Socks	First aid kit
Antiseptics	Camera and video camera

Medical

Betadine / Dettol.	Hand-plaster	Bandage
Eye drop.	Eardrop	Sinex.
Gauge	Cotton	Move / Spray
Digene	Diamox	D-Cold
Vicks	Paracetamol	Medicine for diarrhea
Medicine for a toothache