Makalu Base Camp trek is a journey to the world's 5th highest mountain, Makalu - (8,481m). This is a pure off-the-beaten path trek where experienced adventurers relish a challenge. One of the least trekked places in Nepal but this is a great trek with abundant rewards. The Makalu Base Camp trek lies between Nepal’s trekking regions of Everest and Kanchenjunga in the west and east respectively. This trek takes place in the Makalu Barun National Park, the eighth largest national park in Nepal. You will spot some of the rare wildlife including Red Panda during your trek. Besides that this trek offers you to view incredible peaks like Everest, Chamalang, Lhotse, and Kanchenjunga. The hospitality of Sherpa people in the higher altitude is welcoming and friendly.
Himalayan Wander Walkers’ Makalu Base Camp trek is a tea house base trek with all accommodation, guides, and meals are included. The best season to trek Makalu Base Camp is the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). This trek required two different permits of Makalu Barun National Park and Makalu rural Municipality.
Getting to Makalu Base Camp:
You will take a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and drive to Num. After an overnight stay at the lodge in Num, the actual trek begins in the warm, terraced farmland of Rai village. The route mostly ascends through rhododendron forests (especially incredible in spring), alpine meadows, and, remote typical villages. When you trek higher you will reach Sherpa villages. Beyond the last villages of Tashi Gaon, you will only found teahouses for overnight stays. After 5 to 6 days trek from Tashi Goan will reach Makalu Base Camp at the height of 4,900 meters from sea level. You will spend one day on exploration around Base Camp. Enjoy the most picturesque view of Mt. Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8414m), Everest (8848m), Baruntse (7152m), and several other peaks of the region.
Challenge of Makalu Base Camp Trek:
This trek is not that much challenging as the Sherpani Col Pass trek neither easy as the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Makalu Base Camp trek is about two week’s long pure adventure trip. Accommodation based on tea houses is basic and physical fitness is required to attempt this trek.
Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)
Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel, Welcome assistance by Himalayan Wander Walkers' representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to hotel, rest at the hotel, and briefing about the trip.
Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan.
Sightseeing and Trek preparation
Today after breakfast we will start the city tour to most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. These landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites; including the historic Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swyambhunath), and the world largest Buddhists stupa, Bouddhanath. Briefing regarding the trek with two-way question-answer with the trip leader (The Guide).
Overnight accommodation is in the same hotel as the BB Plan.
Fly to Tumlingtar (400m), 40 minutes flight & drive to Num (1,500m) -5 to 6 hours
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 40 minutes. Then we drive to the Num by jeep 3 to 4 hours through the Kumal village 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 from Khadbari.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Num – Seduwa
At first, steeply head down along the attached slopes of Arun River, which is nearly 800 meters below. The lower hills of this narrow valley are heavily forested and the paths are quite slippery. After reaching the bottom, we cross the suspension bridge over the Arun River. Then we climb back out of the rainforest as we finally come across our lunch place, from where a steep climb takes us up to Seduwa. Seduwa is a beautiful village with a small health post and a primary school.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Seduwa - Tashi Gaon
After breakfast, we have an enjoyable short walk of about 3-4 hours that takes us to countryside farm villages. Again, it is a slow trail and an arduous climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields that take us to Tashi Gaon. Tashi Gaon is the last village on our way to Makalu Base Camp. We overnight in Tashigaon, and the rest of the time, we walk around the village.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Tashi Gaon – Kauma
After Tashi Gaon, we walk through the beautiful forest of rhododendron and oak, then leaving the thick forest, you come to a summer meadow with traces of temporary shepherd’s huts. From here onwards to Kauma, is a difficult uphill climb, where tree lines decline for the bushes of rhododendron and juniper. We’ll stay overnight at the tented camp and enjoy the scenic mountain ranges during the moonlight.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Kauma – Mumbuk
We climb on a steady trail with a few ups and downs and pass Thulo Pokhari and Sano Pokhari. We walk further to cross the passes of Keke La (4127m), Shipton La (4170m), and Tutu La (4080m), enjoying the emerging views of the Makalu range. Then we walk down back to vegetation to reach Mumbuk, a small place for camping in the mid of the forest of pine, hemlock, birch, and rhododendron.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Mumbuk - Riphok Kharka
The day starts with a sharp descend through a narrow gorge and continues on to cross Barun Khola just beyond Tamatan Kharka. Then the trail goes along Barun Khola much of the route. The trail then ascends through meadows to reach the periodic settlement of shepherds at Riphok Kharka. Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Mumbuk - Riphok Kharka
The day starts with a sharp descend through a narrow gorge and continues on to cross Barun Khola just beyond Tamatan Kharka. Then the trail goes along Barun Khola much of the route. The trail then ascends through meadows to reach the periodic settlement of shepherds at Riphok Kharka. Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Riphok Kharka – Shershon
Today, our trek begins crossing the wooden bridge over Barun River and walking on the rocky hills. The trail goes through meadows and later through moraines to reach Shershon. In Shershon, we have the view of the lower Barun Glacier and the towering magnificent Mt. Makalu (8463m). Shershon is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu and serves an astonishing 360-degree view of snow-covered mountains.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Shershon - Makalu base camp
We climb uphill along the moraine track to reach Makalu Base Camp. The trails are narrow and slippery. We will need climbing equipment here to ensure safety. After a difficult and strenuous climb in the cold climate with less oxygen, we finally reach the base of the fifth highest mountain in the world, Makalu (8463m).
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Makalu base camp Excursion
Today you have the day to yourself to visit around some exciting viewpoints to relish the beauty of Mt Makalu (8463m). The most picturesque walk would be taking a hike on the right side of the camp for a closer view of Mt. Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8414m), Everest (8848m), Baruntse (7152m), and several other peaks of the region. A one-hour vertical climb brings you to a large field and you can walk farther up to have a greater view of the surrounding peaks.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Base camp - Back to Riphok Kharka
After a delightful exploration of the Makalu Base Camp, we retrace our way to Riphok Kharka. Once again following the moraine route, we descend alongside the Barun River and reach the meadows leading us to the peaceful Riphok Kharka.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Riphok Kharka – Mumbuk
After breakfast, we continue our journey back as we head to Mumbuk. The trail starts to get grassy again and juniper bushes start to appear to finally reach the forested hill leading to Mumbuk. From Mumbuk, we can see lush green hills across the Barun River.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Mumbuk – Kauma
Leaving Barun River behind, we climb down through the forest and once again cross the passes of Tutu La (4080m), Shipton La (4170m), and Keke La (4127m) as we head towards Kauma. The trail descends gradually on a ridge to reach the shepherd’s hut in Kauma.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Kauma - Tashi Gaon
Today, we trek back to Tashi Gaon under the cool shadow of the forest. The trail is silent and the landscape is pristine. Only the chirping of birds and hissing of small streams can be heard as we head back to civilization in Tashi Goan.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Tashi Gaon – Num
After breakfast, we follow the downhill path through the farms of Narbugaon and continue to trek downhill to reach Seduwa. From Seduwa, we head towards Arun River and cross the river on a suspension bridge to walk on a flat trail leading to Num.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Num – Tumlingtar
Today, we trek back to Chichila through the villages of Mudhe, Hururu, Satbaini, and several other small settlements of mixed communities. The trail mostly descends and is flat at some places making this an extremely easy walk. This is our last day trek along the forest brings us on a trail bound by Arun River on one side and Sabha River on the other side to bring us to Tumlingtar.
Overnight at lodge.
Meal: (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Tumlingtar – Kathmandu
We fly back to Kathmandu via Biratnagar or direct flight depends on the flight timetable and time of the year. We will come to Kathmandu and relax at the hotel.
Overnight accommodation is set with BB Plan.
Transfer to Airport for your onward destination.
We are saying goodbye as your journey to Nepal comes to an end today. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Himalayan Wander walkers will take you to the airport for an outbound flight back to your home country. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
Meal: (Breakfast)
CHECKLISTS FOR MAKALU BASE CAMP TREK
Guiding, Food, and Lodging
Trekking in Nepal, all trekking supplies - Teahouse trekking means staying and eating in local lodges. We stay in single rooms where possible, but often you will have to share. The rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow, blankets. A few have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We eat at teahouses and, although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, the menu is not extensive. They offer a variety of potatoes, rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. Beers and local spirits are often available, but that will be at your own cost. A variety of cereals, bread, and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There are also snacks available such as basic biscuits, chocolate, and soft drinks and in some areas, you will find fresh fruit in season. It is normal to meet your porter in the teahouse where you will stay overnight. So, pack your necessary things in your own day pack.
DRESS CODE FOR VISITING MONASTERIES, AND TEMPLES
Note regarding itineraries
Although we generally adhere to the schedule, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions, suitable campsite availability, and the group's general fitness level. It is important to understand that our trek is logistically complex and it is not unusual that adjustments be made. Our guide will orient you each evening to the following day's plan; their good judgment is the key to the long history of successful treks that Himalayan Wander Walkers has led till now. Please remember that our ability to make adjustments as needed helps to ensure that your trek is successful.
Although trekking gear is available in Nepal you are advised to bring your own gear.
Trekking or running shoes Camp shoes or thongs Socks (polypropylene)
Down or fiber-filled jacket Jumper or piled jacket Hiking shorts Waterproof jackets, poncho or umbrella Hiking pants T-shirts or blouses Underwear Sun hat
Rucksack Self Inflating Sleeping Mattress (optional) Water bottle Torch, batteries, and bulbs
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