Himalayan Terrain - Makalu Base Camp Trek - A Himalayan Wilderness Exp

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Makalu Base Camp

Private Booking

USD 1920 /Person

Duration

19 Days

Difficulty

Challenging

Max Altitude

5100 m / 16732 ft

Meals

Best Season

Region

Makalu Region

Accommodation

Basic Tea House

Start/End

Trek Highlights

A rare and lesser-known trekking experience to the foot of Fifth heighest mountain in the world,Makalu(8,481 m)

Cross the Shipton La pass, and three other high passes, on a single day of your trek offering beautiful Himalayan panorama.

Marvel at the awe-inspiring views of Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, Peak 6, Peak 7, Peak 4, and many more majestic peaks.

Spend a full day exploring the breathtaking Makalu Base Camp, surrounded by towering peaks and stunning glaciers.

Experience remote village life of Sherpa and Rai community while supporting the local economy by staying in tea houses.

Encounter diverse landscapes,wildlife,biota and temperature zones as you ascend from 700m to over 5,000m.

Trek Overview

The off-the-beaten-path to Makalu Base Camp takes you to the foot of the world's fifth-highest mountain, which stands tall at 8,481m. Despite its remote and challenging location, this trek offers a remarkable journey through one of the most underdeveloped regions of Nepal. The trekking trail meanders through the Makalu Barun National Park, encompassing lower reaches as well as snow-capped mountains higher up. Along the way, you'll encounter epic viewpoints that bring you face to face with the stunning Kangshung face of Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang, and Kanchenjunga in the far east. Your journey begins in terraced farmland, home to the Rai people, and slowly ascends through lush rhododendron forests and alpine meadows. Deeper into the mountains, you'll pass steep granite cliffs, high altitude lakes, glaciers, and spectacular waterfalls before reaching the barn, rocky base camp. As you climb higher, you'll encounter the Sherpa people, an ethnically Tibetan group who predominantly reside near Everest. Makalu Base Camp, situated at 4,870 m/15,978 ft, provides an excellent opportunity to acclimate slowly to the ever-increasing altitude. During the trek to Makalu Base Camp, you will encounter four major passes on the way to and from the base camp. These passes include the Shipton La, the Keke La, the Sano Pokhari Danda, and the Khongma La. You will retrace your way from the icy, rocky terrain to the lush green forests and valleys once again. The trek starts at Tumlingtar, accessible by air from Kathmandu.

Trek Itinerary

Day 1 / Arrival in Kathmandu Drive time:30 min Max Altitude:Kathmandu(1,300m/4,265 ft)

Upon your arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Vastu Boutique Hotel or a similar accommodation. In the evening, your guide or one of our representative will then meet with you to provide a detailed briefing and discuss the trek itinerary.

Day 2 / Flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and Drive to Num. Flight Time: 35 min , Drive Time:4 hours Max

We will take a domestic flight to Khotang district, where the trekking adventure begins. After a 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, a scenic drive takes you through charming towns and picturesque rural scenery. The road to Num is rocky and bumpy.We will present our permits at the checkpoint located in Chichila.Finally, you reach Num, a quaint village nestled amidst forested hillsides, and your starting point for the trekking adventure.

Day 3 / Num to Seduwa Trek time:5 to 6 hours Max Altitude:Sedua(1,500m/4,921 ft)

Today's trekking trail takes you on a steep descent to the Arun River, followed by a challenging climb to Seduwa that involves losing and regaining height in a single day. The descent to the river is through lush cardamom crops and the path is lined with large stone steps. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Arun River, followed by a long, winding climb through groves of giant bamboo and rural village life. After presenting the permits in Makalu-Baron National Park checkpoint, you'll come across a school, several houses and small shops, and a few tea houses in Seduwa.You will spend a night here.

Day 4 / Sedua to Tashi Gaon Trek time:5 to 6 hours Max Altitude:Tashi Gaon(2,100m/6,889 ft)

Today's trek is a pleasant break from the previous day's challenging climbs and descents. The trail passes a national park foresty project,continuing with a climb through rice terraces. Along the way, you'll pass by small farms, cardamom plantations, and bamboo and rhododendron forests. After roughly two hours, you'll reach Chyaksa Danda, a small settlement with ,mani wall, school,a tea shop and several houses. The path is undulating, and in some areas, you'll need to cross streams on log bridges. Tashigaon, your destination, can be seen ahead, but it takes a little longer than expected to reach it. You'll descend to a log bridge before climbing up stone steps to reach the tea houses perched high in the village.We will stay overnight here.

Day 5 / Tashigaon to Khongma. Trek time:7 to 8 hours Max Altitude:Khongma Danda(3,637m/11,932 ft)

Today's trek involves a lot of ascent, so be prepared for a challenging journey. The climb begins with stone steps out of Tashigaon, leading you through stunning rhododendron forests. You'll come across several bird species and even spot sparrowhawks overhead. In April, the blooming rhododendrons and magnolia trees add a pop of color to the snow-capped summits in the east. After approximately three hours, you'll reach Dhara at 2,867m, before heading to Unshisa at 3,200m. The climb to Unshisa is stiff, but the prayer flags and giant rock make for a worthwhile stop. From there, you'll continue climbing relentlessly on stone steps through the rhododendron forest. After a few hours, you'll reach Khongma Danda at 3,560m, where our lodge await for much needed rest and sleep. Expect to encounter snow on this section, especially in April.Be aware of your body sign where you may experience the first sight of altitude sickness as we have gained over 1000 metre of elevation today.

Day 6 / Acclimatization Day and Hike to Khongma La Pass Hike duration:3 hours Max Altitude:Khongma(3,637 m

Proper acclimatization is crucial for your trek, and we highly recommend walking up to the Khongma La today. The ascent begins on stone steps through rhododendron bushes, leading you to the pass at 3,890m. The climb takes about an hour, and your guide can advise if you wish to go beyond the pass. After reaching the pass, you will retrace your steps back to Khongma, feeling fit and acclimatized for tomorrow's trek, which includes tackling the four passes, starting with the Khongma La.

Day 7 / Khongma to Dobato Trek duration:6 to 8 hours Max Altitude:Dobato(3,700 m/12,139 ft)

Today's trek is truly spectacular, with the crossing of four high passes offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks. Be prepared for snow if you are trekking in April. The Khongma La pass at 3,890m is the first ascent offering a spectacular view of Makalu and Chamlang, followed by an airy ridge with views of Kangchenjunga. The Sano Pokhari Danda pass at 4,105m brings you to Sano Pokhari Lake, and then to the highest pass, the Shipton La at 4,200m, where a tin shelter/tea shop awaits in a seasonal time. You'll descend to Kalo Pokhari Lake at 4,080m before ascending to the final pass of the day, the Keke La at 4,170m. A 45-minute descent will bring you to your lodge at Dobato, where you can enjoy a tasty dal bhat and rest after a challenging day.

Day 8 / Dobato to Yangla Kharka Trek duration:6 to 7 hours Max Altitude:Yangla Kharka(3,557 m/11,669

This morning's descent through rhododendron and pine forests is pleasant. Keep an eye out for various bird species, including Guldenstadts redstarts, minivets, tragopans, and magpies. The steep descent towards the Barun River can be tricky with lingering snow, but the views of Chanlang and Tutse along the trek are worth it. After about four hours, you'll reach Themathang Kharka, 3,500m, where an impressive waterfall awaits. Crossing the Baron Khola on a wooden bridge, you'll walk along an undulating trail with the river on your left until you reach Yangle Kharka, where your lodge for the night is located. This wild and remote spot offers great photo opportunities with a closed monastery in the foreground and snowy mountains behind.

Day 9 / Yangla Kharka to Langmale Kharka Trek time:5 to 6 hours Max Altitude:Langmale(4,410 m / 14,468 ft)

Descending from the teahouse, you'll reach the river and a small monastery, where a pleasant and flatish start awaits, with the scent of juniper filling the air. Colorful prayer flags line the trail, and the dramatic cliffs soar on either side, offering stunning views of snow-clad peaks such as Peak 4, 6, 7, and Yaupa as we continue ahead. The day is full of visual treats, including vertical cliffs, waterfalls, and sacred caves.

As you pass through the pastures of Jhak Kharka and Yak Kharka, you'll eventually reach Merek, where a tea shop awaits after about 2½ hours of walking. Take it slow and steady as you climb towards Langmale, as the altitude may begin to affect you. The ascent takes around 2 hours, and the views from the tea house at Langmale are sublime, with Peak 7 providing a breathtaking backdrop. Black redstarts and choughs are common here, adding to the beauty of the area.

Day 10 / Langmale to Makalu Base Camp Trek time:5 to 6 hours Max Altitude:Makalu Base Camp(4,870m/15,977 ft)

Today's trek offers sublime views of Peak 7 and Peak 6, with the path ascending gently but feeling tough at this altitude. As you make your way around the valley, each bend reveals another dramatic aspect to marvel at. The trail undulates gently along the patch of rubble on the side of the Barun Glacier and few steeper part to get your heart pumping.The stunning view of Peak 4 motivates our walk. After a couple of hours, you'll reach Shershong, a good camping area with a locked small stone hut. Makalu's formidable face comes into view, and after rounding a few bends, you'll finally see the lodges and tents marking the base camp. Descending and crossing the river, you'll arrive at your long-awaited destination, where Makalu dominates the view. Keep an eye out for Tibetan snowcocks, hill pigeons, black redstarts, and mountain finches around the base camp.

Day 11 / Exploration day at Makalu Base Camp Trek time:5 to 6 hours Max Altitude:Makalu Base Camp(4,870m/15,9

As with Everest Base Camp, base camp for Makalu is a poorly defined patch of rubble on the side of the Barun Glacier.For those seeking glorious panoramic views, climbing to the ridge above the base camp at around 5,300m is an option. It takes about 3 hours to ascend on a slightly indeterminate path, but the close-up, dramatic views of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6, and Peak 4 are worth it. For a gentler hike, follow a path to view the lakes beyond the base camp or do a shorter ridge climb just above the base camp. There's also a small hill at the head of the base camp marked with prayer flags, which is about an hour's walk out and back. Your guide may have other suggestions as well.

Day 12 / : Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka. Trek time:6 to 7 hours Max Altitude:Yangla Kharka(3,557 m/11

Leaving the magnificent Mount Makalu behind, you'll retrace your steps to Yangle Kharka. Af, You'll follow the way back to Shershong, and another hour or so brings you back to Langmale. A one or two hour of descent leads to the tea shop at Merek, before making your way through pine forests back to Yangle Kharka.

Day 13 / Yangle Kharka to Dobato Trek time:6 to 7 hours Max Altitude:Dobato(3,700 m/12,139 ft)

The trek towards Themathang is a pleasant meander, passing by rhododendron bushes and a wooden bridge adorned by prayer flags. You pass the landslide area and negotiate with some narrow sections to pass. After an undulating stretch,you'll start climbing steeply through the rhododendron forest, where you may catch a glimpse of the Himalayan monal, Nepal's national bird. The final easy ascent will lead you to Dobato.

Day 14 / Dobato to Khongma Trek time:6 to 7 hours Max Altitude:Khongma Danda(3,637m/11,932 ft)

Ascend to the Keke La at 4,170m, for captivating views of Kangchenjunga. It's another 1½ hours to reach the Shipton La at 4,200m. Contour around the mountainside for about an hour to reach the large cairn at Sano Pokhari Danda at 4,105m, and another hour of undulations brings you to the final pass, the Khongma La at 3,890m. Descend about 250m to your lodge at Khongma, and keep an eye out for blood pheasants wandering in the snow between the rhododendron bushes.

Day 15 / Khongma to Tashi Gaon Trek time:5 to 6 hours Max Altitude:Tashi Gaon(2,100m/6,889 ft)

You will desecend our way back to Tashi Gaon via Dhara Kharka.

Day 16 / Tashi Gaon to Seduwa Trek time:4 to 5 hours Max Altitude:Seduwa(1500 m / 4921 ft )

You will retrace our way back to Seduwa which will approximately take around 4 to 5 hours.

Day 17 / Seduwa to Num and Drive to Khandbari. Trek time:5 to 6 hours Max Altitude:Khandbari

The descent from Tashigaon to the Arun River is a long and fairly steep climb, mainly on stone steps. The forest becomes denser as you descend, and it can get quite warm. After crossing the river, you'll endure an 800m climb back to Num. Finally, you will return by vehicle to Khandbari for your last night in the mountains.

Day 18 / Drive from Khandbari to Tumlingtar and fly back to Kathmandu Drive Time:3 to 4 hours, Flight Time:35

You will be transferred back to Tumlingtar for the return flight to Kathmandu airport, where you'll be met and transferred to Vastu Boutique Hotel(or similar). Enjoy the rest of the day to relax and recuperate from your trek.Our representative will meet you in the evening for the farewell dinner.

Day 19 / Departure

We'll accompany you to the airport for your international flight. If you want to prolong your stay in Nepal, we can arrange personalized tours to suit your preferences. Let us know your interests and we'll create a tailored itinerary for you.

What’s Included ?

Airport transfers(Domestic and International) on a private vehicle

2 Night sharing basis Accommodation in Vastu Boutique Hotel(or similar) in Kathmandu with breakfast

Tea House accommodation during the trek.

Standard meals throughout the trek with seasonal fruits

Private surface transfers

Necessary permits , fees and all administrative expenses and government taxes

Experienced English-speaking guide with first-aid training

Porter service (1 porter for every 2 clients)

Himalayan Terrain’s duffel/kit bag, trekking map, and trip completion certificate

Farewell dinner on the last night

What’s Not Included ?

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu

International Flight fare and airport departure tax

Beverages and drinking water

Travel Insurance and high-altitude emergency evacuation coverage

Tips for trekking staff

Nepal Entry Visa

Personal Trekking Gear

Tips for trekking staff

Any expenses not explicitly mentioned in the " Included" section

Faq

What is Makalu Base Camp?

Makalu Base Camp is a trekking destination situated at the foot of Mount Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world. It offers stunning views, challenging trails, and a unique trekking experience in the Himalayas.

Where is Makalu Base Camp located?

Makalu Base Camp is located in the Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal, in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Tibet, China.

How do I reach Makalu Base Camp?

The most common starting point for the trek to Makalu Base Camp is from Tumlingtar, which can be reached by a short flight from Kathmandu. From Tumlingtar, the trekking route takes you through various villages and landscapes before reaching the base camp.

What is the best time to visit Makalu Base Camp?

The best time to visit Makalu Base Camp is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. The weather is generally clear and stable during these times, providing better visibility and comfortable trekking conditions.

Is a permit required for the Makalu Base Camp trek

Yes, you need a special trekking permit to visit Makalu Base Camp. You'll also need to obtain a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card.Which will be managed by Himalayan Terrain Team

How difficult is the trek to Makalu Base Camp?

The trek to Makalu Base Camp is considered challenging and suitable for experienced trekkers. The trail involves steep ascents, descents, and remote sections, making it physically demanding.

What is the duration of the Makalu Base Camp trek?

The trek usually takes around 19 days to complete, including both the ascent and descent.

Are teahouses available along the trail to Makalu

Yes, there are teahouses and basic lodges along the trail, although the infrastructure might be less developed compared to more popular trekking regions.

Is altitude sickness a concern during the trek?

Yes, altitude sickness is a concern as you'll be ascending to significant heights. Proper acclimatization and gradual ascent are crucial to minimize the risk of altitude-related issues.

What are the highlights of the Makalu Base Camp tr

Highlights include breathtaking views of Makalu and neighboring peaks, diverse flora and fauna, picturesque Sherpa villages, and the opportunity to experience the local culture.

Can I trek to Makalu Base Camp independently?

While it's possible to trek independently, it's recommended to hire a local guide or join an organized trekking group due to the challenging nature of the trail and the need for proper navigation.

What clothing and gear are essential for the trek?

Essentials include sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, rain gear, sleeping bag, trekking poles, and a good-quality backpack.

Are there any cultural considerations to be aware

Respect the local culture and customs. When passing through villages, it's polite to ask for permission before taking photos of people or their property.

Is there phone reception and internet connectivity

Phone reception and internet connectivity might be limited along the trail. It's best to inform your loved ones about potential communication gaps.

Can I extend the trek beyond Makalu Base Camp?

Yes, some trekkers choose to extend their journey to explore nearby regions like the Barun Valley or even attempt advanced high passes.

Are there any emergency rescue options along the

Emergency rescue services are limited in the area. It's crucial to have travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation in case of emergencies.

What is the average trekking distance per day?

The average trekking distance per day can range from 6 to 10 kilometers, depending on the terrain and altitude gain.

What permits are required for the Makalu Base Camp

You need a Makalu Conservation Area Entry Permit (MCAP) and a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (SNP) to undertake the trek.

Can I rent equipment in nearby towns?

Basic trekking equipment can be rented in Kathmandu or other nearby towns before starting the trek.If needed Himalayan Terrain Team can manage it for some cost

What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during t

The region is home to various wildlife species, including Himalayan Thar, Red Panda, snow leopards, and various bird species.

Is previous trekking experience required for Makal

While previous trekking experience is beneficial, it's not an absolute requirement. Good physical fitness and mental preparation are essential.