Makalu Base Camp Wilderness Trek

Duration: 18 Days
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: By Air
  • Food: Full Board Plan
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teas House
  • Group Size: 2-10
  • Max Elevation: 4810m

Makalu Base Camp trekking is a highly adventurous and challenging trek in the Mahalangur Himalayan region of Nepal. Categorized as Moderate to Challenging, trekkers are required to have strong physical fitness and stamina to do Makalu Base Camp trekking. Makalu trek provides a variety of flora and fauna, a local Himalayan community, and a stunning landscape of snow-clad terrain.

Makalu Base Camp adventure starts after 45 minutes flight to Tumlingtar and four hour drive to Num. The trek begins from here and walks through the Makalu-Barun National Park then the ultimate objective of the trek is to hike to the base camp of Mt. Makalu (the fifth-highest mountain in the world) at an altitude of 4870m. The Makalu Base Camp gives you magnificent views of the south face of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, and the Barun Glacier. All along the trail, you will enjoy stunning views of Mt Makalu (8,481m), Mt. Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m), and Mera peak (6,654m). The trail passes through Makalu Barun National Park allowing you to enjoy the pristine wilderness and biodiversity. This trek gives you an opportunity of going to Baruntse Base Base Camp, Amphulaptsa pass to the Everest base camp in the Khumbu region. The permanent feature of this trek is the Arun river which during monsoon season is an enthralling sight to watch. So are beautiful waterfalls, deep gorges, valleys, and traditional villages of the Rai and Limbu ethnic communities. The distinctive feature of Makalu Base Camp trekking is its pristine wilderness as you pass through dense forests of rhododendron, orchids, maple, magnolia, aromatic herbs, and an unparalleled gallery of the most colorful flowers ever seen in the Himalayas. The best time to undertake the Makalu Base Camp trek is October to early December, April to May is recommended and the rest of the month is the customized month.

Highlights

  • Visit Makalu Base Camp and Baruntse Base Camp
  • Enjoy stunning views of the south face of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang, Baruntse,
  • Mera and Barun Glacier
  • Appreciate ecologically rich Arun Valley
  • Learn about the Kirati culture of ethnic Rai and Limbu communities
  • Trek through Makalu Barun National Park

Outline Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days
Day 01: Kathmandu-Tumlingtar 45min. 510m-jeep drive to Num. 6hrs.

Kathmandu to Tumlingtar is about 45 minutes and mostly in the morning. After landing at Tumlingtar, drive to Num due to the road construction, you will drive to Num which takes about 7 hours. Overnight at Guesthouse. 

  • Full Board meals
  • Guest house
  • 1,560m

 Today you will start the trek from Num after having breakfast. You will descend (800m) to Aurun River and ascent (800m) to Seduwa. Descending through Cardamom crops (the biggest cash crops in the region), the temperature is very warm. Passing bustling local village and bamboo trees.

  • full board plan
  • Guest House
  • 1830m

It's a beautiful day's walk today without the heartless ascents and descents of yesterday. You begin climbing on a path with many stone steps and pass several Mani walls as you go into Sherpa territory, Tashigaon.

  • full board plan
  • Tea house
  • 2100m

Yes, prepare for the big ascent today! Cross the log bridge and continue through the stunning Rhododendron forest. It is a lovely walk with different species of birds like sparrows and hawks. 

  • full board plan
  • Tea House
  • 3,640m

This is a truly pleasant day of the trek crossing four high passes Shipton La, Khongma La, Pokhari Danda, and Keke La with airy traverses and dramatic ridge sections offering near-constant stunning views of snow-capped peaks. 

  • Full board paln
  • Tea House
  • 2050m

You have a really beautiful descent trek through rhododendron and pine forests this morning. Look out for Guldenstadts redstarts, minivets, tragopans, and magpies in the trees while on the trek. From Themathang Kharka, 3,500m It takes around four hours to reach Yangle Kharka from Dobate

  • Full board plan
  • Tea house
  • 3,650m

Explore the area and enjoy the day excursion

  • Full board plan
  • Tea house
  • 3,650m

Passing the colorful flags towards the Jhak Kharka, Yak Kharka, and reached Merek where you may stop for a warm cup of tea after 2.5 hours. Langmale Kharka offers a beautiful Himalayan panorama. Sershang is about one hour's walking from Langmale Kharka.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House
  • 4,800m

 Today is another beautiful day and it offers the 7 highest peaks. Yes of course the day is long as before but it is also a very pleasant path. Hoping bulders to bulders and pastureland along the way. Arrival and check-in Guest House.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House
  • 4,800m

There are some softer options, which include following a path to view the lakes beyond base camp. There is also a much shorter ridge climb you can do just above base camp, and there's a small hill at the head of base camp marked with prayer flags which are around an hour's walk out and back. Your guide may also have other suggestions.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House
  • 4800m


  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House
  • 3630m

 

  • Full board paln
  • Tea House
  • 2050m

We start to go downhill and again uphill through the forest and giant bolder. Overnight at camp.

  • Full Board plan
  • Tea House
  • 3640m

You descend from Khongma down to Dhara Kharka which takes around 2 hours. You'll no doubt stop for a cup of tea here. The descent to Tashigaon then takes a further 3 hours.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House
  • 2100m

 Retracing your steps back to Seduwa today will take around 4-5 hours.

  • Full Board
  • Tea House
  • 1560m

It's a long, fairly steep climb, mainly on stone steps, all the way down to the Arun River valley at 770m. It will be very warm now as you head deep into the forest lower down. After crossing the river and enduring the 800m climb all the way back to Num. Now you can congratulate yourself on the successful completion of this challenging and rewarding trek!

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House

It is a about 7 hours public jeep drive to Tumlingtar, arrival and check-in to a hotel. 

  • Full Board Plan
  • Hotel
  • 1500m

Take a pleasant flight to Kathmandu, outlooking into the massive Himalayan range, and land in Kathmandu. Arrival and transfer to your designated hotel. Hotel is your choice

What's included

  • All Domestic Airport pickup and drop-off services
  • 17-night teahouses accommodation during the trek with full board meals
  • Kathmandu-Tumlingtar-Kathmandu flight tickets with departure tax
  • Transportation on a comfortable vehicle as per itinerary
  • An experienced English-speaking mountain Sherpa
  • Sherpa porters (2 trekkers:1 porter) to carry your trekking gears
  • Salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging for Guide and porter
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (Makalu-Barun National park permit)
  • Guide and porter insurance
  • TIMS- Trekkers Information Management System)
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • All government and local taxes
  • Nepalese visa fee, A visa can obtain on your upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, Visa cost 30 USD, 50 USD, and 125 USD for 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days respectively. 
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Excess baggage charges if more than 15 kg.
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) other than the scheduled itinerary
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • Services which are not mentioned in the "Included section"
Request a Private Date

The minimum you need to be 2 people to book this trip. However, if you are single please ask us for the group joining or private trip.

Due to the weather conditions leading to cancellations or delays in flights, this trip will operate on an alternate itinerary.

We organize Makalu Base Camp Trek for two people to a maximum of 10 people at once or even if you have more than 10 people then we provide 2 professional Guides.

Global Adventure Trekking specializes in organizing treks for individuals, couples, and small groups. You can trek as a private group on the date you select without paying extra. Feel free to contact us to inquire about possible dates for group treks that you might be able to join.

Useful Info

Day 1 means the arrival day in Kathmandu. 

Group discount is available so please contact us.

We offer this trip for single solo travelers as well.