Makalu Base Camp Trekking Itinerary
Outline Itinerary
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.
Day 02: Trek from Num to Seduwa, 1,560m - 800m descent / 800m ascent, 8km, 5-6 hours.
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.
Day 03: Trek from Seduwa to Tashigaon, 2,100m - 700m ascent, 8km, 5-6 hours.
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.
Day 04: Trek from Tashigaon to Khongma Danda, 3,640m - 1,400m ascent, 7.2km, 7 hours.
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.
Day 05: Trek from Kongma Danda to Dobate/ Mumbuk 3,860m, over the Khongma La, Sano Pokhari Danda, Shipton La, and Keke La - 852m ascent / 599m descent, 7.6km, 6-8 hours.
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.
Day 06: Trek from Dobate to Yangle Kharka 3,630m - 430m ascent / 600m descent, 9.7km, 5-6 hours.
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
Day 07: Yangle Kharka Rest/Acclimatization.
Explore the area and enjoy the day excursion
Day 08: Trek from Yangle Kharka to Langmale/Sershang 4,420m - 758 ascent, 10.5km 5 hours.
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.
Day 09: Trek to Makalu Base Camp 4,800m - 473m ascent / 115m descent, 8.7km, 5-6 hours.
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.
Day 10: Explore the Base camp and make a site trips.
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.
Day 11: Return to Yangle Kharka - 122m ascent / 1,214m descent, 16km, 6-7 hours.
Day 12: Return to Dobate/Mumbuk - 640m ascent / 412m descent, 9.3km, 6 hours.
Day 13: Return to Khongma - 600m ascent / 852m descent, 7.6km, 6-7 hours.
We start to go downhill and again uphill through the forest and giant bolder. Overnight at camp.
Day 14: Return to Tashigaon - 80m ascent / 1,450m descent, 6.4km, 5 hours.
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.
Day 15: Return to Seduwa - 150m ascent / 700m descent, 8.9km, 4-5 hours.
Retracing your steps back to Seduwa today will take around 4-5 hours.
Day 16: Trek to Num 6 hrs
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!
Day 17: A Jeep Drive to Tumlingtar from Num
It is a about 7 hours public jeep drive to Tumlingtar, arrival and check-in to a hotel.
Day 18: Tumlingtar to Kathmandu by flight. 45 minutes
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