Explore the world's best trekking destination with native guides
Mt. Makalu Base Camp Trekking is an exceptional adventure, leading you to the foot of the world’s fifth-highest Mt. Makalu. Which is at 8,463m/27,766 ft. stands amidst towering Baruntse and Chamlang peaks. A mere distance from Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse towards North-West with Mt. Kanchenjunga in the east.
Mt. Makalu base camp is the only spot in the whole Nepal Himalayas. Trekkers can catch the rare views of the Eastern Face of Mt. Everest, known as the famous Khansung Face of Everest. An exciting high-altitude walk around scenic and beautiful Barun Valley, well-hidden from the rest of the Himalayas. Few groups of trekkers often venture into this wild country of Arun and Barun Valleys to Mt. Makalu base camp.
The adventure takes you around sheer mountain wilderness, enclosed within snow-dusted high peaks within the Mahalangur Himalayan range. Mt. Makalu is a four-sided pyramid-shaped black rocky peak, hence the name “Makalu” the great black mountain.
Mt. Makalu Base Camp Trekking route falls within Makalu & Barun Conservation and National Park. It extends close to the eastern side of Khumbu near Mt. Everest at Hongu Valley. Separated by a high West ridge of Sherpani Col, where trekkers and adventurers often traverse from Makalu to Khumbu region.
Mt. Makalu Base Camp Trekking starts after flying in at Tumlingtar Town airport, around lower warm areas of Arun Valley. An exciting drive leads to cooler hills covered in green forest and farmland to reach Num Village.
At the starting and ending points of the trek, the route follows the main trail with down and ups. Reaching the last human settlement and the village of Tashi-Gaon, then head towards the higher ridges to Khoma-La. The adventure continues walking on a ridge line crossing smaller passes of Keke-La, Shipton, and Tutu-La.
Then reaching the exotic Barun Valley, the walk follows west to Makalu base camp. Standing in the heart of towering Mt. Makalu amidst remorseless fields of ice, snow, and glaciers. Enjoying a marvelous moment within the dramatic landscapes of the Arctic zone enclosed by giant snow peaks.
The return journey follows the same scenic route back to the farm villages of Tashi-Gaon and to Num. On completing the adventurous walks, an exciting drive to Tumlingtar for a sweeping panoramic flight back to Kathmandu. After a glorious adventure and wonderful experience on Mt. Makalu Base Camp Trekking.
The Best Seasons for Mt. Makalu Base Camp are late spring and autumn. Spring starts from March to May, and most days are sunny but can get cloudy in the late afternoon. Chance of light snowfall with cold mornings and nighttime at above 2,500 m. The next best season is autumn/fall, which begins in September and ends in November.
One of the high seasons for views and pleasant walks, sunny days most of the time in autumn. But gets dark soon, due to short sunlight hours, cold morning, and late afternoon till nighttime. Expect snowfall above 2,500 m at high Khongma Ridge and around Barun Valley to Makalu Base Camp sometimes.
The route is straightforward with a signpost at each junction of the mid-ways, so there will be no confusion. The trails are nicely laid and good for walking to Barun Valley and towards Makalu Base Camp. The first part of trekking is on a pleasant winding path with a steep climb for a short hour to Seduwa and towards Khongma-La high ridge.
The rest of the walk is pleasant with a short descent and gradual winding path through a lovely forest. From Barun Valley gradual ups to Shearson, and then climb over moraines of rocks and glaciers to Mt. Makalu Base Camp. Return journey on the same route with drives from Num to Tumlingtar Town on country rough muddy hilly road.
Mt. Makalu Base Camp Trek leads to Nepal Far East around the district of Sankhuwas-Saba of Makalu region. The Mt. Makalu lower mid hills are populated mostly by mixed tribes with Brahmin and Chettries. As well large number of Kirat Rai, with Magar, Gurung, and Tamang.
Tashi-Gaon and Norbu Gaon villages are largely inhabited by the Sherpa, the mountain tribes of the Eastern Himalayas. The Sherpa are interwoven with Buddhist religion and culture, walking into enchanting woods lined with tall blue pine, firs, oaks, and spruce trees.
Chances of spotting some wildlife like musk deer, mountain antelopes, and wild goats. Including various species of birds and ducks with colorful pheasants. Scenic views all along the walks are enclosed by tiers of rolling green hills and picturesque snow peaks. On this trek expect the unexpected and be positive, whatever it comes, especially the simple and basic lodge accommodations.
Including very simple meals with a limited food menu, and most overnight lodges with common toilets and bathrooms. The nature of the areas which are not popular trekking routes, and high terrains makes the lifestyle very simple. But worth the adventures trekking on off-the-beaten-tracks away from the main busy trekking trails.
Day 01: Fly to Tumlingtar 475 m (45 mins) drive to Num 1,485 m-04 hrs.
Day 02: Trek to Seduwa 1,540 m- 05 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Tashi Gaon 2,135m-04 hours.
Day 04: Trek to Khongma Danda 3,556m-05 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Dobato 3,610 m-05 hours.
Day 06: Trek to Yangla Kharka 3,598m-06 hours.
Day 07: Trek to Langma le kharka 4,400m-04 hours.
Day 08: Trek to Makalu Base Camp 4,870m-03 hours.
Day 09: Free day for hike and to explore around Makalu base camp.
Day 10: Trek to Yangla Kharka 3,598m-06 hours.
Day 11: Trek to Dobato via Mumbuk-06 hours.
Day 12: Trek to Khongma Danda-05 hours.
Day 13: Trek to Norbu/Nawa Gaon 1,310m via Tashi Gaon-06 hours.
Day 14: Trek to Num via Seduwa-05 hours.
Day 15: Drive to Tumlingtar with overnight in a nice lodge-04 hrs.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared during the trek. The meals are basic, but will give you enough energy for your appetite. Fruit is also available after each meal.
During the trek, we stay in lodges or teahouses. These are simple in nature, but fully equipped. Do not expect too much luxury.
A moderate to adventurous with steep ups and downhills, one of the best and perfect walks around the Himalayas. Trekkers must be aware that Nepal and Himalayan landscapes are all ups and downhills. The only flat land is in the southern Terai belt of Nepal, walking slow and steady will overcome the difficulty.
The walk is straight forward without much difficulties, as long one takes it slow and steady. The only tough about this treks is the gain in altitude, but walking slow and having enough drinks. It is the best way as precaution against the problem of the altitude gain. Rest of the route is straightforward on daily walks to each overnights stops.
Mt. Makalu Base Camp, is not a popular trekking destinations, due to its remote location. But it offers scenic walks, full of charm and beauty from the start to the end of trekking. As well great change of landscapes, and vegetation, the views of high Himalayan peaks remains constant throughout the walks.
The facilities of lodge accommodation and food is very simple and not the best that one can experience. Needs to carry few supplementary food and snacks as per one interest.
A lovely country walk through beautiful forest lined with tall rhododendrons, pines and fir trees. Daily views of snow peaks with local fascinating cultures of the Sherpa, the highlanders of Makalu and eastern Himalayas. The major expectation besides scenic scenery is steep climb with long downhill walks. As well to experience both scenic views and local impressive cultures.
All lodges on overnight stops, have electricity facilities either run by Hydro or solar power. Trekkers can charge their electronic items on paying extra for charging each gadgets. Some lodges offer free Wi-Fi and Internet services while few places might charge extra. But the connection in some places can be disturbing and takes time to run the service either in long distance call or using the internets.
Simple and basic, one can expect around the mountainous and hilly region of the Himalayas. The lodge facilities are best from Num to Tashi-Gaon, all lodges provide common bathe and toilets with extra charge for using hot showers.
However, the rooms are neat and cozy the dining have fireplace to warm the rooms while you enjoy the meals. The foods depending upon the standard of the lodge, but most lodge restaurants provide limited food menu. Simple and basic accommodations en route to Makalu base camp, due to the nature of the cold and high terrains.
Requires all trekkers to be suitably physically fit and in good health, to take the challenge walking steeps and downhills. When planning and booking this trip, one should need outdoor exercise from walking, jogging. Or any other good physical exercise for an hour on daily basis, and checking your health. Before booking this wonderful adventurous treks.
Makalu region falls with Makalu & Barun National Park and Conservation extends towards west of Khumbu. Trekkers have to obtain the Park entrance ticket. The checking and registration for National Park is done at Seduwa or Tashi-Gaon.
The main tribes from Num to Tashi Gaon are the Sherpa people follows Tibetan Buddhism. Trekkers can witness that every houses adorned with a Buddhist prayer flags. As well prayer monuments along the trail around the villages with impressive monastery at Norbu Gaon near Tashi Gaon.