Makalu Base Camp Trek - 18 Days

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  • Duration 18 Days
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Country Nepal

Are you in search of an untouched trekking route in Nepal? Then, the Makalu Base Camp trek is the answer for you. It is an off-the-beaten 18 days expedition. The wilderness of the region, jaw-dropping mountain views, and intense physical challenge make this trek a very adventurous journey.

Mount Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, and the Makalu Base Camp trek leads to the lap of this mountain. Located in the eastern Himalayas of Nepal, the Makalu Base Camp trek offers stunning views of the eight-thousanders like Everest, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu.

On this trek, you will explore the mystical Barun Valley. It is rarely visited by foreign travelers, so the trail is empty and peaceful. The lushness of the region is incredible before you ascend over the tree line and find yourself amidst glaciers and barren peaks. The entire trail is within the Makalu Barun National Park.

Unlike well-established routes such as Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, etc, the Makalu Base Camp route lacks tourist infrastructure. Trekkers get teahouse accommodation along the trail, so camping is not required. The facilities are very basic in the teahouses, but you will get a comfortable and cozy space to spend the night.

Likewise, the Makalu Base Camp trek is longer, and the terrain is more rugged and steep than the famous treks in Nepal. The starting point of the trail is not easily accessible. From Kathmandu, you have to fly to Tumlingtar and drive 6 hours to Num. You will start trekking from Num and gradually ascend through different climatic zones.

If you have previous trekking experience and want to level up your trekking game in the Himalayas, join the Makalu Base Camp trek 19 days. Our 2024 autumn bookings are open. Likewise, you can also pre-book the Makalu Base Camp trek 2025 spring/autumn departure.

Highlights

  • A perfect for travelers who want to explore the Himalayas beyond conventional routes
  • Adventure trekking, offbeat trails, and an untouched, pristine region
  • Witness jaw-dropping mountain views and insane diversity in landscapes
  • Intense physical challenge and an equally rewarding time in the mountain
  • Go off the grid, enjoy nature, push your limits, and unwind
  • Cross mountain passes under 4,500 meters, traverse alpine meadows and glacier moraines
  • Explore the rarely visited Barun Valley and the Makalu Base Camp
  • Meet with Nepali communities like Rai and Sherpas and see their simple lifestyle

Why do the Makalu Base Camp trek in Nepal?

We recommend the Makalu Base Camp trek for those who want to explore the Himalayas beyond conventional routes. This trek is for physically fit travelers ready to take on the challenge. Trekking via the terraced farmland and dense forests, you will pass by the homes of Gurung, Rai, and Sherpa communities.

As the saying goes, the best views come after the toughest walks; on this trek, you will behold the most gorgeous mountain panoramas and landscapes!

On the way, you will cross wooden logs and suspension bridges and explore beautiful waterfalls and streams. The trail gradually ascends to alpine meadows and steep granite cliffs. You will see the Barun Glacier and climb to the Makalu Base Camp. One of the best things about the Makalu Base Camp trek route is the diversity in vegetation.

You will encounter a wide range of flowers and plants. Likewise, this national park is home to exotic wildlife such as red pandas, snow leopards, Himalayan wolves, and many butterflies, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Your chance of spotting any wildlife is quite rare during trekking.

Are you ready to trek to the foot of the fifth-tallest mountain in the world?

The Makalu region was first trekked in the 1950s by Eric Shipton. After that, the region remained lesser known among trekkers, and only a handful of adventure enthusiasts traveled it yearly. The diversity of the terrain, from 1,040 meters (3,412 ft) to 5,680 meters (18,635 ft), is incredible. The climb is challenging.

You will push yourself both physically and mentally. The trek demands the best of you. On a single day, you will cross three high passes all over 4,000 meters - Ghungru La pass (4,055 m/13,304), Shipton La ( 4,216 m/12,832 ft), and Keke La pass (4,170 m/13,681 ft).

Therefore, you cannot negotiate your fitness on the Makalu Base Camp trekking. You do not have a choice. You have to be fit. If you have never trekked before and want to experience the wilderness and beauty of the Makalu Base Camp trek route, prepare yourself for the journey.

Exercise and go on day hikes. Likewise, do a few moderate treks and build your experience and knowledge. You will soon be ready to take on the Makalu Base Camp trek challenge, and we will be here to support you during the journey.

Makalu Base Camp trek 2024/2025 bookings are open with Himalayak Trekking

We specialize in organizing wilderness and advanced treks like the Makalu Base Camp in Nepal. Our Makalu Base Camp trek itinerary is perfectly designed to present the best of this region and provide ample rest days. The trek is not rushed, and you get enough time to enjoy nature and the company of the locals.

Trek with a local guide and a porter. Our crew will make sure you are safe in the mountains and enjoying your time. They will get you the best accommodation and food. The trip will be hassle-free. Likewise, you can check out the Makalu Base Camp trek map to see an overall picture of the trail.

Get the best service and Makalu Base Camp trek with us. Whether you are trekking alone or with your loved ones, we will be your reliable travel partner in Nepal. Contact us if you have any questions regarding the Makalu Base Camp trekking.

Itinerary
Trip Plan
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You will arrive in Kathmandu on this day. Our team will pick you up from the airport and drop you at your hotel. You do not have to worry about your luggage. They will help you with that. Spend some time freshening up in the hotel and later meet us for the trek briefing. After that, buy things missing from your packing list and pack your duffle bags.

  • Accommodation: Hotel

In the morning, fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. The flight will take you to the exclusive Arun Valley northeast of the country. The view of Mt. Makalu, Ganesh Himal, and Mt. Everest is excellent from the flight. Upon landing in Tumlingtar, you will take a local jeep and drive to Num village.

Mountain views: Chamlang Himal, Mt. Makalu, and Jaljale Himal.

  • Max Altitude: 1,040 m/3,412 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 35 minutes flight & 6 hours

From Num, you will descend steeply to the Barun River. On the way, you will cross many suspension bridges and then ascend steeply into the Makalu Barun National Park. Register your permits and continue trekking, following rugged slopes to Seduwa.

  • Max Altitude: 1,500 m/4,921 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 6 hours

The trail goes through rhododendron forests and terraced fields of paddy and millet. You will cross a river via a hanging bridge and trek past villages like Manigaon, Chyaksadanda, and Ropesa. These are homes of ethnic groups like Rai and Sherpa. Spend the night in Tashigaon.

  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 5-6 hours

The trail from Tashigaon to Kongma Kharka is challenging, given the high rise in elevation. Start climbing uphill via rhododendron forests and walk on pastures. You will reach Chipla (2,520 m) and follow a zigzag rocky track via forest to a kharka at 2,900 meters. From here, the trail steeply ascends via stone stairs to Kongma Kharka.

Mountain views: Peak 6, Makalu, Chamlang, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 3,500 m/11,483 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 7 hours

It is going to be another long and challenging day. You will leave Kongma Kharka early in the morning and trek along a ridge to Ghungru La pass (4,055 m). From here, the trail continues to the Shipton La and then to Keke La pass (4,170 m). Shipton La is the highest pass among the three and offers breathtaking mountain views.

Mountain views: Peak 6, Peak 7, Chamlang Himal, Makalu, Mt. Jannu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 4,216 m/12,832 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 7 hours

From Dobato, the trail descends around 300 meters to the bottom of the Barun Valley. You will cross a few streams and follow rolling meadows. As you trek, the valley widens, and the mountain views become much more prominent. Cross a wooden bridge over Barun Khola and ascend to Yangri Kharka.

Mountain views: Peak 7.

  • Max Altitude: 3,640 m/11,942 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 6 hours

From Yangri Kharka, the trail gradually ascends to Langmale. Ascend through steep alpine meadows and rhododendron forests. Cross a few pastures and Barun Khola before reaching Langmale Kharka for the night stay.

Mountain views: Chamlang, Peak 3, Peak 4, Peak 5, Hongku Chuli, Makalu, Baruntse, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 4,410 m/14,468 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 5-6 hours

Today, you will reach the Makalu Base Camp. The trail goes through a deep moraine and icy tracks. You will also walk on steep and rocky tracks. Witness stunning mountain views and Barun Glacier around you. Soon, you will reach a plateau and see the base camp of the fifth-highest mountain in the world in front of you.

  • Max Altitude: 4,870 m/15,977 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 5-6 hours

You will spend a day exploring the Makalu Base Camp. Hike to the upper viewpoint to witness jaw-dropping mountain vistas, glaciers, and lakes. Only a few foreigners have seen this grand view of the Himalayas.

Mountain views: Chamlang, Lhotse, Everest, Makalu, Lhotse Shar, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 5,680 m/18,635 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 6-7 hours

After a big breakfast, you will retrace your steps back to Yangri Kharka. First, descend to Langmale and follow a downhill route to the Barun River Valley to reach Yangri Kharka. The mountain views are fantastic on the way.

  • Max Altitude: 3,557 m/11,670 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 5-6 hours

On this day, you will descend to Dobato, following the same trail. Trek through dense forests and descend along the Barun River Valley. Enjoy views of Makalu, Chamlang, and other mountains on the way.

  • Max Altitude: 3,320 m/10,892 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 5 hours

Trekking from Dobato, you will recross the three passes, including Shipton La, and descend to Tashigaon to spend the night. It is a long walking day, so maintain your pace and do not rush.

  • Max Altitude: 4,216 m/13,832 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 7-8 hours

You are almost at the end of the trek. Today, you will trek from Tashigaon to Seduwa. The trail is the same as before. Trek via small settlements and lush forests. Cross many suspension bridges on the way and pass by terraced farms.

  • Max Altitude: 1,500 m/4,921 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 5 hours

It is your final day of trekking. You will leave Seduwa and walk back to Num. It will be a long walk. Enjoy stunning scenery on the way and see the locals doing their daily chores as you pass small settlements.

  • Max Altitude: 1,040 m/3,412 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 6 hours

You will drive from Num to Chichila. From here, you will continue the ride to Tumlingtar. The ride offers beautiful mountain views and scenery. From Tumlingtar, you will take a short flight back to Kathmandu. The guide will drop you off at the hotel.

  • Max Altitude: 1,400 m/4,593 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Duration: 6 hours drive & 35 minutes flight

You have a full free day in Kathmandu. Rest and spend the day as you wish. Explore local markets and tourist sites, and do window shopping in Thamel.

  • Meals: Breakfast only
  • Accommodation: Hotel

Our team will transfer you to the international airport as per your flight schedule.

  • Meals: Breakfast only
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Add-ons and Options
  • Single room while trekking: If you want a single room during trekking, add this upgrade to your package.
  • Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu: Explore the historical sites in Kathmandu with an experienced tour guide and get to learn deeply about Nepali history and culture.

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You will follow the proposed Makalu Base Camp trek itinerary. However, during unforeseen circumstances, your guide may change the route. He will inform you of the situation and act accordingly. We request you to be flexible. Likewise, you can also customize the Makalu Base Camp trek package with us as per your requirements.

Essential Info

Makalu Base Camp trek difficulty

The Makalu Base Camp trek is challenging. The region is very remote, and the terrain is rugged, steep, and rocky. There are also many sharp ascends and descends. The trail initially goes through lush forests and landslide-prone areas.

You will gradually ascend to higher trails that include glacier moraines. Beginner trekkers will find the Makalu Base Camp trek route very demanding. So, we recommend this trek to individuals with previous trekking experience.

Trek distance: The Makalu Base Camp trek is long. You will trek approximately 150 kilometers.

Daily walking hours: The daily walking hours range from 5 to 6.

Tourist infrastructure: The Makalu Base Camp trek is not as famous as other trekking destinations in Nepal. So, only a handful of travelers trek every year, keeping the tourist infrastructure very limited along the trail.

Altitude Sickness

On the Makalu Base Camp trek, you will gain continuous elevation. The daily rise in elevation increases the risk of altitude sickness because of thin air and low oxygen levels. Our Makalu Base Camp trek itinerary sees gradual ascends and also has an acclimatization day. It helps you avoid altitude sickness. If you feel discomfort during trekking, inform your guide and take first aid.

Symptoms: The symptoms of altitude sickness are dizziness, vomiting, nausea, headache, difficulty breathing, insomnia, and loss of appetite.

Preventive measures: To prevent altitude sickness, you must adjust to the environment. Take your time, and do not rush while trekking. Maintain a constant pace and slow ascents. Likewise, get ample rest, eat carbohydrate-rich food, and avoid alcohol or smoking.

Makalu Base Camp trek travel insurance

The Makalu Base Camp trek route is isolated and very remote. There are risks of avalanches, landslides, trail falls, injuries, etc. No one can predict these things. Even with your and our best efforts, you may get sick or injured during trekking. Your guide is trained to provide first aid, but if you need more medical assistance, we must evacuate you to a nearby hospital in Kathmandu.

Without travel insurance coverage for helicopter evacuation, you may have to bear substantial financial damage, and the service will not be on time either. So, we request you to get travel insurance with helicopter evacuation and medical bills for the Makalu Base Camp trekking.

Makalu Base Camp trek permits

To do the Makalu Base Camp trek, you have to obtain the Makalu Barun National Park permit and TIMS Card. Both permits are necessary and available at the Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. The cost of the permits is USD 30 and USD 20, respectively.

The best time to do Makalu Base Camp trek in Nepal

The best time to do the Makalu Base Camp trek in Nepal is the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These seasons are pre and post-monsoon times when the weather is stable in the Himalayas for trekking and climbing.

Likewise, the mild climate, clear sky, and long daylight hours allow for adventurous expeditions. You will witness stunning mountain views and landscapes. Nature thrives in these seasons, so you will see gushing rivers, cascading waterfalls, forests blooming with flowers, and teeming vegetation.

In summer/monsoon and winter, the challenges are high because of unfavorable weather and climate. So, these are off-seasons for the Makalu Base Camp trekking. If you want to do this trek in these seasons, then we highly recommend you be well-prepared and flexible to change your itinerary as needed.

Accommodation & food during the trek

Accommodation and food are simple on the Makalu Base Camp trek. The villages are dotted with basic tea houses, where trekkers spend the nights. Likewise, you will also have the meals in the teahouses. The rooms are simple and twin-shared. Western-style toilets are available at lower elevations. As the elevation rises, you will mostly find squat toilets.

You will get some variety in food, but the options are limited compared to the famous trekking routes. Dal bhat, thukpa, porridge, soups, chowmin, momo, and fried rice will be some of the food you will have regularly. In some places, you will also find chapati, curry, burgers, pasta, pancakes, etc.

Boiled drinking water is available but carries water purification tablets as well. Likewise, pack enough snacks, nuts, and energy bars for the journey. The network along the Makalu Base Camp trail is not good. Once you hit the upper trail, you may not get any network. We highly recommend carrying a solar power bank for the trek.

Makalu Base Camp trek packing list 

The following things are needed for the Makalu Base Camp trek:

  • Underwear, base layer, thermal layer
  • Trekking shirt & pants, fleece jacket, down jacket, windbreaker/waterproof jacket & pants
  • Dry towel, cotton socks, woolen socks, scarf, gloves, sunhat, beanie
  • Trekking boots, casual shoes/crocs
  • Daypack, duffel bag
  • Trekking poles, sunglasses, reusable water bottle, water purification tablet
  • Map, pocket torch, traveler knife, hand sanitizer, GPS
  • SPF, lip balm, moisturizer, wet wipes, toilet paper, soap/shampoo bar, comb, toothpaste/brush, deodorant, etc
  • Antiseptic cream, band-aid, crack bandage, pain reliever spray, general medicine, electoral powder, insect repellent, etc
  • Adapter, charger, power bank, spare batteries for your camera
  • Snacks, journal/pen, travel insurance document, passport, visa, passport-sized photos, cash
FAQs

Yes, the Makalu Base Camp trek is very demanding. It is one of the most advanced treks in the Himalayas, with many steps climbing, rocky tracks, glacier moraines, icy tracks, etc. Likewise, the trek sees a high altitude, and the tourist infrastructure is very minimal.

The Makalu Base Camp trek takes you up to 5,680 meters. The highest point where you will spend the night is Makalu Base Camp. It is situated at 4,870 meters from sea level.

To reach the Makalu Base Camp, you first have to fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. From here, drive to Num and start trekking to the base camp. It takes around one week of walking via diverse climate zones and terrain to reach the base camp.

Yes, the Makalu Base Camp trek is way harder than the Everest Base Camp trek. It is only for experienced trekkers with strong fitness. It is an advanced trek and is only recommended to those who have done treks like EBC, Annapurna Circuit, etc.

No, there is no ATM along the Makalu Base Camp trek route. So, withdraw money in Kathmandu to use during the trek.

You are supposed to tip the guide, porter, and driver after their service. You can tip any amount you wish. For instance, you can tip 15% to 25% of the package cost to the guide and porter. Likewise, Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 is a generous tip for the driver.

Spotting wildlife during the Makalu Base Camp trek is quite rare. You may see Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, and yaks. However, rare animals like Himalayan black bears, snow leopards, etc., are also rare sightseeing.

Yes, you mandatorily have to go to the Makalu Base Camp trek with a guide. It is a restricted area in Nepal, and trekking with a guide in a group of at least two trekkers is mandatory.

You can do the Makalu Base Camp trek in both a camping and a teahouse style. Our package includes overnight stays in tea houses along the trail. If the group size is more than ten, we may do this trek in a camping style.

No, the Makalu Base Camp trek is not suitable for beginner trekkers. It is a very advanced trek and is only recommended to those who have previous trekking experience and strong physical and mental fitness.

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