Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal Overview
- Trip Code: CT-10049
- Package: Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal
- Duration: 22 Day(s)
- Trip Level:
ModerateRequires some level of experience in trekking with basic physical ability.
- Group Size: Above 2
- Start At: Kathmandu
- Ends At: Kathmandu
- Transportation:
Public Bus | Domestic Flight | Private Vehicle
- Accommodation:
Guest House | Hotel
Trip Highlights
- Amazing Himalayan ranges of the Khumbu region
- Fifth highest mountain peak in the world
- Makalu Barun National Park
- Rare and unique wildlife including red panda and snow leopard
- Remote and rural lifestyle of the Sherpa tribe
- Shipton La pass
- Keke La Pass
NOTE: It is highly recommended that you arrive in Kathmandu a day prior to your journey towards the Makalu Base Camp in case you don't have a day tour of Kathmandu scheduled. You will have a day to rest, buy some travel essentials and equipment. It is also best to have some extra days in your travel schedule after the completion of the trek.
Regarded as one of the most popular trekking destination in Nepal among solitary trekkers, Makalu Base Camp trek in Nepal offers travelers an amazing opportunity to explore the Himalayan ranges and Himalayan culture of Nepal. Being the fifth highest mountain in the world (8,481m), the Makalu range consists of several Himalayan peaks. The Makalu peak of Nepal is situated in the Makalu Barun National Park in Nepal. The Makalu Trek is an amazing long treks in Nepal where one can experience the splendid beauty of the nature of Makalu Barun National Park and the adventure into the wilderness of the Himalayas in Nepal. The lush Arun valley of Nepal is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal that will surely take travelers' breath away. Amazing view of the Makalu Peak along with the Himalayan ranges of Nepal such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Baruntse can be seen during this trek in Nepal. The Makalu trekking trail is a form of off the beaten trekking trails in Nepal that gives travelers the joy of being in the presence of wilderness, immersing themselves into the beauty and solitude of the beautiful nature.
Our journey to the Makalu Base Camp starts with a flight to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu. From there we'll drive to village called Num from where our trek to Makalu Base Camp starts. The trekking to Himalayas is renowned for their lush rhododendron forest and as the altitude increases, the trail comprises of polished granite cliffs, amazing waterfalls, and glaciers. The trail also takes us through the high mountain pass of Nepal such as the Shipton la and Keke La pass. During our trek, the elevation of Makalu diversifies as we'll be starting our journey from Tumlingtar which lies at 400 meters and goes all the way up to 5,500 meters in the southern east ridge of Mt. Makalu. The Makalu Barun National Park is also very rich in biodiversity as this National Park in Nepal also home to some rare wildlife in Nepal. Travelers will get to experience the Himalayan culture and lifestyle of the Himalayan people.
The trail to Makalu Base Camp is bit difficult as the trail goes up and down hill all along. Some parts of the trek might even be tricky and technical especially while crossing the high Himalayan pass. However, our expert and experienced trekking guides of Nepal will always be by your side helping you at every step of the way. Because of the remoteness of the region, there are some parts where we need to set up our own camp. All the equipment and facilities for camping in Makalu trek such as mattress, sleeping pad, kitchen, and even bathroom tent is set up where we'll be spending overnight for a camp. Our guide and cooks will be preparing all the necessary foods for us as well. The Makalu Base Camp trek is a restricted area in Nepal and hence travelers need a special permit for Makalu trek in Nepal. The Makalu Base Camp trek permit can be received after sending a request to the Government. The travel agencies in Nepal handle all the permits and travel arrangements that are required in order to travel Makalu Barun circuit. If you want to spend your vacation in Nepal by trekking to Himalayas and immersing yourself into the wilderness, Makalu Base Camp Trek is a very good option. The best time for Makalu Base Camp trekking is during the Spring and Fall season.
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Day 01 | Arrival in Kathmandu | |
| Day 02 | Briefing and Sightseeing on Kathmandu | |
| Day 03 | Kathmandu to Tumlingtar to Num | |
| Day 04 | Num to Sedua | |
| Day 05 | Sedua to Tashigaun | |
| Day 06 | Tashigaun to Kauma | |
| Day 07 | Kauma to Mumbuk | |
| Day 08 | Mumbuk to Nhe Kharka | |
| Day 09 | Nhe Kharka to Sherson | |
| Day 10 | Sherson to Makalu Base Camp | |
| Day 11 | Makalu Base Camp exploration | |
| Day 12 | Makalu Base Camp to Nhe Kharka | |
| Day 13 | Nhe Kharka to Mumbuk | |
| Day 14 | Mumbuk to Kauma | |
| Day 15 | Kauma to Tashigaun | |
| Day 16 | Tashigaun to Balung | |
| Day 17 | Balung to Pukuwa | |
| Day 18 | Pukuwa to Bumling | |
| Day 19 | Bumling to Tumlingtar | |
| Day 20 | Tumlingtar to Kathmandu | |
| Day 21 | Leisure day at Kathmandu | |
| Day 22 | Departure |
Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu
A company representative from Core Treks will come to pick you up at the airport. After that we'll be taking you to your hotel. After taking some rest we'll meet you at our office or at your hotel and have a short briefing session regarding our travel. Feel free to ask any question you might have regarding the trek. If you want to explore the city we might as well walk around the street of Thamel and it's even possible to do some last minute shopping. There're no further activities for the day so you might as well check into the hotel.
Briefing and Sightseeing on Kathmandu
We'll be talking more regarding our trip on this day. We'll need your original passport as travelers need a permit in order to make this travel in Nepal. After finishing that we'll be doing a bit of a sightseeing tour around the Kathmandu valley. We'll be visiting two world heritage sites located at Kathmandu, namely Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Temple (also known as Monkey Temple). In the evening we'll be doing final preparation for our trek.
Kathmandu to Tumlingtar to Num
We take a morning flight to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu. The flight will take us around 30 minutes and upon reaching Tumlingtar we drive to the Num village via Chichila. We'll be driving through some beautiful picturesque villages and lush hills as we finally reach Num. We spend overnight there and prepare ourselves for the trek we'll be starting then next day onwards.
Num to Sedua
The trek begins as our trail descends steeply through the forests and terraced farms taking us alongside the Arun River. We then make a steep ascent as further go through the forest. After a short while, we reach at the gates of Makalu Barun National Park where we'll be registering our permits. Moving along the rocky trails and tiny terraces, we make a long settp climb to Sedua.
Sedua to Tashigaun
Upon having breakfast, we continue our travels as we ascend the ridge bounded by the Ipsuwa and Kasuwa River. We'll be crossing through quite a few streams and pass by some small paddy fields. After couple hours, we climb up towards the Tashigaun village which is a Sherpa village of the Makalu Barun region. We'll be spending overnight here.
Tashigaun to Kauma
Today's trail is bit harder as it goes steep upwards into higher elevations. We'll be ascending through forests to a stream and ridge. Gradually the trails joins the ridge that seperates the Kasuwa and Iswa drainages from where the trail goes even more steeper. We follow a series of rough stone stairs and small water reservoirs to the top of the ridge. We then trek through the forests along the ridge over hillock and then go down towards Kauma.
Kauma to Mumbuk
We resume our trek with a steep climb through the rhododendron forest to the top of the ridge. Amazing view of the Chamlang peak, peak 6 and 7 can be seen during our walk today. After some time the trail veers left off the crest to a small lake and then we climb up towards the Kike La pass. From there we descend to another lake and ascend steeply through to the Tutu La pass. Later we make a final descent through a forest for firs and rhododendrons to Mumbuk forest camp.
Mumbuk to Nhe Kharka
We will be passing through the rhododendron forest alongside the Barun River and the upper reaches of the valley. The trail is steep and arduous so caution is needed while traveling. We then reach towards the Yangle Kharka from where we cross the north side of the Barun River as we reach towards the Nhe Kahrka.
Nhe Kharka to Sherson
Today we begin our trek following the trails of the Barun River bank. Amazing views of the Pyramid peak, Chamlang peak, Peak 3,4, and 5 can be seen during our walk today. However, Mount Makalu is still not within our sight today. We pass a ridge and enter a valley and just before Sherson, the Makalu peak shows a bit of a glimpse.
Sherson to Makalu Base Camp
We begin our trek after having breakfast. We head towards the Makalu Base Camp as we descent gradually. We descend to stream and then cross on boulders to the base camp that lies on the west bank of the river. Amazing and the mesmerizing peak of Makalu will be in front of our sight now. Also we can view beautiful panoramic views of the mountain ranges of the Everest region.
Makalu Base Camp exploration
We'll be acclimatizing and exploring the Base Camp during this day. It is a rocky and barren place with a huge glacier beyond it. There are some surrounding lakes and glaciers that we can explore as well during this day. Later we go back to our camp and rest for the day.
Makalu Base Camp to Nhe Kharka
We start early in the morning and retrace our steps down the Barun valley towards Nhe Kharka. We descend down back from base camp as we take our last glimpse at the mighty Mountains nearby. We pass through Shershong, Merek, Langmale, and make our way down the valley and stop at Nhe Kharka.
Nhe Kharka to Mumbuk
After having our breakfast, we descend through green forests, rocks falls and walk down through the valley. We follow the trail of the Brun River bank. We then trek through a steep climb from Dobate and make our way towards Mumbuk.
Mumbuk to Kauma
Today we walk through a forest filled with rhododendron and fir trees. We'll be crossing the Keke La pass, the Shipton Pass, and the Kauma La pass as we make our way towards Kauma.
Kauma to Tashigaun
Today we leav Mumbuk and trek across the Shipton la pass. We'll be making a long descend for the most part cutting through the hillsides. We'll be passing through some few Sherpa villages and reach the village of Tashigaun. We'll be spending overnight here.
Tashigaun to Balung
We retrace our steps and make our exit from the Makalu Barun National park and descend down towards the Barun River. We cross the hillside and some other village settlements as we move further down. We finally reach to Balung where we'll be stopping and resting for the day.
Balung to Pukuwa
On this day we continue our trail through the Walung village and descend to the Apsawa River. After that we'll be climbing up towards Chhayang. The trail goes uphill and downhill and head towards Parangbu which is a beautiful camping spot at the banks of the Arun river. We move ahead through forest and streams as we finally reach Pukuwa.
Pukuwa to Bumling
The trail today follows through some narrow tracks as we'll be climbing over rocky ridges. We come across some scrub jungle and landslides before descending towards Tome. The valley then becomes wider and the trail climbs over another ridge on a steep and narrow stairway of the rock steps. Later we descend to the banks of Sankhuwa River and head towards the village of Bumling where we'll spend overnight.
Bumling to Tumlingtar
We have come close to the final part of our trek as today will be our last trekking day. Our trail follow the river banks and we follow the Arun downstream, crossing it on a large suspension bridge. Making a short climb back to Tumlingtar plateau, our route passes through Chyawabesi. Our trail then becomes easier as we walk through a flat surface.
Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
We fly back to Kathmandu as our trek into the Himalayas has come to an end. We'll be reaching Kathmandu before noon and we'll also be taking you to your hotel from the airport. We can rest for the day as our bodies might have got tired from the trekking adventure. In the evening, we'll be organizing a dinner party for our fellow guests where you'll be taken to a traditional Nepalese cuisine restaurant.
Leisure day at Kathmandu
This day has been set aside for you to rest from the long journey and explore the Kathmandu city on your own. You can stroll around the markets of Thamel and buy some amazing souvenirs. If you have something in mind, a place you want to visit in Kathmandu, let us know and we can arrange that for you as well.
Departure
Our travel journey has now come to an end as we say our goodbyes and take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport 2 hours prior to your flight time. We'll come to pick you at your hotel and a representative will drive alongside you up till the departure gate at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal is considered as a moderate trek. It requires little to no prior trekking experience or trainings. One with average physical condition is compatible for this trekking. However, a brief training session is essential which is executed by our mountaineering experts before the hike.
Yes, the Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal is completely safe. However, there are still chances of unforeseen circumstances which will be discussed during the training session held by our travel experts. The session will equip you with information about the emergency measures and information about the location that you will be travelling to.
During the Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal, you can expect some amazing Himalayan ranges of the Khumbu region, fifth highest mountain in the world, Makalu Barun National Park, Rare and Unique wildlife including red panda and snow leopard, Shipton La Pass, and Keke La Pass.
The food is generally our traditional Nepali lunch which is Dal (Lentil Soup), Bhat (Boiled Rice), Tarkari (Veggies), and Achar (Pickle).
For the accommodation there are specially Hotels & Lodges, Tea houses, and Camping facilities. However due easy accessibility of hotels & lodges throughout the trial, camping is usually avoided (unless needed) during the Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal.
To book the Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal, CoreTreks offers you a number of booking options including:
- Online booking,
- Wire transfer OR,
- Cash on arrival
We recommend you to go through our booking policy before you head to the payment. In case of further inquiries please feel free to contact us.
Additional Information
Equipment And Gears
To prepare for your trek in Nepal, it's essential to consider both the specific route and the time of year. Here is a Nepal trekking packing list to help you pack wisely. Here’s our Nepal Trekking packing list.
Makalu Base Camp Trekking in Nepal Reviews
Beautiful travel destination
From: Australia | On: 16 Sep, 2019
Nepal is really a beautiful destination to spend holidays. My friends and I love trekking and we have been trekking since 2 years now. It is really fun to be with friends exploring different places of the world. Nepal is really gifted by nature.
We hiked up for sightseeing of the Langtang range, Everest range and Gaurishankhar range. The high mountain passes and glaciers were massive and stunning. The local settlements are congested but the people are really welcoming.
We would like to thank CoreTreks and the guiding team for making our trip possible. I recommend anyone looking for a trip to Nepal to book through CoreTreks. They are really professional with what they do.
A long trip
From: Spain | On: 04 Apr, 2019
For someone like me who rarely goes on trekking, it was a long trip of almost 25 days. It was really nice to be among the people who were really welcoming and friendly. The mountains around the Khumbu region looks absolutely stunning.
We were able to learn so much about the lifestyle of Sherpas and the settlements. It was definitely different seeing people adjust in small homes but they looked cozy. We even spend a night on one of the similar houses. They treated us really nicely and cooked some delicious Nepali cuisine.
I would like to thank CoreTreks and the whole guiding team who made this trip possible and for helping us throughout the rough trials when I almost gave up. Nevertheless, it was an interesting and long trip.
Inspiring trekking experience
From: United Kingdom | On: 15 Apr, 2017
Our trip to Makalu Base Camp was extremely fun. I was inspired by the amazing Himalayan range and the people living there. The people in these areas are really hardworking and dedicated.
I was able to explore the rare and unique wildlife. Also I was lucky enough to spot a red panda, it was awesome. The rural lifestyle is hard and I have nothing but respect to the people living in those areas.
Special thanks to CoreTreks for making this trip possible. Also thanks to the professional guiding teams for helping us throughout the rough trails as we hiked up. Overall Makalu Base Camp trekking was an inspiring experience in Nepal. Definitely looking to visit Nepal again.
