About Makalu Base Camp Trek

Adventurous Trek through the remote and wild region of Eastern Nepal to reach the bottom of the 5th highest mountain in the world, Mt. Makalu, (8463 meters) the fifth highest mountain in the world. Your trekking trail starts from Tumlingtar and runs through Chichila, Num, Makalu Barun National Park and the Buffer Zone area up to Mt. Makalu Base Camp. From the flatland of the Terai, over high passes and down lush valleys into rugged terrain of snow and rock, dotted with isolated villages, like Sherpa, Tamang and Gurung. Mt. Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of the most challenging, yet incredibly rewarding trekking routes in Nepal. The lower reaches of the trail are renowned for their lushness with verdant rhododendron forests whereas the upper reaches of the trail comprise polished granite cliffs capped by hanging glaciers, overflowing with waterfalls. The 21-day Makalu Base Camp Trek is an ideal choice for avid trekkers and nature enthusiasts who seek solace and tranquillity in pristine natural habitats and those who wish to avoid crowds. To grab the trip pleasure and make it precious, you can join the trip of TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE.

Trip Highlights

  • World Heritage Site Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Temple.
  • Fine Art and Gallery of Hindu and Buddhist culture in Patan.
  • Spectacular views of the snow-covered giant Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest, Makalu, etc.
  • Trekking through eye-catching villages, and various communities with a majority of Rai, Limbu and Sherpa.
  • Exploring the valley of Arun and the riverside.
  • Last Minute Shopping and Refreshment in Thamel Kathmandu With Typical Nepali Cuisine.

Itinerary

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Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

As soon as your plane hits the tarmac of Tribhuwan International Airport, TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE offices representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for the 21 days trek in Nepal to Makalu base camp. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to your rooms and refreshing yourself you will be briefed about your daily activities. The rest of your time is free to move around the neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings before you go on 21 days adventurous trekking.

  • Meals: Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

You will fly to Tumlingtar after breakfast and meet the rest of the crew members who will also be joining you for the trek. Next, you will drive to Chichira, a small Gurung settlement. You take a rest at Chichira as you need to be prepared for the next day’s trek. Stay overnight in Chichira.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Chichira
  • Altitude: 1980

You will start your trail early in the morning and head towards Num right after breakfast. A moderately paced walk through the picturesque villages and lush mountain forests will take you to Num. A ridge line with great views on both side and perched on the end, this is Num for you. Overnight in Num

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Num
  • Altitude: 1560

After having breakfast, you will follow a steep descent through forests and terraced farms which takes you to Barun River. You will cross the river and follow an equally steep ascent up the other side again. Often quite hot - the forest on the valleys offer a bit of shade. This is where Makalu Barun National Park begins and where you register our permits. You camp right at the top of the village. Stay overnight in Seduwa

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Seduwa
  • Altitude: 1500

You start your today’s trail with a ascend the ridge bounded by the Ipsuwa Khola on the west and Kasuwa Khola to the east. Crossing the hillside through quiet villages and passing by small paddy fields, you reach the exotic village of Tashi Gaon. Once there, you are surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan panorama. Stay overnight in Tashigaon

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tashigaun
  • Altitude: 2100

After having you start your trek, this will be a bit of a tough day as you have to walk on a steep trail in higher elevation. You will ascend through forests to a stream and then onto a ridge. From here the trail gets even steeper and passes a Kharka (grazing land) and finally follows a series of rough stone stairs and small lakes ascending to the top of the ridge. From here it’s a short way down to Khongma Danda. Stay overnight in Khongma Danda

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Khonjma Danda
  • Altitude: 3500

The day off will allow some bodily rest before you take on crossing of the Shipton La the next day. For those who wish to explore the nearby surrounding can walk around the area. You will get a chance to experience Nepali culture through a walk. Stay overnight in Khongma Danda

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Khongma Danda
  • Altitude: 3500

Today you climb towards the summit of the Shipton La (pass) which takes a few hours to reach. After the lake Kalo Pokhari (3930m), pass over the Keke La at 4,170m. You can see the breath taking views of Chamlang (7321m), Peak 6 (6,524m) and Peak 7 (6,758m). After crossing the Keke La pass, you descend through the beautiful valley to Dobate. Stay overnight in Donate

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Donate

After breakfast, you start your trail and today you pass through the rhododendron forest which leads to the Barun River and the upper reaches of the valley. You should be very careful during the first two hours of trek as the trail is steep and arduous. You then take a pleasant walk, slowly gaining altitude until you arrive at Yangri Kharka situated at the base of the valley. Stay overnight at Yangri Kharka.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Yangri Kharka
  • Altitude: 3557

Following a moderate walk to the valley, you pass through yak pastures, lush forests and boulder fields. The valley walls toyour imposingly above us during the start of the trek. You pass Merek as you make our way further up and notice a significant rise in the scenic Himalayan views. Stay overnight in Langmale Kharka. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Langmale Kharka
  • Altitude: 4410

Today is the day you make it to the Base Camp. From Langmale Kharka you make our way up to Shershong and eventually to Makalu Base Camp. The trail is flat with icy glaciers and snow clad mountains accompanying us. Mount Makalu comes into view as you approach Shershong. As you make your way to the camp, you get to soak in the majestic Himalayan panorama surrounding us. Stay overnight at Makalu Base Camp.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Makalu base camp
  • Altitude: 4870

The Base Camp is a rocky barren place with the large Barun Glacier beyond it. From here you can see the magnificent south face of Makalu and the complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse. You can explore the surrounding lakes, glaciers and go for a short trek up where you may celebrate our accomplishment at the camp itself. Stay overnight at Makalu Base Camp

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Makalu base camp
  • Altitude: 4870

You descend down from the base camp and take your last glimpse of Makalu before turning the corner and heading back. On your way down, you pass through Shershong, Langmale Kharka, Merek and descend down the valley finally stopping at Yangri Kharka. Stay overnight at Yangri Kharka

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Yangri Kharka

From Yangri Kharka you descend through rock falls, green forests and valley, making your way towards Donate. You follow the river banks of Barun as you descend down the trail. Stay overnight at Donate.                                                                                                                      

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Donate

You begin the trek with steep climb from Donate to Mumbuk (Nambuk) and through a forest of firs and rhododendrons. You then cross the Keke La, Tutu La (Shipton’s Pass) and Kauma La en route. Next, you descend to Khongma Danda again. Stay overnight in Khongma Danda. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Khongma Danda

The trek continues with frequent long and steep descent cutting through the hillsides. The trail takes you through thick forests and finally making it to the indigenous Sherpa village of Tashigaon. Stay overnight in Tashigaon

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tashigaon

You retrace your steps as you exit the Makalu Barun National Park and descend down to the Barun River. You then cross the hillside and come across villages and settlements as you move further down finally stopping at Seduwa again. Stay overnight at Seduwa

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Seduwa

You leave Seduwa and trek through lush forests towards Num. The trail goes up and down and passes through dense forests and Sherpa villages as you move downwards. Stay overnight at Num

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Num

Again you retrace our footsteps to Chichira from where you can savor the glorious vista of Mount Makalu for the last time. The final return leg of the trek will see you overnight at Tumlingtar, ready for an early departure to Kathmandu the following day. Stay overnight at Tumlingtar.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Place: Tumlingtar

Today, you fly back to Kathmandu after your long trek in the mountains. You can rest and relax throughout the day at our hotel or get in touch with our loved ones. In the evening you celebrate your successful journey to the Makalu base camp and back with a farewell dinner by TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

Today After having breakfast, you will visit the Kathmandu Valley in Private Vehicle. You will have Lunch and visit UNESCO Heritage site in Kathmandu Valley like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath Temple, Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple), etc. Our professional English-speaking guide will explain about the history, culture, etc. about the places you visited. At the same time you can visit to thamel shop for some last minutes shopping. Overnight stay at Kathmandu Hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kathmandu Hotel
  • Place: Kathmandu
  • Altitude: 1300

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE representative will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal and Say farewell to Nepal and its amazing people, mountains and nature. Until the next time!                                                                                                                                           

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Place: Kathmandu Airport
  • Altitude: 1300