Makalu Base Camp Trekking

Makalu Base Camp Trekking

Activity
Trekking
Trip Grade
Strenuous

Overview

Trexmount Ventures devised the Makalu Base Camp tour to give visitors a taste of Nepal’s sub-tropical alpine and rural living. The magnificent Himalayan region is cut off from modern life. Similarly, the Makalu Base Camp and Barun Valley offer travelers a unique hiking experience in Nepal.

This Trekking is an excellent way to see the spectacular Himalayan range. Mt. Makalu (8,463m -27,766 ft), Baruntse (7,160m -23,491 ft), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m -28,169 ft) with the east face of Mt. Everest (8,848m -29,028 ft), Lhotse (8,516m -27,939 ft), and the Khumbakarna Himalaya with many other nearby adjoining smaller peaks will make your trip more beautiful.

Following the flight to Tumlingtar, this incredible journey to Makalu Base Camp begins. We drive to Num village over a dirt road, passing through Khadbari and several other tiny villages along the way. Furthermore, this is where you should start your walking adventures.

Trexmount Ventures‘ guide and porter will accompany you on your trip to ensure a pleasurable vacation. After, we take a stroll through a less touristy region. Similarly, the trail passes through climatic zones ranging from the Mediterranean to frigid settings. Likewise, the temperature in these fascinating regions varies dramatically.

Exploring the surrounding traditional people and rural lifestyle is another attraction of Makalu Base Camp. We travel past Rai, Limbu, and Sherpa villages, which greet us with open arms. We hike into the wilderness area and through the forest after walking to the last Sherpa village, Tashigaon. The trail ascends to Khoma Danda through the beautiful rhododendron, pine, fir, and oak forest. Moreover, the scenery is awe-inspiring thanks to the diverse vegetation and breathtaking views of Mt. Makalu and Mt. Kanchenjunga.

What’s more on Makalu Base Camp Trekking

At about 4,200 meters, This trekking leads to an adventure of highland crossing across Tutu-la and Shipton-la. Just before approaching Barun Valley, we pass through magnificent lakes. Barun Valley is a beautiful place to go wild.

Musk deer, snow leopards, antelopes, and Himalayan birds may come close enough to catch your sight. Mt. Makalu, Baruntse peaks, Khansung, the East Face of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and a large range of Khumbukarna Himalaya bordering many lesser peaks can all be seen from Sherson 4,600 m-15,092 ft.

Exploring Makalu base camp at 5,120 m (16,798 ft) and returning to Sherson are blissful experiences with breathtaking surroundings. We return to Num and drive to Tumlingtar after a fascinating time in the countryside.

Trekkers on this 19-day Makalu Base Camp Trek will have the opportunity to see lovely Tibetan and Sherpa settlements in the serene Himalayas. The hikers will also travel via Arun Valley and Barun Valley, two of the country’s most remote regions. As a result, kids will learn about the difficulties of living in such places.

This Trek also provides trekkers with a unique perspective of Mt. Everest (8848m). The trekkers will enjoy the enchanting view of Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Makalu (8481m), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m), Lhotse (8516m), Baruntse (7129m), Chamlang (7319m), and the other Himalayas in the eastern side of Nepal after a difficult climb to Makalu Base Camp (4870m).

It also includes a visit to Makalu Barun National Park, which is rich in flora and fauna. Lastly, the Makalu Base Camp Journey is the greatest trek for thrill seekers who are willing to try new things.

Itinerary

01Day

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Our representative will come to the airport for transfer to the Hotel. After some refreshment in the hotel, Our Tour leader will make pre departure meeting in the Hotel or at our office. The meeting will cover trip related information & the collecting your Documents (passport copy, 2 passport size photos, Travel insurance).

02Day

Kathmandu: Free day or City Sightseeing (pay Locally for sightseeing).

After morning breakfast, free day for trek preparation. OR, you can do sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley with visiting into fascinating heritage and cultural sites. There are few places that are worth to visit such as holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square ( One is in Kathmandu, in patan and also in Bhaktapur), Museum,  monasteries, old historical Palaces and Gardens. Note:  this tour is optional so you can visit with place of your interest & pay locally. (Meals: B)

03Day

Fly to Tumlingtar (950 m-3,116 ft) 40 minutes flight and drive to Num (1,500 m-4,921 ft).

As per the flight time to Tumlingtar, normally morning time transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport and then the flight duration of 40 minutes to reach at eastern area of Nepal in Tumlingtar with super panorama, array of snow capped mountains from Ganesh-Langtang-Jugal Himal, Gaurishankar, Numbur with Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Mt. Makalu.

At Tumlingtar be received by our trekking staff and guides, here with short break to refresh in this interesting town like village, located on sub tropical climate a plateau above Arun River with views of Mt. Makalu.

From Tumlingtar take a jeep drive on the recently constructed motor dirt road, and then a ride above Arun Valley area to reach at Khandbari a large town, the district headquarter of Sanka Sawa of Makalu region. Drive continues over the hills passing Chinchela village, and from here leading to a long downhill following ridge slope to Num village. This place is slowly developing into a town due to access of motor able road. Overnight here in local lodge before camping starts from next day onward. Num offers grand views of Jalajala Himal and Makalu. (Meals: B,L,D)

04Day

Trek to Sedua (1,493 m-4,898 ft) - 05 hrs.

Start the first day trekkingby making a steep downhill walk towards the raging Arun River which flows from Barun valley, Makalu base camp and as far as Tibet. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are thickly forested. The paths can be slippery. After crossing a bridge over the river, make a steep climb at a height of 670 meters, and out of the rain forest, reaching a lunch place at Runruma.

From here after another few hours of uphill climb reach Sedua village with health post and a primary school. Overnight camp in the schoolyard. (Meals: B,L,D)

05Day

Trek to Tashigaon (2,200 m-7,217 ft) - 04 hrs.

Today the walk is not far to reach Tashigaon. After this small village, the morning walk passes many smaller farm areas and village. On the gradual winding path in the cool shade of forest walking slowly brings us to.Tashigaon.  We stop  in Tashigaon for lunch with overnight camp, with the afternoon free to relax and explore this Sherpa village. Notice slight differences from the Sherpa of Everest: the dress, homes  –although the culture, tradition and religion are of same root due to settlement in lower warm areas making for a change in way of life from the Sherpa of much higher region. (Meals: B,L,D)

06Day

Trek to Kohma Danda (3,500 m-11,483 ft) - 05 hrs.

This will be the last human settlement and village for a week on-route to Makalu basin, as the morning trek leads towards complete wilderness with much uphill climb through enchanting forested area of rhododendron, pines, oaks and fir trees, walk is refreshing for an hour and a half in the beautiful shade forest. Upon leaving the dense forest come to an open summer pasture area with some temporary shepherd huts. Reachat Kohama Danda located on top of a ridge. As the tree lines declines dwarf rhododendron (azalea) juniper bushes appear. This serene spot offers superb views of Mt. Makalu and Khumbakarna Himalayan range with Kanchenjunga towards east horizon. (Meals: B,L,D)

07Day

Trek to Mumbuk (3550 m-11,647 ft) -06 hrs.

After a wonderful stop on this high ridge of Kohma, the morning walk follows on a gradual path with few ups and downs passing the glacial ponds of Thulo Pokhari (big pond) and Sano Pokhari (small pond). From here walk leads over Sipton and Tutu-la passes at 4,075 m-13,369 ft and then veers onto a downhill trail into green vegetation and alpine forest reaching at Mumbuk, for overnight camp in the midst of pines, hemlock, birch and rhododendrons forest. (Meals: B,L,D)

08Day

Trek to Nehe Kharka (3,750 m-12,303 ft) - 06 hrs.

Our Morning walk starts on a downhill forested path to reach a hidden and concealed exotic Barun Valley, one of the least explored area of eastern Himalaya region. This picturesque and unique valley lies within Makalu-Barun National Park, with 3,000 species of flowering plants, 440 birds’ species and 75 species of mammals, including the endangered clouded leopard, red panda and musk deer.

This remarkable bio-diversity is considered to be a global significance and provides a living laboratory for international scientific research.

Walk continues on Barun valley with slight climb towards east following Barun River upstream towards Nehe-Kharka for overnight camp, on a summer pasture field. (Meals: B,L,D)

09Day

Trek to Sherson (4,600 m-15,092 ft) - 06 hrs.

Today the walk leads to our destination and one of the highlights of this adventure at Sherson close to Makalu base camp, where the Barun valley ends for remorseless ice fields, glacier and moraine of rocks. After a short walk cross plank bridges over the rivers. The walk reaches a large prayer wall at Ramara after few hours walk. From here the vegetation gets less, only some rhododendron bushes, barberries, cotoneaster and juniper persist for some time. As the walk progresses in this high altitude in complete wilderness, slowly the walk comes to an end at Sherson close to Barun lower glacier with view of majestic giant peak of Makalu.

Sherson is a lower base camp of Mt. Makalu. Around this place with a number of stone enclosures as this a high grazing area, there are marvelous views of s host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu South Face, Mt. Baruntse (7,220 m-23,688 ft) peeking above peak 4. (Meals: B,L,D)

10Day

Free day for a hike and excursion to proper Makalu base camp.

A rest day at Sherson offers the opportunity for a short hike. Morning walk leads to a scenic area for best and close-up views of Mt. Makalu, frozen Barun pokhari with rare East Face of Mt. Everest known as “Kanshung Face” with Lhotse. An hour steep climb opens into a large meadow where one can hike further up for more better scenery, afternoon at leisure to catch up with your dairy. (Meals: B,L,D)

11Day

Trek to Yangre Kharka (3,645 m-11,959 ft) - 06 hrs.

After a most mesmerizing time at Sherson and Makalu base camp, and with surrounding high peaks and in the highest area of Himalaya, walk leads back towards the end of Barun valley at Yangre Kharka for overnight camp. (Meals: B,L,D)

12Day

Trek to Mumbuk (3550 m-11,647 ft) - 05 hrs.

Last day around Barun Valley as the morning walk leads to a climb and getting back into tree lines of forested area to camp at Mumbuk or further. (Meals: B,L,D)

13Day

Trek to Kohma Ridge 05 hrs.

Retrace the journey back to Kohma danda (ridge) via Shipton, Tutu-la and Thulo Pokhari as the walk climbs to reach a upper ridge and then with ups and down, after the last pond a gradual walk to Kohma for last overnight camp in wilderness and high mountains. (Meals: B,L,D)

14Day

Trek to Nawagaon (2,500 m-8,202 ft) via Tashigaon (1554 m-5,098 ft) - 06 hrs.

In the morning take a long downhill  walk through the cool shade of the forest passing several herders’ shelters to reach Tashi Gaon and back to human settlement after being in isolation. From here continue walking towards Nawa-Gaon on the upper trail for another three hours through forested area and then reach the large Sherpa village of Nawagaon, perched high above Sedua village.   (Meals: B,L,D)

15Day

Trek to Num via Sedua (1,493 m-4,898 ft) - 06 hrs.

Leaving Nawagaon walk on a downhill trail through farm fields for an hour or two and then reaching Sedua village. From here retrace the journey to Num, with few hours of a downhill walk to the deep gorge of Arun River. After the bridge make another two hours of a steep climb that brings you back at Num for last overnight stop in the high hills of eastern Himalaya. (Meals: B,L,D)

16Day

Drive to Tumlingtar (518 m-1,699 ft) via Khadbari - 04 hrs.

After a great experience and enjoyable time in the high hills and mountains and hidden valley of Barun, have a morning drive on the country dirt road.  Drive leads uphill to reach a top ridge near Chichelle village and then downhill towards more warmer area leading past big town of Khadbari and to Tumlingtar town for the end of camping and now the comfort of nice simple local lodge for last overnight in this interesting town with an air field close by. (Meals: B,L,D)

17Day

Fly to Kathmandu afternoon free for individual activities.

Morning, have a short walk towards an air terminal for the scenic sweeping flight of 40 minutes back to Kathmandu. During this flight enjoypanorama of snow capped mountains with dotted rolling hills with many villages, after a pleasant flight reaching at Kathmandu domestic airport and then transfer to respective hotels after an overwhelming time high up in the mountains. (Meals: B)

18Day

Kathmandu.

Free day in Kathamndu, Do your own activities. (Meals: B)

19Day

Departure for home ward bound.

Today your last day in Nepal with great memories, amazing experience transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for final departure towards homeward bound or to next port of call.

Includes/Excludes

What is Included?

  • Airport Pick up and drop transfer by car, van or bus depend on group size.
  • Private Ground transportation as per itinerary.
  • Return Flight Ktm|Tumling tar |Kathmandu.
  • All accommodations (Twin Share)
  • Meals: 17 Breakfasts, 15 Lunches, 15 Dinners with cup of Tea, coffee in each meals
  • National Park entry permits.
  • TIMS Permit.
  • Permits.
  • An experience guide and required number of porters (one porter in between two pax), their food, accommodation, transportation, salary, insurance, and equipments.
  • Warm sleeping bag, warm down jacket and walking stick, if necessary.
  • Trek bag.
  • Award Certificate of Trip Completion

Whats not Included

  • Meals as Mention in the inclusive list.
  • Single Supplement for single using rooms
  • Tips to staff or any donations.
  • Temple and monastery entry fee, & entry fees while sightseeing in kathmandu.
  • Your travel insurance, Medical and emergency evacuation (Just in case).
  • All types of drinks (such as Hot & cold drinks, Mineral water and alcoholic drinks).
  • All personal expenses which is not mention into the price inclusion.

Clients Review

Everest Base Camp & Muktinath Trail Helen & Mark Dwyer Australia

We had a dream to reach Mt Everest Base Camp since we heard about this. One of my friends recommended Trexmount so we have decided to use them for arranging our trek to Everest Base Camp. The treks were very well organized and the guides were extremely knowledgeable, and friendly and looked after us at all times.

Nothing was too much trouble for them and there was always a smile on their faces. We stayed...

Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking Bridget and Ron New Zealand

Namaste Hari and all at Trexmount Ventures, We have just completed our third visit and a Fantastic trek in Nepal with a four-day trek in the Annapurna area and an 18-day trek to Everest base camp and Gokyo. Noelene joined us for the Everest trek and it was her 9th visit! We can highly recommend Trexmount Ventures as a great company. The guides we had, Ram and Tilak were very well informed and also both able to pace the trek to ensure we all reached our...

Trip Info

“full of thrills and excitement throughout this trip, from traditional villages, green hills, pristine forest of various species of rhododendron flowering trees,, amazing landscapes and high mountains, standing beneath world’s 5th highest Makalu at 8,463 m, around exotic Arun and Barun valley visiting villages enrich with old culture, customs are the main attraction and highlights of this trek and the warm hospitality of highlanders, the Sherpa of Nepal far east Himalaya”

Makalu-base-camp