Makalu Base Camp Trek

Detail Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel

  Upon your arrival, you are greeted by our representative. The representative then guides you and transfers you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Rest and relax. Stay overnight at a hotel.

• Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar (399m), drive to Num (1,519m)

  After breakfast, with a guide fly to Tumlingtar. Upon reaching there, meet with other crew members and head towards Num. Take a short drive to Num traversing Gurung villages. Have lunch, take a rest and prepare for the next day’s trek. Overnight stay.

• Day 03: Trek to Seduwa (1,500m) 6-7 hours

  Walk in the vicinity of Arun valley and Makalu Barun National Park which is rich in pristine ecosystem and biodiversity. Walk through the quiet trail passing some villages along the riverside. Traverse a bridge over the river. From there, climb uphill admiring the surrounding scenery, and reach Seduwa. Overnight stay.

• Day 04: Trek to Tashigaun (2,100m) 4-5 hours

  Walk in a stone-paved forested trail and pass through small villages. The natural beauty of this region is wonderful. The traditional culture of the locals is a bonus. Keep on climbing hundreds of stairs to finally reach Tashigaun. Overnight stay.

• Day 05: Trek to Khongma Danda (3,500m) 6-7 hours

  The steep trail is challenging to walk and simultaneously elevation keeps on increasing. Slowly ascend through a forested trail to maintain the pace and traverse a grazing land. Keep moving on stone stairs and ascend to the top. Then, a quick short descent to reach Khongma Danda. Overnight stay.

• Day 06: Acclimatization day in Khongma Danda

  The first acclimatization rest day is to adjust to the surrounding environment and prevent altitude sickness. So, the day is fully utilized by exploring surrounding places and walking short hikes to nearby places. Then, enjoy some local foods and interact with locals and learn about their lifestyle and culture. Overnight stay.

• Day 07: Trek to Dobate (3,650m) via Shipton La (4,229m) 6-7 hours

  The trek begins with an uphill climb to Shipton La which is at an elevation of 4229m. It may take a few hours so climb slowly and carefully. The views of Chamlang Peak, Peak 6, and Peak 7 are fantastic. Traverse Keke Pass and slowly descend to reach Dobate. Overnight stay.

• Day 08: Trek to Yangle Kharka (3,557m) 6-7 hours

  Walk on a forested trail surrounded by rhododendron trees and arrive at the bank of the Barun river. From there, walk on a steep trail and then slowly move further to reach Yangle Kharka. Overnight stay.

• Day 09: Trek to Langmale Kharka (4,410m) 5-6 hours

  Walk through the green forest, and rock fields, and traverse yak pastures on a flat trail. Ascend further traversing Merek in the vicinity of Himalayan views. Overnight stay.

• Day 10: Trek to Makalu Base Camp (4,870m) 4-5 hours

  The main day to reach the Makalu base Camp. So, begin the trek from Langmale Kharka passing Shersong, and make your way to the base camp. Walk carefully as the trail may consist of icy glaciers. In the vicinity, relish the views of snow-capped mountains including Mt. Makalu. Overnight stay in a tent.

• Day 11: Explore Makalu Base Camp (4,870m) 3 hours

  Witness the stunning views of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, and other surrounding peaks from the base camp. Visit the nearby glacial lakes, Barun Glacier, and spend some time exploring the places. Create some memories and take some pictures. The remaining time utilize to acclimatize and take proper rest. Overnight stay in a tent.

• Day 12: Trek to Yangle Kharka (3,600m) 6-7 hours

  After exploring the Makalu base Camp, descend to Yangle Kharka. Pass through Shershong, and Langmale Kharka, and keep on walking downhill to arrive at Yangle Kharka. Overnight stay.

• Day 13: Trek to Dobate (3,650m) 6-7 hours

  Walk downhill traversing the green forest, Barun river bank, adoring the greenery around. Keep on descending and reach Dobate. Overnight stay.

• Day 14: Trek to Khongma Danda (3,500m) 5-6 hours

  Ascend from Dobate to Nambuk and walk on a forested trail surrounded by rhododendron and fir trees. Traverse Shipton Pass and slowly descend to Khongma Danda. Overnight stay.

• Day 15: Trek to Tashigaun (2,100m) 4-5 hours

  An easy but long trek to Tashigaun. Walk on a steep descent passing through the dense forest and reach the beautiful Sherpa village of Tashigaun. Overnight stay.

• Day 16: Trek to Seduwa (1,500m) 4-5 hours

  Traverse through the Makalu Barun National Park and walk downhill to the Barun river. Then, traverse some villages and keep descending until you reach Seduwa. Overnight stay.

• Day 17: Trek to Num (1,519m) 5-6 hours

  Walk through the verdant forest and ascend for a few hours. Then, descend through a forested trail and pass Sherpa villages. Arrive at Num for an overnight stay.

• Day 18: Drive to Tumlingtar, fly to Kathmandu

  From Num, drive back to Tumlingtar. Upon reaching Tumlingtar airport, fly to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

• Day 19: Final departure

  Makalu Base Camp trek comes to an end. We hope you had great fun and collect some sweet memories from the trek. Our representative transfer you to the airport for the final departure.

• Travel Info

  Accommodation

  Accommodation in the Makalu Base Camp is mostly teahouses or lodges operated by locals. They are comfortable and simple with basic facilities. Extra facilities like hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging of electronic devices, and laundries are available by paying additional charges in the lower regions. Room sharing is common during the peak seasons and at high altitudes. So, prepared for it. Washrooms are mostly outside the teahouse or lodge. Tent camps as a means of accommodation in the Makalu Base Camp.

  Meals

  We provide only breakfast in Kathmandu and 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) a day are provided during the entire trek. Meals are provided from the teahouses or lodges which is simple but organic and healthy. Nepali Dal Bhat is a chief dish with fresh green vegetable curry. Besides, noodles, soup, bread, roti, Sherpa stew, and hot drinks are also available. A meal is arranged at the base camp and no need to worry.

  Drinking Water

  Drinking water in the Himalayas is pure and fresh. One can directly drink the natural freshwater stream from the Himalayas. Fill the water from taps or fill up the boiled water in a water bottle in the teahouses paying an extra charge. Always carry water purifying solutions for proper water treatment and to be safe. Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated to prevent altitude sickness.

  Internet connectivity & Mobile Network

  The internet connectivity and mobile network are there only till Tashigaun. From there onward, it is hard to find or has no network at all. The electricity mostly runs from the solar in this region. So, in many places, it may be difficult to get electricity for charging electronic devices. So, carry a power bank and use fewer electronic gadgets. For emergencies, a satellite phone is there.

  Makalu Base Camp Trek Starting Point

  Makalu Base Camp Trek starts from Num and ends in Tumlingtar.
  "Num-Seduwa-Tashigaun-Khongma Danda-Dobate-Yangle Kharka-Langmale Kharka-Makalu Base Camp- Yangle Kharka - Dobate - Khongma Danda- Tashigaun- Seduwa- Num-Tumlingtar"

  Required Permits

  Makalu Rural Municipality permit: NPR 2000 per person
  Makalu-Barun National Park: NPR 3000 (Foreigners), NPR 1500 (SAARC)

  Travel Insurance

  Travel Insurance is quintessential when the region is unknown. In the case of trekking in Nepal, travel insurance is compulsory. It must cover all emergency evacuation, medical extremities, luggage loss/theft, flight cancellations, altitude above 4000m, etc. Thus, arrange travel insurance from a reputed agency that covers all essential facilities.

  Safety and our guides

  We assure you 100% when it comes to safety. Our client’s safety is our main concern. Our guides are certified and well-trained with years of expertise in this field. They are technically competent and have excelled in safety performance. They always carry essential safety equipment, gear, and first-aid kits. For the safety of our trekkers/climbers, the itinerary is properly scheduled and acclimatization rest days are properly set up to adjust to the high altitude and prevent altitude sickness. If any queries, feel free to share them with our guides. We are always there for your services.

  Best time for Makalu Base Camp Trek 

  Makalu Base Camp Trek is challenging and physically demanding. Hence, it is best to trek in the peak seasons for safety and enjoy the spectacular views. Spring and Autumn seasons are the best time for Makalu Base Camp Trek. Winter and Rainy seasons are riskier due to unpredictable weather conditions, heavy rainfall, and snowfalls. Also, unavailability of accommodation during these seasons as most people come to the lower regions during these seasons. Overall, the spring season is best followed by the autumn season.

  Makalu Base Camp Trek Difficulty

  Makalu Base Camp Trek is truly demanding but exciting at the same moment. The trek is slightly tough due to off-beat paths, more rough trails, and longer routes. With the proper assistance and guidance of experts in mountaineering, it is achievable. When it comes to Makalu Base Camp Trek, experience in trekking at high altitudes is a plus point. Besides this, trekkers must be in good health, and physically, & mentally fit as it is physically demanding. So, we recommend you participate in exercises, and physical training months before starting the trek. Also, take necessary health tests before trekking to high altitudes. You can completely trust our assistance and guidelines throughout peak climbing.

  Altitude Sickness & Acclimatization

  Altitude sickness is common in mountains above the altitude of 3000m. The trek starts from Num (1,519m) and the altitude rises to the Makalu Base Camp (4,870m) during the trek. Khongma Danda and Makalu Base Camp are acclimatization resting places to adjust to the altitude and prevent altitude sickness.

  Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

  Primary: Headache, nausea, gasping, appetite & sleep loss, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting
  Extreme: primary symptoms and hallucinations & unconsciousness

  
  Preventive Guidelines

  • Immediately inform the guide
  • Warm-up, and body stretch before the trekking journey
  • Drink water and Hydrate yourself at regular intervals
  • Frequent urination throughout the journey
  • Ascend slowly and gradually
  • Take plenty of rest and sleep
  • Avoid salty foods, alcohol, and smoking
  • Descend immediately when it’s difficult/uneasy
  • Take medicine consulting a guide