Makalu Base Camp Trek

Trip Duration

22

Trip Grade

Moderate

Highest Altitude

5100m

Accommodation

Tea Houses

Transportation

Flight/Jeep

Group Size

1-20

Best Season

Sept, Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, May

Makalu Base Camp Trek Introduction

The Makalu Base Camp Trek path embraces some of the best Nepal has to offer, i.e., quiet trails, colorful terraced agriculture, rural communities, rhododendron woodland, unique wildlife, and many 8,000 meter-plus peaks. It is a fantastic trek with enough incentives for seasoned trekkers who enjoy a challenge. Makalu is the fifth highest mountain globally (8,481 m), but the walk to its base camp is less frequented due to its relative inaccessibility. However, it is not too difficult to reach, as there are daily flights to Tumlingtar along the way and basic lodges.

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is for nature-loving travelers who wish to witness a range of environments and lifestyles, as well as rare views of some of the highest mountains in the world, including Everest. The trek starts in warm, terraced farmland populated by the Rai people, an ethnic group primarily located in the eastern Nepal hills. As the path ascends, you’ll travel through the rhododendron woods (most spectacular in the spring, when the flowers bloom incredible crimson, yellow, pink, and white) and cloud woods, through some of Nepal’s remaining virgin forests and alpine pastures. Deeper into the range, through the valley of the Barun River, you can encounter cliffs of granite, glaciers, and stunning waterfalls.

The Sherpa people, an ethnically Tibetan group that predominantly resides near Everest, live at the higher elevations. From Makalu Base Camp, there are stunning views of Everest’s low Kangshung profile, as well as the Far East Lhotse, Chamlang, and Kanchenjunga. National Park Makalu Barun is Nepal’s eighth-largest, occupying 2,330 sq. Km south; it is home to some of Nepal’s most endangered flora and fauna, including Red Pandas.

The Barun Glacier, Makalu’s south face (8,481 m), and a complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse are seen from the base camp. Time is granted to trekkers to explore the lakes and glaciers surrounding the base camp before going back down to green forests and valleys from this frozen, rocky ground. During the return ride, trekkers reach the Tutu La Pass (4,125 m), now known as Shipton’s Pass. The Shipton Pass is named after the legendary mountaineer Eric Shipton. He was associated with several expeditions to Mount Everest in the 1930s and was part of the team that plotted out the now popular path over the Khumbu Glacier in 1951.

Highlights

Makalu Base Camp is known as one of the diversified and distinctive treks in Nepal.
Offer east Nepal views as far as Kangchenjunga
Learn about the rural life of the distinctive Rai and Sherpa communities in Nepal
Cross through verdant farmland to lakes and waterfalls
View Everest from a single perspective, the eastern side of Kangshung
Discover some of Nepal’s rarest species, including the Red Panda
Explore distinctive and rare flora and fauna
Pass through the Shipton La pass on a single day of sublime trekking, and three other high passes
Night stay in tea houses to witness remote village life and directly contribute to the local economy.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
  • Day 2: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, Drive to Chichila (1980m)
  • Day 3: Trek from Chichila to Num (1560 m)
  • Day 4: Num to Seduwa (1500 m)
  • Day 5: Seduwa to Tashigaon (2100m)
  • Day 6: Tashigaon to Khongma Danda (3500 m)
  • Day 7: Acclimatization Day
  • Day 8: Khongma Danda to Debate (4170 m)
  • Day 9: Donate to Yangri Kharka (3557 m)
  • Day 10: Yangri Kharka to Langmale Kharka (4410 m)
  • Day 11: Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp (4870 m)
  • Day 12: Second acclimatization day
  • Day 13: Makalu Base Camp to Yangri Kharka
  • Day 14: Yangri Kharka to Debate
  • Day 15: Donate to Khongma Danda
  • Day 16: Khongma Danda to Tashigaon
  • Day 17: Tashigaon to Seduwa
  • Day 18: Seduwa to Num
  • Day 19: Num to Tumlingtar
  • Day 20: Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
  • Day 21: Departure/ Farewell

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, from where our representatives will greet and welcome you. You will be transferred to the hotel shortly.

Day 2: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, Drive to Chichila (1980m)

You will catch a flight to Tumlingtar in an early morning flight admiring the aerial view of the mountains, hills, and rivers that make up the geography of Nepal. After you arrive there, you will take a rest for an hour or two. The tour guide will then drive you to Chichila. It takes about 3 to 4 hours. Chichila is a Gurung village filled with greenery and a vibrant landscape. Spend your night in a lodge.

Day 3: Trek from Chichila to Num (1560 m)

It is the first day of your trekking. This 6 to 7 hours trek will take you through lush rhododendron forest and typical Nepali houses to reach Num. you can get a slight glimpse of the Himalayas from there. You will stay in a lodge for the night.

Day 4: Num to Seduwa (1500 m)

You will depart for Seduwa after a hearty breakfast. You will enter the Makalu Barun Conservation Area after crossing a wooden bridge over the Barun River. You will also trek through the dense forest of Juniper and rhododendron, and after passing a few houses, you will reach Seduwa.

Day 5: Seduwa to Tashigaon (2100m)

You will have your breakfast, then proceed with your trek to Isuwa Khola and Kusuwa Khola. You will cross a suspension bridge over Isuwa Khola and pass through many villages and forests. It will take you about 4 to 5 hours to reach the Sherpa village, Tashigaon.
You can see the mesmerizing view of the Himalayas from the town. You will stay in a homestay for the night.

Day 6: Tashigaon to Khongma Danda (3500 m)

Today you could have a rough day walking on steep trails on our way to Khongma Danda. You must ascend stone stairs and see a few lakes and fields in the field lined with yaks, blue sheep, and other Himalayan cattle. You reach Makalu Barun National Park after arriving at Unshisa. We entered Khongma Danda after a 7 hours trek.

You live overnight at a Khongma Danda homestay.

Day 7: Acclimatization Day

Today you are taking a break from trekking to acclimate yourself to high altitudes. Later, you will visit some nearby Buddhist monasteries and hear from the locals about the Sherpa community and lifestyles. At Khongma Danda, overnight in a homestay.

Day 8: Khongma Danda to Debate (4170 m)

After a filling, hearty breakfast, you will proceed on your trek, as this is the most challenging part of this journey because you have to cross four passes. You will start by ascending Kauma La Pass (3603 m) and then walk to Keke La Pass (4127 m). You will further ascend to Shipton La Pass (4170 m), where you will view deep blue turquoise Kalo Pokhari Lake. You will pass Tutu La Pass (4080m) and finally reach Debate. You can consider relishing scenarios of snow-capped peaks like Champang, having an altitude of 7319 meters, Peak 6, 6524 meters, Peak 7, 6758 meters, and other magical things in the Himalayas as well.

Day 9: Donate to Yangri Kharka (3557 m)

Trekking through thick woods with rhododendrons, you will cross Barun River and move towards Yangri Kharka. You might come across yaks grazing in the field on our journey.
The yaks are the primary means of transport in these areas. You enter Yangri Kharka after a 7 hours trek.
You will stay in a lodge for the night.

Day 10: Yangri Kharka to Langmale Kharka (4410 m)

You’ll travel through the thick Himalayan woods and cross a few wooden bridges across tiny streams to get to Merek. Chasing the breathtaking view of the Himalayas, you start your moraine walk and visit the small villages of the Himalayas to enter Langmale Kharka. You will spend your night in a homestay.

Day 11: Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp (4870 m)

Climbing alongside Barun Nadi on a steep path, you travel across frozen glaciers and ridges to reach Shershong. On your journey to the base camp, you’ll enjoy the majesty of Mt. Makalu (8481m). You will then go trekking for an hour or two to enter Makalu Base Camp at last. From base camp, the Himalayan panorama is jaw-dropping. You will stay in the center for the night.

Day 12: Second acclimatization day

Now you are visiting the surroundings of the Makalu Base Camp with a beautiful panorama of Makalu from the south face, Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), and the other Himalayas in eastern Nepal. You will appreciate the majesty of the glaciers and glacial lakes that accompany them. You can even climb up to the Barun Glacier a little bit and make a side trip to the peaceful Barun Pokhari. You will spend your night in the camp.

Day 13: Makalu Base Camp to Yangri Kharka

After your good trek to Makalu Base Camp, you bid farewell to the base camp and descend to Yangri Kharka. Along our route to Yangri Kharka, you can visit the small villages of Shershong, Langmale Kharka, and Merek by trekking through the scattered woods along the rugged pathways.

Day 14: Yangri Kharka to Debate

Trekking along the free-flowing Barun River, you navigate alpine trees, rugged ridges, and a few small streams to enter Debate in the west.

You will admire nature’s elegance as you fall to Debate. You can find some yaks, snow pigeons, and blue sheep on the way.

Day 15: Donate to Khongma Danda

Today, you quit Khongma Danda for Debate. To meet Mumbuk, you can trek through rhododendron, Juniper, and fir forests. Jump Tutu La Pass (4080 m), Shipton La Pass (4170 m), Keke La Pass (4127 m), and Kauma La Pass (3603 m) from Mumbuk to enter Khongma Danda after 7 hours of trekking eventually.

Day 16: Khongma Danda to Tashigaon

You will be trekking through dense forest and crossing through a few lakes on your way back to Tashigaon. You will be traveling on a steep rocky trail and exit Makalu Barun National Park. You will briskly walk for 5 hours and enter a beautiful Sherpa village, Tashigaon. You will stay in a lodge for the night.

Day 17: Tashigaon to Seduwa

After your breakfast, you will trek along small streams and pass through small settlements and walk along Isuwa Khola on one side and Hingsa Khola on the other side to reach Seduwa. You will arrive after 5 hours.

Day 18: Seduwa to Num

You will traverse several dense rhododendron and bamboo forests and cross the Arun River to exit the Makalu Barun Conservation Area. On our way to Num, you pass a small rural settlement of Sherpas. You then go trekking for a few hours to enter Num’s Sherpa town.

Day 19: Num to Tumlingtar

It is the last trek of your journey, and you will be walking for 6 to 7 hours. You will walk along with a breathtaking panorama of Mt Makalu as a final glimpse before reaching Tumlingtar.

Day 20: Tumlingtar to Kathmandu

You will fly back to Kathmandu on a domestic flight. You can book your tickets for any day of the week because we have a daily flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. As it is a 50-minute flight, you can enjoy a fascinating aerial view of landscapes and scenarios. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. You can walk around the hotel area after taking a break/relaxing for a while, or you can go shopping and buy souvenirs for your loved ones.

Day 21: Departure/ Farewell

After having your breakfast, our representative will drop you at the airport 3 hours before your scheduled flight takes off. You will say a bye to Nepal as we hope you visit Nepal again and again.

Includes

  • Airport picks up and drops service.
  • Transportation assistance and its prices. 
  • Airfare for domestic flights.
  • A skilled and licensed guide.
  • Porter as per the necessity.
  • Trekking authorization fee.
  • Trek maps and navigation tools.
  • Accommodation while staying in Kathmandu.
  • Governmental charges and other applicable prices.
  • Wage and accommodation of guide and porter.
  • Complete board-based meal during the trek.
  • Mineral waters.
  • Assistance for the team during the trek
  • Medical supplies and first aid equipment.
  • Trekking supplies and camping gears

 

Excludes

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (excluding breakfast).
  • International flight checks and airfares.
  • Alcoholic/ non-alcoholic liquors.
  • Additional porter fees.
  • Electronic gadgets like chargers, and headphones.
  • Individual costs like a hot shower, phone calls, laundry, and souvenirs.
  • Travel coverage and emergency evacuations.
  • Tips for porters or drivers.

 

Reviews

  • star rating  We had a fantastic experience completing the EBC trip with The Nepal Hiking Team as a group of 5. Everything was extremely well planned including all travel arrangements, meals and... read more

    andrewhA2089TC
    November 21, 2022

    star rating  I went on Annapurna Circuit Trek via Thorong la pass a few days ago. I had the most amazing time with the best guide (Bhim). We were lucky with blue... read more

    Anaiszina
    December 22, 2021

    star rating  I wrote a very lengthy review a moment ago but TripAdvisor crashed and it disappeared - in summary then!:

    NHT are fantastic, the trip went smoothly and worry free.... read more

    Greg M
    November 22, 2022
  • star rating  Ganga was very good in answering all my queries before i arrived. Due to bad weather things were delayed but Ganga quickly provided options for alternative routes. My guide Uttam... read more

    Stay436987
    November 20, 2022

    star rating  We originally planned to do ABC in 2020 but had to cancel due to covid. Communication with Ganga prior to our trip was always excellent, his responses were always prompt... read more

    xiaoxiao90
    November 7, 2022

    star rating  We did the EBC trek with Nepal Hiking Team and it was a super smooth experience. It was great support from the very first email I've sent them until they... read more

    Bilge O
    September 27, 2022