What to Expect

  • High altitude trek to Makalu Base Camp (4870 mt.).
  • Offering magnificent view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Chamlang.
  • A crowd free peaceful adventure to fifth highest Mountain in the world (8463 mt.).
  • Passes through numbers of local villages, observing agricultural life of people.
  • Dense rhododendron forest and cliff with amazing waterfalls.
  • Home of many wildlives including snow leopard.
  • Makalu Barun National Park and Barun river.

About Makalu Base Camp Trekking

The trekking journey to Makalu Base Camp is a remote, thrilling trek into the heart of the Himalaya. This area is ideal for people looking for a thrilling adventure. The Makalu Base Camp Trek reaches up into highlands that are surrounded by Himalayan beauty and some of the grandest peaks on the planet.

In fact, on this Makalu Base Camp Trekking journey you might feel like you are one of the first people to discover the serene alpine valley, uninhabited except for seasonal shepherds. The Makalu base camp trekking route begins in the lush hills with charming villages rural farmlands. It climbs to tranquil pastures at the very base of the world’s fifth highest peak, Makalu (8463 m, 27,765 ft), soaring into the skies.

This adventurous Makalu base camp trekking takes trekkers off the beaten path and offers cultural interaction and insights that cannot be found on the busier and more commercialized routes. The path travels through a beautiful landscape that will be unforgettable. Visitors to the Makalu region will mostly have the remote trails to themselves! The natural beauty and peaceful setting in the faraway valley can give you an overwhelming sense of being truly away from worldly cares and concerns.

This Makalu Base Camp Trek passes into the core of Makalu Barun National Park, the park to the east of the Everest Region, separated by massive Himalayan peaks. To the north of Makalu Barun National Park is the border with Tibet. Makalu Base Camp is the destination of the trek and is surrounded by peaks soaring into the skies. It is from here, that mountaineers set up camp for their attempts on the nearby summits. 

We begin the journey to the Makalu Base Camp Trek with a scenic flight to Tumlingtar, a splendid village near the Arun River. Then we trek north through rural farmland. We cross high mountain passes before arriving at the uninhabited valley below the magnificent, snowy Himalaya. The Makalu base camp trek rises from 410 mt to 4870 mt and on the way up, trekkers are witness to a wide range of topography, biodiversity, and culture.

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is a camping journey. High Camp Adventure will arrange a crew of porters to transport provisions and gear, including food and a dining tent, tables, chairs, a toilet tent, and personal sleeping tents. Our skilled chef will provide the day’s meals and in the evening we will enjoy a magnificent camp under the stars, surrounded by the Himalaya and jaw-dropping surroundings while we enjoy a supper and a warm drink. Since the region is being developed a little bit, basis tea houses are built in the region so this trek can be done by staying in guest houses.

Please Note: Our Makalu Base Camp Trekking has set departure dates from Kathmandu and this trek can be personalized to accommodate your specific wishes and timetable. 

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 01Arrival at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 02Trip preparation day (Sightseeing optional ). Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 03Flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (410 mt.) and drive to Num (1560 mt.). Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 04Num to Sedua (1,500 mt.). Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 05Sdeua to Tashi Gaon (2,100 mt.). Walking 5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 06Tashi Gaon to Khongma (3,560 mt.). Walking 6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 07Rest day for acclimatization and exploration. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 08Khongma to Mumbuk (3,540 mt.) via Shipton's La (4,125 mt.). Walking 5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 09Mumbuk to Yangla Kharka (3,560 mt.).Walking 6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 10Yangla Kharka to Langmale Kharka (4,615 mt.). Walking 7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 11Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp (4,870 mt.). Walking 4-5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 12Exploration around Makalu Base Camp. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 13Makalu Base Camp to Yangla Kharka. Walking 6-7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 14Yangla Kharka to Mumbuk. Walking 6-7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 15Mumbuk to Tashi Gaon. Walking 5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 16Tashi Gaon to Num. Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 17Drive from Num to Tumlingtar. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 18Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 19Reserve day in Kathmandu in case of bad weather to fly to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 20Transfer to Airport for your final departure from Nepal.
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What's Included

Price Includes

  • Pick up & Transfer to and from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to your hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Three nights accommodation at 2/3 star hotel in Kathmandu (breakfasts included).
  • Transportation as per the itinerary (including airfare).
  • Tea house accommodation during the journey.
  • Standard Meals during the journey (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
  • Expert Guide (registered and licensed by the government) with accompanying porters (generally, one porter for every two clients). (High Camp Adventure covers the staffs’ meals and accommodations as well as wages, transport, insurance, and essential gear.)
  • Equipment (Sleeping bag, Down jacket, Walking poles).
  • Conservation Area and National Park entry fees.
  • Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card.
  • Trekking Map.
  • Medical kit.
  • Government taxes.
  • Our service charge.
  • Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu the eve of your international departure.

Price Excludes:

  • International plane ticket to and from Nepal.
  • Major meals in Kathmandu (other than breakfast).
  • Personal Expenses including laundry, telephone calls, bar bills, drinks and snacks.
  • Personal clothing and gear.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Tips for Guides, Porters and Staff.
  • Expenses incurred by cancellation and events beyond our control, for example, weather delays, trail detours, political unrest, illness and et cetera.
Departure note

Please take a look at our fixed departure dates for this Makalu base camp trek. If they do not fit with your schedule, then please let us arrange an itinerary that is more suitable to you and your requirements.

Client Reviews

Useful Information

Accommodation

All the accommodation as per the itinerary is included in the package cost. We have chosen the 2/3 star hotel in the cities for your comfort and safety. The hotels can be upgraded to more deluxe ones upon your request. While trekking in the Mountain, our guides will choose the best available lodge of the village from their past experience. As some villages have limited number of lodges, in a peak season like in Spring and Autumn, you may have to share a room with some stranger trekker as well. Comfortable two men tent with mattress and four seasons sleeping bag will be provided for the camping trek. Our crew will try to set the camp in a scenic place. All the hotel and camping accommodations are as per twin sharing basis unless you are of different gender.

Meals

Nepal is such an easy place to get several vegetarian options so no worries if you are a vegetarian or vegan. You can enjoy typical Nepali food as well as continental, Italian, Indian and Tibetan. Freshly cooked and hygienic dinner and breakfast are served at the camp and lunch will be served on the way to the next destination which will be prepared by our own chef. Only breakfast is served in Kathmandu whilst farewell dinner on the eve of your international departure is served from our side. All the meals (B/L/D) are on full board basis during the trek.

Trekking Crew

An experienced and licensed Guide and necessary porters will assist you during the trek. In a group with more than 8 clients, 2 guides will be provided for the betterment in service. In a teahouse trek, generally, one porter is provided for every two clients who carry between 15 to 20 kg. However, on a camping journey, more porters are required. All the camping equipment such as kitchen, dining, dome and toilet tents, kitchen equipment, fuel, and all consumable goods has to be carried from Kathmandu which needs more manpower. All of our guides and porters are fully insured so you don't' have to worry about them in case of emergency. Our team believes that our customer care is the first priority.

Physical Fitness and Experience

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a strenuous trek which is fit for those who has the ability to walk 5-6 hours of walking uphill and downhill in a day carrying the personal day pack. Some days are longer with 7- 8 hours of walking as well. Makalu Base Camp Trek is high altitude trek which demands more physical, however having strong determination, positive vibe and average physical fitness can complete this trek. Some time mental aspect also plays a vital roll in an altitude. Doing some physical exercise a few weeks prior to the trip is better but technical skill is not required for this trek. If you are taking medicine for heart, lung or blood diseases, please kindly consult your doctor and inform to High camp Adventure.

Travel Insurance

This is a real adventure in high altitude so obtaining a travel insurance is always a good idea for your safety and is highly recommended too. Your travel insurance policy should cover helicopter evacuation and medical expenses in an emergency. There is not any Nepalese insurance company to sell travel insurance policy so you better buy the good one from home. There are some insurance policies which covers only in low altitude below 4000 mt. and some only in high altitude above 4000 mt. So before you purchase it, please double check the policy what it covers and where are you going.

Best Seasons

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for Makalu Base Camp Trek. Where normally days are sunny, the temperature is perfect, the sky is clear and Mountain remains crystal. This trek can be done in Monsoon (June to August ) but you should not expect the great weather and Mountain view. You can do it in Winter (December to February) if you are used to with extreme cold temperature.

Domestic Flights

Add a cushion of a few extra days in your onward travel schedule, advised as a margin of safety for your international flight from Nepal. Air travel between Kathmandu to Tumlingtar is frequently delayed due to weather conditions and poor visibility. Flights often get behind schedule and delays can even last for days. Under these situations, High camp Adventure will do its best to re-schedule flights to and from Tumlingtar at first availability. However, the possibility of postponements of flights and even cancellations is a real possibility. We, therefore, advise that you schedule at least an extra two days cushion in your itinerary to avoid conflicts with international flights out of Nepal. In that case, We can arrange activities with your additional days in Kathmandu before your flight home.

Ground Transportation

In an alternate of the flight, we can drive to and from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. Highway in Nepal is safe, however, sometimes transport can be halted due to landslide, strike or by political unrest. Add a cushion of a few extra days in your onward travel schedule, advised as a margin of safety for your international flight from Nepal. We, therefore, advise that you schedule at least an extra days cushion in your itinerary to avoid conflicts with international flights out of Nepal. In that case, We can arrange activities with your additional days in Kathmandu before your flight home.