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Makalu Base Camp Trek

Trip Level
Moderate Strenuous
Destination
Nepal
Max Altitude
5000 meter
Trip Duration
22 Days

Overview

Makalu Base Camp (5250 m), now designated as Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area. Mt. Makalu (8463 m) is the fifth highest peak in the world. The Makalu Base camp trek is a true adventure with scenery so beautiful that it will never tire you. The trek starts with a flight to Tumlingtar and heads up the Aurn River valley to Sedua and Num, then crossing Shipton La Pass (4210 m) into the upper Barun river valley for a close look at Makalu and Chamlang Himal. This trek visits one of the most remote and unfrequented areas of Nepal. The Barun valley is a part of a huge international protected area under the agreement between the governments of Nepal and China, which comprises of 2330 sq. km of National Park and 830 sq. km of conservation area in Nepal.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel.

  • Day 02: Optional sightseeing in Kathmandu/ trek prepairation

  • Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar - Drive to Num

  • Day 04: Num (1490m) - Sedua (1460m 5/6 hrs hiking)

  • Day 05: Sedua (1460m) - Tashi Gaun (2070m - 5 hrs Hiking)

  • Day 06: Tashi Gaon (2070m) - Kauma (3470m - 6hrs Hiking)

  • Day 07: Rest at Kauma (3470m)

  • Day 08: Kauma(3470m)  - Mumbak(3570m-5 hrs Hiking)

  • Day 09: Mumbuk(3570m) - Neha Kharka - (3000m - 6hrs Hiking)

  • Day 10: Neha Kharka(3000 m) - Sherson (4615 m - 7 hrs Hiking)

  • Day 11: Sherson (4615 m) - Makalu Base Camp (5000 m - 4/5 hrs Hiking)

  • Day 12: Explore around Makalu Base camp

  • Day 13: Makalu Base camp to  Neha Kharka (3000 m)

  • Day 14: Neha Kharka (3000 m) – Mumbuk (3570 m)

  • Day 15: Mumbuk(3570 m) - Kauma (3470 m)

  • Day 16: Kauma (3470 m) - Tashi Gaon (2070 m)

  • Day 17: Trek to Pakuwa(1520 m)

  • Day 18: Pukuwa (1520m) - Bumling (1160m)

  • Day 19: Bumling-Tumlingtar - 860 m

  • Day 20: Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu

  • Day 21: A free day in Kathmandu

  • Day 22: Transfer to Airport for the final departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel
Our representative will picks up from Kathmandu airport and transfer to Hotel. Evening we have welcome dinner with Nepalese cultural show.

Day 02: Optional sightseeing in Kathmandu/ trek prepairation
We will have choice either join for full day sightseeing or free to prepare for your upcoming adventures.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar - Drive to Num

Day 04: Num (1490m) - Sedua (1460m 5/6 hrs hiking)
The trail today descends steeply from Num through the Cornfield of Lumbang. The country is particularly rocky; tiny terraces planted with corn and barley, then we have tough steep climb to Sedua. Camp

Day 05: Sedua (1460m) - Tashi Gaun (2070m - 5 hrs Hiking)
The trail crosses meadows and several streams, then climbs to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon, the last permanent settlement in the valley. Camp

Day 06: Tashi Gaon (2070m) - Kauma (3470m - 6hrs Hiking)
A very hard day of the trek as the trail goes up real steep. We walk through the sparse forests along the ridge over a hillock and descend a bit to Kauma at 3470 m. Camp

Day 07: A day rest in Kauma (3470m)
Today is a rest day as well as acclimatization day. We will explore around.

Day 08: Kauma(3470m)  - Mumbak(3570m-5 hrs Hiking)
We again start today with a steep climb then through less steeply rhododendron forests to the top of the ridge. You will have superb views of Chamlang (7,290 m) Peak 6 (6739 m) and Peak 7 (6105 m). Then we will have a final descent through a forest of firs and rhododendrons to Mumbuk. Camp

Day 09: Mumbuk(3570m) - Neha Kharka - (3000m - 6hrs Hiking)
Today the trail descends steep gully with a stream for about 500m. The trail is ill defined, rocky and sloppy mud in places as it leads up the glacial valley. From here you can have a good views of Peak 6. Nhe Kharka is located on a large open grassy plain at an elevation of 3000 m. from here you will have great mountain views. Camp

Day 10: Neha Kharka(3000 m) - Sherson (4615 m - 7 hrs Hiking)
Trail today turns westward and leaves the rhododendron forests for alpine tundra. There are excellent views of Pyramid Peak (7168 m), Peak 4 (6720 m) etc. Sherson is at 4615 m a bit dangerous day as the altitude gains more than 1500 m but we don't have a choice because we do not have any suitable camp between Nhe Kharka and Sherson.

 
Day 11: Sherson (4615 m) - Makalu Base Camp (5000 m - 4/5 hrs Hiking)
Today, a gradual climb to a minor pass about 100 m . From here you will have a magnificent south face views of Makalu also you will be able to see the complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse. Camp

Day 12: Explore around Makalu Base camp

Day 13: Makalu Base camp to  Neha Kharka (3000 m)
We retrace back down the Barun Valley. Camp

Day 14: Neha Kharka (3000 m) – Mumbuk (3570 m)
We continue descending back. Camp at Mumbuk.

Day 15: Mumbuk(3570 m) - Kauma (3470 m)
We trek across Shipton La and descend to Kauma.

Day 16: Kauma (3470 m) - Tashi Gaon (2070 m)
Today we walk a bit long to Tashi Gaon. Camp

Day 17: Trek to Pakuwa(1520 m)
We walk through farming settlements to the spread out Rai village. Continue in forests past several streams to Pukuwa. Camp

Day 18: Pukuwa (1520m) - Bumling (1160m)
Walk through the forests and follows some spectacular high and exposed narrow tracks as it climbs over rocky ridges. We camp across the Chhetri village of Bumling.

Day 19: Bumling-Tumlingtar - 860 m
Todays route pass through Chyawabesi before making a short climb back to Tumlingtar. Camp

Day 20: Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
We will take a early flight to Kathmandu. We will attand a farewell dinner in the evening.

Day 21: A free day in Kathmandu

Day 22: Transfer to Airport for the final departure

Cost Details

  • Arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu by private vehicle in Kathmandu
  • Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast on twin/ single sharing
  • Meals on full board (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) during trekking period either in camp or in lodges
  • An experienced Government license holder guide
  • Trekking porters/sherpas/mules to carry your bags during the trekking 2:1, max 15 KG baggage/porter
  • Food, drinks, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipments, transportation, local tax for Guide and porters
  • Ground transportation by private vehicle to/from Kathmandu
  • Kathmandu- Tumlingtar-Kathmandu flight ticket cost
  • Group medical supplies (first aid kit will be available) if required
  • All necessary paper works and permit fees for Rolwaling and Everest region
  • All government taxes and our service charges
  • Welcome and Farewell Dinners in Kathmandu
  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
  • Your Travel insurance
  • International airfare and airport departure tax
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver(Tipping is expected but not mandatory)
  • All kind drinks (hot, cold and alcoholic)
  • Personal shopping and laundry etc.
  • Personal trekking Equipments

Equipments Checklist

Clothing
    Warm jacket or down jacket
    Water and windproof jacket, poncho or umbrella
    Long sleeved synthetic fleece
    Thermal underwear
    Hat, pair of gloves and scarf
    Comfortable hiking trousers (loose fitting)
    Shorts and trousers, or skirt
    2 pairs of warm wool-blend socks
    2 pairs of running socks or liner socks
    Proper hiking boots
    Running shoes and flip-flops
    T-shirts

During winter season, additional clothings may include:
    The outer jacket should be warm, down jacket is highly recommended during winter season
    Bring a pair of warm winter trousers, in addition to the hiking trousers
    Bring at least one windproof layer of clothes, helping to reduce any chill factor influence.
    Snow gaitors

Trekking Gear
    Pair of polarizing sun-glasses (to be comfortable and to avoid potential snow-blindness)
    Backpack and backpack cover (against rain and dust)
    Map of the trekking area
    Head torch, or small torch, plus spare batteries
    Sleeping bag and silk liner
    Water bottles

Miscellaneous
    Toiletries
    A small light weight and quick drying towel
    Bar of soap
    Sunscreen (at least SPF +20)
    Earplugs
    Insect repellants (for lower elevations)
    First aid kid
    Water purification tables or a water filter
    Some Diamox pills against potential altitude sickness (if going beyond 4,000 m elevations)
    Toilet paper

Optional items
    Camera, battery etc
    Altimeter
    Compass
    Binoculars
    Books/magazines
    Trekking poles
    GPS unit
    Padlocks for guest house rooms and bags
    Sewing/repair kit
    Pocket knife
    Candles (for lodges)
    Dairy or notebook plus pencil/pen

Camping

    Tent
    Stove and fuel
    Cooking, eating and drinking utensils
    Sleeping mat
    Food and water (for the very remote trekking areas)

Map

map

Departure Dates

No fixed departures.