The Makalu Base Camp Trek is a solitary and spectacular trek. It is one of the least frequented routes in Nepal, passing through subtropical forests to the foot of the Makalu pyramid, which appears over us more impressive than other 8000m peaks on other treks. A trek that will demand but also reward you.
19 days / -18 nights full trip in Nepal (minimum recommended)
16 days’ trek
Medium-hard
Highest altitude ~5300m
Highest altitude overnight 4870m
Local mountain guide English-speaking
Meals and overnight in lodges or camping during the trek
Accommodation in hotel in Kathmandu
Transfers in private vehicle, local jeep and domestic flights
$1.905*
description
itinerary
included/not included
price
notes
description
Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world, at 8481 metres (although there is some variation depending on the source). It appears over us quite spectacular, as it is an isolated peak, so it rises imposingly with its pyramidal shape with no other mountain nearby. It is in the Makalu Barun National Park in north-eastern Nepal, between the Khumbu-Everest and Kanchenjunga areas.
The Makalu area is one of the least trekked in Nepal, perhaps because having Everest as a neighbour is a big competition. But this is a great advantage for those who prefer more solitary trails. There are no “highways” here like in the Khumbu. The paths are narrow and variable, there may be snow on the mountain passes and base camp, and it can be some landslides to cross. This trek requires physical and mental fitness, and the lodges are much more basic than their Khumbu neighbours and with less capacity, so it is a trek that we recommend camping.
A short flight will take us from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and, from there, it will still take us about four hours by local jeep to get north to the village of Num, the starting trek point.
The trek starts by crossing the Arun Nadi, the main river that marks the whole region, still walking through low altitudes with small farms scattered among terraced crops, banana trees and subtropical forest, soon climbing the slopes above the Kasuwa Khola River, which lies further downstream.
The Kongma-La, Shipton-La and Keke-La passes mark the transition from the Arun Nadi Valley to the Barun Nadi Valley. We have now passed 4000 metres altitude in a much more alpine landscape and we are enjoying spectacular views. Again, following the valley, we walk accompanied by spectacular waterfalls falling from vertical rock walls. The path continues to gain altitude and we leave the forest area behind to reach open, wild and rocky terrain. The Himalayan peaks surround us and the glaciers, which are suffering a worrying retreat creating large lakes barely contained by the moraines, accompany us during the final part that takes us to the Makalu Base Camp, at 4870 metres above sea level. The imposing ice and rock walls of the fifth highest mountain in the world dominate the landscape and we are surrounded by high white peaks very close to Everest and Lhotse.
itinerary
day 1 | Arrive to Nepal | |
day 2 | 1 | Flight to Tumlingtar ~40′. Jeep to Num (1540m) 55km ~4h |
day 3 | 2 | Trek to Seduwa (1500m) ~5h/6h |
day 4 | 3 | Trek to Tashigaon (2070m) ~5h/6h |
day 5 | 4 | Trek to Kongma Danda (3660m) ~6h/7h |
day 6 | 5 | Rest day in Kongma Danda |
day 7 | 6 | Trek to Dobate (3870m) crosing Kongma-La (3880m), Shipton-La (4220m) and Keke-La (4150m) ~6h/7h |
day 8 | 7 | Trek to Yangle Kharka (3540m) ~5h/6h |
day 9 | 8 | Trek to Langmale Kharka (4410m) ~5h/6h |
day 10 | 9 | Trek to Makalu Base Camp (4870m) ~4h/5h |
day 11 | 10 | Exploring Makalu Base Camp surroundings |
day 12 | 11 | Trek back to Yangle Kharka (3540m) ~6h/7h |
day 13 | 12 | Trek back to Dobate (3870m) ~6h/7h |
day 14 | 13 | Trek back to Kongma Danda (3660m) crossing Keke-La, Shipton-La and Kongma-La ~5h/6h |
day 15 | 14 | Trek back to Seduwa (1500m) ~6h/7h |
day 16 | 15 | Trek back to Num ~4h/5h. jeep to Tumlingtar ~4h |
day 17 | 16 | Flight to Kathmandu |
day 18 | Kathmandu | |
day 19 | Returning flight |
* This itinerary is designed with an arrival flight in Nepal in the morning in mind. In case the flight arrived in Kathmandu in the afternoon or evening, the schedule would be adapted.
included/not included
FULL TRIP according program
PRICE INCLUDES
· Welcome on arrival
· All transfers and trips by private vehicle
· Flight Kathmandu – Tumlingtar – Kathmandu
· 3 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu
· Accommodation in lodges/camping and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description
· Local English-speaking Mountain Guide during the trek
· 1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax
· 1 porter each 2 clients
· TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)
· Makalu Barun National Park entrance fee
· All government taxes and VAT
· Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff
PRICE EXCLUDES
· International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal
· Entry Nepal VISA
· Lunch & Dinner (except indicated)
· Tips to staff
· Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense
· During the trek hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense
· Medical and/or travel insurance. You must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.
· In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme
· No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.
JUST TREK with no services out of the trek itinerary in Kathmandu
PRICE INCLUDES
· Transfers by private vehicle to starting trek point and from ending trek point
· Flight Kathmandu – Tumlingtar – Kathmandu
· Accommodation in lodges/camping and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description
· Local English-speaking Mountain Guide during the trek
· 1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax
· 1 porter each 2 clients
· TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)
· Makalu Barun National Park entrance fee
· All government taxes and VAT
· Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff
PRICE EXCLUDES
· International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal
· Entry Nepal VISA (check information)
· Tips to staff
· Any service out of the trek
· Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense
· Hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense
· Medical and/or travel insurance. You must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.
· In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme
· No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.
price
* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers in full format as described in the program.
If you prefer, you can contract only the trek, from the pick-up at your accommodation to the return. Without services outside the trek.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.
notes
For small groups of two or four people, perhaps risking six, it is possible to do the Makalu BC trek in lodges. Bear in mind that the lodges here are much more basic than those in other areas of the Himalayas and have less capacity, so be warned that if there is no room in any of the lodges you may have to sleep in the dining room, although this is relatively unlikely. For this reason, for groups of six or more, it is much more advisable to do the trek on a camping basis in order to ensure the conditions for overnight stays.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Programs may have to be adapted according to the schedules of your flights to Nepal. The itineraries are designed taking into account that the international flight arrives at Kathmandu in the morning or noon. If you arrive to Nepal afternoon or later it would be better to have a margin day before starting your trek, although it is not essential.
DO YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP?
Related to the trek itinerary and Kathmandu and/or Pokhara staying we plan the “minimum days recommended” to have a comfortable and safe trip and trek. But always is a good idea to add some extra day during the trek (for rest or as safety extra day) or in your days in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Like all our tours, the itinerary can be customized and adapted to the taste, needs and preferences of the traveller, especially when it comes to staying in Nepal outside the trek route.
You can opt for the full trip or just hiring the trek and travel on your own in Nepal.
EXPERIENCES TO NEPAL OUTSIDE THE PROGRAM
Whether for free days in Kathmandu or Pokhara, as if you want to add more days to your trip, we offer a number of options and extensions. With them you can add and complete activities and experiences on your trip. Some are already included in some program, but in general we prefer that you choose them on your own, if you are interested in any, depending on your tastes and way of traveling. Ask us for more information if you are interested.
WE ENJOY TALKING WITH YOU
Contact us to obtain the complete dossier of this itinerary, inquiry for all the information you need and ask us any questions you may have.
