Makalu Base Camp Trek

Duration: 17 Days |

Destination: Nepal
Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
Transport: Private Vehicle / Aeroplane
Food: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel + Teahouses + Lodges
Group Size: Minimum 2 person

Makalu Base Camp Trek with Marvel Adventure, where you will experience exciting and glorious moments on less ventured region of Nepal Far Eastern Himalaya.

Makalu Base Camp Trek adventure takes you within Makalu and Barun National Park & Conservation area covers 2,330 sq.kms located within Sankhuwas -Sabha district, which is east of Mt. Everest and west from Mt. Kanchenjunga mountain range.

Mt. Makalu ranks as world's 5th highest peak at the height of 8,463 m and 27,766 ft high which makes this trek more interesting walking within serene high country and into mist filled forest of tall rhododendron, magnolia and pines trees.

This trek offers fabulous moments overlooking dramatic scenery of beautiful landscapes with green rolling hills, valleys and snow-capped peaks on daily walks to reach our goal and destination at Makalu base camp.

Special and uniqueness on this Makalu base camp trekking is that it covers both beautiful and scenic valleys of Arun and Barun. Some of the rare and endangered herbs, vegetation and mammals almost extinct on this planet are found only around this area.

Makalu base camp trek itinerary starts with a scenic short flight from the capital Kathmandu to land at Far Eastern areas of Nepal in Tumlingtar, a low warmer farm areas. An exciting drive then leads to begin our marvelous adventure trek.

We will walk into remote rural farm villages of Num-Seduwa and the last village of Tashi-Gaon inhabited by high altitude tribe of Makalu, the Sherpa people. Then we will be heading into complete wilderness within dense deep forest and into the wild country to reach at Makalu base camp.

As walk leads within scenic Barun valley where tree lines stops for remorseless fields of ice and glaciers within arctic terrain of mountains and snow right beneath towering Mt. Makalu.

At base camp with time to explore around hidden areas of Makalu facing magnificent scenery, that includes rare views of Mt. Everest known as the ‘Kangsung’ the Eastern Face of Mt. Everest.

Some other Restricted region treks:

Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Dolpo Trek

Enjoy marvelous moments then return journey leads back to Tumlingtar on the same scenic route. The panoramic flight brings you at Kathmandu after a grand experience with remarkable adventure on Makalu Base Camp Trek. Contact us for package details.

Highlights

Enjoy the adventure with wonderful experience to world's 5th highest Mt. Makalu
Explore least ventured region of Nepal Far Eastern Himalaya with glorious scenery
Walk into clouded alpine forest of tall rhododendron-oaks-pines and fir tree lines
Rare species of mammals and herbs are found which is nearly extinct in this world
Grand views of world highest mountains from Makalu-Everest to Kanchenjunga
Within scenic and beautiful Barun Valley enclosed within high giant mountains

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1 Fly to Tumlingtar (950 m) - 45 minutes flight with overnight stop
As per your flight time in the morning transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for short scenic flight to reach Nepal Far Eastern Himalaya at Sankhuwas -Sabha district within mid hills in Tumlingtar a nice busy town.
Flying for short hour to land at Tumling airport, located on a plateau during air super views of Himalayan range of peaks with Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.
Tumlingtar located within warmer sub-tropical temperatures and from the airport terminal transfer into nice local lodge for overnight stop with free afternoon to explore eastern people culture of varied cultures with mix tribe of hill people.
Day 2 Drive to Num (1, 500m) - 05 hrs and Trek to Seduwa (1,493 m) - 04 hrs
From Tumlingtar start the morning taking a local jeep drive to reach at Num village on upper mid hills, ride leads past farm villages and Khandbari, a headquarter town of Sankhuwas -Sabha district within Makalu area.
Continue drive up to a ridge at Chinchela and downhill to Num village, a farm area slowly turning into a town due to arrival of motorable road, from here walk begins with long descend to cross a bridge over Arun River.
From the bridge climb to reach a small farm village of Runruma, after a short break last climb for few hours to Sedua village for overnight camp near its local school yard.
Day 3 Trek to Tashi- Gaon (2,200 m) - 04 hours
After Seduwa morning leads with gentle walk to Tashi-Gaon on winding path past many smaller farm areas to reach at Tashi Gaon, mostly inhabited by Sherpa people, this is the last village for a week on route to Makalu base camp.
Afternoon free to explore around this nice small farm village and catch local immense culture of Makalu area Sherpa people interwoven with Buddhism religion and ancient heritage.
Day 4 Trek to Khoma Danda (3,500 m) - 05 hours
On leaving the last village of Tashi Gaon as walk heads into cool shade of forest covered by rhododendron, pines, oaks and birch tree lines, where route leads past scattered huts of cattle herders.
Steep climb leads you all the way to reach on top Khoma danda a high scenic ridge.
Overnight camp at Khoma rewards you with grand views of Kanchenjunga towards far-east includes Mt. Makalu in the North.
Day 5 Trek to Mumbuk (3,400 m) - 06 hours
Morning walk start downhill to reach an open area past glacial ponds of Thulo Pokhari (larger pond) and Sano Pokhari (smaller pond).
From here cross over a ridge line of Tutu-la pass at 4,075 meters then on downhill back into tree lines to Mumbuk a place in the middle of forest for overnight camp.
Day 6 Trek to Nehe Kharka (3,750 m) - 06 hours
From Mumbuk, morning starts with descend to Barun Valley a unique and scenic valley an unspoiled a pristine area within Himalaya, as few trekkers often travel around this remote corners of Barun valley.
The valley famous for rare wildlife, herbs and rare species of plants and vegetation almost lost in this part of the world from here walk leads to slow climb heading North West to camp at Nehe Kharka, a wide field around a grazing area.
Day 7 Trek to Sherson (4,600 m) - 06 hours
After Nehe Kharka walk heads at the end of Barun Valley enclosed within high mountains and rock cliffs, walk takes you close to Makalu base camp at Sherson, morning walk follows Barun River to reach at Sherson for overnight camp with views of Mt. Makalu, Baruntse and Peak IV.
Day 8 Trek to Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m) - 04 hrs
From Sherson on leaving last green vegetation, heading into moraine of ice and glaciers as climb takes higher towards isolated zone to reach at Makalu base camp for overnight stop.
Located close to the snout of Barun glacier and glacial pond, afternoon rest and enjoy the surrounding marvelous views of giant peaks and glaciers on the highest spot of the adventure.
Day 9 Explore Makalu Base Camp
Rest day at Makalu base camp within grand views of Mt. Makalu, Baruntse Himal and peak IV, at base camp hike to some scenic hills to catch the best panorama of surrounding peaks with rare East Face of Mt. Everest the famous ‘Kangsung Face’ include views of Lhotse and range of mountains.
Day 10 Trek to Yangle Kharka - 06 hrs
From Makalu base camp retrace the journey towards low area of Barun valley to reach at Yangle Kharka for overnight stop enclosed within high rocky cliffs with views of waterfalls.
Day 11 Trek to Mumbuk (3,400 m) - 06 hrs
After a great time around beautiful Barun valley, morning walk towards at the end of Barun valley, then climb into forested at Mumbuk for overnight camp.
Day 12 Trek to Khoma Danda - 05 hrs
Morning walk on same scenic trail to Khoma ridge, with climb for an hour into forest areas to reach a high ridge where tree lines stops for sometimes, as walk leads past glacial ponds and over Tutu la and Shipton la to reach Khoma hill for overnight stop.
Day 13 Trek to Tashi-Gaon - 05 hrs
From Khoma after being in complete wilderness for many days, where morning walk leads to reach back into human settlement, as route leads to long descend into forest to reach back at Tashi Gaon for overnight stop.
Afternoon free and walk around Nawa or Narbu Gaon village to explore Sherpa farm village.
Day 14 Trek to Seduwa ( 1,493 m) - 05 hrs
Morning walk follows toward Seduwa village on a pleasant winding path taking time to observe local farm life as day ends at Seduwa for overnight stop.
Day 15 Trek to Num - 05 hrs
Last day trek of the adventure morning leads to long descend above Arun River, after crossing over a bridge with last final steep climb for an hour to reach back at Num village for final overnight stop around high hills of Makalu Himalaya.
Day 16 Drive back to Tumlingtar - 04 hrs
An exciting and interesting drive up to farm village at Chinchela village from here drive descend to reach low warm area at Khandbari a headquarter town of Sanka-Sava district within Makalu region.
From here short downhill to reach Tumlingtar for last overnight halt around Nepal Makalu and around Nepal Far Eastern area.
Day 17 Fly to Kathmandu and Transfer to hotel
After a great adventure around high Barun Valley and at Makalu base camp short walk to Tumlingtar air-strip then board in the aircraft for scenic short flight to Kathmandu, on landing at Kathmandu airport transfer back to your respective hotels.

What to Expect

What's included

Round trip flight fare (Kathmandu - Tumlingtar - Kathmandu)
All land transportation as per itinerary
Standard meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
Government license holder guide
Strong and helpful porter with proper equipments (1 porter for 2 people)
Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for guide and porters
Tea house/lodge accommodation during the trek
TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) card
Makalu National park Permit
Comprehensive first aid kit
Government taxes and official expenses

What's not included

International airfare and taxes
Nepal entry visa fee
Your Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Lunch and dinner whilst in Kathmandu
Entrance fee in the heritage sites during city tour.
All the expenses of personal nature
Any kind of drinks and desserts during the trek
Tips to guide and porter (Tipping is expected)

Request a Private Date

Useful Information

1. Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all clients undertaking any trip. It should provide adequate security for the full duration of the tour to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue and loss of luggage. Make sure that your insurance policy covers up to 2500-5000 meters of altitude.

2. Packing List

Sunglasses
Sun-Cream and Lip Balm with high SPF
Hat/Cap
T-shirt, Vests and Shirt
Fleece/Sweater
Fleece Jacket
Down Jacket
Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
Warm Gloves
Hiking Boots
3-4 pairs of socks
Day pack (30-40 liters)
Torch light
Water bottle (Minimum 2 liters)
Small Hand Towel
Sleeping Bag for up to -15 Degree Celsius

3. Guide and Porter

We provide experienced, knowledgeable and honest guide with good communication skills in English language to make your trip wonderful. The guide will provide all the information about the mountains, different histories, cultures, traditions and many more. We will provide 1 porter for 2 people. The porters are helpful as well as strong and will carry a maximum of 25 kgs combined. After giving the best services along with the hard works up in the mountains, guides and porters expect some tips from your side. Tipping culture is very common in tourism sector.

4. Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 3000 meters. It presents as a collection of nonspecific symptoms, acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure, resembling a case of "flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover". However, most people can ascend to 3000 meters without difficulty.

Primary Symptoms of Altitude Sickness:

Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
Fatigue or weakness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Swelling of hands, feet, and face
Insomnia
Shortness of breath upon exertion
Nosebleed
Persistent rapid pulse
Drowsiness
General malaise

Prevention:

Ascending slowly is the best way to avoid altitude sickness. Avoiding strenuous activity such as skiing, hiking, etc. in the first 24 hours at high altitude reduces the symptoms of AMS. Alcohol and sleeping pills are respiratory depressants, and thus slow down the acclimatization process and should be avoided. Alcohol also tends to cause dehydration and exacerbates AMS. Thus, Marvel Adventure strictly suggests avoiding alcohol consumption in the first 24–48 hours at a higher altitude.

Guides and porters from Marvel Adventure are very much familiar with this problem due to their experience. All of them are trained with basic medical trainings and hence they definitely can help you.