Makalu Base Camp Trek

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and will escort you to the Hotel, where one of our leader or a Sherpa guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trek/Camping, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.

After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. Sometime, depending upon your flight arrival if it's late in the night we will do this tour in the afternoon instead of morning to give you a good rest before you set out of the Hotel in our interesting tour.

Morning after breakfast, take a bus to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 50 minute sweeping scenic flight to Tumlingtar overlooking range of snow capped peaks from Langtang all the way to Mt.Everest, Makalau & Mt. Kanchenjunga, Tumlingtar airport and its village town located on a shelf above the Arun River, we walk across to meet our trek crew beside the airstrip, we can clearly see, far off to the north, the white peak of Makalu. Overnight stop at Tumlingtar

First day of the trek, starts from Tumlingtar the walk is pleasant for an hour through the farm fields and villages. After leaving the suburb of Tumlingtar, the trail climbs up gradually towards Khadbari in the midst of the sub-tropical forest of Sal(Sorea-Robusta)and more farm fields along the way, as we come to a town of Khadbari a major village and a headquarter of the Sankha Shaba and Makalu region. A busy bazaar, expecially on Saturday market day, from Khadbari the trail is gradual with few ups and down till we reach our overnight camp a little farther from the village of Manibhanjang.

From Manibhanjang, we ascend the ridge on a wide and well-used trail, reaching our lunch stop at Bhotebas after three and a half hours of steady ascent. After lunch we walk for only another couple of hours to the small ridge-top village of Chinchilla. passing through fertile farmed land, and verdant rain forest, with thick undergrowth and many types of ferns. Chinchilla a small farm village with 6-8 houses with a superb view of Mt.Makalu 8,463m and the Khumbukarna mountain range.

In the clear dawn we have good views of Makalu and its satellite peaks, from this magical spot of Chinchilla, perched high above the surrounding countryside. The walk to Num leads us through the cool and serene forest of rhododendron, oaks and hemlocks as we climb to the ridge top, from the ridge top it is almost downhill for two hours to the overnight camp at Num. Num a small village with about fifteen houses and a primary school on the large flat ground, from where we have good view of our route for the next couple of days. Opposite, across the Arun river, is the village of Sedua, our camping place for the next day.

From Num, we set off down the incredibly steep and terraced slopes towards the Arun River, nearly a 800 meters below. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are densely forested and the paths are quite slippery, after reaching the bottom, cross the suspension bridge across the torrential Arun river, at the height of 670 meters, we start our climb back out of the rain forest, reaching our lunch place at Runruma. After lunch, a steep climb takes us up to Sedua, a village with a small health post and a primary school. Overnight camp near the schoolyard.

The trek to Tashi-Gaon is a short walk of three to four hours probably with lunch and camp on the same spot. The walk takes you to more rural farm villages, on the gradual trail through the farm fields and terraces, as we come near to Tashi Gaon, its an uphill climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields. Tashi Gaon is a Sherpa village, unlike the Sherpa of Everest, they are bit different in the way they live in, the dress and the house they live in, being settled in the low warm areas they are engaged more in agriculture and cattle raising. In the afternoon, you'll have time to wander around.

Tashi Gaon is the last village en-route to Makalu basin, after this village the walk is refreshing for an hour and a half in the beautiful shade of the rhododendron and oaks forest, after leaving the dense forest coming to a summer pastures with traces of temporary made shepherd huts. From here onwards to Kohama ridge is an strenuous uphill climb, as the tree lines declines for the bushes of rhododendron and juniper. After the climb, coming to the open area of Kohama danda for the overnight camp. From this spot a grand view of the far landscapes with the 3rd highest mountain Kanchenjunga in view towards the north east and Mt. Makalu towards north west. From here onwards you can feel the cold chill of the Himalayas.

With the wonderful morning and the superb views of the surrounding landscapes and snow capped peaks, our trek follows a gradual trail with few ups and down as we pass through the Thulo Pokhari (big pond) and Sano Pokhari(small pond). In the heavy snow, the path from here can be quite misleading and it will be arduous to find the trail sometime. After the last pond cross the pass of Tutu-la at 4,075m. From here onwards it is all downhill back to vegetation, as we reach to our camp at Mumbuk, a small clearing place for camping in the middle of the woods of pines, hemlock, birch and rhododendrons.

The camp being in the shade of the tree, the view of the Khumbukarna can be seen through the vegetation of the tree lines, the walk from here is downhill to the enclosed and concealed Barun Valley, one of the least explored area in the eastern Himalayan region of Nepal. This unique landscapes within the Makalu-Barun National Park are some 3,000 species of flowering plants, 440 bird species and 75 species of mammals, including the endangers clouded leopard, red panda and musk deer. The remarkable bio-diversity is considered to be a global significance and provides a living laboratory for international scientific research. As we reach the lush alpine area of Barun Valley the walk is very pleasant with gradual uphill slopes, following the Barun river upstream on the valley gorge towards our camp at Nehe-Kharka one of the summer pastures for the local folks of Tashi and Navagoan. Camp on the meadow. Day 14: Trek to Yangre Kharka(3,645m) 6 hours. Trek back towards the end of the Barun valley at Yak Kharka for the overnight. Day 15: Trek to Mumbuk, 5 hours. Trek back to Mumbuk, after leaving the Barun Valley it is all uphill to the overnight camp in the midst of the alpine forest at Mumbuk. Day 16: Trek to Kohma Ridge, 5 hours. Retrace the journey back to Kohma danda (ridge) via Shipton-la and Thulo Pokhari for the overnight camp. Day 17: Trek to Nawa Gaon (2,500m) via Tashi Gaon, 6 hours. Trek back to Tashi Gaon and continue walk towards Nawa-Gaon on the upper trail for another 2-3 hours through the cool shade of the forest after leaving the forest area, coming towards the farm terraces and eventually to the village of Nawa-Gaon, another Sherpa village which is much larger than Tashigaon, situated right above the Sedua village. Day 18: Trek to Num via Sedua, 6 hours. The walk today, after leaving Nawa gaon is on the downhill track through the farm fields for an hour or two to Sedua village. From Sedua retrace the journey to Num, with 2-3 hours downhill and after the bridge another 2-3 hours brings you back to Num for the overnight camp. Day 19: Trek to Chichele, 5 hours. Trek back to Chichele, the first 2-3 hours is all uphill to the ridge top, from here onwards it is almost down hill all the way to the overnight camp at Chichele. Day 20: Trek to Khadbari, 6 hours. From Chichele, it is one of the pleasant walk to Khadbari through the forest, farm lands and small villages; the final leg of the day's walk is on the gradual path, leading you to the large village town of Khadbari, to avoid much people and noise of this main town, we will be camping before or after this township. Day 21: Trek to Tumlingtar for lunch and camp, 3 hours An easy 3-4 hours downhill walk brings you back to Tumlingtar for lunch and the last overnight camp of this great memorable adventure journey and this will be your last night with the trekking staffs and porters as well. Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu. Meet & transfer to hotel. This morning depending upon the schedule flight time, sometime the flight time after getting the boarding pass make way to the terminal for security check, the flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu which takes less than an hour, a panoramic view of the snow capped can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our Tour Officer will be waiting to receive and escort you back to the Hotel. Day 24: Free day at leisure. A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight.Back to Top ↑ Day 25: Transfer to Airport for the International departure. Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our AD staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.

A little beyond our camp we cross the Barun river by way of couple of wooden bridges, which make use of conveniently situated boulders. There is a large prayer wall at Ramara, after 2-3 hours walk, from here the vegetation gets sparse, although the rhododendron, berberis, cotoneaster and juniper bushes persist for some time. This a lovely day's walk, through the high alpine, as we come nearer to Sherson in sight of the lower Barun glacier and the towering majestic Mt.Makalu. Sherson is also the lower base camp of Mt.Makalu. There are number of stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with outstanding view of host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu south face, and Mt.Baruntse 7,220m peeking above peak 4.

A free day for a hike, around Sherson there are many interesting hike and view points to explore, the most scenic walk would be taking a hike on the right side of the camp above for the closer view of Mt. Makalu, Barun Pokhari and the view of the rare face of Everest the Kanshung face with Lhotse nearby. A one hour steep up brings you to the large meadow you can walk farther up to have a greater view of the mentioned peaks and more other peaks of this area and beyond.

Trek back towards the end of the Barun valley at Yak Kharka for the overnight. Day 16: Trek to Kohma Ridge, 5 hours. Retrace the journey back to Kohma danda (ridge) via Shipton-la and Thulo Pokhari for the overnight camp. Day 17: Trek to Nawa Gaon (2,500m) via Tashi Gaon, 6 hours. Trek back to Tashi Gaon and continue walk towards Nawa-Gaon on the upper trail for another 2-3 hours through the cool shade of the forest after leaving the forest area, coming towards the farm terraces and eventually to the village of Nawa-Gaon, another Sherpa village which is much larger than Tashigaon, situated right above the Sedua village. Day 18: Trek to Num via Sedua, 6 hours. The walk today, after leaving Nawa gaon is on the downhill track through the farm fields for an hour or two to Sedua village. From Sedua retrace the journey to Num, with 2-3 hours downhill and after the bridge another 2-3 hours brings you back to Num for the overnight camp. Day 19: Trek to Chichele, 5 hours. Trek back to Chichele, the first 2-3 hours is all uphill to the ridge top, from here onwards it is almost down hill all the way to the overnight camp at Chichele. Day 20: Trek to Khadbari, 6 hours. From Chichele, it is one of the pleasant walk to Khadbari through the forest, farm lands and small villages; the final leg of the day's walk is on the gradual path, leading you to the large village town of Khadbari, to avoid much people and noise of this main town, we will be camping before or after this township. Day 21: Trek to Tumlingtar for lunch and camp, 3 hours An easy 3-4 hours downhill walk brings you back to Tumlingtar for lunch and the last overnight camp of this great memorable adventure journey and this will be your last night with the trekking staffs and porters as well. Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu. Meet & transfer to hotel. This morning depending upon the schedule flight time, sometime the flight time after getting the boarding pass make way to the terminal for security check, the flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu which takes less than an hour, a panoramic view of the snow capped can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our Tour Officer will be waiting to receive and escort you back to the Hotel. Day 24: Free day at leisure. A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight.Back to Top ↑ Day 25: Transfer to Airport for the International departure. Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our AD staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.

Trek back to Mumbuk, after leaving the Barun Valley it is all uphill to the overnight camp in the midst of the alpine forest at Mumbuk.

Retrace the journey back to Kohma danda (ridge) via Shipton-la and Thulo Pokhari for the overnight camp. Day 19: Trek to Chichele, 5 hours. Trek back to Chichele, the first 2-3 hours is all uphill to the ridge top, from here onwards it is almost down hill all the way to the overnight camp at Chichele. Day 20: Trek to Khadbari, 6 hours. From Chichele, it is one of the pleasant walk to Khadbari through the forest, farm lands and small villages; the final leg of the day's walk is on the gradual path, leading you to the large village town of Khadbari, to avoid much people and noise of this main town, we will be camping before or after this township. Day 21: Trek to Tumlingtar for lunch and camp, 3 hours An easy 3-4 hours downhill walk brings you back to Tumlingtar for lunch and the last overnight camp of this great memorable adventure journey and this will be your last night with the trekking staffs and porters as well. Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu. Meet & transfer to hotel. This morning depending upon the schedule flight time, sometime the flight time after getting the boarding pass make way to the terminal for security check, the flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu which takes less than an hour, a panoramic view of the snow capped can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our Tour Officer will be waiting to receive and escort you back to the Hotel. Day 24: Free day at leisure. A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight.Back to Top ↑ Day 25: Transfer to Airport for the International departure. Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our AD staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.

Trek back to Tashi Gaon and continue walk towards Nawa-Gaon on the upper trail for another 2-3 hours through the cool shade of the forest after leaving the forest area, coming towards the farm terraces and eventually to the village of Nawa-Gaon, another Sherpa village which is much larger than Tashigaon, situated right above the Sedua village.

The walk today, after leaving Nawa gaon is on the downhill track through the farm fields for an hour or two to Sedua village. From Sedua retrace the journey to Num, with 2-3 hours downhill and after the bridge another 2-3 hours brings you back to Num for the overnight camp.

Trek back to Chichele, the first 2-3 hours is all uphill to the ridge top, from here onwards it is almost down hill all the way to the overnight camp at Chichele. Day 20: Trek to Khadbari, 6 hours. From Chichele, it is one of the pleasant walk to Khadbari through the forest, farm lands and small villages; the final leg of the day's walk is on the gradual path, leading you to the large village town of Khadbari, to avoid much people and noise of this main town, we will be camping before or after this township. Day 21: Trek to Tumlingtar for lunch and camp, 3 hours An easy 3-4 hours downhill walk brings you back to Tumlingtar for lunch and the last overnight camp of this great memorable adventure journey and this will be your last night with the trekking staffs and porters as well. Day 22: Fly back to Kathmandu. Meet & transfer to hotel. This morning depending upon the schedule flight time, sometime the flight time after getting the boarding pass make way to the terminal for security check, the flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu which takes less than an hour, a panoramic view of the snow capped can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our Tour Officer will be waiting to receive and escort you back to the Hotel. Day 24: Free day at leisure. A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight.Back to Top ↑ Day 25: Transfer to Airport for the International departure. Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our AD staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.

From Chichele, it is one of the pleasant walk to Khadbari through the forest, farm lands and small villages; the final leg of the day's walk is on the gradual path, leading you to the large village town of Khadbari, to avoid much people and noise of this main town, we will be camping before or after this township.

An easy 3-4 hours downhill walk brings you back to Tumlingtar for lunch and the last overnight camp of this great memorable adventure journey and this will be your last night with the trekking staffs and porters as well.

This morning depending upon the schedule flight time, sometime the flight time after getting the boarding pass make way to the terminal for security check, the flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu which takes less than an hour, a panoramic view of the snow capped can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our Tour Officer will be waiting to receive and escort you back to the Hotel.

A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight.Back to Top

Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our AD staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.