Makalu Base Camp Trek, Makalu Trek, Barun Valley Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek

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Quick Facts

  • Trek Grade:
    Moderate
  • Overall Duration:
    24 Days
  • Accomodation:
    Hotel/Camp
  • Per Day Hiking:
    6-8 Hrs
  • Trip Start:
    Kathmandu
  • Trip End:
    Kathmandu
  • Trip Session:
    March-April and September-January
  • Group Size:
    2 or more
  • Transportation:
    Tourist Bus/Car/Flight
  • Maximum Altitude:
    5,550m. at Base Camp
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A brief in details

overview

Makalu Base Camp Trek

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is a challenging and rewarding journey through the remote and less-frequented regions of eastern Nepal. This trek offers stunning, views, diverse landscapes, and a rich cultural experience. Here`s a detailed description.

Makalu Base Camp Trek Highlights.

Stunning Mountain Scenery: The trek provides panoramic views of some of the world`s highest mounts, including Mount Makalu (8,485) meters), the fifth-highest mountain in the world. Other visible peaks include Everest, Lhotse, and Baruntse.
Remote Wilderness: The trek traverses through the Makalu Barun National Park, a pristine area known for its exclusive biodiversity, including rare species of flora and fauna.
Diverse Landscapes: The route takes you from lush, subtropical forests and attached farmland to high-
Altitude alpine meadows and glaciers.
Cultural Experience: The trail passes through several traditional Sherpa and Rai villages, offering insights into their cultures, lifestyles, and traditions.

Description of Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a wonderful adventure that leads towards the lowest valley in the world to begin your journey to the base of Mt. Makalu. The fifth-highest mountain in the world (8,481m).  But first, you will have the opportunity to visit the cloud-forest jungle, high alpine terrain, orchids, and rural farm and market villages.  From there, you will follow the ridge above the Arun River, the proposed site for the largest hydroelectric plant in Nepal.
Passing through yak pastures towards the endless ice fields of Mt. Makalu.  View of the Kanchenjunga massif, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Baruntse, and Chamlang as well as the rarely seen Kangshung face of Everest.  Return through isolated Sherpa villages back to Tumlingtar for your picturesque return flight below the Nepalese Himalayas.

This trek offers one of the most spectacular, outstanding scenery from the lush tropical green of Arun Valley trek up to the high remorseless ice fields of Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world, situated in the northeast of Nepal.

Makalu Base Camp Trek offers views of Mount Makalu and Kanchenjunga all the way, and more stunning views of the Mount Khumbakarna Range as you enter the Barun Valley trek of Makalu basin. From here, the Makalu trek passes over the yak pastures beneath the Makalu’s towering south face along with the great view of one of the rare east (Kanshung) faces of Mount Everest.

This adventure finishes with a memorable journey at Tumlingtar with a sweeping scenic flight back to Kathmandu. if you have some days left still you can enjoy with cultural tour in Kathmandu.

“in the world 5th highest mountain amidst perfect wilderness-friendly locals and traditional villages with superb views of the world’s highest snow-capped mountain range. This panoramic flight and walking amid the rhododendron, alpine forest, on the least accessible isolated route, high passes, and in the virgin Barun Valley enrich in flora & fauna”.

Key Points to Consider

Physical Fitness: The trek is physically demanding, lacking good fitness and stamina. Prior trekking experience is beneficial.
Altitude Sickness: Proper acclimatization is essential to avoid altitude sickness. The itinerary includes a rest day for acclimatization.
Permits: Trekking permits for Makalu Barun National Park and a TIMS (Trekkers` Data Management System) card are required.
Guides and Porters: Transfer experienced guides and porters are recommended for safety and to enhance trekking skills.

Gear and Preparation

Clothing: Layered outfit for varying temperatures, including thermal wear, waterproof jackets, and sturdy trekking boots.
Gear: Sleeping bags, trekking poles, and a well-fitted backpack.
Health and Safety: First aid kit, water refining tablets, and essential medications.

Conclusion

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is an exceptional journey for adventure enthusiasts looking for solitude, pristine natural beauty, and an immersive cultural experience. The challenging terrain and remote location make it an enjoyable trek for those prepared for the adventure.

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Itinerary

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On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be received by our staff. We will escort you to the Hotel, where one of our leaders 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. Sometimes, depending upon your flight arrival if it's late in the night we will do this tour in the afternoon instead of the morning to give you a good rest before you set out of the Hotel in our interesting tour.
The morning after breakfast, take a bus to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 50-minute sweeping scenic flight to Tumlingtar overlooking the range of snow-capped peaks from Langtang to Mt.Everest, Makalu & 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 see, far off to the north, the white peak of Makalu. Overnight stop at Tumlingtar
The 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 amid 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 the headquarters of the Sankha Shaba and Makalu region. A busy bazaar, especially on Saturday market day, Khadbari the trail is gradual with few ups and downs 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 rhododendrons, 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 is a small village with about fifteen houses and a primary school on the large flat ground, from where we have a 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 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 rainforest, 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 Tashi Gaon, it is 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 a bit different in the way they live, their 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 summer pastures with traces of temporary made shepherd huts. From here onwards to Kohama ridge is a strenuous uphill climb, as the tree lines decline for the bushes of rhododendrons and junipers. 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 northeast 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 a few ups and downs 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 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 areas in the eastern Himalayan region of Nepal. These 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 of 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.
A little beyond our camp we cross the Barun River by way of a couple of wooden bridges, which make use of conveniently situated boulders. There is a large prayer wall at Ramara, and after a 2-3-hour 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 several stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with an outstanding view of a host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu's south face, and Mt.Baruntse 7,220m peeking above peak 4.
A free day for a hike, around Sherson there are many interesting hikes and viewpoints to explore, the most scenic walk would be taking a hike on the right side of the camp above for a 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 other peaks of this area and beyond.
Trek back towards the end of the Barun Valley at Yak Kharka for the overnight.  
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.  
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 are all uphill to the ridge top, from here onwards it is almost downhill to the overnight camp at Chichele.
From Chichele, it is one of the pleasant walks to Khadbari through the forest, farmlands, 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 many 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 staff and porters as well.
This morning depending upon the scheduled flight time, sometime the flight time after getting the boarding pass made my 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 seen from a window of the plane. Arriving at the 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 a 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.
Trip cost

Includes & Excludes

Cost Includes

  • Required Trekking Permit & government tax
  • Trekking Equipment, Trekking Map
  • Full Board Plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, accommodation, tea or coffee) during the trek,
  • An experienced licensed holder Guide and required Porters
  • Food, drinks, salary, insurance, equipment, transportation, accommodation, Medical kit box and local tax for guide & porters,
  • Transportation by flight, Tourist Bus, and car, All necessary transportation while sightseeing
  • TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management Systems)
  • All guided sightseeing tours in Kathmandu and entry fees
  • Airport pick-up and drop with an escort

cost excludes

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Your travel insurance
  • International flight fare
  • Any expense of a personal nature
  • The Nepal entry visa fee is US $40 for 30 days
  • Any kind of Bar bills
  • Laundry service in Kathmandu and the mountain
  • Battery charge, hot shower while you are in trekking
Note: The above Itinerary can be customized to your needs. Your Accommodation will provide as your exact requirement. Please let us know whether you would like to make a shorter or longer. We will follow your request.
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we are associated with Nepal Government NTB TAAN NMA KEEP