Makalu Base Camp
Makalu Base Camp
15 Days | A Himalayan wonderland just for you!
Makalu Base Camp
The Makalu Base Camp trek offers a truly magical Himalayan experience, showcasing some of Nepal’s most stunning and untouched landscapes. This trek takes you deep into the remote eastern region, where you’ll witness enormous mountains, including the majestic Makalu, towering cliffs, and awe-inspiring hanging glaciers. As you journey through beautiful old-growth forests, you’ll also pass through traditional Rai and Sherpa villages, where the warmth and hospitality of the local people create a memorable cultural experience. Could it get any better? If you’re looking for an authentic, peaceful, and breathtaking journey, the Makalu Base Camp trek is the ultimate escape into the heart of the Himalayas.
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Active with Guide in Teahouses
Hiking, trekking, adventure with a guide, and staying in teahouses.
Physical Rating: 3 - Energetic
Trail is sometimes on a rough track with obstacles and arduous sections with limited signage.
Service Level: Basic Teahouse
Comfy, family-owned teahouses with all meals provided along the trail.
Check Your Visa Requirements
Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 2 to 8
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Important pre-departure information
To help you prepare for your trip, please ensure you understand the latest travel and health requirements and restrictions by destination, for both directions of travel, which may change frequently.
IMPORTANT PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
When to visit Makalu Base Camp?
Like many mountain regions in Nepal, the best time to visit is during the main trekking seasons of April-May or October-November. Throughout winter (December to March) and the monsoon (June to mid-October) the Arun Nadi and Barun Nadi valley systems funnel wet weather towards Mt Makalu, dumping large amounts of snow on both the Khongma Danda and Shipton’s Pass (aka Tutu La), closing them. During the pre-monsoon spring season the extensive rhododendron and orchid forests that cover the Khongma Danda bloom in many colours and provide a welcome distraction from the tough climb. The clear air of the post-monsoon period makes for some excellent mountain photography and is probably the best time of year to cross the high passes to the Solu-Khumbu.
Makalu Base Camp
Postive Impacts
GHG Footprint of 10kg CO2e per day
Social Impacts: 77% of trek expenses support local communities directly
Why you will love this Trek
The Makalu trek features towering peaks with glaciers!
You’re going to get a very friendly greeting everywhere along the trail!
A place where nature and spirituality meet. Makalu Base Camp offers a serene escape beneath towering peaks. The fluttering prayer flags and stone cairns reflect the deep connection to the land and its ancient traditions.
Makalu Base Camp: Route Options
Intrepid trekkers can enjoy the route between Makalu Base Camp and Chyamtang, along with some wild and remote trails parallel with the Tibetan border. But the Makalau region is most known for the highest and most challenging trekking routes in the world, from above Makalu Base Camp and across some technical alpine passes: the Sherpani Col (6180m), the West Col (6190m) and Amphu Labsta (5845m) to the Solu-Khumbu (Everest region).
For those who prefer to avoid the rigours of high-altitude passes, multiple trails from Tumlingtar and Khadbari connect to Chyamtang, Lukla, and Taplejung. Passing through the Makalu-Barun Buffer Zone, over the Salpa Bhangjyang, there are cultural-based village-to-village homestays and more remote wilderness routes are options, and almost certainly without meeting another trekker!
Marvel at Milke Danda
One of the least-visited regions in the Himalaya is the Milke Danda, a long ridge that runs south from the Lumbha Sambha and is covered in rhododendron forests, alpine lakes, and craggy peaks. The ridge almost bisects eastern Nepal and in the heart of the region is Topkegola, a community renowned for trade with Tibet and India. From Taplejung, hike from the roadhead at Papung to reach Topkegola and then to Thudam. Trails across the Milke Danda link Dobhan with Khadbari via Chainpur and Jaljala Pokhari along a tough wilderness route with very tricky navigation.
Salpa Bhangjyang is terrific!
A comprehensive 8- to 10-day village-to-village route (Grade 3) between the Arun Nadi and Kharikhola/Lukla via Salpa Bhanjyang (known as the Arun-Salpa Trail) is one of the new trekking gems of the lower Solu region. The trail follows an old trade route used by Sherpas visiting Sikkim and offers some wonderful views and immersion in a range of hill cultures. Typical itineraries include:
Lukla–Kharikhola–Panggom, Sibuje, Khiraule, Bung/Cheskam, Gudel, Salpa Pokhari, Silicho Danda, Dobhane and Baluwabesi to Tumlingtar.
Really, really wild stuff
For those who want a wilderness challenge, the as-yet-undocumented routes along the Apsua Khola and Isuwa Khola lead into the heart of Makalu-Barun National Park. The Isuwa Khola route crosses to Shershong, just below Makalu Base Camp, whereas the Apsua Khola system leads to the Honku Khola and routes to and around Mera Peak.
Go High, Go Hard!
The most spectacular, the most rewarding, and the highest places along the entire GHT connect the Makalu and Everest regions.
Those with mountaineering experience and equipment can choose to cross three 6000m passes: Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Labsta.
How can your Makalu Base Camp create positive impacts?
To help you budget and plan, we’ve made a comprehensive costing explanation on How Much Does the GHT Cost? But here’s a simplified breakdown.
From US$1780
Trek cost per person (twin share)
Total GHGe per trekker
165kgCO2e
Total GHGe per trekker per day
10kgCO2e
Average per capita EU GHGe = 20kgCO2e per day (www.statistica.com)
What we do…
…make Positive Impacts
% of Trek Cost
Go Local Transport
Use Local Accommodation
Eat Local Meals
Waste Management
Highly Experienced Guide
Biodiversity
Locally supplied transport reduces drive times and fuel usage
Locally supplied accommodation reduces commissions
More nutritious, fresher ingredients, no packaging
Carry out ALL PLASTIC, avoid snacks and soda drinks
A knowledge bank for your peace and wellbeing
National Park entry fee for you and the team
Administrative and office costs
35%
42%
0%
20%
1.4%
1.6%
Do you have any questions about the trail, when to go or the costs? Please Get in Touch to ask an expert and for more details.
Customisation is Normal
Want to do things a little differently? Maybe take some extra time, or go a bit faster? Or avoid technical sections or combine with other trails? Every GHT trek is different and that changes the price, but please feel free to Get in Touch to ask questions and how to customise your own trek.
Bookings
Please note that www.greathimalayatrail.com does not handle bookings for treks. We are here to inform you about the trails and logistics, but you will need to book through a registered trekking operator in Nepal. If you would like an operator recommendation or feedback on a company you are already talking to, then please Get in Touch.
Itinerary
DAY 1: KATHMANDU – TUMLINGTAR – NUM ALL DAY
It is a good idea to get the earliest possible flight to Tumlingtar (410m) and take the first available jeep to Num. The return jeep journey from Num to Tumlingtar will mean you’ll have to overnight near the airstrip, so it is prudent to book the teahouse accommodation when you first arrive.
DAY 2: NUM– SEDUWA 4.5 HRS
If you look across the valley to the northwest, you will see the day’s destination, the village of Seduwa. The main trail from Num continues along the ridge before curving back on itself to lose height. However, there is also a direct route down some rough steps, which is hard to locate and begins near the village centre (ask around for directions). In 1.5 hours you should reach the Arun Nadi (760m) and cross the suspension bridge. The dense, moist forest of the east bank contrasts with the open deciduous forest on the west bank before giving way to cultivation.
It will take about 3 hours to climb to Seduwa (1500m), a large trading village with views of countless mid-hills receding into the distance. You will need to register again with the National Park office.
DAY 3: SEDUWA – TASHIGAON 3.5HRS
Today is the last day of walking through villages as you draw closer to the Khongma Danda, the large and imposing forested ridge at the end of the valley. An easy trail to Murmidanda (1560m, 1 hour) brings you to a school where the children will almost certainly break class to ask you questions. The climb to Narbugaon (2000m, 1.5 hours) eases to become a straightforward trail that traverses hillside through cultivated fields. As Tashigaon (2100m, 1 hour) is the last village on the trail, your guide will spend some time re-stocking food and fuel supplies.
It is important that you also research trail conditions for the coming days, check if there is any snow or hazards on the trail, and that locals are using the route. You will be told that there are no supplies up the Barun Nadi valley; this is not true during the main trekking seasons, as all basic supplies are available, although expensive, all the way to Makalu Base Camp.
DAY 4: TASHIGAON – KHONGMA DANDA 7 HRS
The trail climbs, often steeply, through some of the most impressive cloud-forest in Nepal. It is important that you climb slowly, rest frequently, and perhaps take some time to admire the clusters of orchids hanging above. Make sure you have enough water and snacks to last the day, as there is no convenient lunch spot with running water. Unshisa (3110m, 5 hours) is the teashop which is open in the main trekking season. You now climb on to the Khongma Danda and teahouse (3500m, 2 hours) with morning views of Makalu, and Peak 6 and Peak 7 in the foreground.
DAY 5: KONGMA DANDA REST DAY
This is one of the most wonderful places in the entire Himalaya to kick back and enjoy the view, and all in the name of acclimatisation!
DAY 6: KHONGMA DANDA – MUMBUK 7.5 HRS
Today is the toughest day on the trek so far and you must be on the lookout for altitude-sickness symptoms in the party. The day begins by continuing along the ridge past the prayer-flag-covered Kauma La (3603m, 1.5 hours) with views of Makalu, Chamlang, Baruntse, and if the weather to the east is clear, Kanchenjunga and Jannu.
The trail now climbs to the left of the main ridge up to Shipton’s Pass (aka Tutu La, 4125m, 2.5 hours) before descending for 200m to a large lake called Kalo Pokhari, which can offer sublime reflections of Peaks 6 and 7 and Chamlang in calm, clear conditions.
A short climb up to Keke La (4170m, 1 hour) gives views of the Chamlang range and Tibet to the north, the Barun Nadi flows almost 1000m below. The 2.5-hour descent is steep and rocky all the way to the stone huts and campsite of Mumbuk (3540m).
DAY 7: MUMBUK – YANGLA KHARKA 6.5 HRS
The trail descends to the Barun Nadi before turning upstream on the true right bank and traversing the steep hillside, which is often affected by landslides. You should take care when crossing any loose ground, as well as watching for rockfall from above. Then about 4.5 hours of alternate loose landslide and stable trails bring you to Nehe Kharka (3700m) in a meadow surrounded by pine trees. During the monsoon, normally for the August full moon, there is a fertility festival here as a tradition tells that a famous Buddhist sage, Guru Rimpoche, stayed in a cave high above.
Cross more loose sections of trail, with an occasional well-formed path, to continue beside the Barun Nadi before crossing on a log bridge to a wide grassy field called Yangri Kharka (Yangla Kharka, 3557m, 2 hours).
DAY 8: YANGLA KHARKA – LANGMALE KHARKA 6.5 HRS
Take your time today as the next section of the trail is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalaya. Yosemite-like cliffs form an enormous U-shaped valley crested with glaciers and a series of snowy peaks including Pyramid Peak, Peak 4, Peak 6, Chamlang, and Peak 5 all show themselves. In one monstrous rock-face, a massive cave contains a waterfall in freefall. Lumdar (strings of prayer flags) are suspended from poles to mark a pilgrimage site popular during the July/August full moon when it is said that the waters here can cure many illnesses. For 3 hours you’ll keep stopping and absorbing the evolving panorama, before arriving in Langmale Kharka (4410m), which has a couple of teahouses and campsites spaced well apart.
DAY 9: LANGMALE KHARKA – MAKALU BASE CAMP 4.5 HRS
The avenue of mountains that line your route becomes ever more spectacular as Peak 3 and the snout of the West Barun Glacier appear. From Langmale Kharka the trail enters an ancient lateral moraine through which the infant Barun Nadi flows. A large glacial lake fills the valley to your left and an easy-to-follow trail leads to Shersong (4630m, 2.5hrs), a large grassy area used by yak herders in the monsoon months. Turn right and follow an obvious trail that climbs more moraine, and, once on top, maintain your height; do not descend into the valley to your left. Many small trails (formed by yak herds) stay about 100m above the valley floor before finally descending to a small bridge and the stone huts of Makalu Base Camp (4870m, 2 hours). Expeditions have left all sorts of supplies here over the years and it is possible to buy anything from wine to kerosene to apple jam and dehydrated meals. To the north, the massive bulk of Makalu rises about 3598m (11,824ft) to a pyramid summit; this is truly one of the most spectacular mountain viewpoints in Nepal!
DAY 10: MAKALU BASE CAMP
You can take it easy and enjoy the views from Makalu Base Camp, or join a day hike further up the valley for some even more stupendous views!
DAY 11-15: MBC – YNAGLA KHARKA – KHONGMA DANDA – TASHIGOAN – SEDUWA – TUMLINGTAR – KATHMANDU
Return to Tumlingtar along the same route, and enjoy those immense, amazing views again – they will stay with you forever!
Trek Gallery
- Trekking Grade: Grade 3 Energetic
- Duration & distance: 9 days, an average of 15 km a day
- Gradient: Some steep sections
- Quality of path: Formed and rough tracks, some obstacles
- Quality of markings: Limited signage
- Experience required: Some walking experience required
- Walking times: Up to 6.5 hours per day
- Steps: Steps on steep sections
- Highest point: 3830m
- Best season: Year round
- Accommodation: Teahouses
- Recommended Guide Book: Nepal Trekking and the Great Himalaya Trail, Trailblazer, 2020.
- Recommended map: NP105 Langtang and Helambu
FULL TRIP DOSSIER & INFORMATION PACK
Inclusions
Transportation
Bus/jeep, walking.
Accommodations
Teahouse lodges (8 nights).
Safety & Wellbeing
Fully qualified guide all of the time.
Other on activities
- Your Welcome Moment to Nepal moment: Special care airport pickup
- English-speaking local guide for the trek
- All necessary permits for trekking
- Porters can be included on the trek – contact your operator
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Book Now / Choose Your Operator
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Destination
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Grade3
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Idea Date Range31/08/2024
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Style of Trek
TOUR LOCATION