Makalu Base Camp Trek - 21 Days

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel
One of our representatives will welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu upon your arrival. He/she will escort you to the respective hotel in a private vehicle. Your prior trip meeting will be scheduled on the very day at the hotel before dinner. However, our airport representative will give you a brief idea about the second day’s schedule on your way to the hotel. During this meeting, we will introduce you to your leader/guide. Please do not hesitate to ask questions about your trek or anything that is related to your trip. And the night you will be spending at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Fly Tumlingtar then drive to Chichira (1,980m/6497ft): 50 mins flight, 3-4 hours’ drive
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Fly to Tumlingtar after breakfast and meet the rest of the crew members who will also be joining for the trek. Next, we drive to Chichira, a small Gurung settlement. We take a rest at Chichira as we need to be prepared for the next day’s trek. Overnight in Chichira.

Day 03: Chichira to Num (1,560m/5119ft): 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
We start early in the morning and head towards Num right after a warm breakfast. A moderately paced walk through the picturesque villages and lush mountain forests will take us to Num. A ridge line with great views on both side and perched on the end, this is Num for us. Overnight in Num.

Day 04: Num to Seduwa (1,500m/4922 ft): 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
A steep descent through forests and terraced farms takes us to Barun River. We cross the river and follow an equally steep ascent up the other side again. Often quite hot - the forest on the valleys offer a bit of shade. This is where Makalu Barun National Park begins and where we register our permits. We camp right at the top of the village. Overnight in Seduwa.

Day 05: Seduwa to Tashigaon (2,100m/6890ft): 5-6 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Ascend the ridge bounded by the Ipsuwa Khola on the west and Kasuwa Khola to the east. Crossing the hillside through quiet villages and passing by small paddy fields, we reach the exotic village of Tashi Gaon. Once there, we are surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan panorama. Overnight in Tashigaon.

Day 06: Tashigaon to Khongma Danda (3,500m/11,483 ft): 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
This will be a bit of a tough day as we have to walk on a steep trail in higher elevation. We will ascend through forests to a stream and then onto a ridge. From here the trail gets even steeper and passes a Kharka (grazing land) and finally follows a series of rough stone stairs and small lakes ascending to the top of the ridge. From here it’s a short way down to Khongma Danda. Overnight in Khongma Danda.

Day 07: Acclimatization/Rest
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The day off will allow some bodily rest before we take on crossing of the Shipton La the next day. For those who wish to explore the nearby surrounding can walk around the area. Overnight in Khongma Danda.

Day 08: Khongma Danda to Dobate: 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Climb towards the summit of the Shipton La (pass) which takes a few hours to reach. After the lake Kalo Pokhari (3930m), pass over the Keke La at 4,170m.  We can see the marvelous views of Chamlang (7321m), Peak 6 (6,524m) and Peak 7 (6,758m). After crossing the Keke La pass, we descend through the beautiful valley to Dobate. Overnight in Dobate.

Day 09: Dobate to Yangri Kharka (3,557m/11,670 ft): 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
From Dobate, we pass through the rhododendron forest which leads to the Barun River and the upper reaches of the valley. We should be very careful during the first two hours of trek as the trail is steep and arduous. We then take a pleasant walk, slowly gaining altitude until we arrive at Yangri Kharka situated at the base of the valley. Overnight at Yangri Kharka.

Day 10: Yangri Kharka to Langmale Kharka: (4,410m/14,468ft): 5-6 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Following a moderate walk to the valley, we pass through yak pastures, lush forests and boulder fields. The valley walls tower imposingly above us during the start of the trek.  We pass Merek as we make our way further up and notice a significant rise in the scenic Himalayan views. Overnight in Langmale Kharka.

Day 11: Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp: (4,870m/15,978ft): 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Today is the day we make it to the Base Camp. From Langmale Kharka we make our way up to Shershong and eventually to Makalu Base Camp. The trail is flat with icy glaciers and snow clad mountains accompanying us. Mount Makalu comes into view as we approach Shershong. As we make our way to the camp, we get to soak in the majestic Himalayan panorama surrounding us. Overnight at Makalu Base Camp.

Day 12: Explore Makalu Base Camp and trek ba k to Laangmale
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The Base Camp is a rocky barren place with the large Barun Glacier beyond it. From here we can see the magnificent south face of Makalu and the complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse. We can explore the surrounding lakes, glaciers and go for a short trek up where we may celebrate our accomplishment at the camp itself. Overnight at Makalu Base Camp.

Day 13: Makalu Base Camp to Yangri Kharka: 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
We descend down from the base camp and take our last glimpse of Makalu before turning the corner and heading back. On our way down, we pass through Shershong, Langmale Kharka, Merek and descend down the valley finally stopping at Yangri Kharka. Overnight at Yangri Kharka.

Day 14: Yangri Kharka to Dobate: 6-7 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
From Yangri Kharka we descend through rock falls, green forests and valley, making our way towards Dobate. We follow the river banks of Barun as we descend down the trail. Overnight at Dobate.

Day 15: Dobate to Khongma Danda: 5-6 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
We begin the trek with a steep climb from Dobate to Mumbuk (Nambuk) and through a forest of firs and rhododendrons. We then cross the Keke La, Tutu La (Shipton’s Pass) and Kauma La en route. Next, we descend to Khongma Danda again. Overnight in Khongma Danda.

Day 16: Khongma Danda to Tashigaon: 4-5 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The trek continues with frequent long and steep descent cutting through the hillsides. The trail takes us through thick forests and finally making it to the indigenous Sherpa village of Tashigaon. Overnight in Tashigaon.

Day 17: Tashigaon to Seduwa: 4-5 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
We retrace our steps as we exit the Makalu Barun National Park and descend down to the Barun River. We then cross the hillside and come across villages and settlements as we move further down finally stopping at Seduwa again. Overnight at Seduwa.

Day 18: Seduwa to Num: 5-6 hours
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
We leave Seduwa and trek through lush forests towards Num. The trail goes up and down and passes through dense forests and Sherpa villages as we move downwards. Overnight at Num.

Day 19: Num to Tumlingtar: 6-7 hours 
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Again we retrace our footsteps to Chichira from where we can savor the glorious vista of Mount Makalu for the last time. The final return leg of the trek will see us overnight at Tumlingtar, ready for an early departure to Kathmandu the following day. Overnight at Tumlingtar.

Day 20: Tumlingtar 
Included meals: Breakfast 
Today, we fly back to Kathmandu after our long trek in the mountains. We can rest and relax throughout the day at hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 21: Final Departure to your Destination
Included meals: Breakfast
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! our airport representative will drop you to Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

Dates and Cost

Note : Set your own departure date if you have a group size of 2 packs or more.

Cost Include 

• Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle.
• 2 Night standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast.
• 18 Night comfortable, neat and clean accommodation on teahouse/Mt. lodge during trekking
• Full board meal during the trek (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
• Local licensed English-speaking trekking guide
• The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)
• Food, accommodation, insurance, equipment, and medicine for all staff
• Makalu permits fee
• Airfare from Kathmandu - Tumlingtar - Kathmandu including airport departure tax in Kathmandu and Lukla airports
• Down jackets and sleeping bags (upon request).Needs to be returned after trip completion. 
• Company’s duffel bag(Upon request), Trekking route map and T-shirt(As a souvenir)
• First Aid Kit (Carried by your trek guide) 
• All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges
• Official expenses 

Cost Exclude 

• Your personal expenses for mineral water, soft beverages, confectionaries, laundries, phone calls, hot drinking water, barbills, showers etc. 
• Extra baggage excess while flying to Lukla.
• Your travel insurance that covers Helicopter evacuation.
• Medical expenses and trip cancellation. 
• Any other extended trips and accommodation.
• Tips of the guide, porters and driver as a token of appreciation. 
• Any other expenses or charges that are not mentioned in “cost includes” list. 
• Nepal arrival visa.

Passport and Visas:
First, be sure you have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from return date.  You can obtain visas for Nepal from the Nepalese Consulate in your country or upon arrival in Kathmandu Airport. Nepalese visas cost USD 25 for 15 days and USD 40 for 30 days till date.
Get the required visa for Nepal.
You can get Nepal visa prior to arrival from the Nepalese Embassy at your home country. Likewise, you can easily get an up on arrival visa at Kathmandu airport and other different borders from Nepal. This is for those who travel from India and Tibet. For more information and download please visit Nepal Visa Information.
Bring Official Papers
Some of the required official documents are your valid passport, 4 extra passports sized photographs (for trekking permits), travel insurance, airline tickets, and luggage tags. Visas can be obtained upon entry into Nepal. For detail information, we request you to visit our visa page.

Money & Credit card Info
We find that most of the credit card, master and visa card is blocked from your card provider. It may be because of a security reason. It, sometimes, may bring you in a problematic situation that you can't get money from ATMs and that you find difficult to pay for your treks and tour. To find yourself free from this problem, you can call your card provider before you travel to Nepal and inform there that you are traveling to Nepal. Ensure them to give the authorization for the payment. In Nepal, you have to pay 3.5 % credit card commission s per Nepal Bank rules, on top of your payable amount for the trek cost.  So, please be sure that you bring some cash in USD to pay us. Likewise, be sure you have brought some small amount for your daily expenses as well as for those items which are not included in our cost. We request you not to change money in the Airport. The exchange rate is very low there. Our office provides you with the facility to change your money. Or, you can take help from Money Changers in Thamel.
 

Travel Insurance:
Our clients must have comprehensive travel insurance package. Their insurance must cover against medical, personal accident, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost of gears, natural calamity, theft of or damage to baggage etc.
 

Who can trek?
No special degree of fitness is required and that there is no age barrier. However, in the areas over 3000m altitude, extra care should be taken. One can trek who have strong legs and the spirit for adventure to explore the exotic will enjoy the thrills of trekking in the hills of Nepal. Normally, for weary trekkers, we have a list of short, easy and exotic treks and for the experienced trekkers, we offer a longer trek with lots of excitement and adventure. We encourage all men and women, families, students and professionals around the world to enjoy the enchanting trekking in Nepal. You can join us as an individual team member or with your own group. We commit to arranging the best trekking that delights you in the Nepal Himalayas. If you can have fun walking for 3-6 hours up and down hills to Nepal, pack your luggage and join us for an exhilarating and unforgettable journey. All the necessary things for your trekking will be arranged by us. What you can do is to enjoy the beautiful scenery and magnificent view of Nepal Himalayas.
 

Clothing and Equipment for Traveling in Nepal
Trekking in the Himalayas needs to the arrangement of equipment as you have to find yourself comfortable at higher altitude. The basic clothing item that you are expected to be prepared with are well described here. Remember that excess baggage is likely to be a burden for yourself and your supporting staff. "Pack light, but pack right", is our motto. This will allow you to enjoy a comfortable journey with your energies and enthusiastic zeal focused on the exploration of this enchanting Nepal scenic beauty. Please visit here for Clothing and Equipment list.
 

Buying and Renting Equipment in Kathmandu
It is not really necessary to spend a large amount of money buying extra equipment and clothing prior to your trip. It is because most of the trekking equipment can be hired from many adventure shops within Kathmandu. Most of the gear is locally manufactured (hence a lot cheaper). Some Chinese gear is likely to be more expensive but qualitative. Sleeping bag and down jacket are easily rented. Each item can be rented for less than USD 1, for a day. You have to manage other items buying them yourself. However, these items are more likely to be cheaper than those in your hometown. We will arrange all the necessary items you need on the second day of your arrival. 
 

Vaccination for Nepal
All travelers should consult with their physician or update on vaccination requirements before travel. (Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities) For traveling to Nepal; we recommend you to take a vaccination of Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies etc, it is not really must but recommended.
 

How to Book
While you chose which trip you wanted to go with, contact us to our head office Thamel Kathmandu Nepal by mail or phone, email is more easy and clear options, as soon as we get your email or call we will process for your booking. We need 20% booking amount to confirm your booking, the payment can be made through the Bank transfer, Credit card payment (Master/Visa card) or through online money transfers also Money Gram, Western Unions or others. After we get the 20% amount we will confirm your booking and you will get the official booking and payment receipt. The final balance for the tour will be paid upon arrival in Kathmandu.