Makalu Base Camp Trek - 21 Days

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Group size: Min 2 pax Max-Altitude: 4,870m/15,978ft
Destination: Nepal
Arrival on: Kathmandu Departure from: Kathmandu
Meals: All meals during trek
Accommodation: Hotel, tea house /camping
Fitness level: Fairly Strenuous

Trip Introduction

Makalu Base Camp Trek, one of the most popular trekking destinations among solitary trekkers offers an exceptional opportunity to explore high-altitude terrains, snow-clad landscapes, and ethnic Himalayan lifestyle. Makalu Base Camp Trekking opens windows to enjoy both the high Himalayan Mountains and the cultural life that thrives on their laps. The people living in the Makalu region are mainly Sherpas of Tibetan origin. They offer the hospitality of the highest level and their cultural and traditional celebrations are intriguing.

The trek offers some of the most outstanding sceneries of lush tropical greens of Arun Valley, Makalu, and its tributaries as well as Khumbakarna mountain range. You can enjoy the majestic vista of Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse, Baruntse and Chamlang. The highlight of the trip will be the rarely seen Kangshung face of Everest, which can be seen from the Makalu Base Camp.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu-Transfer to Hotel
Day 02: Fly Tumlingtar then drive to Chichira (1,980m/6497ft): 50 mins flight, 3-4 hours’ drive
Day 03: Chichira to Num (1,560m/5119ft): 6-7 hours
Day 04: Num to Seduwa (1,500m/4922 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 05: Seduwa to Tashigaon (2,100m/6890ft): 5-6 hours
Day 06: Tashigaon to Khongma Danda (3,500m/11,483 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 07: Acclimatization/Rest
Day 08: Khongma Danda to Dobate: 6-7 hours
Day 09: Dobate to Yangri Kharka (3,557m/11,670 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 10: Yangri Kharka to Langmale Kharka: (4,410m/14,468ft): 5-6 hours
Day 11: Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp: (4,870m/15,978ft): 6-7 hours
Day 12: Explore Makalu Base Camp and trek ba k to Laangmale
Day 13: Makalu Base Camp to Yangri Kharka: 6-7 hours
Day 14: Yangri Kharka to Dobate: 6-7 hours
Day 15: Dobate to Khongma Danda: 5-6 hours
Day 16: Khongma Danda to Tashigaon: 4-5 hours
Day 17: Tashigaon to Seduwa: 4-5 hours
Day 18: Seduwa to Num: 5-6 hours
Day 19: Num to Tumlingtar: 6-7 hours 
Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Day 21: Final Departure to your Destination

Day to Day Itinerary

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.

Important Note

Included / Exclude

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.

Best time to travel

Spring - March/April

Physical Condition and requirement

Additional info

Important notes


Source:www.treksplannernepal.com