Overview
Our Makalu Base Camp Trek is a rugged up-and-back trip to the base of Makalu (8,485 meters/27,838 feet) – ‘the throne of the gods.’ Pass through the wild backcountry of one of Nepal’s most remote and undeveloped area. Makalu is the 5th highest mountain in the world, and you’ll be exposed to epic views of it during the trek. You will also get eye-popping views of Everest (8848 meters/29,029 feet), Lhotse (8516 meters/27,940) and many more snow-clad peaks of the Everest and Makalu mountain ranges.
The epic mountain views are just the icing on the cake. Throughout the trek, you will be ‘lost’ within the epic scenery of Makalu-Barun National Park. The park is a real wilderness area and a home to over 3000 species of flowering plants and hundreds of types of orchids. Also, along with the trail, it is possible you will run into snow leopards, red pandas, musk deer, and blue sheep. Keep your eyes peeled!
The gateway for the Makalu Base Camp Trek is Tumlingtar, which is reached after an exciting flight from Kathmandu. Tumlingtar lies near the Arun Koshi (River). Beginning by hiking through lush terraced hillsides, we slowly move north and upward. Starting from 500 meters above sea level in Tumlingtar, we eventually reach up to 4870 meters when we arrive at Makalu Base Camp. Such a climb calls for proper acclimatization, which is built into our itinerary as exploration days, so you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the beauty. Because we traverse a vast range of altitude, we see diverse landscapes and people. As we pass from large farming villages in the lowlands to high alpine meadow settlements, every day is full of surprises.
The trail is not for the faint of heart, nor for those who wish to trek with the ‘luxuries’ provided by teahouses. Our Makalu Base Camp Trek is a camping journey. Where there are guesthouses, we can stay there upon your request. Otherwise, we will be camping outside under a tent. Our skilled chef will prepare the meals and we will be sleeping under the bright stars and towering peaks. Get away from your attachments in your normal, everyday life and ‘get lost’ in the mountains. For a couple of weeks, you won’t have a worry on your mind, except where the next great viewpoint is.
Trekking is possible throughout the year, but Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) provide the best weather. During the Spring, there is a bit more color and the rhododendrons are blooming, and in the Autumn months, the skies are generally clearer. Also, it is easy to combine the Makalu Base Camp Trek with the Everest region treks. Let us know if you would like us to set that up for you. Breeze Adventure arranges the trek with complete management. Please, feel free to contact us for more detailed information.
Trip Highlights
High altitude trekking on a peaceful, crowd-free trail
· Tent camping – sleep underneath a beautiful starry sky
· Views of Makalu (8463 meters/27,766 feet), Mount Everest (8848 meters/29,029 feet), two of the 5 highest mountains in the world
· Thick forests of rhododendron trees, teeming with rare animal species
· Passes numerous local villages that offer their warm hospitality
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
- Day 02: Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
- Day 03: Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (520m) and drive to Chichila.
- Day 04: Day 04: Chichila to Num (1490m), 5 hours.
- Day 05: Day 05: Num to Seduwa (1460m), 5-6 hours.
- Day 06: Day 06: Seduwa to Tashi Gaon (2070m), 5 hours.
- Day 07: Day 07: Tashi Gaon to Khongma (3560m), 6 hours.
- Day 08: Day 08: Rest day for acclimatization and exploration.
- Day 09: Day 09: Khongma to Mumbuk (3570m), 5 hours.
- Day 10: Day 10: Mumbuk to Yangle Kharka - (3600m), 6 hours.
- Day 11: Day 11: Yangle Kharka to Sherson (4615m), 7 hours.
- Day 12: Day 12: Sherson to Makalu Base Camp (4870m), 4-5 hours.
- Day 13: Day 13: Exploration around Makalu Base Camp.
- Day 14: Day 14: Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka, 6-7 hours.
- Day 15: Day 15: Yangle Kharka to Mumbuk, 5 hours.
- Day 16: Day 16: Mumbuk to Khongma, 5 hours.
- Day 17: Day 17: Khongma to Tashi Gaon, 5 hours.
- Day 18: Day 18: Tashi Gaon to Num, 5-6 hours.
- Day 19: Day 19: Num to Chichila, 4-5 hours.
- Day 20: Day 20: Drive from Chichila to Tumlingtar.
- Day 21: Day 21: Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu.
- Day 22: Day 22: Transport from hotel to Tribhuvan Airport for departure from Nepal.
Trip note
Accommodation
All our packages include accommodation at the cost. This accommodation is included during the set itinerary. While in Kathmandu, we provide a 2-3 Star hotel for you. During the trek, our guides will pick the best lodge for you to stay based on their experience as well as room availability. All the accommodations will be a twin-shared basis. In the mountain, Shower and toilet will be on Sharing basis. During high trekking season, you may have to share a room with a same-sex trekker from another group. Our company provides you a sleeping bag, two-person tents with comfortable mattress for Makalu Base Camp trek. Our Guide will try to set up your camp with a spectacular view.
Food
Nepal has a wide variety of food and it is easy to cater to your needs. If you are a vegetarian/vegan, gluten or lactose-free, we are able to work around that if you let us know ahead of time. During your time in the hotel in Kathmandu, your breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner must be covered on your own. On the trek, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. For this treks, you could order typical Nepali food, continental, Italian, Tibetan and Indian to our guide. While camping, our cook prepare the meals for you. After our trek, we will have a celebration/pre-departure traditional Nepali meal in Thamel.
Guide & Porters
A government-licensed guide will lead you to the Makalu Base Camp. All our guides have tremendous experience on the trails and are passionate about the trekking industry. Our guides and porters are dedicated to making your experience of trekking in Nepal a memorable one. If there is any worry during your trek, our guides will address it. Your safety is our number one priority. For groups of more than six people, there will be two guides. For teahouse treks, there will be one porter for every two trekkers. For camping treks, we will need more porters in order to carry the food, kitchen equipment, tents, etc.
Acclimatization/Fitness/Experience
As many of our treks lead us high into the Himalayas, it is necessary to let our bodies sufficiently get used to the altitude. Our Makalu Base Camp Trek have acclimatization days built into the itinerary. It is best to take it slow to prevent altitude sickness. The level of fitness necessary for this trek. Normally, expect to walk an average of 5-6 hours per day while on the trial. Generally, this trek can be done with an average level of fitness. More important than fitness or experience is one’s personal determination and positive attitude toward finishing and enjoying the trek.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend having travel insurance before going on a trek. We do our best to take care of you, but something can happen that is out of our control. In case of medical emergency, leading to a helicopter evacuation, it is best to have insurance. You are unable to obtain medical insurance in Nepal and must do so in your home country. Be sure that your insurance covers accidents abroad and high in the mountains.
Best Time to Travel
The peak seasons for traveling in Nepal are during the Spring (March to May) and the Autumn (September to November). These times provide the best scenery and clearest skies, but of course, they are a little more crowded than the off-season. Makalu Base Camp Trek is possible to trek during the Winter (December to February), but you will face cold temperatures and snow. It is also possible to trek during the monsoon season (June to August), though the views will likely be covered by clouds and there is a high chance of rainfall.
Domestic Flights
Flights to and from Tumlingtar can be delayed due to weather conditions and delays may last up to several days. It is best to book flights to and from Kathmandu with several day margins to avoid missing a flight back to your home country. If flights go smoothly, we will help arrange activities for you during your margin days. In the case that you have a tight schedule and the flights out of Tumlingtar are delayed, it is possible to take jeep ride back to Kathmandu. Again, we recommend added a couple extra days to your arrival and departure dates to prevent any problems.
