Makalu Base Camp Trek

Upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you’ll be greeted by our representative who will help with your luggage and take you to your hotel. After checking in and getting settled, you’ll have some free time to either relax or explore the local area. In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome briefing to introduce you to your trek, meet your guides, and go over important details for the upcoming days.

Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant where you can taste traditional Nepali dishes and connect with other trekkers. The rest of the evening is yours to unwind and acclimate to the new time zone.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your hotel, we’ll embark on a sightseeing tour to explore Kathmandu’s rich cultural heritage. Our first stop will be Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), perched atop a hill and offering panoramic views of the city. Known for its stupa and the playful monkeys that inhabit the area, it’s a spiritual site revered by both Buddhists and Hindus.

Next, we’ll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic heart of the city, which is home to a collection of temples, palaces, and courtyards showcasing traditional Newari architecture and art. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vibrant area full of history and cultural significance.

We’ll also explore Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated along the banks of the Bagmati River, this revered site is known for its impressive pagoda-style architecture and the evening Aarti ceremony that attracts both pilgrims and visitors.

In the late afternoon, you’ll have time to finalize your trek preparations. This includes checking your gear, picking up any last-minute items, and ensuring that all necessary permits are in order.

After an early breakfast, we’ll take a 45-minute flight to Tumlingtar. Once we land, we’ll have lunch at a local lodge and meet our trekking crew. Then, we’ll jump into jeeps for a 4-5 hour bumpy ride to Num. Along the way, we’ll pass through the lively town of Khandbari and drive past terraced fields. As we climb, the road winds through a forest and leads us to the village of Chichila, which sits on a ridge. On a clear day, you can enjoy amazing views of Makalu and Chamlang from here.

From Chichila, the jeep route continues along the ridge, passing through the Sherpa village of Mure before we descend to Num, which is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Arun River.

After a nice breakfast, we’ll begin our trek to Sewawa village, where the checkpoint for our permit is located. We’ll start by descending a steep path through terraced fields and thick jungle until we reach the Arun River. We’ll cross the river on a suspension bridge and then face a challenging climb up to Seduwa village, where we’ll spend the night.

Today’s trek is a bit easier compared to yesterday. We’ll start by leaving the valley and following a trail through bamboo and rhododendron forests. We’ll next traverse terraced rice fields as we head towards Manigaon village. From there, the path continues through a blend of forest and farmland until we reach Tashigaon village. This is the final village we’ll encounter, as beyond this point, there are only seasonal settlements and lodges in the Barun Valley. Tashigaon has just two lodges.

After breakfast, we’ll steadily climb through a bamboo forest. We’ll reach some huts at Chipla, and then continue walking through beautiful rhododendron forests. We’ll stay further along the ridge at Khongmadada. It’s a challenging day, but we’ll find about three lodges here where we’ll spend the night.

Today, we’ll cross two major passes—Shipton La (4,220m/13845ft) and Keke La (4,152 meters)—along with several smaller ones. We’ll navigate a series of ups and downs, passing by Kalo Pokhari Lake (4,020 meters), a sacred site visited by pilgrims during the Janaipurnima festival. Along the way, we’ll get our first glimpse of Mt. Makalu, Chamlang, and other snowy peaks.

After breakfast, we’ll take a leisurely walk through a forest of pine and rhododendron trees. As we descend, we’ll reach the point where the Barun River meets our path. We’ll then cross an area affected by landslides, which takes about an hour. After that, the rest of the trail is much easier, following alongside the Barun River. We’ll spend the night in Yangle Kharka, where we’ll stay for two nights to explore and acclimate.

We’ll rest at Yangle Kharka to acclimate, as we’ll be heading to higher elevations tomorrow. Yangle Kharka, often called the “grassland of yak,” is a large, flat area near the Barun River. On the opposite side, you’ll see towering black stone cliffs.

After breakfast, we’ll begin our trek, navigating through yak pastures and herder huts with a mix of ups, downs, and easier sections. We’ll spend the night at Langmale Kharka, where a lodge is available for our stay. This will be our final night before reaching Makalu Base Camp, the highlight of our trek.

We’ll follow the Barun Valley up to Sherson, where we’ll get our first view of the impressive South-East ridge of Mount Makalu. As we get closer to Base Camp, we’ll see the massive south face of the mountain, which is the world’s fifth highest peak. Its sheer, icy face with crevasses and sharp edges will be awe-inspiring. We’ll also have the chance to see many other peaks. We’ll have two nights here to explore and fully take in the surroundings.

Today, we celebrate our achievement and enjoy the highlight of our trek. If the weather is clear, we’ll be treated to breathtaking views. We’ll hike higher up from Base Camp to visit the Barun Glacier, which lies beyond the barren area of MBC. From there, we can see Mount Everest, Lhotse, and of course, Makalu. The round-trip hike will take about 5 hours and will reach an altitude of 5,300 meters.

After breakfast, we’ll head back down the same trail to Yangle Kharka (3,700 meters / 12,139 feet), leaving with great memories of our trek. Since there’s no loop on this trek, the return journey might take a bit longer.

After breakfast, we’ll retrace our steps along the same trail we took before, though from the opposite direction, offering a fresh perspective on the scenery. We’ll spend the night in Dobate once more.

We’ll follow the same trail back, starting from Dobate. Today, we’ll ascend to Keke La, which is at an altitude of 4,150 meters. Then, we’ll descend to Kalo Pokhari Lake before climbing again to Shipton La (4,216 meters). On a clear day, you’ll get fantastic views of Makalu and Chamlang to the north. After that, we’ll head down a winding path through rhododendron forests to Khongma Danda, where we’ll spend the night.

After breakfast, we’ll retrace our steps along the same trail, descending all the way to Sherpa Goan. From there, we’ll continue on a mostly flat and easy section of the trail to Seduwa, where we’ll spend the night again.

Today, we’ll trek down to the Arun River valley, cross the bridge, and then climb back up to reach Num Village, where we stayed on the first night.

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a relaxed morning before taking a jeep ride to Tumlingtar, where the airport is located. The drive takes about 5 hours and will be on rough, bumpy mountain roads. We’ll stay overnight in Tumlingtar and prepare for our flight the next day.

Today, you’ll fly back to Kathmandu, depending on the weather and flight schedule. Upon arrival, our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Once there, you can check in, enjoy a hot shower, and relax in clean rooms. You’ll also have the chance to savor some Western food at the colorful restaurant, a nice change after so many meals of dal bhat on the trek.

Today is entirely free for you to enjoy as you please. We’ve set aside this day as a backup in case of flight delays. You can use the time for last-minute shopping, indulge in a spa treatment, try sound therapy, or simply relax and make the most of your final day in Kathmandu.

Depending on your departure time, our airport representative will escort you to the airport for your return trip home, leaving you with many wonderful memories of the Nepal trek and its amazing people.