Makalu Base Camp Trek is an awe-inspiring journey that takes you to the foot of the fifth-highest mountain in the world, Mount Makalu. Located in the eastern part of Nepal, this trek offers a unique combination of cultural and natural beauty, making it an ideal adventure for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.
One of the highlights of the Makalu Base Camp Trek is the chance to visit the Makalu Barun National Park. Established in 1992, the park covers an area of 2,330 square km and is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species like the red panda and the snow leopard. In addition to wildlife, the park also boasts a spectacular landscape of glaciers, waterfalls, and pristine forests. Aside from the spectacular views, the Makalu Base Camp Trek also offers a rich cultural experience. You will pass through several traditional Sherpa villages, providing an opportunity to learn about the unique culture and traditions of the Sherpa people. The Sherpa people are known for their hospitality and warmth, and it is not uncommon for them to invite trekkers into their homes for a cup of tea or a meal.
The Makalu Base Camp Trek is a challenging trek that requires a good level of physical fitness. The trail can be difficult at times, especially at high elevations, but the reward of reaching the base camp is worth the effort. The trek is best done in the spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) when the weather is mild and the skies are clear. Despite its remote location, the Makalu Base Camp Trek is well-equipped with lodges and tea houses that offer basic accommodation and food services. This makes the trek accessible for people of all ages and levels of fitness, making it a great option for both first-time trekkers and experienced adventurers.
The Makalu Base Camp trek is an incredible journey that offers a wide range of experiences for trekkers. Here’s what you can expect from this trek:
Welcome to Kathmandu! An Asian Heritage representative will greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport. The representative will take you to the hotel. Check in to your luxurious room at the luxury 4-star Hotel Yatri. Our representative will facilitate and discuss your travel itinerary. There will be enough time to stroll through the streets of Thamel.
Accommodation: an overnight stay at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel.
Your Makalu Base Camp Trek guide or an Asian Heritage representative will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast for an introduction. During this pre-trip, he will provide a brief overview of the trek and other related information. To obtain the Makalu Base Camp Trek permit, ensure you have your passport, three passport-sized photos, and proof of travel insurance with you. Throughout your leisure time, you can spend your day on your activities. You can have enough rest, or if you’re interested, you can go stroll around the streets of Thamel.
Accommodation: an overnight stay at Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar one.
You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to Kathmandu airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Tumlingtar to begin your Makalu Base Camp trek. The scenic flight lasts about 35 minutes and provides breathtaking views of the Himalayas through the plane’s windows. To reach Kandbari, a significant town in the area and home to the government authorities, you will travel for around 30 minutes up a winding, hilly route.
The journey continues on a twisting dirt road, reaching its highest point of 1,960 meters before descending to Chichila at 1,900 meters. A small settlement awaits you, along with a police checkpoint where you can have your Makalu Base Camp Trekking permit checked. The area offers picturesque views of tree-covered slopes. The road becomes rough and rocky from Chichila onward, making the trip to Num difficult.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Today, you will make a lengthy, steep descent to the Arun River and a lengthy ascent to Seduwa. The Makalu Base Camp Trek’s trail is on large stone stairs to the river at 770 meters and descends through cardamom fields. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Arun River, you will start the arduous ascent to Seduwa through forests of enormous bamboo and humming village activity. To check your permit, your guide will go to the Makalu-Barun National Park checkpoint. Seduwa has a school, several homes, several businesses, and a few tea houses around the mountain.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Today’s hike is an enjoyable break from the climbs and descents of yesterday. As you approach the Sherpa settlement, you’ll climb a trail lined with stone steps and pass by several mani walls. The Makalu Base Camp Trek Route takes you through rhododendrons, bamboo forests, small farms, and cardamom plantations, making for an unforgettable journey. After about two hours, you’ll arrive at the charming community of Chyaksa Danda, located at 1,900 meters.
You may come across streams along the way, which you can cross using sturdy wooden bridges amid dense forests. Despite the longer duration required due to the undulating terrain, your destination, Tashi Gaon, will gradually become visible. Eventually, you’ll come to a log bridge before climbing the final stretch of stone stairs to Tashi Gaon.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
You will leave Tashi Gaon and ascend via stone stairs to begin your Makalu Base Camp Trek. After crossing a log bridge, you’ll continue up through breathtaking rhododendron forests. After about three hours, you’ll arrive at Dhara, which is at 2,867m. There is a tea house—a must-stop for refreshments—before continuing to Khongma. Dhara is also a great place to have lunch.
Leaving Dhara, expect an hour of difficult climbing to Unshisa at 3,200m, where you’ll cross a large rock. More uphill trekking through rhododendron forests awaits. After hours of strenuous ascent from Unshisha, you’ll arrive at a stone rest area adorned with prayer flags. Another 45-minute walk will take you to Khongma Danda at 3500m, which has three lodges, though this area may be covered in snow.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Today marks your acclimatization day on the Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary. We highly recommend ascending to Kongma La for essential acclimatization. Departing from your tea house, you’ll trek through rhododendron bushes and stone stairs until reaching the pass at 3,890m, which typically takes about an hour. If you’re feeling adventurous, your guide may suggest extending the hike further. Afterward, return to Khongma feeling well-adjusted and prepared to tackle the four passes tomorrow, starting with Kongma La.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Today promises to be an extraordinary day as you climb four high passes, each with breathtaking panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. Your journey begins with an ascent to Khongma La Pass at 3,890 meters, where you can see Makalu and Chamlang. After briefly descending, you’ll climb stone stairs to Sano Pokhari Danda, which stands at 4,105 meters and overlooks the serene Sano Pokhari Lake.
At 4,200 meters, a mani wall and a cairn mark Shipton La. You will descend to Kalo Pokhari Lake at 4,080 meters, which is adorned with colorful prayer flags for the Janai Purnima Festival, before continuing to Keke La Pass at 4,170 meters. Following that, it’s a gradual descent to Dobate, where your lodge awaits—a welcome sight after a challenging day of trekking!
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
This morning, you will descend through rhododendron and pine woods, providing a delightful experience. Keep an eye out for steep slopes as you walk through the woods, especially if there is snow on the ground. Eventually, you’ll reach the river, signaling the start of your Makalu Base Camp Trek along a trail beneath a massive landslide area. After a brief climb, you’ll arrive at Themathang Kharka, at 3,500 meters, where a tea house awaits.
The journey from Dobate takes about four hours. Just before you arrive at Themathang, you’ll come across a breathtaking waterfall. Later, you’ll come across a wooden bridge spanning the Baron Khola. As the path meanders alongside the river, you’ll arrive at your overnight destination in the scenic meadows of Yangri Kharka in about 1.5 hours from the tea house in Themathang.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
The stroll will be picturesque and level, with the river on your left and the alluring aroma of juniper accompanying you. The Makalu Base Camp Trekking Trail is lined with vibrant prayer flags. Peak 4, Peak 6, Peak 7, and Yaupa dominate the vista ahead as the towering cliffs climb on either side of you. A visual feast of craggy, snow-covered mountains, sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and sacred caves awaits you today.
After around 2.5 hours of trekking, the route widens as you pass the fields of Jhak Kharka, Yak Kharka, and finally, Merek, where a welcoming tea house gradually appears. From Merek, it will take around two hours to go to your tea house in Langmale. Peak 7 serves as an amazing background to the lodge rooms, adding to the area’s exquisite vistas. A prayer flag-covered mani wall is located just in front of the line of rooms.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
You’ll begin your climb to Makalu Base Camp by following a well-defined trail. As you zigzag across the valley, keep the river to your left. As you round each corner, a new breathtaking sight will greet you. While there are some sections where you must step from boulder to boulder, you spend most of your time on a standard, sandy track. Peak 4 is visible as you move forward.
After a few hours of trekking, you will arrive at Shershong (4,630 meters). Shershong is a nice camping spot with a large, level area and a lockable, tiny stone house. Makalu’s captivating sight eventually appears.
You’ll be curious to see the base camp as you navigate a few curves. The lodges will eventually come into view. You will reach your long-awaited goal five minutes after you descend and cross the river. As one might expect, Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak, completely dominates the scene. Tibetan snowcocks, hill pigeons, black redstarts, and mountain finches are common sightings near the base camp.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Today, as you ascend to the ridge about 5,300 meters above the base camp, prepare to be enchanted by breathtaking panoramic views. After crossing the river on a sturdy log bridge, you’ll begin a three-hour climb up a misty, somewhat vague trail. From this vantage point, you’ll have breathtaking views of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6, and Peak 4, as well as glimpses of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. After enjoying the breathtaking mountain scenery, return to base camp.
The round-trip trip typically takes 4-5 hours and provides a challenging yet rewarding experience due to the steep terrain and altitude of over 5,000 meters. Alternatively, you can choose gentler routes, like exploring the lakes beyond the base camp or ascending a shorter ridge adorned with prayer flags. Another option is a brief hike to a small hill decorated with prayer flags at the base camp’s entrance, which provides a delightful one-hour excursion.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
With a heavy heart, you will leave Mount Makalu’s breathtaking beauty behind and begin your journey back to Yangri Kharka. It will take approximately 1.5 hours to reach the Shershong Meadow. You will return to Langmale in another hour or two, where you will enjoy the tea and possibly lunch. After an hour of trekking, you’ll arrive at the Merek tea house. Before continuing your Makalu Base Camp Trek Route through the pine trees back to Yangri Kharka, take a break and enjoy a cup of tea. Yangri Kharka is approximately 2 to 3 hours away from Merek’s tea house.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Today’s walk will be a beautiful, leisurely wander down the river to the tea house at Themathang, passing through many rhododendron shrubs on the way. Just before Themathang, you’ll have to cross a wooden bridge. The journey to Themathang will take approximately 1.5 hours. You’ll eventually traverse the landslide region, which will take another 1.5 hours. After a section of wavy path, you will begin an exhausting hike through the rhododendron woodland. Along the Makalu Base Camp Trek route, the elevation gradually decreases as you get closer to the tea house in Dobate.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
On your Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary, seize your final chance to behold the majestic peaks, including Kangchenjunga. Begin your ascent to Keke La, a 1.5-hour trek, followed by another 1.5 hours to Shipton La at 4,200m. Afterward, an hour’s hike brings you to the vast cairn at Sano Pokhari Danda (4,105m).
After trekking through an hour of undulating terrain, descend to Khongma La, marked by a mani wall. From there, trek down about 250 meters to Khongma, spotting rare blood pheasants. The journey continues to Danda Kharka, a two-hour descent from Khongma.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Descend from the mountains and reflect on your thrilling journey along the Makalu Base Camp Trekking Route. On the three-hour hike from Danda Kharka to Tashi Gaon, you’ll pass through rhododendron forests, steep slopes, and picturesque meadows. Pass through terraced farms with breathtaking mountain views before descending to Seduwa for an overnight stay at a local lodge.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Proceed downward alongside the Arun River on a challenging trek, navigating stone stairs in warm forest temperatures. After crossing the river, return to Num through beautiful woodlands. Drive through Tumlingtar’s scenic mountain roads, admiring the snow-capped peaks, lush landscapes, and charming settlements. Congratulations on finishing the rewarding Makalu Base Camp Trek!
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at an available local lodge.
Today, you’ll take a short, scenic flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. The driver will take you to your hotel once you arrive in the city. Green Valley Nepal Treks will host a farewell dinner in the evening to celebrate the completion of the Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary. Spend your free time exploring the city or buying presents for your loved ones back home.
Includes: breakfast and an overnight stay at Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar one.
Today is a day for you to explore at your leisure. If you’re eager to discover Kathmandu’s treasures, consider visiting iconic sites like the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Swayambhunath Temple (also known as the Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, or Boudhanath Stupa. We can arrange a tour for you to explore these remarkable landmarks.
Includes: breakfast and an overnight stay at Hotel Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar one.
Your trip will come to an end today. Our representative will pick you up with a private van and drop you off at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport approximately three hours before your scheduled flight back to your home or other destination.
Have a safe journey onward, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Includes: breakfast.
