Makalu Base Camp Trek

Trip Duration 20 Nights/21 Days
Trip Code NAP-MBC-411
Trip Grade Moderate to strenuous trail
Trip Cost Prices on request
Best Time Sept – Nov / March - April

Overview

Makalu Base Camp trek  main focal point of Makalu Barun National park and conservation area, which lies in the Solukhumbhu and Sankhuwasabha district, established in 1992 and formally inaugurated in 1992.Makalu Base Camp trek  begins after a one hour flight from Kathmandu..  Makalu Base Camp trek is offers a remarkable and diverse habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna. Plants of all major ecological zones: tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, alpine and sub-alpine are found here.

This trek is offers a remarkable and diverse habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna. Plants of all major ecological zones: tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, alpine and sub-alpine are found here.

This trek begins after a one hour flight from Kathmandu, we will arrive in Tumlingtar just above the Arun River. We will follow the traditional Newari trade route along the ridge crest to Mani Bhanjyang. Ascending alone numerous switchbacks and cross suspension bridges, we will see Hindu and Buddhist Gompas and brightly painted Mani walls as make our way to Tashi Gaon, the last village on the trek to base camp. We will walk through a lovely cloud forest and have exceptional views of Makalu and Chamlang. We will cross tow passes and descend into Mumbuk through forest of fir trees and rhododendrons. We will pass through the meadow at Yangle Kharke to Merick past waterfalls cascading for the hundreds of feet on either side of the granite walled valley. We will be well above the tree like at this point in the truly Alpine conditions and will enjoy excellent views of Peak 3, Peak 4, Peak 5 and Chamlang. Depending on how w fell, we will either make our way to Makalu Base Camp (17000ft) or Hillary Base Camp (17384ft) a bit farther up the glacier. Here we will take well deserved days with plenty of time for exploration then we make our way back to Tumlintar and we will fly from Tumlintar to Kathmandu, relishing the spectacular views of the Himalaya from the air.

 

Makalu Base Camp Trekking – 21 Days (Journey to the 8000 meter Himalayan giant of the Barun Valley)

Highlights

  • Rim of the Kathmandu valley sightseeing
  • Scenic flight to and from Tumlintar
  • Explore the Makalu Barun National Park
  • Rich variety of flora and fauna
  • Both mid -hill & Sherpa cultural experience
  • In the mid -hills are mainly inhabited by Rai, Tamang, Brahmin,Kshetri etc
  • Undisturbed wild life and forest
  • Makalu Base Camp
  • Panoramic views of eastern mountain range including Everest range
  • Unforgettable adventure and photographic journey

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Moderate to strenuous trail
Trip Duration 20 Nights/21 Days
Trip code NAP-MBC-411
Trip Start/Ends Kathmandu, Tumlintar/Tumlintar, Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude (4812m)
Trip Cost Prices on request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 16 persons in one group
Accessibillity 45 minute fly to Tumlingtar to trailhead or by bus 20 hr. to Hile, with a round trip flight the trek takes only 20 days and by overland
The Route About 5-6-hrs walks per day, maximum altitude (4812m) moderate trail, temperate climate jungle walk to high alpine area, the area near Makalu in the upper Arun valley is cold.
Season Sept – Nov / March - April
Permit Fee Per week per person US$ 10 or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
Trip Facilities 3+ hotel in city on B/B and home-stay/camping accommodation on mountain.

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre trip meeting and briefing will held all together with you at hotel about the daily program activities by company representative and your trip Leader/Guide where you can discuss your final questions all together.

After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have

As per the flight schedule you will be transfer to the domestic airport to fly to Tumlingtar. On flying you will overlook range of snow capped peaks of Gaurishanker, Mt. Everest, Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga and more other peaks. On arrival at Tumlingtar airport meet our trekking crews. The Tumlintar which is a village town located on a shelf above the Arun River. From the airstrip of Tumlingtar, we walk to Khumal Gaon and immediately turn right and follow the trail that passes to the east of the small lake and temple. This leads onto a ridge, passes the school and begins an ascent between the Arun Koshi and the Sabha Khola. At Dhunge Dhara the climb leaves the ridge and becomes less steep as it contours to the outskirts of Khandbari. 

After breakfast at Khandbari we begin our trek to Chichila. On the trek between Khandbari to Chichila the trail emerges between shops onto a ridge, climb to Naya Bazaar, then remains fairly leveled to Mani Bhanjyang (1100m) from here there are two routes we take the better one for which we turn left of the northern end of Mani Bhanjyang, climbs in bamboo forests along the ridge to Arun Than at 1280m, then connect across the hillside, climbing through fields, bamboo groves and big rocks to Sheka. From their Bhotebas we descend a bit to the next ridge, and then follow the crest as it makes some ups and downs through a deep damp forest of rhododendrons and ferns for 1and ½ hours to Chichila. 

As our continuing journey from Chichila to Num leads us through the cool and serene forest of rhododendron, oaks and hemlocks as we climb to the top of the ridge, from the top it is almost downhill for two hours to the overnight camp at Num, which is a small village with about fifteen houses and a primary school on the large flat ground, from where we have good view of our route for the next couple of days. 

We start our trek with descending incredibly steep and terraced slopes towards the Arun River, nearly 800 meters below. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are densely forested and the paths are quite slippery, after reaching the bottom, cross the suspension bridge across the torrential Arun River, and climb back out of the rain forest, reaching our lunch place at Runruma. Further walk steep climb takes us up to Seduwa a village with a small health post and a primary school nearby we will camp for the night. 

This day is our easy and pleasant day with short walk takes you to rural farm villages, on the gradual trail through the farm fields and terraces, as we come near to Tashi Gaon, it’s an uphill climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields. We will overnight at camp and rest of the time explore around the local village to know the Himalayan lifestyle and ethnic group from this region. 

This day we begin our trek to from the last village up to the Makalu and after this village the walk is refreshing for an hour and a half in the beautiful shade of the rhododendron and oaks forest, after leaving the dense forest coming to a summer pastures with traces of temporary made shepherd huts. From here onwards to Kahuma ridge is strenuous uphill climb, as the tree lines declines for the bushes of rhododendron and juniper. We’ll stay here and can be seen Scenic Mountain ranges as well as below valley. 

After the superb mountains view and the surrounding landscapes and snow capped peaks, our trek follows a gradual trail with few ups and down as we pass through the Thulo Pokhari and Sano Pokhari. In the heavy snow, the path from here can be quite misleading and it will be arduous to find the trail sometime and further walk cross the pass of Tutu-La at (4075m). We onwards our journey, it is all downhill back to vegetation, a small clearing place for camping in the middle of the woods of pines, hemlock, birch and rhododendrons to reach at Mumbuk for the overnight.

We walk from here is downhill to the enclosed and concealed Barun Valley, one of the least explored area in the eastern Himalayan region of Nepal. This unique landscapes within the Makalu-Barun National Park are some 3,000 species of flowering plants, 440 bird species and 75 species of mammals, including the endangers clouded leopard, red panda and musk deer. As we reach the lush alpine area of Barun Valley the walk is very pleasant with gradual uphill slopes, following the Barun River upstream on the valley gorge towards our camp at Nehe-Kharka, one of the summer pastures for the local folks of Tashi Gaon and Nava Gaon.

As our continuing onwards journey crossing the wooden bridge on the Barun River and walk on the boulders, where is a large prayer wall at Ramara, after 2-3 hours walk the vegetation gets sparse, although the rhododendron, barberries, cotoneaster and juniper bushes persist for some time. With a pleasant walk we come nearer to Sherson in sight of the lower Barun glacier and the towering majestic Mt. Makalu. Sherson is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu. There are number of stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with outstanding view of host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu south face, and Mt. Baruntse (7220m) and at Sherson we make camp for the night.

This day we have a have full day rest at the camp for acclimatization and you may visit around some interesting hike and view points to explore, the most scenic walk would be taking a hike on the right side of the camp above for the closer view of Mt. Makalu, Barun Pokhari and the view of the rare face of Everest the Kanshung face with Lhotse. A one hour steep up brings you to the large meadow you can walk farther up to have a greater view of the mentioned peaks and more other peaks of this area and beyond. You can also hike to the Baruntse Base Camp.

We retrace our steps down to the Barun Valley to the pleasant camp of Yangle Kharka. After ascending for a few hours, the trail moves along a flat level path and at the end it descends to reach Yangle Kharka. En-route, you walk through a rocky forest path with views of green hills and huge stones at some distance. 

Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobato takes about four and half hours. The trail ascends for almost three hours through the same landscape of landslide. Then you have to trek uphill passing through jungles all the way to Dobato. This is not a village but a camping place. Here, you find small bushes of rhododendrons. 

Trek from Dobato to Tashigaon (2070m.) takes about six hours. The trail descends steeply up to Khongma-La via Kali Pokhari through a dense jungle. You again walk along downhill all the way to Tashigaon. 

Trek from Tashi Gaon to Num (1490m.) takes about five hours. The trail steeply descends in the beginning and will pass through a steep ascent later on to reach Num. 

From Num we return to Mure and then Hururu also known as Kopdane and then from there, to the small Sherpa Settlement of Kuwapani and then to Chichila. From Chichila we arrive at Mani Bhanjyang. We are near about to finish with our trek. One more day of hiking and we are over with it. We camp at Mani Bhanjyang while returning instead of Khandbari, which will make us feel a little different, as this will be a new stoppage for us.

From Mani Bhanjyang we move to Khandbari, our first resting point and then to Dhunge Dhara. Crossing the temple and the small lake we reach at Kuhmalgaon and then to the point from where we had begun our trek, Tumlingtar. On arrival, check in at the local lodge and rest for the remaining day. 

After breakfast at the lodge we are taken to the airport at Tumlingtar, to connect flight to Kathmandu. 

This full day at leisure to rest, relax or explore the local area in Kathmandu or do a bit of last minute shopping. You also have the option of doing some sight-seeing. Evening will have farewell meeting & dinner at Nepali typical restaurant.

After breakfast you will have some free time until the time to leave the international airport for your final departure.

Cost Included

  • Documents: Makalu Base Camp Special permit, National park entrance permit and TIMS card 
  • Activities: Sightseeing, hiking and trekking trip as per itinerary. 
  • Equiliment: All camliing equiliment and kitchen utilize.
  • Accommodation:4 nights hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing bedroom and 16 nights camping accommodation on twin or multi shared tented during trekking 
  • Food: Full board on camping (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trekking and 4 breakfast in Kathmandu. 
  • Staffs: Leader/Guide and supporters and their daily wage, food, and accommodation
  • Transportation: All airport arrival/departure transfer and surface road-head transportation and Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and return flight to Kathmandu
  • Company and Government’s service charge: All applicable Government taxes and official service charges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation

Cost Excluded

  • Your international flight
  • Travel/medical insurance coverage personal accidents, medical and emergency Helicopter rescue
  • Personal travel and trekking equipments 
  • Lunch and dinner while in city
  • Items of a personal nature such as normal drinks, hot shower, dessert, laundry, internet and phone call.
  • Expenses occurred due to unavoidable Events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
  • Tips/Gratuities for your trekking crews
  • Optional activities
  • And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

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