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Makalu Base Camp Trekking

Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 5000m at Makalu Base Camp
Duration: 20 days
Cost: $1990
Season: Spring/Autumn
Accommodation: Hotel/Teahouse
  • Overview
  • Detail Itinerary
  • Cost Info
  • Useful Infos
  • FAQs

Trek Highlights

  • Magnificent view of Mount Everest from a unique angle
  • Incredible journey through the remotest and the most pristine land of Nepal
  • Pass through the spectacular landscapes, gorges, valleys, waterfalls, glaciers and more
  • Experience the rural lives of indigenous Rais and Sherpas
  • Enter the most unique Makalu Barun National Park with Arun and Barun valleys or Hinku and Hongu valleys
  • Chance of encountering the rarest of the species in Nepal wilderness 

One of our favorite trekking journeys in Nepal is Makalu base camp trek. There are numerous reasons why you should consider trekking to the wanderlust and pristine valleys of Eastern Nepal, located within the Makalu Barun National Park. Foremost of all, this trip takes you from the low-altitude hills and terrains to the high-altitude Himalayas and glaciers within a few days. The terrains and the landscapes change so mysteriously that you won’t be able to take your eyes off the beauty in front of your eyes.

As you might know, Makalu is the world’s 5th highest mountain at a staggering height of 8,481 m. However, due to the inaccessibility to this mountain, hardly few trekkers have stepped their feet on the base of the mountain. So, you will be one of many luckiest ones to witness the paradise of the Makalu base camp and the surroundings. There are even few basic lodges available along the way these days. However, you shall spend the most the nights in camping only.

This wonderful adventure begins from the flight to Tumlingtar and head towards the Makalu base camp through the interesting river valleys of Arun and Barun. Go through the high passes and get a closer look at the dazzling peaks like Chamling, Makalu, Lhotse and so on. 8th largest national park in Nepal, Makalu Barun National Park which encompasses 2330 sq km in the east of Nepal, you can see the varieties of floras and faunas within the park, while you are journeying through the mystical gland. You can see the rarest Kangshung face of Mount Everest and can enjoy the view as far as Mount Kanchenjunga in the far-east. 

Makalu Base Camp Trekking Outline Itinerary

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu 1400m, Hotel

Day 02:Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Num, BLD, Teahouse

Day 03:Trek from Num (1490 m) to Seduwa (1500 m) via Arun River - 5 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 04:Trek from Seduwa (1500 m) to Tashigaon (2100 m)- 7 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 05:Trek from Tashigaon (2100 m) to Khongma Danda (3500 m)- 7 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 06:Acclimatization day in Khongma Danda, BLD, Teahouse

Day 07:Trek from Khongma Danda (3500m) to Dobate (3650m) via Tutu-La and Shipton-La (4125m) 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 08:Trek from Dobate (3650 m) to Yangle Kharka (3557 m) following the Barun river upstream- 6 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 09:Trek from Yangle Kharka (3557 m) to Langmale Kharka (4410 m)- 4 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 10:Acclimatization day in Langmale Kharka, BLD, Teahouse

Day 11:Trek from Langmale Kharka (4410 m) to Makalu Base Camp (4870 m)- 5 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 12:Explore around Makalu base camp, BLD, Teahouse

Day 13:Trek from Makalu Base Camp (4870 m) to Yangle Kharka- 7 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 14:Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobate- 6 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 15:Trek from Dobate to Khongma Danda- 6 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 16:Trek from Khongma Danda to Tashigaon- 5 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 17:Trek from Tashigaon to Seduwa- 5 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 18:Trek from Seduwa to Num- 5 hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 19:Drive to Tumlingtar, BLD, Hotel

Day 20:Fly back to Kathmandu & international flight

Makalu Base Camp Trekking Detailed Itinerary

**BLD denotes Breakfast Lunch Dinner**

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu 1400m, Hotel

Day 02:Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Num, BLD, Lodge

Day 03:Trek from Num (1490 m) to Seduwa (1500 m) via Arun River - 5 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 04:Trek from Seduwa (1500 m) to Tashigaon (2100 m)- 7 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 05:Trek from Tashigaon (2100 m) to Khongma Danda (3500 m)- 7 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 06:Acclimatization day in Khongma Danda, BLD, Lodge

Day 07:Trek from Khongma Danda (3500m) to Dobate (3650m) via Tutu-La and Shipton-La (4125m) 8hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 08:Trek from Dobate (3650 m) to Yangle Kharka (3557 m) following the Barun river upstream- 6 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 09:Trek from Yangle Kharka (3557 m) to Langmale Kharka (4410 m)- 4 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 10:Acclimatization day in Langmale Kharka,BLD, Lodge

Day 11:Trek from Langmale Kharka (4410 m) to Makalu Base Camp (4870 m)- 5 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 12:Explore around Makalu base camp, BLD, Lodge

Day 13:Trek from Makalu Base Camp (4870 m) to Yangle Kharka- 7 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 14:Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobate- 6 hrs,BLD, Lodge

Day 15:Trek from Dobate to Khongma Danda- 6 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 16:Trek from Khongma Danda to Tashigaon-5 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 17:Trek from Tashigaon to Seduwa- 5 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 18:Trek from Seduwa to Num- 5 hrs, BLD, Lodge

Day 19:Drive to Tumlingtar, BLD, Hotel

Day 20:Fly back to Kathmandu & international flight

Cost for 1 PAX: $2550 /-

Cost for 2 or more PAX: $1990 per person

Note: Trip cost varies with the group sizes.

Makalu base camp trek Cost Breakdown

Cost Include

  • All ground transfers by private vehicle
  • Complimentary farewell dinner with cultural program
  • Hotels in Kathmandu on BB basis
  • Teahouse lodge accommodations with full meals
  • Domestic airfares (Kathmandu - Tumlingtar - Kathmandu)
  • An experienced trekking guide, Sherpas, porters and their expenses plus insurance
  • Required permits (Makalu Barun Conservation Area) and TIMS
  • Local government taxes
  • Medical aid kit bag
  • Complimentary company t-shirt, route maps and certificate of appreciation
  • Local government taxes and VAT

 Cost Exclude

  • Nepal visa fee and international flight
  • Meals in Kathmandu
  • Extra accommodation and meals behind schedule
  • Travel and emergency rescue insurance
  • Gratuities to the staff
  • Extra items such as down jacket, sleeping bag, etc (can be easily rented in Kathmandu)

Trip Note

The group’s safety is very important for us. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Even though every effort is made to go as planned, a little change might occur in the itinerary because of weather conditions, health condition of a person, unexpected natural disasters, etc. So you are advised to be flexible in such cases.

Makalu Base Camp Trekking Useful Information

Kathmandu airport pick up and drop services

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours’ staffs will pick you up from the airport as per your flight arrival time and similarly drop you off in the airport for international departure according to your flight schedule. During arrival, please don’t forget to look for your name placard hold by the team, outside the airport arrival gate. Our staff will be impatiently waiting for your arrival to greet you and warmly welcome you in Nepal. ‘NAMASTE’ is the foremost and the most commonly used greeting word in Nepal which you will hear from our staff at the very first moment you meet him.

Customized Trips and Trip departure

Makalu Base Camp Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.

But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

Accommodations in Kathmandu and during trek

You will be staying in the 3 star hotel in Kathmandu while in the teahouse lodges and tented camps during the trek.

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement. Similarly, you will have the proper comfy tents during camping days. 

If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better one in Kathmandu, please let us know and we can change it for you on added cost.

Route Map and Company T-shirt

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.

Safe Drinking Water during Makalu Base Camp Trek

Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost in some days. For the rest of the days, we will boil our own water.

Your trekking guides and porters

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.

Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.

Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.

Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.

Your safety

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Makalu Base Camp Trekking.

Urgent point to note

We always suggest you to keep extra one or two days in your trek since we are taking the domestic flights. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable and can change anytime drastically which means your flight can be delayed or at worst cancelled and postponed for the next day. Therefore, this goes to all the Makalu Base Camp trekkers, that extra days are needed if you wish to take domestic flights.

Makalu Base Camp Trekking Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Makalu Base Camp Trekking cost?

The cost of the Makalu Base Camp Trekking varies from $1500-$2500 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the group sizes. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.

How is the Accommodation during the Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

In Makalu Base Camp Trekking, we will provide you the teahouses and tented camping accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Few teahouses have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Also very few teahouses provide the European toilets while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.

During the camping days, you will be sleeping in the camps set up by our field Sherpa staffs. There will be separate kitchen and dining and toilet tents. Your meals will be freshly cooked and you will be served day and nights by our Sherpas. Our staffs will carry the sleeping bags, pillows and mattresses for you to sleep in the tents. Undoubtedly, you will have a perfect camping trek experience with Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

What are the permits that I need for Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

For Makalu Base Camp Trekking, you will need to make 2 permits: Makalu-Barun National Park fee, TIMS card {Trekkers' Information Management System}.

How does this tipping system in Nepal work and do I have to tip?

Tipping is not compulsory for Makalu Base Camp Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide expects around $5 or more per day per person while a porter expects $4 or more per day per person.

Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

You can hardly charge your electronic devices during Makalu Base Camp Trekking. But if you could charge your devices, you have to pay a little extra. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.

Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

Makalu Base Camp Trekking route has poor network coverage most of the days. But you can buy one of the Nepalese Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu which has coverage mostly all over Nepal. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek whenever available.

WiFi is available in very few teahouses in Makalu Base Camp Trekking route and cost some charges. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.

When is the best time to trek to Makalu Base Camp?

Makalu Base Camp Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Makalu Base Camp. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Makalu Base Camp Trek. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.

Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

The itinerary of our Makalu Base Camp Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Makalu Base Camp Trekking.

Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Makalu Base Camp Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5000 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.

Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Makalu Base Camp Trekking demands very high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-10 hours and involves many ascents and descents including crossing of the highest passes which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high passes and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, it's going to be tough on you but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least three months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Makalu Base Camp.

What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

Only breakfast is included in Kathmandu while full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse / tented camps where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are few choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc. during teahouse days. Except in camping days, when freshly cooked meals will be served and usually the foods are basic and with few choices but they will certainly be healthy and nutritious. Our Sherpas will make sure that you eat enough food for the trekking journey.

Do I need a travel insurance for Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Makalu Base Camp. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.

What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Makalu Base Camp Trekking?

Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Makalu Base Camp. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Makalu Base Camp. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.

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