Makalu Base Camp Trekking

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

Makalu Base Camp Trekking Makalu Base Camp trekking offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Himalayas. The rewards of trekking here are great, but hard won – it’s remote, wilderness country and for the experienced trekker. The trail to Makalu base camp takes you deep into the high Himalaya and while the giant of Makalu, The Great Black, looms above you, Everest, Lhotse and Baruntse are all in view. The verdant Arun and Barun river valleys lead to the Makalu Base camp. The trail starts in Tumlingtar and is either ascending or descending, there are really no flat walking sections, which makes for quite arduous trekking. However, the natural surroundings are stunning. The upper reaches of the trail resemble the Yosemite Valley – towering polished granite cliffs capped by hanging glaciers, overflowing with waterfalls. It is breathtaking view along the route and the landscape is just that dynamic. In the lower reaches of the trail there are renowned for their lushness. The rhododendron forests have the most vibrant colors from scarlet and fuchsia to the purest white. Nepal alternative treks offers basic tea house trekking in this area. Lodges are available up to Base Camp though basic foods will be provided, specially Nepali " Dal Bhat".

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

It’s remote, wilderness country and for the experienced trekker through Makalu Barun National Park. Spectacular views of snow covered giant Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest, Makalu, trekking through eye-catching villages, different community with majority of Rai, Limbu and Sherpa, exploring around Arun valley and riversides. The verdant Arun and Barun river valleys lead to the Makalu Base camp.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day 1: Fly to Tumlingtar ( 30 miinutes) and drive to Chichila (1,840m/6035 ft): 3 hours drive — After breakfast, we have a short flight from Kathmandu landing on a bumpy grass airstrip at Tumlingtar. After 3 hours jeep drive on a bumpy road, we arrive at Chichila. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 2: Chichila - Num (1,500m/4920 ft) - 6 hours walk — We begin first day of walk through the picturesque villages and lush mountain forests. A ridge line with great views on both side and perched on the end is Num. Stay overnight there at lodge . Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 3: Num - Seduwa (1,540m/5051 ft)- 6 hours walk — Today, the trail lead us toward a steep descent down through the forests and terraced plots of land takes to Arun Khola then winding ascends up the other side again. Often quite hot - the forest on the valley sides offer a bit of shade. Here, Makalu National Park starts. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 4: Seduwa - Tashigaon (2,070m/6790 ft): 4/5 hours walk — After breakfast, we ascend the ridge bounded by the Ipsuwa Khola on the west and Kasuwa Khola to the east. We reach Tashigaun after crossing the hillside through quiet villages and passing by small paddy fields. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 5: Tashigaun - Khongma (3,560m/11,676 ft): 6 hours walk — We climb up to Khongma. This village is the last stop before crossing the Shipton La and dropping down into the upper sections of the remote Barun Valley. The green forests are replaced by scrub and rhododendrons that cover the lower reaches of the mountains. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 6: Acclimatization day — Acclimatization day allows our bodies to digest with high altitude to avoid acute mountain sickness (AMS). The following day we take on crossing of the Shipton La. Stay overnight there at lodge . Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 7: Khongma - Cross Shipton La - Dobato (3,650m/11,972 ft) - 6 hours walk — We climb towards the summit of the Shipton La. We pass by Kalo Pokhari and cross over the Keke La at 4,152m. pass then Marvelous views of Chamlang 7,319m, Peak 6 (6,524m) and Peak 7 (6,758m) from the top. Then descend down through the beautiful valley to Dobato. Climbing high and sleeping low gives the opportunity for acclimatization. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 8: Dobato - Yangri Kharka (3,600m/11,808 ft): 5/6 hours walk — Today, pass through the Rhododendron forest leads to the Baruni River and the upper ridges of the valley. It is a pleasant walk, gaining altitude slowly, until we arrive at Yangri Kharka situated at the base of the valley. Stay overnight there at lodge . Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 9: Yangri kharka - Merek (4,500m/14,760 ft) - 5 hours walk — We head to Merek. Since we are gaining height beyond 4, 000 meters, we walk slow pace and not walk longer. Stay overnight there at lodge . Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 10: Merek - Shersong - Makalu base camp ( 4870m./16071ft.) 5 hours walk — Today, we climb up the valley, through yak pastures and boulder fields. On approaching Shersong the south east ridge of Mount Makalu comes into view. Enjoy the superb views of the Himalayan mountains throughout the day. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner Day 11: Makalu Base camp - Yangri Kharka ( 3600m./11808ft.) 6 hours walk — We descend back down the valley and take our last glimpse of Makalu before turning the corner and eventually reaching Yangle Kharka. Stay overnight there at lodge . Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 12: Yangri kharka - Khongma (3760m./12408ft.)- 6 hours walk — In the begining of day, Initial steep climb from Mumbuk through a forest of firs and rhododendrons. Cross the Keke La, Shipton La and Ghungru La. Descend to Khogma again. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 13: Khongma - Tashigaon ( 2090m./6790ft.) 5 hours walk1 — We continually descend down to Tashigaon. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 14: Tashi gaun - Num ( 1500m./4920ft.) 6 hours walk — We retrace the same trail. we descend down to Arun Khola and Seduwa again then another hike through the forest to Num. We follow our footsteps all the way back down to the river. Climb back up the opposite side of the valley to Num. Stay overnight there at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 15: Num - Chichila, drive to Tumlingtar — After retrace our steps to Chichila, the final return leg of the trek will see us overnight at Tumlingtar, ready for an early departure to Kathmandu the following day. Stay overnight at lodge. Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 16: Tumlingtar - Kathmandu over flight — We complete the journey with a flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. Meals included : Breakfast

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Fly to Tumlingtar ( 30 miinutes) and drive to Chichila (1,840m/6035 ft): 3 hours drive — After breakfast, we have a short flight from Kathmandu landing on a bumpy grass airstrip at Tumlingtar. After 3 hours jeep drive on a bumpy road, we arrive at Chichila. Stay overnight there at lodge.+