Makalu Base Camp trek is 17 days journey to the fifth world highest mountain base camp, the Northeastern Himalayan region of Nepal. The strenuous level of trekking begins from Tumlingtar airport with 45 minutes flight from Kathmandu (or 20 hours bus tour from Kathmandu). The fifth world's highest, Mt. Makalu (8463 m) base camp trip is extraordinary. The best travel time is October to mid-December, March to May.
Makalu Base Camp trek traverses Makalu-Barun National Park (2330 sq km) established in 1992. The park bordered the Arun River at the east, Sagarmatha National Park at the west. National park permit issued at Khandbari. Trekkers visit Makalu base camp, cross Sherpani Col pass to continue Everest Base Camp. Along the trekking route found wildlife, yak pasture with a herdsman, rhododendron blooms in the spring season (March/April). Makalu National Park boasts 421 species of birds, 25 species of rhododendron, 47 types of orchids, 56 types of rare plants, snow leopard, red panda, wild boar, wild yak, Himalayan Tahr.
Makalu Base Camp trek offers panoramic views of Mt. Makalu (8463m), Mt Chamlang (7319 m), Mt. Baruntse (7129 m), Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mera Peak (6654 m). The journey is worth along tranquil with an adventurous trail. The physically fit tourist can enjoy the Makalu trekking tour. The further details is below.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport
Day 02: Full day sight seeing in Kathmandu Valley
Day 03: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (460 m), hike to Mani Bhanjyang (1100 m) - 3/4 hours
Day 04: Mani Bhanjyang to Chichela (1830 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 05: Chichela to Num (1490 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 06: Num to Sedua (1460 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 07: Sedua to Tashi Gaon (2070 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 08: Tashi Gaon to Kauma (3470 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 09: Kauma to Mumbuk (3570 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 10: Mumbuk to Nhe Kharka (3000 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 11: Nhe Kharka to Sherson (4615 m) - 6/7 hours
Day 12: Sherson to Makalu Base Camp (4820 m) - 3/4 hours
Day 13: Makalu Base Camp to Nhe Kharka (3000 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 14: Nhe Kharka to Mumbuk (3570 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 15: Mumbuk to Kauma (3470 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 16: Kauma to Tashi Gaon (2070 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 17: Tashi Gaon to Num (1490 m) - 6/7 hours
Day 18: Num to Mani Bhanjyang (1100 m) - 5/6 hours
Day 19: Mani Bhanjyang to Tumlingtar (460 m) - 3/4 hours
Day 20: Tumlingtar to Kathmandu (1350 m) - 35 minutes by flight
Day 21: Departure to Tribhuvan International Airport
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport
When the flight arrives at Tribhuban International Airport, take the 6 km drive with our guide for 25 minutes to reach the hotel. Check-in hotel and guide will brief the programs. Stay overnight at the hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Full day sight seeing in Kathmandu Valley
Professional Tour Guide comes at 9 AM with a car to the hotel door. Ride the car, the guide explains about Nepal. The four UNESCO world heritage sites include Swayambhunath (1st century) is popular for the Buddhist Stupa, the activity of the Assamese monkey and the panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley and the Himalaya. Kathmandu Durbar Square (12th to 18th century) is popular for royal palace squares, museums, Kasthamandap, the Living Goddess Kumari, Freak Street, wood carving and temple architecture. Pashupatinath (5th century) is famous for the cremation ghat, Pashupatinath Temple, the shrines with Shiva Lingam and Yoni, the Hindu holy men (Sadhus) and an activity of the Assamese monkey and deer in the sub-tropical forest. Boudhanath (5th century) is famous for being the second-largest Stupa in the world, Tibetan refugee settlement, painting school, huge prayer wheel, prayer flag and monastery with the monk and lama.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (460 m), hike to Mani Bhanjyang (1100 m) - 3/4 hours
Take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar in 35 minutes with views of the village, river valley, forest and mountain. Tumlingtar is a flat plateau with the settlement, terrace field, school, lodge and shop. Walk to the east through the main trail, climb uphill to a ridge between Arun River and Sabha Khola. Enjoy the view of the Chhamlang peak. The hike continues to reach Khandbari (1060 m), a Newar town to shop and national park check post. Walk one hour to reach Mani Bhanjyang with lodge and grassy meadow. Stay overnight at a camp in Mani Bhanjyang.
Day 04: Mani Bhanjyang to Chichela (1830 m) - 5/6 hours
Walk gradually uphill through the terraced field, Panguma and Sheka to reach the Bhotebas Village (1740 m). Tamang people live in the tea shops and terraced fields. Hike to a pass (1850 m) with views of the Makalu, Chamlang and Jaljale Himal. Descend to a ridge uphill and downhill through a forest of rhododendron to reach Chichela. This is a Gurung village with a tea shop. Stay overnight at a camp in Chichela.
Day 05: Chichela to Num (1490 m) - 5/6 hours
Walk the Kuwa Pani and Majuwa Village with Mani walls to the Fururu (1900 m). Walk to a ridge, then, descend through a forest trail passing a stream to the Mure Village (1980 m) with the Sherpa people. Hike a forest to a ridge, then, descend with the rocky trail to Num with shop, hotel and school. Stay overnight at a camp in Num.
Day 06: Num to Sedua (1460 m) - 5/6 hours
Descend a terraced field to Lumbang Village. The walk continues to a bridge (660 m) over the Arun River. Climb uphill to a shop and Sedua Village with school and shop. Stay overnight at a camp in Sedua.
Day 07: Sedua to Tashi Gaon (2070 m) - 5/6 hours
Climb gradually uphill to Gyang (1770 m). Walk terraced fields and forests to Hindrungma and Rupisa Village. The walk continues through meadows, cross several streams, climb to reach Tashi Gaon. It is a Sherpa village with hotel and terraced fields. Stay overnight at a camp in Tashi Gaon.
Day 08: Tashi Gaon to Kauma (3470 m) - 5/6 hours
Climb to a ridge, the walk continues through a forest with a stream to reach a ridge with a campsite. Continue to reach another ridge, cross a couple of streams to the Kharka (2900 m) with a forest. Hike to a tiny meadow (3300 m) and a ridge. Descend a bit to Kauma. Stay overnight at a camp in Kauma.
Day 09: Kauma to Mumbuk (3570 m) - 5/6 hours
Walk a forest of rhododendron to reach a ridge with Mani walls, prayer flag and superb views of the Chamlang (7290 m) and Makalu (8463 m). The climb continues through a rocker trail to Kike La (4125 m) then, descends passing a lake and a forest of rhododendron and fir to Mumbuk. There is a grassy slope with the view of snow-capped peaks and a small stream. Stay overnight at a camp in Mumbuk.
Day 10: Mumbuk to Nhe Kharka (3000 m) - 5/6 hours
Descend a stream and a forest of silver fir to the Barun Valley. Here is a rocky with a muddy trail to Barun Khola with the view of Peak 6. Walk a birch and rhododendron forest to Yangle Kharka. Walk continue, cross the Barun Khola to reach Nhe Kharka with a large grass meadow. Stay overnight at a camp in the Nhe Kharka.
Day 11: Nhe Kharka to Sherson (4615 m) - 6/7 hours
Follow the north bank of Barun Khola, cross a bridge in the Barun Valley then, climb gently to reach Ripok Kharka with a rhododendron forest. Cross a rocky crest then, climb a moraine of the Barun Glacier with views of Peak 4 (6720 m), Pyramid Peak (7168 m), Peak 3 (6477 m), Peak 5 (6404 m) and Chamlang. Walk with the view of Makalu to reach Sherson. Stay overnight at a camp in Sherson.
Day 12: Sherson to Makalu Base Camp (4820 m) - 3/4 hours
Climb gradually uphill to a little pass, descend, cross a stream and continue to the west bank of the river in Makalu Base Camp. There are panoramic views of the south face of Makalu, Peak 6, Peak 7, Baruntse (7220 m), Everest and Lhotse (8516 m).
Day 13: Makalu Base Camp to Nhe Kharka (3000 m) - 5/6 hours
Climb back to Nhe Kharka. Follow the previous trail with rhododendron forest, stream and bridge. Enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountain on the way to the Nhe Kharka. Stay overnight at a camp in the Nhe Kharka.
Day 14: Nhe Kharka to Mumbuk (3570 m) - 5/6 hours
Descend to Yangle Kharka (3600 m). Walk a forest of birch and rhododendron with the view of Peak 6. Pass the rocky trail, cross a stream then, climb to Mumbuk with the fir and rhododendron forest and sloping land. Stay overnight at a camp in Mumbuk.
Day 15: Mumbuk to Kauma (3470 m) - 5/6 hours
Climb uphill to the Tutu La and Kike La Pass. Enjoy the views of Chamlang (7290 m), Peak 6 (6739 m), Peak 7 (6105 m) and Makalu (8463 m) with prayer flags at the Pass. Descend with a forest of rhododendron to Kauma. Stay overnight at a camp in Kauma.
Day 16: Kauma to Tashi Gaon (2070 m) - 5/6 hours
Walk a little uphill, then; descend through the ridge, Kharka, stream, forest and meadow to reach Tashi Gaon with a terraced field, shop and hotel. Stay overnight at the camp in Tashi Gaon.
Day 17: Tashi Gaon to Num (1490 m) - 6/7 hours
Descend to Kasuwa Khola Valley and reach Seduwa (1460 m) with tea shop and school. Walk downhill, cross a suspension bridge (660 m) over the Arun River. Climb uphill to reach Num with shop, lodge and school. Stay overnight at a camp in Num.
Day 18: Num to Mani Bhanjyang (1100 m) - 5/6 hours
Walk the forest, rice fields, Mure Village (1980 m), Fururu (1900 m), Chichela (1830 m) and Bhotebas (1740 m) to reach Mani Bhanjyang with lodge power. Stay overnight at a camp in Mani Bhanjyang
Day 19: Mani Bhanjyang to Tumlingtar (460 m) - 3/4 hours
The walk continues through the Khandbari (1040 m) with the National Park, check post and lodge. Descend a long way to Tumlingtar with airport, shop, hotel and settlement. Reconfirm the flight ticket for tomorrow morning. Stay overnight at a camp in Tumlingtar.
Day 20: Tumlingtar to Kathmandu (1350 m) - 35 minutes by flight
Fly 35 minutes to Kathmandu with the views of snow-capped mountains, villages, highways, rivers and forests during the flight. Take a car to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu.
Day 21: Departure to Tribhuvan International Airport
The airport is 6 km far, which takes 25 minutes drive. Get airport 3 hours before your flight. We wish you a safe and happy flight.