Makalu Base Camp Trek is a true adventure which takes you to high-altitude terrains, snow-clad landscapes, and ethnic Himalayan lifestyle, with scenery so beautiful it will never tire you. It is a beautiful journey that lets you taste the real adventure of walking inside this beautiful region. This is one of the most underrated trek routes in the country. The trail leads you through unfamiliar regions, where you are face-to-face with the people who live there. The upper reaches of the trails resemble towering polished granite cliffs capped by hanging glaciers and overflowing with waterfalls. This route offers a good opportunity to interact with the culture and traditions that have been preserved and untouched for centuries. The tough rocks rise from the rich forests, and colorful flowers bloom beneath white snow peaks. This is the most challenging yet marvelous camping trail, allowing you to explore the beauty of nature, high mountain passes, amazing glaciers, hidden valleys, and ancient places and culture. Trekking in this wilderness area is as much a cultural experience as a physical and visual one. The treks mostly lead you through remote and isolated land beyond human settlements for several days. The entire trek is off-the-beaten-track and combines community home-stays and monastery overnights along the local and traditional walking trails in Nepal.
Makalu Base Camp Trek is an outstanding trek in the eastern region of the remote Himalayan part of Nepal. The route passes through lush forest of rhododendron, pine, and oak, beautiful landscapes, and wonderful mountain views. The trek begins from Tumlingtar after a 50-minute flight from Kathmandu Valley. We will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain which includes Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, among others. The best season for trekking is from March to May and from September to November.
Outline itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Chichira (1,980m) 3-4 hours
Day 03: Trek to Num (1,560m) 6 – 7 hours
Day 04: Trek to Seduwa (1,500m) 6 – 7 hours
Day 05: Trekking to Tashigaon (2,100m) 4-5 hours
Day 06: Trek to Khongma Danda (3,500m) 6-7 hours
Day 07: Rest day in Khongma Danda
Day 08: Trek to Dobate 6-7 hours
Day 09: Trek to Yangri Kharka (3,557m) 6-7 hours
Day 10: Trekking to Langmale Kharka (4,410m) 5-6 hours
Day 11: Trek to Makalu Base Camp (4,870m) 6-7 hours
Day 12: Rest day in Makalu Base Camp
Day 13: Trek to Yangri Kharka 6-7 hours
Day 14: Trek to Dobate 6-7 hours
Day 15: Trek to Khongma Danda 5-6 hours
Day 16: Trek to Tashigaon 4-5 hours
Day 17: Trek to Seduwa 4-5 hours
Day 18: Trek to Num 5-6 hours
Day 19: Trek to Tumlingtar 6-7 hours
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 21: Final departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
When you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu there will be a representative from our company to meet you. You will directly drive to the hotel to check in. At night you will meet your guide, hear additional information about the trip, and have dinner.
Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar and Drive to Chichira (1,980m) 3-4 hours
After having breakfast in the hotel, we will drive towards the airport to a scenic fly to Tumlingtar. We will have our lunch on the way t to Chichira where we will spend one night.
Day 03: Trek to Num (1,560m) 6-7 hours
After having breakfast we will start our trekking. We will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain and beautiful villages before reaching Num where we will spend one night.
Day 04: Trek to Seduwa (1,500m) 6-7 hours
We will follow the trail to an even higher elevation where the main attraction is a monastery situated at the highest altitude in the world. We will have a wonderful view of the mountains and beautiful landscape o this route and spend one night.
Day 05: Trek to Tashigaon (2,100m) 4-5 hours
The vegetation is more sparse, allowing magical views of the mountain and beautiful landscapes. We will have our lunch on the way, and then after taking some rest move towards Tashigaon where we will spend one night.
Day 06: Trek to Khongma Danda (3,500m) 6-7 hours
Our trail descends and passes through a lush forest of birch. On the route, we will have an opportunity to see wonderful views of the mountains and beautiful landscape. We will cross many suspension bridges before reaching Khongma Danda where we will spend one night.
Day 07: Rest day in Khongma Danda
This day is for the rest day. Early in the morning after wake up, we will have our breakfast and then after we will explore at Khongma Danda. We will explore the villages and have an opportunity to spend some time in the monastery which may help provide the mental stamina for further trekking.
Day 08: Trek to Dobate 6-7 hours
While doing this day’s trek, we will have an opportunity to see the wonderful views of the mountain and beautiful villages. We will cross many suspension bridges before reaching Dobate where we will spend one night.
Day 09: Trek to Yangri Kharka (3,557m) 6-7 hours
We continue to climb as we are heading to the village of Yangri Kharka. At the beginning of this day of trekking, we will enjoy the company of the mighty Himalayas and beautiful landscapes of this route.
Day 10: Trek to Langmale Kharka (4,410m) 5-6 hours
The trail passes through spectacular views of the mountain and lush forests of rhododendron. The land becomes drier and vegetation sparse as we travel to Langmale Kharka where we will spend one night.
Day 11: Trek to Makalu Base Camp (4,870m) 6-7 hours
Early in the morning after having breakfast, we will move towards Makalu Base Camp. We will have wonderful views of the mountains, beautiful villages, and many suspension bridges before reaching Makalu Base Camp where we will spend one night.
Day 12: Rest day in Makalu Base Camp
This day is for the rest day. Early in the morning after waking up, we will have our breakfast and then we will explore all around Makalu Base Camp. We will explore villages and have an opportunity to spend some time in the monastery which may help provide the mental stamina for further trekking.
Day 13: Trek to Yangri Kharka 6-7 hours
We will leave behind the terraces of the villages, forest, ferns and woodland. We will also pass through several small villages and a few temples on the way before reach in Yangri Kharka where we will spend one night.
Day 14: Trek to Dobate 6-7 hours
The trails follow a steep and narrow river village winding through deep woodland. Continuing walking on this route, we will come to a long Mani wall by a bridge and the lower village of Dobate.
Day 15: Trek to Khongma Danda 5-6 hours
This day we will have an opportunity to see the magnificent views of the mountains while climbing and crossing the pass. It takes almost 5 to 6 hours to reach Khongma Danda where we will spend one night.
Day 16: Trek to Tashigaon 4-5 hours
We trek through dense forest and past a few lakes on our way and then we make a long, steep descent to the beautiful village of Tashigaon. On the route, we will have our lunch and then spend one nightin Tashigaon.
Day 17: Trek to Seduwa 4-5 hours
We will pass the isolated village of the Barun River, through a small settlement, and then we will cross the hillside. The trail comes across villages and settlements as we move further down finally stopping in Seduwa where we will spend a peaceful night.
Day 18: Trek to Num 5-6 hours
The trail goes up and down and passes through dense forest and Sherpa villages as we move downwards. We will have our lunch then continue towards Num and spend one night.
Day 19: Trek to Tumlingtar 6-7 hours
This is the last day of trekking walking from Num to Tumlingtar. The trail passes through pine, oak, and rhododendron forest. We will also pass through many suspension bridges before reaching Tumlingtar where we will spend one night.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu
In the morning, if the hotel is able to make breakfast then we will have our breakfast and go to the local airport of Tumlingtar to fly to the Kathmandu valley. Upon reaching Kathmandu, first of all, we will check into the hotel, spend some time around the Thamel Bazaar, and spend one night in this wonderful valley.
Day 21: Final departure
We will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport with the hope that you have had a wonderful time in our small country. We will also be hoping that this will not the last chance to serve you.