Makalu Base Camp Trek - 18 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our correspondent who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Once checked in, you can relax and acclimate to the altitude, spending the rest of the day at your leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.

At the early morning, you will have breakfast at the hotel and then we drive to TIA, domestic terminal. You will take 45-minute scenic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. After arrival in the Tumlingtar airport, the adventure begins, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and hills in the eastern part of Nepal. The airport of Tumlingtar is small regional airport located at an altitude of 410 m.

After arrival in Tumlingtar, you will drive on country road to Num in jeep which takes about 3 - 4 hours. As you drive towards Num, you will pass through the picturesque view of countryside of eastern region, cross small villages, terraced farming and so on. Stay overnight at Tea House in Num.

Today you will have breakfast in the morning, and then prepare yourself for the first day of the trek, i.e Num to Seduwa which takes about 5 hours. From Num, walking descending trial for about 2.5 hours walking through the forests and terraced fields towards the Arun River. After crossing the suspension bridge of Arun River and then from there you will have to ascend through the lush forests, pass through the small villages of eastern region, terraced fields and local people for about 2.5 hours and reach Seduwa. As you ascend uphill, you can see the beautiful forest and landscape. Upon arrival in Seduwa you can see small villages with basic tea houses. In Seduwa, there is also a check post and local office of the Makalu Conservation Area. Here you will issue and register Makalu Barun Conservation Area Permit which is basically permit to enter inside Makalu National park (part of Makalu trekking). Stay overnight at tea house in Seduwa.

After having breakfast in the morning prepare to trek towards Tashigaun which takes about 4 hours.

Seduwa is the beginning of Makalu Base Camp trek. You will have to walk through some straight ascending trial and straight trials along the bushes to reach Tashigaon. Today you cross meadows, rivers, small paddy fields and reach Sherpa Village named Tashigaon. Tashi gaon means “good fortune”. Tashigaon is a big Sherpa village and it is surrounded by verdant forest. Here you will find prayer flags fluttering in the wind whispering odes of prayers for the dead and forgotten in and around the village. Stay overnight at tea house in Tashi gaon.

After having breakfast in the morning prepare to trek towards Khongma Danda, which takes about 6 hours.

Today you will walk through the ascending trial along the rhododendron and oak forest until we reach Khongma Danda. Today’s trek will be a bit challenging as you will be trekking to the higher elevation. You will first ascend through the forest, crossing a stream and climbing onto a ridge. As you reach Unshisa (3110m), enter in Makalu Barun National Park. From there, it’s a short distance to Khongma Danda (also known as Kauma or Khongma Danda). Although the distance is only about 7 km, the trail is quite challenging and typically takes about 6 hours to cover. Stay overnight at tea house in Khongma Danda.

After having breakfast in the morning prepare to trek towards Dobato which takes about 6 hours of walking.

Today you will be walking in the ascending trial following a rugged path until and pass through the Tutu La or Shipton’s Pass (4125 m) and from there walking ahead you will see a beautiful lake named “Kalo Pokhari” (3930 m). In case of heavy snow fall, the path from here can be quite hard and it might be difficult to find the trial without help of local or expert guide. As you ascend uphill, you will cross through another pass named Keke La (4170 m). After that, descend downhill through the middle of the pine woods, hemlock, and Rhododendron Forest until we reach Dobato. Stay overnight at tea house in Dobato.

After having breakfast in the morning prepare to trek towards Yangri Kharka which takes about 5-6 hours. Today’s hike is a bit adventurous and strenuous. The trail passes for about 3 hours through a landscape which is very prone to landslides. You will have to walk straight descending trial to wooden narrow valley of Themthang Kharka (3810 m) and still walk downhill until you cross Barun Khola. The Barun River running through the trail adds more dimensions to the trek with its spectacular views of mountais as well. After you cross Barun Khola, follow along the norther bank and reach the settlement of Yangri Kharka in another 3 hours. Stay overnight at tea house in Yangri Kharka.

After having breakfast in the morning prepare to trek towards Langma Le Kharka which takes about 5-6 hours. Starting from Yangri Kharka, the trek continues alongside Barun River, ascending gradually through a scenic valley adorned with thick rhododendron and juniper forests. As you climb higher, the vegetation thins out, revealing a rugged and dry terrain. Today you have the opportunity to spot wildlife like blue sheep, mountain goats, and diverse bird species, adding to the allure of the journey through) this pristine natural landscape.

The trail ascends through Himalayan pasture grasslands and forest. You can enjoy the majestic peaks such as Mt. Tutse Peak (6739 m), Peak 7 (6185 m) and many other unnamed mountains and peaks on the way to Langma Le Kharka. On the way you will pass through the places like: Yak Kharka and Merek (4100 m). Langma Le Kharka has basic tea house with limited accommodation options. Overnight at Tea house in Langma Le Kharka.

Today is an important day of the trek, today you will be trekking to Makalu Base Camp (4870 m) via Shershong (4630 m). After having breakfast at the tea house in the early morning and then trek towards Makalu Base Camp, final destination which takes about 6-7 hours.

At first, you will trek to the ascending trial through the barren alpine landscape along the Baru River Valley. Upon reaching Shershong (4630 m), now walk through the straight flatten trial through a wide, rocky plain. As you approach towards Makalu BC, you can see mesmerizing views of Mount Makalu, Baruntse, Mount Chamlang and so on.

From the Makalu Base Camp, you will be mesmerized by the views of Mt. Makalu (8463m), Baruntse (7152m), Kali Himal (6985m), Chamlang (7390m) and Makalu II (7640 m), etc. Stay overnight at Tea house in Makalu Base Camp.

Early morning you can see the scenic view of Mount Makalu, Barun Pokhari, Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse and so on. After having breakfast we can explore around Makalu Base Camp, visit Barun Pokhari, Barun Glacier, Swiss Base Camp (5150 m) and so on.

Stay overnight at Tea house in Makalu Base Camp or we can descend down to Shershong by walking about 2 hours to make the trek easier for next day.

After having breakfast in the morning, descend back to Yangri Kharka which takes about 7-8 hours. After ascending for a few hours, the trail moves along a flat level path and at the end it descends to reach Yangri Kharka. En route, you walk through a rocky forest path with views of green hills and huge stones at some distance. Stay overnight at tea house or camp in Yangri Kharka.

After having breakfast in the morning, descend back to Dobato which takes about 7 hours. The trail ascends for almost 3 hours through the same landscape and possibility of landslides. Then you have to trek uphill passing through jungles all the way to Dobato passing through the Nene Kharka, Themathang Khara and Mumbuk. This is not a village but a camping place only. Here, you can find small bushes of rhododendrons. Stay overnight at tea house or camp in Dobato.

After having breakfast in the morning, descend back to Khongma Danda which takes about 6-7 hours.

The trail descends steeply via Shipton La Pass, Keke La Pass and Kalo Pokhari through a dense jungle. Today’s walk will be mix of downhill trials leading to the ridge of Khongma Danda. Overnight at tea house in Tashigaon.

After having breakfast in the morning, prepare to descend back to Seduwa which takes about 7 hours walk.

The trek features a gradual descent from the alpine heights of Khongma (approximately 3,500 meters) down to the milder climate of Seduwa village. On today’s journey you pass through thick rhododendron and bamboo forests, flowing streams, and sections with stone steps. As you make your way down, the scenery shifts from rugged high-altitude landscapes to lush greenery and terraced farmland. Seduwa serves as the exit point from Makalu Barun National Park, where trekkers will go through a checkpoint before leaving the remote wilderness area. Stay overnight at Lodge in Tumlingtar.

After having breakfast in the morning, you will trek towards Num which takes about 5 hours. At first, you will descend until we reach Arun River for about 2 hours and then ascend for another 3 hours to reach Num. After reaching Num, you will take rest - have lunch and then prepare to return back Tumlingtar. It will be 4 hours’ drive to reach Tumlingtar.

Early morning scenic 45 minutes flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Free day in Kathmandu after arrival in hotel for spa / shopping / excursion. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Today is free day in Kathmandu where you will do sightseeing in the UNESCO listed World Heritage sites like:

• Boudhanath: One of the largest stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square: A traditional heritage site enriched with the old museums, great architecture, temples and culture of Newari people (one of the ethnic groups of Nepal.)

Stay overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Enjoy your last day in Kathmandu before departure. At your scheduled departure time, our correspondent will pick you up from the hotel, transfer you to the airport, and bid you farewell with warm hearts.