Makalu Base Camp (4,870m) Trek is a popular off-the-beaten-path trekking trail in Nepal that takes you to the base of Mt. Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world (8481m). The trek is known for its stunning views of the high Himalayan peaks, lush green vegetation, deep river gorges, waterfalls, diverse flora and fauna, sacred ponds, and lakes. The trek starts from Kathmandu by air and drives to Num Bazaar from where you trek to the highest elevation: Makalu Base Camp, 4870 meters. Makalu Base Camp Trek is a physically challenging trek that involves 6/7 hours of daily walking over several passes.
Makalu Base Camp Trek Highlights
- Hanging Glacier and granite cliff view
- Trek through peaceful Rhododendron forests with chirping birds
- Quiet trails through vibrant terrace farmland with rural culture
- Makalu Base Camp and its surroundings are "a place to be once in a lifetime"
The majority of the local dwellers are Rai, Limbu, Gurung, and Sherpa living together in peace and harmony preserving their culture and customs.
Makalu Trek is isolated due to its distinct location; thus beauty and remoteness still exist. However, it is not a super challenging trek because of some acclimatization days within the 18-day Makalu Trek itinerary.
18 Days Makalu Base Camp Package Cost
The cost of an 18-day Makalu Base Camp Trek depends on various factors such as the number of participants in your group, services, type of trek accommodation (Tea House or Camping), mode of transportation, and so on. Our standard package cost starts from 1500 USD to 2200 USD per head for an 18-day package. Please see below in the "Include & Exclude" Section.
How Difficult is Makalu Base Camp Trek?
The Makalu base camp trek is a challenging trek, best suited to mentally and physically strong and experienced mountain trekkers. Along the way, a few passes must be crossed to reach the base camp. One needs to mentally prepare to walk about 6/7 hours of daily walking in the rocky terrain. However, due to sparse oxygen, a couple of rest/acclimatization days are built into the itinerary. Makalu Base Camp is also the getaway to the Sherpani Col pass to the Everest region which requires mountaineering skills as it is categorized as an extremely challenging pass.
Necessary Permits and Fees for Makalu Trek
Makalu Base Camp Trails is delimited in Makalu Barun National Park. We should obtain two different permits: Makalu Barun National Park Entry Permit and a Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) Card. The cost of a National Park permit is 30 USD per person and 20 USD per person for TIMS. The registered trek company shall arrange all these permits like us.
The suitable time for Makalu Base Camp Trek
The suitable time for Makalu Base Camp trek is in the fall (September to December) and Spring (Late March to June). The temperature varies from month to month. The daytime temperature during the spring and autumn seasons is 5 to 15 degrees Celsius and the nighttime temperature is -5 to -10 degrees Celsius. Summer/monsoon season (June to August) is relatively warm but it is not suggestable to trek Makalu base Camp then due to heavy rain, flooding, and poor visibility. The winter season (late December to early March) is too cold and the route to base camp may close.
How to Reach Makalu Base Camp?
Makalu Base Camp Journey begins after a 45-minute flight to Tumlingtar and a four-hour drive to Num. Your Makalu Base Camp journey begins from here to walk through the Makalu-Barun National Park. The ultimate objective of the trek is to hike to the base camp of Mt. Makalu 8,481m (the fifth-highest mountain in the world). The Makalu Base Camp offers magnificent views of the south face of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, and the Barun Glacier. All along the trail, you will enjoy stunning views of Mt Makalu (8,481m), Mt. Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m), and Mera Peak (6,654m). The trail passes through Makalu Barun National Park allowing you to enjoy the pristine wilderness and biodiversity. This trek allows going to Baruntse Base Camp, Amphulaptsa pass to the Everest base camp in the Khumbu region. The distinctive feature of Makalu Base Camp trekking is its pristine wilderness as you pass through an unparalleled gallery of the most colorful flowers ever seen in the Himalayas with dense forests of Rhododendron, orchids, maple, magnolia, and aromatic herbs.
Lastly, proper gear, updated trek information, physical fitness, a professional guide, and a local trekking company are required to embark on Makalu Base Camp Trek. It is an 18-day tea house trek to Makalu Base Camp. If you are thinking of going from Sherpani Col to Chhukung into Everest region then you should prepare a full camping trek. Please contact our experts with any questions you may have. Global Eco Trails can be your local tour operator due to its experts in the region. Moreover, you can check Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek and Everest Three pass trek as well.
