Makalu Base Camp Trek - 18 Days

Makalu Region
The wilderness Trekking
Duration18 Days
CountryNepal
Trip GradeStrenuous
i
Maximum Altitude4,800 m
Group Size1 - 10
StartsKathmandu
EndsKathmandu
ActivitiesMakalu Base Camp Trrekking
Best TimeMarch to June and September to November

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.

Itinerary

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a wilderness trek in the eastern part of Nepal. This trek can be connected by Kanchenjunga, Numba Shumba, and Everest region. Our 18-day itinerary is only for the base camp and back. A customized itinerary is available as per your request.

Trip PlanExpand All
01Day

Fly to Tumlingtar is about 45 minutes in the morning. After landing at Tumlingtar, drive to Num due to the road construction, the drive might take longer than expected time. Arrive and check in to the hotel.

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 1,560 m

Distance; 29 KM

Max Altitude: 518 mMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerAccommodation: Guest houseDuration: 8 hoursDistance: 29 km
02Day

Trek from Num to Seduwa, 1,560m - 800m descent / 800 m. ascent, 8km, 5-6 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 1,560m

Distance Cover: 800M UP and 800m down. 8km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
03Day

Trek from Seduwa to Tashigaon, 2,100 m. - 700m ascent, 8 km, 5-6 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 2,100m

Distance Cover: 700m up. 8km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
04Day

Trek from Tashigaon to Khongma Danda, 3,640 m. - 1,400 .m ascent, 7.2 km, 7 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 7hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 3640m

Walking Distance: 1400m up. 7.5km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
05Day

Trek from Kongma Danda to Dobate/ Mumbuk 3,860 m, over the Khongma La, Sano Pokhari Danda, Shipton La, and Keke La - 852m ascent / 599m descent, 7.6km, 6-8 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 8hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Acco: Guest house

Altitude: 3860m

Walking Distance: 200m up. 8km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
06Day

Trek from Dobate to Yangle Kharka 3,630 m. - 430 m. ascent / 600m descent, 9.7 km, 5-6 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 3630m

Walking Distance: 430m up. And 600m down,/ 7.5km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
07Day
Meals: Full Board PlanAccommodation: Guest House
08Day

Trek from Yangle Kharka to Langmale/Sershang 4,420 m. - 758 ascent, 10.5 km 5 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 5hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 4400m

Walking Distance: 760 up./10.5km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
09Day

Trek to Makalu Base Camp 4,800 m. - 473 m. ascent / 115 m. descent, 9 km, 5-6 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 4800m

Walking Distance: 9km.

Meals: Guest houseAccommodation: Full Board meals
10Day
Meals: Guest houseAccommodation: Full Board meals
11Day

Return to Yangle Kharka - 122 m. ascent / 1,214 m. descent, 16 km, 6-7 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 7 hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 3620 m

Walking Distance: 16 km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
12Day

Return to Dobate/Mumbuk - 640 m. ascent / 412m descent, 9 km, 6 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 3860 m

Walking Distance: 9km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
13Day

Dobate trek to Khongma - 600 m. ascent / 852 m. descent, 7.6k m, 6-7 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 3640 m

Walking Distance: 9km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
14Day

Khongma trek to Tashigaon - 80 m. ascent / 1,450 m. descent, 7 km, 5 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 5 hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Acco: Guest house

Altitude: 3640 m

Walking Distance: 7 km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
15Day

Return trek to Seduwa - 150 m. ascent / 700 m. descent, 9 km, 4-5 hours.

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Acco: Guest house

Altitude: 1540 m

Walking Distance: 9km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
16Day

Seduwa trek back to Num 6 hrs

Approx. Time taken: 6hrs

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude: 1560 m

Walking Distance: 9 km.

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
17Day

A Jeep Drive to Tumlingtar from Num. Off Road up and down.

Drive to Tumlingtar and overnight at the Guest house.

Meals: Full Board meals

Accommodation: Guest house

Altitude; 1,560 m

Distance; 29 KM

Meals: Full Board mealsAccommodation: Guest house
18Day

Fly to Kathmandu and Global Eco Trails receive you and transfer you to the Hotel. Evening farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
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Cost Details
Included
  • Complementary International Airport Pick up and drop off,
  • All Domestic Airport pickup and drop-off services
  • 17-night Teahouse accommodation during the trek with full board meals
  • Kathmandu-Tumlingtar-Kathmandu flight tickets with departure tax
  • An experienced English-speaking Mountain Sherpa Guide
  • Tumlingtar to Num (The starting point/Ending point of the trek) by Jeep
  • Salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging for The Leader
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (Makalu-Barun National Park permit)
  • TIMS- Trekkers Information Management System)
  • Guide and Porter Insurance
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • Company Services Charges and Local Government Tax.
  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu
Excluded
  • Nepalese visa fee, Visa can be obtained upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport. Visa costs 25 USD, 40 USD, and 100 USD for 15, 30, and 90 days respectively
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, or early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
  • International flights Tickets
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s),
Dates & Availability
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