Trip Highlights
- View of splendid Himalayas in Everest, Baruntse, and Chamlang range.
- Traverse through the river gorges, sheer cliffs, and high-altitude lakes.
- Witness rich biodiversity and rare wildlife including snow leopards, red pandas, and black bears around Makalu Barun National Park.
- Get insightful information about the unique Kirati culture of Rai and Limbu communities.
Overview
Makalu Base Camp Trek is an enthralling journey to the eastern front of the nation across the Makalu Barun National Park. Mt. Makalu is the world’s fifth highest mountain with an altitude of 8463m, yet is rarely explored and quite underrated. Makalu Base Camp trek provides a unique experience to discover the isolated Himalayas trails. During this trip, trekkers can relish the ethnic culture and traditions of the Kirant community along the off-beat trails that stretch to the base camp of Mt. Makalu.
To start the trip, you will catch a flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, and our staff will drive you to Chichila. It is a Gurung village from where you start trekking to Num village, which sits on the ridge over Arun River. Further ahead, you reach Seduwa from where the trekkers will traverse along Arun Valley and Barun Valleys. Next, you begin to walk into the Makalu Barun National Park, which is home to varieties of wildlife, including Red Pandas. Walking into the dense forest of rhododendron, you will cross over the Barun River. And, from Yangri Kharka, you will continue towards icy glaciers and ridges to reach Shershong. As you hike to the Makalu Base Camp, you will enjoy the epic view of mountains in the Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, and Everest ranges. Makalu Base camp is the gorgeous place to discover for those who are ready to dive for strenuous adventure yet overwhelming ecstasy of Mother Nature and create their own story. For the return trek, you will retrace your steps to Tumlingtar.
During the 21 days of trekking, the trekkers get to revel in the majestic Himalayas such as Mt. Makalu (8481m), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Baruntse (7129m), Mt. Chamlang (7319m) and many more. Moreover, the Tibetan and Sherpas villages, along with their unique culture and lifestyle, are the other highlights of the trek. The best season to trek Makalu Base Camp is from March to May and September to November.
Brown Bear Trails is determined to serve the clients in all travel and tourism services in Nepal. We provide outstanding services and are committed to keeping our promises by catering to clients’ demands. Also, we will be taking care of transportation and accommodation within the package.
Itinerary
Our staff will pick you up at Tribhuvan International Airport and drive you to the designated hotel in Kathmandu. You will stay the night in the hotel and prepare to leave for trekking the next day.
After having breakfast in the hotel, our driver will drive you to the domestic airport to catch the early morning flight to Tumlingtar. Observing the spectacular views around the mountains and hills, you will reach Tumlingtar. After that, you will approach the Chichila village of the Gurung tribe, relishing the lush landscape. You will stay overnight at a lodge in Chichila.
The first day of trek starts from Chichila where you get to pass through the lush vegetation of rhododendron forests and small villages to arrive at Num. If the weather is clear, you get to see a stunning view of the Himalayas such as Mt Chamlang, Mt. Baruntse, and so on. You will stay for the night at Num and prepare for the next day.
After breakfast, you will leave the Num, and along the journey, you will see several watersheds. Once you cross over Barun River, you will approach the Makalu Barun Conservation Area, which has exotic vegetation and rich biodiversity along with protected wildlife. Our guide will deal with all kinds of legal permits required for the trek. Then, you will walk into the dense forests passing beautiful villages to reach Seduwa finally.
After breakfast in Seduwa, you will trek alongside several rivers, including the Isuwa river and the Kasuwa river. The trail follows quaint villages and forests to reach another beautiful village known as Tashigaon. The village belongs to the Sherpa tribe where you will get the insight about their culture and lifestyle. You will stay the night at Tashigaon.
Enjoying the vistas of Makalu and Baruntse ranges from Tashigaon, you will leave for the Khongma Danda. The trekking from Tashigaon to Khongma Danda encompasses steep trails through stone steps. On the journey, you will get to pass through soothing lakes along with the yaks, blue sheep, and cattle. Continuing the journey, you will trek through the Makalu Barun National Park before reaching Khongma Danda.
This is an acclimatization day, where you will relax and enjoy the extraordinary views of the high altitude. If you wish, you may take a walk to nearby Buddhist stupas and get to learn about Sherpas culture. Since the village lies at the base of Kauma La Pass, you can also head to the top of the pass and relish the view of the Makalu range. Overnight stay in Khongma Danda.
You will leave early after breakfast and proceed with a trek towards Dobate. The trail ascends over Kauma La Pass (3603 m) and moves forward to Keke La Pass (4127m). Further, you trek north to the top of the Shipton La Pass (4170 m), where you come across Kalo Pokhari Lake. Heading forward, you will reach Dobate trekking over Tutu La Pass (4080m), where you'll find a great view of Chamlang (7319 m), Peak 6 (6524m) and other mountains.
After breakfast, you will leave for Yangri Kharka. You will walk into the dense forest of rhododendron occupied by a beautiful aura of the Barun River. Here, you will cross a bridge over the river and come across the fields filled with yaks. After a couple of hours of continuous trek, you will reach the Yangri Kharka, where you stay overnight.
After breakfast at Yangri Kharka, you will trek towards the Langmale Kharka. You will trek alongside the lush forests and pass through rivers to reach Merek. With the greeting of Himalayas along the journey, you will walk through the Himalayan villages and arrive at Langmale Kharka. The views surrounding the pasture land offers excellent views of the Makalu range.
After breakfast, you will head the journey towards Makalu Base Camp. The trekking goes across steep trails crossing over the Barun River as you pass through glaciers and ridges. Finally, you will reach Shershong from where you get to view the epic beauty of Mt. Makalu (8481m). After trekking for two hours, you will arrive at the Makalu Base Camp and witness the beauty of the Makalu and Baruntse Himalayas.
The panoramic view of Himalaya’s vistas from Makalu Base Camp fills your soul with joy. From here, you will even get to view the Mt. Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Baruntse (7219m), and many other Himalayas. Also, you will get to rejoice the glaciers and glacial lakes in the surrounding. You can hike to the serene Barun glacier as well. If you want, you may wish to climb further the ridge of 5250m, which is northeast of Shershong on the bottom slope of Peak 3. From the viewpoint, you will get a view of Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Lhotse Shar, and Mt. Everest. Overnight stay at Makalu Base camp.
After relishing the delightful views from the Makalu base camp, you will proceed to descend towards Yangri Kharka. You will pass through the forest, several rocky trails and followed by the villages of Shershong, Langmale Kharka, and Merek. After trekking for a couple of hours, you will reach to Yangri Kharka, where you stay overnight.
After breakfast at Yangri Kharka, you will trek alongside Barun River, rocky ridges, and pass along various forests to reach Dobate. Adoring different alpine vegetation and river up-streams, you will trek in the company of yaks, snow pigeons, and blue sheep. The final part of the trek will take you across pasture lands before reaching Dobate. Overnight stay at the hotel.
From Dobate, you will trek towards Khongma Danda, where you will walk into rhododendron forests and several other forests to reach the place called Mumbuk. Then, you will be crossing over Tutu La Pass (4080m), Shipton La Pass (4170 m), Keke La Pass (4127m), and Kauma La Pass (3603m). Appreciating the beauty of nature, you will finally reach Khongma Danda, where you stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will head towards Tashigaon. You will walk through the dense forests and trek along the rivers, followed by steep rocky trails. Trekking through the Makalu Barun National Park, you will return to the beautiful Sherpa village of Tashigaon. Explore around the village and enjoy the Sherpa culture for the remainder of the day.
From Tashigaon, you will leave for the Seduwa. You will pass through various river streams, cross over the Barun River, and come across small villages. You will trek alongside Isuwa Khola and Hingsa Khola as you keep on enjoying the views. After a couple of hours, you will reach Seduwa, where you will be spending the night.
After breakfast, you will leave for the Num village. You will walk into dense rhododendron and bamboo forests and cross a bridge over the Arun River and exit Makalu Barun Conservation Area. You will pass through various pristine settlements of Sherpas, and, after trekking for a couple of hours, you will reach the Sherpa Village of Num.
Pondering upon the trails you have traveled, you will regain your strength and joy of the last day of the trek today. You will trek along the sloppy trails, appreciating the beautiful view of Mt. Makalu (8481m). After trekking for seven long hours, you will reach Tumlingtar. Here, you can enjoy the Limbu culture and buy some souvenir on the last night of your stay at Tumlingtar.
After a successful trek, you will fly back to the capital city, enjoying the beautiful view of the mountains and hills. You may wish to relax and explore the city. You can also enjoy the cultural show during dinner. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.
The next day we will bid you a warm farewell, and our staff will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport in your airport time.
Cost Includes
Cost Includes
- All arrival and departure from the airport to hotel and back on private cars, coach or buses as per the group size.
- Accommodation in tourist standard or 2-3 star class hotels on bed and breakfast basis as well in twin sharing basis rooms. (For single supplement at extra cost)
- Tour and sightseeing around Kathmandu as per the itinerary chosen with city guides includes all entrance fees at places of interest.
- Domestic air flights as per the itinerary chosen, some with overland drive to reach at the start of treks and on the end, where chartered bus-cars or coach included as per group size.
- Full board on trekking with breakfast-lunch-afternoon refreshment with dinner includes twin sharing rooms in lodge on route treks and long tours.
- Applicable Trekking Information Management Systems permits (TIMS) with Conservation or National Park permits.
- All tour and treks accompanied by guides-staff and porters (either human or pack animals like yaks or mules), all wages, meals, accommodation, transportation facilities with Insurance against medical and accidents.In some high altitude treks we provide sleeping bags and down jackets also with comprehensive medical kits carried by our guides and staff.Sleeping bags, and down jackets might include depending upon trip cost.
- First Aid and Comprehensive Medical Kit carried by our guides on all treks and climb.
Cost Excludes
- International air-fare, Personal medical / travel insurance and Nepal visa fees.
- Expenses of individual nature drinks, laundry, telephone bills, gratitude and meals in city areas Kathmandu and Pokhara as per the itinerary chosen.
- On treks, laundry, recharge of electronic items and hot-showers.
- Personal Trekking-Climbing gear and equipment’s including down jackets-sleeping bags . if not provided by the company as per the trip cost.
- Single Supplement on hotel rooms as well on trek in lodge where clients should inform ahead on booking with extra charge on booking single private rooms where available.
- Emergency evacuation by any means of transportations including immediate Helicopter services if required on accidents, sickness and personal problems.
- Early return from the tour or treks will not be entertainment with refund, where client should borne all the expenses incurred including accompany guide-porters services.
- Gratitude / Tipping at the end of treks and climbs.
FAQ’S (Frequently Asked Questions):
This wonderful adventure of little more than two weeks trek walk and climb
above 4,500 m passes. The trek takes you to cross Keke-la, Shipton-La and
Kongma-La moderate passes. As well as visiting Arun and Barun Valleys to Makalu
Base camp at 5,250 m high. In the end, flying out of Tumlingtar to Kathmandu.
The best time is spring from March to May, and autumn/fall begins from
September to early November. These are the best times for pleasant walks and
views but could get snowfall sometimes. Much colder morning and evening,
nighttime, but with clear sunny most of the days.
Walking ups and down with few flat sections, walk into lovely woods of
rhododendron and pines. The trek leads to several nice villages adorned with
ancient culture and the heritage of Buddhism. Encountering friendly and cheerful
villagers, cold morning and night time but with sunny clear days for excellent
views of snow-capped peaks.
Crossing above 4,400 m passes from one beautiful valley to other scenic areas,
truly a great adventure to experience. On leaving Tashi-Gaon the last village
within complete wilderness.
The trek starts from Lukla low Tumlingtar at 950 m and then reaches above 5,250 m
at Makalu Base Camp.
Accommodation in local lodges is simple but nice, clean and cozy but smaller
rooms. But at Tumlingtar to Tashi-Gaon, the lodges are of local standard with
common bathrooms. Having large warm dining rooms serves a comprehensive
food menu from Continental, Chinese, Indian, and Tibetan to Nepal meals. Some
lodges also provide fresh bakery items also. The main preferred meal is Nepali
Dal Bhat (boiled rice and lentil soup with seasonal vegetables and homemade hot
sauce or mild pickle. The large group provides set meals to make it easier as well as to
save time and fuel energy.
But on leaving Tashi Gaon village the standard of lodges is simple and basic.
The food is served with set meals of simple variations. Mostly Tibetan bread, Chapatti,
Pancake, Rice, and Veg curry as well noodles soup and fried rice or noodles.
Every village has hydroelectricity and solar, where trekkers can change their
electronic items by paying a fee per hour per item charged to the lodge owner.
Yes, nearly all villages provide hot or cold showers and bathe with hot water in a
large bucket. Extra charge for using the hot shower and bathing.
But for some days after Tashi-Gaon, there will be no electricity or hot-showers till
Tashi-Gaon and Tumlingtar are reached. Few places have solar power, better to
carry a portable solar panel to charge their electronic items.
Nearly all main villages as far towards Tashi-Gaon, sometimes due to landscapes
wise entering deep valleys and gorges where internet services could be
obstructed. But do not expect much on leaving Tashi-Gaon. Where walk leads to
the total wilderness where internet services are not available till Tashi-Gaon and back
at Tumlingtar.
To book with “Brown Bear Trails” a minimum of one month or earlier is the best.
Sending your passport details, and advance payment with a photocopy of Travel /
Medical Insurance. The rest of the trip balance will be paid on arrival in Kathmandu
before trek departures.
