Makalu Base Camp Trek

Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley, including Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple.

Overnight at the hotel, breakfast included.

Begin your journey to Num by first flying from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, a small town in eastern Nepal. The flight typically takes around 35 to 50 minutes and provides scenic aerial views of the Himalayas. Upon landing at the Tumlingtar airport, which is at a lower elevation of about 518 meters, you will meet your transportation for the next leg of the journey.

A private four-wheel-drive jeep is the recommended and most common way to travel to Num, and it is best to arrange this in advance through a trekking agency. The drive from Tumlingtar to Num is an adventurous trip in itself, with the journey lasting approximately 4 to 7 hours, depending on the rough road conditions.

The route climbs steadily, passing through verdant hills, small farming villages, and the larger town of Khandbari. Num village is perched on a ridge top at around 1,560 meters, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and distant peaks. This scenic flight and subsequent jeep ride serve as the primary access point for trekkers heading into the Makalu region.

We continue along the trail descending steeply from Num through the corn fields of Lumbang. Below the village, the trail drops steeply through a jungle to a suspension bridge over the Arun River (660 m).

From the bridge, we climb steeply to a primitive tea shop, then through corn and buckwheat field. Moving along the rocky path and tiny terraces planted with corn and barley, we make a long, steep, rough climb to Sedua.

Leaving Sedua, we do a gradual climb high above the Kasuwa Khola to Gyang (1770m).

Climbing past the school at Gyang, it is a gentle walk through terraced fields and forested areas to Hindrungma village and Rupisa. En route, we cross meadows and several streams and then climb to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon.

We climb over the ridge and ascend through forests to a stream and onto a ridge where there is a small campsite. The trail levels out and then climb to a shepherd’s hut called Chipla atop another ridge. We climb past two small streams, then switch back up the ridge in forests to a kharka at 2900 meters and up to a saddle and Unshisha, a tiny meadow at approx. 330 meters.

Here the trail joins the ridge that separates the Iswa and Kasuwa drainages. The slope gets steeper and becomes a series of moss-covered stone stairs to Dhara Kharka, a meadow atop the ridge. We then move over a hillock and descend a bit to reach Kauma.

Today leaving Kauma, we climb on steep switchbacks for a while. We climb less steeply through rhododendron forests to the top of the ridge, with a large mani wall adorned with prayer flags.

From here, we get superb views of Chamlang, Peak 6, and Peak 7. Following the ridge for a while, we ascend a stone staircase. After a few false summits, the trail veers off the crest to a small lake.

We climb gently up a shallow rocky gully to the Kekela Pass (4127 m). From the pass, we descend to another lake, then ascend steeply through large boulders to the Shipton La, a 4230-meter pass. We continue descending about 150 meters into sparse rhododendron forests to a level area. The final descent is through a forest of firs and rhododendrons, then reach Dobato overnight.

We descend a steep gully with a stream of about 500 meters. We then move left through fir forests along the flank of the Barun Valley.

Moving along an ill-defined trail, we cross a 200-meter-long slide area and then follow the river to a Kharka. Moving through forests of birch and scrub rhododendron, we reach Yangle Kharka.

We Climb from Yangle Kharka, finally crossing to the north side of the Barun Khola to reach Nhe Kharka.

There is a small Gompa on the south side of the valley that offers great mountain views.

Overnight at Guesthouses, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Today is our acclimatization day, and on this day, we hike Shiva and Parvati Cave, where we can observe the brilliant view of the Barun Valley as well as the stunning view of Peak 3 and Peak 7, etc. 

Overnight at Guesthouses, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Beyond the Nhe Kharka, we follow the north bank of the Barun Khola for a while. We then cross a small wooden bridge before the river turns northward.

The Barun Valley makes a huge S-shaped curve, and the walls rise almost vertically 1500 to 2000 meters above the river, but the trail climbs gently as we approach Ripok Kharka. Still, on the north side of the Barun, the trail turns westward and leaves the rhododendron forests for the alpine tundra.

Above Ripok Kharka, the route crosses a rocky crest with a few goths and then ascends alongside a moraine formed by the Barun Glacier. There are excellent views of Pyramid Peak, Peak 4, Chamlang, Peak 3, and Peak 5, but Makalu is not yet visible.

As we pass a ridge, the glacier turns slightly north. We enter an alluvial valley, then continue to walk to the Langma Le for the night halt.

From Langma-le, we trek to the Sherson Kharka; we stay to the right in a gully on the east side of the valley. It is a gradual ascent to a minor pass about 100 meters above Makalu Base Camp.

We then descend to a stream, cross on boulders to the base camp on the west bank of the river.

From here, we get terrific views of the south face of Makalu. The large buttress of the south face rises across from the base camp. An ascent of this buttress yields views of Peaks 6, 7, and Baruntse (7220 m); Everest and Lhotse complete the panorama.

After lunch, we hike to the Hillary camp and return.

After breakfast at Makalu Base Camp, you start the long climb up to Makalu View Point at 5,700 meters. The trail rises steeply above the Barun Glacier, taking you across rocky slopes as icy winds sweep in your face. As you climb higher, the landscape becomes raw with glacial streams, ice cliffs, and breathing becomes harder with each step.

When you reach the Makalu View Point, everything changes. From this high point, you and fellow trekkers stand surrounded by some of the world's tallest mountains, such as Mt. Makalu, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Baruntse, and Chamlang, which fill the skyline in every direction. Below you, the Makalu Glacier stretches out like a frozen river, its surface shining in blues and whites. Not many trekkers reach this point, and when you're standing here, you get why it's special.

After taking in the silence and the size of the mountains around you, you head back down to base camp. The way down feels different. There's a quiet sense of pride in making it this high. By the time you get back, your legs will be tired and you'll feel it in your lungs, but the memory of being up there with those huge peaks stays with you.

On this day, you’ll begin the hike toward Nhe Kharka, retracing your steps through the Barun Valley. Today's hike is long but not as tough as the climbs before.

You'll walk past places you've seen already, like Yak Kharka and Merek, with their small stone huts scattered around. As you go lower, the landscape changes, and those white peaks start disappearing behind the ridges. The air feels thicker, and it's easier to breathe, which makes walking feel lighter after all those days up high.

By afternoon, you'll reach Nhe Kharka. This is where you'll camp for the night, right by the Barun River in a peaceful spot. As evening light spreads across the valley, you can still see the Makalu massif in the distance to the north.

Leaving the open pastures of the lower Barun Valley behind, get ahead of Nhe Kharka. The trail follows the Barun River at first, then begins a steady climb through thick rhododendron and birch forests.

You and other trekkers will pause, catch your breath, and take in views of peaks like Chamlang and Tutse. The altitude here is lower than Makalu Base Camp, but the uphill parts still wear you out, especially where the path goes over rough slopes with loose rocks.

By early afternoon, you arrive at Dobato, a ridge surrounded by mountains. From here, you can see the Kalo Pokhari Lake basin and the distant Makalu range when the sky is clear. Trekkers camp here or stay in basic lodges, settling into the stillness after a long day of walking. As night comes, the stars appear bright over Dobato.

Today, you’ll begin the long trek from Dobato toward Dhad Kharka, hiking through some of the wildest sections of the Makalu region. The trail takes you past Shipton La, where distant views of the Gangapurna and Annapurna ranges open up across the horizon.

You then cross Kekela Pass at 4,127 meters, a narrow ridge that offers wide views of the Makalu Glacier and the surrounding snow-covered peaks. The Arun Valley spreads far below, with streams from melting glaciers.

The hike down continues through rocky alpine ground. Along the way, you cross small wooden bridges over clear streams flowing down from the glaciers above. By mid to late afternoon, you arrive at Dhad Kharka, a quiet grazing meadow beside the Barun River. The area provides a calm place to rest, with trekkers camping or using the simple stone shelters nearby.

After leaving Dhad Kharka, you hike through thick mid-hill forests where your path crosses several small streams fed by glaciers. You and other trekkers can stop and then look at distant ridges and valleys. The trail then passes through Tashi Gaun, a Sherpa village with wooden homes that have carved windows and small terraced fields.

Here, you see local farming up close, where millet, potatoes, and barley are growing on steep slopes. Tashi Gaun is a good place to stop for tea and take in the contrast between the high alpine world behind you and the green mid-hills ahead.

Moving downhill, the trail follows ridges and minor streams, passing small groups of houses and community shrines. Finally, you’ll reach Seduwa, one of the main villages at the entrance to Makalu-Barun National Park. 

Seduwa has teahouses, a checkpoint where park permits are checked, and a busy farming community. After a long day, Seduwa offers a comfortable place to rest and think about how far you've come from high glaciers.

After staying the night in Seduwa, you start the final walk to the roadhead. The trail goes down through farmland and small villages with stone and wooden houses.

You'll cross some streams and bridges, with the Arun River flowing below. You can still see distant peaks like Everest and Chamlang in the distance.

At the roadhead, you catch a ride to Tumlingtar. The road goes through forests, villages, and farms along the river. By evening, you reach Tumlingtar and the trek is over. When you think back on it, you've walked through some pretty wild and remote country.

Early in the morning, you head to the small domestic airport in Tumlingtar for your flight back to Kathmandu. This is also the right time to show appreciation for your support team, such as guides and porters, tipping them for their hard work throughout the Makalu Base Camp trek.

The short flight gives you aerial views of the Arun Valley, terraced hills, and the Himalayan peaks you've trekked past over the last two weeks. As the plane flies, you can see Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, and Lhotse rising above the valleys.

Once in Kathmandu, the difference between the quiet, remote valleys and the busy city hits you right away. You can spend a few hours relaxing, walking around, or shopping in the city's crowded markets after the long journey.

Spend the day in Kathmandu to rest or explore, as per your inclination.

Overnight at the hotel, breakfast included.

Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from the Nepal Hiking Team will take you to the airport.