Makalu Base Camp Trek

Overview

Located in the northeastern part of Nepal, Makalu region is the unique place for bio-diversity, climatic variation along with the elevation, beautiful Himalayas, river valleys and cultural heritage. Arun valley is the richest valley for the birds where are recorded over 650 species of birds including the Spiny Babbler, the extinct bird from the world for 150 years and again found in 1992AD in this valley Makalu. Barun is the warm shelter of Tiger, leopard, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, Himalayan barking deer, wild boar, wild dog, wolf etc and different species of reptiles, butterflies and other insects.

Along with rich biodiversity, the region is also famous for cultural diversity. The valley is resided by Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tamang and Gurung tribal people as well as Khas Arya people where we can have true experience of Nepali culture and lifestyle. Situated in Arun valley, Tumlingtar (450m); the gateway to Makalu Barun and Everest is the deepest valley in the world that varies over 8000m to the Mt. Everest and Mt. Makalu. Many naturalists, bird watchers, earth & social scientists, trekkers and mountaineers visit this region every year.

Package Itineary

(Average hike 5-6 hours a day)

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu (1310m), hotel

Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swoyambhunath stupa tour, return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 02: Fly to Tumlingtar (457m), camp started

Fly to Tumlingtar (457m); the deepest valley in the world and gateway to several trekking trips like Arun valley trip to Everest region via Lukla, Everest region trek via Makalu Base Camp, Arun valley trek up to Kimathanka, Arun valley trek to Panch Pokhari, Tumlingtar Taplejung trek and Arun valley trek to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Meet the supporting crew near the airport. We may stay at hotel or in camp, dinner and overnight.

Day 03: Tumlingtar - Num (1520m) or Yangtuwa (1980m), camp

Drive to Num through bamoo groves, fields, rhododendron forests and traditional villages. We see great view of Makalu, Chamlang and Jaljale Himal from a ridge before Chichila on the way. Nowadays, due to Arun hydropower project, there is dirt road to Yangtuwa other side of the Arun River that goes through the lower valley of hydro-dam.

Day 04: Num - Sedua (1540m) - Tashi gaon(2130m) or Yangtuwa to Tashigaon

Hike down to Arun River at around 700m then start steep climb to Sedua village through cultivated fields and rocky segment. Hike continue to Tashigaon through grasslands and traditional villages like Hindrungma and Robesa by crossing several streams. Tashigaon is the uppermost permanent village in the valley resided by Sherpa people.

Day 05: Tashigaon - Kaungma (3560m)

Hike through forests, grasslands and mossy rock stairs. We cross multiple ridges and streams today.

Day 06: Kaungma-Shipton Pass (4075m)-Mumbuk (3550m)

Hike upto a ridge of maniwall with prayer flags through rhododendron forests from where we see great view of Chamlang range. We cross multiple high passes like Khongmala (3920m), Ghungru La (4050m), Keke La (4217m) and Tutu La (4148m) through rhododendron forests and rocky zones. We hike lots of ups and downs with beautiful view of mountains, forests and lakes.

Day 07: Mumbuk to Nehe Kharka (3760m)

Hike down to Barun isolated valley and walk along it through forests, rock slide and pastureland.

Day 08: Nehe Kharka to Jark Kharka(4800m)

Walk along narrow Barun valley through rhododendron forests and alpine tundra. We see great view of Chamling Himal and Pyramid Peak is seen from Riphuk view point.

Day 09: JK to Shershong (4570m)

Hike along Barun valley through Barun glacier moraine and camp in Shershong

Day 10: Shershong to Makalu Base Camp (4950m)

Hike to Makalu Base Camp through the glacier is very scenic that provides wonderful panorama of Makalu southface, Peak 6 & 7, Baruntse, Everest and Lhotse.

Day 11: Explore and study the wonderful glacial valley of lakes and majestic greater Himalaya.

There is choice to enter the Khumbu valley crossing the high passes who are interested but most trekkers head back the same way to avoid possible altitude and techinal climbing.

Day 12-16: Hike down to Yangtuwa or Walung (980m)

Hike back to Tashigaon on the same way then we continue follow the lower part of Arun hydro-dam towards Walung. Meet our jeeps here today.

Day 17: Yatungtuwa / Walung - Tumlingtar, last camp

After breakfast, drive to Tumlingtar on the same way. Today is the last day of the camp with the camping/kitchen crew. Dinner and overnight.

Day18: Fly back to Kathmandu, sightseeing in Kathmandu, hotel

After breakfast, go to airport, fly to Kathmandu in the morning, we visit Pashupatinath and Bauddhanath on the way to hotel. We will have lunch in Bouddhanath. Relax in the afternoon, dinner and overnight.

Day 19: Sightseeing and shopping in Kathmandu valley

The day is dedicated to explore the medieval era artistic cities of Bhaktapur and Patan where we see very interesting and age old temples, stupas, palaces, bells, statues, clay dung plastered traditional colorful houses, traditional water well and fountains, traditional artwork of metal, wood, clay and paper. We will also see there classic culture and typical lifestyle of Newar tribe. We will have typical Nepal lunch in Raniban with host family. Return to hotel dinner and overnight.

Day 20: Fly back home.

Have breakfast, program over, time for next program or transfer to airport, fly back home.

Detailed Trip Cost

Entire trip cost per person (USD): $3,399 // 1pax complimentary in every 11 paid guests in group

Trip cost includes:
All accommodation (twin sharing basis) & food; three meals a day -breakfast, lunch and dinner (except bar bill), insured crew (guide, porters, donkeys, dzopa, yaks and necessary kitchen crew for camping trek), all essential permits, all domestic transportation as per the itinerary, service charge and government taxes.

Trip cost does not include:
Personal expenses (like laundry, communication, alcohol, cold drinks and bottled water during trekking), gratuity to serving crew, emergency evacuation, international airfare, visa, your travel insurance and any kind of gifts and donation.

Payment system

80% of total trip budget must be paid in advance (the amount should be appeared to our account just two weeks before the trips) for domestic transportation, permits, hotel bookings reconfirmation and essential preparations.
Balance can be paid before or during/after the trip.

Refund system
In case of trip cancellation in the last 10 days of group arrival, 50% of the deposited amount will be deducted. If the trip cancels 10 days before the group arrival, we settle the full amount in next trip.