
3 Week Trek to Makalu Base Camp
Adventure seekers and hikers may find Nepal to be a treasure trove of lush green forests, beautiful rivers, and breathtaking mountain circuits. This beautiful nation of hills and mountains makes for an excellent paradise for travelers, adventurers, and explorers looking for great trekking or sightseeing experience.
In addition to this, I recommend the Makalu Base Camp Trek to any adventurer looking for an engaging trek in Nepal that will make a lasting impression at any age and stage of life. It is my personal favorite, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly to my fellow adventurers.
Table of Contents
About Makalu
Nepal’s most challenging and thrilling Trek, the Makalu Base Camp trek, is located on an off-beaten path not as popular as others in Nepal, meaning it’s relatively quieter and less crowded than other trekking routes.
Makalu Base Camp Trek is a good trek for adventure seekers who wish to encounter the Himalayan culture, hospitality, and lifestyle of the people living at high altitudes and exploring isolated Nepal areas. If you dare, get ready for one of the best trekking experiences of your lifetime at Makalu Base Camp.
Getting Ready for the Trek
Most of the path along the Makalu Base Camp Trek lies at a high altitude, from about 500 meters of elevation to a maximum of 4,870 meters. So, adapting to this difference might be a bit difficult for some people. In addition, altitude sickness and breathlessness can result from this extreme elevation. Therefore, people with lung ailments should avoid such activities or take all precautions necessary before attempting such adventures.
Since this Trek is one of the highest mountains in the world, the temperature can be a factor and a feature of the expedition. However, proper preparation in this cold climate is imperative. So, be sure to bring along the following materials with you.
- Warm clothes, including jackets, sweaters, and thermal wears
- Well-fitting gloves, socks, and shoes or boots
- Trekking sticks
- Snow Glasses and flashlight
- Energy bar
- Moisturizers and lip guard
- Water bottles and thermos
- Portable fire stoves
While some of the things and appliances mentioned above might not be essential. But, they would certainly make the Trek much more comfortable. In the event you forget any of them, you can find them in the various trek shops, but the cost might be a little higher than usual.
Starting the Makalu Trek
If you are a foreigner, you must acquire a Nepali visa and arrive in Kathmandu initially. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you need to book a flight to Tumlingtar. From there, a 4-hour long drive to Chichila would take you to your starting point of the Trek.
Day 2: Reaching Seduwa
On the opposite side of the valley, our destination for the night is located. After trekking for more than six hours, we pass through Arun Khola, a suspension bridge, towards the entry point of the Makalu Barun National Park at Seduwa village.
Day 3: Continuing towards Tashigaon
On this day, we'll hike out of the valley through terraced paddy fields towards Manigaon. After a five-hour hike, we'll reach the beautiful Tashigaon Village and rest there for the night.
Day 4 and 5: On top of Khongma Danda
On the fourth day, we need to hike up to an altitude of 3,500 meters. This path mostly contains a rocky road and an uphill walk with an amazing view of the valley beneath. After ascending more than 1400 meters, we need to rest for the fifth day at Khongma Danda to adapt to the weather and conditions at such an altitude.
A good way to spend the rest day can be through visiting the local villages and experiencing the lifestyles and culture of the people.
Day 6: Towards Debate
After a six-hour trek, you'll reach the beautiful Dobate Village after passing through multiple rhododendron forests, Shipton La Pass, Kalo Pokhari, and Keke La.
Day 7: Trekking to Yangri Kharka
Our journey to Yangri Kharka leads us through rhododendron forests and fir and birch forests along the Barun River. We descend steeply to the river's south bank and then cross several areas where landslides have occurred before we reach a small village, Yangri Kharka, where we rest for the night.
Day 8: Yangri to Langmale Kharka
Get the view of Yak pastures while you hike up to Langmela Khakra on the eighth day. In addition, while passing through Merek, you can notice the beautiful Himalayan view.
Day 9: Finally, Makalu Base Camp
Finally, after nine days of trekking, you'll get to enjoy the wonderful Makalu Base Camp at an altitude of 4,870 meters. While on the way there, you'll get to see the Japanese Base Camp and the village of Shersong afterward. Rest there for the night while enjoying the jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Day 10: Day Trip
Upon arriving at Makalu Base Camp, we need to dedicate one extra day for a four-hour hike to and back from the beautiful Swiss Base Camp. Reach one of the top points of our Trek at 5,120 meters on this day.
Day 11: Morning Hikes
During the morning of the eleventh day, a 2-hour walk to the viewpoint allows for a majestic view of Mount Everest, Chamlang, Baruntse, Makalu, and Lhotse. Afterward, the descent back to Langmale Kharka begins.
Day 12: Back down to Yangri Kharka
Retracing our steps to the top, we hike back to Yangri Kharka for about four hours to rest and camp for the night.
Day 13: Retracing the Steps
Due to the descending path, the Trek back to Debate from Yangri Kharka would be much quicker on the return trip. Nonetheless, the view of the Himalayas remains the same throughout the day.
Day 14: Khongma Danda
Today, we walked back for six hours to reach Khongma Danda. Furthermore, we pass through Tutu LaPass, Kauma La Pass, Keke La Pass, and Shipton La Pass to reach our destination for the day.
Day15: Furthermore, to Tashigaon
On our fifteenth day, we walk through a few lakes and forests on our way back to Tashigaon.
Day 16: Seduwa
Today, we trek from Isuwa Khola to Hingsa Khola, passing through small settlements on the way to Seduwa. We reach Seduwa after 5 hours of trekking.
Day 17: Penultimate Day
On this day, we hike back from Seduwa to the village of Num. Similar to our ascend a week earlier, we'll walk back the same path to encounter the rhododendron and bamboo forest as well as the Arun River.
Day 18: Finally, back to Tumlingtar
The final day of our Trek brings us the satisfaction of trekking along steep hills with the spectacular view of Mt. Makalu for the last time before reaching Tumlingtar. Finally, after trekking for seven hours, we arrived at Tumlingtar.
Cost includes:
- Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
- Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Accommodation during the trek.
- Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
- Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
- First Aid kit.
- Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
- TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
- All needed government tax/vat.
Cost excludes:
- International Airfare.
- Your travel insurance.
- Sightseeing entrance fees
- Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
- Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
- Tips for Guide and Porters
After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful cycling experience, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.
We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.
Finally, after the completion of the Trek, take a rest as you cherish the beautiful moments you encountered during the Trek while on your trip back home. It is certainly deserving of its reputation for its rich historical legacy, amazing views, and the hospitality of the locals that can make a trek to the Makalu Base Camp an unforgettable experience.