Duration: 23 days
Cost: USD 2010
Trip Type: Hotel/Lodge
Grade: Strenuous
Altitude: 5,250 m
Destination: Nepal
Activities: Sightseeing/Trekking
Best Month: Mar-May & Sep-Dec
Makalu Basecamp is the univisted and unfrequented trekking region in Nepal. Recently it is getting popular as trekking destination both for national and international tourists. The main attraction of this site is the world's fifth largest mountain - Mt. Makalu, Arun valley- world's deepest valley, local Rai and Sherpa inhabitats, flora and fauna, birds watching, etc. It is regarded as one of the difficult trekking routes by the trekkers. However the experience you can get from this trek is incredible and not found elsewhere. Hence it has become one of the must try destinations for the wilderness trekkers.
The trekking starts from Tumlingtar - the lowest and widest plateau of Nepal which is around 45 minutes flight from Kathmandu. The trekking starts following the uphill trail to Chilchila then to Num from where you can enjoy the incredible views of Mt Makalu and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. You will pass through beautiful Sherpa Village as well as Makalu Barun National Park where you can see diferent tyes of vegetations and wild life. After reaching Dobato, you have to settle for a day for very long walk where you will cross four passes - Kongma-La pass, KK-La pass, Saptang-La pass and Tutu-La pass. The spectacular view of Mt Makalu and Mt Kanchanjunga somewhat relieves your pain.
Along the way you will pass many gumba and monasteries as well as sacred lake for Hindus and Bhuddhist known as Kalo Pokhari. After reaching Yangle Kharka, you can see the popular Himalayan Viagra known locally as Yarsha Gumba which means summer plant and winter insect literally. Further trekking from Merek you will reach Makalu Base Camp then to Hillary Base camp from where you will follow the same path as before to reach Yangle Kharka, Dobato, Khongma, Siduwa, Num and to Tumlingtar from where you will fly back to Kathmandu.
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Day 01: Welcome to Kathmandu
Our office staff will welcome you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu then check you in at the hotel. During the remainder of the day you can visit our office or you can take a rest at your hotel room.
Day 02: Trekking preparation and Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley
After the breakfast, representative from our office will visit you at the hotel lobby where he will breif you about the trekking. After that, along with our tour guide you will go for a sightseeing around the historical and cultural landmarks around Kathmandu Valley. You will visit Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath and Patan Durbar Square to see its rich cultural values and norms. Return early in the afternoon so that you will have enough time to prepare your trekking gears.
Day 03: Tumlingtar(410m) and Khandbari(1040m)
Flight: 45 minutes (Kathmandu to Tumlingtar)
Walking time: 4 hrs (Tumlingtar to Khandbari)
Tumlingtar, 410 m from sea level, is the lowest and widest plateau in Nepal which surrounded by 2 rivers – river Arun and Sabha Khola. After a short flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, you will stop for a lunch there. Your Makalu Base camp trek starts formally today. From Tumlingtar you will take gradual uphill trail through the local village to Khandbari – headquarter of Shankhuwasabha district. Overnight at Khandbari(tent).
Day 04: Chilchila (1980m)
Walking time: 5.5 hrs
Today take a gradual uphill route till Mane Bhanjyang passing through terraced lands and local settlements and follow the ridge of the hill till Chilchila. Along the way you will see scenic beauty of Makalu region. Additionally you can enjoy the taste of raspberries along the way depending on the season. Chilchila is a small local settlement. Overnight at Chilchila(tent).
Day 05: Num (1560m)
Walking time: 5hrs
Today your day starts with wonderful views of Makalu and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. The trail is an ancient trade route and after a gradual uphill till Deurali the trail descends through a forest to Num. Num is last and big local settlement at this area which is popular for purchasing daily use basic items.
Day 06: Siduwa (1500m)
Walking time: 5 hrs
After breakfast, take a descending trail of 1.5 hrs till the suspension bridge over the Arun River. Cross the bridge to take a steeply uphill trail for around 3 hours till the Siduwa village. At Siduwa there is Makalu Barun National park police check post where your entry is registered. Overnight here.
Day 07: Tashigoan (2100m)
Walking time: 6 hrs
Today too the trail ascends gradually uphill through the local villages and farming lands all the way to Tashigaon which is the last village enroute to Makalu base camp. Along the way you can see the cultivations of brown cardamom which has recently become the cash crop for the people of this area. Tashigaon is the beautiful Sherpa village. Overnight at Tashigaon.
Day 08: Khongma (3500m)
Walking time: 5.5 hrs
After breakfast, take a gradual downhill trail till the river stream. From there the trail ascends uphill through the deep forest till the grazing area of Khongma, 5.5 hours away. Between Tashigaon and Khongma you will pass though many cattle sheds where locals shelter their cattles. Unlike other days, you will be having packed lunch today because of the lack of water along the way.
Day 09: Dobato (3520m)
Walking time: 8 to 9 hrs
Today is the longest trip for you. The trail to Dobato is frequent ups and downs passing through the four passes - Kongma-La (3870m), KK-La (4127m), Saptang-La( 4220m) and Tutu-La (4170m). The passes are usually covered by the snows. You can enjoy the spectacular view of various mountains and peaks like Makalu (8463m) and Kanchanjungha (8586m). Around the Saptang-La pass there are three lakes, one of which is sacred lake called Kalo Pokahari for Hindu and Buddish religion.
Day 10: Yangle Kharka (4200m)
Walking time: 6 hrs
Today you need to start early downhill and cross some dry land slides. You need to be careful around the landslides as you might get some pebbles dropping along the way. Today you mostly follow the bank of the Barun River between the high hills and high mountains until your destination. Yangle Kharka is the popular for Hiamlayan Viagra (Yarsha Gumba). Yarsha Gumba is an exceptional and incredible herb that grows in the pastures above 3,300 meters upto 4000 meters in the Himalayan regions of Nepal.Yarsagumba literally means summer plant and winter insect. It takes around 5 hours to reach to the higher river plains in Yangle Kharka.
Day 11: Yak Kharka/Tadaksa (4300m)
Walking time: 3.5 hrs
Today you will have a short trip to Yak Kharka from Yangle Kharka hence you can start bit later than other days. The first part of the trail passes through the bank of the Barun river then the trail goes inside the pine and Rhododendron forest gradually uphill until Yak Kharka. Cmping at Yak Kharka.
Day 12: Acclimatization
Today is your acclimatization and rest day so you can wake up bit late then after breakfast you can explore around the camp side. From here you can see lord Shiva cave, Parbati Danda in another side of the river which are holy places for Hindus. Also you can see peak 7 including the other mountains from here.
Day 13: Merek (4150m)
Walking time: 4 hrs
You will follow the slow down trail leaving Yak Kharka behind till Mera. On the way you can see the excellent views of Peak 4, Chamlang himal, Peak 3, Peak 5 except Mt. Makalu. After crossing a wooden bridge over the Barun River you need to trek beside the river on grasslands to Mera. From Mera, the trail climbs in following the eastern side of the valley. It is a 1.5 hrs hike to Merek.
Day 14: Makalu Base Camp (4870m)
Walking time: 6 hrs
Get up early today around 5AM to climb the ridge behind Shersong for beautiful sunrise view.
From Shersong you can see wonderful view of Mt. Makalu. Today you will be passing through the beautiful moraine of Makalu glacier gradually up for around 3 hours and then descend slow and cross a small glacier before reaching base camp which is your final destination of your trip. Overnight at MBC.
Day 15: Hillary Base Camp then to Merek
Today is the most important day of your trek as you can enjoy the closest and panoramic view of mountains such as Mt Makalu (8463m), Peak, Peak 5, Sherpini cole, Lohtse shar(8382m), Baruntse (7152m) and many more. Wake up early to grab the opportunity to view the sunrise on the mountains. After sunrise view and breakfast take a steeply uphill route to Hillary Base camp for around 3 hours to reach the view point of nearly 5,000m. You can get closer view of mountains from this point including the north face of Mt. Makalu. After that head down to Merek following the same route as before.
Day 16: Yangle Kharka
Walking time: 5 hrs
You will follow the same path as before to return to Yangle Kharka from Merek.
Day 17: Dobato
Walking time: 5.5 hrs
You will follow the same route as before to return to Dobato fromYangle Kharka.
Day 18: Khongma
Walking time: 9 hrs
You will follow the same route as before to return to Khongma from Dobato.
Day 19: Siduwa
Walking time: 5 hrs
Follow the same route as before to return back to Siduwa from Khongma.
Day 20: Num
Walking time: 5 hrs
Follow the route as before to return back to Num from Siduwa.
Day 21: Tumlingtar
Driving time: 7 hrs
From Num you will drive back to Tumlingtar for around 7 hrs from Num.
Day 22: Kathmandu
Day 23: Departure
Our Package Includes:
Our Package Excludes:
Mandatory Items
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