Makalu Base Camp Wilderness Trek

Duration: 18 Days
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: By Air
  • Food: Full Board Plan
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teas House
  • Group Size: 2-8
  • Max Elevation: 4810m

Makalu Base Camp trekking is a challenging trek in the Mahalangur Himalayan region of Nepal. Categorized as Moderate to Challenging trekking in Nepal. You should have strong physical fitness and stamina to accomplish Makalu Base Camp trekking. Makalu trek provides a variety of flora and fauna, a local Himalayan community, and a stunning landscape of snow-clad terrain.

The highlight of 18 days Makalu Base Camp Trek

  • Trekking along the peaceful landscape with cultivated terraced fields, waterfall, and Rhododendron forest.
  • Makalu Base Camp Trek is a challenging trek through glaciers moraine and gorge.
  • Explore Sherpa village and experience the rich Sherpa culture by crossing the high pass.
  • Enjoy stunning views of the south face of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang, and Baruntse through Makalu Trekking.

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a popular off-the-beaten-path trekking trail in Nepal that takes you to the Makalu base camp (4870m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world (8,481m). The trek is known for its stunning views of the high Himalayan peaks, lush green vegetation, deep river gorges, waterfalls, diverse flora and fauna, sacred ponds, and lakes. The trek starts from Kathmandu by air and drives to Num Bazaar gradually taking you to the highest elevation of the trek to Makalu Base Camp 4,870 meters. The trek is perfect for any age group or first-time trekkers as it starts from a lower altitude and gradually takes you to higher altitudes at a nominal pace with altitude gain.

About local people and customs
The majority of the local dwellers are Rai, Limbu, Gurung, and Sherpa living together with peace and harmony preserving their culture and customs.
The trek is isolated due to its distinct location, thus, the beauty and remoteness still exist. However, it is not a supper challenging trek because some of the acclimatization days are placed into the below itinerary
The cost of an 18-day Makalu Base Camp Trek depends on various factors such as the duration of the trek, the number of people in your group, services, type of trek accommodation, mode of transportation, and so on. Our standard package cost starts from 1200 USD to 2300 USD per head for an 18-day Makalu Trekking.

Necessary permits and fees for Makalu trek
To accomplish the Makalu Base Camp Trek, you need to get two permits:

A) Makalu Barun National Park Conservation Area permit

B) Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) Card.

The cost of National Park permits is 30 USD per person and 20 USD per person for TIMS. All these permits shall be arranged by the registered trek company.

Makalu Base Camp adventure starts after the 45-minute flight to Tumlingtar and a four-hour drive to Num. The trek begins from here and walks through the Makalu-Barun National Park the ultimate objective of the trek is to hike to the base camp of Mt. Makalu 8,481m (the fifth-highest mountain in the world) at an altitude of 8,481m. The Makalu Base Camp offers you magnificent views of the south face of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, and the Barun Glacier. All along the trail, you will enjoy stunning views of Mt Makalu (8,481m), Mt. Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m), and Mera Peak (6,654m). The trail passes through Makalu Barun National Park allowing you to enjoy the pristine wilderness and biodiversity. This trek gives an opportunity to go to Baruntse Base Base Camp, Amphulaptsa pass to the Everest base camp in the Khumbu region. The distinctive feature of Makalu Base Camp trekking is its pristine wilderness as you pass through dense forests of Rhododendron, orchids, maple, magnolia, aromatic herbs, and an unparalleled gallery of the most colorful flowers ever seen in the Himalayas. The best time to undertake the Makalu Base Camp trek is October to early December and April to Mid June is recommended and the rest of the month is the customized month as per clients' interests and requirements.

Makalu Base Camp Trek Route

The trekking route to Makalu follows the local path to go from one village to another. Num Village-Tashi Gaon-Mumbuk-Yangle Kharka-Makalu Base Camp and return back to Tumlingtar and fly or drive back to Kathmandu.


It is an 18-day tea house trek all the way to Makalu Base Camp and back. If anyone thinking of going to Amphulaptsa pass to Chhukung in the Everest region then you should prepare a full camping trek and should have knowledge of technical crevasse and Glacier walking. The mentioned itinerary is just an idea, if you have your own customized plan please feel free to share.

Outline Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days
Day 01: Kathmandu -Tumlingtar 45 min flight, 510 m-jeep drive to Num. 1,560 m./5,116 ft./6 hrs.

Kathmandu to Tumlingtar is about 45 minutes and mostly in the morning. After landing at Tumlingtar, drive to Num due to the road construction, you will drive to Num which takes about 7 hours. Overnight at Guesthouse. 

  • Full Board meals
  • Guest house/Guest House
  • 1,560 m./5,116 ft.

 Today you will start the trek from Num after having breakfast. You will descend (800 m.) to Aurun River and ascent (800 m.) to Seduwa. Descending through Cardamom crops (the biggest cash crops in the region), the temperature is very warm. Passing bustling local village and bamboo trees.

  • full board plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 1,830 m./6,002 ft.

It's a beautiful day's walk today without the heartless ascents and descents of yesterday. You begin climbing on a path with many stone steps and pass several Mani walls as you go into Sherpa territory, Tashigaon.

  • full board plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 2,100 m./6,888 ft.

Yes, prepare for the big ascent today! Cross the log bridge and continue through the stunning Rhododendron forest. It is a lovely walk with different species of birds like sparrows and hawks. 

  • full board plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 3,640 m./11,939 ft.

This is a truly pleasant day of the trek crossing four high passes Shipton La, Khongma La, Pokhari Danda, and Keke La with airy traverses and dramatic ridge sections offering near-constant stunning views of snow-capped peaks. 

  • Full board paln
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 2,050 m./6,724 ft.

You have a really beautiful descent trek through rhododendron and pine forests this morning. Look out for Guldenstadts redstarts, minivets, tragopans, and magpies in the trees while on the trek. From Themathang Kharka, 3,500 m It takes around four hours to reach Yangle Kharka from Dobate

  • Full board plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 3,650 m./11,906 ft

Explore the area and enjoy the day excursion

  • Full board plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 3,650 m./11,906 ft.

Passing the colorful flags towards the Jhak Kharka, Yak Kharka, and reached Merek where you may stop for a warm cup of tea after 2.5 hours. Langmale Kharka offers a beautiful Himalayan panorama. Sershang is about one hour's walking from Langmale Kharka.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 4,800 m./15,744 ft.

 Today is another beautiful day and it offers the 7 highest peaks. Yes of course the day is long as before but it is also a very pleasant path. Hoping bulders to bulders and pastureland along the way. Arrival and check-in Guest House.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 4,420 m./14,997 ft.

There are some softer options, which include following a path to view the lakes beyond base camp. There is also a much shorter ridge climb you can do just above base camp, and there's a small hill at the head of base camp marked with prayer flags which are around an hour's walk out and back. Your guide may also have other suggestions.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 4,800 m./15,744 ft.


  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 3,630 m./11,906 ft.

 

  • Full board paln
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 2050 m./6724 ft.

We start to go downhill and again uphill through the forest and giant bolder. Overnight at camp.

  • Full Board plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 3,640 m./11,939 ft.

You descend from Khongma down to Dhara Kharka which takes around 2 hours. You'll no doubt stop for a cup of tea here. The descent to Tashigaon then takes a further 3 hours.

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 2,100 m./6,888 ft.

 Retracing your steps back to Seduwa today will take around 4-5 hours.

  • Full Board
  • Tea House/Guest House
  • 1,560 m./5,116 ft.

It's a long, fairly steep climb, mainly on stone steps, all the way down to the Arun River valley at 770m. It will be very warm now as you head deep into the forest lower down. After crossing the river and enduring the 800 m. climb all the way back to Num. Now you can congratulate yourself on the successful completion of this challenging and rewarding trek!

  • Full Board Plan
  • Tea House/Guest House

It is a about 7 hours public jeep drive to Tumlingtar, arrival and check-in to a hotel. 

  • Full Board Plan
  • Hotel
  • 1,500 m.

Take a pleasant flight to Kathmandu, outlooking into the massive Himalayan range, and land in Kathmandu. Arrival and transfer to your designated hotel. Hotel is your choice

What's included

  • All Domestic Airport pickup and drop-off services
  • 17-night Teahouse accommodation during the trek with full board meals
  • Kathmandu-Tumlingtar-Kathmandu flight tickets with departure tax
  • An experienced English-speaking Mountain Sherpa Guide
  • Sherpa porters (2 trekkers:1 porter) to carry your trekking gears
  • Tumlingtar to Num (The starting point/Ending point of the trek) by Jeep 
  • Salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging for Guide and porter
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (Makalu-Barun National Park permit)
  • TIMS- Trekkers Information Management System)
  • Guide and Porter Insurance
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • Company Services Charges and Local Government Tax.
  • Nepalese visa fee, A visa can obtain on your upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, Visa cost 30 USD, 50 USD, and 125 USD for 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days respectively. 
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Excess baggage charges if more than 15 kg.
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) other than the scheduled itinerary
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • Services which are not mentioned in the "Included section"
Request a Private Date
  • Solo travelers are welcome to Makalu Base Camp Trek. However, Ask us for the group joining or a private trip. You should be 15 yrs and above to participate in this trek.
  • Due to the weather conditions leading to cancellations or delays in flights, this trip will operate on an alternate itinerary.
  • We organize Makalu Base Camp Trek for one people to a maximum of 8 people at once or even if you have more than 8 people then we provide 2 professional Guides.
  • Global Adventure Trekking specializes in organizing treks for individuals, couples, families, and small groups. You can trek as a private group on the date you select without paying extra. Feel free to contact us to inquire about possible dates for group treks that you might be able to join.

Useful Info

Day 1 means a flight to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu. 

You should have a 6-month valid passport at the time of entry. 

Makalu Base Camp Trek is a challenging trek so you should be physically fit.