Makalu Base Camp Trekking, experience a great walk on the bases of the world’s 5th highest mountain, the Mount Makalu and the scenic valleys of Barun and Arun
Makalu Base Camp Trekking is an adventure trek around Nepal’s Far Eastern Himalayas. Just a few trekkers venture into these scenic areas of Arun and Barun valleys, one of the best walks into the sheer wilderness of high mountains. This trek takes us far from villages and human habitation and lets us enjoy a pristine environment for a week.
Highlights:
Explore scenic Arun and Barun valleys. Walk low, warm areas to arctic zones of ice and glaciers. Enjoy the serenity of wilderness away from human habitation. Walk into the serene and lovely forest of rhododendron, magnolia and pine. Grand views of the Himalayas with Makalu, Kangsungtse and Kanchenjunga. Cloud forest with tall cliffs.Vast river valleys, glacial lakes, villages, and never-ending views.
Makalu Base Camp Trekking is an adventure trek around the Far Eastern Himalayas of Nepal. A few trekkers venture into these scenic areas of the Arun and Barun valleys, one of the best walks into the sheer wilderness of high mountains. This trek takes us far from villages and human habitation and lets us enjoy a pristine environment for weeks.
Trekking to Makalu Base Camp involves flying both ways, shortening the treks for a few days and making it possible to cover the distance in two weeks. It starts with a short panoramic flight to Tumlingtar town, one of the lowest parts of Arun Valley, warm areas, and a short drive to Num village. After an overnight stop at Num, the trekking begins through high hills facing tremendous views of the Makalu Mountain range.
The trek begins from Seduwa village, passing rural farm villages and lovely tended terrace fields. It then descends to a serene forest of tall pines and rhododendron trees to reach the high ridges of Kongma Hill. Makalu and Barun are well-protected areas in Nepal enriched with unique plants and wildlife.
The walk leads through a picturesque Barun valley enclosed by high cliffs and mountains and reaches Makalu base camp beneath the towering Mt. Makalu (8,485m), the fifth tallest mountain globally, first conquered by French Expeditions on May 15, 1955.
Enjoy marvellous times with rare views of the east face of Everest, the Kangsung Face, with a series of giant peaks. Head back on the same trail for an opportunity to catch more views of beautiful surroundings. Then, end the walk at Seduwa, drive to Tumlingtar town and catch a flight to Kathmandu!
Arrive in Kathmandu, clear customs and immigration formalities, and claim your baggage, which takes some time. Upon arrival, receive a traditional welcome from a Happy Feet Mountaineers representative, then transfer to the hotel. Arrive at the hotel, and the rest of the day is free, with optional excursions (not included), or you can ask to organize any of the tours or stroll through its vibrant streets.
Kathmandu, the capital and heart of the country, is home to three medieval cities that symbolize everything in Nepal. Having lived through several Buddhist and Hindu ruling dynasties, the culture and society of Kathmandu Valley have evolved to give it more than just a unique feature. Today, it is an urban city, still rapidly growing, with its ancient myths and testimony to the greatness of the people who have lived there for time immemorial.
You will have a free day in Kathmandu to prepare for the trek, or you can join our tour around Kathmandu, visiting places of interest such as the city and the valley, steeped in World Heritage Sites.
A 35-minute flight & 5 hours’ drive.
Take a mountain-scenery-filled flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, located in the low, warm areas of the Arun Valley, in Nepal’s Far East, in the Sankhuwasava district, within the Makalu Zone, in Tumlingtar town.
From Tumlingtar, about a 5-hour drive to the trek starting point, Seduawa village. Reach Seduwa, register the Makalu Barun national park entry permit and TIMS permits and first overnight in a mountain village
A 4-hour Trek.
From Seduwa village, a beautiful half-day walk starts climbing through a ridge, passing a forestry project of the national park and through farm areas, crossing several streams on the bamboo bridge or hopping on stones requiring wading in some sections, to Mani Gaon with a view of Num village on the far side of the Arun valley. Turn west, climb gradually above the Kasuwa Khola, and reach a mani-wall at Chyaksa Danda, 1900 metres, also called Narbu Gaon, with a school and flat areas for camping. Continue passing farms, forests, and meadows, reach a school at the bottom of the hill, and reach the Tashi Gaon through a stone staircase, a moderate-sized farm village populated by the Sherpa community. Tashi Gaon is the last village on the way to Makalu base camp. You will reach Tashi Gaon for lunch, and the half-day is for rest and exploring around.
A 5-hour trek.
This day is altitude-gaining, with 1400 metros, and one may feel the altitude slightly. However, the camps above Tashi Gaon are certified by the Makalu Barun National Park. From Tashi Gaon, the walk leads away from the human settlement for a week. The morning starts with gradually climbing into a dense forest of rhododendrons, oaks and pine trees and reaching a stream. Further passing several cattle herders’ shelters and sheds, reach another ridge at 2520 metres, called Chipla. The trail still climbs past a stream and over a rock overhang to Unshisha Kharka, a grazing meadow at 3180 metres. From Unshisha, the trail makes the final climb through a densely forested ridge separating the Kasuawa Khola and Isuwa Khola, bringing you to Khongma Dingm (Khongma Meadow). After refreshment and rest, climb a nearby hill to enjoy the views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu and adjoining peaks.
A 6-hour trek.
From Kongma Danda, the trail crosses a ridge and descends a steep switchback to Chorten (Buddhist stupas dedicated to the dominant hill ridges) at 3840 metres, providing fine views of Peak-6 (6739m), Peak-7 (6105m) and Chamlang. Then, several ups and downs, crossing several false ridges through scrubby rhododendrons and altitude mossy boulders to Tutu La 4050 metres (also known as Ghungru La). Then descend to Kalo Pokhari (black lake) at 3840 metres and take a steep rocky gully to reach the Shipton La at 4216 metres. The ridge was named for Eric Shipton in 1952, during the Everest reconnaissance expedition with Sir Edmund Hillary.
From Shipton La, the trail skirts a lake and climbs through hills to Keke La, 4150m, a last steep climb. Then it descends into a pretty rhododendron valley to Mumbuk Dobato. If you travel here around mid-April to May, the valley turns into a beautiful garden with brilliant flowers.
A 5-hour trek.
Morning walks down through a scree-covered slope to Barun Valley, a scenic place famous for rare species of plants. The region is known for medicinal herbs and endangered wildlife, which are rarely spotted. Upon reaching Barun Valley, the walk leads gradually up with peaks on both sides of the valley. A slow, uphill walk crosses streams and offers views of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse, leading to Yangle Kharka, marked by fluttering prayer flags, near Shersong at the end of the Barun valley, close to Makalu base camp.
The site is a sacred refuge blessed by Guru Padmasambhava around the end of the 7th century, during a time of turmoil. Visit the holy cave accessible by hanging on a metal chain and other sites.
5 hours trek.
From Yangle Kharka, a gradual climb encountering several yak herders’ shelters to Nehe Kharka 3750m (Nehe mean sacred or pilgrimage site in Sherpa Language), also marked with prayer flags. Then, cross a waterfall and reach Riphuk (Hill cave) herders camp and Jhat Kharka herders camp at 4210 metres. A gradual climb continues, passing Langmale (Yak Kharka) at 4400m, a basic, lonely stone house serving hot drinks and basic food, a pleasant place to camp.
A 4-hour trek.
The morning starts with a gradual uphill filled with views of Peak-4, Chamlang, Peak-3, and Peak-5. Surprisingly, Makalu is not visible from here, and reach Merek, the actual campsite certified by Makalu Barun National Park instead of Langmale. You are now in arctic zones made of arid sand and gravel. From Merek, follow a trail to the west beside a stream, enjoying the views of Hongku Chulu and the pyramid peak rising ahead. Then turn north, enter a side valley, get the view of Makalu soaring high above, continue on a faint trail through the east bank of the stream for an hour, and reach Shersong, a summer yak grazing meadow for the Sherpas of the Makalu region. Today, arrive at the camp for lunch with enough time for side excursions. After lunch, take an option view-finding hike around the valley.
A 4-hour trip.
Today, the walk leads to Makalu Base Camp, a highlight of the journey. The trail passes the higher mountain path over moraine, ice, and rocky areas to Makalu base camp, which is close to a glacial pond next to Baruntse Himal, poorly defined on the rubble of Barun glacier. Reaching the base camp, there is nothing to see except the views you enjoyed while accessing the base camp. There are several base camps named after expeditions from different nations that were used at the time. The Hillary Base Camp, used by Edmund Hillary in 1952, and the French Base Camp, the base camp of the first successful ascent in 1955, are at an altitude of 4950 metres, where Barun Pokhari (Barun Lake) lies, and can be visited on a day excursion.
Today, take a grassy slope without any fixed trail northeast of Shersong and reach a 5250-metre ridge, the lower slopes of Peak-3. This ridge offers superb views of the world’s fifth-highest peak, Makalu, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Everest with the Kangshung Face and the South Col of Everest. In the afternoon, return to camp and rest.
5 hours trek, 1150m descent.
From Shersong, retrace your steps back towards the lower Barun valley to reach Yangle. There, you can enjoy an overnight camp in its pleasant green meadow.
A 4-hour, 520m descent, 420m ascent
After a great time in scenic Barun Valley, a walk leads towards the end of Barun Valley, descending through rock and climbing a rocky gully, before returning to the forest at Mumbuk for an overnight camp.
A 5-hour trek, 870m ascent and 820m descent
Trek back, following the same scenic trail to Kongma Ridge. It starts with an hour of climbing through forest areas and brings you to a high hill ridge above the tree line. Further, pass glacial ponds, Tutu La and Shipton La, and reach Kongma Danda for an overnight stop.
A 3 1/2-hour trek, 1270 m descent
Today, end your high-altitude walking. The morning trail leads a long, downhill descent through a lovely forest of tall trees to reach Tashi Gaon, back to civilization. You will arrive at Tashi Gaon for lunch and, in the afternoon, for walks around Nawa or Narbu villages inhabited by Sherpas of the Makalu region.
4 hours of trek + Drive
The morning walk follows Seduwa village, a pleasant trek observing the local farm villages and their daily lives and ends at Seduwa with a lunch stop. In the afternoon, a short drive downhill brings you to Tumlingtar airport for the last overnight stay around the Nepal Far Eastern region.
After a great adventure around the high Barun Valley and at Makalu base camp, a short flight brings you back to Kathmandu. Meet with a Happy Feet Mountaineers representative, then transfer to your hotel.
A free day to cope with the unforeseen possibilities. If all goes well, take a guided city tour or spend a full day resting and enjoying free time on your own.
Breakfast and the rest of the day are leisure on your own. The Representative of Happy Feet Mountaineers will arrive at your hotel with transport three hours before your departure flight time. Get escorted from the hotel to the International Departure Terminal, complete the formalities, and go through immigration and departure.
The best time is from mid-March to June, when most of the day is clear for views hills are alive with wildflowers in full bloom, especially rhododendron of various colours (national flower of Nepal).
September to November is another good season during autumn/fall. Most days are beautiful and clear for breathtaking views of the Himalayas and landscapes, but with short sunlight hours where temperatures can drop to cold with chances of snow above 2,000 metres.
Except for the winter months, December to the end of February, the summer months of August and September are equally recommendable to enjoy its lush valleys and rolling alpine meadows carpeted with brilliant flowers.
