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.
Trek Profile:
Trekking to Makalu Base Camp involves flight both ways, which shortens the treks for a few days, making it possible to cover the distance in a two-week time frame. It starts with a short panoramic flight to Tumlingtar town, Arun valley’s low, 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 Num village past rural farm villages and lovely tended terraces fields to a serene forest of tall pines and rhododendron trees to reach on high ridges of Kongma Hill. Makalu and Barun areas are well-protected areas in Nepal enriched with unique plants and wildlife.
The walk leads 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 and first conquered by a French Expeditions on the 15th of May 1955.
Enjoy marvellous times with rare views of the east face of Everest, the Kangsung Face, with a series of giant peaks and head back on the same trail with an opportunity to catch more views of beautiful surroundings and then end the walk at Tumlingtar town and catch a flight to Kathmandu.
Arrive in Kathmandu, customs and immigration formalities and claim your baggage, which takes some time. Upon exiting, the arrivals get a traditional welcome from the Happy Feet Mountaineers representative and transfer to the hotel. Reach the hotel, and the rest of the day is free with the possibility of optional excursions (not included), but you can ask to organize any of the tours or stroll through its vibrant streets.
Kathmandu, the capital and heart of the country, with three medieval cities, symbolizes Nepal’s everything. Having lived through the several ruling dynasties of Buddhists and Hindus, the culture and society of Kathmandu valley have evolved through time to give it more than a unique feature. Today it is an urban city, and still rapidly increasing, that has its ancient myths and, at the same time, is testimony to the greatness of people who have lived there for the time immemorial.
Free day in Kathmandu preparation for the trek, or one can join in our tour around Kathmandu at places of interest as Kathmandu city and the valley steeped with world Heritage Sites.
5 hours of trek.
Take a mountain scenery filled flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, located on low and warm areas of Arun Valley around Nepal Far East of Sankhuwasava district within Makalu zone in Tumlingtar town.
From Tumlingtar, half an hour’s drive brings us to Khandbari, set on a hilltop at 1020 metres, the headquarters of the Sankhuwasaba District with plenty of shops. We leave the Jeep, start trek climbing between terraced fields, and reach Naya Bazaar (New Bazaar), a small village. Further continuing with a gentle ascent, reach Mani Byanyang at 1100 metres, a small hill saddle with some basic lodges and a camping site. From mani Byanjyang the trail follows an ancient trade route and climbs through Bamboo Forest, reaching a School and Arun Than at 1280 metres. Then cross the Bhotebas at 1740, a village of Tamang people with several teahouses. Leaving the Bhotebas, the trail enters a forest and reaches Gogane 1845 metres with spectacular scenery of Jaljale 5333m, Makalu and Chamlang 7319m. From Gogane, the trail follows a crest through rhododendron forest and reaches Chichila 1850 metres, a village of Gurung people with several teahouses and open flat places for comfortable camping.
A 5-hour Trek.
We start the walk on an open forest, skirting the top of the ridge, passing several Sherpa settlements of Makalu region settlements and descending to a group of Mani-Walls at Sakuranti Majua 1865, going up to Fururu 1890 metres. Further continue gaining altitude along a ridge, which drops through brown oak forests and climb again through a heavily destroyed forest by firewood collectors and cross a small hamlet and reach at Mure 1990 metres, a Ria and Sherpa village with some basic teahouse. The trail to Num village, set on high land above Arun River, descends through forest and temporary pasturelands. Num has a good view of Seduwa village, our next destination, and the views of Shipton la on a clear day. People also drive Tumlingtar to Num and start the trek from here.
A 5-hour Trek.
The walk starts north, following along the ridge and steep descent to Lumbang through green terraced fields and crossing the Arun River at 620 metres. We lost many metres that we gained in the last three days. The northside of the Arun Valley, patched with terraced fields, is where the villagers grow everything, including rice, maize, buckwheat and barley. As we descend, we need to climb about 1000 metres to reach Seduawa or Murmi Danda at 1545 metres. After crossing the Arun, there is an only one-stop place past Runmura at 810 metres, a good place for a refreshing rest. In Seduwa, there is a checkpoint, and we need to register the Makalu Barun national park entry permit and TIMS permits
A 4-hour Trek.
From Seduwa village, a beautiful half-day walking start climbing through a ridge passing a forestry project of the national park and through farm areas, crossing several streams on the bamboo bridge or on stone requiring to wade in some section, to Mani Gaon with a view of Num village on the far side of the Arun valley. Turn west and 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 further 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. We reach Tashi Gaon for lunch, and a half-day is for rest and exploring around.
A 5 1/2 hours trek.
This day is a bit altitude gaining day, 1400 metros, and one may feel the altitude slightly. But the camps above Tashi gaon are identified by the Makalu Barun National Park. From Tashi Gaon, the walk leads away from the human settlement for a week. The morning starts with a gradual climb into a dense forest of rhododendrons, oaks and pine trees and reaches a stream. Further passing several cattle herder’s shelters and sheds reach another ridge at 252o metres, called Chipla. The trail still climbs past a stream and overhanging rock to Unshisha Kharka, a grazing meadow at 3180 metres. From Unshisha, the trail makes the final climb through a densely forested ridge that separates the Kasuawa Khola and Isuwa Khola and brings us to Khongma Dingm (Khongma Meadow). After refreshment and rest, we climb a nearby hill to enjoy the views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu and adjoining peaks.
A 6-hour trek.
From Kongma Danda, the trail follows over a ridge with a steep switchback to Chorten (Buddhist stupas specially dedicated on the dominating 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 rhododendron and altitude mossy boulder to Tutu La 4050 metres (also known by 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’s name is dedicated to Eric Shipton in 1952 while leading the Everest reconnaissance expedition with Sir Edmund Hillary.
From Shipton La, the trail skirts a lake and climbs through hills to Keke La 4150m, our last steep climb and descend into a pretty valley of rhododendrons. 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 head 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 with views of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse, bringing us to Yangle Kharka, marketed with fluttering prayer flags, near Shersong, situated at the end of Barun valley close to Makalu base camp.
5 hours of 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 that serves 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, surprising Makalu is not visible from here, and we reach Merek. Actual campsite certified by Makalu Barun National Park, instead of Langmale. We 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, 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, we arrive at our overnight 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, one of our highlighted points in the journey. The trail passes the higher mountain path over moraine, ice and rocky areas to Makalu base camp, close to a glacial pond next to Baruntse Himal, poorly defined on the rubble of Barun glacier. Once we reach the base camp, there is nothing to see except the views that we enjoyed to access the base camp itself. There are several base camps named after different expeditions from different nations used at their time. The Hillary Base Camp, used by Edmund Hillary in 1952, and the same camp known as French Base Camp, the base camp of first successful ascent in 1955, are at an altitude of 4950 metres, where the Barun Pokhari (Barun Lake) lies and can be visited with a day excursion.
Today we take a grassy slope without any fixed trail to the northeast of Shersong and reach a 5250-metre ridge, the lower slopes of the Peak-3. This ridge has superb views of the world’s fifth-highest peak Makalu, the Lhotse and 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 the walk back towards lower Barun valley to reach Yangle and enjoy staying at an overnight camp on its pleasant green meadow.
a 4-hour, 520m descent, 420m ascent
After a great time within scenic Barun valley, a walk leads towards the end of Barun valley, descending through rock and climbing a rocky gully, back into 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 climbing for an hour into forest areas and brings us to a high hill ridge above the tree lines. Further continue passing 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 we end our high-altitude walking; the morning trail leads a long downhill through a lovely forest of tall tree lines to reach Tashi Gaon, back to the civilization. We arrive at Tashi Gaon for lunch and, in the afternoon, for walks around Nawa or Narbu villages inhabited by Sherpas of the Makalu region.
5 hours of trek.
The morning walk follows Seduwa village, a pleasant trek observing the local farm villages and their daily lives and ends at Seduwa for an overnight stop.
5 1/2-hour trek, 1590m descent and 900m ascent.
The last day walk of the trek requires a steep descent to reach the Arun River. Then, cross the bridge and a steep climb to Num village for an overnight stop around the high hills of Makalu Himalaya.
4 hours of trek.
From Num, drive back via farm village, which takes you to a high hill at Chichila village, from where we started the trek, and a long descent to reach the warmer area at Khandbari, headquarter town of Sankhuwasava district. From Khandbari, a short drive downhill brings us to Tumlingtar airport for the last overnight stay around the Nepal Far Eastern region.
After a great adventure around high Barun Valley and at Makalu base camp, a short flight brings us back to Kathmandu. Meeting with the representative of Happy Feet Mountaineers and transfer to your hotel.
A free day to cope with the unforeseen possibilities. If all goes well, take a guided city tour or take a full day’s rest and free time o your own.
Breakfast and the rest of the day are leisure on your own. The Representative of Happy Feet Mountaineers arrives at your hotel with transport three hours before your departure flight time. Get escorted from the hotel to the International Departure Terminal; see off formalities, and go through the 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.
