Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8485m. Situated in the Mahalangur Himalayan Range 19 km (12 mi) southeast of Mt. Everest, it lies on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China.
Makalu Base Camp Trek has recently started to operate as a teahouse trek, making trekking easy, comfortable, and accessible. The trail passes heavily through Makalu Barun National Park. The Barun Valley is a part of a massive international protected area under the agreement between the governments of Nepal and China, which comprises 2330 sq. km of National Park and 830 sq. km of conservation area in Nepal alone. The Park is home to diverse flora, fauna, and many ethnic groups like Limbu, Rai, Newar, and Tibetan Buddhist culture.
This trek is one of the challenging off-beaten trails of Nepal. The trek allows the trekkers to explore the unspoiled region of wide-ranging natural beauty and glorious scenery, including Mt. Everest 8848m, all while in the quiet comfort and solitude of being well away from the madding crowds. The lower reaches of the trails are full of lush green rhododendron forests. In contrast, the upper reaches comprise polished granite cliffs topped by hanging glaciers overflowing with waterfalls.
This is the 24-day itinerary of the Makalu Base Camp Trekking Itinerary. However, we customise this trek according to your timeframe and requirements. This trek can be done year-round, but the best time for this trek is spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (September, October, and November).
Regarding the popularity, Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of the most extensive, and most explored treks alongside Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek. It is one of the most challenging treks, but many unique places and cultures exist to explore. After the end of the trek, you will think that all the money and time was worth it.
Hence, We at Adventure Walkway invite you to join us for this excellent destination trek.
Standing at an altitude of 8,485 meters, Makalu is recorded as the fifth-highest mountain in the world. It is located southeast of Mount Everest on the Mahalangur Himalayas trail on the China-Nepal border. It shares the prestigious group among only 14 mountains in the world, which are called eight thousandners. Like Mount Everest, it also lies on the China-Nepal border, but most of the border gravitates towards Nepal.
You can climb Makalu mountain from any of the two peaks, the central peak, Makalu II, or Kangchungtse. The side peak lies in the northwest section, three kilometres from the main summit.
Among Makalu Mountain, you can explore several unique attractions during the Makalu Base Camp Trekking, so let’s get into it.
You will come across several attractions during Makalu Base Camp Trekking, which will become the highlights of your trek. So let’s get into it.
Tumlingtar is one of the first attractions that will make you scream wow. It is the first destination you will land after boarding the plane from Kathmandu. During the flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, you will see beautiful views of mountains, barren landscapes, and curvy and slippery trails. It takes up to 50 minutes to reach Tumlingtar via flight, and during this flight, you will see some of the beautiful mountain ranges, which will quickly make your trip well worth it.
After landing in Tumlingtar, you will explore the surroundings and board the jeep that will take you to the overnight destination in Seduwa. The Jeep ride from Tumlingtar to Seduwa is also excellent, which will make you pumped up for the rest of the trek.
Makalu Barun National Park is another fantastic place you will visit while trekking towards Makalu Base Camp. It is one of the largest national parks in Nepal, as it spreads across an area of 1500 km2. The National Park was established in 1992 and has been one of the biggest tourist attractions worldwide. The national park mainly aims to conserve the region’s rare flora and fauna. The management of the park and local people work hand in hand to protect the park and the natural resources around it.
Barun Valley is another beautiful place to explore for trekkers who are on the way to exploring Makalu Base Camp Trek. The entire valley resides inside the Makalu Barun National Park. It is located on the base of Mt Makalu in the Sankhuwasabha district.
Barun Valley is filled with impressive geographical structures like mountain peaks, deep gorges, high waterfalls, and a backdrop of stunning vistas, which you can also capture on your camera.
So these are some major attractions you can come across on Makalu Base Camp Trek, but a few more amazing places will tempt you to explore and create memories.
Makalu Base Camp is regarded as one of Nepal’s most challenging treks, and the experts do not hide these facts. On a scale of 1-10, this trekking is considered a 9, which means this trek is recommended to experienced and veteran trekkers or those with excellent physical condition. So, let’s examine why the Makalu Base Camp Trek is so complex and the factors that make it so difficult.
One of the most significant factors that make Makalu Base Camp Trek difficult is the variety of paths or routes you have to follow to reach your destination. The trail goes through high-altitude curving paths, remote areas, and slippery slopes. It eventually gets snowcapped mountains where the temperature constantly drops along with dynamic weather; it will test the endurance level of any trekkers worldwide.
Another factor that creates difficulty during Makalu Base Camp Trekking is the need for more basic trekking services. The Makalu Base Camp is in the Sankhuwashaba region, one of Nepal’s most isolated places. There are only basic food and accommodation services, and combining it with relentless trekking for several hours in harsh terrains and extreme weather, the experience of some trekkers may become complicated and ruined.
One of the most common but hazardous factors that affect any trekking is the probability of Altitude Sickness. Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness is the condition of suddenly falling ill after climbing toward a higher altitude. The symptoms of altitude sickness are shortness of breath, high fever, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, constant fatigue, etc.
It is essential to prevent altitude sickness even before looking forward to curing it. To avoid altitude sickness, you must always keep your body warm, so wearing heavy woollen clothes and drinking homemade drinks like ginger tea, honey tea, and lemon honey are vital to keeping your body warm. Moreover, you will also need to maintain adequate rest and acclimatise with the climate while climbing an altitude.
However, once your body starts showing signs of Altitude sickness, it is necessary to act quickly. Always keep medicine like Diamax and Nifedine, which will relax your body from the illness and give you enough time to lower your altitude.
So these are some of the essential but unavoidable trekkers might face during the Makalu base camp trek.
Acclimatisation day is significant for any Base Camp Trek to get used to the altitude and elevation and prevent altitude sickness. After reaching a specific elevation, the expert suggests resting in the same area for a day to get comfortable with the climate, weather, and oxygen base level.
The Acclimatization Day in Makalu Base Camp generally comes on the 8th or 9th day of the trek when we reach Mumbuk at 3450m. During the day of acclimatisation, you can either stroll around the area or hike to the nearest peaks but have to return later to Mumbuk to stay overnight. This will help get used to the height, climate, and weather and reduce the chances of altitude sickness.
We offer fixed departure dates. If these dates are not suitable for you or if you prefer to schedule your own departure, please contact us.
| No of People | Cost |
| 1 | $2799 |
| 2-5 | $2699 |
| 5-10 | $2599 |
Makalu Base Camp trekking is very popular with tourists all around the world. However, you need appropriate papers, documents, and permits to complete the trek without barriers. First, you will need all the documents that make you eligible to enter the country, like a Passport, Visa, and Travel Insurance. Every tourist and trekker must have a travel insurance passport and visa with them all the time.
Regarding permits, you must have two essential permits with you if you want to trek Makalu Base Camp. The two permits are TIMS or Tourist Information Management System Card and Makalu Barun National Park Conservative Area permits.
It is easy to issue these permits if all your documents and background checks are positive. The cost to give the licenses is $15 for trekkers from SAARC countries and $30 for trekkers from other countries.
