Overview
After a short flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, this high altitude, strenuous trek, with long walking days, averaging 6 to 7 hours, takes us into the Makalu Barun National Park to the Makalu Base Camp (5,100m). The lower parts of the trek take us through rhododendron forests, through river valleys, and into attractive Gurung villages, while the base camp is a rocky and bare of vegetation. There are also high altitude lakes to see and, of course, the majestic mountains all around you. This is an excellent trek for those who love nature, don’t like crowded trails and who are physically fit.
The Makalu Barun National Park is home to a wide array of plants, birds, and mammals. It is home to the beautiful snow leopard and red panda, and also musk deer, wild boar, Himalayan goats, and wild yaks! As far as people go, this area is mainly inhabited by Gurung and Sherpa people, who following Buddhist philosophy. Interestingly we will go over the Shipton Pass (4,200m), named after Eric Shipton, the famous mountaineer who mapped out the famous route over the Khumbu Glacier on Mount Everest. The trail also goes over the Keke La pass from where we can see Peak VI and VII. From Base Camp, we will see the Barun Glacier on the south face of Makalu and also an awe-inspiring panorama of Everest.
Highlights of Makalu Base Camp
- The remote area with fewer trekkers
- Trek through Makalu Barun National Park
- Cross the Shipton Pass
- Witness glaciers, high altitude lakes, and majestic mountains
- Panorama view of Everest to delight every photographer
- Makalu is Everest region Trek so you will get some glimpse of Everest too
The Cost Includes
- An experienced registered trekking guide.
- Meal during the trek.
- Helping guide/Sherpa.
- Necessary porters
- Trekking gear and luggage
- Freshly cooked healthy food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, coffee)
- All camping gear and kitchen utensils during the trek
- Flight and airport taxes.
- Dolpa restricted area trekking permit,
- Shey Phoksundo National park entrance permits.
- Accommodation and food for your trekking staffs
- Salary, insurance and trekking gear for the trekking employees.
- Office service charge, government taxes, and vat, etc.
The Cost Excludes
- Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu.
- Guided sightseeing entrance fees in Kathmandu.
- Beverages
- Nepal visa
- International flight
- Toiletries and laundry service,
- Personal travel insurance, rescue operation charge in case of an emergency.
- Items and expenses of personal nature
- Tips for guide and porters.
Itinerary
In the morning, after having our breakfast, we will fly to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu, which is a 40 mins flight. After that, we will drive to Num village on that very day, which takes roughly 4 hours. The road from Tumlingtar to Khadbari is a highway, but the road from Khadbari to Num village is bumpy. After arriving at the tea house, we can see the view of the Kanchenjunga range. Also, we can see the sunset and sunrise from there.
Early in the morning, we will have our breakfast and start our trek from Num village to Seduwa. It usually takes 4-5 hours to reach Seduwa. In between, we will cross the Arun river through the suspension bridge. The trail from Num village to Arun river is steep downward. Further, after crossing the river, the trail is uphill. On this day we need to update our entrance permit as the Makalu National park start from here. The forest on the way provides shade as the temperature seems to be quite hot. We will arrange some tea house on Seduwa for our overnight stay.
Today we will be heading towards Tashi Gaun which usually takes 4-5 hours of walk from Seduwa. The trail to Tashi Gaun is gradual. Likewise, we will walk through the forest and villages on the way. The cardamom plants throughout the route seem incredible and smell good. We will be going up to the ridge of Ipsuwa Khola to the west ad Kasuwa Khola to the east.
In Seduwa, there is a check post where we will pay the conservational entry fee. Upon reaching to Tashi Gaun, you will be overwhelmed by the mountains surrounding the place. Stay overnight at Tashi Gaun.
Typically, today we will walk for about 5-6 hours to Khongma Danda from Tashi Gaun. In the morning, after freshen up and having our breakfast, we will head towards our next destination. This day of the trek is hard as compared to the previous days because we have to walk steeply in higher altitude. We will go upward, passing the forest to stream and the ridge. From this point, the trail becomes tougher. Passing the Kharka where animals gaze, we will, at last, follow a stair and lake upward to the top of the ridge. From there Khongma Danda is at a short distance. Stay overnight at Khongma Danda.
Starting our trek earlier in the morning, we will head towards Mumbuk from Khongma Danda which is 8-9 hours of walk. The very day we will cross two passes called Tutu La (4,125m) and Keke La (4,170m). There is one glacier lake called Kalo Pokhari (3,930m) between Tutu La and Keke La. After passing Keke La, we will steep down to Mumbuk. The rhododendron forest welcomes us on the way as we need to walk through the same forest. We will stay overnight at Mumbuk.
It usually takes 4 to 5 hours to trek from Mumbuk to Yangri Kharka. The trail is almost flat. We will walk along the bank of Barun river following the rhododendron and pine forest. On the way, we can view the scenic panoramas which are impressive.
Passing the yak pasture, forest, fields and following the usual way to the valley, we will trek to Langmale Kharka from Yangri Kharka. It usually takes 4 to 5 hours to reach Langmale Kharka From Yangri Kharka. The trail is gradually going up. At the begining of the trek the valley walls tower strikes us. Going through Merek, we will head toward where we will be surprised to see the view of Makalu V, Makalu VI, and Makalu VII on the way. There is only one tea shop on the way to Langmale Kharka.
Today we will trek from Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp, which is the center part of our destination. It takes 4 hours from Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp. The trail up to Base Camp is gradually uphill. From Langmale Kharka we will go up to Shershang and then to Makalu Base Camp. There is icy glacier on the route. We will see many snowcapped mountains after Shershong starts. Likewise, throughout the day, the excellent view of Makalu is seen. The same day we will stay at the tea house and take rest. Also, we will visit Barun Pokhari if the weather favors.
Early before the sunrise, we will walk for about 30 mins to reach the viewpoint for the sunrise view as well as the excellent view of Mt Makalu. After that, we will get back to the base camp, eat breakfast, and descend to Langmale Kharka.
Today we will head back to Mumbuk from Langmale Kharka via Yangri Kharka enjoying the same view all the way downward.
Early in the morning , we will have our breakfast and follow the path to Khongma Danda passing Keke La and Tutu La.. We will follow the same way as we came to Mumbuk from Khongma Danda.
Today we will descend back to Seduwa from Khongma Danda enjoying the saame view which takes 7- 8 hour walk.
Today we will trek back to Num village from Seduwa and drive back to Tumlingtar from Num village.
Waving goodbye to the beautiful place and amazing people, we will fly back to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar.
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