Makalu Base Camp Trek - 23 Days

As you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a representative from Mountain Treks Nepal will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The city of Kathmandu fills your heart with nostalgia, where the sounds of its modern-capitalistic vibrancy and smells of mixed culture would welcome you. After checking into the accommodation, you may rest and recover from your journey.

Later this evening, you can explore the town of Thamel, mostly known for fun and happening activities. This is the day you are given to prepare yourself to gear up for your upcoming adventure.

Today, you’ll take a cultural tour of Kathmandu, a treasure land of UNESCO heritage sites. You will start by visiting the Swayambhunath Stupa (aka the Monkey Temple), a sacred temple atop a hill that gives you sweeping views of Kathmandu Valley. Then, you will explore Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest in the world, offering spiritual repose, while Kathmandu Durbar Square features medieval art and architecture.

Later, you will meet your trekking guide for a briefing and to finalize preparations. That includes having your permits, TIMS card and gear in order. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Today’s journey starts with a flight to Tumlingtar, which is short and yet pretty. Tumlingtar is a small town right within the lush Arun River Valley. The journey from there starts trekking through terraced fields and subtropical forests into Khadbari, a lovely little hill town, as the gateway to the Makalu area.

You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the hills and the small settlements that surround them as you walk. The lively town of Khadbari, sitting at an elevation of 1,025m, is solid and offers possibilities for cultural immersion with people.

The route ascends slowly; it passes through beautiful scenery, crossing through forests of rhododendron and bamboo. It comes into small villages resided by Rai and Sherpa communities, and one can have sight of their traditional lifestyles and warm hospitality. 

Just before reaching Chichila, what opens out is the magnificent views of the Makalu-Barun area. This place becomes a place where the traveler can relax and enjoy the sunset on the green valleys and old peaks. Chichila is an ideal place with an altitude of 1,800m to take place in the process of acclimatizing.

Today, we will set off on a journey from Chichila to Num village. The path goes ups and down across the ridges before making a steep descent down towards Num village. Passing through forests and terraced farms allows you to see how well the people live off local agriculture and wild beauty. On such clear days, routes typically show glimpses of the mighty Makalu massif far away in the background. 

Num is a small settlement which is best for relaxing breaks after the whole day’s trek. You will stay overnight there, enjoying a warm and hospitable dinner at a local tea house.

Today’s trek starts with a steep descent to the Arun River from Num which takes a few hours. Then, we will continue our trek along the suspension bridge. Later, comes the beginning of the challenging climb towards Seduwa. The wide and dense forests and terraced fields offer glimpses of wildlife and nature along with some traditional farming practices.

Once you reach Seduwa, you’ll step into the checkpoint of the Makalu-Barun National Park. This is also the entrance to one of the richest biodiversity hot spots of Nepal. Seduwa, a very peaceful village surrounded by forested hills, offers spectacular views and it’s quite an ideal atmosphere for relaxation after a long day of climbing.

On the seventh day of the Makalu Base Camp Trek, we will start our journey from Seduwa to Tashigaon. Today’s trek covers the beautiful countryside of Tashigaon.

This route continues through wonderful lush rhododendron forests to splendid villages, which will take you to the hospitable Sherpa and the Rai communities. This village is at a height of 2,200 m above sea level and offers stunning views of surrounding peaks and valleys. Tashigaon has its own charm with terraced fields and stone houses on the hillsides. Overnight stay at Tashigaon.

As the eighth day of the Makalu Base Camp starts, you will catch a route to Kahuma Danda. The trail makes way for a steep climb through dense forests of oak and pine. The climb continues and soon changes from thick forests into alpine meadows and beautiful distant snow peaks at their magnificent heights.

This section is, in fact, both challenging and rewarding – you will have your moments to pause and appreciate the beauty of sunrise over the Himalayas.

Kahuma Danda welcomes you with magnificent views of Mount Makalu and other peaks. This high-altitude location creates a very exciting atmosphere for trekkers to enjoy as they stay overnight at a tea house.

The trek will be a bit challenging today as you reach Mumbuk from Kahuma Danda. This journey from Kahuma Danda involves rugged trails and high mountain passes, such as Shipton La (4,216m) and Keke La (4,170 m/13,681 ft). You can have magnificent views from these passes that include the sights of peaks like Makalu and Chamlang.

The trail then diverges into the alpine forest as you descend toward Mumbuk. It is a beautiful camping site surrounded by high cliffs and thick forests, with the peaceful setting and beautiful surrounding landscape. Overnight stay at Mumbuk.

The tenth day of the Makalu Base Camp Trek will diverge from the beautiful Barun Valley. After descending through the Barun Valley, you are on the trail that takes you through thick rhododendrons and fir forests. You will also hike along the Barun River, which adds the charm of its sparkling waters to the trek. This section of the trek is diverse and will give an opportunity to search for wildlife such as the Himalayan Monal.

Nehe Kharka is the famous and charming meadow spot at the foot of the Barun Glacier. Steep peaks surround this and makes it an ideal place to stay overnight before preparing to enter the Makalu Base Camp.

Above the Barun Valley, the trail gets gradually steeper and opens the widening views with high rock faces and glaciers. With an increase in elevation, the vegetation gets depleted, but yet welcomes you with the beauty of the rugged Himalayas. You can see the majestic peaks like Makalu, Chamlang, and Baruntse during this phase of the Makalu Base Camp Trek.

Sherson lies at 4,600 meters above sea level, which reminds one of going through a proper acclimatization. This is truly perfect for enjoying the stunning views from the Makalu-Barun region.

On the twelfth day of the Makalu Base Camp Trek, we will not only explore at Sherson but also rest and acclimatize. This day lets you adjust to high altitude and explore nearby places of attraction; a hike to the Barun Glacier, from where you can have a closer observation of Mount Makalu.

Alternatively, you can also relax in the valley, taking photographs of the massive peaks around you. While you acclimatize at Sherson, please ensure that you are well off with hydration, nutrition, and rest. Intake of caffeine or alcoholic products is highly discouraged during this trek.

The thirteenth day of this trek will bring you down to Yangri Kharka. You will retrace your steps along the Barun Valley. In this return journey, you will be welcomed by the heavenly sunlight that spills over the mountains and valleys and also a changing color through and around the landscape.

Yangri Kharka rests on the banks of the Barun River- a quiet resting place at the edge of alpine meadows. You can enjoy this moment of the adventure in the Makalu-Barun National Park as you stay overnight at Yangri Kharka.

Today, we will stay early at a tea house and start our day with a warm breakfast. The return trek to Mumbuk goes through the rhododendron and pine forests on either side often offering you glimpses of animals and the soft sounds of mountain streams.

As you walk back for a few hours through the downhill trail, you make your way to the forested campsite called Mumbuk. During this phase of the journey, you will retrace all the landmarks and beauty that you might have missed while ascending uphill. Overnight stay at Mumbuk.

Getting back to Kahuma Danda is itself a challenging journey as it passes through rugged paths and crosses high mountain passes. You will retrace the Shipton La and Keke La passes, enjoying the views of the snow-capped peaks. 

Kahuma Danda lies right at a ridge top, which takes around 3 to 4 hours to reach. From here, the pictures of Mount Makalu and other mountain tops are as fascinating as on the ascent.

On the sixteenth day of the Makalu Base Camp Trek, we will travel from Kahuma Danda to Navagaun via Tashigaon. From Kahuma Danda, the path descends into a beautiful trail until it reaches Navagaun, with a chance to stop at Tashigaon. 

You must continue descending, and you will find yourself in Navagaun. You will stay in Navagaun and will be served with traditional Nepali dishes like Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari.

Today, you will reverse your journey through Seduwa, and you will find today’s hike back to Num. The route welcomes you with the verdant valleys and the Arun River. In addition, you will see terraced fields and splendid forests sprinkling the beauty of eastern Nepal along the route.

Once you are at Num, you can rest at a local tea house, enjoying the moments and memories from days before.

Now, the trail descends slowly from Num back to Chichila, which takes around 5 to 6 hours. The journey offers a grand view of the Makalu range through the forested pathways and open ridges. It will pass many small settlements where you’ll feel again the charm of village life. 

And you have finally stepped into Chichila, the well-known hilltop village. This is one of the last stops on your trek. Overnight stay at a tea house in Chichila.

The trek from Chichila to Khadbari doesn’t have a steep descent, so it will be far easier for you to return. Instead, it descends gradually along the trails, meandering through the lush forests, terraced farmlands, and typical villages. The air becomes warmer as you go lower, and lush greenery gets denser. 

Khadbari, where trekking began, greets you once again with its warm and welcoming people. You can celebrate the success of the Makalu Base Camp Trek with fellow trekkers as you prepare to rest at a hotel overnight.

The last part of the Makalu Base Camp Trek involves trekking back from Khadbari to Tumlingtar. This trail moves downward steadily, making it easier to enjoy the rich sights of the Arun River Valley. 

The trail goes through villages and fields before finally reaching down to the beautiful countryside town of Tumlingtar. Tumlingtar is a place where the Makalu Base Camp Trek officially ends. You can relax and have your last evening at this small yet vibrant town.

Today, we will take a short flight to Kathmandu and will escort you to your hotel directly. The rest of the day can be used for rest or sightseeing at the cultural sites within the city. 

Mountain Treks Nepal will organize a Farewell dinner program at the end of the trek. The trekking group members will share the recent and last moments as local dishes are being served after the completion of the trek.

Day 22 of the Makalu Base Camp is scheduled for rest and farewell. Early in the day, you can visit famous places in Kathmandu, such as the Garden of Dreams and Asan Bazaar. If there’s time, some iconic places like Pashupatinath temple or Patan Durbar Square can also be visited again.

On the twenty-third day, a representative from Mountain Treks Nepal will escort you to Tribhuvan International Airport from where you will bid us farewell. Though we part ways now, our memories will always be with us.