Makalu Base Camp Trek
Code: NPL-TRK-MBCT
Description
Traveling to lesser-preferred places has its perks. In Nepal, no place is short of natural affluence and one such destination fitting both the categories is Makalu. Makalu Base Camp Trek is a brilliant combination of desolate trekking trails, monumental Himalayas, and breath-taking scenery. Moreover, the ethnic communities of Sherpa, Rai, and other Tibetan-influenced races in the region add even more grace to the trip. Witness some of the tallest mountains in the world during the Makalu Base Camp Trek, namely: the Mt. Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Lhotse (8414m), and Makalu (8463m) to name a few.
The exploration of the world heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley is followed by a scenic flight to Tumlingtar. Here, the Makalu Base Camp Trek officially begins and heads to Khandbari. Passing Mane Bhanjyang and Bhotebas on the way, we arrive at Chichila. From Chichila, the trek continues along the brilliantly spread flora and fauna to reach Num. Further ahead lies Seduwa followed by Tashigaon. Passing pasturelands on the way, we enter the Makalu Barun National Park. The trek gradually toughens up to offer some strenuous walks in the days to come. Passing Unshisa, we reach Khongma. The first of the four passes, Kauma La welcomes us as we gradually pass Keke La (4127m), Shipton La (4170m), and Tutu La (4080m). Alluring landscapes and Kalo Pokhari are always available for those who want to relieve from the toil on the trek. After crossing four of the highest passes of the region, we notice the chills of the Himalayas as we continually near them. Trekking along the Barun River, the ascent to the Makalu base camp ensues. Beneath the shadows of Chamlang and Makalu ranges, the route on the Makalu Base Camp trek passes Merek to finally reach Shershon, the last stop before Makalu Base Camp. The base camp offers sublime views of multitude Himalayan ranges, including those in Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga regions. After confronting the amphitheater of natural grandiose, we begin on a descent back to Tumlingtar. We retrace our steps for most part of the journey and head back to Kathmandu.
Epic Adventures is a legally registered trekking organizer and operator in Nepal with each member of the company motivated to share the raptures of joy to travelers all around the world. We boast of excellent trekking guides, porters, transportation, and accommodation services throughout the trips to make your experience as lively as possible.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | TIA Kathmandu |
| DIFFICULTY LEVEL | Medium/Hard |
| HIGHEST ALTITUDE | 4600 m |
| COST INCLUDES |
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| COST EXCLUDES |
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Important Note: Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Epic Adventures. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails traveling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu – 1,300m/4,264 ft
Welcome to Nepal! You will be welcomed by our representatives. From the airport, you will be taken to your hotel. Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.
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Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing & Preparation for the Trek
After breakfast, you will drive to Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, to view an amazing panorama of Kathmandu city. Then you visit Boudhanath Stupa, the biggest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and also one of the largest in the world. Later, you visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holy shrines in the entire Hindu world. Meanwhile, you will also have a short meeting with the team and prepare for the trek. Overnight at hotel.
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Day 3: Fly to Tumlingtar (518m) and Trek to Khandbari (1025m)/40min flight.
Early morning, we will drive to the domestic airport for our flight to Tumlingtar. We reach Tumlingtar after a scenic 40-minute flight with a view of snow-capped peaks from Ganesh Himal (7422m) to Mt. Everest (8848m), Makalu (8463m), and Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m). Upon reaching Tumlingtar, we start our exciting journey through the Baidyagaon to reach Khandbari, situated in the middle of the sub-tropical forest of Sal tree. Ascending through the forest, we reach the small town of Khandbari for the overnight stay.
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Day 4: Trek from Khandbari to Chichila (1,800m) 5 to 6 hrs.
We start our journey along the flat trails then ascend to the edge on a wide trail to reach our lunch stop at Bhotebas. After lunch, the trail goes through the fertile land, meadows, and the forested path to take us to the top of the small ridge at Chichila village for the overnight stay. The place is settled with few traditional houses along with the superb scenic view of Mt. Makalu (8463m).
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Day 5: Trek from Chichila to Num (1,500m) 5 to 6 hrs.
Today our journey leads us through the calm and peaceful forest of rhododendron, oak, and hemlock as we climb to the top of the ridge along the trail. After this, the trails are sloppy so we descend downhill for two hours to reach Num for the overnight stay.
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Day 6: Trek Num to Seduwa (1,493m) 5 to 6 hrs.
At first, we steeply head down the attached slopes towards the Arun River. The lower hills of this narrow valley are heavily forested and the paths are quite slippery. After reaching the bottom, we cross the suspension bridge over Arun River, and then we climb back out of the rainforest and further steep climb takes us up to Seduwa, a village with a small health post and a primary school. Overnight in Seduwa.
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Day 7: Trek Seduwa to Tashigaon (2,200m)/ 3 to 4 hrs.
After breakfast, we have the enjoyable easy short walk for about 3-4 hours which takes us to small villages with terraced farms. Then, we make an arduous climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields which takes us to Tashigaon. Enjoying the view of snow-capped mountains like Chamlang (7221m), Makalu (8463m), and several others, we stay the night in Tashigaon.
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Day 8: Trek Tashigaon to Kauma Danda (3,500m) 4 to 5 hrs.
After Tashigaon, we walk through the shade of the beautiful rhododendron and oak forest to come to a summer meadow with traces of temporarily made shepherd huts. From here onward to Kauma, is a difficult uphill climb, where the tree lines decline and what remains are the bushes of rhododendron and juniper. Overnight in Kauma Danda.
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Day 9: Trek Kahuma Danda to Mumbuk (3,400m) 4 to 5 hrs.
We head on to a steady trail with few ups and downs, passing through Thulo Pokhari and Sano Pokhari. During snowfall, the path from here can be quite misleading and dangerous and it will be hard to find the track. We walk further to cross the passes of Keke La (4127m), Shipton La (4170m), and Tutu La (4080m). Then we walk downhill, back to vegetation, to reach Mumbuk for the overnight stay.
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Day 10: Trek Mumbuk to Nehe Kharka (3,750m)/ 6 to 7 hrs.
The day starts with a sharp descent on a narrow gorge and continues on to meet Barun Khola. Then the trial moves on above the gorge of Barun Khola throughout the way. We will be accompanied by alluring views of various peaks of the Makalu range as we ascend through wide meadows in a silent path to reach Nehe Kharka. Overnight in Nehe Kharka.
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Day 11: Trek from Nehe Kharka to Shershon (4,600m)/ 2 to 3 hrs.
Today the trail first descends and then ascends through the meadows and gorges until we reach Shershon. Walking on moraine trail, we first descend to Riphok Kharka to meet Barun River. Then crossing the wooden bridge over Barun River, we walk on a rocky trail filled with moraines of Barun Glacier to reach Shershon via Yak Kharka and Merek. Sherson is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu (8463m) hence offering extraordinary views of Makalu (8463m), Baruntse (7152m), Hunku chuli (6833m), Chamlang (7321m), and so on. Overnight in Sherson.
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Day 12: Free day at Sherson for a day excursion
Today we hike up to Makalu Base Camp for a closer view of Mt. Makalu (8463m) along with the neighboring Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8414m). We make a steep climb on a dry rocky trail to reach the glacial lake called Barun Pokhari, situated on the base of Barun Glacier. Then standing at Makalu Base Camp, we relish the outstanding 360-degree view of the Chamlang Himal and Mahalangur Himal ranges. Later, we hike back to Sherson for the overnight stay.
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Day 13: Trek Sherson to Yangri Kharka (3,645m)/ 6 to 7 hrs.
After a brilliant exploration in the closed valley, we trek back alongside Barun River through a sparsely vegetated area, sometimes with large meadows, to reach Yangri Kharka. Yangri Kharka is our last stop at the glacial valley of Barun River and hosts a breathtaking vista of the surrounding mountains. Overnight in Yangri Kharka.
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Day 14: Yangri Kharka to Mumbuk (3,440m)/ 5 to 6 hrs.
After breakfast, we make our journey back to Mumbuk through the alpine forest on a quiet trail with no settlement en route. In this trial, we get to enjoy the soothing chirping of the birds and also the hissing of the small streams as we walk through the pristine forest. Overnight in Mumbuk.
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Day 15: Trek from Mumbuk to Kauma Danda (3,500m)/ 5 to 6 hrs.
Leaving Mumbuk, we make a few steeps ascends and descends to cross Tutu La (4080m), Shipton La (4170m), and Keke La (4127m). We will spend some time at Kalo Pokhari before heading down through the forest to reach Kauma Danda for the overnight stay.
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Day 16: Trek from Kahuma Danda to Narbugaon (2,500m) via Tashigaon/ 2 to 3 hrs.
We head down to Tashigaon and further walk towards Narbugaon through the cool shadow of the forest. After leaving the forest area, we arrive at the terraced farms of the village of Narbugan, a Sherpa village situated above Murmidanda. Overnight in Narbugaon.
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Day 17: Trek from Narbugaon to Num via Seduwa/ 2 to 3 hrs.
Today we descend through the terraced farms for an hour or two to reach Seduwa village. From Seduwa, we move to the journey to Num, with 2-3 hour downhill walk, and after crossing the bridge over Arun River, another 2-3 hour ascend takes us to Num for the overnight stay.
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Day 18: Trek from Num to Chichila (1,800m) 2 to 3 hrs.
Today, we trek back to Chichila via Mudhe and Hururu. The first 2 hours is a steep uphill climb till we reach the top of a ridge, from where it is a downhill walk all the way to Chichila. The whole area is dotted with small settlements, so enjoy interacting with the locals and get to know about their culture and lifestyle. Overnight in Chichila.
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Day 19: Trek from Chichile to Khandbari/ 5 to 6 hrs.
This is an enjoyable walk to reach Khandbari once again. The forests, farmlands, and small villages we pass lead us to the slow path to reach the town of Khandbari. Khandbari is a Brahmin village which hosts weekly market each Saturday. Overnight stay in Khandbari.
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Day 20: Trek from Khandbari to Tumlingtar (400m)/ 3 to 4 hrs.
This is our last day of trekking as we walk downhill to Tumlingtar. The short walk brings us to the Arun River and Sabha River at the growing town of Tumlingtar after a noteworthy descent through the verdant forests. Overnight in Tumlingtar.
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Day 21: Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu (40 minutes. Fly to Kathmandu)
Whether we fly back to Kathmandu via Biratnagar or get a direct flight depends upon the flight timetable and the time of the year. Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, we will drop you at the hotel where you can relax after this long trek. Overnight in hotel.
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Day 22: Departure, Final Departure
With a hope to see you soon again, we drop you off at the airport to connect you with your flight.
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