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- Trip Includes
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The Makalu Base Camp trek is a remote route that encompasses some of the best that Nepal has to offer — quiet trails, vibrant terraced farmland, rural cultures, rhododendron forests, rare wildlife and several 8,000 meter-plus peaks. For experienced trekkers who relish a challenge, this is a great trek with ample rewards.
Highlights
- See Everest from a unique angle, it’s eastern Kangshung face
- Gain views of eastern Nepal, as far away as Kangchenjunga
- Pass from green terraced farmland to glaciers and waterfalls
- Witness the rural life of Nepal’s distinct Rai and Sherpa culture
- Spot some of the rarest wildlife in Nepal, including the Red Panda
Overview
Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world (8,481m), yet the trek to its base camp is a less-frequented route due to its relative inaccessibility. However, it’s not too hard to reach, as there are daily flights to Tumlingtar (which is a few hours’ drive from the trailhead) and basic lodges along the way.
The Makalu Base Camp trek is an ideal trek for nature-loving trekkers who want to experience a variety of landscapes and cultures, as well as uncommon views of some of the world’s tallest mountains, including Everest.
The trek starts in warm, terraced farmland inhabited by the Rai people, an ethnic group found predominantly in the hills of eastern Nepal. As the route ascends, you will pass through rhododendron forests (most impressive in the spring, when the flowers bloom amazing red, purple, pink and white) and cloud forests, through some of the last areas of pristine forest and alpine meadows in Nepal.
Deeper into the mountains, past the Barun River Valley, you will pass steep granite cliffs, glaciers, and spectacular waterfalls. At the higher elevations live the Sherpa people, an ethnically Tibetan group who predominantly reside near Everest.
From Makalu Base Camp there are spectacular views of the rarely seen Kangshung face of Everest, as well as Lhotse, Chamlang, and Kanchenjunga in the far east. The Makalu Barun National Park is the eighth largest in Nepal, covering 2,330 sq. km, and is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in Nepal,
INCLUDING RED PANDA
Itineraries
First Day
DAY 01 Arrive Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel.
Second Day
DAY 02 Full Day Guided sightseeing inside the Kathmandu
Join the welcome dinner with live Nepalese cultural program hosted by Makalu adventures.
Third Day
DAY 03 Kathmandu to Tumlingtar - Drive to Num
Fourth Day
DAY 04 Num (1490m) - Sedua (1460m 5/6 hrs hiking)
The trail today descends steeply from Num through the Cornfield of Lumbang. The country is particularly rocky; tiny terraces planted with corn and barley, then we have tough steep climb to Sedua. Camp
Fifth Day
DAY 05 Sedua (1460m) - Tashi Gaun (2070m - 5 hrs Hiking)
The trail crosses meadows and several streams, then climbs to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon, the last permanent settlement in the valley camp
Sixth Day
DAY 06 Tashi Gaon (2070m) - Kauma (3470m - 6hrs Hiking)
A very hard day of the trek as the trail goes up real steep. We walk through the sparse forests along the ridge over a hillock and descend a bit to Kauma at 3470 m.
Seventh Day
DAY 07 Kauma (3470m)
Today is a rest day as well as acclimatization day.
Eighth Day
• DAY 08 Kauma(3470m) - Mumbak(3570m - 5 hrs Hiking)
We again start today with a steep climb then through less steeply rhododendron forests to the top of the ridge. You will have superb views of Chamlang (7,290 m) Peak 6 (6739 m) and Peak 7 (6105 m). Then we will have a final descent through a forest of firs and rhododendrons to Mumbuk.
Ninth Day
DAY 09 Mumbuk(3570m) - Neha Kharka - (3700m - 6hrs Hiking)
Today the trail descends steep gully with a stream for about 500m. The trail is ill defined, rocky and sloppy mud in places as it leads up the glacial valley. From here you can have a good views of Peak 6. Nhe Kharka is located on a large open grassy plain at an elevation of 3000 m. from here you will have great mountain views.
Tenth Day
DAY 10 NEHA KHARKA - (3700 m) - SHERSON (4615 m - 7 hrs Hiking)
The trail today turns westward and leaves the rhododendron forests for alpine tundra. There are excellent views of Pyramid Peak (7168 m), Peak 4 (6720 m) etc. Sherson is at 4615 m a bit dangerous day as the altitude gains more than 1500 m but we don't have a choice because we do not have any suitable camp between Nhe Kharka and Sherson.
Eleventh Day
DAY 11 SHERSON (4615 m) - MAKALU BASE CAMP (5000 m - 4/5 hrs Hiking)
Today is a gradual climb to a minor pass about 100 m . From here you will have a magnificent south face views of Makalu also you will be able to see the complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse
Twelfth Day
DAY 12 EXPLORE MAKALU BASE CAMP
Thirteenth Day
DAY 13 MAKALU BASE CAMP TO NEHA KHARKA - (3700 m)
We retrace back down the Barun Valley.
Fourteenth Day
DAY 14 NEHA KHARKA - (3700 m) – MUMBUK (3570 m)
We continue descending back. Camp at Mumbuk.
Fifteenth Day
DAY 15 MUMBUK (3570 m) - KAUMA (3470 m)
We trek across Shipton La and descend to Kauma.
Sixteenth Day
DAY 16 KAUMA (3470 m) - TASHI GAON (2070 m)
Today we walk a bit long to Tashi Gaon.
Seventeenth Day
DAY 17 TREK TO PAKUWA (1520 m)
We walk through farming settlements to the spread out Rai village. Continue in forests past several streams to Pukuwa.
Eighteenth Day
DAY 18 Pukuwa (1520m) - Bumling (1160m)
Walk through the forests and follows some spectacular high and exposed narrow tracks as it climbs over rocky ridges. We camp across the Chhetri village of Bumling.
Nineteenth Day
DAY 19 Bumling-Tumlingtar - 860 m
We following the east bank of the Arun and the route pass through Chyawabesi before making a short climb back to Tumlingtar.
Twentieth Day
DAY 20 Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
Twenty First Day
DAY 21 Free Day at Kathmandu
Twenty Second Day
DAY 22 Final Departure
INCLUDES
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle 3-star hotel Thamel Eco resort accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Fully organised camping accommodation during the trek
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner, tea coffee, hot water for drinks ) during the trek
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Domestic flights as per Itinerary
- Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle Entrance fees for sightseeing/monument visits as per the itinerary
- An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader, cook and Kitchen helpers and their daily wages and insurance
- Porters daily wages lodging and food and insurance all camping equipments like member tents, Dining tents, Kitchen tents , toilet tents, chair table and all kitchen utensils
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, domestic airfare, food and accommodation
- Makalu Adventure’s trekking bag/duffel bag, t-shirt and trekking map are yours to take
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS)
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
- All government and local taxes
- SAT Phone for emergency
DOESN'T INCLUDES
- Nepalese visa fee
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and International flights
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s
- Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Personal Trekking Gears.
- Any additional staff other than specified in the itinerary
- Rescue, Repatriation, Medicines, Medical Tests and Hospitalization expenses. (in case of emergency)
- Any packed food/snacks, aerated drinks, energy drinks, mineral water, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, nutria bars.
Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November) are the best times for the Makalu Base Camp trek. The weather remains fine and the temperature remains moderately good (particularly at low and mid-elevations). However, the Makalu circuit trek even be done during the winter months, but the cold temperatures might not be favorable as the lodges in this region aren’t especially well equipped.
Yes. Basically you need two types of permits Makalu Barun National park Permit and TIMS Permit issued by Nepal Government for trekking tot the Makalu region.
• A Makalu Barun National Park Conservation Area permit (US $30 per person)
• A Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) card (US $20 per person)
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