The Makalu Base Camp Trek is an inspiring trek that takes you to the base of the fifth-tallest mountain in the world, the majestic Mount Makalu. Located in the remote eastern part of Nepal, the trek promises a mix of cultural and natural essence that makes a fascinating trekking experience for any adventure seeker or a nature lover.
Another highlight of the trek is the visit to Makalu Barun National Park. This national park was founded in 1992 and covers 2,330 square kilometers. The park boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the endangered red panda and the snow leopard. Apart from the wildlife, the park also boasts glaciers, waterfalls, and forests, which create a breathtaking scenery.
The trek will also provide a rich cultural experience. You will pass through several traditional Sherpa villages, and you will get an opportunity to experience their unique culture and traditions. They are known for their hospitality as well. They even invite the trekkers into their houses for a cup of tea or a meal.
Makalu Base Camp Trek is relatively challenging and needs pretty good physical fitness. Though the trail can be demanding at times, especially at higher altitudes, this grand base camp is surely a rewarding one. The best time of the year to do this trek is in spring, that is, April-May, or autumn, which is September-November.
While it is truly one of the more remote areas, facilities like lodges and tea houses make basic accommodation and meals available, accessibility that can easily be provided for any age group and all levels of fitness. Natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure merge in this perfect mix called Makalu Base Camp for both first-time trekkers and seasoned adventurers.
Welcome! To Kathmandu, Nepal. You will be welcomed by an Asian Heritage Travel representative with a nameplate upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, and you will then be taken to your hotel located within the busy tourist district known as Thamel in Kathmandu. You will see some of the highlights of the city while traveling to the hotel, including Pashupatinath Temple, Narayanhiti Royal Palace Museum, and the peaceful Garden of Dreams. Once you arrive at your hotel, a representative will meet you to discuss your itinerary and answer any questions you might have about it. After you check into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore the busy streets, cafés, and shops of Thamel or relax at your hotel.
Includes: Private transport and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites and Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, you will meet your assigned guide or an Asian Heritage representative at your accommodation. This representative or guide will introduce you to a brief overview of the trek and also make you aware of other details. To collect your permit for the trek, you should carry your passport, three passport-sized photos, and travel insurance documents.
You can relax and rest during your free time. If you want to, you can go out for a walk in the streets of Thamel.
Includes: Breakfast and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to Kathmandu Airport for a domestic flight to Tumlingtar, which will begin your Makalu Base Camp trek. The flight will take around 35 minutes, providing a scenic view of the Himalayas by looking out the plane windows.
From Tumlingtar, your journey will take around 30 minutes on a twisting, hilly route to Kandbari, an important town in this region of Nepal, where local government offices are held. The route will continue on a twisting dirt road, with its highest altitude of 1,960 meters before a slight descent to Chichila, at an altitude of 1,900 meters. Here, a small settlement and police checkpoint await, where your Makalu Base Camp Trekking permit will be checked. In this region, there are scenic views of tree-covered slopes.
After Chichila, the road becomes a rugged and rocky one, and the journey to Num becomes a challenging but scenic one.
Includes: Private Transport, Airfare, Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Num.
Today, your journey will take you on a long and steep descent to the Arun River, followed by a strenuous climb to Seduwa. The trail takes you over large stone steps down to the river, which is at 770 meters, as well as through fragrant cardamom fields. Once over the suspension bridge in the Arun River, your journey will take a strenuous climb to Seduwa, through forests of towering bamboo, and past lively village activity.
Your guide will stop at the Makalu-Barun National Park checkpoint to validate your permit for the trek. Seduwa is a small but lively village with a school, some houses, some shops, and tea houses that provide an insight into life in the Makalu region.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Seduwa.
Today’s hike is a welcome break from the up and down of yesterday. As you start approaching the Sherpa settlement, you will take a path with stone steps and several mani walls. The Makalu Base Camp Trek route carved its way through the forests of rhododendrons and bamboos, small farmlands, and cardamom plantations- a truly unforgettable journey. After two hours or so, the beautiful community of Chyaksa Danda is reached at 1,900 meters.
Along the way, you might cross streams on sturdy wooden bridges through dense forests. Though the trek will be longer due to undulating terrain, your destination, the village of Tashi Gaon, gradually unfolds before your eyes. You cross a log bridge and start climbing the final stretch up stone-paved steps to reach Tashi Gaon.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Tashi Gaon.
You will leave Tashi Gaon and climb up via stone stairs to start your Makalu Base Camp Trek. From there, the trail will continue to climb via a sensational rhododendron forest. After climbing for three hours, you will arrive at Dhara, a place with an altitude of 2,867 meters. There is a tea house here where you can stop to grab a snack, as well as a good place to grab some lunch before heading to Khongma.
Moving from Dhara, you are met with the toughest stretch of hiking that spans about an hour before you reach Unshisa at 3,200 meters, where you will meet a large rocky surface. Along the way from Unshisa after this tiring ascent, you will reach a stone resting place with prayer flags. After another 45 minutes of walking, you will reach Khongma Danda at 3,500 meters, where you can find three tea houses; during winter, the place may be snow-covered.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Khongma Danda.
Today is acclimatization day on the Makalu Base Camp Trek. We suggest that you ascend to the top of the Kongma La to acclimatize your body to the high altitude. From your tea house, you will trek through rhododendron bushes, go through stone steps, until you reach the top of the pass at 3,890 meters. It takes about an hour to ascend. If you are an adventurous type, you may be encouraged by your guide to go further. Then, return to Khongma, feeling acclimatized and ready to ascend the four passes the following day, starting with the top of the Kongma La.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Khongma Danda.
Today is going to be an extraordinary day, as you will be making your ascent to four high passes, each offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. First, you make your ascent to Khongma La Pass at 3,890 meters, from which you can view Makalu and Chamlang. Later, after having a short descent, you start climbing the stone stairs, leading to Sano Pokhari Danda at 4,105 meters, which overlooks the peaceful Sano Pokhari Lake.
At an altitude of 4,200 meters, Shipton La is marked by a mani wall and cairn. From here, you will descend to Kalo Pokhari Lake at 4,080 meters, which is festooned with colored prayer flags, where the Janai Purnima Festival will be celebrated. From here, you catch a trail that leads you up to Keke La Pass at 4,170 meters. Finally, a gentle descent takes you to Dobate and your lodge, a sight for sore eyes after an eventful and fulfilling day of trekking!
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Dobate.
This morning, you will descend through forests of rhododendron and pine. This is quite refreshing and a scenic experience. Watch out for steep slopes, especially if the trail is covered in snow. Eventually, you will make your way to the river, which will signal the beginning of your Makalu Base Camp Trek on a trail leading under a huge landslide area. A short climb takes you up to Themathang Kharka, 3,500 meters, where a tea house is waiting.
It takes about four hours to reach from Dobate. You will see a magnificent waterfall just before reaching Themathang. A little later, you will cross the Barun Khola on a wooden bridge. The trail now follows the river in leisurely bends, and from the Themathang tea house, it will take about 1.5 hours to reach your overnight stop in the beautiful meadows of Yangri Kharka.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Yangri Kharka.
The walk today will be a pretty one with the river flowing on your left and the enticing smell of juniper following you along. The Makalu Base Camp Trekking Trail is decorated with colorful prayer flags. Peaks like Peak 4, Peak 6, Peak 7, and Yaupa come into your sight ahead of you, while towering cliffs are on both sides of you. It is going to be a treat for your eyes with craggy and snow-capped mountains, towering cliffs, waterfalls, and sacred caves waiting for you.
It is roughly 2.5 hours of trekking before the trail opens up through the fields of Jhak Kharka, Yak Kharka, and finally Merek, from which point your tea house in Langmale is slowly revealed. The views from the tea house at Langmale have Peak 7 in the background, which is absolutely breathtaking. A mani with prayer flags is situated directly in front of the line of rooms.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Lamgmale Kharka.
Your journey to Makalu Base Camp will begin as a well-defined trail, keeping the river on your left as you zigzag across the valley. With every change of direction, there will be another breathtaking view. There are some boulder-hopping sections, but otherwise, this will be a standard sand path to follow. Out of sight, but not out of mind, Peak 4 continues upward with you.
After some hours of trekking, you will arrive at Shershong (4,630 meters), which affords a very good camping place, boasting a large field as well as a small, closable stone house. From there, the enchanting view of Makalu slowly unfolds.
Once you make a few turns to reach the base camp, you can see the lodges. You reach the destination you’ve been longing to get to just after crossing the river. In the landscape, you can see the fifth-highest peak in the world, the majestic Mount Makalu. During your journey, you can also catch a glimpse of the snowcocks, hill pigeons, black redstarts, mountain finches, etc., which add to the beauty of the high-altitude region.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Makalu Base Camp.
Today, while ascending towards the ridge at approximately 5,300 meters above the base camp, you get ready to be mesmerized by the picturesque views. After crossing the river over a strong log bridge, you will be able to hike through a misty trail, which, at some points, lacks clarity. At this point, you will be able to enjoy the existing scintillating views of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6, and Peak 4, as well as a few glimpses of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. After this, it is back to base camp.
The trip between them generally takes around 4-5 hours, presenting a challenging yet fulfilling experience, considering the rugged terrain and altitude of over 5,000 meters. However, some alternatives can provide a more easier experience, such as visiting lakes around the base camp, hiking on a smaller ridge with prayer flags, or having a small excursion to a small hill at the entrance of the base camp.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Makalu Base Camp.
As you leave the breathtaking beauty of Mt. Makalu behind with a heavy heart, the journey commences towards the return to Yangri Kharka. It takes around 1.5 hours to reach the Shershong meadow from there. It takes another 1 to 2 hours to get to Langmale, where you can have tea and possibly lunch.
Continuing your trek and walking for an hour finally allows you to arrive at the Merek tea house. Take a cup of tea and rest there before proceeding along the Makalu Base Camp Trek trail through pine forests to Yangri Kharka, which is about 2-3 hours from Merek.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Yangri Kharka.
Today’s walk will be a very pleasant stroll along the river towards the tea house at Themathang, passing through many rhododendron bushes as we go. Just before reaching Themathang, there is a wooden bridge to cross. The walk to Themathang takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Next, you will walk through the landslide area, which will take another 1.5 hours. After walking on the undulating trail, the more challenging trek to the rhododendron forest will begin. Along the route to the Makalu Base Camp Trek, the altitude decreases as the visitor reaches the tea house at Dobate.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Dobate.
On your Makalu Base Camp Trek, your final chance to see the mighty peaks, including Kangchenjunga, will be here. Your climb to Keke La will take 1.5 hours, followed by 1.5 hours to Shipton La at 4,200 meters. Next, a one-hour hike will get you to the large cairn at Sano Pokhari Danda.
The next trek is through undulating terrain for about an hour, after which you will descend to Khongma La, which is characterized by a mani wall. From here, you will descend about 250 meters to Khongma, hoping to spot some blood pheasants along the way. The trek resumes as a two-hour descent to Danda Kharka.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Danda Kharka.
Descend from the mountains and think about your exhilarating journey across the Makalu Base Camp Trekking Route. While trekking from Danda Kharka to Tashi Gaon for the following three hours, you will experience walking through rhododendron forests, steep paths, and beautiful meadows. After that, terraced fields will be waiting for you, offering breathtaking views of the mountain ranges, followed by the descent to Seduwa for a night’s stay at a local lodge.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Seduwa.
Continue to descend further down along the Arun River on a tough trek via stone stairs in the pleasant environment of the forest. After crossing the river, head back to Num via picturesque forests. Next, you can have a delightful road trip to Tumlingtar via the mountain roads, enjoying the sights of mountains, greenery, and villages in the region. Heartfelt congratulations to you for completing the Makalu Base Camp Trek successfully!
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Private Transport, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Tumlingtar.
Today, you will take a quick, scenic flight to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our driver who will drop you at the hotel. In the evening, we have planned to give you a farewell dinner by our company, Asian Heritage Treks. You can spend your time roaming across the city to buy some shopping items to carry to your loved ones.
Includes: Breakfast, Airfare, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
On this day, you are free to enjoy time spent in Kathmandu either at the pace you would like (relaxing at your hotel, going shopping for souvenirs for friends and family) or visiting the attractions of Kathmandu.
If you want to fill in your day with fun activities, you can choose from these optional activities:
This is the end of your trip in Nepal, and it should provide some of the most remarkable experiences you will have enjoyed in Nepal, including many wonderful memories of culture, landscape, and heritage.
Includes: Breakfast, and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
Today is the last day of your journey. Three hours before your scheduled departure back to your home or another location, our representative will pick you up in a private vehicle after breakfast and drop you off at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.
We hope you travel safely and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Includes: Breakfast and private Transport.
Getting to Nepal as an international visitor is easy with the availability of an easy-to-use Visa on Arrival service at Tribhuvan International Airport and almost all the land border crossings into Nepal. Upon arrival at the airport, you will complete the visa form, submit the necessary documents, pay the applicable visa fee online, and then you will be given your visa within a very short time.
With several different types of Nepali visas available for various duration periods, visitors have the choice of whether they want to stay for a few days or months; however, some nationalities must obtain their visa in advance of travelling, so you must check the current visa requirements.
Learn more about visa guidelines and requirements: Tourist Visa Information
Nepal offers a wide variety of accommodation to meet the varying requirements of travelers at every budget level and personal comfort preferences.
Luxury Accommodation
Enjoy the luxury and the comfort of a highly rated hotel, and are looking for a high-end experience. You will find many luxury hotels in Nepal with an array of modern conveniences, such as spa treatments, fine dining, beautiful locations, breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and individual attention from the staff. These types of hotels are perfect for people who want to relax, unwind, and experience luxurious facilities while traveling throughout Nepal.
Budget Accommodation
Travelers who want to experience Nepal without breaking the bank will be happy to know that there are also many inexpensive accommodation options, including guesthouses, boutique lodges, and homestays, which are all clean, friendly, and very good value. Budget accommodation allows a traveler to stay within their budget while experiencing the generosity of local hospitality.
We ensure that your accommodation matches your preference, whether you seek luxury or convenience.
Explore available accommodation categories: Accommodations in Nepal.
Nepal has a lot to offer with its incredible natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. Travelling can also come with risks, which is why anyone visiting Nepal needs to consider purchasing travel insurance, particularly those involved in adventure activities or trekking, as well as those who will be travelling to remote areas of Nepal. A well-rounded insurance policy can provide peace of mind through protection against the following:
Many trekking routes in Nepal are over 3000 meters (9842 ft); therefore, your policy should specifically state that high altitude travel is part of your Insurance plan, as well as the option to be evacuated in the event of an emergency. Choosing the right policy will help you receive the best possible care in your time of need.
Find out more about travel insurance for Nepal: Travel Insurance in Nepal
For hikers traveling to the Nepalese Himalayas, it’s essential to have the correct trekking equipment. Depending on what elevation you’re at, the weather might change drastically, so it’s crucial to use and carry the proper clothing and equipment in order to enjoy a safe and comfortable trip.
If you don’t want to travel with your own equipment, there are plenty of places in Nepal where you can rent or purchase what you need (particularly in Thamel, Kathmandu’s main shopping district). There are also locations within the city where you can find stores that offer a variety of high-quality trekking apparel and equipment at very reasonable prices.
See the complete trekking gear guide: Trekking Gear
