Trekking to Makalu Base Camp

One of the most unusual and least crowded treks in Nepal: a remote region that is far less popular among trekkers than more well-known destinations such as the Everest trek or the Annapurna Circuit. But for true lovers of mountains and authenticity, this is a real advantage! Yes, there are no luxurious lodges or cozy cafés here, and in the Barun Valleyparticipants will stay in tents — but the landscapes! This is an absolute fantasy accessible to only a few: mind-blowing views of Makalu, Everest, and Kanchenjunga.

It is also a unique opportunity to encounter the exotic wildlife of this region: Tibetan antelopes, snow leopards, Himalayan bears, Tibetan sparrows, wild horses, and chamois. The area is equally remarkable for its diverse flora: coniferous forests, alpine meadows, medicinal herbs, and mountain shrubs. And if you choose to trek in spring, you will witness blooming clouds of rhododendrons in every shade of pink — from delicate, almost white tones to vivid hues reminiscent of ripe raspberries.

The trek to Makalu Base Camp begins with a flight to Tumlingtar, allowing participants to enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges from the airplane window and avoiding a long and exhausting road journey. Accommodation during the trek includes lodges and tents: the lodges are very simple but clean and cozy, while the campsites feature high-quality, new tents.

Another major highlight of this trek is the chance to step into the sacred Barun Valley and spend several days there. Its lush landscapes and untouched natural beauty leave no one indifferent, and for many participants, these places become true sources of strength and energy.

This route is filled with scenery that will continue to amaze you throughout the entire trek and leave lasting, vivid memories. Every day brings views that seem to touch something deep within the soul: high-altitude lakes with indescribable colors, glaciers draping the slopes of the Himalayas, rhododendron and conifer forests, countless waterfalls plunging into deep gorges, alpine meadows — and, of course, their inhabitants.

This is the kind of journey you will remember for a lifetime.

Day 1. Your trek to Makalu Base Camp begins with your arrival in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. You can obtain your visa directly at the airport and then head to our hotel, which feels like a true oasis amid the bustling city of Kathmandu. If you have the energy, we recommend taking a walk around Thamel, the most “mountaineering-oriented” district of Kathmandu: browse local souvenir shops or purchase any last-minute gear for the trek. In the evening, you will meet your guide and get acquainted with the other participants. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. Today the official journey begins. The Makalu Base Camp trekking route includes a beautiful flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, which takes about 30 minutes. This scenic flight offers wonderful views of the city and landscapes, and we may even see the Himalayan range right from the airplane window. After enjoying the breathtaking views, we land in Tumlingtar. From there, we continue by local jeeps to Sedhuwа, a rather tiring drive that takes about 4–5 hours. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 4. Today the long-awaited trekking begins. After breakfast, we set off toward Tashigaon. As we approach, it is hard not to notice the huge, bright pink clouds — blooming rhododendrons. Along the way, we will definitely stop to enjoy a cup of aromatic ginger-lemon tea, very popular on treks throughout Nepal. Trekking distance: 12 km, 4–5 hours. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 5. On this day, the Makalu Base Camp trekking route continues toward the settlement of Kauma, rewarding participants with magnificent scenery. The trail from Tashigaon to Kauma is quite steep, but the views more than compensate for the effort. In the evening, we will watch a beautiful sunset from the lodge as the sky gradually turns shades of pink and yellow. Trekking distance: 15 km, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 6. After a warm breakfast, we leave Kauma and head toward the beautiful Barun Valley. Today is one of the more challenging sections of the route: we will overcome several steep ascents on the way to Mumbuk. Barun is an uninhabited, sacred valley in the Makalu region. There are only temporary campsites for trekkers here, and we will spend the night at one of them. Trekking distance: 16 km, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a campsite.

Day 7. After resting in Mumbuk, we continue to the next temporary camp in the Barun Valley — Nehe Kharka. The trail from Mumbuk to Nehe Kharka is relatively flat and covered in greenery. Overall, the sacred lands of the Barun Valley are surprisingly lush, even though there are not many trees. Crossing small streams and enjoying the green landscapes, we reach Nehe Kharka. Trekking distance: 14 km, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a campsite.

Day 8. Today we leave Nehe Kharka and move deeper into the upper part of the Barun Valley toward the small village of Shershong. This tiny settlement lies near the lower Barun Glacier and offers beautiful views of it. Today’s hike is slightly more demanding than previous days, as we gain significant altitude. In some sections, we will need to scramble over steep rocks, so caution is required. Along the way, we will see many waterfalls and small settlements such as Jark, Ramara, and Mera. Trekking distance: 8 km, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a campsite.

Day 9. From Shershong, we finally head toward our goal — Makalu Base Camp. Although the trail from Shershong to base camp is rocky, it is quite short and takes only about 1.5 hours. We will start early to have enough time to enjoy the views from base camp. Here, we can admire in detail Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in Nepal, as well as Everest and other neighboring peaks. After enjoying the scenery, we return from Makalu Base Camp to Nehe Kharka to spend the night surrounded by mountains and glaciers. Trekking distance: 4 km, 3–4 hours. Overnight in a campsite.

Day 10. Today is fully dedicated to exploring Makalu Base Camp. You can enjoy the views of the legendary mountain and take stunning photographs. The most energetic participants may wake up early to witness sunrise over Makalu. Trekking distance: 4 km, 3–4 hours. Overnight in a campsite.

Day 11. Today we begin our descent from Makalu Base Camp. After a hearty breakfast in Nehe Kharka, we head back toward the amusingly named village of Mumbuk, where we can stop for tea or a snack. After that, we proceed toward Shipton La Pass and the camp located at its base. Here we will enjoy a magnificent sunset among truly фантастические mountain landscapes. Trekking distance: 10 km, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 12. Today we continue descending to Sedhuwa along rocky trails with ups and downs, so participants must remain attentive. Along the way, panoramic views of the mountains open up, including Kanchenjunga. We descend directly toward the beautiful settlement of Sedhuwa, enjoying mountain scenery and blooming rhododendrons. Trekking distance: 10 km, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 13. After a delicious breakfast in Sedhuwa, we head to Mure, returning along the same route we ascended through the picturesque Num Valley. Trekking distance: 9 km, 6 hours. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 14. We are nearing the end of our Makalu Base Camp trek. In the morning, leaving Mure, we travel by local jeeps to the starting point of our adventure — Tumlingtar. Distance: 30 km, 1–2 hours. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 15. Today, participants fly back to Kathmandu on a local flight. The flight takes about 50 minutes and offers scenic views of the valley. At the airport, a transfer will meet you and take you to the hotel, where you can relax, visit a spa, buy souvenirs, and rest. In the evening, a traditional celebratory dinner with the whole team.

Day 16. Transfer to the airport. Departure from Kathmandu.

• Visa on arrival at the airport – USD 30 (up to 15 days) or USD 50 (16–30 days)
• Meals during the trek (ordered individually from the menu)
• Personal porter – USD 25 per day for up to 20 kg (usually shared between two participants); porter insurance is included (yes, we insure all staff)
• Porter transfer (scheduled bus tickets) – USD 40
• Tips for staff
• Medical insurance and emergency evacuation
• Single room accommodation
• Lunches and dinners during the stay in Kathmandu
• Early check-in / late check-out at the hotel before or after the program (we always try to negotiate additional bonuses for our guests; early check-in / late check-out is often granted free of charge)
• Any deviations from the program
• Any expenses related to changes to the program

Documents:

• Passport
• Flight tickets
• Medical insurance

Personal equipment:

• Backpack 50–60 liters
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature down to –10°C
• Trekking poles with baskets of at least 70 mm
• Crampons
• Classic ice axe with steel pick or ice tool
• Climbing harness
• Carabiners – 5 pcs
• Lanyards for self-belay
• Descender

Clothing and footwear:

• Single-layer mountaineering boots
• Sneakers (for cities)
• Waterproof layer – jacket + pants. The industry offers a wide range of options, from basic membranes rated 5000/5000 to Gore-Tex garments
• Fleece suit
• Thermal underwear top + bottom
• Down jacket with hood
• Warm mittens
• Thick gloves
• Thin gloves
• Bandana (in addition to sun protection in the valley, can be used to keep the neck or face warm in cold conditions)
• Hat
• Warm trekking socks for summit day

Miscellaneous:

• LED headlamp with battery life of at least 12 hours
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Thermos – 1 liter (preferably without a push-button lid)
• Windproof face mask for the lower part of the face
• Gaiters
• Sunscreen, lip balm
• Chemical hand warmers (optional, but can be very useful)
• Personal first-aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or supportive brace