trip Overview
The Makalu Base Camp Trek: A Pristine Himalayan Adventure
Nestled in the remote Mahalangur Himalayas, the Makalu Base Camp Trek offers an unparalleled journey through one of Nepal’s most breathtaking and least-explored regions. As the fifth-highest peak in the world at 8,481 meters, Mount Makalu remains a forbidding yet rewarding destination for trekkers seeking loneliness and dramatic landscapes. Located just 19 kilometers southeast of Mount Everest, the trek traverses the China-Nepal border, showcasing inspiring views of the Kangshung Face of Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang, and the distant Kanchenjunga.
Unique Features of the Trek
- Untouched Wilderness: Unlike more commercialized routes, the Makalu trek retains its pristine charm, with fewer trekkers and preserving natural beauty.
- Ecological Diversity: The trail passes through rich subtropical forests, vibrant rhododendron groves (especially stunning in spring), high-altitude grassland, and rough glacial valleys.
- Makalu Barun National Park: A biodiversity hotspot expanding 2,330 square kilometers, the park shelters rare wildlife, including the elusive Red Panda, Himalayan black bears, and over 400 bird species.
- Cultural Richness: The route winds through traditional Sherpa and Rai villages, offering insights into the lifestyles of Nepal’s domestic mountain communities.
Trek Overview
The adventure begins with a scenic flight to Tumlingtar, followed by a trek through terraced farmlands and dense forests. As elevation increases, the landscape transitions into alpine terrain, with panoramic views of Makalu’s towering south face. The final ascent to Makalu Base Camp (5,000m) rewards trekkers with a rare perspective of Everest’s seldom-seen eastern side.
Key Considerations
- Difficulty: Challenging, due to high altitude, remote trails, and variable weather.
- Best Time to Trek: Spring (March-May) for blooming rhododendrons and Autumn (September-November) for stable weather and clear skies.
- Permits Required: Makalu Barun National Park permit and TIMS card.
Why Choose to the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
Ideal for adventurous trekkers who seek an off-the-beaten-path experience, this trek combines raw natural beauty, cultural immersion, and spectacular mountain scenery—all without the crowds of more popular Himalayan routes.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing around the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and drive to Num [1,490m]
Day 04: Trek to Seduwa via Arun River [1,460m]
Day 05: Trek to Tashi Gaon [2,070m]
Day 06: Trek to Khongma [3,470m]
Day 07: Rest and Accommodation Day at Khongma.
Day 08: Trek to Mumbuk [3,570m]
Day 09: Trek to Nhe Kharka [3,000m]
Day 10: Trek to Sherson [4,615m]
Day 11: Trek to Makalu Base Camp [5,000m]
Day 12: Rest day Exploration
Day 13: Trek to Nhe Kharka [3,000m]
Day 14: Trek to Mumbuk [3,570m]
Day 15: Trek to Khongma [3,470m]
Day 16: Trek to Tashi Gaon [2,070m]
Day 17: Trek to Walung Phedi[825m]
Day 18: Trek to Pukuwa [600m]
Day 19: Trek to Bumling [410m]
Day 20: Trek to Tumlingtar [460m]
Day 21: Fly to Kathmandu.
Day 22: Free for personal activities at Kathmandu.
Day 23: Final Departure.
Detail Itinerary
30 min drive BB Plan Hotel
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan international airport, A representative from Nepal Dream Path will receive you there. Then, we will transfer you to the hotel where you will stay overnight. After the check-in procedure completes, we will introduce you to the individuals going to be part of your Makalu Base Camp trek. Also, we will share information regarding the dos and don'ts while living in Nepal.
This is the day when you will be familiar with the world heritage sites of Nepal. A trained city guide will be guiding you while you will witness and know in detail about the heritage sites and their history.
30 min flight and 5-6 hrs drive All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
This day starts with the early morning breakfast at your hotel and transfers to the domestic airport. This is the first step of our Makalu Base Camp Trek. We will fly from Kathmandu heading towards Tumlingtar enjoying the aerial view of landscapes and gigantic mountains. On reaching Tumlingtar, we will have lunch there and another 5-6 hours will be the ride to Num on private vehicles or tourist buses. While traveling, you can witness the beauty of Nepal closely enjoying the surrounding landscapes, terrains, streams, etc. After reaching Num, we will drop our bags at the teahouse and rest there.
5-6 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, we will lose and regain altitude as we first climb down to the Arun River and then a big ascend to Seduwa. The descent to the Arun Valley can get a little tricky sometimes as we will pass through the rocky steps. The large Cardamom Gardens on the way are attractive. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Arun River, the remaining journey is a big climb up to Seduwa passing through groves of bamboo and settlements. Seduwa is a small village with a school, small shops, and scattered teahouses.
5-6 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Unlike yesterday, this day is a pleasant day ignoring harsh ascends and descends. The journey starts with a pleasant climb through the dotted farmlands, cardamom gardens, bamboo, and Rhododendron forests. Enjoying the surrounding scenery and listening to the call of cocos from trees, we will reach Chyaksa Danda, a place with schools and countable teahouses. Passing through the dense forests and small streams with comfortable wooden bridges, we will reach our destination of the day, Tashi Gaon.
6-7 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, after having breakfast at the teahouse, we will head towards Khongma Village. The journey starts with a pleasant climb through the rocky steps passing through the colorful Rhododendron forest and listening to the call of treepies and warblers from trees. After the walk of approximately 3 hrs, we will reach the only refreshment stop before Khogma village and will have lunch there. The rest of the journey is a pleasant climb through the stone rest stops, prayer flags, and mani walls all the way to Khogma village.
Khongma village located at an elevation of 3,637m is our acclimatization stop for the preparation for higher altitudes in the upcoming days. This day is necessary because the trekkers can get high altitude sickness so the body needs to acclimatize to the high altitude. The takes us out of risk of possible danger in the future. On this day, we will explore Khogma village or maybe explore Khogma La pass situated at the elevation of 3,890 m with an hour of a climb from the village.
6-7 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
This day starts with the climb on the slightly steep trails penetrating through the Rhododendron forest all the way to the top of the hill. The top of the hill offers a magnificent view of mountains like Chamling (7290m), peak 7 (6195m), and Peak 6 (6739m). After having a rest and enjoying the surrounding view, the final push on the descending trail will lead us to our destination of the day, Mumbak village.
6-7 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, we will lose and gain altitude as we will head towards Nhe Kharka situated at an elevation of 3700m. A descend of the first 500 m and then ascend on the sloppy muddy trails leading towards the glacial valley. Nhe kharka is a grassy plain area with limited teahouses and mesmerizing mountains and surrounding views.
7 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
We will gain almost 1500m of altitude on this day as we climb from 3700m to 4615m to Sherson. On this day, walking on the trail leading westwards, we will not have Rhododendron forest around us anymore as we will walk through the alpine tundra. The walk can get a little tricky as we gradually gain height but the journey stops on reaching Sherson because there are no teahouses stop in between. On reaching Sherson, we will rest at our teahouses enjoying the view of Pyramid Peak (7168m) and Peak 4 (6720m).
5-6 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today is the most exciting day of the trek as we will head towards your dream destination, Makalu Base Camp. The journey is a little easy as we climb on a minor pass of about 100m. On reaching Makalu Base Camp, we will be awarded a view of the south face of Mt. Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world along with a clear view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse. We will spend the rest of the day in a teahouse located on the lap of Mt. Makalu enjoying the surrounding views.
Today, you will get to introduce yourself to the Makalu Base Camp area. There are plenty of options you can go for. The highly recommended one is to climb the ridge above the Makalu Base Camp up to the elevation of around 5300m. Passing through the rivers on the wooden bridge and following the trail for about 3 hours, this magnificent viewpoint will reward you with the surreal view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse along with the dramatic view of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6, and Peak 4 too.
Another option may be a visit to the lakes beyond Makalu Base Camp.
6-7 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, we will descend on the trail following the footprint back to Nhe Kharka.
4-5 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, we will trek to Mumbuk retracing our steps back.
4-5 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, we will trek to Khongma retracing our steps back.
4-5 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, we will trek to Tashi Gaon retracing our steps back.
5-6 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
After early morning breakfast and the end of the entry process for a permit at the National Park office at Seduwa, we will continue our journey passing through the Rai village of Mulgaon and then we will cross the Suspension bridge over Isuwa Khola descending all the way to Walung Phedi, our destination of the day.
5-6 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
Today, after the early morning breakfast at Walung Phedi, we will head toward Pukuwa. The journey is on the trails passing through the dotted farmlands, forests, and streams to the spread-out Rai village. There, we will get to experience the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Rai community.
5-6 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Teahouse
The journey today is through the forests following the rock trail to the Chhetri village of Bumling.
6-7 hrs walk All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea/Coffee] Hotel/Resort
Today, we will trek back to the place where we started our journey. Following the trail passing through the rice terraces, farmlands, forests, and small streams, we will reach Tumlingtar. This is the last day we trek in this long Makalu Base Camp trek. On reaching Tumlingtar, we will wash away our dirty bodies and clothes with a hot shower.
30 min flight & 30 min drive BB plan Hotel
On this day, we will fly back to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar after the morning breakfast. It will take about 30 min to reach Kathmandu from where we will transfer you to the hotel in Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, you can spend the rest of your day the way you like to.
This day is free for personal activities. We suggest you go shopping and can buy the things reflecting your trek or simply anything you want. Or, if you want to do a guided tour around Kathmandu Valley, we can provide you well-trained city tour for sightseeing in the valley.
On this day, according to your flight schedule, we will transfer you from your hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport with a heavy heart.
What's included?
- All transportation and Arrival, Departure transfers are as per the Itinerary.
- Hotel accommodation with BB plan in city and Tea house or Camping in Trekking as per itinerary.
- Full-day guided tour of Kathmandu including private vehicle, Entry permits, and a well-experienced city guide.
- All meals are included during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Tea/Coffee).
- Guide, porters, and other support staff as per your requirement.
- National Park Fees and all required permits.
- General First-Aid Kits for All.
- All taxes and fees are required for the program.
What's not included?
- Meals in the cities.
- Personal expenses (Laundry, bar bills, water, etc)
- Travel Insurance (Essential).
- Personal trekking gear is not mentioned in the contract.
- Tips for staff.
- Personal first aid kit.