Makalu Base Camp Trek
"Where the Fifth Highest Mountain meets the Last Untouched Trail."
Trek Gallery
Your Journey to Makalu Basecamp
Follow every step of the Makalu Base Camp Trek — from Kathmandu to International Airport. Click on any waypoint to see detailed information.
4,870m
Highest Point
Makalu Base Camp
120-150km
Total Distance
Estimated trail distance
19
Key Waypoints
Villages, camps & peaks
+3,470m
Elevation Gain
From Kathmandu
💡 Tip: Click on any waypoint on the map to see detailed information about that stop
Trek Overview
Makalu Base Camp Trek takes leads into one of the most remote and rarely visited trekking areas in Nepal, namely an Eastern valley system that is protected by Mt. Makalu (8,463m) which happens to be the fifth highest peak in the world. Makalu Base Camp trek goes along one of the least visited routes in the entire Makalu Barun National Park which offers a pristine experience amidst the most biologically rich protected areas of the Himalaya.
This Makalu Trek leads to the base camp of Mount Makalu, which is the fifth highest mountain in the world with its height of 8,463 meters and is situated inside the richly biodiverse Makalu Barun National Park. This trek is one of the most off the beaten path trek available in Nepal as it provides an opportunity to witness true wilderness away from crowded trails such as those of Everest or Annapurna treks. The trek allows the visitors to view Makalu, Baruntse, Chamlang, and even the distant peaks of Everest and Lhotse.
The trip to this trekking destination in eastern Nepal starts with a picturesque flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, which is the entrance to the Sankhuwasabha district. From there, the trail passes through Num, Seduwa, and Tashigaon, which is the last permanent settlement on the route. Trekkers travel through Rai and Sherpa villages along this route, which have managed to maintain their traditional methods of life mostly unaffected by contemporary tourism. The trail becomes increasingly dramatic as it ascends: narrow valleys, rivers fed by glaciers, and a true high-altitude pass crossing at Shipton La put endurance and determination to the test before dropping into the untamed upper Barun Valley.
Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel. Attend a trek briefing with your guide.
Altitude
1,400m
Distance
N/A
Meals
N/A
Accommodation
Hotel
What's Included
Included
- Airport pickups and transfers in Kathmandu
- Ground transportation: Kathmandu–Tumlingtar and Tumlingtar–Kathmandu
- 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights) with breakfast
- Tea house accommodation during the trek
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Experienced, government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide (mandatory for this restricted area)
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Makalu Barun National Park Entry Permit
- Makalu Rural Municipality Permit
- TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card
- First aid kit and oximeter
- Trekking map and trip completion certificate
Not Included
- International airfare to/from Nepal
- Nepal tourist visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (snacks, drinks, souvenirs)
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging fees (limited availability in upper valley)
- Bottled water and other beverages
- Tips for guide and porter
- Personal trekking equipment and gear
- Extra nights in Kathmandu beyond the itinerary
- Services not mentioned in inclusion
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation
You will be staying in Kathmandu for two nights in a comfortable hotel prior to and post your trekking journey. Along the trek, you will be staying in basic tea houses and lodges in the villages of Num, Seduwa and Tashigaon in Arun Valley. Once above the Khongma Danda, conditions will become more basic, where you will be staying in basic lodges at Dobate, Yangle Kharka, Langmale Kharka and Makalu Base Camp without any electricity, hot showers or dining facilities.
Meals
Meals throughout the trek are covered. The breakfast usually comprises porridge, eggs, and Tibetan bread. Lunch and dinner menus include dal bhat (rice and lentil soup), thukpa, noodles, and other soups. Vegetarian meals are always provided. Variety in the menu decreases considerably beyond Khongma Danda, especially at Dobate, Yangle Kharka, Langmale Kharka, and Makalu Base Camp, from where all provisions have to be brought in by the porter.
Difficulty & Fitness
Requirements
- This is not a beginner's trek, trekkers need a good general level of fitness
- Comfortable walking 10–12 km in a day
- Prior multi-day trekking experience strictly required
- Good overall health with no cardiac or respiratory concerns
- A relaxed, patient mindset suited to a remote, restricted-area trail
- Comfortable hiking every day in difficult, high-altitude conditions
Training Tips
- Start training 8–10 weeks before the trek
- Hike with a loaded pack 5–6 days a week
- Add stair climbing and cardio (running, cycling) 3 days a week
- Do one long hike (4+ hours) weekly with elevation gain
- Break in your trekking boots beforehand
- Work on breathing and pacing techniques, since a slow, steady rhythm matters more at altitude than speed
Packing List
- Moisture-wicking base layers
- Insulated down jacket
- Fleece/warm mid-layer
- Waterproof, windproof outer jacket & pants
- Trekking trousers
- Thermal underwear
- Warm hat & sun hat
- Gloves (light + insulated pair)
- Wool/synthetic trekking socks
Best Time to Trek
March- May
Pros
- Clear mountain views of Makalu, Chamlang and Baruntse
- Rhododendron forests in bloom at lower elevations
- Warmer temperatures in the Arun valley approach
- Quiet trails even during peak trekking months
Cons
- Occasional afternoon haze in the lower valley
- Very cold nights above Khongma Valley and Makalu Base camp
Safety & Altitude Awareness
Safety Measures
- All guides are government-licensed, as legally required for this region
- Guides carry first aid kits and pulse oximeters
- Regular health checks throughout the trek
- Maximum group size of 10 trekkers per group, 1:6 guide-to-trekker ratio (maximum)
Altitude Sickness
- The trek regularly goes above 4,000m. Gets as high as 4,870m at Base Camp (and up to around 5,200m on the optional viewpoint hike) so the chance of getting altitude sickness is very real
- AMS symptoms are a real concern from Khongma Danda onward and especially when getting close to Makalu Base Camp
- Symptoms include headache, nausea, tiredness, trouble sleeping
- Prevention means staying well hydrated moving at a steady pace and climbing slowly
Emergency Protocol
- 24/7 emergency contact support from Kathmandu office
- Helicopter evacuation can be arranged (weather permitting), although it is weather-dependent and can be delayed significantly due to its remoteness
- Portable first-aid kit and oximeter carried by your guide
- Rescue coverage must be included in your insurance
- Nearest medical facilities: basic health post in Khandbari and Tumlingtar, with full medical care only available back in Kathmandu
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for Your Adventure?
Join trekkers from around the world on this life-changing journey.
$1,950
per person
19 Days
adventure
4.7
0 reviews
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