Makalu Base Camp Trek

Morning as per flight time get transferred to Kathmandu domestic airport where scenic short the flight takes you towards Nepal Far East to land at Tumlingtar, located around sub-tropical Arun valley, from here onwards our adventure starts to commence our walks to Makalu Base Camp. From Tumlingtar town, transfer into a local jeep or similar vehicle where drives lead far up towards mid hills heading past farm villages and the town of Khandbari headquarter of Sanka Sava district of Makalu region. Drive continues with winding hills past Chinchilla farm village and then descend to reach at Num village for overnight in nice lodge facing views of beautiful landscapes with Jalajala Himal and Makalu peaks.

The first day starts with long descend for an hour to cross over a bridge above Arun River, and then uphill to Seduwa village, walking past Runmura a small farm village with a gradual climb to Seduwa village for overnight camp.

From Seduwa village short day walk today morning walk follows a winding path to Tashigaon a moderate size farm village of Sherpa community, which is the last village on route to Makalu base camp, walking into the farm area and then reaching at Tashigaon for lunch and overnight camp. Here with ample time to explore the village of great interest around to witness Sherpa Buddhist culture and age-old traditional life.

After Tashi Gaon which is last human settlement for a week, as morning leads to a gradual walk within a dense forest of rhododendron, oaks and pines trees past several cattle herder’s shelters and shades. Walking for few hours on the good moderate trail where afternoon walk leads to a climb for few hours to reach on top Kongma ridge, where tall trees fade to small rhododendron and juniper bushes. Overnight camp is set overlooking views of world third high Mt. Kanchenjunga with Mt. Makalu and adjoining peaks.

From Kongma walk leads to complete wilderness following a ridge with few ups and down to reach at glacial ponds of Thulo Pokhari (large) with Sano Pokhari(small), and then cross over Tutu-la and Shipton la above 4, 453 m high passes, with downhill heading back into dense forest to our overnight camp in the midst of tree lines at the place called Mumbuk.

Morning walks heading down towards scenic Barun valley, a place famous for unique rare species of vegetation- plants that are almost extinct on this world, where medicinal herbs and mountain animals are found around. On reaching Barun valley, walk leads to gradual up with views of peaks on both sides of the valley and then encountering several Yak herder shelters and a small Buddhist Gompa (monastery), after a nice good walk reaching to our overnight camp at Nehe Kharka with scenic Barun valley.

From Barun valley trek to Shersong which is at end of Barun valley towards Makalu base camp as walk lead to slow uphill then crossing streams with views of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse peaks, after a good walk of the day reaching at Sherson for an overnight stop.

After Sherson heading to our main highlight and destination at Makalu Base Camp, where walk leads on the high path over moraine and ice within rocky areas to reach Makalu base camp, located close to a glacial icy pond next to Baruntse Himal. Our overnight camp set beneath towering South Face of Mt. Makalu, with time to explore and enjoy views of surrounding high peaks.

Rest day at Makalu base camp with views of Mt. Makalu, Baruntse Himal, and peak IV, options for the hike for views of Mt. Everest with its rare East Face known as Kangshung with Mt. Lhotse.

From Makalu base camp retrace the walk back towards lower Barun valley to reach Yangle Kharka for overnight stop enclosed within high rocky cliffs, offering views of waterfalls.

After a grand time around Barun valley, walk leads towards the end of Barun valley and then climb back into the forest at Mumbuk for overnight camp.

Morning heading back on the same scenic trail to Kongma ridge, starting with a climb for an hour into forest areas to reach a ridge after leaving tree lines, as walk leads past the glacial ponds and over Tutu la and Shipton la to Kongma hill for overnight camp.

Ending our high latitude trek as morning walk leads to long downhill into the forest of tall tree lines to reach at Tashi Gaon, from here on route Nawa or Narbu gaon village, as our route leads into the shade of forest and farm terraces to reach a large Sherpa village of Nawa Gaon on for overnight stop, with afternoon free to explore this nice farm village.

Our last day walk of this adventure concludes as walk follows to Seduwa village, from here village taking descends on the steep path to reach above Arun River, after crossing a bridge where last steep climb of the trip takes you to Num village for last overnight around high hills of Makalu Himalaya.

Morning where our adventure and walks the completes taking an exciting drive to reach Tumlingtar heading past to farmland and Khandbari town finally drive ends at Tumlingtar with time to stroll around this interesting town, observe the local culture and traditional life of eastern Nepal.

Morning taking an exciting flight from Tumlingtar heading back to Kathmandu during flight enjoy views of Makalu-Kanchenjunga and Everest, as per plane slowly Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel, with ample time for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

Today, last day in amazing Nepal with great experience and fond memories of excellent adventure on Makalu Base Camp trekking, as per your time for international flight, our guide and staff transfer you to the airport for your final departure homeward bound or to your next destinations.

Around Nepal Far East a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu religions of Brahmin-Chettries-Dalits and Rai with some Gurung including Newar people, as walk leads higher region at Tashi Gaon dominated by Sherpa people of Tibetan origin with same Buddhist culture and religion. On this trek few villages on the route with fascinating culture and traditional farm life of hill people as Makalu base camp takes you beyond villages for a week or more.

From the minimum 3-4 person in the group with the maximum of 10-15 persons in the group, in some cases we do allow booking for a single person as well, running independently at extra cost than in groups.

As per the season wise, where the best time is from April to May when most of the day is clear with minimum temperatures of 0° to 20° Celsius depending upon the altitude and areas. September to November another best time to visit when most of the days a clear for views can be cold in the morning and nighttime above 2,500 m high without wind-chill factor.

Tea-House the word used in early days when there were smaller numbers of lodges on route trekking, at present only a few main towns and villages like Tumlingtar, Num, Seduwa, and Tashi- Gaon with simple lodges to stay with basic facilities. On this trek to Makalu where camping is necessary as this region falls within remote and the isolated part of the country, camping is the best way to enjoy this adventure to Makalu Base Camp having complete camping facilities with kitchen unit of cook-kitchen staff-guide and porters, carrying much of foods from Kathmandu itself. The lodge beyond Tashi-Gaon offers minimum comfort like shacks rather than the lodge.

Most of the places do not have electricity on route trekking some village run by its own small hydro-power like Kandbari, Num and Tashi-Gaon where electric supply is private and an individual of the village and some lodge owners with sun / solar power to activate electric just for the lodge and as well for customers to charge their computers and cell-phones. Some places do have networks for cell phones and as well for internets like Wi-Fi above Tashi- Gaon or Num villages and on the route, where networks are disturbed in deep gorge and valleys. At present nearly all people in Nepal including remote villages do have an assist to cell-phones with fine network connection only in bad weather, the line can be broken, otherwise, it is fine in working order.

In this situation where our guides are well equipped with knowledge for emergency and medical\ purpose, depending upon the seriousness of the victims if it is much critical where nearest medical attention needed, we call for immediate evacuation for Helicopter services to reach the victims to nearest medical station and hospital. For light AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), resting and drinking enough fluid leaving an extra guide to taking care of sick clients till he/she recovers on route treks or help them to descend to safer areas and taking an advance flight back to Nepalgunj or Kathmandu.

Meals are prepared by our head camping chef with varied items, all foods are carefully prepared with much hygiene concern, with good breakfast-lunch and dinner with afternoon tea and snacks prepared by our camping cook and staff.

Well hearing rumors and seeing for your own self is a different picture, to be honest, some people are not used to Asian and spicy foods, that’s why people could get sick with a change of diets as well. To be on the healthy side before and after the treks is to get advice from your guides what will be the best food to consume while on treks, we strongly suggest staying away from meats items in the first place, as it is not hygienic could be stale meat of a week time or more. If you go with a vegetarian for sometimes will be the best options to stay healthy till you get immune to the o local environment and culture

In our list we always mention general medication to bring from home as well from your doctor advice also, your doctor might recommend you some basic medication list like medicine against diarrhea, headache, fever, cold-flu as well constipation including first aid for cuts-wounds and burns as well. In every trip of ours, we carry comprehensive medical kits which will be carried by our trekking staff, guides or group leader for common use if required as for your own personal illness, where you doctors might have recommended some medicine to carry with you.

Always abide by the rules of the company and guides/leader, most of the main sickness is stomach disorder due to the change in foods and culture shocks. If people have traveled in Asia countries and know the food well will be not a problem. Other factors might lead to altitude sickness known as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) which can happen to many people, if they are not careful by walking fast in higher elevation and might catch the symptoms of AMS. We have designed the itinerary days where people can acclimatize well with rest days in a couple of high places before reaching much higher to our goal and highlights. Some people might take Diamox pills, which is often used as high altitude pills, should consult the doctors before taking the right dose, which helps to regulate the flow of blood systems from getting clots in high altitude. Where drinking plenty of fluids, water-juice and rehydration drink including black warm tea also help and taking much rest after getting tired.

Depending upon your time and duration for the trek you can book this trip at least 2-3 weeks ahead from our departure dates for the trek, with advance payment as per the norms and rules of the company. Make sure that you have checked your medical and physical fitness before signing the trip and as well purchasing medical and travel insurance which is very important for this kind of adventurous treks in Nepal Himalaya. Depending upon your time and duration for the trek you can book this trip at least 2-3 weeks ahead from our departure dates for the trek, with advance payment as per the norms and rules of the company. sure that you have checked your medical and physical fitness before signing the trip and as well purchasing medical and travel insurance which is very important for this kind of adventurous treks in Nepal Himalaya.