Makalu Base Camp Trek 19 Days

The spectacular trek to Makalu Base Camp has long been one of Nepal’s best-kept trekking secrets. Closed to the outside world until the 1950s, when Eric Shipton first trekked into the region, it has remained relatively inaccessible and little-known except to a handful of keen trekkers; camping en route. We are delighted to now be able to offer the trail to the foot of the world’s fifth highest peak as a tea house trek, and although accommodation is simpler than in more established trekking areas, the tea houses offer a welcome place to stay along the way.

The trail to the foot of the world’s fifth-highest peak takes you through the pristine wilderness of Makalu Barun National Park, recognized for its outstanding natural beauty and great diversity of flora and fauna. It also has great variety and contrast of scenery with every day bringing a rich selection of scenic rewards as you climb from 700m to over 5,000m. Trekking is challenging but immensely rewarding. On a single day alone you cross four high passes, including the Shipton La three of which are over 4,000m – a truly stunning day’s trekking. And, if you do this trek in the spring when there may be lingering snow, crossing the passes is even more exciting. The final approach to Base Camp is undoubtedly one of the best and most scenically spectacular walk-ins anywhere in the world and, when you finally reach Base Camp, Mount Makalu utterly dominates with its majestic, monumental presence. It makes you realize how daunting it would be to climb this 8,416m beast. From a viewpoint above the base camp, you can enjoy an epic panorama of some of the Himalayas’ highest peaks including Everest, 8,848m, Lhotse, 8,516m, Chamlang, 7,319m, and Baruntse, 7,129m.

Although this is an out-and-back trek, the vistas are superb in both directions, and you have the key advantage that if your views were obscured by clouds on your way out, you have a second chance to see them on your return. In fact, this trek has all the ingredients to make a truly memorable and thrilling journey; high passes, soaring 8,000m peaks, incredible scenery, a rewarding objective, and splendid isolation.

Trip Outline

Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar then drive to Chichira (1,980m/6497ft): 50 mins flight, 3-4 hours drive
Day 02: Chichira to Num (1,560m/5119ft): 6-7 hours
Day 03: Num to Seduwa (1,500m/4922 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 04: Seduwa to Tashigaon (2,100m/6890ft): 4-5 hours
Day 05: Tashigaon to Khongma Danda (3,500m/11,483 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 06: Acclimatization/Rest
Day 07: Khongma Danda to Dobate: 6-7 hours
Day 08: Dobate to Yangri Kharka (3,557m/11,670 ft): 6-7 hours
Day 09: Yangri Kharka to Langmale Kharka: (4,410m/14,468ft): 5-6 hours
Day 10: Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp: (4,870m/15,978ft): 6-7 hours
Day 11: Explore Makalu Base Camp
Day 12: Makalu Base Camp to Yangri Kharka: 6-7 hours
Day 13: Yangri Kharka to Dobate: 6-7 hours
Day 14: Dobate to Khongma Danda: 5-6 hours
Day 15: Khongma Danda to Tashigaon: 4-5 hours
Day 16: Tashigaon to Seduwa: 4-5 hours
Day 17: Seduwa to Num: 5-6 hours
Day 18: Num to Tumlingtar: 6-7 hours
Day 19: Tumlingtar to Kathmandu: 50 mins flight