Makalu Base Camp Trek- 20 days

Welcome to Nepal. Our representative at the Tribhuvan International Airport will warmly welcome you. Then you will be transferred directly to your hotel in Thamel. You can spend this day resting or wandering through the vibrancy of Thamel streets. The evening is set for a briefing session with the guide, a welcome dinner, and a last-minute shopping if you need any. Overnight in a hotel, preparing for the trek starting tomorrow.

Our adventure will begin today. We will start with the scenic flight over the Hills of eastern Nepal to the deep Arun Valley. After arriving at Tumlingtar airstrip, we will meet our local crew and board a private jeep for the rugged drive through the foothills of Taplejung. The road winds through the small settlements and lush cardamom plants. The glimpses of the Makalu massif in the distance will be hovering. We will arrive in Num, which is a small village perched on a ridge, where we will settle into the local teahouse and enjoy the first mountain sunset. Overnight in a local lodge.

This trek will start officially today. We will start with a challenging and steep descent through the terraced fields and tropical forests down to the suspension bridge over the cascading Arun River. After crossing the river, we will switch to a steady uphill climb towards Seduwa. Seduwa is a wonderfully crafted cultural village of the Rai and Chhetri people. We will register our names in the entry post and settle in a local lodge.

Our walk today will be relatively short but consistently uphill. We will wind through the picturesque mani malls and prayer flags. We will traverse the lush forests of rhododendron and bamboo. We will cross several small streams on wooden bridges. The trail will offer the beautiful views of the surrounding hillsides and deep valleys. We will settle in Tashi Gaon and enjoy a peaceful evening immersed in local Buddhist culture.

Our Makalu Base Camp Trek will take a difficult road today. Today, it will be one of the most physically demanding days of the trek. The trail will leave the farmlands behind and enter the dense oak and rhododendron forests. We will cross hundreds of stairs that seem never to end. We will reach the ridge of Kauma Danda. As the trees thin out, the air will become thinner and crispier. We will stay at a teahouse in Kauma Danda, celebrating the magnificence of the views.

Rest is very important before attempting the high passes. We will spend the morning taking a short hike to the nearest viewpoint for a panorama of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Kanchenjunga. This hike will help our bodies to adjust to the thinner air. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the local lifestyle and culture. The silence of the high mountains here will offer a perfect moment for reflection and photography. Overnight in a teahouse.

We will have a spectacular day of high-altitude trekking. We will cross some major passes. Kauma La, Ghungru La, Sipton La, and Keke La. The Shipton La(4210) is the major pass of all. We will also pass the sacred Kalo Pokhari lake. This is a local pilgrimage site. The trail today will offer breathtaking 360-degree views of the Barun Valley and surrounding peaks. We will reach Dobato and settle there in a local teahouse.

Our route descends steeply from the high ridges into the Barun River valley. We will trek through the pine and rhododendron forests. Once we hit the valley floor, the trail will level out alongside the turquoise and cascading Barun River. We will walk through the wide and U-Shaped glacial valleys with the massive granite cliffs on either side. We will arrive at the yak pastures of Yangri Kharka and set up our tents for the night.

As we continue deeper into the valley, the landscape will transform into the high-alpine wilderness. We will pass through some of the juniper scrub and a massive boulder moved by the ancient glacier. Several peaks will dominate our skyline as we gradually ascend. We will reach Langmale Kharka, which is a basic settlement surrounded by the dramatic paks. We can feel the true sheer scale of the high Himalayas from here. Overnight in a local teahouse.

Today, it is our final push to the base camp. We will follow the moraine of the Barun Glacier. We will trek past the wide and sandy plain of the Shershong, where the southern face of Makalu will reveal its full glory. The final climb of the moraine will lead us to the Makalu Base Camp. We will settle into a simple lodge or camp right in the heart of the giants for an overnight stay. It will be an overwhelming experience.

This day is dedicated to soaking in the majesty of the high Himalayas. You can hike up a nearby ridge toward the Swiss Base Camp or the Barun Glacier for an even closer view of Makalu's sheer rock walls and hanging glaciers. From these vantage points, the views extend to include the Everest and Lhotse massifs. It is a day for photography, exploration, and standing in awe of one of the most remote and impressive mountain amphitheaters in the world.

After having a final breakfast with the view of Makalu, we will begin our journey back. The trail will retrace our steps, and the perspective will be entirely different as we ascend towards the lush greenery. The descent will allow us to breathe more easily as the oxygen levels increase by lowering the altitude. We will eventually reach the warmer and more sheltered pastures of Yangri Kharka. We will celebrate our successful reach here. Overnight in a teahouse.

The trail today will continue to follow the Barun River downstream. We will navigate through the denser forests that were blurred on the way up. It will take some time to notice the diverse flora and fauna of the Makalu-Barun National Park. The final part of the day here involved a steady climb to the river valley back up to the meadows of Dobato. We will reach Dobato and set up a tent to stay here overnight.

We must again cross the four high passes that we crossed earlier. While the climb will be strenuous, the familiar trail will feel more manageable with the increased fitness. The weather is clear, and we will get one last panoramic goodbye to the hovering peaks that dominated the skyline. The evening is usually spent sharing stories with fellow trekkers in a teahouse. We will settle in on a windy evening for the rest after a strenuous trek.

A long and steep descent will take us from the high ridges back down into the rhododendron and oak forests. Our knees will feel the thousand-step descent. The increasing warmth and thicker air will provide us with a welcoming change. We will arrive back in the beautiful Tashi Gaon by early afternoon. The local Sherpa Hospitality and more comfortable bedding will feel like a true luxury. We will settle in a teahouse for an overnight stay.

The trail today will wind through the lower foothills, passing through the rural farmsteads and over log bridges. We will see locals working in the fields of corn and barley. The children will play near the trail. The descent will be gentle compared to the previous days, which allows us a relaxed pace and an enjoyable descent. We will enjoy the relative warmth of the lowlands and perhaps also visit the local school and interact with the Rai community. We will gain a deep appreciation for the local mountain life. Overnight in a teahouse.

The final day of trekking involves one last major challenge: descending to the Arun River and then climbing the steep, hot trail back up to Num. The humidity of the valley is a stark contrast to the icy winds of the base camp. As you reach the ridge at Num, the sight of the road and the teahouses marks the end of your trekking journey. You can enjoy a final dinner with your porters and guides, celebrating the completion of this epic circuit.

After having breakfast, we will board a jeep for the return journey to Tumlingtar. The drive will take us back through the bustle of Khandbari. We will see the local markets in full swing here. Arriving in Tumlingtar, we can check into a hotel and prepare for the flight. It is also a time to rest and enjoy the hot shower. We will reflect on nearly 150 kilometres of Himalayan terrain. Overnight in a local lodge.

A morning flight takes you back across the mountains to Kathmandu. Looking out the window, you might spot the peaks you were standing beneath just days ago. Upon arrival, you are transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel or a celebratory farewell dinner. After the solitude of the Makalu region, the energy and chaos of Kathmandu will feel both overwhelming and strangely welcoming.

Your Himalayan journey comes to an end today. After breakfast, you will be driven to the Kathmandu airport for your international flight home. Take with you the incredible memories of the high mountains, authentic Nepali culture, pristine waters, and the warm hospitality of the Nepalese people. We hope this Makalu Base Camp Trek was an unforgettable adventure, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Nepal soon for another incredible adventure. See you later.