Location
Makalu RegionDuration
20 DaysAltitude
4870mDifficulty
ChallengingGroup Size
2 - 12 paxBest Season
Spring / Autumn
Makalu Trekking is one of Nepal’s most diverse, least-frequented offbeat trails, leading through the Makalu-Barun National Park to Makalu Base Camp at the foot of the world’s fifth-highest mountain, with panoramic views of Everest and Lhotse.
Makalu trekking is practically an offbeat and Nepal’s most diverse trek through the least frequented trails. The Makalu Base Camp Trek takes its name from Mt. Makalu (8,463 m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world. Rising above Makalu-Barun National Park, Mt. Makalu dominates the skyline throughout the journey. From Makalu Base Camp, trekkers enjoy spectacular views of the Barun Glacier, Mt. Makalu, and a breathtaking panorama that includes Mount Everest and Lhotse. Since Makalu Base Camp is located at 5,100m above sea level, the difficult hike through steadily rising altitude is a perfect way to gradually acclimate. This 20-day trek is perfect for wilderness hiking seekers in the east of Nepal, through the rough mid-hills. Makalu Trek lies next to Mt. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek; extending the longer trek is ideal for more-day hikers.
Nepal Footprint Holiday designs this route for trekkers who want genuine solitude rather than a crowded trail. Very few operators run Makalu Trekking regularly, and the region still sees only a small fraction of the annual trekkers who walk to Everest or Annapurna. Trekkers who choose this route trade some comfort for a rare kind of quiet — days can pass without meeting another foreign group.
Key highlights of Makalu Trek
Arrive In Kathmandu. Transfer To Hotel.
Half day sightseeing around the Kathmandu Valley. Preparation for the Makalu base camp trekking.
In Morning Flight to Tumlingtar about 50 minutes fly with small aircraft. Walk around Tumlingtar. Guest house.
Trek or drive to Num 1200m 4-6 hours, local tea-house along the villages.
Trek decent to Dovan and cross Arun river than trek to Seduwa village 1500m 5 -6 hours, local tea-house.
Trek to famous Sherpa village Tashigoan 2100m about 4 hours, explore village. local Tea-house.
Uphill trek to Kauma Danda 3500m. along the pine and rhododendrons forest. Tea-house 4-5 hrs.
Trek To Mumbuk 3540m 5– 6 Hours, Local Tea-House
Trek To Yangle Kharka 3600m 5 -6 Hours, Local Tea-House.
Trek to Langmale Kharka 4410m 3– 4 hours, explore lakes around. local Tea-house. Optional tips – Morning climb to Shersong 4660m about 2 to 3 hours, local tea house, and climb next view point 5250m form there you can see a close view of Mt. Everest, 8848m, Mt. Lhoste range 8501m. and many other mountain peaks can be seen including Kanchenjunga 8585m.
Trek to Makalu Base Camp, 4870m 3 -4 hours, walk on the old glacier. Guest House.
Day explore – hiking around glacier and view point. Free afternoon. Guest house.
Trek back to Yangle Kharka along same route 5 -6 hours, local Tea-house.
Trek back to Mumbuk 3500m 5-6 hours, local Tea-house.
Trek to Tashigoan 2070m 6-7 hours, local Tea-house.
Trek to Seduwa 620m descent 1540m 5-6 hours, local Tea-house.
Trek to Num small village. 1500m 4 hours, local Tea-house
Trek or off road jeep drive to Tumlingtar via Khandbari 5 to 6 hours on foot and by drive 4 hours. Tea-house.
Late Morning flight to Kathmandu, 1 hour, Hotel on B/B plan
Depart To Home.
Trekking in Makalu Base Camp provides a great contrast of high waterfalls cascading down into deep gorges, craggy rocks protruding from the verdant woodlands, and multi-colored flowers blossoming underneath the white snow-capped peaks. The Makalu trek is demanding yet the most beautiful trek in Nepal’s eastern Himalayas. The stretched and pure landscape makes this trek a classic in its own features. In addition, the culture of different ethnic groups is a beautiful highlight of the Makalu Trek.
Rai and Sherpa communities occupy the lower and upper stretches of the route respectively, and each group shapes the trail in its own way. Rai villages near the Arun Valley grow terraced millet and maize on steep hillsides, while Sherpa settlements higher up rely on yak herding and small tea-house lodges built specifically for trekkers. Prayer flags mark the high passes, and mani walls line many of the upper trail junctions — small signs of a Buddhist heritage that stretches deep into this valley.
Makalu-Barun National Park protects one of Nepal’s most biologically diverse conservation areas, spanning subtropical forest at 435m to permanent snow above 8,000m within a single park boundary. The lower forests shelter red panda, musk deer, and over 400 recorded bird species, while snow leopard tracks occasionally appear near the higher passes. This range of elevation packs an unusually complete cross-section of the Himalayan ecosystem into one trekking route.
This blend of remoteness and scale places it alongside our Everest Base Camp Trek and Everest High Passes Trek, and forms part of the wider Great Himalaya Trail, which links Makalu Base Camp with the Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other eastern trekking regions.
Makalu-Barun Valley is a Himalayan glacier valley situated at the base of Makalu in the Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal. This valley lies entirely inside the Makalu-Barun National Park. The diversity of plant and animal life in Makalu-Barun Valley makes it a great place to explore while on an offbeat trekking holiday in Nepal.
This offbeat and challenging trek in Nepal begins at Tumlingtar and treads the trail to Arun River Valley. Trek to the Upper Barun Valley via Shipton Lapas for a closer look at Makalu and Chamlang Himal. The Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m) offers a fantastic panoramic view of the eastern Himalayas: Chamlang (7,319m), Peak 6 (6,739m), Peak 7 (6,105m), Makalu (8,463m), Mt. Everest & Kangchenjunga.
Makalu Trekking demands a solid trekking background because the trail climbs and drops repeatedly through steep river valleys before the final push to base camp. Trekkers should build cardiovascular fitness for at least two months before departure and should plan several acclimatization days into the itinerary, since the route gains altitude quickly once it leaves the Arun Valley. A Restricted Area Permit and Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit apply to this route — Nepal Footprint Holiday arranges both permits directly, so trekkers don’t need to manage the paperwork themselves.
During the spring season, trekkers are advised to visit Makalu Base Camp from late April to early May. Most hikers come in October during the autumn season. In most cases, this month is the perfect month to visit Makalu Base Camp.
Today, this trek has become another remote trek with teahouse facilities as you trek from Tumlingtar to Makalu Base Camp and experience the life of a remote village.
Trekkers weighing their options across Nepal’s remote east and far regions can also see our full range on the Trekking in Nepal overview page.
Mt. Makalu stands 8,463m tall, making it the fifth-highest summit in the world.
Makalu Base Camp offers views of the Barun Glacier, Mt. Makalu, and a full panorama of Everest and Lhotse.
This route runs 20 days, ideal for wilderness hiking seekers exploring the rough mid-hills of eastern Nepal.
Late April to early May in spring, and October in autumn, offer the best conditions for Makalu Base Camp.
Yes, this route requires a Restricted Area Permit and a Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit, both of which Nepal Footprint Holiday arranges for trekkers.
Ready for one of Nepal’s most remote base camp treks? Inquire Now to start planning your Makalu Trekking adventure.
Number of Days
Total Destinations
Travellers
Happy Traveler