- Length
- 18 days
- Highest point
- 5,050 m
- Difficulty
- Extreme
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Starts
- Num (fly from Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–8 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House / Camp
Journey to the foot of the world's fifth-highest mountain through one of Nepal's most remote and biodiverse national parks on a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure.
- Makalu Base Camp (5,000 m) — base of the world's 5th highest peak (8,485 m)
- Pristine Arun Valley wilderness — one of Nepal's most remote trek corridors
- Makalu-Barun National Park: 3,000+ plant species; Nepal's most biodiverse region
- Shipton Pass crossing (4,216 m) — dramatic ridge route with Makalu close-up
- Barun Glacier moraine and high-altitude lake scenery at base camp
- Fewer than 500 trekkers per year — the true road-less-travelled of Nepal trekking
- Tumlingtar domestic flight — seamless access to an ultra-remote trail system
- Spring rhododendron and wildflower display among Nepal's finest
The climb, day by day
Day 1Arrive Kathmandu (1,400 m)1,400 m
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. Evening briefing covering the Makalu Barun National Park permit, the remote eastern Nepal approach, and logistics. Makalu (8,485 m) is the world's fifth-highest mountain — its base camp receives fewer than 200 trekkers per year.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- –
- Night
- Hotel
Day 2Fly Kathmandu → Tumlingtar (522 m) · Drive Num (1,560 m)1,560 m
Short flight to Tumlingtar in the Arun Valley — the gateway to the Makalu region. Drive from Tumlingtar to Num, the trailhead for the Makalu Base Camp approach. Permit inspection at the national park entry checkpoint.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Flight + 3 hours drive
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Num → Seduwa (1,500 m)1,500 m
Begin trekking with a dramatic descent from Num to the Arun River gorge, cross by suspension bridge, then ascend steeply to Seduwa. The Arun River is one of the world's deepest river valleys, cutting through the Himalaya from Tibet. Dense subtropical forest with birdsong.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Seduwa → Tashigaon (2,100 m)2,100 m
Climb through terraced farmland and mixed forest past Nghe village to Tashigaon, the last permanent village on the Makalu route. Beyond here the trail enters the wilderness of Makalu Barun National Park — this is the last good resupply point.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Tashigaon → Khongma (3,562 m)3,562 m
A long and demanding day with a steep ascent through rhododendron and oak forest before emerging onto alpine meadows. The altitude gain is significant — over 1,400 m. Spectacular views of Makalu's south buttress appear for the first time. Khongma is a high pasture camp.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Khongma — Acclimatization Day3,562 m
Essential rest day at 3,562 m with exploration of the surrounding ridge. Day hike to the Khongma La viewpoint (3,800 m) for panoramic views of Makalu, Chamlang (7,321 m), and the Barun Glacier. The alpine scenery is spectacular.
- Distance
- 6 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Khongma → Dobate (3,630 m)3,630 m
Continue north through high-altitude meadows and rocky terrain along the Barun Valley. Dobate is a seasonal yak herder camp at the entrance to the upper Barun Valley — the glacial landscape becomes increasingly dramatic.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Dobate → Mumbuk (3,560 m)3,560 m
Trek through the spectacular upper Barun Valley along the lateral moraine of the Barun Glacier. The valley is a designated Strict Nature Reserve — wildlife sightings of Himalayan tahr, snow leopard (rare), and red panda are possible. Camp near the Barun River.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Mumbuk → Yangri (3,600 m)3,600 m
Advance up the Barun Glacier moraine toward the base camp area. The scale of the Barun Glacier is immense — a 25-km river of ice descending from Makalu's upper flanks. Yangri is a high camp used by expeditions.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 10Yangri → Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m)4,870 m
The culminating day — trek over moraine ridges and glacial terrain to Makalu Base Camp at 4,870 m. Makalu's near-vertical north-west pillar and north face tower directly above. The view is staggering: a 4,000 m wall of ice and rock from base camp to summit. Return to Yangri or overnight at BC.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 11Makalu Base Camp → Makalu La Viewpoint (5,050 m)5,050 m
Optional but highly recommended extension: ascend from BC to the Makalu La viewpoint at 5,050 m for panoramic views including Lhotse (8,516 m), Everest (8,849 m), Chamlang, and Baruntse. Return to base camp area for the night.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 12Makalu BC → Mumbuk (3,560 m)3,560 m
Begin the long return journey, descending rapidly through the altitude gradient. The Barun Valley feels even more spectacular on the return with fresh eyes. Camp at Mumbuk.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 13Mumbuk → Khongma (3,562 m)3,562 m
Continue retracing the approach through Dobate to Khongma. The descent through the upper Barun Valley reveals different perspectives on Makalu and Chamlang.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 14Khongma → Tashigaon (2,100 m)2,100 m
Long descent back through rhododendron and oak forest to Tashigaon. The altitude drop from 3,562 m to 2,100 m in one day feels dramatic. Village children come out to greet returning trekkers.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 15Tashigaon → Seduwa → Num (1,560 m)1,560 m
Retrace through Seduwa and the Arun River gorge back to Num. The descent and re-ascent across the Arun gorge is tiring on tired legs but the subtropical vegetation is beautiful. Vehicle waiting at Num.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 16Drive Num → Tumlingtar · Fly Kathmandu1,400 m
Drive back to Tumlingtar airstrip for the morning flight to Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu by afternoon for a celebration dinner. After one of Nepal's most remote and demanding treks, the city comforts feel well-earned.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Drive + Flight
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
Day 17Free Day Kathmandu (Contingency)1,400 m
Rest day and buffer for potential flight or weather delays. Visit Boudhanath Stupa or Pashupatinath, or simply recover with a massage in Thamel. Transfer to hotel and preparation for onward travel.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
Day 18Departure Day1,400 m
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. Your Makalu Base Camp expedition — one of the most challenging and rewarding wilderness treks in all of Nepal — concludes.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
The price includes
- Makalu Barun National Park entry permit
- TIMS card
- Government-registered English-speaking guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- Kathmandu–Tumlingtar–Kathmandu domestic flights
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Altitude illness kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
- Meals not listed in daily itinerary
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guides and porters
- Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure
The Makalu Base Camp Trek ventures into the Makalu-Barun National Park — one of the most biodiverse protected areas on earth. The route passes through subtropical jungle, rhododendron forests, and high alpine terrain to reach the base of the 8,463m giant Makalu.
Why This Trek?
- Virtually no crowds — one of Nepal’s wildest routes
- Makalu-Barun National Park — UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone
- Barun Glacier and stunning 8,000m peak views
- Rich biodiversity: snow leopard, red panda habitat
Requires special restricted area permits. We handle all paperwork.