MAKALU BASECAMP TREK

Our representative will meet you at the Tribhuvan International airport and transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, you can explore Kathmandu or take a day of rest.

Usually, the flight takes 35 minutes, and you get spectacular views of the mountains if there aren’t any clouds. A winding road leads uphill for about 30 minutes to Kandbari, where the government officials are located. There are plenty of local scenes to experience as you head upward with fields of corn, bamboo, and sal trees. From there, you descend on a winding dirt road to 1,960m before reaching Chicula at 1,900m, a small town with a police checkpoint. The surrounding hills are covered in forest. Since Chicula is a bit downhill, the ride to Num is bumpy. It’s not unusual for your vehicle to get stuck, either behind a tractor-trailer or on the muddy, rocky road. Locals are typically willing to help you out if you are in a bind! There is also the option of taking a public bus from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, which takes about 11 to 12 hours.  

After breakfast, we walk steeply downhill for about 800 meters from the western end of the village to Arun River through a forest of Shima trees, Chestnuts, and Pines. Within the forest is a cardamom plantation as well. As you walk steeply uphill to Seduwa, we cross a suspension bridge over Arun River. Despite the heat and humidity, the trail is well shaded by the forest. In the morning, we enter the Makalu Barun National Park and register our permits. You might have lunch at Seduwa, since it is the only tea house between these camps. The Arun valley and its surrounding ridges present us with a stunning landscape.

A gentle and gradual uphill trail makes this a more pleasant day than the previous. In small villages, tea shops are available where you can stop for tea and snacks. Before reaching Tashigaon, we pass a Rai settlement and a Chhorten. The panoramic mountain views from Tashigaon make for a wonderful lunch. 

Today, you will have a lot of climbing to do! The climb begins with stone steps ascending out of Tashigaon. The trail ascends through a rhododendron forest after crossing a log bridge.  

 In approximately three hours, you will arrive at the tea shop in Dhara at 2,867m, where you are likely to have lunch since it’s your last chance to refresh yourself before you reach Khongma. From Dhara it’s a steep climb of about an hour to Unshisa at 3,200m, passing a giant rock. After Unshisa, the steep ascent continues through a rhododendron forest on stone steps. A good deal of snow-covered this part of the trail in April 2019, making the going somewhat challenging. From Unshisha, it takes a couple of hours to reach a stone rest stop with prayer flags, followed by another 15 minutes, or another 1/2 hours, to reach 3,560m Khongma Danda. 

Acclimatization is crucial, so we recommend that you hike up the Khongma La . The path leads through rhododendron bushes to the 3,890m pass as you step on stone steps. You should reach the pass within an hour. Once you return to Khongma, you are fit and acclimatized, ready to take on the four passes tomorrow, the first of which is the Khongma La. 

This day offers high passes, airy traverses and dramatic ridge sections with near-constant views of snow-capped peaks. In April, you may encounter snow, so be prepared. You will probably have lunch in Dobate rather than Shipton La, so take plenty of snacks and water with you as you’ll have a long, tough day (you might be given a packed lunch today). The Khongma La at 3,890m is your first pass of the day, and it takes about an hour to ascend through rhododendron bushes. Depending on the weather, you will be able to see Makalu and Chamlang from there. A short descent follows before ascending to the second pass. As you traverse an airy ridge, you can enjoy views of Kangchenjunga. You can reach Sano Pokhari Danda at 4,105m, overlooking Sano Pokhari Lake. A trip from the Khongma La will take you around an hour, although navigating through snow will take longer. You will reach the highest pass along the way – Shipton La at 4,200m. A tea shop/tin shelter serves thirsty, tired trekkers and pilgrims during the season. A prayer flag-draped cairn and a mani wall mark the pass near the shelter. Up to Shipton La is a steep climb, but not too difficult. 

The terrain descends less steeply to the Kalo Pokhari Lake at 4,080 meters. Hindu pilgrims visit the shrine during January Purnima Festival to pray. The Keke La, at 4,170 m, is the last climb of the day. Your lodge at Dobate awaits you after another 45 minutes of descent – a wonderful sight after the long four-pass trek! 

We descend steeply towards the Barun River today, which can be tricky due to lingering snow. After reaching the river, you begin walking on a trail underneath a landslide area. The view of Chanlang and Tutse is impressive in the morning. 

 Having climbed a short distance, you reach the tea shop at Themathang Kharka, 3,500 m. This destination can be reached in around four hours from Dobate. Just before you get to Themathang, you will encounter an impressive waterfall. Following this, you walk for a short distance until you cross a wooden bridge over Baron Khola. In places near Yangle Kharka, stony paths have been constructed quite extensively. A trip to Yangle Kharka and your lodging for the night takes approximately one and half hours from the tea shop at Themathang. It’s a wild and windswept place. A monastery is near the street from the lodge, providing an attractive foreground for pictures with snow-covered mountains in the background. 

On the way to the river and small monastery, you descend from your hut. The path begins on a flat, pleasant slope, keeping the river on your left and smelling of juniper as you walk. Along the trail, you can see many colourful prayer flags. A dramatic cliff rises on either side of you, and there is a view ahead that includes Peak 4, Peak 6, Peak 7 and Yaupa. This is truly a glorious day, complete with jagged snow-covered peaks, vertical cliffs, waterfalls, and sacred caves.  

After 2.5 hours of hiking, you reach Merek, where a welcome tea shop awaits you after passing Jhak Kharka, Yak Kharka, and Yak Kharka pastures. There’s a good chance you’ll indulge in a cup of chai here before continuing upward. Taking it slow and steady here will undoubtedly be a challenge since you’ll feel the altitude as you trudge up to Langmale. Getting to Langmale tea house from Merek takes around 2 hours. With a backdrop of Peak 7, these lodge rooms have some of the best views in the world. A row of rooms is surrounded by a mani wall adorned with prayer flags. Choughs and black redstarts make regular appearances here.

Today, there are a few options for acclimatization. You can walk as far as your guide suggests behind the tea house as there is a nice hill and viewing point.

Starting on a good path, the ascent can be difficult at this altitude, so be cautious. During your trip around the valley, keep the river to your left. You will discover new dramatic aspects as you round each bend. Most of the time, you’re on a sandy trail, hopping from boulder to boulder. The trail undulates gently, and there are only a few steeper sections to tire you out. 

After an hour or so of hiking, you will reach a wide, flat area with a locked stone hut. At 4,630m, this is known as Shershong, and it makes an ideal camping spot. Eventually, Makalu looms before the eyes.  Glancing up at its formidable face, you are amazed by its icefalls, crevasses, jagged edges, and seracs. Around a few bends, you wonder when you’ll see the base camp. As you approach the base camp, you will see the lodges and (if it is spring) a huddle of tents. This view is completely dominated by the world’s fifth highest mountain, Makalu. The base camp is a haven for Tibetan snowcocks, hill pigeons, black redstarts, and mountain finches. 

Climbing to the ridge – 5,300m above the base camp – will give you today’s most majestic panoramic views. After crossing the river on the log bridge, you ascend along a vague, slightly indeterminate path for approximately 3 hours. This viewpoint provides close-up views of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6 and Peak 4, and Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Retrace your steps back to the base camp once you have had your fill of mountain drama. It should take you 4-5 hours to make the round trip. Since the terrain is steep and above 5,000m, it will be a difficult task. 

Several softer options are available, including hiking beyond the base camp to view the lakes. You can do a much shorter ridge climb just above base camp, and there is a small hill at the head of base camp marked with prayer flags that take about an hour to hike out and back. You can also ask your guide for other suggestions. 

The overwhelming spectacle that is Mount Makalu leaves you with a heavy heart as you begin your return to Yangle Kharka. A tarp with a bright orange color marks the meadow of Shershong, which takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach. You will then return to Langmale, where you may have tea and possibly lunch. After walking downhill for 1 hour, you reach Merek Tea Shop. You can relax here with a cup of chai before you make your way back to Yangle Kharka through pine forests. There is a travel time of approximately 2-2.5 hours from Merek to here. You will be welcomed with a hot shower for 200 rupees.

This is a truly lovely walk following the river down to the tea shop at Themathang, passing many rhododendron bushes along the way. In front of Themathang, you can cross a wooden bridge decorated with prayer flags. The trip takes 1.5 hours. 

Within a short time, you will have to navigate the landslide area, which will take approximately 1.5 hours. Be careful passing through some narrow sections. After an undulating stretch, you begin climbing steeply through the rhododendron forest. Perhaps you can see a Himalayan monal here – Nepal’s national bird, known for its rainbow-coloured plumage. Once you reach the hut at Dobate, the going begins to ease, and the ascent becomes gradual. Unless you stop at the tea shop at Themathang, which occurs early in your walk, you will not find another refreshment stop until you reach Dobate, so pack plenty of snacks. 

Take advantage of the last chance to see Kangchenjunga, one of the world’s highest peaks. Starting from 4,170m, you climb to Keke La in 1.5 hours. The Shipton La at 4,200m will take an additional 1.5 hours to reach your highest point today. Have a nice break at the tea house here. After another hour of contouring the mountainside, you’ll reach the large cairn that marks Sano Pokhari Danda at 4,105 m. It takes another hour to reach the final pass – the Khongma La at 3,890m, marked by a massive mani wall. After approximately 250m of downhill walking, you get your lodge at Khongma. The blood pheasant, which can sometimes be seen wandering in the snow between the rhododendron bushes, can sometimes be seen. 

The descent from Khongma to Dhara Kharka takes about 2 hours. You’ll probably stop here for a cup of tea. From there, it takes 3 hours to reach Tashigaon. 

It will take around 4-5 hours to retrace your steps back to Seduwa today.  

From the Arun River at 770 meters, there is a fairly long, steep descent on stone steps. The lower you go into the forest, the warmer it will get. Then, you cross the river and climb 800 meters back to Num. It’s a good idea to have lunch at Nishan ‘Hotel’ – a tea house about 300m below Num. This challenging trek is now over, and you can congratulate yourself on completing it.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tumlingtar airport for your return flight to Kathmandu, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You can relax and recuperate from your exertions for the rest of the day.