Makalu Base Camp Trekking

Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, a Green Lotus Trekking representative will greet you and transfer you to a three-star hotel in the city. After settling in, you can rest at the hotel or explore Thamel for any last-minute shopping. Later, visit our office to review the Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary.

After breakfast, your Makalu Base Camp Trek guide will meet you at your accommodation for an introduction. During this pre-trip meeting, you'll receive a briefing on the trek and other important details. To obtain your Makalu Base Camp Trek permit, bring your passport, three passport-sized photos, and proof of travel insurance. In your free time, you can relax or explore the Kathmandu Valley for any last-minute shopping. If desired, a tour of a UNESCO World Heritage site, such as Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, or Kathmandu Durbar Square, can be arranged.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Kathmandu airport to board a domestic flight to Tumlingtar, marking the start of your Makalu Base Camp Trek. The 35-minute flight offers stunning views of the Alps. After landing, travel for about 30 minutes on a winding, hilly road to Kandbari, a major town housing government offices.

Next, you’ll continue on a winding dirt road, reaching its highest point at 1,960 meters before descending to Chichila at 1,900 meters. This small settlement has a police checkpoint where you'll need to show your Makalu Base Camp Trekking permit. Enjoy views of tree-covered slopes here. From Chichila, the road becomes rocky and deteriorates as you make your way to Num.

Today, you’ll descend steeply to the Arun River and then ascend to Seduwa. The Makalu Base Camp Trek trail follows stone steps all the way to the river at 770 meters, passing through cardamom fields. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Arun River, you’ll begin a challenging climb to Seduwa, through forests of large bamboo and lively village scenes. Your guide will stop at the Makalu-Barun National Park checkpoint to verify your permit. Seduwa is a small village with a school, homes, businesses, and several teahouses scattered along the mountain.

Today’s trek is more relaxed, without the steep ascents and descents of yesterday. As you approach the Sherpa settlement, you'll follow a trail with stone steps, passing several mani walls. The route takes you through rhododendron and bamboo forests, with small farms and cardamom plantations scattered across the slope. The trek is varied and interesting, and after about two hours, you'll reach the village of Chyaksa Danda at 1,900m.

You may need to cross streams on sturdy wooden bridges as you walk through dense forest. Although the journey takes longer than expected due to the uneven trail, you’ll eventually spot your destination, Tashigaon, on the slope ahead. Finally, you'll descend to a log bridge before tackling the last climb up stone stairs to Tashigaon.

You will leave Tashigaon and climb up some stone stairs to start your Makalu Base Camp Trek. You eventually cross a log bridge and keep climbing through a breathtaking rhododendron woodland. You arrive in Dhara, which has a tea house and is located at 2,867m, after traveling for about three hours. Since this is your only opportunity to stop for refreshments until reaching Khongma, you probably have your lunch there.

After leaving Dhara, it takes about an hour of difficult climbing to reach Unshisa at 3,200m, where you cross a huge rock. More arduous hiking on stone stairs through a rhododendron woodland is required from Unshisa. After several hours of laboriously climbing from Unshisha, you finally arrive at a stone rest area with prayer flags, and another 45 minutes of walking will take you to Khongma Danda at 3500m. There are three lodges in Khongma, and this location could also have a lot of snow.

We highly recommend ascending to Khongma La today for proper acclimatization, which is crucial for your trek. According to your itinerary, today is dedicated to acclimatization. After leaving your teahouse, you'll hike through rhododendron bushes and ascend stone stairs to reach the pass at 3,890m, which should take about an hour. If you're feeling up to it, your guide may encourage you to continue further. Afterward, you’ll return to Khongma, well-acclimatized and ready to tackle the four passes, starting with Khongma La tomorrow.

Today offers an exciting challenge as you cross four high passes, each with stunning ridge walks and panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. The first pass, Khongma La at 3,890m, is reached after an hour of climbing through rhododendron forests, offering views of Makalu and Chamlang. Your route then descends briefly before ascending the second pass, Sano Pokhari Danda at 4,105m, with Sano Pokhari Lake below.

Next, you’ll navigate several undulating stretches before reaching Shipton La at 4,200m, marked by a mani wall and cairn. You’ll then descend to Kalo Pokhari Lake at 4,080m, a site adorned with prayer flags, especially visited by Hindu pilgrims during the Janai Purnima Festival. The final pass, Keke La at 4,170m, is a manageable ascent from the lake. After another 45-minute descent, you’ll reach your lodge in Dobate, a well-deserved rest after the four-pass challenge.

This morning’s descent takes you through enjoyable rhododendron and pine forests. The trail has a steep section that could be slippery if there’s snow. Eventually, you’ll reach the river and begin your trek along a trail beneath a large landslide area. After a short climb, you’ll arrive at Themathang Kharka (3,500m), where you’ll stay overnight.

The trek from Dobate to Themathang takes about four hours. Just before reaching Themathang, you’ll pass a beautiful waterfall. Afterward, continue on until you cross a wooden bridge over the Baron Khola river. The path then undulates, with the river on your left. From here, it’s about 1.5 hours to reach your lodge in the meadows of Yangri Kharka.

The walk is pleasant and level, with the river on your left and the scent of juniper in the air. The trail is adorned with vibrant prayer flags. Ahead, the towering cliffs give way to stunning views of Peak 4, Peak 6, Peak 7, and Yaupa. Today’s trek offers a visual feast of rugged snow-covered mountains, sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and sacred caves.

After about 2.5 hours, the trail widens as you pass the fields of Jhak Kharka, Yak Kharka, and finally Merek, where a welcoming tea house comes into view. From Merek, it’s about two hours to Langmale, where your tea house awaits. Peak 7 provides a breathtaking backdrop to the lodge, and a prayer flag-adorned mani wall stands just in front of the rooms.

Begin your ascent on a solid path for your Makalu Base Camp Trek. As you zigzag through the valley, keep the river on your left. Each corner reveals a new stunning view. While some sections require stepping over boulders, most of the trail is a smooth, sandy path. As you continue, Peak 4 comes into view. After a few hours of trekking, you'll reach Shershong at 4,630m. This broad, flat area, with a lockable stone house, makes a great campsite. The breathtaking sight of Makalu soon appears.

As you navigate a few curves, the base camp becomes visible. After crossing the river, your long-awaited goal is just five minutes away. Makalu, the fifth-highest peak in the world, dominates the landscape. Around the base camp, you may spot Tibetan snow cocks, hill pigeons, black redstarts, and mountain finches.

Today, you'll reach a ridge at around 5,300 meters above base camp, offering stunning panoramic views. After crossing the river via a log bridge, you'll climb a faint, unclear trail for about three hours. From this vantage point, enjoy spectacular views of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6, Peak 4, and distant peaks like Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. After soaking in the sights, return to base camp by retracing your steps.

The round trip takes 4-5 hours. It's a challenging trek due to the steep terrain and high altitude, over 5,000 meters. For a gentler option, consider visiting the lakes beyond base camp or climbing a shorter ridge just above base camp. Alternatively, there's a small hill with prayer flags about an hour's walk from the base camp.

With a heavy heart, you'll leave the majestic Mount Makalu behind and begin your trek back to Yangri Kharka. After about 1.5 hours, you'll reach the Shershong meadow, marked by a cabin with a bright orange tarp. Another 1-2 hours of walking will bring you to Langmale, where you can enjoy tea and possibly lunch.

Next, after about 1.15 hours, you'll reach the Merek tea house. It's a good place to relax with a cup of tea before continuing your journey through pine trees back to Yangri Kharka. The trek from Merek to Yangri Kharka takes about 2-3 hours.

Today, you'll enjoy a leisurely walk along the river to the tea house at Themathang, passing through rhododendron shrubs. Before reaching Themathang, you'll cross a wooden bridge. The trek takes about 1.5 hours.

Next, you'll navigate a landslide area for about 1.5 hours. After some undulating terrain, you'll begin a challenging ascent through rhododendron forests. As you approach the Dobate tea house, the trail gradually levels out.

According to your Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary, today offers your final opportunity to take in breathtaking views of towering peaks, including Kangchenjunga.

Your ascent to Keke La takes about 1.5 hours, followed by another 1.5 hours to reach the Shipton La at 4,200 meters. After an additional hour, you'll reach the large cairn marking Sano Pokhari Danda at 4,105 meters.

Next, you'll descend to Khongma La at 3,890 meters, marked by a mani wall. This takes about an hour, and you'll descend roughly 250 meters, mostly on stone steps. Keep an eye out for the elusive blood pheasant in the snow-covered rhododendron bushes. From Khongma, you'll continue your descent to Danda Kharka, a further two hours away.

As you descend from the mountains back to civilization, you'll have time to reflect on your unforgettable adventure. The three-hour journey from Danda Kharka to Tashi Gaun takes you through rhododendron forests, steep terrain, and meadows, offering beautiful mountain views. From Tashi Gaun, you'll cross terraced farms before leaving the Makalu-Barun National Park. The route then follows the Barun River through bamboo and rhododendron woods, leading to Seduwa, where you'll spend the night at a local lodge.

Today, you'll take a short, scenic flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. In the evening, Green Lotus Trekking will host a farewell dinner to celebrate completing the Makalu Base Camp Trek. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the city or shopping for souvenirs.

You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport in a private tourist vehicle three hours before your scheduled flight. If you wish to extend your stay, you can choose another package offered by Green Lotus Trekking.