Mt. Makalu (8,489), located in the eastern part of Nepal, is the 5th highest mountain in the world. This treasure in the eastern region of Nepal is protected by the Makalu barun national park. Along with the mountain, this beautiful national park also conserves the natural beauty and ecosystem of the region, allowing trekkers to feed their eyes on something more than just the mountain.
Yes, the Makalu Base Camp Trek, isn’t just about the base camp and the beauty of Mt. Makalu. With the 9 days of Makalu Base Camp Trek, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Himalayas and experience the remoteness of Nepal. Makalu Barun National Park provides you with an experience of the exotic flora and fauna of this region. The remoteness of the region makes the small beautiful settlements hidden from the world. But you can experience and interact with them with this trek.
The beautiful Barun Valley, steep gorges, subtropical to alpine forest and vegetation, pastures, grasslands, waterfalls, lakes, and streams along the trail have equal contributions making this trekking trail one of the best trekking trails in Nepal. Moreover, this trekking is equally good for bird watching, and understanding the mixed community, culture, tradition, and lifestyle of people that is pure and untouched by modernity.
Apart from the attractions presented by the trail, the Makalu Base Camp trekking package also allows trekkers to enjoy the attractions of Dharan and Khadbari, like the Museum, beautiful city viewpoints, and most importantly local foods. If you have time and willingness to explore more, adding one more day to the trip will also allow you to enjoy the attractions of the Dharan.
Makalu Base Camp Trek Highlights
- Shivadhara
- Great views of the mountains
- Waterfalls, suspension bridges, and the Makalu Barun Glaciers
- Makalu Barun National Park
- Sacred Barun Village
- Great cultural exploration
- Dudhkunda
- Exotic ecosystems and wildlife
Makalu Base Camp Trek Itinerary
The Makalu Base Camp Trek offers a thrilling itinerary. Starting from Num, trekkers ascend through challenging terrains, exploring landmarks like Shivadhara and Parvati Cave. Witnessing the grandeur of Makalu Base Camp, the trek concludes with a return to Langmale. Each day unfolds unique landscapes, culminating in a remarkable Himalayan adventure.
Day 0: Find a night bus from Kathmandu to Dharan
– You can find the bus from the new bus park kathmandu to dharan, it would take around 14hrs by night bus, you will reach dharan at around 7 AM morning.
DAY 01 : Dharan to Num
– Enjoy your breakfast in Dharan and find a bus to Khadbari, it would take around 4 hours and you will reach at around 2-3 PM and have lunch at Khadbari.
– Again find a bus to NUM (Makalu Gaupalika) the road is very difficult it would take around 3-3.5 hrs so you will reach Num at around 7 or 8 PM.
Day 02: Trek started from Num to Tashi Gaun
Maximum Altitude: 3470M.
Trekking Hours: 9 Hrs.
Lunch at: Seduwa (4 hrs from Num)
We began our journey from Num after a light breakfast. The trail led us downhill in a straight path. Along the way, we enjoyed some refreshing cucumber and took a break to bathe in a waterfall. This gave us a chance to experience the local surroundings and gain insights into the lives of the people in the area.
Day 03 : Tashi to Kauma
Maximum Altitude: 3470M.
Trekking Hours: 7 Hrs.
Lunch at: Dandakharka (3 hrs from Tashi)
The trail from Tashi Gaon to Kauma is filled with beautiful hills and mesmerizing views. At an altitude of 3470 meters, it takes around 6-7 hours to reach Kauma from Tashigaon.
The journey from Tashigaon to Kauma Danda is quite steep, but it offers amazing views. As you go higher up, you’ll see even more beautiful mountains. Near Kauma Danda, there’s a small village where you’ll stay overnight. From Kauma Danda, you’ll get fantastic views of the Himalayas.
Day 04: kauma to Yangle Kharka
Maximum Altitude: 3470M.
Trekking Hours: 10 Hrs.
Lunch at: Thulo Danda (5 hrs from Kauma)
This will be challenging as we walk through winding paths and climb to higher altitudes. We’ll start our day with a hot breakfast and leave Kauma Danda at 7 AM, making our way toward the heart of Barun Valley.
Barun Valley is a stunning and uninhabited sacred valley in the Makalu region. Along the way, there are temporary camping sites set up for trekkers, however, our goal for the day is to reach Yangle Kharka. It will be a long trek, taking around 10 hours, with many twists and turns, but the beauty of the surroundings will make the journey worthwhile.
Day 05: Yangle Kharka to Ghot -and ghot to Langmale
Maximum Altitude: 4720M.
Trekking Hours: 11 Hrs.
Lunch at: Thulo Danda (5 hrs from Kauma)
We woke up early at around 5:30 and made our way to the ghot. After placing our trekking bags there, we hired a guide and embarked on a challenging and rough trail through Shivadhara. Along the way, we explored both Shivadhara and Parvati Cave. By around 1 pm, we returned to the ghot, where we had lunch. After recharging, we continued our trek towards Langmale.
Day 06: Langmale to Makalu Base Camp and back to Lomangthag
Maximum Altitude: 4870M.
Trekking Hours: 11 Hrs.
Lunch at: Thulo Danda (5 hrs from Kauma)
Today, we kicked off our day early at 5 AM, starting with a hot soup to fuel our trek to Makalu Base Camp. It was an exciting final day, and by 10 am, we successfully reached the base camp. After a satisfying lunch and some time to enjoy the breathtaking views, we gathered for a group photo before heading back to Langmale.
In Langmale, we indulged in some delicious noodles before making our way back to Lomangthang. The journey took us until around 6:30 PM, and upon our return, we treated ourselves to the best chowmein in Lomangthang. A perfect end to a memorable day of trekking.
Day 07: Lomangthag to Khongwa
Maximum Altitude: 4200M.
Trekking Hours: 12 Hrs.
Lunch at: Thulo Danda (5 hrs from Khongwa)
Today was a challenging trek as we covered a long and difficult path. Half of the trail involved a steep ascent, while the other half required us to navigate a steep descent. It was exhausting, but we pressed on. Along the way, there was a sense of caution as we were mindful of the possibility of encountering bears.
Despite the fatigue and concerns, we persevered, reaching our destination of Khongwa around 7:30 PM. The accomplishment of overcoming the tough trail made the journey worthwhile, and the evening arrival provided a sense of relief.
Day 08: Khongwa to Num to Khadbari
Trekking Hours: 7 Hrs.
Lunch at: TSeduwa (2.5 hrs from Khongwa)
On the final day of our trek, we took a more relaxed start, waking up late and beginning our trek at 8 am. We enjoyed a leisurely pace, having lunch at Seduwa around 10:30 am. Continuing our journey, we reached Num by approximately 2 pm. In Num, we arranged for a jeep, and on the same day, we made our way back to Khadbari. The trek may have come to an end, but the memories of the journey will undoubtedly linger on.
Day 09: Khadbari to Biratnagar to Kathmandu
The following day, we traveled to Biratnagar and booked a plane ticket to Kathmandu. This marked the next phase of our journey, transitioning from the trekking adventure to the convenience of air travel for the return to Kathmandu. The journey continues with a mix of experiences, from the scenic trails to the modern convenience of flight, creating a well-rounded adventure.
