The Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of the top treks in Nepal for people looking for a lonely, untouched trip where they can slake their hunger for adventure in the untamed, Himalayan wilderness. This trip begins with a lovely 45-minute flight to Tumlingtar, continues by car to Num, continues on foot to Makalu Base Camp, and returns on foot.
A national park created in 1992 AD with the intention of protecting and conserving the environment, Makalu Barun is where the Makalu Base Camp Trek is situated. This region has alpine and arctic climate zones in the higher section and tropical and subtropical climate zones in the bottom part. You can see the people of many ethnic groups, their habits, cultures, traditions, and ways of life, while trekking to Makalu Base Camp. The lower area of the national park is where you can observe all the multi-cultural people and the varied flora and fauna. The trail ascends to Makalu Base Camp over a number of passes, streams, meadows, and the Arun River after crossing it.
Hundreds of excursions to Makalu Base Camp have been successfully planned by our team. Before it was a camping trip, a tea house facility was offered for accommodation and flooding along this excursion. The main draws of this expedition include seeing other cultures in action, exploring the secluded Makalu Base Camp region, and visiting the base camp of the world's fifth-highest mountain.
Additionally, the Makalu trek may be done as a tea house or camping trek, and Adventure Magic Treks offers this trip every day, year-round, at an inexpensive price.
Welcome to Himalayan country of Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan intl. airport our representative welcomes you and assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, evening you'll meet and transfer for welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu and briefing about your trip and overnight at Hotel.
Today, morning we will ready after your breakfast to head on for our guided day trip to world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley and visit the highlights of Kathmandu and the surrounding areas. We take you to visit the pilgrimage sites of Hindus temple Pashupatinath, one of the most important shrine of Shiva temples on the subcontinent which is place of thousand of devotees, Saddhus (holy men/Baba), and can be seen the cremating body most of the times in the holy riverbank of Bagmati. Hundreds of monkeys are giggling with you and take a time to exploring surrounding area and visit Bouddhanath stupa an another pilgrimage centre which is most popular and important place for Buddhist. You can explore with rounding prayer wheel and flattering colorful flag with melodious chanting noise. After your lunch at Bouddha visit Swoyambhunath stupa also known as monkey temple covering wide range of area with highest point of Kathmandu valley and enjoy the 360 degrees of valley view. After exploring the surrounding areas visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square which is old royal palace of Kathmandu and can be seen lot of temple, architectures and Kumari (living goddess) and walk in a freak street and late afternoon back to hotel and evening briefing about your trip.
This morning you'll be transferred to domestic airport to fly to Tumlingtar overlooking range of snow capped peaks from Langtang all the way to Mt. Everest, Makalu & Mt. Kanchenjunga, on arrival at Tumlingtar airport which is a village town located on a shelf above the Arun River, we'll walk besides the airstrip and walk to the camp for overnight and meet up our crews for the trekking. Rest of the time explores the town and overnight at tented camp.
We starts our adventurous journey from Tumlingtar with pleasant walk for an hour through the farm fields and villages the trail climbs up gradually towards Khadbari in the midst of the sub-tropical forest of Sal tree (Sorea-Robusta) and more farm fields along the way, as we come to a town of Khadbari a major town of the Makalu region and from Khadbari with up and down walk lead to the camp at Mani Bhanjyang.
Today, we start our adventure with ascending 3-4 hrs to the ridge on a wide and well-used trail, reaching our lunch stop at Bhotebas. After lunch we walk passing through fertile land and forested path brings you to the top of the small ridge at Chichila village for the overnight after few hours walk which is settled few local houses with superb scenic mountains of Mt. Makalu and Khumbakarna range.
Our journey further to Num leads us through the cool and serene forest of rhododendron, oaks and hemlocks as we climb to the top of the ridge, from the top it is almost downhill for two hours to the overnight camp at Num, which is a small village with about fifteen houses and a primary school on the large flat ground, from where we have good view of our route for the next couple of days.
Today, we descend incredibly steep and terraced slopes towards the Arun River, nearly 800 meters below. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are densely forested and the paths are quite slippery, after reaching the bottom, cross the suspension bridge across the torrential Arun River, and climb back out of the rain forest, reaching our lunch place at Runruma. Further walk steep climb takes us up to Seduwa a village with a small health post and a primary school nearby we will camp for the night.
We have easy and pleasant short walk takes you to rural farm villages, on the gradual trail through the farm fields and terraces, as we come near to Tashi Gaon, it's an uphill climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields. We'll overnight at camp and rest of the time walk around the village.
This is the last village up to the Makalu and after this village the walk is refreshing for an hour and a half in the beautiful shade of the rhododendron and oaks forest, after leaving the dense forest coming to a summer pastures with traces of temporary made shepherd huts. From here onwards to Kahuma ridge is strenuous uphill climb, as the tree lines declines for the bushes of rhododendron and juniper. We'll stay here and can be seen scenic mountain ranges.
After the superb mountains view and the surrounding landscapes and snow capped peaks, our trek follows a gradual trail with few ups and down as we pass through the Thulo Pokhari (big pond) and Sano Pokhari (small pond). In the heavy snow, the path from here can be quite misleading and it will be arduous to find the trail sometime and further walk cross the pass of Tutu-la at 4,075m. We onwards our journey, it is all downhill back to vegetation, a small clearing place for camping in the middle of the woods of pines, hemlock, birch and rhododendrons to reach at Mumbuk for the overnight.
Our camp settled in the shade of the tree, the view of the Kumbakarna can be seen through the vegetation of the tree lines, the walk from here is downhill to the enclosed and concealed Barun Valley, one of the least explored area in the eastern Himalayan region of Nepal. This unique landscapes within the Makalu-Barun National Park are some 3,000 species of flowering plants, 440 bird species and 75 species of mammals, including the endangers clouded leopard, red panda and musk deer. As we reach the lush alpine area of Barun Valley the walk is very pleasant with gradual uphill slopes, following the Barun River upstream on the valley gorge towards our camp at Nehe-Kharka, one of the summer pastures for the local folks of Tashi and Navagaun.
Our trek onwards crossing the wooden bridge on the Barun River and walk on the boulders, where is a large prayer wall at Ramara, after 2-3 hours walk the vegetation gets sparse, although the rhododendron, barberries, cotoneaster and juniper bushes persist for some time. With a pleasant walk we come nearer to Sherson in sight of the lower Barun glacier and the towering majestic Mt. Makalu. Sherson is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu. There are number of stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with outstanding view of host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu south face, and Mt. Baruntse 7,220m and at Sherson we make camp for the night.
Today you have full day rest at the camp or for acclimatization visit around some interesting hike and view points to explore, the most scenic walk would be taking a hike on the right side of the camp above for the closer view of Mt. Makalu, Barun Pokhari and the view of the rare face of Everest the Kanshung face with Lhotse. A one hour steep up brings you to the large meadow you can walk farther up to have a greater view of the mentioned peaks and more other peaks of this area and beyond. After exploring the area stroll back to the camp.
We have another full day to explore the surrounding area as optional visit to the base of Makalu for 4-5 hrs and stroll back to camp.
After a wonderful exploration in the surrounding valley, we trek back to end of the Barun valley named Yak Kharkha for the overnight stop.
As our continuing journey trek back to Mumbuk, after leaving the Barun Valley it is all uphill to the overnight camp in the midst of the alpine forest at Mumbuk and enjoy the day stroll back from trek.
After breakfast we retrace the journey back to Kohuma danda (ridge) via Shipton-la and Thulo Pokhari for the overnight camp. Enjoy the scenic picturesque spot and evening rest at the camp.
We trek back to Tashi Gaon and continue walk towards Navagaun on the upper trail for another 2-3 hours through the cool shade of the forest after leaving the forest area, coming towards the farm terraces and eventually to the village of Navagaun, another Sherpa village which is much larger than Tashigaun, situated right above the Seduwa village.
Today, walk down to the downhill track through the farm fields for an hour or two to Seduwa village. From Seduwa retrace the journey to Num, with 2-3 hours downhill and after the bridge another 2-3 hours brings you back to Num for the overnight camp. Enjoy the walk during the re-track to Num village.
Trek back to Chichele, the first 2-3 hours is all uphill and reach at the top of ridge, from here onwards it is almost down hill all the way to the overnight camp at Chichela. Enjoy exploring the village.
We have a pleasant walk through this route back to Khadbari, the forest, farm lands and small villages passing and further walk to gradual path, leading you to the large village town of Khadbari, where nearby we'll overnight stop at our camp.
Today, our last day walk leads an easy 3-4 hours downhill walk brings you back to Tumlingtar for lunch and the last overnight camp of this great memorable adventure journey and this will be your last night with the trekking staffs and porters as well. Celebrate day after completion of the long trek and overnight at camp.
Today, fly to Kathmandu and we transfer to your hotel and remaining time simply rest and relax at the hotel.
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure and either relax at hotel or explore the Thamel and overnight at hotel.
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you'll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.
Trekking Types:
We offer several options regarding the organization of your trek:
1) Camping trek
On camping trek you will be sleeping and eating in tents. A trekking crew contains one Sirdar, one cook and the numbers of kitchen crew, Sherpa assistants and porters depending on the size of the group.
Trekking in the Annapurna region does not need tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. We stay in single rooms where possible, but often you will have to share. Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets. A few have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot be booked in advance). Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is necessary. It is cheaper to stay in lodge rather than organizing a camping trek.
Camping trek means sleeping in tents. On a camping trek, the tents provided are ‘Two men dome’ or ‘A’ shaped. Foam mattress with insulation underneath is provided for sleeping. Clients need to have their own sleeping bag. Bags or cloth packs are used as pillows. If you wish, you can bring your own ‘Air pillow’.
We have a pool of hotels in Kathmandu under 3 Star categories which we provide to clients in connection to this itinerary, unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice. You can check on the description of such hotels through our website.
Food:
Lodge trek:
Meals are included in our price and are taken in lodges available along the trail. You can find a wide variety of Nepali and Western food as well as drinks (coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, beers….).
Camping trek:
Meals are prepared by our cook. We provide three tasty and nutritious meals daily along with drinks.
Gap Trek:
You will have to make your own eating arrangements in the many lodges available along the trail. Expect to spend approximately 1000-1500 Rupees a day for food. Guide, accommodation and porters are covered in the price.
A Day on Trek
Each morning after packing our bags and a hearty breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day’s adventures, before retiring for a well-earned sleep.
However, on a camping trek, you begin your day with a hot cup of tea which is served to you in the tent at 6 am, followed by a bowl of hot water for washing. Other day activities are the same as mentioned above.
Meals and Accommodation
In Kathmandu we use 2 star hotel to ensure a comfortable stay and relaxed environment before and after your trip. All breakfasts are included at the hotel in Kathmandu. Rooms are generally twin share - depending on group size and room availability, triple share may be offered to your request.
While on the trek, we provide good quality food in sufficient quantities from Tea Houses/Mt. lodges. We provide all meals on full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and tea & coffee) from the teahouse menu during the trekking period. Whilst trekking on the Everest, the accommodation is in guesthouses which are basic structures, generally with shared facilities but very comfortable. In some guesthouses, showers are available; where there are no showers; there are private facilities in which you can sponge bath.
Luggage while on Trekking
During trek your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket, etc. - a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room/safe deposit box in Kathmandu for free of charge. Weight allowance at Nepal’s domestic airlines is 15 Kgs, excess weight is chargeable at USD 1 or more per Kilo depending on sectors.
Ground Leader and Crew
1) Trained Nepali Trek leader (experienced and knowledgeable)
2) Sherpa Guide (handles the logistics and guides you and your team on the trek)
The Sherpa guide (commonly called Sirdar) will be accompanied by a crew of porters. On camping trek, there will be 2/3 porters for each members while on GAP and on Lodge trek 1 porter for 2 members.
Join a group or private Trip:
Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private basis. If you are looking for a group to join this trip please check our ‘departures’ link for availability, dates and price. If you would like to travel independently, or with your friends, families & colleagues you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient timeframe for any number of people (minimum 1 & maximum 100 at a time).
If you want to do something that is not included in our trip list we are ready to tailor a trip to suit your exact requirements. In short, we will make every effort to get you on the trip you want, when you want.
Group Size and Fixed Departure Date:
If you opt to join our ‘fixed departure trip’, you are likely to be joining people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of group varies, minimum no of persons required to operate a trip is 2 the maximum is 15 people.
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses depend largely on the type of trek, duration and the trekking region.
If you are on Camping or Tea house trek all meals will be provided. You only need money for table drinks (alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas) tips, souvenirs, hot shower (available in some places).
If you are on ‘GAP’ trek style you need to pay for all your meals. NPR 1000-1500 a day should be enough to cover your meals. We pay for your accommodation at mountain hut (tea house) along the trail and bear all the expenses of staff assigned by us.
Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise you to allocate 5 - 10% of the total tour cost as tips.
Flight and Transfers
You can choose any mode of transport to commute from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Please do check for piece difference. From Kathmandu, you take a 30 minutes scenic flight to Pokhara and drive to Phedi or we drive for 8 hours from Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway to Phedi. The starting point of the trek is Phedi. On your return, our car/bus shall pick you from Nayapul and drive to Pokhara. You can choose between flying or driving back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. We will arrange the transportation from your hotel to the airport (Kathmandu).
Communication and Electricity:
While trekking in the remote parts, you may not have an access to telephone facility for some days or weeks. However, en route there may be few places where telephone facilities may be available and likely to be working. There is electricity facility entire trekking trails in Nepal thus there won’t be any problem to re-charge your battery and cameras.If it is crucial for you to keep in contact with your family or others, Adventure Magic Treks can provide you a mobile satellite phone (rental charge on request).
How do you find us in Kathmandu ?
You need to pass on your International flight details to us for a “meeting and greeting” service at airport. You just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see someone standing with a placard with either ‘Adventure Magic Treks’ or your name written on it. Our airport representative or tour officer will greet you and welcome you with a garland.
Climate and Best Time to go .
The best seasons to trek in the Annapurna region are Autumn (from mid-September till November end) and Spring (from the beginning of March until mid-May). Temperatures will drop considerably as you trek higher everyday. The nights are cold (between -20 C to 5C) but the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 30C). The mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night. Trekking during the monsoon is not recommended, as the visibility during monsoon is limited. Trekking in the winter is possible; however, it is much colder than Autumn and Spring.
March, April, October and November are the most popular and favored months for traveling. Please choose the date that is convenient for you.
Itinerary Changes
The itineraries for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the prevailing situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary.
You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
Trek Duration
We ensure liability as per indicated itinerary and list of services. If the holiday is cut short or completed earlier than the projected period upon client’s wish, we shall not be responsible or make refund against unutilized days or services. Clients need to pay extra for Hotels/services incurred in Kathmandu or elsewhere in such cases.
Visa
All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold passport and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. It can be extended at the Department of Immigration, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fee. People willing to get entry Visa at the air port or any of the land entry points are required to fill a visa form with passport photograph. So, please download form from the link below (visa form) and get ready while you are passing through the immigration Point.
Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries
Multiple entry 15 days - US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days - US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days - US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency
Tourist Visa Extension
If you plan to obtain your visa in your country, you can download the application form from the website at: www.immi.gov.np
Vaccinations
As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you to consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.
First Aid Kid
We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.
Altitude :
Altitude Sickness has the potential to affect all travelers from 2500m and higher our itinerary is planned in such a way that you make very gradual ascend, spending some days at a low elevation to build necessary acclimatization before walking up to Annapurna south base camp at 4130m (the highest point on this trek). When you are at high altitude, your body needs time to adjust to smaller quantities of oxygen in the air at 5500m/18,044ft; the air pressure is approximately half that of sea level, i.e. there is half the amount of oxygen.
Check out "Altitude illness" by Dr Jim Duff
Rescue and Evacuations
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.
Insurance
Before joining a tour, we recommend you to take a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation.
Responsible Travel
Wonderful environment of the Himalayas is also an extremely fragile one. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of Nepal. At Adventure Magic Treks , we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize our impact as much as possible.
As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats, we do not have camp fires and use kerosene for cooking as an alternative fuel to wood. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar hot showers, a far more eco-friendly alternative.
Garbage disposal is another major problem and some of the busier trails can, at times, appear strew with litter. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. We carry out all our garbage, apart from that which can be safely and easily burnt at the campsite. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.
Trip Extensions
In addition to your trek, we can organize extensions both within Nepal and other neighboring countries. You may want to try water rafting or a jungle safari in Nepal or Nepal Cultural Tour. You may as well take a trip to Tibet, India or Bhutan, whichever seems more appealing to you. Since the trek ends in Pokhara, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal, it would be nice and relaxing for you to spend a day or two taking in the sights and sounds of this scenic city.
Social Responsibility
Adventure Magic Treks works with the motto ‘Development through Tourism’. Keeping in line with this motto, Adventure Magic Community Service Project was imagine to authorize deprived, marginalized, poor and minority section of Nepal.
Staff’s Care:
We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going into high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. We are the first ever company to supply high-altitude porters with crampons. Therefore we are lifetime member of Keep.
Booking conditions:
Booking Procedure:
If you still have any questions regarding this trip, please feel free to contact us. We answer all enquiries within more or less then 12 hours. If you want to book a trip, you can e-mail us at info@adventurehikenepal.com or contact us straight by phone: +977-1-4410361
Thanks and Regards
Adventure Magic Treks Team
Clothing and Equipment List for Trekking in Himalayas:
Our main paramount is to offer safe and enjoyable trek for your clients.As part of the booking process, we will provide you with a comprehensive clothing and equipment list for proposed trekking .Experienced trekkers will often take only a selection of these items based on what has worked in the past.Please find the equipment list below for your personal use during your traveling period.
Foot wear:Walking boots, Wool and liner socks, sandals
Clothing:
Waterproof jacket and trousers, Trekking trousers, Long sleeve shirts, Micro fleece, Mid to heavyweight fleece, Sleeveless or body warmer type fleece, Thermals or base layer for top & bottom (merino wool or synthetic), Fleece pants, Medium weight down jacket
Hand wear: Fleece gloves, Warms mittens and/or gloves
Head wear: Wool or fleece hat, Sun hat, Scarf, Head torch and extra batteries,Sunglasses
Personal Equipment:
Sleeping bag, Backpack large enough to carry water bottles, camera and extra clothing, Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized, two water bottles (Nalgene wide mouth bottles are the best), Sunscreen and lip salve with a high SPF, Insect repellent, Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Aqua or Aqua Mira), Favorite snack food, Books, iPod and cards etc, Trekking poles, Camera with spare batteries and memory cards, Insurance certificate.
Travelling:
Duffle bag or large backpack for your personal gear on the trek (carried by a porter), Bring a small combination padlock to secure the bag, Travel clothes. You will need casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Kathmandu, Toiletry bag include toilet paper, soap, towel, toothbrush, etc.
Personal first aid kit:
Any personal medications, Diamox (optional) helps with acclimatization.
Adventure Magic Treks always provide down jackets and down sleeping bags for all our trips.The above list is one 'rough guide' of kit which you'll need to consider before leaving home. Each trekker should carry one backpack for items required during the day.Your day backpack will contain items such as warm clothes, jacket, camera, water bottles, and personal first aid kit and day snacks. The rest of your personal equipment packed in a duffel bag or backpack will be carried by a porter.The maximum weight allowance is 15kgs/33 pounds that we strongly care of porter rights and solely against any exploitation on its operation.