The Makalu Base Camp trek begins from Tumlingtar in the mid-eastern region. This is a high altitude trek, which takes in lower landscapes of lush rhododendron forests, picturesque Gurung villages, river valleys and the Makalu Barun National Park. At higher altitudes there are breathtaking panoramas of the Himalayas, high altitude lakes, and passes to cross to reach the barn, rocky base camp. This is a long, varied and quite strenuous trek suitable for those who are keen trekkers and nature enthusiasts and who would rather be in tranquil, pristine nature than follow the crowds. Makalu Base Camp is situated at 5100m so the long trek through ever increasing altitude is a great way to slowly acclimatize.
From base camp the Barun Glacier, the south face of Makalu (8,481m), and a complete panorama of Everest and Lhotse is seen. Time is given to trekkers to explore the lakes and glaciers around base camp before heading down from this icy, rocky land to green forests and valleys again. On the return journey trekkers cross the Tutu La Pass (4,125m) which is now known by the name of Shipton’s Pass. The Shipton Pass is named after the renowned mountaineer Eric Shipton who was involved with most expeditions to Mount Everest in the 1930’s and who, in 1951, was part of the team that mapped out the now famous route over the Khumbu Glacier.
The Makalu Barun National Park is home to 3,000 species of flowering plants, 440 species of birds and 75 species of mammals including the snow leopard, red panda, musk dear, wild boar, wild yak and the Himalayan Thar. With the possibility of spotting wildlife at lower altitudes, green pastures and fields, villages, and forests, combined with snow-capped mountains, glaciers and rocky trails, this is also ideal photography territory!
| Days | Itinerary | Altitude | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu To Tumlingtar (Flight) Drive to Chichila | 1980 m | 3 - 4 hr |
| Day 2 | Chichila To Num | 1040 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 3 | Num To Seduwa | 1500 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 4 | Seduwa To Tashi Gaon | 2100 m | 4 - 5 hr |
| Day 5 | Tashi Gaon To Khongma Danda | 3500 m | 6-7 hr |
| Day 6 | Acclimatization Day | 3500 m | 5 hr |
| Day 7 | Khongma Danda To Dobato | 3500 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 8 | Dobato To Yangla Kharka | 3557 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 9 | Yangla Kharka To Langmale Kharka | 4410 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 10 | Langmale Kharka To Makalu Base Camp | 4870 m | 6-7 hr |
| Day 11 | Explore Makalu Base Camp | 4870 m | 3 hr |
| Day 12 | Makalu Base Camp To Yangla Kharka | 3557 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 13 | Yangla Kharka to Dobato | 3500 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 14 | Dobato To Khongma Danda | 3500 m | 5 - 6 hr |
| Day 15 | Khongma Danda to Tashi Gaon | 2100 m | 4 - 5 hr |
| Day 16 | Tashi Gaon to Seduwa | 1500 m | 4 - 5 hr |
| Day 17 | Seduwa to Num | 1040 m | 4 - 5 hr |
| Day 18 | Num to Chichila to Tumlingtar (Drive) | 1980 m | 6 - 7 hr |
| Day 19 | Tumlingtar To Kathmandu (Flight) | 1380 m | 50 min |
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