There are total fourteen mountains which stand above the height of 8,000 meters out of which eight lie in Nepal. So, it is obvious that Nepal has some of the best trekking destinations in the world. Mount Makalu which lies at an elevation of 8,481 meters is the fifth tallest mountain in the world. Makalu Base Camp trek is the best option for those who want to have a close look at nature. The trekking also takes you along the beautiful and breathtaking landscape view, closer experience of Rai culture and some rare view of the tallest mountains of the world including the Mount Everest itself.

More about Makalu Base Camp Trekking

Makalu Base Camp trekking is one of the best solitary trekking destinations of Nepal which will take you to the base of the fifth tallest mountain of the world, Mount Makalu. The trek is an extraordinary one which will let you explore the terrains located in the high altitude region, stunning snow-clad landscape views and distinctive and unique lifestyle of various ethnic groups residing in the Himalayan region. As you move further in your trek and reach in the higher elevation area, you will encounter the Sherpa people, whose culture and tradition are influenced by Tibetans and they predominantly reside near Mount Everest.

Makalu Base Camp trek is a long trek of about 20 days perfect for avid trekkers and nature lovers who are in search of peace and tranquil paths in pristine natural habitat. The trek is not the most sought-after destination of Nepal, so there is no question of any crowds. Although Mount Makalu is one of the tallest mountains of the world, it is a very isolated peak whose shape is a four-sided pyramid. Mount Makalu stands the fifth tallest mountain of the world with the height of 8,485 meters/27,838 feet.

As you will trek within the area of Makalu valley, you will also get a chance to explore the various wildlife and flora as the Makalu valley lies entirely inside the Makalu Barun National Park. The park is famous for its residence of snow leopard, red panda, Indian leopard, wild boar, and much other wildlife. Talking about the vegetation of the park, the forest aspect of the park depends on seasonal moisture availability, temperature and snow cover at different elevation and slopes. Several rare species of plants and animals can be found in diverse climate and habitats relatively undisturbed by humankind.

Information relating Makalu Base Camp

Season to Visit

It will be ideal to go for trekking to Makalu Base Camp during the autumn season (September-November) and spring season (March-May). During these two seasons, the weather is fine, the temperature is moderate and days are clear. You will have the perfect view of the mountains and hills around you without any disruptions. Winter and summer aren’t the perfect seasons for trekking as the temperatures drop very low in winter and summer are characterized by rainfall and storm.

Level of Difficulty

The level of difficulty in Makalu Base Camp trek is high. It is a very challenging trek suited for the trekkers with experience. While going for this trek, it will be best to keep your expectations low because the lodges of this area are of lower standards. But, not to worry, as proper acclimatization in the lower altitude region will make this trek less challenging.

Permits

For this trekking, you will need a permit from Makalu Barun National Park and a Trekkers Information Management Systems (TIMS) card. You can obtain a permit of the park from the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu after paying a certain amount of fee. TIMS card can be obtained from the Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap and Trekking Agencies Association Nepal (TAAN) office in Maligaon and Government registered trekking companies in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can also get the TIMS card from TIMS Counter located at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Regional Office in Pokhara. Like the permit of the park, you will be required to pay a certain amount of charge for the card.

General Outline of Makalu Base Camp Trek

To start the trek to Makalu Base Camp, you will have to take a domestic flight to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu which is about an hour long flight. After an hour-long flight, the actual trek starts from Chichila. The Base Camp trek will begin from warm and terraced farmland inhabited by Rai people. Rai is the ethnic group of Nepal found predominantly in the hills of eastern Nepal. The lower trekking region of this route has beautiful and verdant rhododendron forest with lush green forest and alpine meadows.

Moving forward in your trek, you will get pass deeper in the mountains, the Barun River valley including steep granite cliffs, glaciers, and stunning waterfalls. Reaching the higher altitude region, you will witness the spectacular view of several mountains and peaks like Chamlang, Kanchenjunga and Pyramid Peak. You will also encounter Sherpas and get to know their lifestyle and culture in a closer way. After trekking for several days and reaching the base camp, you will see the complete panorama of Mount Everest and Lhotse. Also, the base camp is the highest point of this trek with an elevation of 4,900 meters. Then descending you will get past the ethnic village of Rai, Chhetri, and others. You will walk through the forest and follow some spectacular high and exposed narrow tracks as it climbs over rocky ridges. Then moving down you will follow the east bank of the Arun River and the route passes through Chyawabesi before doing a short climb back to Tumlingtar. Eventually, the flight back from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu wraps your Makalu Base Camp trek.