Makalu Base Camp Trek 2025

Upon arriving at Kathmandu airport, a team member will greet you and assist with your transfer to the hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. In the evening, join us for a delightful dinner at one of the city's renowned restaurants, where you'll have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers and discuss the exciting Makalu Base Camp Trek adventures ahead.

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): Our first stop is the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa, perched on a hilltop, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Kathmandu. This sacred site is a beautiful symbol of faith for both Buddhists and Hindus.
• Pashupatinath Temple: Next, we visit Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and cremation site. Here, you can witness and photograph traditional Hindu rituals along the Bagmati River, immersing yourself in the local spiritual life.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square: After a delicious lunch, we head to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a historic site showcasing stunning Newari architecture. Enjoy a photo session with locals in traditional attire or Hindu holy men (Sadhus), perfect for capturing unique and memorable portraits.
• Vegetable and Spice Markets: End the day with a visit to the bustling vegetable and spice markets. Capture dynamic street photography of vibrant colors, energetic atmosphere, and diverse faces, providing a glimpse into everyday life in Kathmandu.

Start your Makalu Base Camp Trek with a flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. This 35-minute flight offers stunning views of the Himalayas. From Tumlingtar, a 30-minute drive takes you to Khandbari, the area's main town. Continue on a winding dirt road, reaching Chichila at 1,900 meters, where you’ll show your trekking permit at a police checkpoint. The road becomes rough as you head towards Num, with scenic views of forested slopes

Today’s trek involves a steep descent to the Arun River followed by a challenging ascent to Seduwa. The trail features large stone steps down to the river at 770 meters, passing through cardamom fields. After crossing a suspension bridge, you’ll climb through bamboo forests and vibrant villages to Seduwa. Here, your guide will check your permit at the Makalu-Barun National Park checkpoint. Seduwa is a charming village with a school, homes, shops, and a few tea houses scattered on the hillside.

Today's trek is more manageable without the steep ascents and descents of yesterday. You'll start on a trail with many stone steps, passing by several mani walls as you approach the Sherpa settlement. The route takes you through rhododendron and bamboo forests, alongside small farms and cardamom plantations. After about two hours, you'll reach Chyaksa Danda at 1,900 meters, a small community. The path includes crossing streams on sturdy wooden bridges and walking through dense forest areas. Eventually, you'll see Tashigaon on the slope ahead, descending to a log bridge before making the final ascent up stone stairs.

Leaving Tashigaon, you'll climb stone stairs through a beautiful rhododendron forest. After about three hours, you'll reach Dhara at 2,867 meters, where you can rest and have lunch at a tea house. Continuing the trek, it takes another hour to reach Unshisa at 3,200 meters. The route becomes more challenging with stone stairs through the forest. After several hours of climbing, you'll arrive at a stone rest area with prayer flags, and another 45 minutes will bring you to Khongma Danda at 3,500 meters, where there are three lodges and possibly snow.

Acclimatization is crucial, so today you'll hike up to the Khongma La pass at 3,890 meters. Starting from your tea house, you'll walk through rhododendron bushes up stone stairs, reaching the pass in about an hour. If you feel energetic, your guide may encourage you to go a bit further. After acclimatizing, you'll return to Khongma, ready to tackle the four passes tomorrow, starting with Khongma La.

Today, you'll cross four high passes with stunning ridge walks and views of snow-capped peaks. After an hour of climbing through rhododendron bushes, you'll reach Khongma La at 3,890 meters, offering views of Makalu and Chamlang. The trail then descends before climbing again to Sano Pokhari Danda at 4,105 meters. After some undulations, you'll reach Shipton La at 4,200 m. Descend to Kalo Pokhari Lake at (4,080m), adorned with prayer flags. The final pass, Keke La at (4,170m), is an easier climb. After a 45-minute descent, you'll arrive at Dobate, a welcome sight after the day's strenuous trek.

Start the day with a descent through rhododendron and pine forests, which can be tricky if there’s snow. After crossing the river and navigating a landslide area, you'll reach Themathang Kharka at 3,500 meters after about four hours. Continue walking until you cross a wooden bridge over the Barun Khola. The trail then undulates before arriving at Yangri Kharka in the meadows, where you'll spend the night.

The trail is level and pleasant, with the river on your left and the scent of juniper in the air. You'll pass fields adorned with colorful prayer flags and enjoy views of Peak 4, Peak 6, Peak 7, and Yaupa. After about 2.5 hours, the path widens, passing through Jhak Kharka, Yak Kharka, and finally Merek, where a tea house awaits. Another two hours of trekking will bring you to Langmale, with stunning views of Peak 7 and a mani wall covered in prayer flags in front of your lodge.

Begin your ascent towards Makalu Base Camp by keeping the river on your left as you zigzag across the valley. The trail offers stunning new views around every corner. While there are some boulder sections, most of the path is a sandy track. After a few hours, you'll reach Shershong at 4,630 meters, a broad, level area ideal for camping, with a small stone house for shelter. As you continue, the sight of Makalu, the fifth-highest peak in the world, becomes increasingly tantalizing.

For the best panoramic views, aim to reach the ridge at around 5,300 M above the base camp. Cross the river via a log bridge and ascend a steep trail. This vantage point offers spectacular views of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6, Peak 4, as well as Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. After soaking in the scenery, return to base camp following the same route.

The return can be challenging due to the steepness and high altitude. Alternatively, you can explore the lakes beyond the base camp or climb a shorter ridge directly above it. A small hill marked with prayer flags at the head of the base camp is a gentler option.

As you approach the base camp, the lodges come into view, signaling your arrival at your long-awaited goal. Makalu dominates the landscape, and around the base camp, you might spot Tibetan snow cocks, hill pigeons, black redstarts, and mountain finches.

With a heavy heart, you leave the stunning grandeur of Mount Makalu and begin your trek back to Yangri Kharka. The trail takes you through Shershong meadow, marked by a cabin with an orange tarp. Continue to Langmale, where you can stop for tea and lunch. The next stop is the Merek tea house, where you can rest before trekking through pine forests back to Yangri Kharka.

Today's trek is a leisurely descent following the river to Themathang tea house, passing rhododendron shrubs along the way. Cross a wooden bridge before Themathang, then navigate the landslide area. After some undulating terrain, you will ascend through the rhododendron forest. As you approach Dobate, the trail becomes gentler.

This is your final chance to enjoy the mesmerizing mountain vistas, including Kangchenjunga. Start by ascending to Keke La, then continue to Shipton La at 4,200 meters. After reaching Sano Pokhari Danda, return to the last pass, Khongma La, marked by a mani wall. Descend to Khongma, watching for blood pheasants among the rhododendron bushes. From Khongma, descend further to Danda Kharka.

From Khongma Danda, we'll exit Makalu Barun National Park and head back to Seduwa. Our route involves descending stone stairs and crossing a bridge before following a jungle path through dense forest. Along the way, we'll cross several more bridges and enjoy the sounds of birds, as this forest is home to various bird species. Keep an eye out for cardamom bushes and scattered farms on the hillsides. We'll conclude our journey to Seduwa by passing Mani walls and walking down several stone steps.

Start your day with a hike through a lively village and expansive bamboo forests. Follow a winding trail to reach the Arun River, and after crossing a suspension bridge, enjoy stunning views of rural Nepal. Descend along the river on large stone steps. The path meanders through a beautiful forest with climbs and drops, leading to the village of Num. Continue on a scenic drive to Tumlingtar along Nepal’s twisting mountain roads. Along the way, take in the impressive vistas of snow-capped mountains and verdant landscapes, and observe hillside villages and terraced farms.

Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu on a local flight. Enjoy the stunning Himalayan landscapes from the air, featuring snow-capped peaks and verdant hills. Once we land in Kathmandu, you'll be transferred to your hotel where you can settle in. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to relax or explore at your leisure.

Should bad weather delay our flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu, or if an additional day is needed during the trek, we have planned for an extra day's stay in Kathmandu.

After breakfast or lunch, depending on your flight time, we will transfer you to the international airport or if you leave by evening you can put your luggage at the Hotel and enjoy the city one final day.