Makalu Base Camp Remote Trek

Our airport representative meets our guests upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers them to the hotel in Thamel. We hold a comprehensive trip briefing, introduce the lead guide, and conduct a full gear check for the upcoming days.

We take an early morning domestic flight across the mid-hills to Tumlingtar airstrip. From there, our private vehicle drives us along unpaved mountain roads to the trailhead settlement of Num, where we spend our first night.

Our first day of walking begins with a steep descent down stone staircases into the Arun River gorge. After crossing the suspension bridge, we climb steadily through terraced fields and cardamom plantations to reach Seduwa.

The trail continues through scattered villages and sub-tropical forests, following the ridge line between the Kasuwa Khola and Isuwa Khola. We arrive in Tashi Gaon by early afternoon, giving us time to rest before the higher elevations.

Today involves a demanding, continuous uphill climb through dense rhododendron and oak forests. We leave human settlements behind us as we gain significant elevation, establishing camp or lodge lodging at Kaungma Danda.

We cross the high ridge system, navigating rocky paths and alpine terrain that offer our first close glimpses of the surrounding snow peaks. The descent into Mumbuk requires careful footing along narrow forest trails.

Our route follows the Barun River valley upstream, winding through boulder fields and dwarf bamboo thickets. We make steady progress beneath towering cliffs before settling in at Nehe Kharka.

We ascend deeper into the glaciated Barun valley past yak pastures and frozen streams. The air grows noticeably thinner as we approach Shersong, situated directly beneath the massive eastern face of Makalu.

We spend this day resting and allowing our bodies to adjust to the 4570 m elevation. Our lead guide conducts health checks with pulse oximeters while we take short walks around the surrounding ridges.

We set off early for the final push to Makalu Base Camp. The terrain is rocky and exposed, opening up to unobstructed panoramas of Makalu, Baruntse, and Chamlang before we retrace our steps to Shersong.

Reversing our direction, we begin the long descent down the Barun valley. Dropping in altitude brings immediate relief to our breathing as we walk back down to the grassy pastures of Yangle Kharka.

We retrace our path along the riverbanks, crossing small wooden bridges and climbing back towards the timberline. The afternoon brings a gradual ascent into the forest surrounding Mumbuk.

We ascend back towards the high ridge, tackling the steep steps that lead out of the valley basin. Our team pauses frequently to manage the exertion before reaching our camp near Kaungma.

Today is a relentless downward trek, dropping thousands of vertical metres back toward warmer climate zones. We pass through familiar forest corridors before reaching the village of Narbu Gaon.

Our final leg of walking involves crossing local streams and climbing the final ridge back to Num. We celebrate the completion of the trekking portion with our support crew.

We board our private vehicle for the unpaved drive back to Tumlingtar. The afternoon is free to rest and explore the small town market before our flight out the following morning.

We catch the morning scenic flight back to Kathmandu. Our representative transfers our group back to the hotel in Thamel, where we host a farewell dinner in the evening.

Our team provides airport transfer services according to individual flight schedules for the journey home.