Mode of Trekking (Organized Camping Trek)
21 Days Trip
15 Days Trek, 4 nights in Hotel
Moderate to Challenging

Makalu Base Camp trek is one of the remote treks in Nepal that takes you right at the base of the world’s fifth highest mountain, Makalu. It falls in Makalu Barun National Park, bordered by the Sagarmatha National Park to the west and the Arun River to the east. The trek is very scenic with spectacular mountain views with diverse landscape and stands one of the best trekking destinations in the Himalayas. The trek starts with a flight to Tumlingtar and then the trail passes through mixture of Rai, Limbu, Chettri, Brahman, Sherpa villages, cultivated terraced farmlands with views of Chamlang Range in the distance. We reach our first pass which is at an altitude of 1800 m and provides a picturesque vantage point to see Makalu and Jaljale Himal. Our trail proceeds further up through the rhododendron and oak forest to the Shipton la pass and finally we reach Makalu Base Camp. From the Base Camp we can see the south face of Makalu and further we can see Everest, Lhotse and the Barun Glacier.

ITINERARY

Day 1. In Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu. Your group leader or the office representative from Alps in Nepal will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to Hotel Yak and Yeti. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag and down jacket at 5 pm.
Welcome dinner is organized at 6:30 pm in one of the traditional Nepali restaurants and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the fellow group members before the trip.

Day 2. In Kathmandu
In the morning we explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour visiting Boudhanath and Pusupathi Nath, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and the most famous Hindu temple in the country. The early afternoon is free to relax in the spacious hotel garden or you may wish to visit Thamel for any last-minute shopping before the trek. In the afternoon you will be supplied with trek departure information.

Day 3. Fly Tumlingtar and drive to Mane Bhanjyang
After breakfast in the hotel we take a van to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 35 minute flight to the trading town of Tumlingtar which lies in the Arun valley. We collect the luggage and meet our vehicle and drive to Mane Bhanjyang. Overnight camp at Mane Bhanjyang.

Day 4. Chichila
Our trek today passes by some of the remote villages witnessing the traditional Nepali lifestyle. Leaving Mane Bhanjyang our trail climbs through the bamboo forest and along a ridge to Arun Than. From here our trail follows the farm lands and bamboo groves to the village of Sheka and Bhotebas. After the village the farm land disappears and we will be trekking through the forest of trees, till we reach the first pass at 1800m. The views from up here are just fantastic as you can see Chamlang Range, Makalu and Jaljale Himal. Descending to the next ridge we follow a crest and onto a deep damp forest of rhododendrons and ferns. After about 2 hours we reach Chichila for our overnight camp.

Day 5. Trek to Num
We follow the ridge through the forest of rhododendrons and pass the small Sherpa villages of Baisake and Kuwapani. Just below the ridge we pass the Mani wall and continue along the ridge past a small stream to a single Sherpa house and tea shop. This is Mure, a spread-out village at 1980m is inhabited by both Sherpa and Rai. Below Mure, the route cuts across the ridge, then makes a descent on a rocky eroded trail to some stone steps and a finally we reach Num. Num is situated on the ridge above an jS-shaped bend in the Arun River. On the opposite side of the Arun is the village of Sedua.

Day 6. Trek to Sedua
Today our trail descends steeply through the corn fields of Lumbang. From Lumbang the trail drops steeply through the jungle and cross a suspension bridge on the Arun River. After crossing the river our trail climbs steeply to a local tea shop and then through rice, corn and buckwheat fields. Moving along the picturesque farmland of corn and barley we finally make long climb to Sedua.

Day 7. Trek to Tashi Gaon
We leave Sedua and climb through rice fields to Manigaon. We cross several streams and then the trail climbs westward above the Kasuwa Khola (river) and reach the mani wall. From here the trail gets pretty easy and we continue our walk to Hindrungma and further to Ropesa. We proceed further crossing meadows and several streams before making a climb to Tashi Gaon which is the last permanent settlement in the valley.

Day 8. Trek to Khongma
Today is a tough day as we will be doing a tremendous altitude gain of 1400m. Our trail climbs to herders hut and then climbs further up to the shepherds hut at Chipla. After Chipla the trail gets steeper but has lots of switchbacks through the forest and reach a beautiful meadow at Unshisa. Once we get to the ridge top we pass through sparse forest and descend down to Khongma for our overnight camp.

Day 9. Trek to Dobato via Shipton la
Our trail starts with a steep uphill with lots of switch backs, till we get to the ridge which is adorned with prayer flags. It is a beautiful vantage point to take some good pictures of Makalu. We walk along the ridge line through rhododendron trees before gaining a side ridge to Ghungru la. From the pass the trail descends to a lake and then climbs steeply to the major pass of this trek Shipton la. The pass was named after Eric Shipton and Sir Edmund Hillary when they crossed this pass after their Everest reconnaissance attempt in 1952. Descending from the la we pass two lakes, and climb through large boulders to Keke la. On the other side of the pass is filled with rhododendron forest which looks magnificent in the spring times with all the flowers in bloom. We camp overnight in Dobato.

Day 10. Trek to Yangle Kharka
Our trail passes through the forest of rhododendron, oak and birch trees. We pass through the trail which is very notorious for landslide so watch out for the rock falls. After the landslide zone the trail gets better and traverses through the alpine meadows with a view of Peak llV. The valley now widens and passes through the birch and dwarf rhododendron trees, crosses the stream on a wooden bridge and reach Yangle Kharka.

Day 11. Trek to Yak Kharka
Our trail starts gradually, passing through Nghe Kharka which is a large open grassy field and proceed into the Arun Valley. The landscape is impressive and the cliff walls rise almost 2000m above the Arun river. We pass the scenic waterfall and get to a marshy meadow. From here the trail follows westward through potato fields and a single house at Jhak Kharka. A short climb from here brings us to Yak Kharka.

Day 12. Trek to Shersong
We being our day with a climb over a ridge and then through a moraine formed by Barun glacier. As we go along the view gets more and more impressive and we be able to see Chamlang, Peak lll and Peak V. The next village is Merek which sits on a precarious hillside and suffers a threat of avalanche and rock fall. Luckily we are not camping here. From Merek the trail follows through sandy scree alongside the morain towards the ridge and then the trail follows northward to the alluvial valley where the view of Optional walk on the ridge of Shersong is welcome to get some good views.

Day 13. Hike to Base Camp
From Sherson, we stay to the right in a gully on the east side of the valley. It is gradual ascend to a minor pass about 100 meters above Makalu Base Camp. We then descend to a stream, cross on boulders to the base camp on the west bank of the river. From here we get terrific views of the south face of Makalu. The large buttress of the south face rises across from base camp. An ascent of this buttress yields views of Peak Vl, Vll and Baruntse ; Everest and Lhotse complete the panorama. Overnight at Shersong.

Day 14. Trek to Yangle Kharka
We retrace our steps back to Yangle Kharka.

Day 15. Trek to Khongma
We continue descending through the forest of Mumbuk and re crossing Shipton la we descend to Khongma.

Day 16. Trek to Sedua
Long and steep descend to Sedua.

Day 17. Trek to Num
Continue descend to the Arun River and then a small climb brings us to Num.

Day 18. Trek to Chichila and drive to Tumlingtar
Today will be a long day as we will be trekking to Chichila and catch our vehicle to Tumlingtar.

Day 19. Fly to Kathmandu
We rise early in the morning to be ready for the arrival of your aircraft for the flight back to Kathmandu. We will be met at the airport and transferred to the Yak and Yeti Hotel.

Day 20. In Kathmandu
In Kathmandu at leisure.

Day 21. Trip concludes
After breakfast we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

NEPAL EXTENSIONS

There are a variety of interesting extensions you might choose to add on either before or after your trek. These options include:

Chitwan National Park:
It provides excellent opportunities to view the rare species such as sloth bear, bison, rhinoceros, leopard and the exclusive tiger. Early morning jungle walks and safaris on elephant back are amongst the most popular activities. The jungle lodge can be reached from Kathmandu either by air or by private vehicle.

White Water Rafting:
On the Trisuli or Seti Rivers.

Mount Everest Scenic Flight:
An hour flight departs Kathmandu early morning and provides spectacular views of Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains.

Cultural Tour:
Nepal boasts a rich cultural diversity, and it is well worth exploring. The Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal is a dream-world for many and reality for some. Once experienced they can never be forgotten, never dismissed from memory whether ones experience of them is visiting age-old Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries and royal palaces with amazing sculptures, paintings, legends and living rituals. Nepal is not only regarded as "Shangri-la" for adventurers but a scenic revelation and an educational in itself to all visitors. Once seen they become a part of you, habit-forming and intrusive. We have put our best effort to incorporate all cultural delights as well as natural beauty that Nepal has to offer, which you can chose depending on your time availability.

Bhutan:
A five day cultural visit to Paro, Thimpu and Punakha.

Tibet:
A four day visit to Lhasa the capital city of Tibet.

Please contact the Alps in Nepal office if you plan to extend your trip and let us know in advance.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expert Leadership
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. We have a very good selection of local leaders who are professionally trained and are among the most experienced in Nepal. Who better to look after you than your professional local leader, who speaks the language and knows the culture, intimately? The following people regularly lead this trek:

SANJAY GURUNG: Sanjay is an experienced trek leader who has been in this profession for last sixteen years. Besides trekking all over Nepal he has also led several trips to India and Tibet. His profound knowledge and easy going personality make him an ideal choice to lead treks for Alps in Nepal.

PETER CHETTRI: Peter holds a very good sense of humour and adventurous spirit which has made him an asset to the company. He was born in Nepal and brought up in Sikkim. As a graduate in Arts, he has a good command over both spoken and written English. He has been leading treks with Alps in Nepal for four years. He has done a first aid training specialised in Acute Mountain Sickness. His excellent leadership has always earned a good reputation to the company.

ASHIM SUBBA: Ashim is a travel enthusiast who has always been keen on adventure. He went to the University in Calcutta and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce. Apart from being fluent in Nepali and English, he also speaks Japanese and has been involved in trekking for last two years. He has completed the first aid training including high altitude medicine. His expertness as a leader is one of the keys to our success.

Why Alps in Nepal is your first choice for Adventure
Alps in Nepal, combines the best of international standards with the deep knowledge of local experts. It offers you services and an experience that surpass those offered by the large international companies; with the reliability that local outfits lack. With over 15 years of experience we have successfully organized tours and treks for several thousand patrons who can testify the unique class of service we offer. Please feel free to ask us about the selection of your trip or for any further information.