Arrive in Kathmandu, a company representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in a private tourist bus. In the evening, you will meet with your guide, and he will brief you about the trip. You will also prepare for your trek and go shopping if required.
Makalu Base Camp Trek Itinerary
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Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu. Met upon arrival. Transfer to hotel.
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Day 02 Fly to Tumlingtar (950m/3,116ft); 50 minute flight
After breakfast, you will take a short flight to Tumlingtar. After arrival at Tumlingtar, you will meet with the other crew members who will join you for the trek to Makalu Base Camp. You will walk to your campsite and explore nearby areas. You will stay overnight at the camp.
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Day 03 Trek to Mani-Bhanjyang (1,200m/3,936ft); 6-7 hrs
You will begin your walk from Tumlingtar through farm fields and small villages. Climbing gradually towards Khadbari through the tropical forest of Sal tree, you will reach the town of Khadbari. From here, you will ascend and descend and reach Mani-Bhanjyang.
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Day 04 Trek to Chichila (1,800m/5,904ft); 5-6 hrs
You will start trekking by ascending to a ridge and reach Bhotebas where you will take a break for lunch. Then, you will pass through forest and fertile land, which will lead you to Chichila village which is situated on a small ridge.
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Day 05 Trek to Num (1,500m/4,920ft); 5-6 hrs
You will begin walking through dense and beautiful forest of rhododendron, hemlock and oak and ascend to the top of a ridge. From here, you will descend for two hours and reach Num for an overnight stay. Num is a small village with around 15 houses and a primary school.
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Day 06 Trek to Seduwa (1,493m/4,897ft); 5 hrs
Today, you will begin trekking by descending steep and terraced slopes. You will walk towards the Arun River, which is nearly 800 meters below Chichila. The trail passes through dense forest and may be slippery. After reaching the bottom, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Arun River. From here, you will climb and move away from the rainforest. After a short lunch break, you will climb on a steep path and reach Seduwa.
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Day 07 Trek to Tashi Gaun (2,200m/7,216ft); 3-4 hrs
Today's trek is short and easy. The trail will pass through meadows, streams, paddy fields, and small villages. You will reach a rural farm village, and from here, you will ascend for an hour through rice and millet fields, and reach Tashigaun. Tashigaun is a village populated by Sherpas, and it is also the last permanent village in the valley.
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Day 08 Trek to Kahuma Danda (3,500m/11,480ft); 6 hrs
You will begin walking through beautiful forest of oak and rhododendron. Leaving the forest behind, you will walk through pastures with traces of temporary shepherd huts. The trail will become more difficult from here onwards to Kahuma ridge. The trail will rise steeply and passes through grazing land following rough stone stairs and small lakes and ascends to the top of a ridge. After a further short period, you will reach Kahuma Danda.
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Day 09 Trek to Mumbuk (3,400m/11,152ft); 5-6 hrs
The trail begins with some ascents and descents. After passing Thulo Pokhari and Sano Pokhari, the path can become more difficult in heavy snowfall. You will pass Keke La Pass, which is located at an elevation of 4,230 meters. From here, you will trek down a hill, crossing vegetation, woods of hemlock, birch, pines, and rhododendrons and reach Mumbuk.
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Day 10 Trek to Nehe Kharka (3,750m/12,300ft); 5-6 hrs
You will descend a narrow valley and cross the Barun Khola, which is located just beyond Tamatan Kharka. The trail will become unclear as you step ahead. The path will become slippery and is covered with numerous rocks. You must walk carefully as rock falls often on this path. You will walk along the north side of the bank of the Barun Khola and reach Yangri Kharka. A little ahead of this village is Nehe Kharka where you will stay overnight.
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Day 11 Trek to Sherson (4,600m/15,088ft); 6-7 hrs
You will cross a wooden bridge over the Barun River and walk on rocks. You will see a large prayer wall and continue walking for 2 to 3 hours. The vegetation will start to disappear and you will see beautiful barberries, juniper, cotoneaster, and rhododendron bushes along the trail. After a short walk, you will reach Sherson from where you will see the lower Barun Glacier and stunning Mt. Makalu (8,463 m).
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Day 12 Acclimatization and exploration day
Today is a rest day at Sherson for you to acclimatize to the increasing altitude. This is also the lower base camp of Mt. Makalu (8,463 m) with numerous stones. You will observe outstanding views of peaks like Mt. Baruntse and the south face of Mt. Makalu (8,463 m).
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Day 13 Trek to Yangri Kharka (3,645m/11,956ft); 5-6 hrs
After breakfast, you will begin walking and pass through beautiful Rhododendron forest and reach the Barun River. The trail becomes steep, and difficult for a short time and after that, an easy walk will take you to Yangri Kharka, which is located at the end of the Barun Valley.
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Day 14 Trek to Mumbuk (3,400m/11,152ft); 5-6 hrs
You will trek back to Mumbuk leaving Barun Valley behind. You will walk 5 to 6 hours along the rocky path, and through dense forest. Upon reaching Mumbuk, you will stay in the middle of the alpine forest.
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Day 15 Trek to Kahuma Danda (3,500m/11,480ft). walking 6 hours. Camp.
Following the same route back, you will reach Kahuma Danda via Thulo Pokhari and Shipton-la. Even walking back on the same route, you will observe different surroundings and scenery. You will stay overnight at Kahumba Danda.
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Day 16 Trek to Navagaun (2,500m/8,200ft); 6-7 hrs
You will begin your trek back to Tashigaun and continue trekking towards Navagaun on the upper trail. You will pass through forest and reach farm terraces. You will reach Navagaun, which is also a Sherpa Village. This village is larger than Tashigaun.
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Day 17 Trek to Num via Seduwa; 6-7 hrs
Following the downhill trail through the farm fields, you will reach Seduwa Village. From here, you will go back on the same route. You will descend for 2 to 3 hours, and after crossing the bridge, you will walk for another 2 to 3 hours and reach Num.
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Day 18 Trek to Chichila (1,800m/5,904ft); 5-6 hrs
Today, you will trek to Chichila. You will climb uphill and reach the top of the ridge. After that, you will descend all the way to Chichila where you will stay overnight.
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Day 19 Trek to Khadbari (285m/ 2844ft); 6-7 hrs
Today, the trek will become easy and you will walk gradually back to Khadbari. The trail will pass through beautiful farmland, dense forest, and small villages. You will reach Khadbari, which is a large village. You will get a chance to explore the nearby areas, and observe the lifestyle of the local people.
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Day 20 Trek back to Tumlingtar (950m/3,116ft); 4-5 hrs
Today is the last day of the trek. You will descend and arrive at Tumlingtar. You can rest for the remaining part of the day or explore the surrounding area before heading back to Kathmandu tomorrow.
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Day 21 Fly back to Kathmandu (50 minutes )
After breakfast, you will fly back to Kathmandu. The flight will be short and present you with scenic views. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be taken to your hotel.