The Makalu Base Camp Trek takes you to 4,870 m at the foot of Mt Makalu (8,463 m), the fifth-highest mountain on Earth. It is one of Nepal’s quietest tea-house treks: you can walk for days and meet more yak herders than trekkers.
We are Makalu Arun Social Trek (MAST), a government-registered trekking agency based in Khandbari, the town where this trek begins. SESF, a local social organisation, set us up in 2010, and we have guided more than 60 groups since. Our porter-guides come from Seduwa and Tashigaon, the last villages on the trail.
This guide covers everything you need for 2026: the route day by day, permits and the new guide rules, real costs, tea houses, fitness and packing. Every detail comes from our own treks on this trail.
Makalu Base Camp Trek at a glance
| Duration | 18 days, Khandbari to Khandbari |
| Highest point | Makalu Base Camp, 4,870 m (optional viewpoints up to 5,900 m) |
| High passes | Ghungru La 4,045 m, Shipton La 4,216 m, Keke La 4,150 m |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
| Walking per day | 4–6 hours |
| Best seasons | March–May and September–November |
| Accommodation | Tea houses and homestays the whole way |
| Start and finish | Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha (via Tumlingtar airport) |
| Permits | Makalu Barun National Park entry and TIMS card |
| Group size | 1–6 trekkers |
| Price with MAST | From $1,176 for 2 adults |
Why trek to Makalu Base Camp in 2026?
Makalu gives you big-mountain scenery without the crowds of Everest or Annapurna. Here is what makes it special.
Real wilderness
The whole trek runs through Makalu Barun National Park, created in 1992 and covering about 1,500 km². The park is home to more than 400 bird species, red pandas and snow leopards. In spring the lower trail runs through rhododendron and orchid forest.
Three passes and the Barun Valley
You cross Ghungru La, Shipton La and Keke La, then drop into the Barun Valley, which locals call a paradise on earth. From the passes you see Chamlang (7,319 m), Baruntse and Peaks 6 and 7 before Makalu itself appears.
Very few trekkers
This is still an off-the-beaten-path route. Tea houses now operate all the way to base camp, but on most days you will share the trail with porters, herders and a handful of other trekkers.
Rai and Sherpa culture
The lower trail passes Rai and Hindu villages around Num and Seduwa; higher up you reach the Sherpa village of Tashigaon. The change in culture as you climb is part of the experience.
Your trek helps the valley
Part of the national park entry fee goes back to local communities. With MAST, the rest of your money stays local too, funding our community projects.
Makalu Base Camp Trek route: 18-day itinerary
The route climbs from the warm Arun Valley, crosses three passes above 4,000 m, and follows the Barun Valley to base camp. You return the same way, with an acclimatisation day on the way up and a free day in Khandbari at the end.
| Day | Route | Overnight altitude | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (30 min), drive to Khandbari | 1,036 m | — |
| 2 | Jeep from Khandbari via Num to Seduwa | 1,540 m | 5–6 h drive |
| 3 | Seduwa to Tashigaon | 2,070 m | 4–6 h |
| 4 | Tashigaon to Khongma | 3,560 m | 4–6 h |
| 5 | Khongma to Dobato over Ghungru La, Shipton La and Keke La | 3,550 m | 4–5 h |
| 6 | Dobato to Yangle Kharka, crossing the Barun River | 3,600 m | 4–5 h |
| 7 | Yangle Kharka to Langmale Kharka | 4,400 m | 4–5 h |
| 8 | Acclimatisation day at Langmale Kharka | 4,400 m | Short walks |
| 9 | Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp | 4,870 m | 4–5 h |
| 10 | Explore base camp: Barun Pokhari (4,950 m) or Hillary Base Camp viewpoint (5,900 m) | 4,870 m | Optional hikes |
| 11 | Base camp down to Yangle Kharka | 3,600 m | Long descent |
| 12 | Yangle Kharka to Dobato | 3,550 m | 5–6 h |
| 13 | Dobato to Khongma, back over the three passes | 3,560 m | 4–6 h |
| 14 | Khongma to Tashigaon | 2,070 m | 4–6 h |
| 15 | Tashigaon to Seduwa | 1,540 m | 4–6 h |
| 16 | Jeep from Seduwa to Khandbari | 1,036 m | About 6 h drive |
| 17 | Free day in Khandbari: market, local crafts, school visit | 1,036 m | — |
| 18 | Drive to Tumlingtar (20 min), fly to Kathmandu | — | — |
Flights to Tumlingtar are sometimes delayed by weather, so add 1–2 spare days before your international flight. See the full day-by-day details on our Makalu Base Camp Trek page.
Shorter and longer options
- Short on time? The Makalu View Trek gives you Makalu panoramas in 7 days.
- Want a pilgrimage too? The Shiva Dhara Trek visits the sacred Shiva Dhara waterfall below Makalu in 14 days.
- Coming from Everest? The Lukla to Makalu Base Camp Trek links the two regions in 26 days.
Best time for the Makalu Base Camp Trek
The best months are mid-March to May and September to November. Outside these windows, monsoon rain or deep snow on the passes can close the route.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (best views) | September–November | Clear skies after the monsoon and stable weather. Early September can still be wet on the lower trail. |
| Spring (best flowers) | March–May | Rhododendrons in bloom and warmer days. Early spring can leave heavy snow on Shipton La and Keke La. |
| Monsoon | June–August | Heavy rain, leeches, landslides on the jeep road and cloud over the peaks. Not recommended. |
| Winter | December–February | Very cold, with snow often blocking the passes. Some tea houses higher up may be closed. |
Our tip: whichever season you choose, start walking early. Mornings are usually clearest, and cloud often builds by midday.
Permits and trekking rules for 2026
You need two permits for the Makalu Base Camp Trek, and you must trek with a licensed guide through a registered agency. MAST arranges both permits as part of your trek.
| Permit | Cost for foreign trekkers | Where it’s checked |
|---|---|---|
| Makalu Barun National Park entry | NPR 3,000 + 13% VAT (NPR 3,390) | Park office at Seduwa |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 | Checkpoints along the trail |
SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,500 for the park entry, and children under 10 enter free.
The licensed guide rule
Since April 2023, foreign trekkers on routes like Makalu must hire a licensed guide and get their TIMS card through a government-registered agency. Trekkers found without a guide or TIMS card can be fined NPR 12,000. Solo, independent trekking to Makalu Base Camp is no longer allowed.
With MAST, your porter-guide is a licensed local from the Makalu trail, and we register your TIMS card and park permit before you start. Fees can change, so we confirm the latest amounts when you book.
How much does the Makalu Base Camp Trek cost?
With MAST, the 18-day trek starts from $1,176 for 2 adults (about $588 each). You then pay tea houses directly for your food and room on the trail, so that money goes straight to the families who host you.
Included in our price
- A licensed local porter-guide: wages, food, lodging and insurance (one porter for every 2 trekkers)
- Shoes, socks, gloves and park entry for your porter-guide
- TIMS card and Makalu Barun National Park entry fee
- Reserved jeep: Tumlingtar – Khandbari – Num/Seduwa, and back
- 2 nights in a hotel in Khandbari
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at Tumlingtar
- MAST service charge and government VAT
- A contribution to our community projects
Not included
- International flights and the Kathmandu–Tumlingtar flight
- Nepal visa and hotels in Kathmandu
- Food and rooms on the trek, paid directly at tea houses (budget about NPR 5,000 per day)
- Travel insurance with helicopter rescue (required)
- Drinks, hot showers, device charging, laundry and shopping
- Tips for your porter-guide
Why is it cheaper than many Kathmandu agencies? We are based at the start of the trek, so there are no Kathmandu office costs or guides flown in from elsewhere. You pay only for the services you use.
Tea houses, food and water
Tea houses now run along the whole route to base camp, so you don’t need tents. They are simple, family-run lodges, and that is part of the charm.
- Rooms: basic twin rooms with simple beds. Mattresses can be thin, so bring a warm sleeping bag; your porter-guide carries it.
- Bathrooms: usually shared and sometimes outside. Bring a headtorch for the night.
- Booking: beds can’t be reserved in advance because there is little phone signal. Your porter-guide knows which lodges are open and finds the best one each night.
- Food: dal bhat (rice, lentils and vegetables) is the staple, freshly cooked and refilled. Breakfast is usually eggs, bread, porridge or potatoes. Above Shipton La the menu is mostly rice and potatoes.
- Lunch: some days there is no lodge at lunchtime. Ask your guide to carry a packed lunch, and bring snacks and energy bars.
- Water: tap and stream water isn’t safe to drink, and bottled water is rarely sold. Ask your tea house to boil water, or use a filter or purification tablets.
- Charging and Wi-Fi: charging costs extra where it exists, and Wi-Fi is rare. Bring a power bank.
How difficult is the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
It is a strenuous trek, best suited to fit walkers with some multi-day hiking experience. Guests who have done both often tell us Makalu is harder than Everest Base Camp, but quieter and more rewarding.
What makes it hard:
- Long climbs and descents: the trail rises almost 1,500 m from Tashigaon to Khongma in one day.
- Three passes above 4,000 m, which can hold snow in spring.
- Rough sections with boulders and landslide areas, especially before Yangle Kharka.
- Remoteness: beyond Shipton La there is little phone signal, and rescue takes time.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness can affect anyone above about 3,000 m, however fit. Our itinerary includes a rest day at Langmale Kharka (4,400 m) before base camp. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water, and tell your porter-guide straight away if you have a headache, nausea or dizziness. If symptoms get worse, the only cure is to go down.
How to prepare
- Start training at least 3 months before you go: uphill walks, stairs and long hikes with a daypack.
- Do a few back-to-back long walking days to get used to being on your feet.
- Break in your boots before the trip.
- Get travel insurance that covers trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation. It is required.
For a full breakdown of the hardest days, fitness training and how Makalu compares with Everest Base Camp, read How Hard Is the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
How to get to Khandbari from Kathmandu
The easiest way is a 30-minute domestic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. Our team meets you at the airport and drives you about 20 minutes to your hotel in Khandbari, where you meet your porter-guide and pack for the trek.
You can also travel by road through the eastern hills, which takes much longer. Ask us and we will help you plan it.
From Khandbari, a reserved jeep takes you along a rough mountain road to Num and on to Seduwa, where the walking starts. Expect 5–6 bumpy hours. It is the least comfortable part of the trip, but the views over the Arun Valley make up for it.
Makalu Base Camp Trek packing list
Your porter-guide carries up to 15–20 kg, so pack light and bring only what you need. Trekking gear in Khandbari is limited and expensive, so buy it at home or in Kathmandu.
Clothing
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm down jacket for evenings and the passes
- Fleece or warm mid-layer
- 2–3 quick-dry trekking shirts and 2 pairs of trekking trousers
- Thermal base layers for nights above 3,500 m
- Warm hat, sun hat, warm gloves and a buff
Footwear
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
- Camp shoes or sandals for the evenings
- Warm trekking socks
Gear
- Sleeping bag rated to about −15 °C
- Daypack (25–35 litres) with rain cover
- Trekking poles: very useful on the steep descents
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Water bottles, plus a filter or purification tablets
- Power bank
Health and personal
- Personal first aid kit and any medicines you take
- Sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses
- Snacks and energy bars for long days
- Nepali rupees in cash: there are no ATMs on the trail
- Copies of your passport, insurance and permits
Trek with purpose: why trek Makalu with MAST
MAST is a local, non-profit-distributing trekking agency: we pay no profit to owners, and what your trek earns goes back to Sankhuwasabha.
- Truly local: we are based in Khandbari, the gateway to the trek, and our porter-guides grew up on this trail.
- Licensed and registered: we are a government-registered trekking agency and a member of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). See our legal documents.
- Fair work: porter-guides are fairly paid and insured, and receive shoes, socks and gloves for the trek.
- Money stays local: you pay family-run tea houses directly for your food and room.
- Schools and elders: our profits help pay for school supplies for local children and food for 35 elderly people at Manakamana Elderly Home in Khandbari. Read about our community projects.
- Small groups: 1–6 trekkers, with an itinerary we can tailor to your time and fitness.
Read what past trekkers say on TripAdvisor, or learn more about responsible travel in Nepal and community-based trekking.
Makalu Base Camp Trek FAQs
How long is the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
Our itinerary is 18 days from Khandbari and back, including an acclimatisation day, a day at base camp and a free day in Khandbari. Add 1–2 spare days for flight delays.
How high is Makalu Base Camp?
Makalu Base Camp is at 4,870 m. On your exploration day you can hike higher, to Barun Pokhari (4,950 m) or the Hillary Base Camp viewpoint (5,900 m).
Can I trek to Makalu Base Camp without a guide?
No. Since April 2023, foreign trekkers must trek with a licensed guide and get their TIMS card through a registered agency.
Is Makalu Base Camp harder than Everest Base Camp?
Yes, for most people. The trail is steeper and more remote, with three passes above 4,000 m and fewer facilities.
Can I hire just a porter-guide?
Yes. A porter-guide carries up to 15–20 kg of your luggage and leads the trek. Most of our guests trek this way.
Are there ATMs or internet on the trek?
No ATMs, so bring enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu or Khandbari. Phone signal is weak, and beyond Shipton La there is usually none.
What if my flight to Tumlingtar is cancelled?
We help you rebook, find another way back and adjust your plans. This is why we recommend 1–2 spare days.
Can I change the itinerary?
Yes. Every MAST trek can be tailored to your dates, pace and interests. Tell us what you have in mind.
Ready to trek to Makalu Base Camp?
Tell us your dates, group size and fitness, and we will plan your Makalu Base Camp Trek with you from Khandbari.
- See the full itinerary, map and prices on our Makalu Base Camp Trek page
- Send us a message through our contact page
- WhatsApp: +977 9861714199
- Email: [email protected]
Other ways to reach Makalu: the Saldim Valley Makalu Base Camp Trek takes a quieter route through remote villages, and the Lukla to Makalu Base Camp Trek links the Everest region with the Barun Valley. For general questions about trekking in Nepal, see our Nepal trekking FAQs.
