Buddha Air Thirty-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar Airport. Meet the company staff at the airport. Then catch an auto rickshaw or a jeep and drive for 15 minutes and get your pre- booked hotel room in Khandbari. Meet and be introduced your porter guide there. Pack all the required things in the backpack and prepare for your 16-day MBC trek.
Makalu Base Camp Trek
18
Days
Makalu Base Camp Trek Overview
Makalu Base Camp Trek, one of Nepal's strenuous, longest, less crowded, off-the beaten trekking routes, is located in eastern Nepal
Your amazing trek begins with a 30 minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar airport, followed by a jeep drive to Khandbar . From Khandbari the Next morning you catch a jeep travel up to Seduwa. There you pay for Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area entrance fee and spend your overnight at a tea house there. From Sedua you walk and follow the path through Tasigaun and get Khongma. Then you ascend and pass Shipton La (4,210 m) and descend into the Barun Valley to Yangle Kharka to Langmale Kharka and reach Makalu Base Camp (5000m) your final destination on the lap of Mt.Makalu (8463m) the fifth highest mountain the world
With limited teahouse facilities available along the route, Makalu Trek can now be enjoyed as a teahouse trek. Hiring a local porter-guide allows you to travel with light luggage at your own pace, while directly supporting the local communities of Eastern Nepal.
Makalu Trek Highlights
- Incredible Biodiversity: 47 species of orchids, 87 species of medicinal herbs, 25 of 30 varieties of rhododendrons, 48 species of primroses and 86 species of fodder trees; 56 rare plant species including the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, and over 400 species of birds.
- Challenging High Passes: Tutu la (4,050m). Shipton La (4,216m), Keke La (4,150m) Reach the foot of the Makalu Base Camp (4870m) of Mt. Makalu (8,463m)
- Total peacefulness: Escape the crowds of the more commercial trails like Everest Base camp Trek. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of a truly remote, off-the-beaten-path Himalayan wilderness.
- Social Impact with a Purpose: As a social trekking agency, we ensure your journey directly funds local community and creates local employment around Makalu Arun valley, Kanchenjunga region of Nepal
- The Barun Valley which is considered a paradise on earth,
Makalu Trek: Itinerary
A. Outline Itinerary
| Day | Description | Altitude (Meters) | Net Gain/Loss (Meters) | Trek Duration. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Khandbari | 1036 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Drive from Khandbari to Num (1500m) (38 km) to Seduwa. | 1540 | 504 | 5-6 |
| 3 | Trek from Seduwa to Tasigaun | 2070 | 530 | 4-5 |
| 4 | Trek from Tasigaun To Khongma | 3560 | 1490 | 4-5 |
| 5 | Trek from Khongma Danda to Dobato | 3550 | -10 | 4-5 |
| 6 | Trek from Dobato (9.96km) to Yangle Kharka | 3600 | 50 | 0 |
| 7 | Trek from Yangle Kharka to Lagmale Kharka | 4400 | 800 | 6 |
| 8 | Langmale Kharka (4400m) Rest Day. | 4400 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Trek from Langmale (8.56km) to Makalu Base camp | 4870 | 470 | 4-5 |
| 10 | Makalu Base Camp Exploration Day | 4870 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Trek from Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka | 3600 | -1270 | 0 |
| 12 | Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobato | 3550 | -50 | 5-6 |
| 13 | Trek from Dobato To Khongma | 3560 | 0 | 3-5 |
| 14 | Trek from Khongma to Tasigaun | 2070 | -1480 | 4-6 |
| 15 | Trek from Tasigaun to Seduwa | 1540 | -530 | 4-6 |
| 16 | Travel from Seduwa to Khandbari | 1036 | -504 | 5-6 |
| 17 | Khandbari Exploration Day | 1036 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Travel from Khandbari to Tumlingtar, Flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu | 0 | 0 | |
B. Detail Itinerary
Day 1 :
Khandbari (1036m)
This is Your first MBC Trekking Day. After breakfast at your Khandbari hotel around 7.45:00 AM, you catch a reserved jeep and drive for about 4 hours and get Num. After some rest at Num, your jeep takes you down to Chamla Kharka . You leave your jeep there and commence your real 16 days’ MBC Trek .
You walk down to the Arun River, cross the suspension bridge and ascend . After walking up for about 4 hours you get Seduwa village (1540m). Register your TIMS card and pay the Makalu Barun National Park entrance fee of Rs.3000 per person at the Park Site office. Your overnight stay at a local tea house there.
On the second day of your MBC trek, you walk 4-6 hours to reach the destination (Tasigaun (2027m), (8.69km) ). The whole part of trek is uphill. You climb gently, pass Chyaksedanda (1890m), the primary school at the bottom of Tasigaun. In the evening you get Tasi Gaun village for your overnight stay at a tea house there.
After having your breakfast at the tea house at around 8 am, you commence your 4-6 hours (8.69km) trek. You pas Danda Kharka, Chipla (2520m) Unishisha (3180m) and ascend up to Khongma (3560m). You may experience the first sign of altitude sickness there..
This day you trek for 4 to 5 hours (7.81km). You cross three passes: Ghenguru La (4045m), Shipton La (4216m) and Keke La (4150m). Enjoy observing the breathtaking natural beauty of Chamalang (7319m), Barunotse, Himchuli (6424m) Peak 6 (6739m) and Peak 7 (6105m) and finally reach Dobato where you spend the night at a tea house there.
Prepare for your 4-5 hours trek to Yangle From Dobato go down slowly, pass Phematang and cross suspension bridge on Braun River and finally reach Yangle Kharka (3600m) for overnight stay there.
From Yangle Kharka your trekking trial goes through Nghe Kharka (3750m), Ripuk Kharka (3930m), Jhak Kharka (4210m) and finally gets Langmale Kharka (4400m). Today you will trek for four to five hours. Choose from one of the best teahouses at Langmale Kharka (4400m) for your overnight stay there.
This day is your day off day, your acclimatization day at Langmale Kharka. Grab the opportunity to observe the summit of peak 4 (6720m) Chamlang, peak 3, (6477m5 (6404m) Take this opportunity to relax and enjoy the amazing beauty of nature all around you. Your overnight stay at the same tea house.
Have breakfast at eight in the morning. Begin your 4 to 5 hour trek to reach Makalu Base Camp at 4870 meters. Once there, find one of the best tea houses for a delicious dinner and a pleasant place to stay. Enjoy the pride of arriving at your tourist destination and enjoy the beautiful surroundings
Discover the amazing landscape of Makalu Base Camp. Reaching places like Barun Pokhari (4950m), Peak 3 over Shersong (5250m), Hillary Base Camp Lookout (5900m) and more can be made easy with the help of your guide. Enjoy the incredible views and let yourself be carried away by the natural attraction of the area. At the end of the day, return to the same tea house and spend the night.
This is the day you return home from your trip. After breakfast start the descent to Yangle Kharka. In Yangle Kharka, choose a good teahouse to spend the night there
Day 12 :
Trek from Yangle Kharka to Dobato
After finishing your breakfast at the teahouse, walk for four to six hours to get Dobato, which is where you will spend the night.
Day 13 :
Trek from Dobato To Khongma
The journey from Dobato to Shipton La and back along the Khongma Way would take four to six hours after breakfast. When you reach Khongma, book an overnight stay at a nearby tea house. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings once again.
Day 14 :
Trek from Khongma to Tasigaun
After breakfast at Khongma, descend to Tasigaun, which will require four to six hours of walking. Find a cozy room in the tea room, relax for a while and enjoy food and some drinks. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the local sights and sounds. Stay overnight at Tasigaun Tea House.
Day 15 :
Trek from Tasigaun to Seduwa
After a morning meal at the Tasigaun teahouse, descend to Seduwa gradually and carefully. The trip should take four to six hours. Find a tea house in Seduw where we can spend the night. Discover the local area and attractions.
After breakfast at a teahouse in Seduwa catch a reserved jeep and travel for about 6 hours and get Khandbari Pre Booked Hotel Room. Say goodbye to your porter guide.
Day 17 :
Khandbari Exploration Day
Today we split up so you can visit the Khandbari region and volunteer if you want. Visit a neighborhood market and buy a souvenir of a local product. You also have the opportunity to visit any hospital, school or project that our organization supports.
Enjoy breakfast at the tea house and then take a jeep for a 20-minute drive to Tumlingtar. Get ready for your flight to Kathmandu. Say goodbye to the MAST staff and board the plane for the flight to the capital, Kathmandu.
Makalu Trek Cost.
The Cost Includes (For a Two-Person)
- Daily salary for one (1) porter-guide (includes food and accommodation).
- Shoes, socks, gloves, and park entrance fee for the porter-guide.
- Insurance for one (1) porter-guide.
- Trekking permits (TIMS Cards) for two (2) guests.
- Makalu Barun National Park entrance fees for two (2) guests.
- Reserved jeep transportation costs for the route: Tumlingtar - Khandbari - Num - Seduwa - Khandbari - Tumlingtar.
- Contribution to the company's community project.
- MAST Agency service charge, including government tax (VAT), Tumlingtar airport reception, etc. (15% will be added to the total cost).
- Khandbari hotel room charge (one room for two nights).
The Cost Excludes
- International as well as Nepal domestic airfare.
- Nepal Visa Charges
- All Hotel expenses in Kathmandu.
- Local tea house or homestay food and accommodation expenditure throughout the trekking route will be your responsibility. You pay directly to your service providers from your pocket.
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, etc
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
- Nepal entry visa fee is $30 for 15 days and $50 for 30 days.
- Other unforeseen expenses incurred due to accidents, strikes, natural disasters, political unrest etc.
- Your porter guide tips at the end of your trek.
Makalu Trekking Map
FAQs
Question 01: How difficult is the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
In order to complete the trek a trekker has to cross high passes, such as Shipton La (4,210m), KeKe la (4170m), Lanfmale Kharka (4140m) and reach Makalu Base Camp (4870m). So the trek is considered strenuous and challenging in comparison to the Everest Base Camp trek. A trekker requires excellent physical fitness for this high altitude remote trekking adventure.
Question 02: What is the best Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary?
The Makalu Trek is one of the longest trekking routes in Nepal. It requires 14 to 18 days to complete. . Most itineraries include a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and several days of trekking through the biodiversity-rich Makalu Barun National Park up to Makalu Base Cam (5000m). You go through our outline as well as detail itinerary mentioned in our site and write to us for customization as per your requirement
Question 03: When is the best time to plan Makalu Base Camp Trek ?
March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn) are the best times for
the Makalu Trek. Since amazing colorful display of Rhododendron forests in full
bloom the spring provides excellent potential for seeing wildlife roaming along the route. The autumn is also the excellent trekking season with
excellent weather, clear sky, fresh air and outstanding views of the majestic mountain
range of Makalu, Lhotse and Everest.
Question 04: Can I customize this trek program as per my requirement?
Yes. You can if you need. No problem. For your customization facilitation we send you a spreadsheet file to your mail id. There you add or remove some days or activities or more service you need and send us for our information. After we finalize the detail itinerary, we calculate the total cost you need to pay us and send you for your consideration.
Question 05: Why has food and accommodation cost not been included in Makalu Arun Social Trek's trekking package cost?
At MAST trekking packages cost we have not included food and accommodation cost for our guest along the trekking route.
Since we want to provide you freedom to choose whatever food and drink and accommodation you like and pay yourself directly to your service providers.
Although we offer all-inclusive packages, we think it is cheaper and better for you to pay for your own food and accommodation along the trekking route.
Question 06: What things should I consider while planning Makalu Base Camp Trek?
Micro spikes, Steripen or Water Filter, Power Bank or Solar Charger, Lightweight Tent, Warm Sleeping Bag, Tea Bags & Coffee, Trekking Boots, Snacks & Toilet Paper
Question 07: How much do you charge for Makalu Base Camp Trek for 2026?
Since we area a social trekking agency in Nepal, we only include porter guide daily salary (includes food and accommodation), his insurance, permits. Jeep reservation jeep transportation Contribution to the company's community project.
Agency service charge, including government tax (VAT), Tumlingtar airport reception, etc.
But we do include International as well as Nepal domestic airfare. Nepal Visa Charges
All Hotel expenses in Kathmandu, Local tea house or homestay food and accommodation expenditure throughout the trekking route will be your responsibility. You pay directly to your service providers from your pocket.
Question 08: What will happen if I add some extra day in my itinerary?
If you are interested to enjoy adding some more days in the itinerary, we welcome you to do it. But you will have to pay us for the additional days salary for the porter guide after you come back from your trek.
Question 09: Can I hire a porter guide through your company?
Sorry! You cannot hire any porter guide only through our company. If you choose our company to enjoy trek in Nepal , you have to book our Trekking package. We do not only sell you our porter guide service only.
Question 10: What about internet access?
The Internet does not work away from Khandbari Area. However, the mobile data can work up to Tasi Gaun and mobile phone up to Shipton La.
Question 11: Are there ATMs on the way to Makalu Base Camp?
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route away from Khandbari area. You will have to draw enough cash in Kathmandu or in Khandbari. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek
Question 12: My flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar cancelled because of bad weather. And I could not find a flight ticket for the next day. What Can I do to travel from Kathmandu to Khandbari?
In such a situation there are option we suggest for you.
- Fly to Biratnagar from Kathmandu at 7am, 11 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm (a 30-40 minute flight). Upon landing at Biratnagar airport, head to the main road and take an express bus to Dharan (fare of Rs.120 per person, 1 hour of travel time). From the Dharan bus station, go to the Dharan-Khandbari jeep counter. You can call us from there if necessary, but keep in mind that a jeep will only leave Dharan once it is fully loaded with 10 passengers. To ensure your travel, consider reserving a jeep to Khandbari (Rs.10000). Otherwise, you will have to spend the night at a hotel in Dharan and take a bus or jeep to Khandbari the next day (6-8 hours of travel time, Rs. 1000 for jeep/bus fare).
Book Makalu Trek with us
What Do We Offer?
- Off-the-Beaten-Path trekking in Nepal
- Customized Travel Itineraries.
- Teahouse Accommodation
Service based Pricing - Book Now pay later.
- Safety and SmalGroups size.
- Support for Local Community
- Sustainable Tourism Practices
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