Makalu Base Camp Trek

Overview

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Trek through the Makalu Barun National Park to the base of the world's 5th highest mountain

Introduction

This lodge and teahouse trek to the base camp of the world's fifth highest mountain takes you through the Makalu Barun National Park; a place of outstanding natural beauty, recognised internationally for the diversity of its flora and fauna.

Due to its relative inaccessibility, this region is little-known to would-be trekkers heading to Nepal. Therefore, you will see comparatively few others on your way to Makalu Base Camp.

Join us on the Makalu Base Camp trek

• Improved itinerary based on Simon Lowe's (Jagged Globe MD) recent trip
• Discover the rich diversity of flora and fauna from 400m to 5,500m
• A culturally varied region of Nepal that sees relatively few westerners, compared to the Khumbu, Annapurnas
• Cross the remote Shipton La (4,220m)
• Views of the west face of Makalu - one of the biggest faces on any mountain in the world

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Experience Required

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is suitable for experienced trekkers who are able to walk for 7 - 8 hours each day, carrying a light rucksack.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sat 24 Oct – Sun 15 Nov 2026	UK	Kathmandu	Available Book now »
2 places left with £100 early booking offer	£4,245 £4,145	£2,995 £2,895
Sat 23 Oct – Sun 14 Nov 2027	UK	Kathmandu	Available Book now »
2 places left with £100 early booking offer	£4,195 £4,095	£2,995 £2,895

This trek is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 3 – 9 people.

Single room supplement: £250

For comparison, this trek starts from £130 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Nepal on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK airline taxes.
• One in-country, return flight between Kathmandu and Tumlingtar by scheduled, fixed-wing aircraft.
• Two return transfers between the airport and the hotel (one on arrival and departure of your international flight and one for departure and arrival of your in-country flight).
• 3 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis.
• 18 nights' full-board lodge ("Tea House") accommodation whilst on trek.
• 1 night, dinner, bed and breakfast, twin-sharing, local hotel Tumlingtar (best-available.)
• Emergency equipment (oxygen for therapeutic use, Portable Hyperbaric Chamber (PAC), Satellite Communicator (either phone or InReach)) – see trip PDF for more details.
• All road transport by private vehicles as per the itinerary.
• All costs for a Jagged Globe Sherpa Leader, Sherpas and porters.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Kathmandu Team members joining on a "land-only", please plan to arrive in Kathmandu on Day 2 no later than 1630, when your services will begin. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and drive to Num (1,505m) It's a 50 minute flight to Tumlingtar (400m), then a bumpy 4 - 5 hour drive to Num. Overnight lodge.
Day 4:	Num (1,505m) to Seduwa (1,530m) Seduwa is on the opposite side of the valley to Num. The village sits among countless rows of terraced fields, all abundant and colourful with crops and flowers. You make a steep descent down through the forest and terraced plots of land all the way to the Arun Khola, before a winding ascent up the other side. Overnight lodge.
Day 5:	Seduwa to Tashigaon (2,065m) From Seduwa the path cuts across the hillside, contouring through quiet villages. You see the locals using buffalo or dzo to plough the fields, as every piece of land possible is being utilised for farming. Tashigaon is another delightful village, adorned with prayer flags and with plentiful crops growing on fertile terraces. Overnight lodge.
Day 6:	Tashigaon (2,065m) to Khongma Dandi (3,562m) A big day with lots of steps - perhaps the toughest day of the trek. You leave the temperate zone behind. Although the moths and butterflies, and assorted dastardly insects, prefer the humid heat near the river, up here we are with the Red Pandas and Himalayan Black Bears. After a big jump in altitude it makes sense to have two nights here. Overnight lodge.
Day 7:	Acclimatisation Day at Khongma Dandi (3,562m)
Day 8:	From Khongma Dandi (3,562m) over the Shipton La (4,257m) and descend to Dobati (3,870m) Today, we enter a landscape more familiar to us as mountain walkers. Passing through rhododendron and juniper scrub, we leave the tree-line, albeit temporarily, to a rockier place where saxifrages and cinquefoils, gentians and anemones, lilies and louseworts gain a footing. You cross a series of high passes including the Shipton La, then descend on good flag-stone steps, to arrive at Dobati. Overnight lodge.
Day 9:	Dobati (3,870m) to Yangle Kharka (3,610m) You head steeply down for 600 metres from scrub rhododendron and through deciduous forest and bamboo groves, following the rocky and muddy bed of a narrow water course. After an hour or so, you join the valley of the Barun Nadi River at about 3,260m. Here, you swing north-west to follow the valley into the mountains. Follow the valley to Yangle Kharka, a small collection of lodges and homesteads situated in a broad meadow. Overight lodge.
Day 10:	Yangle Kharka (3,610m) to Langmale (4,400m) The trail climbs up the valley, through forests of fir and birch before emerging into yak pastures and impressive boulder fields. After 3 hours we have lunch at Tadosa (4,010m) before continuing up into the Alpine zone and our lodge in Langmale. Overnight lodge.
Day 11:	Acclimatisation day (4,400m)
Day 12:	Langmale (4,400m) to Makalu Base Camp (4,800m) You gain height as the valley opens up before veering off to reach base camp at the foot of the South East Ridge. Overnight lodge.
Day 13 - 14:	Makalu Base Camp 4,800m You have two days for exploring around base camp, with the aim of climbing up towards the Advance Base Camp at the start of the Makalu's South East Ridge. Overnight lodge.
Day 15 - 19:	Return trek to Num The return trek is excellent and far more than a reversal of the route upwards to base camp. What you notice is that the season has moved on noticeably, even though you have been away from the lower villages for less than two weeks. With clearer skies, being further out from the monsoon, you will enjoy the most amazing views.
Day 20:	Drive to Tumlingtar Overnight lodge.
Day 21:	Fly Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
Day 22:	At leisure in Kathmandu A chance to explore the bustling capital, with its beautiful temples and bustling markets. Overnight hotel.
Day 23:	Fly home Airport transfer. For those joining "land-only", you should book your flight home today.

PLEASE NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to this itinerary but, as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee that it will be possible. Weather conditions, road conditions, landslides, swollen rivers, fallen or damaged bridges, the health of trekkers and porters can all contribute to enforced changes; perhaps making some of the itinerary impossible. The Leader and our local agent will try to run the trip according to plan, but an easy-going, understanding approach may be helpful at times.

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Reports & Reviews

First Trek: April 2011

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