Makalu Base Camp Trek

What makes the Barun Valley so special?

The Barun Valley is a virtually uninhabited ecological sanctuary of vertical granite spires, cascading waterfalls, and rare wildlife. Protected inside Makalu Barun National Park, it preserves untouched biodiversity ranging from tropical sal forests to arctic mountain glaciers.

The valley's sheer granite cliffs rival Yosemite in scale, rising directly above lush meadows filled with wildflowers.

It is home to endangered wildlife including the red panda, snow leopard, and over 400 species of birds.

Because no permanent villages exist above Tashigaon, the valley maintains an absolute feeling of remote wilderness.

How physically difficult is the Makalu Base Camp trek?

Makalu Base Camp is widely regarded as one of Nepal's most physically demanding teahouse treks. Trekkers must endure the steep 800 m drop and climb of the Arun gorge, followed by the quadruple pass crossing of Shipton La at 4,210 m in both directions.

The total cumulative elevation gain and loss exceeds that of the Everest Base Camp trek.

Weather in the upper Barun Valley can change rapidly, with cloud and cold rain common even during spring.

Teahouse facilities above Tashigaon are simple, rustic, and operate with limited menus and wood-burning stoves.

Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary, day by day

The full 18 day schedule, with sleeping altitude, walking hours and overnight stop for every day. The acclimatisation days are the ones that decide whether people finish.

1. 1

   Day 1

   Flight to Tumlingtar and drive to Num

   • 1,560 m
   • Up 160 m
   • 50 km
   • 1 h
   • Sleep: Num

   Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar airstrip in the Arun valley and drive by four-wheel-drive jeep up the ridge to Num.

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   The flight offers sweeping aerial views of the eastern Himalayas including Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga.

   Num sits perched high on a ridge looking directly across the steep Arun river canyon.

   Transport: 45 min flight to Tumlingtar, 4 hour jeep drive to Num

   Highlight: Flight views of Makalu and Kanchenjunga

2. 2

   Day 2

   Num to Seduwa

   • 1,500 m
   • Down 60 m
   • 8 km
   • 5 h
   • Sleep: Seduwa

   Descend steeply down into the humid Arun river gorge and climb up the opposite bank to Seduwa.

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   Drop 800 vertical meters through bamboo groves to cross the Arun river suspension bridge.

   Climb stone steps up the opposite wall to register permits at Seduwa national park office.

   Highlight: Crossing the wild Arun River canyon

3. 3

   Day 3

   Seduwa to Tashigaon

   • 2,100 m
   • Up 600 m
   • 9 km
   • 4 to 5 h
   • Sleep: Tashigaon

   Walk past terraced rice paddies and cardamom fields into the scenic Sherpa settlement of Tashigaon.

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   Gentle climbing along hillside contours through fertile farming communities.

   Tashigaon is the last permanent village on the route before entering uninhabited wilderness.

   Highlight: Traditional Sherpa village of Tashigaon

4. 4

   Day 4

   Tashigaon to Khongma Danda

   • 3,500 m
   • Up 1,400 m
   • 8.5 km
   • 6 h
   • Sleep: Khongma Danda

   A steep and unrelenting climb through mossy cloud forests of rhododendron and oak up to Khongma ridge.

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   Ascend thousands of stone steps out of the cloud forest onto an open ridge.

   Khongma ridge offers crisp sunset views across eastern mountain valleys.

   Highlight: Climbing through ancient moss-draped cloud forest

5. 5

   Day 5

   Acclimatization day at Khongma Danda

   • 3,500 m
   • Up 250 m
   • 4 km
   • 3 h
   • Sleep: Khongma Danda

   Spend a vital acclimatization day resting and taking short walks along the ridge before tackling Shipton La.

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   Acclimatization at 3,500 m prepares the body for the quadruple pass crossings ahead.

   Enjoy clear morning views of Mount Chamlang and the peaks of the Barun divide.

   Highlight: Panoramic mountain photography on the ridge

6. 6

   Day 6

   Cross Shipton La to Dobato

   • 3,800 m
   • Up 710 m
   • 11 km
   • 7 to 8 h
   • Sleep: Dobato

   Cross four high alpine passes including Ghungru La, Shipton La (4,210 m), and Keke La before dropping to Dobato.

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   Pass the holy turquoise lake of Kalo Pokhari surrounded by Buddhist prayer flags.

   Shipton La is named after the legendary Himalayan explorer Eric Shipton.

   Descend steeply through pine and birch forest to reach the clearing at Dobato.

   Highlight: Crossing historic Shipton La Pass (4,210 m)

7. 7

   Day 7

   Dobato to Yangle Kharka

   • 3,557 m
   • Down 243 m
   • 10 km
   • 5 to 6 h
   • Sleep: Yangle Kharka

   Descend into the sheer-sided glacial trough of the Barun River valley and follow its rushing alpine waters.

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   Enter one of the deepest mountain gorges on Earth with 1,000-meter granite cliffs on either side.

   Yangle Kharka is an idyllic grassy meadow beside the river with a small Buddhist monastery.

   Highlight: Entering the dramatic Barun River gorge

8. 8

   Day 8

   Yangle Kharka to Langmale Kharka

   • 4,410 m
   • Up 853 m
   • 11 km
   • 5 to 6 h
   • Sleep: Langmale Kharka

   Ascend past alpine pastures, glacial moraines, and cascading waterfalls to high Langmale Kharka.

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   Pass sacred cliffside meditation caves and prayer walls along the valley floor.

   Look up at sheer granite monoliths echoing the geography of Yosemite Valley.

   Highlight: Towering vertical granite walls of Barun Valley

9. 9

   Day 9

   Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp

   • 4,870 m
   • Up 460 m
   • 8 km
   • 4 to 5 h
   • Sleep: Makalu Base Camp

   Climb past the snout of the Barun Glacier onto the high alpine plateau of Makalu Base Camp.

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   Emerge into a massive glacial amphitheater dominated by Mount Makalu (8,485 m).

   The south face of Makalu rises sheer above the base camp in a wall of dark rock and hanging glaciers.

   Highlight: Close-up view of Mount Makalu (8,485 m)

10. 10

    Day 10

    Exploration day at Makalu Base Camp

    • 5,100 m
    • Up 230 m
    • 6 km
    • 4 h
    • Sleep: Makalu Base Camp

    Explore the ridges above the Barun Glacier with panoramas of Everest, Lhotse, and the sheer face of Makalu.

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    Hike to the viewpoint ridge overlooking the Kangshung face of Mount Everest and Lhotse.

    Watch hanging avalanches tumble harmlessly onto the distant Barun glacier.

    Highlight: Viewpoint overlooking Everest and Lhotse

11. 11

    Day 11

    Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka

    • 3,557 m
    • Down 1,313 m
    • 19 km
    • 6 to 7 h
    • Sleep: Yangle Kharka

    Begin the return journey down the Barun valley to the welcoming pastures of Yangle Kharka.

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    Descend alongside roaring glacial streams under the granite walls of the canyon.

    Enjoy richer air and warmer evening temperatures in the valley.

    Highlight: Fast descent with increasing oxygen

12. 12

    Day 12

    Yangle Kharka to Dobato

    • 3,800 m
    • Up 243 m
    • 10 km
    • 5 h
    • Sleep: Dobato

    Climb out of the Barun River valley through birch groves back to Dobato clearing.

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    A steady uphill climb exiting the river canyon floor.

    Rest early in preparation for re-crossing the Shipton La passes.

    Highlight: Final views looking back into Barun gorge

13. 13

    Day 13

    Dobato over Shipton La to Khongma Danda

    • 3,500 m
    • Up 410 m
    • 11 km
    • 6 to 7 h
    • Sleep: Khongma Danda

    Re-cross the scenic Keke La, Shipton La, and Ghungru La passes back to Khongma ridge.

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    Enjoy one last high-altitude view over sacred Kalo Pokhari lake.

    Arrive at Khongma teahouses for hot dal bhat and a restful evening.

    Highlight: Re-crossing the Shipton La passes

14. 14

    Day 14

    Khongma Danda to Tashigaon

    • 2,100 m
    • Down 1,400 m
    • 8.5 km
    • 5 h
    • Sleep: Tashigaon

    Descend the thousands of stone staircases through the cloud forest back to human settlements at Tashigaon.

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    Drop down past mossy rhododendron trunks into warm subtropical air.

    Celebrate with fresh village vegetables and warm Sherpa hospitality.

    Highlight: Return to welcoming village life

15. 15

    Day 15

    Tashigaon to Seduwa

    • 1,500 m
    • Down 600 m
    • 9 km
    • 4 h
    • Sleep: Seduwa

    Walk past terraced hillsides, school courtyards, and cardamom plants to Seduwa.

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    Relaxed walking through rural farming landscapes.

    Check out at the national park administrative gate.

    Highlight: Terraced farming valleys of Sankhuwasabha

16. 16

    Day 16

    Seduwa to Num

    • 1,560 m
    • Up 60 m
    • 8 km
    • 5 h
    • Sleep: Num

    Descend to the Arun river suspension bridge and tackle the final 800-meter climb up to Num ridge.

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    The steep ascent up to Num provides a rewarding final workout.

    Reach the roadhead teahouse for celebration drinks with your guide and porter crew.

    Highlight: Conquering the steep Arun river climb

17. 17

    Day 17

    Num drive to Tumlingtar

    • 510 m
    • Down 1,050 m
    • 50 km
    • 0 h
    • Sleep: Tumlingtar (Hotel)

    Drive down the mountain ridge back to Tumlingtar beside the wide Arun river.

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    Scenic bumpy jeep drive through lush foothills and bazaar towns.

    Stay at a comfortable hotel adjacent to Tumlingtar airport.

    Transport: 4 hour jeep drive from Num to Tumlingtar

    Highlight: Return to Tumlingtar valley

18. 18

    Day 18

    Flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu

    • 1,400 m
    • Up 890 m
    • 180 km
    • 0 h
    • Sleep: Kathmandu (Hotel)

    Fly back to Kathmandu with breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas.

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    Reflect on completing one of Nepal's most wild and demanding base camp expeditions.

    Transfer to hotel in Kathmandu for warm showers and celebration.

    Transport: 45 min flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu

    Highlight: Scenic flight over the Himalayan range

What is included and what is not

Demanding high-altitude crossing of Shipton La at 4,210 m with steep climbs and descents. The upper Barun valley is remote with simple teahouses and unpredictable mountain weather.

Permits for the Makalu Base Camp Trek

• Makalu Barun National Park Permit

  Issued by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation

  Foreign

  NPR 3,000

  SAARC

  NPR 1,500

  National park conservation permit obtained in Kathmandu or at the Seduwa entrance gate.

• Makalu Rural Municipality Entry Fee

  Issued by Makalu Rural Municipality

  Foreign

  NPR 2,000

  SAARC

  NPR 1,000

  Local government infrastructure development fee paid at checkpost.

What to pack

High physical stamina for steep mountain stairs, rugged moraine trails, and significant cumulative elevation gain and loss.

Frequently asked questions