Nepal · Trekking

23-Day Makalu Base Camp Trek in Nepal with Kathmandu Sightseeing

23 Days Round trip from Kathmandu Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Trek to Makalu Base Camp beneath the world's fifth highest mountain
  • 02 Enjoy fabulous perspectives of the seldom-seen Kangshung face of Everest
  • 03 Walk through terraced Rai farmlands, Rhododendron forests, and cloud forests
  • 04 Explore the dramatic Barun River Valley with steep stone cliffs and glaciers
  • 05 Experience the culture and lifestyle of the Himalayan people in Nepal

Trek to Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,481 m, on this 23-day journey through eastern Nepal. Encounter an assortment of landscapes and cultures as you travel through warm terraced farmland inhabited by the Rai people, Rhododendron forests, cloud forests, the Barun River Valley, and terrain marked by steep stone cliffs and glaciers. Along the way, experience the culture and lifestyle of the Himalayan people in Nepal and enjoy fabulous perspectives of the seldom-seen Kangshung face of Everest.

Trek to Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,481 m, on this 23-day journey through eastern Nepal.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 23 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Kathmandu, Makalu
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu

  • Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport.
  • Meet the representative from Nepal Dream Path.
  • Complete the check-in procedures and meet the rest of the group.

Stay overnight.

The guide will share information regarding the do's and don'ts while staying in Nepal.

2
Day 02

Kathmandu Heritage Sightseeing

  • Get familiar with the World Heritage Sites of Nepal. A trained city guide will explain the heritage sites and their history in detail.
3
Day 03

Fly to Tumlingtar and Drive to Num

  • Start with an early morning breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the domestic airport.
  • Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and enjoy aerial views of the landscapes and gigantic mountains.
  • On reaching Tumlingtar, have lunch.
  • Drive to Num by private vehicle or tourist bus.
  • Witness the beauty of Nepal up close while enjoying the surrounding landscapes, terrains, streams, and more.
  • After reaching Num, drop your luggage at the teahouse and rest there.
4
Day 04

Trek to Seduwa via Arun Valley

  • Today, lose and regain altitude.
  • Climb down to the Arun River and then make a big ascent to Seduwa. The descent to the Arun Valley can be a little tricky at times while passing through the rocky steps.
  • Reach the large cardamom gardens on the way.
  • Cross the suspension bridge over the Arun River.
  • Climb up to Seduwa, passing through groves of bamboo.
  • Reach Seduwa, a small village with a school, small shops, and scattered teahouses.
5
Day 05

Trek to Tashi Gaon

  • Enjoy a pleasant day, despite the harsh ascents and descents.
  • Start with a pleasant climb through dotted farmlands, cardamom gardens, bamboo, and Rhododendron forests.
  • Enjoy the surrounding scenery and listen to the calls of cocos from the trees.
  • Reach Chyaksa Danda, a place with schools and a few teahouses.
  • Pass through dense forest and small streams with comfortable wooden bridges.
  • Reach the destination of the day, Tashi Gaon.
6
Day 06

Trek to Khongma Village

  • After having breakfast at the teahouse, head towards Khongma Village.
  • Start with a pleasant climb through rocky steps, passing through colourful Rhododendron forest.
  • Listen to the calls of treepies and warblers from the trees.
  • Walk for approximately 3 hours and reach the only refreshment stop before Khongma Village, where you will have lunch.
  • Climb past stone rest stops, prayer flags, and mani walls all the way to Khongma Village.
7
Day 07

Acclimatization at Khongma Village

  • Stop at Khongma Village, which is located at an elevation of 3,637 m. Prepare and acclimatize for the higher altitude in the upcoming days.
  • Explore around Khongma Village, or perhaps visit Khongma La Pass, situated at an elevation of 3,890 m, about an hour's climb from the village.

This day is necessary because trekkers can get high-altitude sickness, so the body needs time to acclimatize to the elevation.

8
Day 08

Trek to Mumbak

  • Start with a climb on slightly steep trails penetrating through the Rhododendron forest all the way to the top of the hill.
  • Enjoy magnificent views of mountains like Chamling (7,290 m), Peak 7 (6,195 m), and Peak 6 (6,739 m).
  • Enjoy the surrounding scenery. The final push on the descending trail will lead you to the day's destination, Mumbak Village.
9
Day 09

Trek to Nhe Kharka

  • Lose and gain altitude as you head towards Nhe Kharka, situated at an elevation of 3,700 m.
  • Descend first by 500 m and then ascend on sloppy, muddy trails leading towards the glacial valley.
  • Reach Nhe Kharka, a grassy plain area with limited teahouses, mesmerizing mountains, and surrounding views.
10
Day 10

Trek to Sherson

  • Climb from 3,700 m to 4,615 m to reach Sherson.
  • Walk on the trail leading westwards through alpine tundra. The walk can get a little tricky as you gradually gain height.
  • Reach Sherson; there are no teahouses in between.
  • Rest at the teahouse in Sherson while enjoying views of Pyramid Peak (7,168 m) and Peak 4 (6,720 m).
11
Day 11

Trek to Makalu Base Camp

  • Head towards your dream destination, Makalu Base Camp.
  • Climb over a minor pass of about 100 m.
  • Reach Makalu Base Camp and enjoy views of the south face of the fifth highest mountain in the world, along with clear views of Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse.
  • Spend the rest of the day in a teahouse located at the lap of Mt. Makalu, enjoying the surrounding views.
12
Day 12

Exploration Day at Makalu Base Camp

  • Explore the Makalu Base Camp area.
  • Climb the ridge above Makalu Base Camp to an elevation of around 5,300 m.
  • Cross rivers on a wooden bridge and follow the trail for about 3 hours to a magnificent viewpoint.
  • Experience surreal views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, along with dramatic views of Makalu, Peak 7, Peak 6, and Peak 4.
  • Visit the lakes beyond Makalu Base Camp as another option.
13
Day 13

Trek back to Nhe Kharka

  • Descend on the trail, following your footsteps back to Nhe Kharka.
14
Day 14

Trek back to Mumbuk

  • Trek to Mumbuk, retracing your steps back.
15
Day 15

Trek back to Khongma Village

  • Trek to Khongma Village, retracing your steps back.
16
Day 16

Trek back to Tashi Gaon

  • Trek to Tashi Gaon.
17
Day 17

Trek to Walung Phedi

  • After an early morning breakfast, complete the permit entry process at the National Park office in Seduwa.
  • Continue the journey, passing through the Rai village of Mulgaon.
  • Cross the suspension bridge over Isuwa Khola, descending all the way to Walung Phedi, your destination for the day.
18
Day 18

Trek to Pukuwa

  • Have an early morning breakfast at Walung Phedi.
  • Head towards Pukuwa.
  • Pass through dotted farmlands, forests, and streams to the spread-out Rai village.
  • Experience the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Rai community.
19
Day 19

Trek to Bumling

  • Pass through the forests, following the rocky trail to the Chhetri village of Bumling.
20
Day 20

Trek to Tumlingtar

  • Trek back to Tumlingtar.
  • Following the trail, pass through rice terraces, farmlands, forests, and small streams.
  • Reach Tumlingtar. This is the last trekking day of this long Makalu Base Camp trek.
  • Take a hot shower.
21
Day 21

Fly back to Kathmandu

  • Fly back to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar after breakfast.
  • Reach Kathmandu in 30 minutes and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
22
Day 22

Free Day in Kathmandu

  • This day is free for personal activities.
  • Go shopping.
  • Do a guided tour around Kathmandu Valley with a well-trained city guide for sightseeing in the valley.
23
Day 23

International Departure from Kathmandu

  • Transfer from the hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport.
Makalu Base Camp, Barun River Valley, Khongma La Pass

Where this trip takes you

Makalu Base Camp, Barun River Valley, Khongma La Pass

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kathmandu 2 cities · 23 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All transportation and arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary.
  • Hotel accommodation with BB plan in the city and teahouse or camping during the trek as per the itinerary.
  • Full-day guided tour of Kathmandu, including private vehicle, entry permits, and a well-experienced city guide.
  • All meals during the trek are included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea/coffee.
  • Guide, porters, and other support staff as required.
  • National Park fees and all required permits.
  • General first-aid kits for all.
  • All taxes and fees required for the program.

What's Not Included

  • Meals in the cities.
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills, water, etc.
  • Travel insurance (essential).
  • Personal trekking gear not mentioned in the contract.
  • Tips for staff.
  • Personal first-aid kit.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kathmandu
Tour start
Kathmandu
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 23 days finish where they began, in Kathmandu.

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