Makalu Base Camp & Barun Valley Trek

Makalu Base Camp & Barun Valley Trek within duration of more than two weeks of 19 days, where adventure takes you to Nepal Far Eastern Himalaya at the base of world’s 5^th highest Mt. Makalu stands at above 8,463 m and 27, 766 ft high first ascent by French and Swiss Expeditions in May 15^th, 1955.

Since then this scenic areas of Makalu Base Camp within Arun and Barun valleys has been less ventured and trekked by main flow of adventurer within remote region of Nepal Far East Himalaya.

Makalu Base Camp Trekking will be an exciting and awesome experience to achieve in your lifetime adventure standing at the foot of towering Mt. Makalu within ice and glaciers that surrounds you at the base camp.

Makalu Base Camp Trekking although a long duration adventure but worth each moments of the walk and drives to start and end of the journey, where a long interesting overland ride takes you at warm and scenic low valley of Arun River at Tumlingtar farm town.

From Tumlingtar where our actual adventure begins to reach at hill village of Num inhabited by mix tribes of people of the eastern region with mostly Rai, some Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Newar and Hindu Brahmin and Chettries living a simple farm life with fascinating culture to witness.

Walk leads on ups and downhill path to reach at Tashi-Gaon the last village of Sanka-Sauva district of Makalu zone, populated with Sherpa people, from here heading towards high alpine country walking into forest of rhododendron-magnolia-pines-oaks and fir tree lines, and soon fades for short bushed on reaching at scenic ridge within Kongma Hill.

From Kongma super views of Baruntse, Makalu and as far towards Kanchenjunga massif in the east direction enjoying scenery as walk leads on ridges over Shipton and Keke-la passes to reach at beautiful Barun valley.

Barun valley well hidden enclosed by high rocky cliffs and hills with series of peaks, where villagers from low area brings their cattle in summer time for grazing, while our trek continues at the end of Barun valley to reach our goal and destination at Makalu Base Camp.

Makalu Base Camp offers dramatic views of high peaks includes rare Mt. Everest East Face known as Kangshun face, with glorious moments exploring around view-points for super panorama of surrounding high mountains.

After a great time around Makalu Base Camp where our route leads on the same scenic trail back at Num with drive back to Kathmandu though Tumlingtar town, with outstanding adventure and experience on Makalu Base Camp Trekking.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar by bus-20/22 hrs.
Day 02: Drive to Num 1,500 m / 4,921 ft- 04/5 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Seduwa 1,493 m/4,898 ft – 04/5 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Tashi Gaon 2,100 m/6,889 ft- 04/5 hrs.
Day 05: Trek Kohma Danda 3,500 m/11,482 ft- 05/6 hrs.
Day 06: Rest day at Kohama Danda for acclimatization.
Day 07: Trek to Mumbuk 3,400 m/11,154 ft – 06/7 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Nehe Kharka 3,750 m/12,303- 05/6 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Langmale Kharka 4,410 m/ 14,468 ft – 05/6 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Makalu Base Camp 4,870 m/ 15,978 ft – 06/7 hrs. Day 11: Explore Makalu Base Camp.
Day 12: Trek to Yangre Kharka 3,645 m/11,958 ft – 06/7 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Mumbuk 3,400 m/11,154 ft – 05/6 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Kohma Danda 3,500 m/11,482 ft – 05/6 hrs.
Day 15: Trek to Tashigaon 2,100 m/6,889 ft- 04/5 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Seduwa 1,493 m/4,898 ft – 04/5 hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Num 1,500 m/4,921 ft- 04/5 hrs.
Day 18: Drive back to Tumlingtar-04/6 hrs.
Day 19: Drive back to Kathmandu- 20/22 hrs.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar by bus-12/14 hrs.
Starting Makalu base camp trekking with an adventure of long interesting drive from Kathmandu to reach around Nepal Far East region at Sanka-Sauva district within Makalu zone in Tumlingtar town.

Drive leads through exciting places where on this overland journey covers farm villages and towns allows you to observe more of Nepal rural and traditional life till drive ends at Tumlingtar.

Day 02: Drive to Num 1,500 m / 4,921 ft- 04/5 hrs.
From Tumlingtar within sub-tropical farm areas where another local jeep drive takes you to cooler hills at Num village for overnight, as drive leads above Arun valley past Khandbari town to reach at hill village of Num with views of Makalu and Baruntse peaks.

Day 03: Trek to Seduwa 1,493 m/4,898 ft - 04/5 hrs.
First day starts with long descend for an hour to cross over a bridge above Arun River, and then uphill to Seduwa village, walking past Runmura a small farm village with gradual climb to Seduwa village for overnight stop and camp.

Day 04: Trek to Tashi Gaon 2,100 m/6,889 ft- 04/5 hrs.
From Seduwa farm village, a short day walk day morning walk leads you winding gradual path to reach at Tashi-Gaon a moderate size farm village populated by Sherpa community.

This is the last village on the way to Makalu base camp, where walk leads around farm area to reach Tashigaon for lunch and overnight camp, here with time to explore the village of great interest around to witness Sherpa Buddhist culture and age-old traditional life.

Day 05: Trek Kohma Danda 3,500 m/11,482 ft- 05/6 hrs.
With pleasant time at Tashi Gaon around its last farm settlement for a week, morning walk leads to gradual path within dense forest of rhododendron, oaks and pines trees past several cattle herder’s shelters and shades.

Walking for few hours on good moderate trail where afternoon walk leads to a climb for few hours to reach on top Kongma ridge, where tall trees fades to small rhododendron and juniper bushes.

Overnight camp is set overlooking views of world third high Mt. Kanchenjunga with Mt. Makalu and adjoining peaks.

Day 06: Rest day at Kohma Danda for acclimatization.
Enjoy free day at Kohma Danda allows you to acclimatize well at this high altitude, a perfect spot for rest and short hike to support with acclimatization, where you witness super views of mountains and unique landscapes from this scenic area of Kohma Danda.

Day 07: Trek to Mumbuk 3,400 m/11,154 ft - 06/7 hrs.
From Kongma walk leads to complete wilderness following a ridge with few ups and down to reach at glacial ponds of Thulo Pokhari (large) with Sano Pokhari(small), and then cross over Tutu-la and Shipton la above 4, 453 m high passes, with downhill heading back into dense forest to our overnight camp in the midst of tree lines at place called Mumbuk.

Day 08: Trek to Nehe Kharka 3,750 m/12,303- 05/6 hrs.
Morning walks heads down toward scenic Barun valley, a scenic place as well famous for rare species of vegetation- plants that’s almost lost in this part of the world, where medicinal herbs and mountain animals are found around.

On reaching Barun valley, walk leads to gradual up with views of peaks on both sides of the valley and then encountering several Yak herder shelters and a small Buddhist Gompa (monastery), after a nice good walk reaching to our overnight camp at Nehe Kharka with scenic Barun valley.

Day 09: Trek to Langmale Kharka 4,410 m/ 14,468 ft - 05/6 hrs.
From Barun valley trek to Langmale Kharka near to a place called Shersong situated at the end of Barun valley on route close to Makalu base camp as walk lead to slow uphill then crossing streams with views of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse peaks, after a good walk of the day reaching at Langmale Kharka for overnight stop.

Day 10: Trek to Makalu Base Camp 4,870 m/ 15,978 ft-06/7 hrs.
After this camp at Langmale Kharka where walk today leads to our main highlight and destination at Makalu Base Camp, as walk climbs on high path over moraine and ice within rocky areas to reach at Makalu base camp, located close to a glacial icy pond next to Baruntse Himal.

Our overnight stops beneath towering South Face of Mt. Makalu, with time to explore and enjoy views of surrounding high peaks.

Day 11:     Explore Makalu Base Camp.
Rest day at Makalu base camp within great views of Mt. Makalu, Baruntse Himal and peak IV, options for hike for more scenic panorama where you can see Mt. Everest and its rare East Face known as Kangshung with Mt. Lhotse.

Day 12: Trek to Yangre Kharka 3,645 m/11,958 ft - 06/7 hrs.
From Makalu base camp retrace the walk back towards lower Barun valley to reach at Yangle Kharka for overnight stop enclosed within high rocky cliffs, offering views of waterfalls.

Day 13: Trek to Mumbuk 3,400 m/11,154 ft - 05/6 hrs.
After a great wonderful time within scenic Barun valley, walk leads towards the end of Barun valley and then climb back into forest at Mumbuk for overnight camp.

Day 14: Trek to Kohma Danda 3,500 m/11,482 ft - 05/6 hrs.
Morning heading back on the same scenic trail to Kongma ridge, starting with a climb for an hour into forest areas to reach a ridge after leaving tree lines, as walk leads past the glacial ponds and over Tutu la and Shipton la to Kongma hill for overnight stop.

Day 15: Trek to Tashi-Gaon 2,100 m/6,889 ft- 04/5 hrs.
Ending our high altitude walk as morning route leads with long downhill into forest of tall tree lines to reach at Tashi Gaon, with time in the afternoon for walks around Nawa or Narbu gaon village to explore nice farm village.

Day 16: Trek to Seduwa 1,493 m/4,898 ft - 04/5 hrs.
Morning walk leads as route follows to Seduwa village, a pleasant morning walk taking time to observe local village farm life as our day ends at Seduwa for overnight stop.

Day 17: Trek to Num 1,500 m/4,921 ft- 04/5 hrs.
From here our last day walk of the adventure following a path with long descend on steep path to reach Arun River, after crossing over a bridge where last steep climb takes you to Num village for last overnight around high hills of Makalu Himalaya.

Day 18: Drive back to Tumlingtar-04/6 hrs.
Morning where our adventure and walks completes taking an exciting drive to reach Tumlingtar heading past farm land and Khandbari town finally drive ends at Tumlingtar with time to stroll around this interesting town, observe local culture and traditional life of eastern Nepal.

Day 19: Drive back to Kathmandu- 12/14 hrs.                                                                                                      Starting early morning for long overland journey to reach back to Kathmandu with some options either fly to Biratnagar to back to Kathmandu, where drive leads you over high hills and with long descend countering hill road past many villages and towns till Kathmandu is reached after a long interesting drive.

Cost Information

Equipment

FOR HEAD

1. Sun hat / Scarf
2. Sun glasses and Head light

FOR UPPER BODY

1. Water Proof Jacket
2. Down Jacket / Warm Jacket
3. Light Weight T-shirt (At least 1 pair)

FOR LOWER BODY

1. Water Proof Pants
2. Running tights
3. Light Weight Pant

FOR HAND

1. Gloves

FOR FEET

1. Thin Inner socks (At least 2 pairs)
2. Woolen socks
3. Trekking boots (preferred comfortable boots)

OTHER ACCESSORIES

1. Sleeping bag
2. Water bottle etc
3. Suncream
4. Water purification tablets
5. Toiletries (Toilet paper etc)
6. Warm hat
7. Trekking Bag Etc.

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