Makalu Base Camp Trek at a glance
How the grades compare across routes: Nepal trek difficulty grades explained.
Overview
The Makalu Base Camp Trek climbs from the hot, terraced Arun valley to the foot of Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain, through Makalu-Barun National Park. From Num the route drops to the Arun river, then climbs through the Rai and Sherpa villages of Seduwa and Tashigaon before crossing the Shipton La area, a high ridge with small lakes, into the upper Barun valley.
The Barun valley is the reason most people come. It narrows into a deep glacial trough with granite walls and waterfalls, then opens out below Makalu's south face at base camp, with Chamlang and Baruntse nearby. The national park protects some of Nepal's least disturbed forest, from rhododendron and fir to alpine meadow.
Lodges are basic and widely spaced, and the stages over the Shipton La and up the Barun are long, so this is a trek for people who have already done a teahouse route and want a quieter, wilder one. The itinerary includes acclimatisation time at Khongma before the high crossing. Licence-verified guides you contact directly can tell you how they handle the permits, lodges and weather on this route.
🌟 Trail Highlights
- Makalu's south face from base camp, with Chamlang and Baruntse nearby
- The upper Barun valley, a deep glacial trough with granite walls and waterfalls
- Crossing the Shipton La area past the Kalo Pokhari lakes
- Rai and Sherpa villages of Seduwa and Tashigaon
- Forest of Makalu-Barun National Park, from rhododendron to alpine meadow
- A quiet route with very few other trekkers
Makalu Base Camp Trek itinerary
- Day 1
Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, drive to Num
A short flight to Tumlingtar in the Arun valley, then a 4–5 hour jeep ride to Num, a ridge-top village above the Arun river.
- Day 2
Num to Seduwa
A steep descent through fields to the Arun river, then a long climb up the far side to Seduwa, where the national park permit is checked.
- Day 3
Seduwa to Tashigaon
A shorter day through villages, cardamom fields and forest to Tashigaon, the last permanent settlement on the route.
- Day 4
Tashigaon to Khongma Danda
A long, steep climb through rhododendron and fir forest to Khongma Danda on a ridge. Take it slowly; this is a big height gain.
- Day 5
Acclimatisation day at Khongma Danda
A rest day before the high crossing, with a short hike up the ridge for views of Makalu and Chamlang.
- Day 6
Khongma Danda to Dobato over the Shipton La
The hardest day on the approach: over Shipton La and Keke La (both roughly 4,100–4,200 m), past the Kalo Pokhari lakes, then down to Dobato. Snow can lie here in spring.
- Day 7
Dobato to Yangri Kharka
A steep descent into the Barun valley, then up the river through forest and past waterfalls to the pasture of Yangri Kharka.
- Day 8
Yangri Kharka to Langmale Kharka
Climbing up the valley as the forest gives way to open meadow and moraine, with the first big views of Makalu.
- Day 9
Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp
A gradual climb along the Barun glacier's moraine to base camp, directly below Makalu's south face.
- Day 10
Exploration day at Makalu Base Camp
Walk up the moraine above base camp for views of Makalu, Lhotse and Everest on a clear day, then return to camp.
- Day 11
Makalu Base Camp to Yangri Kharka
Retrace the route down the Barun valley in one long descent.
- Day 12
Yangri Kharka to Dobato
Back down the valley and up the steep climb to Dobato.
- Day 13
Dobato to Khongma Danda over the Shipton La
Recross the Keke La and Shipton La ridge to Khongma Danda.
- Day 14
Khongma Danda to Tashigaon
A long, knee-testing descent through forest back to Tashigaon.
- Day 15
Tashigaon to Seduwa
A short day down through villages to Seduwa.
- Day 16
Seduwa to Num
Down to the Arun river and the final steep climb back up to Num.
- Day 17
Drive Num to Tumlingtar
A jeep ride back down to Tumlingtar. Overnight near the airstrip.
- Day 18
Fly Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
A morning flight back to Kathmandu. Keep a spare day in case the flight is delayed.
This trek climbs above 3,000 m, where the pace of the climb matters. See our guide to altitude sickness on Nepal treks for how to prevent, spot and respond to it.
Best time to trek
The best months for the Makalu Base Camp Trek are Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
How does it compare with other routes? See our month-by-month guide to trekking in Nepal.
Permits & costs
- Permit & park fees
- US$40 + NPR 5,000 per person (≈ US$72 in total)
- Guide day rates
- $30–$35 per day, set by the guides below
- Makalu-Barun National Park (NPR 3,000, about USD 19): buy it in Kathmandu or at the park gate at Seduwa, the first village after the steep drop from Num to the Arun; keep it with you, as park staff can ask to see it.
- Makalu area restricted-area permit: operators report about USD 20 per person per week for the first 4 weeks, and the Nepal Tourism Board lists Makalu rural municipality ward 4 and Bhotkhola as restricted. Your agency will know whether your exact route needs it.
- TIMS card (NPR 2,000, about USD 13): "Makalu Basecamp Trek" appears on the Nepal Tourism Board's list of routes where a licensed guide and an agency-issued card are compulsory.
- Fees and the restricted-area rate can change between seasons; get the current amounts from your agency.
Every fee and rule, trek by trek: our guide to Nepal trekking permits. Which routes need a licensed guide: do you need a guide to trek in Nepal? What a day rate covers, tips and flights: how much a trekking guide costs in Nepal.
Getting there & back
Getting to the trailhead takes two stages: a short flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar in the Arun valley (about 45–50 minutes), then a 4–5 hour jeep ride up a rough road to Num. You walk back to Num and reverse the journey. Tumlingtar flights are weather-dependent and the Num road can be cut by post-monsoon landslides, and there are no ATMs beyond Tumlingtar, so carry enough rupees and keep a spare day at the end.
📸 Trail Checkpoints & Scenery Gallery
Makalu Base Camp Trek FAQs
How difficult is the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
It is strenuous. The route has big daily height gains and losses, a long crossing of the Shipton La area at about 4,100–4,200 m, and several 6–8 hour days. No technical skills are needed, but you should have done a multi-day trek before and be comfortable with basic lodges.
What permits do I need?
You need the Makalu-Barun National Park entry permit, and operators also report a Makalu Rural Municipality permit of about USD 20 per person per week. The Nepal Tourism Board lists Makalu Base Camp among the routes that need a TIMS card (NPR 2,000) and a licensed guide. Your agency will arrange these with your licensed guide.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. Since April 2023 foreign trekkers must use a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas, and the route is remote, with long stretches between lodges and little phone signal. A guide also helps with lodge availability above Tashigaon, which can be limited.
What is the accommodation like?
There are simple teahouses at the main stops, but they are basic and few: shared rooms, simple meals and limited electricity, especially above Khongma. In bad weather or busy weeks some groups carry tents as back-up.
How do I avoid altitude sickness?
The itinerary includes a rest day at Khongma Danda before crossing the Shipton La, and climbs gradually up the Barun valley to base camp. Drink plenty of water, walk at a steady pace and tell your guide about symptoms early. If they worsen, descend.
When is the best time to go?
October and November usually bring clear, stable weather and the best mountain views. March to May is also good, with rhododendrons in flower lower down, though the Shipton La can still hold snow early in spring. Avoid the monsoon (June–September), when the trails are muddy and leech-ridden.
Is there mobile coverage on the trek?
Coverage is generally available up to Tashigaon but becomes unreliable beyond the Shipton La and is absent in the upper Barun valley. Plan to be out of contact for several days and carry a power bank, since charging is limited.
Guides who lead the Makalu Base Camp Trek
Every one of them is licence-verified by our compliance team. Open a profile to read about them, then send your dates — they reply to you directly with their own price.
