At a glance: A 16-day moderate trek, reaching 4,210 m. Best season: Spring and Autumn. From $1,370 per person.
Makalu Base Camp Trek Highlights
Scenic Beauty: The trek takes you through a variety of landscapes, from lush subtropical forests to alpine meadows and glacial valleys. The views of Makalu, the fifth-highest peak in the world, are truly spectacular.
Makalu Barun National Park: This protected area is known for its rich biodiversity, including rare animals like the red panda, snow leopard, and various bird species. The park is also home to unique plant life and stunning natural scenery.
Cultural Experience: You'll encounter traditional Sherpa and Rai villages, giving you a glimpse into the local culture and way of life. The local hospitality and traditional practices add a cultural depth to your trek.
Diverse Ecosystems: The trek passes through different ecological zones, from subtropical forests to high-altitude deserts. This diversity provides a rich variety of flora and fauna to observe.
Challenging Trek: The trek is considered one of the more challenging routes in Nepal due to its remote location and rugged terrain. It's perfect for those seeking a less-traveled path and a true adventure.
Remote and Peaceful: The Makalu Base Camp Trek is less crowded compared to other popular treks, offering a more tranquil and serene trekking experience.
Base Camp Experience: Reaching Makalu Base Camp at 4,870 meters (16,040 feet) is a major highlight, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.
Trip Overview
The Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of the longest but most rewarding treks in the Makalu Arun Valley region of Nepal. Mount Makalu (8,463 m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world, is one of the main attractions of the route.
The itinerary begins with a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar Airport, followed by a 15-minute, 13 km jeep ride to Khandbari, where you will spend one night in a pre-booked hotel room.
The next day, you will take a pre-booked jeep for a 4-hour journey from Num to Chamla Kharka. There, you will leave your jeep and start your real Makalu Trek.
The trekking route from Chamla Kharka passes through the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area, leading to Shipton La (4,210 m) before descending into the Barun Valley to Yangle Kharka. After a day of acclimatization in Yangle Kharka, you will head to Makalu Base Camp, your hiking destination.
After a day exploring the surroundings of Makalu Base Camp, you will follow the same route back to Chamla Kharka, where you will catch your pre-booked jeep and travel back to Khandbari and then to Tumlingtar.
Nowadays, as teahouses with limited facilities are available up to Makalu Base Camp, you can enjoy a light teahouse trek at your own pace with the help of a local porter guide.
Best Time to Trek Makalu Base Camp
The best times to trek to Makalu Base Camp are indeed during the spring and autumn seasons, which offer the most favorable weather and trekking conditions. Here’s a detailed look at these optimal periods:
Spring (March to June)
Weather: Spring brings mild temperatures, clearer skies, and blooming flowers. This season provides excellent visibility and a vibrant landscape, enhancing the trekking experience.
Trails: The trails are generally in good condition with minimal risk of heavy snowfall or landslides. This is ideal for trekking and ensures a more pleasant experience.
Crowds: The trails are relatively less crowded compared to the peak summer trekking season, offering a more serene experience.
Autumn (September to November)
Weather: Autumn offers stable weather, clear skies, and mild temperatures, which are perfect for trekking. The crisp air and clear views make for stunning panoramic vistas of the Himalayas.
Trails: The trails are usually well-maintained and less likely to be obstructed by weather-related issues. This is a great time to avoid the monsoon’s lingering effects and enjoy stable trekking conditions.
Crowds: Similar to spring, autumn sees fewer trekkers compared to the peak season, providing a more peaceful journey through the Himalayas.
Times to Avoid
Early March: Heavy snowfall can make the trails, especially around Makalu Base Camp and Jak Kharka, challenging and less safe.
Monsoon Season (June to August): The monsoon can bring heavy rains and increased risk of landslides, making trekking conditions difficult and less enjoyable.
Overall, both spring and autumn are excellent choices for trekking to Makalu Base Camp, with spring offering the charm of blooming flora and autumn providing breathtaking clear skies and fewer trekkers.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Tumlingtar and Jeep Ride to Num Village Day 2: Trek to Sedua Day 3: Trek to Tashigaon Day 4: Trek to Khongma Danda Day 5: Trek to Dobate via Shipton La Pass Day 6: Trek to Yangle Kharka Day 7: Trek to Langmale Kharka Day 8: Trek to Makalu Base Camp Day 9: Exploration Day at Makalu Base Camp Day 10: Return to Yangle Kharka Day 11: Trek to Dobate Day 12: Trek to Khongma Danda Day 13: Trek to Tashigaon Day 14: Trek to Num Village Day 15: Jeep Ride to Tumlingtar Day 16: Flight to Kathmandu
16 days on the trail: altitude, walking time, stays and meals for each day.
Altitude profileMax 4,870 m
Start · Day 1
518 m
Peak · Day 8
4,870 m
Finish · Day 16
1,355 m
16 days · , 2 flights · , highest overnight 4,870 m
Day 01Flight to Tumlingtar and Jeep Ride to Num VillageFlightKathmandu1,355 m→toNum Village518 m▼Descent of 837 mWalking: 30 min flight / Jeep rideStay: HotelMeals: Breakfast
Begin your journey with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. Upon arrival, take a jeep ride to Num village, interact with locals, and stay overnight in a local teahouse.
Day 02Trek to SeduaNum Village518 m→toSedua1,500 m▲Climb of 982 mWalking: 4-5 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Depart from Num village towards Sedua along the picturesque Arun River valley, passing terraced farmlands and alpine meadows. Overnight in Sedua.
Day 03Trek to TashigaonSedua1,500 m→toTashigaon2,100 m▲Climb of 600 mWalking: 4-5 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Continue your trek from Sedua to Tashigaon, ascending through lush forests, serene environments, and rich biodiversity within Makalu Barun National Park. Overnight in Tashigaon.
Day 04Trek to Khongma DandaTashigaon2,100 m→toKhongma Danda3,500 m▲Climb of 1,400 mWalking: 5-6 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Ascend through challenging high-altitude terrain requiring careful acclimatization to reach Khongma Danda, rewarded with panoramic Himalayan views. Overnight in Khongma Danda.
Day 05Trek to Dobate via Shipton La PassKhongma Danda3,500 m→toDobate4,170 m▲Climb of 670 mWalking: 6-7 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cross the Shipton La Pass at 4,210 meters, entering the upper Barun River valley with close-up views of Makalu and Chamlang Himal peaks. Descend and overnight in Dobate.
Day 06Trek to Yangle KharkaDobate4,170 m→toYangle Kharka3,557 m▼Descent of 613 mWalking: 5-6 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Descend into Yangle Kharka, a protected alpine meadow area known for Himalayan yaks and scenic river views. Overnight in Yangle Kharka.
Day 07Trek to Langmale KharkaYangle Kharka3,557 m→toLangmale Kharka4,410 m▲Climb of 853 mWalking: 4-5 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Continue trekking through serene high-altitude landscapes, passing traditional settlements and engaging with local communities on the way to Langmale Kharka. Overnight in Langmale Kharka.
Day 08Trek to Makalu Base CampLangmale Kharka4,410 m→toMakalu Base Camp4,870 m▲Climb of 460 mWalking: 4-5 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Reach the highlight of your journey at Makalu Base Camp, situated at 4,870 meters with majestic views of the world's fifth-highest mountain, Mount Makalu. Overnight at Makalu Base Camp.
Day 09Exploration Day at Makalu Base CampMakalu Base Camp4,870 mWalking: -Stay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Spend a full day exploring Makalu Base Camp and its surrounding glacial terrain, taking in the historical significance and breathtaking panoramic mountain views. Overnight at Makalu Base Camp.
Day 10Return to Yangle KharkaMakalu Base Camp4,870 m→toYangle Kharka3,557 m▼Descent of 1,313 mWalking: 5-6 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin the return journey by descending back down the Barun Valley to Yangle Kharka, appreciating the diverse landscapes and biodiversity. Overnight in Yangle Kharka.
Day 11Trek to DobateYangle Kharka3,557 m→toDobate3,070 m▼Descent of 487 mWalking: 5-6 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Retrace your trail upstream past alpine vegetation and river streams to arrive back at Dobate. Overnight in Dobate.
Day 12Trek to Khongma DandaDobate3,070 m→toKhongma Danda3,500 m▲Climb of 430 mWalking: 6-7 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Continue the return journey by climbing back over Shipton La Pass and descending to Khongma Danda, soaking in final panoramic mountain views. Overnight in Khongma Danda.
Day 13Trek to TashigaonKhongma Danda3,500 m→toTashigaon2,100 m▼Descent of 1,400 mWalking: 4-5 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Descend steeply through the rich biodiversity and lush forests of Makalu Barun National Park back to Tashigaon village. Overnight in Tashigaon.
Day 14Trek to Num VillageTashigaon2,100 m→toNum Village1,560 m▼Descent of 540 mWalking: 4-5 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Continue your descent through terraced farmlands and local hill villages to complete your walking journey at Num village. Overnight in Num village.
Day 15Jeep Ride to TumlingtarNum Village1,560 m→toTumlingtar518 m▼Descent of 1,042 mWalking: 4 hoursStay: Tea HouseMeals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Board a pre-booked jeep from Num village for the scenic drive back to Tumlingtar, reflecting on your memorable trekking expedition. Overnight in Tumlingtar.
Day 16Flight to KathmanduFlightTumlingtar518 m→toKathmandu1,355 m▲Climb of 837 mWalking: 30 min flightStay: HotelMeals: Breakfast
Take an early morning flight from Tumlingtar back to Kathmandu, concluding your unforgettable 16-day Makalu Base Camp adventure.
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What's Included
Everything your trip price covers, and what to budget for separately.
Your $1,370 covers
Per person, from price
10 items
Round-trip flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, including both onward and return journeys.
Shared jeep transportation between Tumlingtar and Num.
Three meals daily featuring a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Chinese, Nepali, Indian, and European options, selected from a menu. Includes tea and coffee.
Comfortable lodge accommodation throughout the trek.
Experienced, government-licensed, English-speaking trekking guide knowledgeable about the region.
One porter for every two to three participants; additional cost for solo clients requiring a porter.
Guide and porter's expenses covered, including food, lodging, salary, insurance, transportation, flight tickets, and equipment.
Barun National Park permit and TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) permit.
Comprehensive first aid kit available during the trek.
Trekking gear provided, such as sleeping bags and down jackets, if you do not have your own
Budget separately
4 items
Nepal visa fee
Insurance and Emergency Heli Evacuation
Extra expenses like beverages, laundry, battery charges
Tipping
Peaceful Nepal Traveler Reviews
Recent reviews from travelers across all our treks and tours.
Anna ISep 2026
Great Trek to ABC
I completed the Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill trek with my partner through Peaceful Nepal in May 2026 and had an amazing time! Bishnu was an amazing guide throughout the experience, organising everything and answering all our questions. He was able to change our itinerary on the trek to suit our walking pace and the conditions each day. Bishnu handled all the logistics throughout the trip, including airport pickup, transfers to Pokhara and our bus to Chitwan after, and accomodation. All accomodation we stayed at was pleasant and clean. The trek itself was also amazing! Would definitely recommend both ABC and Peaceful Nepal.
TravelerSep 2026
Excellent ABC experience
I have just completed the Annapurna Base Camp trek and would like to sincerely thank my guide, Som Giri, and my porter, Nepal Giri, for making this 6-day journey such a wonderful and memorable experience.Som Giri was an excellent guide — highly professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly caring throughout the trek. He always paid close attention to my pace, health, and comfort, and shared valuable insights about the mountains, local culture, and daily trekking routes. His calm attitude and experience gave me great confidence and peace of mind every day.Nepal Giri was equally outstanding. He was strong, reliable, and always smiling, even on the most challenging sections of the trail. His support and positive energy truly made a big difference, and I felt well taken care of during the entire journey.Both Som Giri and Nepal Giri went above and beyond their duties, showing genuine care, teamwork, and professionalism. I really appreciated having fruit every day, which made a big difference…
AAmit KAug 2026
Langtang Trek
I had an unforgettable 7-day trek through the Langtang Valley, climbing all the way up to Tserko Ri at 4,985 meters. Really enjoyed the snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, countless waterfalls and incredible wildlife (if you’re lucky you might spot a rare red panda) throughout the trek. Huge thanks to my guide Bishnu from Peaceful Nepal Treks and Tours. His deep knowledge of every trail, wildflowers and wildlife along the way made this adventure truly special.
My partner and I did the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Peaceful Treks and it was an amazing experience!! Bishnu was great to plan with, accomodating our requests for an extra day in Kathmandu at the start and always replying to any requests we had promptly.When we started hiking Bishnu was flexible with the itinerary to allow us to go at the pace we wanted to walk. He always checked in and had some fun facts about Annapurna and Nepal in general and it was great getting to know him.Overall it was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend Peaceful Treks.Also Bishnu made sure to grab some pics and sent them to us after, see attached :)
DDamayanthi SMay 2026
18 days Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit combined trek!
Namaste!I did a 18 days trekking tour covering the Manaslu and Annapurna circuit combined with peaceful Nepal trek and it was absolute perfection.Started with the planning phase where email and what's app inquiries were answered immediately and the itinerary was planned together and agreed upon.The trek was long and hard but this team made it bearable by always finding good accomodations (95% of my room has electric socket to charge my electronics , attached toilet which is a huge advantage and good food).The guide also brought along medical kit (which many company doesnt) and often was being asked to share medical supplies/medicine to others.Bonus is the guide love to take pictures and videos along the way so you can get nice documentation too even when you are too lazy to get your camera/phone out.Main highlights on this trip :1. Manaslu basecamp : not too many people come here for "rest day" but we made it. It was HARD but i am glad we did it. One of the best experiences on this tr…
