Makalu Base Camp Trek

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,593 ft), your guide will come to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Once settled, you will have a meeting with the owner of Majestic Trails Nepal at the hotel to go through a detailed briefing about the Makalu Base Camp trek.

 During this session, you will review permits, the route, trekking gear, and other important details for the journey ahead. In the evening, relax and enjoy your first taste of Kathmandu, preparing yourself for the adventure that begins the next day.

Early in the morning, you will take a flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar Airport (460 m / 1,509 ft). Tumlingtar is a small airstrip nestled in the Arun Valley, surrounded by the first ridges of the eastern Himalayas. Upon arrival, you will feel the immediate contrast: the hustle of Kathmandu replaced by the peaceful rural valley, with rivers rushing and terraced fields spreading along the mountainsides.

From Tumlingtar, you will take a private vehicle for approximately 3–4 hours to reach Sedua (also called Seduwa) at 1,400 m / 4,593 ft, which marks the entry point to the Makalu Barun National Park. The drive passes through the district headquarters of Khadbari (approx. 340 m / 1,115 ft), where you may stop briefly. With the advancement of the road, the vehicle can now enter deep into the buffer zone of the national park, cutting down walking time. Along the way, the landscape changes constantly: lowland farmland, forests of rhododendron and bamboo, and small villages of Sherpa, Rai, and Limbu communities. The river gorges deepen as you approach Sedua, and the scent of the Himalayan forests mingles with the fresh mountain air.

Sedwa is your first overnight stop. This is the last major village before the high Himalayan wilderness. Here, you will check in at a teahouse or lodge, organize your gear, and spend time acclimatizing to the lower Himalayan altitude. Sedwa is surrounded by small terraced farms, and the locals primarily engage in subsistence farming and hospitality for trekkers. You will have the chance to enjoy local cuisine, such as rice, potatoes, and dal bhat, and relax in the communal spaces of the lodge.

After a night in Sedua, the entry point of Makalu Barun National Park, you will begin your trek by leaving behind the last signs of lowland village life. The trail starts gently, passing through small settlements and farmlands, before entering the dense, ancient forests of rhododendron, fir, and bamboo. Crossing the Burun River multiple times on wooden bridges, you will gradually gain elevation, feeling the temperature drop and the air grow crisp.

After several hours of steady walking, you will reach Tashi at 2,100 m (6,890 ft), the last permanent Sherpa settlement along the route. This village, with about 80 households, serves as a final base for supplies, hot meals, and rest before the steep Himalayan ascent begins. You can enjoy lunch at one of the small tea houses, interact with the locals, and witness their subsistence lifestyle of millet, rice, maize, and potato farming. Tashi marks the threshold to the high Himalayas, where village comforts end, and the real wilderness of Makalu begins.

You will leave Tashi early in the morning and begin the steep climb into the high Himalayas. The trail winds through dense rhododendron and fir forests, with occasional streams and small waterfalls along the way. As you ascend, the forests start to thin, and the air becomes cooler and thinner, signaling the approach to the alpine zone.

You will stop for lunch along the trail at a small resting point, taking in views of the surrounding valleys and distant peaks. After lunch, the trail continues climbing with multiple switchbacks until you reach Khongma Dada at 3,560 m (11,680 ft). This ridge camp offers basic lodges, limited facilities, and panoramic views of the valley below. Here, you will stay overnight, preparing for the long pass crossing the next day.

You will start early from Khongma Dada (3,560 m / 11,680 ft), leaving the ridge camp behind as the trail climbs steadily toward the Shipton La Pass (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). The path here is high alpine, with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, and you may encounter partially frozen streams and glacial runoff. Walking through the clouds, you will notice the landscape alternating between sunlight and mist, revealing jagged peaks and endless ridgelines stretching toward Tibet.

After a few hours of climbing, you will reach the Shipton La Pass, named after the British explorer Eric Shipton, who used this route during early Everest expeditions. The pass offers expansive views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. You will take a lunch break near the top, where the wind can be strong and the air thin. After lunch, the trail descends cautiously into a rocky valley toward Dobate (3,860 m / 12,664 ft). Dobate is a tiny outpost, consisting of just one lodge perched beside a steep hillside, offering basic accommodation and meals. You will stay overnight here, resting after one of the most challenging days of the trek.

You will leave Dobate (3,860 m / 12,664 ft) in the morning and begin a gradual descent along the steep hillside into the Burun Valley. The trail passes through rocky slopes and patches of alpine meadows, with occasional small streams flowing from nearby glaciers. Landslides are common along this section, so careful footing is necessary. You will pass isolated shrubberies and notice the changing vegetation as the air grows slightly warmer with each step down.

After a few hours of trekking, you will reach Yangle Kharka (3,630 m / 11,910 ft), a highland grazing area dotted with small lodges and yak herders’ huts. This area is often covered with snow in the early season and mud during the monsoon, providing a challenging yet scenic environment. You can stop for lunch at one of the tea houses and enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and ice-clad cliffs. Overnight will be spent at a lodge in Yangle Kharka, where you can rest and acclimatize before the next day’s hike.

Today is a rest and acclimatization day at Yangle Kharka. You can take short walks around the highland pastures where yaks graze, exploring the streams and small ice patches that linger even in summer. The surrounding peaks are often shrouded in mist in the morning, revealing jagged cliffs and glacial ridges as the sun rises.

You may notice the snow flurries from the previous night gently covering the paths, and the soft crunch of frost underfoot as you wander near the lodge. This day also offers the chance to interact with yak herders, observe alpine wildflowers, or simply rest and enjoy the silence of the high Himalayas.

You leave Yangle Kharka early, stepping into the alpine meadows where the Burun River threads quietly through the valley. The trail gradually climbs through areas dotted with yak herders’ huts, past snow-melt streams and landslide-prone slopes. Mist may roll through the valleys, revealing glimpses of distant peaks like towering frozen walls of ice and rock.

After a steady climb of several hours, you arrive at Langmale Kharka (4,410 m / 14,468 ft). The plateau is dotted with a few small lodges and surrounded by glaciers hanging from the surrounding mountains. You will notice how the landscape gradually shifts from lush meadows to rocky ridges and scattered snowfields. Lunch is served at one of the lodges, and in the afternoon, you can explore the meadows, watch yaks grazing, or photograph the vast alpine vistas before resting for the night.

Leaving Langmale Kharka early, you enter the final high alpine stretch toward Makalu Base Camp. The trail weaves through frostbitten grass, scattered boulders, and patches of snow. You pass Sherong Lake, a still turquoise glacial lake quietly sitting off to the side of the path, and follow the Burun River as it cuts through the wide valley.

The last stretch is dramatic: glaciers hang among peaks, and the wind picks up as the valley opens into the broad glacial amphitheater of Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m / 15,978 ft). Here, you will see three small lodges nestled against a backdrop of towering ice walls, with the massive south face of Makalu rising above 8,463 m (27,766 ft). You can explore the glacial valley, walk to nearby moraine ridges, or relax at the lodge while enjoying the stark silence of this remote Himalayan environment.

Today is spent fully at Makalu Base Camp, allowing you to acclimatize and explore the immediate surroundings. You can walk along the glacial valley, visit the small turquoise lake formed by glacial melt, and photograph the towering 8,463 m / 27,766 ft peak of Makalu. Local lodges serve meals throughout the day, and the quiet of the base camp is broken only by the crunch of boots on frost and the occasional movement of climbers. 

This day allows you to enjoy the raw, untouched high Himalayan environment and prepare mentally and physically for the return journey.

You leave Makalu Base Camp early, retracing the trail along the glacial plain and Sherong Lake. The path descends gradually through scattered boulders and frostbitten grass, past remnants of snow and ice from the previous days. You follow the Burun River as the valley narrows, with high cliffs on either side, providing dramatic views of cascading waterfalls and hanging glaciers.

After several hours, you reach Yangle Kharka (3,630 m / 11,910 ft). Lunch can be taken at one of the lodges along the trail or upon arrival. The lodge offers a place to rest, enjoy hot meals, and prepare for the next stage of the descent. You can explore nearby pastures, watch yaks grazing, or photograph the alpine valley as the light changes.

You leave Yangle Kharka (3,630 m / 11,910 ft) in the morning, retracing part of the route toward Dobate (3,860 m / 12,664 ft). The trail climbs gently at first, then enters a rugged highland section with scattered snow patches and frostbitten streams. You pass through alpine meadows dotted with yaks, small lodges, and occasional Sherpa herder huts. Along the way, landslide-prone slopes remind you of the ever-changing and “alive” nature of the Himalayas.

Lunch is taken at a small teahouse along the way, where you can rest and enjoy views of distant peaks. In the afternoon, the trail descends carefully into Dobate, a tiny outpost nestled against a steep hillside. The lodge here is basic but welcoming, providing meals and rest for trekkers after a long, challenging day. As the sun sets, the surrounding cliffs cast long shadows across the valley, and the distant sound of waterfalls echoes in the cold Himalayan air.

You leave Dobate (3,860 m / 12,664 ft) early in the morning and begin the long descent toward Danda Kharka (2,100 m / 6,890 ft). The trail drops steeply through alpine slopes, rocky ridges, and landslide-prone zones. You cross rivers, pass small waterfalls, and walk past the scattered homes of remote Sherpa and Limbu communities. The valley opens intermittently to panoramic views of surrounding peaks, while dense forests of fir, rhododendron, and bamboo appear lower down.

Along the way, you can stop at small teahouses or resting points for tea and snacks. As you descend, the temperature gradually rises, and the snow patches fade into mud and grass. Arriving at Danda Kharka, you will find lodges nestled in the highland meadows, providing a warm meal and a place to rest. The surrounding slopes are dotted with yak pastures, and the distant mountains provide a stunning backdrop for evening photography.

Leaving Danda Kharka (2,100 m / 6,890 ft), the trail descends steadily through lush forests of bamboo, pine, and rhododendron. You will cross fast-flowing rivers on wooden bridges and pass landslide zones typical of this active Himalayan region. Villages along the way show terraced fields of millet, maize, and potatoes, with locals engaged in farming or tending livestock.

Lunch is served at one of the small tea houses along the descent. The trail gradually flattens as you approach Seduwa (1,500 m / 4,921 ft), the gateway to Makalu Barun National Park and your last night in the highlands. You will enjoy dinner and rest at a lodge, celebrating the completion of the trek through some of the most remote and dramatic landscapes in Nepal.

After breakfast, you will drive from Seduwa to Tumlingtar Airport (460 m / 1,509 ft). The 3–4 hour journey passes through small villages like Khadbari and rolling lowland landscapes. 

You will cross rivers, terraced fields, and occasional forests along the way. Upon arrival at Tumlingtar, you can rest and prepare for your flight back to Kathmandu.

After your morning flight from Tumlingtar back to Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,593 ft), you will be transferred to your hotel to settle in and rest. Later in the day, you will have a meeting with the owner of Majestic Trails Nepal to provide feedback on your trekking experience and share your thoughts about the guide, accommodations, and overall journey.

 This session allows you to reflect on the trek, discuss any highlights or challenges, and celebrate the achievement of completing one of Nepal’s most remote and rewarding treks. The evening is free to relax, enjoy Kathmandu, or prepare for your departure the next day.

On your final day, you will be transferred from your hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,593 ft) for your onward flight. This marks the conclusion of your Makalu Base Camp trek, giving you time to reflect on the incredible journey through remote valleys, high passes, glaciers, and alpine meadows. 

Say farewell to your guide and the team from Majestic Trails Nepal, carrying memories of pristine wilderness, cultural encounters, and breathtaking Himalayan views. Take with you the sense of accomplishment and the experiences of one of Nepal’s most secluded and rewarding treks.