Makalu Base Camp Trek

Welcome to Nepal. An AltiPro representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Kathmandu (1,350 m). The evening begins with a welcome briefing covering the full Makalu Base Camp Trek 2027 itinerary, permits, gear checks, packing essentials and altitude protocols. Dinner at the hotel.

A full day in Kathmandu for permit processing: Makalu Barun National Park Entry Permit, Makalu Rural Municipality Trekking Permit and TIMS Card arranged by AltiPro. Gear check and final briefing from your AltiPro guide. Opportunity to hire or purchase any missing trekking equipment in Thamel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Early morning 50-minute domestic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar Airport (400 m) in eastern Nepal. Drive approximately 3–4 hours via Khandbari to Num village (1,560 m) — the Makalu Base Camp trailhead. Num sits above the Arun River gorge on a forested ridge, with the first distant views of the Makalu massif visible to the north. The road ends here. Overnight at a lodge in Num.

The trek begins with a steep 350 m descent from Num to a suspension bridge over the Arun River, then a gruelling 900 m ascent — one of the most demanding individual climbs on the entire trek — to Seduwa (1,500 m). Seduwa is the official entry point to Makalu Barun National Park, where permits are checked. The lower approach passes through cardamom terraces and traditional Rai village culture. 5–6 hrs walking.

The trail climbs from Seduwa through the villages of Hindrungma and Rupisa, ascending through cultivated hillsides and rhododendron forest to Tashigaon (2,100 m) — the last permanent Sherpa village on the route. Tashigaon is the final point of reliable teahouse accommodation and warm community life before the remote high-altitude terrain begins. Stock up and rest well — the big climbs start tomorrow. 4–5 hrs walking.

The most demanding ascent of the entire approach — a 1,400 m climb through dense rhododendron and bamboo forest to the open ridge at Khongma Danda (3,500 m). The forest is exceptional in spring, with rhododendrons in full bloom and extraordinary bird diversity. Above the treeline, the ridge opens to the first full panorama of Makalu (8,485 m), Chamlang (7,319 m) and the eastern Himalayan chain. Two basic teahouses exist at Khongma Danda. 6–7 hrs walking / 1,400 m ascent.

A mandatory rest and acclimatisation day at Khongma Danda before crossing the high passes. AltiPro guides lead optional short hikes to nearby ridges above 3,700 m to aid acclimatisation — the "climb high, sleep low" protocol. Rest, hydrate, eat well and prepare mentally and physically for the most challenging day of the trek: the double pass crossing that lies ahead. The evening panorama of Makalu at dusk from Khongma Danda is extraordinary.

The most dramatic and memorable day of the Makalu Base Camp Trek — crossing both Shipton La (4,125 m / 13,533 ft) and Keke La (4,170 m / 13,681 ft) in succession. Both passes are named after and associated with the pioneering mountaineer Eric Shipton, who first explored this terrain. Both are high, exposed and frequently snow-covered in spring and autumn. The views from both pass summits across the eastern Himalayan range are exceptional. Descend to the seasonal teahouse outpost at Dobate (3,650 m). 8–9 hrs walking.

From Dobate, the trail descends into the wide glacial expanse of the upper Barun Valley — open alpine meadows grazed by yaks, with moraines and glacial debris replacing the forest and ridge terrain of the approach. Makalu begins to dominate the entire northern skyline as the Barun Valley opens. Trek to Yangri Kharka (3,557 m) — a yak grazing outpost with seasonal accommodation. The Barun Glacier appears at the head of the valley. 4–5 hrs walking.

The approach to Base Camp gets serious. The trail climbs steadily from Yangri Kharka through increasingly glacial terrain — lateral moraines, glacial streams and open rocky ground — to Langmale Kharka (4,410 m), the last adequate campsite before Base Camp. The scale of Makalu becomes truly undeniable from here — the south face looms enormous directly above. The Barun Glacier fills the valley floor to the north. 4–5 hrs walking / 853 m ascent.

Base Camp day — the summit objective of the trek. The trail crosses the terminal moraine of the Barun Glacier, passing through Shershong, and reaches Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m / 15,977 ft) directly beneath the south face of Makalu. Everest (8,849 m), Lhotse (8,516 m) and Baruntse (7,129 m) stand on the ridges above. For those with energy and conditions permitting, continue to approximately 5,100 m toward the Upper Base Camp area and Barun Pokhari glacial lake. Overnight at Base Camp. 4–5 hrs walking.

A full day at Makalu Base Camp for exploration, photography and absorption. The Barun Pokhari glacial lake (approximately 5,100 m) is within reach for the energetic — conditions and visibility permitting. The panorama from Base Camp — Makalu's south face directly overhead, Everest and Lhotse to the northwest, Baruntse above — is one of the finest mountain viewpoints accessible to non-technical trekkers anywhere in the Himalaya. Overnight at Base Camp.

Begin the return to Kathmandu, retracing the Barun Valley southward from Base Camp through Shershong and back down the moraine to Yangri Kharka (3,557 m). The descent from 4,870 m to 3,557 m in a day significantly reduces altitude stress. The valley feels different on the return — broader, warmer, and familiar after the high-altitude intensity of Base Camp. 5–6 hrs walking / 1,313 m descent.

Gradual ascent from Yangri Kharka back toward the pass zone, returning to Dobate (3,650 m) — the seasonal teahouse outpost below Keke La and Shipton La. The terrain of the upper Barun Valley — now familiar from the approach — passes quickly. Morale is typically high on the return, with Base Camp achieved and the complexity of the route now understood. 4–5 hrs walking.

Re-cross both high passes in the opposite direction — Keke La and then Shipton La — with the eastern Himalayan panorama opening behind you as you descend toward Khongma Danda. The view from the passes on the return perspective, looking back toward the Barun Valley and Makalu, is different and equally powerful. Descend through the forest to Khongma Danda. 8–9 hrs walking.

A long 1,400 m descent through rhododendron and bamboo forest from Khongma Danda back to Tashigaon (2,100 m). The descent feels rapid after the altitude — the forest warms noticeably with every 100 m of descent, and the sounds and smells of the permanent village return. Tashigaon marks the return to civilisation — hot food, comfortable lodges and reliable communication. 5–6 hrs walking.

Comfortable descent from Tashigaon through Rupisa and Hindrungma to Seduwa (1,500 m). The trail passes back through lower farmland and Rai village culture — cardamom terraces and traditional community life that the high-altitude section cannot provide. The cultural warmth of the lower approach trail comes alive on the return. 4–5 hrs walking.

Final trekking day — descent from Seduwa across the Arun River suspension bridge and back up the steep trail to Num (1,560 m). Drive from Num to Tumlingtar (400 m) via Khandbari — approximately 3–4 hours. Overnight in Tumlingtar for the morning flight back to Kathmandu. Buffer days at Tumlingtar are built into the AltiPro itinerary for weather or flight delays — common at this remote domestic airport.

Morning flight (50 minutes) from Tumlingtar back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel in Thamel. Afternoon free for last-minute shopping, sightseeing (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath) or rest. Evening farewell dinner with your AltiPro guide and team — Makalu Base Camp Trek certificate presented. A proper celebration of one of Nepal's most demanding and rewarding trekking achievements.

Buffer day built into the itinerary to account for possible flight cancellations at Tumlingtar due to weather or visibility (mountain fog is common at this eastern Nepal airstrip). If no delays occur, this day is free in Kathmandu for additional sightseeing or shopping. AltiPro always includes buffer days in the Makalu Base Camp itinerary — the Tumlingtar flight delay is a known variable and must be planned for.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule. AltiPro arranges airport transfers for all departure times. Carry your Makalu Base Camp memories home — the south face of the fifth-highest mountain, the Barun Pokhari glacial lake at 5,100 m, the double pass crossing at Keke La and Shipton La, and the extraordinary wilderness of a valley that fewer than 1,500 trekkers per year see.