Makalu Base Camp Challenge

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu from your home country. Meet and greet by our representative, then transfer by private vehicle to your hotel. After check-in, you'll be handed a welcome drink and our representative will brief you about the programme, hand you other general information, and you can collect all necessary documents and permits. Overnight in hotel. Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to airport 1½ hours before your flight time. The flight takes you over a range of snow-capped peaks from Langtang all the way to Mount Everest,  Makalu, and Mount  Kanchenjunga. Upon arrival, you'll meet your trekking crew (guide, sherpa, porters) at Tumlingtar Airport, and you'll head off to Num by local vehicle.  The first day's trail leads you to the serene forest of rhododendron, oaks, and hemlocks, as we climb to the top of the ridge.  From there it is downhill for two hours to the overnight camp at Num, which is a small village with about fifteen houses and a primary school. Overnight in a tented camp on a full board basis. 45 min flight to Tumlingtar, 5 hr drive to Num Day 3: After breakfast at the lodge, we descend incredibly steep and terraced slopes towards the Arun River, nearly 800m below. The lower slopes of this narrow valley are densely forested and the paths can be quite slippery, so we recommend sturdy walking boots. After reaching the bottom, cross the suspension bridge across Arun River and climb back out of the rainforest, reaching our lunch stop at Runruma. Another steep climb takes us to the small village of Seduwa. On the way, we'll enter Makalu National Park and register our permits. Overnight in a tented camp on full board basis. ​Approximately 5 hrs walking Day 4: After breakfast, we have an easy and pleasant walk to Tashi Gaon which takes you to rural farm villages, on the gradual trail through fields and terraces. As we approach Tashi Gaon, it is an uphill climb for an hour through the millet and rice fields. It takes about 4/5 hrs to reach Tashi Gaon. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. ​Approx 4/5 hrs walking Day 5: After breakfast, we begin our walk to reach today’s destination point.  The trail leads towards the Khongma La, the last stop before crossing the Shipton La, then drops down into the supper sections of the remote Barun Valley. You'll walk through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests, before reaching pastures with traces of temporary shepherd huts. From here, onwards to Kahuma ridge is a strenuous uphill climb. Check in at basic local lodge, and relax with the scenic views of mountains surrounding you. Overnight in tented camp on full board basis. Approx 4/5 hrs walking Day 6: After breakfast at the lodge, we gradually climb uphill towards the Shipton La (4220m), which  takes a few hours. Upon reaching Kalo Pokhari Pass over Kele Lake (4152m) it's on to the beautiful valley of Dobate (Dobato). Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Approx 5/6 hrs walking Day 7: Early breakfast, before a gentle walk towards rhododendron forests leading on to the Barun Valley - one of the least explored areas in the eastern Himalayan region of Nepal. This landscape boasts many species of flowering plants, birds, and mammals, including the endangered clouded leopard, red panda, and musk deer.  As we reach the lush alpine area of Barun Valley, the walk is very pleasant with gradual uphill slopes, following the Barun River upstream on the valley gorge towards Yangri Kharka. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Approx 6/7 hrs walking Day 8: After breakfast, we continue our trek following the Barun River upstream on the valley gorge towards Nehe-Kharka, one of the summer pastures for the local folks of Tashi and Navagaun. Onwards we'll cross the wooden bridge on the Barun River and walk across the boulders, where a large prayer wall at Ramara awaits. After 2-3 hours of walking, the vegetation gets sparse until we reach Yak Kharka. Overnight in tented camp on full a board basis. Day 9: After breakfast, we'll trek towards Sherson (4650m) which is known as the lower base camp of Makalu. There are number of stone enclosures at this high grazing ground with outstanding views of host of peaks, including the upper part of Makalu south face, Mount Baruntse (7,220m) and Sherson. From Sherton, we continue our walk to Makalu Base camp, which takes 3-4 hours.  Upon reaching Barun Glacier, stop for photos at its glacial pond, known as Barun Pokhari. Then, after a climb on the moraine ridge, you'll be met by more spectacular views of Mt. Makalu, and of the usual hidden east sides of Lhotse and Everest, which loom above Barun Glacier to the north west. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Approx 5/6 hrs walking Day 10: Get your camera and trekking kit ready for a day's excursion to Makalu West Ridge, before getting back to the camp. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Day 11: After breakfast, we return to Yangle Kharka (3610m) by descending about 1260m. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Approx 6/7 hrs walking Day 12: After an early breakfast, we retrace our trek back to Khong La, which takes about 7/8 hours in total. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Approx 7/8 hrs walking Day 13: After another early breakfast, it's on to Dobate. Check-in at the lodge upon arrival, and put your feet up before dinner.  Approx 5/6 hrs walking Day 14: After breakfast, we trek on to Seduwa following the same path back as the one we previously took. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Approx 7 hrs walking Day 15: Today, we have a short walk downhill through the farm fields to Num Village. After lunch, we'll drive on to Tumlingtar. Overnight in tented camp on a full board basis. Approx 4 hrs walking Day 16: After an early morning breakfast, we take a local vehicle to Tumlingtar Airport (about 4/5 hrs) and then an onwards flight to Kathmandu. There, you leave your trekking crew and say your goodbyes. Upon arrival in Kathmandu Airport, we'll transfer you to your hotel.   Day 17: Prepare for a full day of sightseeing and souvenir shopping! Visit the local markets, and popular sites of Kathmandu - Pashupatinath (crematory temple), the Boudhhanath Stupa, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples that used to be the seat of the ancient Malla Kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set in to the wall of the palace with writing in fifteen different languages.  There are also three museums inside  the palace building.  Other highlights include Machchhendranath Temple, Akash Temple, the Temple of Kumari (Kumari Ghar), Kasthamandap, and Jaishi Dewal. Back to your hotel for the evening to put your feet up.  At 7 p. m. , we will escort you to a local restaurant for a goodbye dinner with our local Nepali staff. Day 18: Your trip reaches its end! According to your flight schedule, we’ll transfer you to the international airport 3 hours before your flight time. We hope you've had an incredible trip.