Pyramid shaped Mt. Makalu (8463m.) is the fifth highest mountain in the world and is located 22 km east of Mt. Everest on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The first attempt to the peak was made by an American team led by W. Siri in the spring of 1954. They attempted the southeast ridge but were turned back at 7,100 m due to a constant barrage of storms. A New Zealand team lead by Sir Edmund Hillary had also made the attempt in the spring but could not ascend the summit due to injury and illness. In the fall of 1954, a French reconnaissance expedition made the first ascent of the subsidiary summits Kangchungtse on May 15, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition led by Jean Franco. Franco, G. Magnone and Sirdar Gyaltsen Norbu summitted the next day, followed by Bouvier, S. Coupe, Leroux and A. Vialatte on the 17th.
This beautiful and impressive massive is one of the harder eight-thousanders, and is considered one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb. The mountain has steep pitches and knife-edged ridges. An ascent to the summit pyramid involves technical rock climbing. The world’s fifth highest peak is the only Nepalese 8,000m peak which has yet to be climbed in true winter conditions. Mt. Makalu is situated just 14 miles east of Everest in the Khumbu region. Its impressive size makes this mountain all the more spectacular. The name Makalu is derived from the Sanskrit word Maha-Kala, meaning ‘Big Black’. The mountain is also called ‘Kumba Karna’, which means ‘The Giant’.
Climbing to Makalu is a challenging task. Only five of its first sixteen attempts were successful. There have been a total of 206 successful ascents of Makalu and a total of 22 fatalities to the date. A winter ascent to the peak is not yet known.
One can make this outstanding trek either from Hile or Tumlingtar by walking north up the Arun Kosi to Num and Sedua, then crossing Shipton La (4216m.) into the upper Barun valley for a close look at Makalu and Chhamlang. The trek to Makalu Base Camp (MBC) visits one of the most remote and unfrequented areas of Nepal. It is advised to trek to Makalu during both the spring and autumn seasons.
Itinerary :
Day 01:
Arrival in Kathmandu (1320m.)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be received by our representatives and will be transferred to hotel. After checking into our rooms, we could relax at our own.
Day 02:
Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (860m.) and then to Khadbari (1,040m.)
We take our early flight to Tumlingtar(860m.) from Kathmandu. It takes about an hour to reach Tumlingtar. Upon arrival at the airport, we would check into one of the restaurants to have snacks. Having refreshed in the restaurant at Tumlingtar, we start our trekking to Khadbari (1,040m.). We would have lunch on the way. Our camp will be at Khandbari.
Day 03:
Khadbari to Chilchila (1830m.)
After taking breakfast at Khadbari, we trek to Chilchila (1830m.). We would walk through several small but picturesque villages. We would encounter bamboo groves and rhododendron forests on the way. Our camp will be set up at Chichela, a small settlement of Gurungs.
Day 04:
Chichila to Num (1490m.)
Today we start walking following the ridge in forests and pass the small settlements of Baisake and Kuwapani (1870m.). We would find some small teashops at Hururu (1970m.). From this point, the route climbs 100m and then drops into deep oak forests. We would then reach Mure (2000m.) which is inhabited by both Sherpas and Rais. Finally we arrive at Num (1490m.). It is situated on the ridge above an S-shaped bend I n the Arun Koshi.
Day 05:
Num to Sedua (1540m.)
The trail today descends steeply from the western end of the Num ridge through the cornfields of Lumbang. From here, the trail becomes exceptionally steep as it drops on slippery rocks through jungle to a suspension bridge over Arun Koshi at 620m. After crossing the bridge, we would find fields of rice, corn and buck-wheat, however, the area is particularly rocky. Finally we arrive at Sedua (1540m.).
Day 06:
Sedua to Tashigaon (2070m.)
Today we would trek from Sedua to Tashigaon (2070m.). We would trek gently northward through rice fields to Manigaon. From Manigaon, our trail turns west and makes a gradual climb high above the Kasuwa Khola to a Mani wall at 1890m. We finally arrive at the foot of the Sherpa village of Tashigaon, the last permanent settlement in the valley.
Day 07:
Tashigaon to Khongma(3560m.)
Today is considered as the tough day as we gain our elevation from 2070m. to 1400m. on a steep trail. We climb over the ridge behind the hotel and ascend through forests to a stream then onto a ridge and then to Chipla (1520m.). Gradually, our trail becomes steeper , switchbacking on rocks up the ridge in forests to a Kharka (2900m.) and then to Unshisha (3180m.). Finally, we descend a bit to Khongma (3560m.). We may have scarcity of water at Khongma.
Day 08:
Khongma to Mumbuk (3550m.)
It is our turn to climb on steep switchbacks for a while to the top of the ridge at 3840m. from where we can have superb view of Chhamlang Peak-6 (6739m.) and Peak 7 (6105m.), whose snows feed the headwaters of the Isuwa Khola and Makalu in the distance. We then follow the ridge through rhododendrons for a while, then ascend a stone staircase and reach Ghungru La (4050m.) and Shipton La (4216m.). Shipton La is a pass which was named when Eric Shipton and Hillary used this route to trek out to Dharan after their 1952 Everest reconnaissance. Descending from the pass to two lakes at 4020m, we ascend through large boulders to Keke La (4150m.). Finally, we arrive at Mumbuk (3550m.). Mumbuk is situated at on a steep hillside.
Day 09:
Mumbuk to Yangle Kharka (3600m.)
Having breakfast in the camp, we trek to Yangle Kharka (3600m.) from Mumbuk. Today the trail descends steep gully with a stream for about 500m. The trail is rocky and sloppy and muddy while leading up the glacial valley. From here, one can have a good view of Peak 6. We would pass through the fir forests cross a cave then traverse up and down in the mud among huge, gnarled rhododendron roots. There is high chance of landslides. We cross several streams and cross Barun. Finally, we arrive at Yangle Kharka, a large meadow. We would find a gompa which was built in 1991 at Yangle Kharka.
Day 10:
Yangle Kharka to Merek (4570m.)
We start our climb gently from Yangle Kharka and pass Nghe Kharka, a large grassy plain situated at an elevation of 3750m. on the opposite side of the Barun Khola. We then pass Riphuk Kharka (3930m.), Jhak Kharka (4210m.), Yak Kharka (4400m.) and finally arrive at Merek (4570m.).
Day 11:
Merek to Shersong (4660m.)
Our trail from Merek climbs in sand beside a stream alongside the moraine. As we enter an alluvial valley, Mt. Makalu pops into view just before Shersong (4660m.). We would find a small stone hut at Shersong. Comparatively, it is somewhat sheltered. However, the spot is quite cold.
Day 12:
Shersong to Makalu Base Camp (5000m.) and back to Shersong
We start our climb to the right in a gully on the east side of the valley from Shersong. Having gradual climb to a minor pass about 100m above the Makalu Base Camp (MBC), we descend to a stream and cross on boulders to the MBC at an altitude of 5000m. We would have terrific views of the south face of Makalu, Baruntse (7220m.), Peak 6 and Peak 7, Everest and Lhotse. Exploring the MBC, we trek down to Shersong to spend the night.
Day 13:
Shersong to Yangle Kharka
We retrace our trek down the Barun Valley to our camp at Yangle Kharka. Overnight in the camp.
Day 14:
Yangle Kharka to Mumbuk
Having breakfast at the camp, we continue descending to Mumbuk. We would be descending through the rock-fall area and climb up for a while and reach our camp site at Mumbuk.
Day 15:
Mumbuk to Khongma
We would have five to six hours hiking today. We would have 870m. ascent and 820m. descent in today’s trek. We cross Shipton la and descend to Kongma. Overnight in the camp.
Day 16:
Khongma to Tashigaon
We would have early breakfast at the camp and start our trek down to Tashigaon. We would be hiking for about three to four hours. We would have 1270m. descent today. Overnight camping at Tahsigaon.
Day 17:
Tashigaon to Num
We walk through farming settlements to the spread out Rai village. Continue trekking through the forests and pass several streams while on the way to Num.
Day 18:
Num to Chichila
Today we would be hiking about five to six hours and would have 580m. ascent and 240m. descent. We walk through the forests and follow some spectacular high and exposed narrow tracks over rocky ridges. Overnight camping at Chichila.
Day 19:
Chichila to Mani Bhanjyang
Having breakfast at Chichila, we trek to Mani Bhanjyang. Today we would be hiking about four hours to five hours. We would have 120m. ascent and 860m. descent. Overnight camping at Mani Bhanjyang.
Day 20:
Mani Bhanjyang to Tumlingtar
We would retrace our trek to Tumlingtar from Mani Bhanjyang. We would be hiking about three to four hours and would have 740m. descent. Overnight at Tumlingtar.
Day 21:
Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
We would board our flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Kathmandu. Upon arrival at the airport, we would be going to our hotel. Having lunch at the hotel, we would be going for shopping.
Day 22:
Kathmandu
It is our day to explore this lively and exotic city. Our guide will take us to visit the World Heritage Sites of the valley and some other historically and culturally important places of the valley. In the evening, a farewell dinner would be served at Bhojan Griha, the delights of Nepali cuisine.
Bhojan Griha is one of the exclusive Nepali restaurants in the valley which serves the very best of traditional, organic and ethnic cuisine of Nepal. The grand old building which was built almost 150 years ago has been renovated and converted into a fascinating restaurant with intricate décor, subtle setting and nostalgic atmosphere. Traditional folk music and dances are performed in full costume every evening over savory meals. No doubt, to dine at Bhojan Griha is a cultural rejuvenation.
Price for the Trip :
Group Size
1 - 2 Pax
2 - 4 Pax
4 - 8 Pax
8 -15 Pax
Budget Trip
US$ 1344.00
US$ 1302.00
US$ 1260.00
US$ 1218.00
Standard Trip
US$ 1554.00
US$ 1512.00
US$ 1470.00
US$ 1428.00
Deluxe Trip
US$ 1764.00
US$ 1722.00
US$ 1680.00
US$ 1638.00
Price Includes:
All ground transportation, all meals while on trek (Breakfast, lunch, dinner with tea/coffee), Camping equipments (tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents, sleeping bags, mattresses), a guide, a cook, cook helper, porter, other helping staff, entry permits, all necessary requirements for Nepalese staff (meals, insurance, equipments, ground transportation etc.
Price Excludes:
Any bar bills (alcoholic drinks, mineral water, cold drinks), cigarettes, clients personal insurance, any kind of unforeseen expenses etc.
Flight ticket for guide and guest Kathmandu to Lukla and Tumlingtar to Kathmandu.
Note: The departure schedule can be changed on any unavoidable circumstances such as weather hazards, trail slides, and avalanches.
