Nepal: 18d Makalu Base Camp Trekking

Day to day schedule to Nepal: 18d Makalu Base Camp Trekking

• Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel (D)

  Arrival and pick up from the international airport in Kathmandu, after some refreshment we will invite you for a traditional Nepali dinner.

• Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley o/n in a hotel (B)

  After breakfast we will start for sightseeing tours around in Kathmandu valley, the sightseeing program is focused to introduce some highlights and UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu such as Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Bouddhanath. Preparation for the trek and check the equipment list and buy the equipment that is necessary for Trip.

• Day 3: Flight to Tumlingtar and Drive to Num (4/5hrs drive, 1560m)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  It’s about a 50-minute flight before we touchdown on a grass airstrip at Tumlingtar (400m). Eventually drive to Num which is on a ridge above Arun Koshi River. Almost every evening Num experiences a dramatic display of thunder and lightning, which makes life here that little bit more interesting.

• Day 4: Trek to Seduwa (1540m, 5hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  We will descend steeply from the western end of the Num ridge through the cornfields of Lumbang. The trail passes over the suspension bridge and ascends through forest and a few traditional villages. People of this area are mainly engaged in agriculture and crops grown here are paddy, millet, potatoes and vegetables depending on the season. Ascend continue through dense forest, eventually brings to beautiful camp site Seduwa. Here is large flat camping lawn ridge above the Makalu Barun National park check point, where needed to be registered.We can enjoy a beautiful view looking back towards Num and the ridgelines bounding the Arun Valley.

• Day 5: Trek to Tashigoan (2070m, 3/4hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  From Seduwa, we ascend the ridge, which is bounded by the IpsuwaKhola on the west and KasuwaKhola to the east, with flat and easy hiking through the bushes. The path cuts across the hillside, contouring through quiet villages along the way. You will see the locals using buffalo to plough the small paddy fields, as every piece of land possible is being utilized for farming. Finally, we climb to the last settlement of trek to Tashigoan. The camping spot in this village is really a
  praiseworthy site below the national park office.

• Day 6: Trek to Kouma Pain (7/8hrs, 3500m) o/n in Lodge (B,L,D)

  We ascend steeply through dense forest of remote scrub and Rhododendron passing many ridges and seasonal Yak herders. Trail rises to Chipla (2520m) and even becomes steeper, struggling up past stream and a huge overhanging rock right below the Mani danda. We have a packed lunch because of the lack of the water in between Tashigoan and Khongma. Khongma is the last opportunity we have to stop before crossing the Shipton La and dropping down into the upper sections of the remote BarunValley.There are no buildings here and many of the tent sites are on the sloping hillside.

• Day 7: Trek to Mumbuk (3550m, 5hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  From Khongma, climb the ridge on steep switchbacks to a stone chorten at 3840m and feast your eyes on views of Chhamlang, Peak 6 and Peak 7. Scrubby rhododendrons and mossy boulders line the trail as you climb a stone staircase over several false ridges towards the small pass known as Ghungru La (4050m). The path twists and turns steeply, passing through forest before emerging on to a ridge with Mani walls, numerous prayer flags and superb mountainviews, including Kanchenjunga. Descend to a small turquoise lake after which we will ascend again through Shipton Pass. We then drop down the saddle for a rest by the lake KaloPokhari, before passing over the Keke La (4152m) and an easy descent walk through rhododendron and pine forest towards Mumbuk. It is a serene camping spot surrounded by green forests.

• Day 8: Trek to Nghekharka (3750m,4hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  From Mumbuk, the trail drops down a scree-covered slope into the long, curving Barun Valley. The Barun River running through the trail adds more dimensions to the trek with its spectacular views of Mt. Tutse (Peak 6) 6739m and Peak 7 (6185m). It’s a pleasant walk, slowly gaining altitude, until we arrive at Yangri Kharka (3610m). Yangri Kharka is a very small village situated in a meadow at the base of the valley. From Yangri Kharka climb gently to Nghekharka, another cluster of herd’s hut and prayer flags on the opposite side of Barun.

• Day 09: Trek to Merek (4570m, 3hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  Beyond Nghekharka, the river makes a huge S-shaped curve between curtains wall of cliffs that tower on either side of river. From the meadow at Riphuk (3930m), climb past a waterfall and up over swampy ground to a lonely stone hut. Another gentle climb passes a Mani wall to YakKharka (4400m). The final climb to the rather bleak camp site at Merek passes through a dizzying landscape of Himalayan giants. Have marvelous views of Chhamlang, Peak 3, Peak 4 and Peak 5.

• Day 10: Trek to Makalu Base Camp(5000m, 4hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  As the path turns northwards into a side valley, Makalu finally soars into view. Stick to the faint, flat trail following the east bank of river to Shersong (4660m). From Shersong, it is a gradual climb to a minor pass about 100 meter above Makalu base camp after which we descend to a stream and cross boulders to the base camp on the west side of the river. There are terrific views of the south face of Mt. Makalu. There are no huts, shelters or vegetation at base camp which is at an elevation of about 5000m.

• Day 11: Explore around Makalu Base Camp and back to Merek o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  ‘Base camp’ can an anticlimax after all the effort taken to get here. We spend a day exploring around base camp, with the aim of climbing up towards the Advance Base Camp at the start of the Makalu’s South East Ridge, where on the edge of the icy slopes you get a fantastic view up the Barun Valley of Everest. A more rewarding end point to the trek is to climb the 5250m ridge northeast of Shersong on the lower slopes of Peak 3. From this lofty vantage point, there are also views northwest to Lhotse, Lhotse Shar and Everest. When you are tire of having your awe inspired, return to Merek for the night.

• Day 12: Trek to Khongma(7/8hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  Continue descending through the rock fall and then climb the rocky gully to the Shelter of Mumbuk. Trek across Shipton La and descend to Khongma.

• Day 13: Trek to Seduwa (6/7hrs)o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  Make a long sleep descend back to the civilization at Tashigoan and after Lunch easy walk to Seduwa. Camp at Seduwa.

• Day 14: Trek to Num (5/6hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  Start early morning for a relatively easy trekking along the ridge to Num for around 5 hours.

• Day 15: Drive to Tumlingtar(7hrs) o/n in Lodge B+L+D

  The final return leg of the trek will see us overnight at Tumlingtar, ready for an early departure to
  Kathmandu the following day.

• Day 16: Fly back to Kathmandu o/n in a hotel +B

  On arrival in Kathmandu transfer to your hotel.

• Day 17: Free day in Kathmandu o/n in a hotel +B

• Day 18: Transfer to the international airport +B