Makalu Base Camp Trekking

High in the heart of the eastern Himalaya, seven valleys radiate from mount. Makalu, the world's thirth highest peak. These valleys, particularly the Barun valley, treasure some of the last remaining pristine forests and alpine meadows of Nepal. From the bottom of the Arun valley, at just 435 m above sea level, the Himalaya rise to the snow-capped tip of Makalu- 8.463 m--within a 40 km distance.Within this wide range of altitudes and climates, the Makalu-Barun area contains some of the richest and most diverse pockets of plants and animals in Nepal, elsewhere lost to spreading human habitation.Nestled in the lower reaches of these valleys are communities of Rai, Sherpa, and Shingsawa (Bhotia) farmers.

Though economically poor and isolated, they retain a rich cultural heritage. They hold the key to the preservation of the unique biological and cultural treasures of the Makalu Barun area. The Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area was established in 1992 as Nepal's eighth national park and the first to include an adjacent inhabited conservation area as a buffer. A new park management approach encourages local people to become actively involved in protecting the forests and natural resources upon which their lives depend, and in conserving their own rich cultural heritage. Traditional resource management systems, such as community controlled grazing and forest guardianship, are being strengthened and low level technologies introduced where appropriate. Working in collaboration with an American NGO, Woodlands Mountain Institute, Nepal is striving to improve local living standards through infrastructural, educational and income-generating activities.

Covering 2.330 sq km, Makalu-Barun is a vital component of the greater Mount Everest ecosystem which includes Nepal's 1.148 sq km Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park to the west and the 35.000 sq km Qomolungma Nature Preserve in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north.

The Makalu-Barun area is little known to most tourists due to its relative inaccessibility. But those few hundred trekkers and mountaineers who visit each year come away with an unforgettable experience.

For the naturalist, there are spectacular displays of wildflowers and exotic plants. More than 3.000 species of flowering plants, with hundreds of orchid varieties, 48. primroses, and 25 of Nepal's 30 rhododendrons splash the hillsides with color. The forests shelter abundant wildlife, including the endangered red panda and musk deer as well as the ghoral, Himalayan tahr and leopard. Ornithologists have identified 400 bird species, at least 16 of which are extremely rare. 

Trekking Grade: Moderate/High Altitude

Glimpse of itinerary

Day 01: Arrival to Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel
Day 02: Necessery preparation for trek
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Khandbari
Day 04: Trek to Fururu
Day 05: Trek to Num
Day 06: Trek to Sedua
Day 07: Trek to Tashi Gaon
Day 08: Trek to Kauma
Day 09: Trek to Mumbuk
Day 10: Trek to Nhe Kharka
Day 11: Trek to Sherson
Day 12: Trek to Makalu Base Camp
Day 13: Trek back to Nhe Kharka
Day 14: Trek to Mumbuk
Day 15: Trek to Kauma
Day 16: Trek to Tashi Gaon
Day 17: Trek to Balung
Day 18: Trek to Pukuwa
Day 19: Trek to Bumling
Day 20: Trek to Tumlingtar
Day 21: Fly back from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
Day 22: A free day Kathmandu
Day 23: Depart to your next destination

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