Makalu Base Camp

Trek at a glance

Trek highlights

About this trek

A wild, roadless route through the Barun valley - cloud forest, hanging glaciers and the colossal black pyramid of Makalu, the world's fifth-highest peak, with almost nobody else on the trail.

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is an immersive journey through one of Nepal's most remote, authentic, and pristine Himalayan trails, deep in the eastern Himalayas. Over 19 days, this adventure winds through the wilderness of Makalu Barun National Park, reaching the foot of Mount Makalu (8,485 m / 27,838 ft) — the world's fifth-highest peak.

The journey begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, offering aerial views across the eastern Himalayan range, before the trek proper starts from the small riverside village of Seduwa (1,500 m). From here, the trail climbs steadily through farmland, traditional Nepali villages, and dense forest, crossing two high passes — Shipton La and Keke La — before reaching Makalu Base Camp at 4,870 m.

Along the way, trekkers pass through the Makalu Barun National Park, home to rare wildlife such as the red panda and snow leopard and enter the Barun Valley — Nepal's first and only Strict Nature Reserve, set aside purely for scientific study. This is a strenuous trek, with long stone stairways, steep climbs, and high-altitude passes above 4,000 m, but a well-paced itinerary with built-in acclimatization days makes it achievable for trekkers with reasonable fitness and determination.

The best seasons to attempt the trek are spring and autumn, when skies are clear and trails are dry. A Makalu Barun National Park Permit is required, as the entire route runs through this protected conservation area. For those seeking a raw, undocumented, and genuinely off-the-beaten-path Himalayan experience, few treks in Nepal compare.