Makalu Expedition - 51 Days

About Makalu Expedition

Mt. Makalu was first climbed in 1955 by a French Expedition team. This 8,000 meters above the Himalayan mountain is one of the toughest to climb and known as the 5th highest mountain in the world. Makalu Expedition is famous among adventure and challenge lovers. The climbing involves technical terrain and many steep sections. Not many people aim to climb mount Makalu, therefore you will have the entire breath-taking scenery to yourself on the way.

The trail passes through Makalu Barun National Park, which is home to numerous rare species of flora and fauna. Likewise, you walk through picturesque villages and valleys, where you get to spend time with locals and experience their unique lifestyle. The trail is full of astonishing views of the snow-capped mountains and ancient gompas. To know about Makalu Expedition cost or any further information, contact us anytime.

Variation & Custom Itinerary

There are other adventurous and challenging expeditions that you can consider to join like Manaslu Expedition, Baruntse Expedition, Ama Dablam Expedition, etc. We also offer custom Makalu Expedition packages to those who are willing to design their Makalu Expedition itinerary as per their requirements.

Highlights

  • Scenic flight in/out og Tumlingtar
  • Adventurous trail and off-the-beaten trekking experience
  • Walk through numerous fine mountain villages and dense forests
  • Get to observe lifestyle and culture of locals
  • Visit ancient gompas along the way
  • Reach at the top of Mt. Makalu
  • Witness brath-taking scenery and views of the Himalayas

Itinerary

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Land at the Tribhuvan International Airport, where one of our team delegates will welcome you and take you to the hotel. You will have a few hours to rest and unpack depending upon your arrival in Kathmandu. In the evening, you will meet other team members over a welcome dinner organized by the company.

  • Hotel
  • Welcome dinner

Today, the day is packed with a guided sightseeing tour and preparation for the expedition. You will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Monkey Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhnath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, etc. Later, in the late afternoon, you stroll on the vibrant streets of Thamel.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast only

This is an extra day to do the final preparation for the trip. You will meet with the team leader and visit the Tourism board for a briefing of the trail. You will re-check the gears and do the final packing.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast only

A short 40 minutes scenic flight will take you to Tumlingtar from where you drive towards Khadabari, the starting point of the trek. The drive goes along the side of green hills, offering beautiful landscapes.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After having breakfast, you drive to Num. The drive offers captivating vies of terraced fields, small villages, green hills, and snow-capped mountains.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

From Num, the trail descends through lush forests and terraced fields. You will reach Arun Khola and continue trekking along a winding path. The trail further passes through lush forests. The trail also passes through the Makalu Barun National Park and register your permits at the entrance of the park.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The trail ascends to a ridge, surrounded by Ipsuwa Khola on the west and Kasuwa Khola on the east. You will cross a hillside and pass through the picturesque village. Further, the trail goes through paddy fields and takes you to Tashi Gaon.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Leaving Tashi Gaon behind, the trail ascends to Khongma. You will cross the Shipton La Pass from where striking scenery can be observed. The trail further descends from the pass to remote Barun Valley. Trekking through dense forests of rhododendrons, you reach Khongma for the night stay.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The trail takes you to Kala Pokhari. From here, you gradually ascend towards Keke La Pass (4,152 m) and descend to Mumbuk. You can see fantastic views of Peak 6, Peak 7, and Mt. Chamlang on the way.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today, the trail passes through lovely rhododendron forests, and further, moves along Barun river. You will ascend and reach Nehe Kharka for a night stay.

  • Camp
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The trail from Nehe Kharka moves towards the Makalu Base Camp. You will gradually ascend, enjoying excellent views of snow-capped mountains and sceneries. Upon reaching the base camp, you spend the day exploring around and resting.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

From this day onwards, you begin climbing towards the summit. You will spend several days on the base camp to acclimate your body. Gradually, you will establish different camps before the final push towards the summit.

  • Camp
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Before leaving the base camp, you will clean and collect all the waste to take back with you for proper disposal. From base camp, the trail descends to Merik, where you will be spending the night.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The trail leaves Barun valley behind and descends to Mubuk. You walk through small villages and dense forests before reaching the village.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

From Mubuk, you trek and reach Khoma ridge. The trail ascends through forest and crosses two passes- Tutu La and Shipton La. Further, a downhill walk through treeline, terraced fields, and settlement area will take you to Tashi Gaon.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The trail passes through Narbu Gaon and includes a downhill walk. You will reach Seduwa village and descend to the Arun River. Crossing the river, you move towards Num village.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

From Num, you drive through fine villages, offering stunning views of hills & mountains. The drive will consist of a few hours.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After having breakfast, you continue to drive towards Tumlingtar. The route will be the same as before and offers beautiful views.

  • Teahouse
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today, you take a short flight out of Tumlingtar to Kathmandu. Upon landing in Kathmandu, you head to the hotel. The remaining day is free to relax.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast only

You spend the day exploring around the valley and shopping. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner organized by the company with the rest of the team members.

  • Hotel
  • Breakfast & farewell dinner

It is time to fly back to your home with a pocket full of memories. Our airport representative will drop you at the airport as per your flight departure time.

  • Breakfast only

Cost Details

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off services by private A/C car or van
  • All ground transportation
  • Entry permits for National Park/Local permit/Garbage deposit
  • All climbing permits
  • Experience Sherpas
  • Hotel in kathmadu/bb
  • Trekking guide/Porter salary their insurance and equipment
  • Three meals a day =breakfast/lunch/dinner/tea/coffee
  • Lodge accommodations/Camping arrangements overall
  • All domestic ticket for your destination
  • Entrance fees while sightseeing
  • International airfare and airport tax.
  • Medical and personal high risk insurance
  • Nepal entry visa fees
  • Personal equipment and climbing gears.
  • Applicable permit fees and custom charge for Sat phone, communication equipment and commercial filming while on expedition.
  • International flight airfare
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Accommodation and meals (breakfast, meal and dinner) in Kathmandu
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure, early return from trekking.
  • Personal expense such as shopping, snacks for trek, beverages, laundry, telephone call, extra porters etc.
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Additional costs or delays cause by out of management control for example, landscape, weather condition, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies, strikes etc.
  • Personal clothing and gear

Useful Information

Makalu Southeast Ridge Route

Makalu Advanced Base Camp (5,600m)

Situated on a rocky moraine, Makalu Advanced Base Camp presents spectacular views of the Himalayas. As per our itinerary, you will be spending numerous days on the base camp to acclimate your body with the altitude. During your stay, you will go on frequent short excursions and learn to properly use climbing gear by your team leader. All the tents will be set at the base camp before your arrival.

Camp I (6,400m)

Ascending through grassy slopes, rock slabs, and moraine, you reach the glacier section. Further, the route to Camp I involves mixed terrain and numerous crevasses. You will be following the lead of the team leader and reach Camp I after around three to four hours of walk from the advance camp.

Camp II (6,800m)

The route is moderately technical from Camp I to Camp II and involves around two and half hours of climbing. You will reach the heart of ice & snow. Walking on the snow for about an hour, you pass by many steep parts of ice and cross a small icefall without using a ladder.

Camp III (7,450m)

Camp III is located at the longest distance from Camp II and requires around four hours of climbing. The trail is filled with crevasses, but you won't need a ladder to cross them. The rope is fixed by the Sherpas whenever needed. The terrain will be on the easier side at this part, however the elevation and exposure to cold, sun & wind will make the ascending strenuous. Depending upon your situation, you will either push directly towards the summit from Camp III or establish Camp IV.

Camp IV (7,900m)

Camp IV is close to Camp III that makes the summit easier. You will be approaching the death zone gradually. The oxygen level begins to decline, and any small effort will become tedious. You will be climbing on a steep 50º-55º snow slope. The region is highly prone to avalanche, therefore we will be spending as much as possible less time here. Crossing Seignior Wall, you will set up cam above Makalu La.

Makalu Summit (8,481m)

The climbing begins around midnight to reach the summit of Mt. Makalu on time. You will be passing by the false summit before reaching the main summit. After spending some time at the summit, you walk for around five hours to reach Camp IV, and further, descend for another couple of hours to reach Camp III. From here, you will slowly move towards the advanced base camp.

Makalu Expedition difficulty & Altitude Sickness

Climbing Mount Makalu is not an easy thing. It is one of the toughest Himalayas to summit. You need to be physically strong to climb this mountain. Likewise, mental and emotional stability is also very important as you have to spend several days in a completely secluded part, far away from the human settlement. Previous climbing experience with ice-climbing is needed.

Altitude sickness can be a major issue during Makalu Expedition. We make sure all the members of the team properly acclimatize their bodies before gaining more elevation. We will spend numerous days on the base camp and gradually ascend towards the summit, making sure our body is ready to stand at 8,481 meters.

Best time to go on Makalu Expedition

The best time to climb Mt. Makalu is from March to April and September to November. These are the most preferred times by the climbers to summit mountains in the Himalayas because of stable weather, moderate climate, and stunning views.

Accommodation & Meals

Villages have the availability of teahouses that offer basic services and twin-shared rooms. From base camp, you stay overnight in tents that are carried by the crew members. We offer branded high-quality single sleeping tents to all the members of the group along with a shared dining & washroom tent. While staying overnight in the teahouse, the meals will be served as per the menu. Likewise, during camping, all the meals will be prepared and cooked by the crew. We offer an extensive menu to choose from that will provide all the nutrients you need to keep your energy maintained.

Communication & Electricity

Both solar and hydroelectricity is available in the villages. From base camp and onwards, we will be using fuels for electricity. We advise you to carry extra batteries and solar chargers. Likewise, the cellular network might not be available all the time and can get almost no network from base camp onwards. The team leader will be equipped with a satellite phone.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory to join the Makalu Expedition. Your travel insurance must cover things like air evacuation, medical bills, hospital bills, etc. There can be unseen circumstances while traveling in the Himalayas regardless of our all measures and precautions, therefore travel insurance will act like a shield and keep you safe.

Environmental Contribution

While the Makalu Expedition, we use only eco-friendly and sustainable gears and products. We have designed our Makalu Expedition itinerary precisely involving all the measures to make sure our presence does not harm the fragile environment. We make sure to carry our waste and clean the camps before leaving it. We also fund the education expenses of a few kids from underprivileged Mountain families through our organization.