Makalu Base Camp Trek

Highlights

• Trek in the Makalu-Barun National Park under the shadow of the Barun Glacier.
• Spectacular mountain vistas of the Makalu, Lhotse and Everest massifs from 5,500m.
• Panoramic views whilst crossing the Shipton La (4,125m).
• Remote trails with few other trekkers.
• An authentic, tented Himalayan expedition.
• Feel secure! This is a fully supported and well-organised tour.

Want more adventure? Combine this trip with one of our other Nepal treks or tours.

Prices

Land Only Price: from £1595

This trip is run as a private tour for you and your group.

You will find our private tour prices are surprisingly reasonable. We can provide private tours for individuals to groups of one hundred or more. Please contact us with your details to receive a price within 24 hours.

Allow £550-700 for return flights from London or Manchester. To book flights, click here.

We accept foreign payments, please click here for details.

There are no other hidden costs. This is the full amount of your holiday.

The best time to travel to Nepal is from March to May and October to December.

A deposit of £200 secures your place on the trip and the balance is due 60 days before the start of the tour. Monthly payment plans can be set up on request. If you book less than 60 days before the start of the trip, then the full amount is due immediately.

Will there be any surcharges or price changes?

Once your deposit has been paid there is a guaranteed no price change. There are no hidden charges or extras, the price we quote you when you book is the price you and your group will be paying.

Optional Extras

Extend your trip in Nepal by 2 more weeks

Check the departure dates of our other Nepal tours here. Get a 5% discount off of the lower priced tour when you book two trips for yourself!

Single Traveller?

We don’t charge a single supplement fee if you’re a solo traveller. Our prices are based on staying in twin share rooms and tents with a member of the same sex or your travelling companion. If you wish to stay in your own room and tent, there will be a £560 charge for this trip (includes the tent, along with extra weight allowance for the porter and air transport plus camping fees in each village, as well as hotels in Kathmandu).

Upgrades

If you would like to treat yourself before or after your grand adventure, we are more than happy to arrange alternative accommodation. We also appreciate how lovely a little bit of lavish comfort can be when you are away from home and can recommend the following hotels for a touch of 5-star luxury in Kathmandu.

Day Tours and Extensions

Explore holy temples or endearing hilltop villages, discover the exotic capital, or seek out nature and tranquillity in the beautiful Himalayan landscape. From white water rafting to scenic rambles into serene villages and hidden gems, why not extend your trip?

Continue reading about Nepal day tours and side trips.

Click here for more information on Nepal.

Itinerary and Route

All of our itineraries are meticulously researched and well planned. They are designed to give you the most amounts of fun and excitement, whilst also giving you ample time to relax. Lost Earth Adventures takes the hassle out of organising your trip, leaving you to sit back and enjoy your adventure!

• Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
• Day 2: Fly to Tumlingtar and drive to Chichila (1,850m)
• Day 3: Trek from Chichila to Num (1,505m)
• Day 4: Trek from Num to Seduwa (1,493m)
• Day 5: Trek from Seduwa to Tashi Gaon (2,057m)
• Day 6: Trek from Tashi Gaon to Kongma (3,562m).
• Day 7: Rest day to acclimatise
• Day 8: Trek from Kongma to Debotay (3,650m) via the Shipton La (4,125m)
• Day 9: Trek from Debotay to Yangle Kharka (3,600m)
• Day 10: Trek from Yangle Kharka to Langmale Kharka (4,200m)
• Day 11: Rest day to acclimatise
• Day 12: Trek from Yangle Kharka to Makalu SE Base Camp (5,000m)
• Day 13: Day hike to 5,500m on Makalu
• Day 14: Trek from Makalu SE Base Camp to Langmale Kharka (4,200m)
• Day 15: Trek from Langmale Kharka to Debotay (3,650)
• Day 16: Trek from Debotay to Tashi Gaon (2,057m)
• Day 17: Trek from Tashi Gaon to Num (1,505m)
• Day 18: Drive from Num to Tumlingtar (518m)
• Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu
• Day 20: Contingency day/rest day Kathmandu
• Day 21: Depart Kathmandu

See a more detailed itinerary for this trek.

If you have a late flight why not…
Explore the ancient city of Patan or experience a breathtaking Everest mountain flight!

Photos

Click on the arrows to take a photographic journey through the Makalu-Barun National Park.
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Trip Grading

This trip is considered to be demanding. Whilst most people with a good level of fitness can complete this trek, trekkers should be aware that it is a tented expedition with limited facilities along the trail. We trek into a fairly remote part of Nepal at higher altitudes than you are probably used to. There are a variety of steep ascents and descents, and we sometimes trek for up to 6-9 hours per day. The trails are good on the whole, with some areas of landslide and glacial moraine to negotiate. Please see the Makalu Base Camp itinerary page for details.

As always on our treks there is plenty of staff and we can accommodate everyone’s trekking pace. We appreciate that in a group there will be many different speeds of walker and we don’t ever want you to feel like you are holding up a group or being held up. Having plenty of guides and porters allow for us to change itineraries and pace easily.

Recent Trip Reports

• Makalu Base Camp Trek Report April 2017

Altitude Advice

• Read our comprehensive guide to travelling at high altitude.

What’s Included

• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
• 18 nights camping
• Included meals: All meals while trekking, breakfasts in Kathmandu, welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu. The food our cooks prepare for you at the camps is brilliant. We use professional cooks rather than just relying on the guide and porters and we buy locally grown produce from the locals where possible. Food is always plentiful, healthy and varied.
• Afternoon tea and biscuits while trekking
• Airport transfers to and from the airport on the first and last day
• All transportation for duration of tour (unless otherwise specified)
• Entrance fees and trekking permits
• Porters and support staff to carry luggage
• 1 fully qualified, first aid trained Trekking Guide
• Satellite phone (to be used for organising logistics and in emergencies)
• Guides will check in with our office to get regular bespoke weather updates and confirm locations
• Financial protection
• Pre-departure support and advice by email, phone and face to face meetings in York if you would like. After booking with us we will send you a highly informative and comprehensive trip information pack
• Remote medical support from specialist doctors
• Small groups. No more than 12 people on a set departure trip
• Trekking kit bag
• We don’t force a fast or slow pace. Our teams are supported with plenty of staff so you can walk at your own pace. We let you walk at the pace that is right for you.
• Our guides and porters are paid fairly, properly equipped and fully insured for rescue and medical emergencies
• Map of the trekking area
• T-shirt
• If you’d like to meet some of our team and experience our services beforehand you can join us on one of our UK adventures.

What’s Not Included

• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Items of a personal nature (drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc.)
• Nepalese visa (available to buy on arrival at Kathmandu airport from USD30)
• Scenic Everest mountain flight
• Tips to porters/local guide
• Airport transfers taken outside of the itinerary’s arrival and departure dates

Travelling to Nepal

You will need a passport with 6-month’s validity and you will need to obtain a Nepalese visa. The easiest way to get the visa is to buy it on entry to Nepal with either dollars or any major currency but not Nepali Rupees. Currently the cost for a single-entry visa valid for 15/30/90 days costs US$30/50/125. You can buy a visa in advance from the Neplese embassy in your home country if they have a location there. It is more expensive than buying it on arrival in Kathmandu and it doesn’t always save you time when you arrive as it is random which queue is longer. You also have to risk sending your passport off and they may take it for several weeks. You will need to buy travel insurance for your trip which you can find out about here. You also need to visit your GP or travel health professional at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to check what vaccinations you need.

For more information about travelling safely and obtaining passports you can see more at the FCO know before you go Travel Aware Campaign.

Read about professional photographer and explorer Julien Fumard’s experience trekking to Makalu Base Camp with us on his website.

Read more reviews about treks to Nepal with Lost Earth Adventures.

Groups: Private Treks and Group Tours

Charities, Schools, Military, Private Groups and Tailor Made Trips for Individuals

All our tours can be run privately for you and your group, from solo travellers to groups of over 50. We specialise in organising bespoke tours for groups of friends, charity challenges, school groups, mountaineering clubs, families, and countless others.

Please contact us with your details to receive a price within 24 hours.

Charities

We love working with charity challengers! We have our own charity (Share the Load Foundation) and are inspired by your determination to fundraise for worthy causes. That’s why we will do everything we can to help you achieve your goals during a charity challenge. We provide support from start to finish, including fundraising tips, training plans and the very best in-country support.

Continue reading about charity challenges

Schools

We believe that the best way for students to develop into global citizens ready to go and conquer the world is to get them out into it as soon as possible. We meticulously plan our itineraries to increase students’ independence and self-belief and develop a sense of social responsibility. UK safety standards and documentation for all activities and a 24 hour UK based operations centre ensure students’ safety and well-being on their Asian Lost Earth Adventure.

Continue reading about school trips to Asia

Military Groups

We are an Approved Military Contractor and provide many courses, expeditions and adventure training for groups of serving personnel and Cadets.

Read more about our military programmes or explore our activities and training for cadets

Tailor-made trips

We understand honeymooners need a bit of champagne sparkle, some celebrations warrant the inclusion of heli-trekking and spa treatments, and that the very active relax with white-water rafting after summiting 6,000m peaks. Decades of research and our extensive in-country network mean anything is possible. Get in touch and we’ll start preparing your perfect adventure.

Continue reading about Tailor Made trips

Information for group leaders & group discounts

Depending on your trip and number of participants, we can offer groups of 10 or more a complimentary place or a discount for all adventurers. Schools trips can benefit from free places for teachers, whilst we can discount rates for charity challenges. Contact us with your details and requirements and we will get a quote to you within one working day.

We also appreciate the effort it takes to coordinate a group of people so in exchange for your efforts, we will give group organisers of 10+ people a £150 Cotswold gift voucher; perfect for kitting yourself out ahead of your big adventure!

All group members receive a complimentary kit bag, t-shirt and a voucher code for 15% off at Cotswold Outdoor.

For Your Information

Health and safety and financial protection

At Lost Earth Adventures, health and safety is our top priority. All our trips are run to UK and international safety standards, and are proud to surpass these standards in many areas.

Full details of our policies and protections are available here.