Makalu Base Camp Trek

Difficulty level of this trek

This is a tough journey. The geographic isolation, unpredictable climate, high altitude passes and limited walking and hiking facilities render Makalu a less unique destination given its natural magnificence.

The altitude at Makalu Base camp varies from 430 m to over 4870 m. The trail is steep uphill or downhill, up to 1500 meters a day. Up to eight hours a day you need to exercise.

There is no shelter in tea houses, and no food settlements between two camps after Tashigaon. The convenience of this road is very limited, as there are a few lodges and tea houses unlike on common roads. So, carrying food and ample water for the trail is must.

Lodging and Fooding

Throughout the route there are basic homestay tea and lodges. Most tea rooms have twin beds, hard coats, and blankets. You are kept dry by holding sleeping bag, chilly nights with pillow and lining. In most camps, including at Makalu Base Camp, there are three tea houses. Yet only one tea house is in Mambuk. Just six to eight people will stay in a lodge every day. You have to break into tea houses or go camping with larger parties. When you stay at the tea houses, rooms are simple with communal toilets and bathrooms. Booking in advance helps to reserve the space for you. There are toilets in Nepali style. For shower, hot water can be arranged in bucket by tea houses for extra cost. 

In the same tea house, you'll eat and stay the night. Sleeping in one tea house is considered inappropriate and dining in another.

Both resting camps have tea houses that serve simple food so you don't have to go hungry. But you will not have a menu that you want to choose a variety of cuisines. Tea House serves simple foods such as 'Dal Bhat' and fried rice, chow mein, and eggs. Ask the owner of the tea house for a selection of food and you will have to pick a small option. You can bring frozen or dried foods if you have specific dietary requirements.

Phone communication on the trek

Telecommunication services on the Makalu Base Camp trek are limited. The connectivity is strong and reliable at lower altitudes. It gets rarer and weaker as you go higher.

GSM and CDMA connectivity of NTC and Ncell are available with an Internet connection. Wi-Fi connectivity is a distant wish. This is a wilderness trek, so enjoy a few days of your life away from the Internet connectivity.

Most of the area below 3,000m, the cell phone works partially. while satellite phones are available in camp once you reach the upper ground.

For any emergency situation, our guides are equipped with satellite phones. So you are a call away from emergency response. The absence of a telephone connection should not make you nervous.

Availability of drinking water on the trek

Drinking directly from natural sources is not of any issue for local residents and members of the team. Before drinking, we recommend using a water filter or purification tablets.

Bottled water is available to buy, but it is not eco safe and too costly. You can fill your bottle with plenty of water re-supplies.

We advise you to carry additional water bottle for cold and warm water. Daytime in the tea houses, you will fill your glass with cold or warm water. In both camps there are many places to replenish your drink.

Obtaining Trekking Permits

Trekkers' Information Management Systems (TIMS) card is required for the trekking in Makalu Base Camp. For the first 4 weeks an additional entry fee is USD 20 per person per week to Makalu Rural Municipality. After the fourth week, it costs USD 25 a week per user. At the entrance of Makalu Barun National Park TIMS is purchased in Kathmandu. The admission fee is collected by Makalu Barun National Park at the entrance. You can collect your permits from and on the trail from our guides.

Insuring your Security

All the participants in the tour should receive health insurance covering at least medical and emergency evacuation. In emergency situations, helicopter evacuation is provided but you must ensure that the evacuation cost is covered by your insurance. Of course, you also want cover for personal losses or damages, cancelation of flight or trip, etc.

For Solo travellers

Single rooms can be guaranteed only in Kathmandu. While in Tea Houses or treks, you may have to share as availability of rooms is scarce. Single Supplementary charge for Kathmandu would be $150. Please remember the trip is priced in twin sharing basis for all the accommodation.

Luggage limit per person

Often this depends on the trek and the maximum altitude gain. Each porter carries between 15 and 30 kg on average in the mountain region for trekking. There is up to 40 kg of a camping pack. We usually assign one porter to our two trekkers.  15 kg of luggage is allowed per person on the trek. The health of our porter crew is strictly guaranteed.

Best time for this trek

In autumn – September-November and in the spring-March-May, like any other route in Nepal, is the best time to walk to Makalu Base Camp. For both seasons the atmosphere is open sky and the temperatures are cool.

Spring is warm and sunny with sometimes high altitude snowfall. On high passes you would typically encounter snow and ice. And most of the sky is clear with amazing mountain views. As summer approaches, the temperature begins to increase. This season is enhanced with greenery, and the full bloom of wildflowers and rhododendron flowers comes with a myriad of colours.

List of Equipments you will need for trek

Clothing

·         Trekking boots

·         Short-sleeved Trekking shirts

·         Trekking pants and jackets

·         Thermals underwear

·         Long-sleeved Trekking shirts

·         Insulating down jackets

·         Woolen cap

·         Trekking Gloves

·         Raincoats

First Aid

·         Diamox tablets

·         Sanitary pads / Tampons

·         Anti-nausea Medicines

·         Band-aids

·         Mosquito and insect repellents

Toiletries

·         Soap

·         Toilet Paper

·         Shampoo

·         Sunscreen

·         Moisturizer

·         Hand sanitizer

Accessories

·         Sunglasses

·         Sleeping bag

·         Cameras

·         Batteries

·         Water Bottle

·         Solar Chargers

·         Hot water Thermos

Important Documents

·         Passport

·         Travel Permits