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TripAdvisor · Travelers’ Choice 2026

Nepal · Remote Area Trek

Makalu Base Camp Trek

19 Days
Difficulty · 3 Strenous/5
Max 6143m
Group 2–14 pax
Duration
19 Days
18 nights
Max Altitude
6143m
Highest point
Difficulty
Strenous
3 Strenous out of 5
Group Size
2–14
people
Best Season
Feb, Mar, April, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec.
Activity / Day
5-6 Hours trekking

Trip Overview

Overview

This trek takes you through isolated valleys and high mountain passes to the base of the world's fifth highest mountain Mt.Makalu. The majority of the trek route lies inside Makalu-Barun national park, famous for a beautiful and variant array of flora and fauna.

Here you will find some of Nepal's most amazing scenery, ranging from the sweeping Arun river valley, over the Barun La (4200m), to the remorseless Ice fields surrounding Makalu (8463 m).

Trekking through the Arun valley offers you the best opportunity to observe many of our country's bird species, including the Spiny Babbler, the only species of its kind in the world. Practically untouched, this region has much more to offer you besides birds and wildlife… find out for yourself!

Journey

The trek starts from the small hill town of Hile, accessible by road or air, or through Tumlingtar, the district headquarters of Sunkhwasabha. Makalu Base Camp trek starts at Tumlingtar and goes up towards Sedua and Num up the Arun River valley and crosses Shipton La Pass (4210 meters) into the upper Barun river valley to take a closer view of Makalu and Himal Chamlang.

This tour covers one of Nepal's farthest and most rare places. The valley of Barun is part of a large global protected area which contains 2330 sq. km of National Park and 830 sq. km of the protected territory in Nepal alone. The 8th largest national park in Nepal, Makalu Barun, is 2330 square metres. Km, and some of the uncommon flora and fauna, including  Red Panda, are in Nepal.

In your journey, you shall pass through the terraced land inhabited by the inhabitants of Rai, which was mainly found in the hills of eastern Nepal, has an ethnic group.

You will encounter sheer granite peaks, glaciers and stunning waterfalls deeper in the mountains beyond Barun River Valley. The Sherpa community, an ethnically Tibetan tribe that resides mainly around Everest, dwell on the higher elevations. The scarcely viewed Kangshung Everest as well as Lhotse, Chamlang and Kanchenjunga on the far east can be seen from Makalu Base Camp.

Highlights 

  • Find out more about the great ride to Makalu Base Camp where just a few people went.
  • On one day of trekking, skip the Shipton La and three other high passes
  • Discover Makalu Base camp for a whole day
  • Reach complex ecosystems from 700 m to over 5 000 meters in various temperate zones
  • Stay in tea houses on the way to the village and directly contribute to the local economy.

Trip Grade: Three ( Strenuous)

A difficult trek or grade 3 from an altitude from 4000 m to 5550 m. The best of Nepal's trekking is category 3. You need some previous trekking activities and good health.

Climbing and descending are quite common walking experiences and you may also need to cross little glaciers. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes, however, the pace of the trek will vary in compensation.

If you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have strong determination, you will complete this trek successfully. Exercising, particularly jogging and climbing stairs regularly for some weeks prior to your arrival is recommended to enhance your strength and fitness.

Past hiking experience would be an asset, but no technical skill is required. This kind of trip gives you a lifetime experience, a breathtaking stroll around the mountains.

Photo Gallery

Day-by-Day Itinerary

01
Day 1
Arrival to Kathmandu & Transfer to the Hotel (1,400m)
Dinner included

Upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in medieval and modernized Kathmandu, you will be warmly received by our representative and transported to the hotel. Upon check-in and some refreshments, our senior mountain guide will give you a quick briefing on the Makalu Base Camp Trek.

 

What’s Included

Included
All surface transfers as per itinerary
Three star catagory hotel in Kathmandu(Himalaya Suite Hotel, or similar category) in twin sharing bed and breakfast basis
Fooding, lodging and other expenses of trekking crew
Transportation by bus
All meals (B.L.D) and lodging for the clients in trek days
Necessary permit,and national park fees
Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
Necessary equipments( Sleeping bag, Jacket and trekking pole) during the trek.
Insurance for all trekking staff.
30 min full body Massage in Himalayan Suite Spa
Not Included
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
City sightseeing entry fee,Personal equipments and clothing
Airfare and your insurances
Cold and alcoholic drinks
Personal expenses and tips to the crew

Upcoming Departures

Departs Daily — Pick Any DateThis trip runs every day year-round. Choose your preferred start date below.

Available months in 2026

Select a Departure Date

Traveler Reviews20 verified

T
Taher★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Really excellent day! Rajan was my tour guide and he was excellent. Explained every historical site and the background behind it and was very informative the whole day. He made sure I was ok always, gave good reccomendat…

D
Dave★★★★★
Verified Purchase

We really enjoyed our tour of the 7 UNESCO sites today. Dipendra was very informative and told us all about the history and fascinating facts of the many temples we visited. This is a full day trip and I would recommend …

G
Greg★★★★★
Verified Purchase

A great way to see all of the important sites in Kathmandu in just one day! The guide, Dipendra was great! Informative and funny!

G
Gloria★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Dioendra our guide was terrific!!! Professional, punctual, very knowledgeable We visit 7 UNESCO sites and spend several hours knowing the fascinating and magical Nepalese culture…. Wonderful time !!! Highly recommended t…

E
Elizabeth W★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Guide was awesome. Really made the trip more special. I understand so much more about the History and culture of Nepal than without a wonderful guide. There was no questions he could not answer. Was a once in a lifetime …

N
Natalie★★★★★
Verified Purchase

We had an amazing day with Dipendra! We spent so much great quality time at each site. He provided deep explanation on the history of each monument, took us to some interesting authentic places and overall shared informa…

B
Barry★★★★★
Verified Purchase

A fantastic day touring the 7 Unesco sights of Kathmandu! Our guide, Dipendra, was extremely knowledgeable and informative and we finished the tour with a great appreciation of Nepalese culture!

B
Bodhi★★★★★
Verified Purchase

We had wonderful time with our guide, Dipendra exploring the 7 UNESCO sites! He was very flexible with how much time and areas we like to be at along with his knowledge of the sites. Thank you for Dipendra a great memory…

S
Sabine★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Our guide Rajan knew absolutely everything. He was very empathetic, answered all our questions, and made this tour an unforgettable experience.

L
Lucie★★★★★
Verified Purchase

It was perfect. The guide was very good and provided a lot of interesting information.

L
Lisa★★★★★
Verified Purchase

WONDERFUL. Had limited time, so I went on the 4-site version of the tour. They picked me up exactly on time. Guide was terrific, his explanations were clear and fascinating, and there was nothing he couldn't answer. Prio…

B
Bronwyn★★★★★
Verified Purchase

What an incredible, informative trip… really had the best time with our guide Dipendra! We were not rush and got to enjoy the best that Kathmandu had to offer : ) thank you for a special day!

Traveler Stories

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DavidKathmandu - Pokhara Sightseeing with Everest Scenic Flight & Annapurna Heli tour
Makalu Base Camp Trek — Select a Departure Date
$ 1,650.00
/ person
$ 1,950.0015% OFF
Reserve with $ 330.00 — pay the rest later
Free cancellation · No hidden fees
4.9★ · 2,004+ TripAdvisor reviews
18 Years+ Experience
Why Trek with HSJ
Small GroupsMax 12 trekkers for a personal experience
Local Sherpa GuidesBorn & raised in the Himalaya
All Permits IncludedNo hidden fees or surprises
7% of profit donated

Through the Himalayan Community Project, we fund education, healthcare & conservation in rural Nepal.

Amrit SapkotaAswin SapkotaRam SapkotaAju SitaulaSushma Rijal
Ram & TeamBased in Kathmandu 🇳🇵
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Nepal Tourism Board
NATTA
TAAN
Nepal Mountaineering Association
$ 1,650.00per person