When is the Best Time to Trek to Makalu Base Camp?
The Makalu Base Camp Trekking experience is best from spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these seasons, weather conditions are stable, skies are clear, and the views of Makalu and the surrounding peaks are spectacular.
Rhododendrons bloom in spring, painting the forests with vibrant colors, while autumn offers crisp air and dramatic mountain vistas. Winter trekking (December to February) is possible but can be challenging due to snow and extremely low temperatures at high altitudes, especially above 4,000 meters.
Monsoon season (June to August) brings heavy rain, slippery trails, and cloud-covered peaks, making trekking difficult and less scenic. Planning your trek during the optimal seasons ensures better trail conditions, safer trekking, and incredible photographic opportunities.
What kind of accommodation is available on the Makalu Trek package?
During the Makalu Base Camp Trek, accommodation is primarily in teahouses and lodges along the route, offering you warm meals and a cozy place to rest after long trekking days.
In villages such as Sedhuwa, Tashigaon, Kauma, Mumbuk, Yangle Kharka, and Shershon, the tea houses provide simple but comfortable lodging with basic facilities like beds, blankets, and shared bathrooms. These establishments allow you to experience local hospitality while maintaining comfort at high altitudes.
In Kathmandu and Tumlingtar, accommodation is in 3-star or equivalent hotels, providing modern amenities and a comfortable environment to rest before and after trekking. We ensure that all accommodations are carefully selected for safety, cleanliness, and location, making your stay along the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route enjoyable and stress-free.
What kind of food and drinking water is available along the route?
Meals along the Makalu Base Camp Trek typically consist of local Nepalese dishes such as dal bhat (lentil rice), momo (dumplings), soups, noodles, and seasonal vegetables. The menu for lunch and dinner is usually the same and gets limited as you ascend higher. At the lower altitude, you can get options of Western dishes as well.
Tea houses along the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route provide hot meals, ensuring proper nutrition to support high-altitude trekking. For breakfast, you can have bread, chapati with vegetable curry, porridge, and oatmeal. After each meal, you will get a hot cup of tea.
Clean drinking water is available at tea houses along the Makalu route, and it is recommended to use water purification tablets or a filter for extra safety. Many lodges also provide boiled water for an extra cost, ensuring trekkers stay hydrated throughout the journey.
What transportation is included on the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
Reaching the Makalu Base Camp Trek area involves a combination of domestic flights, road transfers, and trekking. You typically start with a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, which takes approximately 50 minutes and offers scenic aerial views of eastern Nepal’s lush valleys and distant peaks.
From Tumlingtar, a local jeep drive of 4–5 hours brings you to Sedhuwa, the official starting point of the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route. During the trek, transportation is not required, as the journey is completed on foot along the well-mapped trails.
After completing the trek, the return involves a jeep drive back to Tumlingtar, followed by a domestic flight to Kathmandu. Himalayan Recreation Treks ensures all transportation is organized safely and efficiently, including airport transfers, allowing you to focus entirely on the adventure of the trek to Makalu Base Camp.
How difficult is the Makalu trekking?
The Makalu Base Camp Trek is considered a challenging high-altitude trek, suitable for physically fit and prepared individuals. You face long days of walking, gradual ascents, and high-altitude conditions, with distances ranging from 12 to 16 kilometers per day in rugged terrain. The combination of steep trails, rocky paths, and glacial moraines requires endurance, stamina, and careful pacing.
Acclimatization days and a well-structured itinerary make the trek manageable for those committed to preparation, and the challenges of the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route are balanced by rewarding views of towering peaks, alpine meadows, and remote villages.
However, proper fitness, hiking experience, and mental preparedness are needed for a safe and fulfilling Makalu trekking experience.
What are the chances of getting altitude sickness during the trek to Makalu Base Camp?
Trekking to Makalu Base Camp (4,853 m) involves significant altitude gain, making awareness of altitude sickness essential. Altitude sickness is the condition that occurs when your body is not able to adjust to the changing altitude.
Symptoms may include headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Proper acclimatization, hydration, and gradual ascent along the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route significantly reduce the risk.
Our guides are trained to monitor symptoms, provide advice, and recommend rest or medication if needed. You are encouraged to listen to your body and not rush the ascent. Make sure to drink plenty of water and let your guide know immediately if you have any symptoms.
How to Prepare for the Makalu Base Camp Trek Trail?
Proper preparation is essential for a safe and enjoyable Makalu Base Camp Trekking experience. Physical fitness is key; you should engage in regular cardio exercises, strength training, and long hikes before departure.
Endurance-building activities such as stair climbing, running, and carrying weighted backpacks simulate trekking conditions and prepare the body for high-altitude challenges along the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route.
Mental preparation is equally important. The trek involves long days, remote trails, and changing weather conditions, requiring patience, resilience, and a positive mindset. Familiarizing yourself with high-altitude trekking, basic first aid, and travel safety can enhance confidence and ensure a smoother experience.
What should I pack for the Trek to Makalu Base Camp?
A carefully planned packing list ensures comfort, safety, and efficiency on the Makalu Base Camp Trek. As it is a 15 days long trek in a comparatively remote part of Nepal, make sure to pack all the essentials.
Some essentials include:
- trekking jackets
- thermal innerwear
- waterproof pants
- trekking boots
- gloves, hats, and warm socks
- sunglasses and sunscreen
- sturdy backpack
- personal hygiene items
- power banks
- Small day pack
- Slippers and clothes for hotel stays
Proper packing ensures you are well-prepared for both daily trekking challenges and high-altitude conditions. Reach out to us directly for a more guided packing list.
What permits are required for the Makalu Base Camp Trek?
The permits required for the trek to Makalu Base Camp are:
- Makalu Barun National Park permit: Since this trek falls within the national park's area, you are required to obtain a Makalu Barun National Park permit, which costs NPR 3,000 per person.
- Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS): This is a compulsory permit required for the trek that costs around NPR 2000 per person.
All the permits will be arranged by the Himalayan Recreation Treks and are included in your package.
What is the Cost of the Makalu trek?
The Makalu Base Camp Trekking package for 2026/2027 is priced to include all essential services, ensuring a hassle-free experience. The cost starts from USD 1799 and typically covers domestic flights, road transfers, permits, accommodations, meals during the trek, experienced guides, and porters.
By including these services, trekkers can focus entirely on the adventure without worrying about logistics along the Makalu Base Camp Trek Route.
Further, the cost can vary depending on the size of the group, type of accommodations, and additional services such as private porters or customized meals. Booking through Himalayan Recreation Treks guarantees you transparency, detailed cost breakdowns, and no hidden charges.
How to Book the Makalau Base Camp Trek with Himalayan Recreation?
Booking your Makalu Base Camp Trekking adventure with Himalayan Recreation is straightforward and ensures a fully organized experience. You can reserve their spot online, via email, or by contacting our office directly.
First, visit our web page, where you first need to choose your preferred date, fill out the online form, and send all the documents. After completing that process, you will have to pay a 30% deposit to ensure your booking. Once the booking is confirmed, we will send you an email with additional information.
Early booking is recommended, especially for peak seasons (spring and autumn), to secure flights and accommodations. Our team provides personalized itineraries, payment plans, and pre-trek briefings to ensure clarity and confidence before departure.
3 reviews
