MOUNT MAKALU BASE CAMP AND BARUN VALLEY TREK

Trip Facts

Duration 15 N- 16 D

Trip Grade Moderate to Adventurous.

Country Nepal

Maximum Altitude At Makalu Base Camp 4,870 m/ 15,978 feet.

Best Time spring, autumn/fall

Overview

Adventure around North of Kanchenjunga with the guidance of Dhan Kumar Rai.
An expert and veteran guide of the Nepalese company Kirat Society Adventure and Hiking. Mount Makalu and Barun Valley Trek takes you around the hidden corners of Nepal’s Eastern Himalayas. Located east of the world’s highest Mt. Everest and west of Mt. Kanchenjunga is the world’s 3^rd highest. The route to Makalu Base Camp and Barun Valley follows from the warm low farm land of Arun Valley.

The adventure continues towards cooler hills and remote villages of Num, Seduwa and Tashi Gaon. The climb takes you up to Kongma Dada, a high ridge, from this point the true adventure begins. The walk leads towards scenic passes of Keke and Shipton-La, amidst scenic views of Mt. Makalu, Baruntse and Mt. Kanchenjunga. After contouring the high ridges, the route heads through dense woods of rhododendrons and pine trees.

The adventure continues downhill from Dobato and Mumbuk to enter the scenic Barun Valley. The areas from Kongma Danda and around Barun Valley are well known for exotic flora and fauna. The rare herbs of nearly extinct plants on this world exist around this high country. Makalu and Barun National Park Conservation strictly protects the environment from further damages and extinction. A pleasant walk follows the Barun River upstream, where vegetation gets sparse. As the walks get closer to the arctic zone of moraine, ice and glaciers at Makalu Base Camp. Reaching the highest spot of the adventure at Makalu Base Camp 4,870 m/ 15,978 feet.

At Makalu Base Camp enjoy the dramatic views of towering Mt. Makalu.
The world’s 5^th highest at 8,485 meters or 27,838 feet high was first climbed by French Expeditions on May 15, 1955. Since then mountaineers seldom visit for the daring climb and challenge to Mt. Makalu summit. Makalu summit is a solid black rock pyramid shaped, hence the name Makalu in Nepali language.

From the high view point around Makalu Base Camp enjoy the rare east face of
Mt. Everest also. Famously known as “Kangsung Face” of Mt. Everest, includes views of Chamlang, Baruntse and Mt. Lhotse the 4^th highest peaks.

After an exciting experience at Makalu Base Camp, the return journey on the same scenic routes to Num. An interesting drive leads you back to the low land of Arun Valley at Tumlingtar for a sweeping scenic flight to Kathmandu.
At Kathmandu our fabulous adventure of a lifetime to Makalu Base Camp and Barun Valley Trek concludes.

Highlights

An amazing adventure around the least trekked areas of Makalu and Barun Valley.
Exciting landscapes from low warm Arun Valley to hidden scenic Barun Valley.
From lush green forest of rhododendrons and pines to sheer mountain wilderness.
Explore the wild high country and traditional villages adorned with lively cultures.
Grand Vista of Mt. Makalu, Kanchenjunga with the rare east face of Mt. Everest.

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel.

On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal Intenational Airport, after visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Outside the exit terminal our staff and guide receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed at the hotel, then join with other members of Adventure around North Kanchenjunga for a briefing.

Briefing is done by our guide, group leader with full information of the treks, including hotels in Kathmandu. Local cultures with do’s and don’ts.
In the evening a lovely dinner and introduction to Nepali foods and culture.

Day 2: Tour of Kathmandu heritage sites of great interest.

Moning after breakfast, our city guide takes you on a tour around thenworld heritage sites within Kathmandu city. After an exciting and interesting tour back to the hotel, preparation and packing for trekking. Non-essential clothing and items not required for treks, can be stored in the Hotel or with Kirat Society Adventure.

Day 3: Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar 950 m, drive to Num village

Moning as time for short flight to Tumlingtar, transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport. After checking on board in a small aircraft for a sweeping panoramic flight of 40 minutes. During air bone enjoy marvelous views of Langtang, Jugal Himal with Gaurishankar and Mt. Everest. As the plane heads further east, views of Mt. Makalu and Kanchenjunga, and then land at Tumlingtar airport. A warm low area, located on a shelf of Arun River, from the airport at Tumlingtar with time for refreshment. Meeting our trekking crew, guide and porters, an exciting drive takes you up to cooler hills. Heading past Khadbari, the headquarters of Sankhuwa Sabha district, the drive continues through farm villages. The route leads to winding up to the green hill of Chinchilla, a small village facing views of Makalu and Baruntse peaks. From here an hour downhill to Num village for ovenight halt in a local simple lodge.

Day 4: Trek to Seduwa

Enjoy the moning views of snow-capped peaks, having breakfast start the first day walk following downhill to Arun River gorge. Cross a small bridge above the raging flow of Arun River, and then a long climb of a few hours to Seduwa. A small farm village for ovenight stop in a small simple lodge or camp in the school yard.

Day 5: Trek to Tashi Gaon 2,200 m -04 hours.

A short day walk of a few hours from Seduwa to Tashi-Gaon, walk follows on a pleasant winding trail. Walk through farm fields and a small patch of cool forest, then ending the moning trek, reaching Tashi-Gaon. The last permanent settlement and village on route to Makalu Base Camp & Barun Valley.

At Tashi-Gaon, having lunch, enjoy the aftenoon exploring the Sherpa village festooned with age-old Buddhist culture.

Day 6: Trek to Kongma Danda

From Tashi Gaon village, the real adventure begins as the route leads into a deep forest of rhododendrons, oaks and pine trees. The climb starts heading higher trail past a few summer grazing areas and meadows, uphill continues till Kongma Ridge is reached. A high and scenic spot and well exposed ridge facing grand views of Makalu, Baruntse with Kanchenjunga in the east. At Kongma either have ovenight stay in a small simple lodge or enjoy the night in a tented camp.

Day 7: Trek to Dobato 3,700 m cross Tutu-La and Shipton - La

After a first ovenight on a high altitude feeling great and wonderful, from here onwards the altitude rises gradually. Start the moning walk on a high exposed ridge crossing Tutu-la and Shipton-La past glacial ponds ‘Thulo and Sano Pokhari’.nn nnThe walk continues reaching a flat level area at Dobato. A small settlement with some small huts, serving as tea-house / lodges. Either stay in a small hut or in tented camps for ovenight halt.

Day 8: Trek to Yangle Kharka

A great walk today towards scenic Barun Valley on route Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka. Moning walk downhill to Mumbuk, located within dense tall trees, as the walk leads to Barun Valley. Feel the great pristine environment amidst spectacular surroundings. The walk gets easier with slow climb crossing streams and over Barun River to Yangle Kharka for ovenight stop.nn nnA lovely small settlement with a number of huts serving as lodges, enjoy the comfort in a nice simple lodge for ovenight stop.

Day 9: Trek Langmale Kharka or Jark Kharka

Moning from Yangle Kharka walk leads to an open valley of Barun, where tree lines drop for smaller juniper bushes. Walk follows gently up crisscrossing over several streams reaching at Langmale Kharka for ovenight stop. Either in a small simple lodge or enjoy the night in a tented camp, from here altitude gains much higher. Getting close to our final highlight and destinations.

Day 10: Trek to Makalu Base Camp 5,250 m -05 hrs.

From Langmale Kharka or Jarak Kharka, adventure leads to Mt. Makalu Base Camp, our main highlight. Starting the moning walk crossing a small stream, the trail follows towards a higher area at Shersong. Which is close to lower Barun glacier facing views of Mt. Makalu. After a refreshing stop having packed lunch, start the trek to Mt. Makalu base camp. The walk follows a number of stone enclosures around a high grazing area then reaching Makalu base camp.
The highest spot of the adventure, either staying ovenight in a simple small tea-house or in tents, will be set close towards Baruntse Himal and Makalu glaciers.

Day 11: At Makalu Base Camp for a scenic hike.

After many days of continuing walks, enjoy the rest day at Makalu Base Camp with time to explore around. Hike to the high hills within the wild areas of arctic zone landscapes. A climb close to Base Camp will add more heights to the adventure. Offer great close views of Mt. Makalu summit at a close distance, includes views of Baruntse and Chamlang Himal. Enjoy the rare Kangsung, the Easten Face of Mt. Everest with Lhotse and an array of giant peaks.

Day 12: Trek to Yangle Kharka

Retun jouney to Barun Valley at Yangle Kharka for ovenight camp, after a wonderful experience at base camp. Walk on the same route with chances of spotting some wild-life on these pristine surroundings.

Day 13: Trek to Dobato

Moning walk on leaving the Barun Valley, a pleasant walk to a stream and then climb to Mumbuk. A small place amidst dense forest, as the walk follows a steep climb reaching on a wide open ridge at Dobato. Where our ovenight camp is set with time to enjoy the surrounding landscapes.

Day 14: Trek to Kongma Danda 3,500 m -05 hrs.

Retrace the walk back to Kongma Danda, as the trail leads over Shipton and Tutu-La reaching the glacial ponds. Then climb to a high ridge reaching Kongma Danda for the last ovenight camp on the high hills and ridges of Makalu.

Day 15: Trek to Seduwa 1,493 m-07 hrs.

Enjoy the moning views of Kanchenjunga and Makalu peaks, and head downhill through dense forest surroundings to Tashi Gaon. After a long descent taking a rest and for possible lunch stop. Aftenoon walk back to Seduwa taking the same route, as well choosing an altenative trail visiting Nava-Gaon.
A large Sherpa village above Seduwa, whichever route chosen, finally walks ends at Seduwa for an ovenight. Enjoy the comfort of a simple lodge or in tented camp.

Day 16: Trek to Num 1,560 m - 05 hrs.

Today is the last trek of the adventure to Num village. The walk leads past Gadhi-Danda village then descends towards a farm field for a few hours. Heading past many villages and then to Num village for an ovenight. Enjoying the comfort of a nice simple lodge, Num is en-route Makalu base camp, this farm village slowly developing into a town with the construction of a motor road.

Day 17: Drive to Tumlingtar 448 - 04 hrs.

After a wonderful time around the high hills and mountains of easten Nepal. Moning from Num, enjoy an exciting drive on the rough road through villages with beautiful views of the surrounding hills. After few hours of drive reaching Khadbari, a major town and headquarter of Sanka Sabha district and Makalu region. From here downhill to Tumlingtar for last ovenight in the comfort of a nice lodge. The final ovenight stop around Easten Nepal before flying back to Kathmandu.

Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotels.

Enjoy the last breakfast around the hills of Easten Himalayas.
Moning a short walk to Tumlingtar airport for a smooth, scenic flight to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu domestic airport, a short transfer back to your hotel. Aftenoon free at leisure, for individual activities and shopping

Day 19: Free day in Kathmandu, contingency day. O/N Hotel.

Enjoy the leisure day, relaxing with fond memories of Makalu Base Camp and Barun Valley Trek. Interested people can join for another tour to Patan and Bhaktapur, worth a visit not to be missed.

Day 20: International departure for homeward bound.

Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, get ready for final departure as per your intenational flight time. Our guide and staff transfer you to the airport.
Bidding farewell to the guide and staff as you depart for a homeward bound flight, after a wonderful experience and adventure to Mt. Makalu and Barun Valley Trek.