Overview
About Makalu Base Camp 16d
The Plus
- The wild character of the trek
- Very little frequented
- Variety of landscapes and villages
Included/Exclude
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Plane flight of about 35 minutes from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. Magnificent panoramas of the entire Nepalese Himalayas Then 30-minute drive by car rickshaw to the big village of Khandbari.
About 4h30 of uncomfortable private jeep on a track under construction. Overnight in Guest House in Num
We start our trek with a big descent to cross the Arun River before going up to Seduwa. Sub-tropical climate. Dense forest, ferns, bamboos, bananas, cardamom and terraces where millet grows.
4 hours of walking; +600m
It is varied and very green: Through the hills, we cross many small hamlets, streams, forests, waterfalls, ridge paths.
6 hours of walking; -100m +1600m
Via a paved path and with many stairs, we gradually climb through the rhododendron forests. We meet some shepherds with their herds of goats.
6 hours of walking; -400m +700m
On the menu of the day: 2 passes around 4150m and magnificent views. 2 hours to reach the first pass which has a small tower to appreciate a wide Himalayan panorama, including the Kanchenjunga. 1 hour more to arrive at Sano Pokhari (small lake), then another 30 minutes to Thulo Pokkhari (large lake).
The path is always paved to cross the 3rd and last pass of the day before the quick descent to the Spartan lodge of Dobate.
5 hours of walking; -600m +400m
To start, quite steep descent of about 1 hour in the forest to join the Barun River which descends from the glacier and brings freshness. Then we overlook the Barun and progress with difficulty for 1 hour through a large area of landslides, to Pemathang and its pasture for yaks. It is also a favorable region for the pretty and rare red pandas.
Yangle Kharka is also the starting point for a day of Hindu pilgrimage to caves located above the village (difficult and dangerous access)
4h30 of walking; +800m
Gradual climb through pine and rhododendron forests. After 2 hours and the village of Tadosa, the vegetation changes and becomes scarce. We enter the High Mountain part that a herd of 250 yaks occupies. Surrounded by beautiful massifs and mountain peaks, superb 360° panorama from the lodge run by a Sherpa family.
4h30 of walking; +400m
Beautiful day. Universe of very high mountain to the foot of makalu and its satellites.
5h30 of walking; -800m
Excursion around the base camp, then back down the same path. Overnight at the inhabitant.
6h30 of walking; -700m +600m
Coming back by the same path is not boring or monotonous. We see a lot of things in a different way, depending on the weather, the position of the sun... Big climb before joining Dobate.
6h30 of walking; -1400m +400m
This day is really pleasant and pretty with the passage of several passes, the lakes, the wide panoramas. We lengthen the classic program a little to try to balance and distribute the cumulative negative elevation gains. Family lodge perched on a ridge.
6 hours of walking; -1400m +100m
We take the time to go down. There are many excuses to take a break from an important peasant activity: It is easy and pleasant to chat with the villagers.
4 hours of walking; -800m +700m
This last day is short but concentrated: Steep descent to cross the Arun River and also steep ascent to Num via the stone stairs. We are at low altitude and it is hot, whether in the forest or through terraced crops.
Return to Khandbari by the track. Journey of 4h30 by private jeep. Overnight in family guest house.
Return to Tumlingtar by car rickshaw (25mn) and flight to Kathmandu.
