Makalu Trek
- Region :
- Makalu
- Duration :
- 22 Days
- Grade :
- Difficult
- Altitude :
- min. 750m - max. 5000m.
High in the heart of the eastern Himalayan, seven valleys radiate from Mt. Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak. These valleys, particularly the Barun valley, treasure some of the last remaining pristine forest and alpine meadows of Nepal. From the bottom of the Arun valley at just 435 m above sea level, the Himalayas rise to the snow capped tip of Makalu 8463m with in a 40 km distance. With in this wide range of altitudes and climates, the Makalu Barun area contains some of the richest and most diverse pockets of plants and animals in Nepal, elsewhere lost to spreading human habitation.
Most of the trekking is a remote wilderness, with just two small settlement and seasonal herding in high pastures. The incredible steep topography and abundant monsoon rains (1000 – 4000 mm per year) of the eastern Himalayan support unusually diverse bio climate zones and a rich storehouse of medicinal and useful plants. The trek has more than 400 species of birds, including the spotted wren babbler and the olive ground warbler. These two species have never been seen in Nepal before.
There are many animals including the endangered red panda, Himalayan black bear, the clouded leopard, ghoral, tahr, wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan marmot, weasel, common langur monkey and serow. The Arun River gushing through the park has around 84 varieties of fish including salmon.
Bhotia people originally from Tibet live at higher elevation and carry on Buddhist traditions. A handful of other hill tribes including Gurung, gurung Tamang, Magar, Rai, Niwar, Brahmins, Chhetris, and occupational casts live in the lower elevations.Itinerary of Makalu Trek
- Day 1
- Flight Kathmandu - Nepalgunj, O/N at hotel.
- Day 2
- Flight: Kathmandu - Tumlingtar (860 m). Trek to Khadbari (1,040m) (4 hrs). Camp
- Day 3
- Trek Khadbari to Chichila (1,830 m) (5/6 hrs). Camp
- Day 4
- Trek Chichila to Num (1,490 m) (5 hrs). Camp
- Day 5
- Trek Num to Sedua (1,460 m) (5/6 hrs). Camp
- Day 6
- Trek Sedua to Tashi Gaon (2,070 m) (5 hrs). Camp
- Day 7
- Trek Tashi Gaon to Kauma (3,470 m) (6 hrs). Camp
- Day 8
- Rest / Exploration day at Kauma. Camp
- Day 9
- Trek Kauma to Mumbuk (3,570 m) (5 hrs). Camp
- Day 10
- Trek Mumbuk to Nhe Kharka (3,000 m) (6 hrs). Camp
- Day 11
- Trek Nhe Kharka to Sherson (4,615 m) (7 hrs). Camp
- Day 12
- Trek Sherson to Makalu Base Camp (5,000 m) (4/5 hrs). Camp
- Day 13
- Trek Makalu Base Camp to Nhe Kharka (3,000 m) (7 hrs). Camp
- Day 14
- Trek Nhe kharka to Mumbuk (3,570 m) (6 hrs). Camp
- Day 15
- Trek Mumbuk to Kauma (3,470m) (5 hrs). Camp
- Day 16
- Trek Kauma to Tashi Gaon (2,070 m) (5 hrs). Camp
- Day 17
- Trek Tashi Gaun to Pukuwa (1,520 m) (6 hrs). Camp
- Day 18
- Trek Pukuwa to Bumling (1,160 m) (5 hrs). Camp
- Day 19
- Trek Bumling to Tumlingtar (860 m) (4 hrs). Camp.
- Day 20
- Flight: Tumlingtar - Kathmandu. Hotel Overnight.
- Day 21
- Free day to explore, and enjoy Kathmandu. Hotel Overnight.
- Day 22
- Final Departure.