Makalu Base Camp trek via Shipton

Makalu Base Camp trek via Shipton

Makalu, a four sided mountain pyramid with the altitude of 8462m is the fifth highest peak in the world sitting within Makalu Barun National Park, bordered by Sagarmatha National Park to the west and Arun River to the east.

Trip Duration:

22 Days

Group Size:

Min - 2

Best Season:

Autumn / Spring

Transportation:

Private car / bus

Trekking grade:

Moderate

Trek Start from:

Kathmandu

Trek End at:

Kathmandu

Overview of Makalu Base Camp trek via Shipton

Makalu, a four sided mountain pyramid with the altitude of 8462m is the fifth highest peak in the world sitting within Makalu Barun National Park, bordered by Sagarmatha National Park to the west and Arun River to the east. Makalu Barun National Park was established in 1992 with the area of 2,330sqkm. The National Park is known for its remote wilderness with some of the pristine forest and alpine meadows of Nepal. Due to its inaccessibility the area receives few foreign trekkers. Makalu Base Camp trekking is an elite trip offering great Mountain View, landscape and astonishing scenery.

Our itinerary is designed with much planning and allows enough time to get acclimatize with the rise in altitude, and to lengthen our time around Makalu Base Camp.  The trail winds around the humid lowlands near Tumlingtar on the Arun River through one of the most isolated regions of Nepal to Makalu Base Camp. The trek makes its way through a large diversity of ecosystems and cultures, on lower sections of the trek there are Rai villages at higher altitudes Sherpa villages.

Beginning the trek from the village of Tumlingtar, the trail ascends through many Sherpa villages and cultivated farm with the astonishing vista of distant Chamlang range. The first pass of our trek is as the altitude of 1800m which offers the first view of Makalu and Jaljale Himal. Making our way through Rhododendron forest we will ultimately cross Shipton La (4216m). From here the trail moves into a beautiful Barun River valley and then to Makalu Base Camp (5000m). The base camp offers the superb views of south face of Makalu along with Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang and Barun glacier. 

Makalu Base Camp trek via Shipton Itinerary

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As soon as you land on the Tribhuwan International Airport our representative will pick you and transfer to the hotel. In the evening there will be briefing about the trek.

Food
Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1345

Today we will prepare ourselves both the physically and mentally for the trek.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
1345

Early in the morning after having breakfast we will transfer to airport and take a 35minutes flight to Tumlingtar through the Himalayas. Tumlingtar is a small settlement which sits on a wide plateau in the Arun valley. After landing in Tumlingtar we will drive to Chilchila via Mane Bhanjyang.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
1480

Making our way through the ridge we will pass through the small settlement of Baisake and Kuwapani(1870m) before passing through Mani walls at Sakuranti Majuwa. From here the trail drops into a Oak forest for a while and then climbs along the ridge into the forests and then enters into the Sherpa settlement of Mure. From here the trail descends to a rocky eroded path to Num. stay overnight at tented camp in Num.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
1500

From Num the trail steeply descends through the cornfields to Lumbang. From Lumbang the trail drops down steeply through jungle to suspension bridge over Arun Koshi at 620m. From the bridge trail steeply goes uphill through the fields of rice, corn and buckwheat. Making our way through the picturesque landscape we will climb uphill to our camping site in Sedua.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
1540

From Seduwa the trail goes uphill through terraced rice fields to Mangaon. From Mangaon the trail goes west and gradually goes above Kasuwa Khola through Mani wall, terraced fields and forested areas to Hindrungma village and then Ropesa. In the way we will find monks collecting donations for a small gompa nearby. Before reaching Tashi Gaon which is last permanent settlement we will pass through meadows and few streams. Stay overnight in tented camp.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
2070

From Tashi gaon the trail gradually goes up through the herders camp to Chipla(2520m). From here the trail steeply goes uphill through forest to a pastureland at Unshisha(3180m). We will continue the uphill walk through the sparse forest before making a final descent to Khongma. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3560

Today we will take a rest and get acclimatized with the rising altitude. we too will explore the beauty of the area. Stay overnight at tented camp in Khongma.  

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3560

From Khongma the trail steeply goes uphill to 3840m which has stone chorten adorned with prayer flags offering the astonishing view of Makalu in the distant. Making our way along the ridgeline through Rhododendron forest, we will climb along a stone staircase. Now we will cross the first pass of our trek which is Ghungru La (4050m). We will descend to small lake and then climb steeply to a gully to the major pass of Shipton La (4216m). From here we will again descend down cross lakes and climb through large boulders to Keke la(4150m). After crossing the pass the trail enters into the Rhododendron forest and which ultimately takes us to our camping site in Debotay.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4216

Today we will walk through the dense forest of Rhododendron to Yangle Kharka. Some portion of the trail are rough and places where in the past landslide has occurred so we must make our way meticulously. While making our way we will traverse through alpine meadows which offer the magnificent view of Peak 7. Ultimately crossing few streams we will reach our camping site in Yangle Kharka.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3600

From Yangle Kharka the trail continues to follow Barun valley which takes us to Langmale Kharka through the forest of Rhododendron, chilly waterfalls and potato fields.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4200

We will spend the day resting and getting adapted with the prevailing environmental circumstances. In the afternoon we will explore the area. Stay overnight in tented camp in Langmale Kharka.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
4200

From Langmale Kharka the trail climbs above the ridge along moraine which is formed by lower Barun Glacier to Merek which offers the astonishing view of Chhamlang, Peak3 (6477m) and Peak5 (6404m). From Merek the trail climbs through the rocky trail alongside the Moraine to the Shersong(4660m). a short walk from Shershong will ultimately takes us to Makalu Base Camp.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
5000

Today we will enjoy and explore the natural beauty of Makalu Base Camp has to offer. From Base camp one can witness the stunning south face of Makalu, Baruntse, Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse shar, Kangshung face and South col. Stay overnight at tented camp in Makalu Base Camp.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge

We will retrace our path back through Barun Valley to Yangle Kharka. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3600

Continuing the descent we will retrace our path to Debotay re-crossing Shiptol La. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
3650

We will retrace our path back to Tashigaon via Khongma. Stay overnight at tented camp.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
2070

We will continue to descend down and emerge out from the mountains. A steady descend through forested land to the Arun River we will ultimately make a final climb to Num.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge
Elevation
1500

We will retrace our path back to Chilchila which takes around 5hours. Upon reaching Chilchila we will catch our ride back to Tumlingtar.

Food
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accomodation
Lodge

We will take a early morning flight back to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar through the Himalayas. Upon arriving Kathmandu we will check into Hotel and in the remaining day we will explore the city.

Food
Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1345

Today we will start the day by visiting Pashupatinath temple which is situated 5km east of Kathmandu in the bank of holy Bagmati River. Pashupatinath is a pagoda shaped temple with tiered golden roofs and silver doors. Only the Hindu’s can visit the temple, but the visitors can clearly see the temple and activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of Bagmati River where the dead bodies are cremated. From here we will visit Boudhanath Stupa which is located 8km east of Kathmandu. Boudhanath stupa is dome shaped monument representing the mind of Buddha and pilgrimage destination for Tantric Buddha.  . In the afternoon we will drive to Patan Durbar Square which is situated in the southern area of the city. The square is dotted with ancient palaces, temples and shrines which are known for their antique and exquisite carvings. From here we will proceed to Kathmandu Durbar Square which is the historic seat of Nepalese royalty. Here we will visit Kastamandap Temple (a temple rumored to be constructed from the wood of single tree), Taleju temple, statue of Kal Vairab, Basantapur palace and Kumari Temple (residence of living goddess Kumari).  After this we will pay our visit to Swoyambhunath temple which is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple dates back to 2500years and is situated in the hilltop offering the astonishing view of Kathmandu. Return back to hotel for overnight stay.

Food
Breakfast
Accomodation
Hotel
Elevation
1345

You will be transferred to Tribhuwan International airport for your onward journey

 

 

Food
Breakfast

Altitude Graph

Route Map

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