Trip Mode: Hotels and in Lodge with camping on treks.
Trek Grade: Moderate & Adventurous.
Highest point: At Makalu South Base Camp 4,812 m.
Trek duration: 15 nights & 16 days (Tumlingtar to Tumlingtar with flight both ways)
Total Trip: 19 nights & 20 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Activities: Cultural tour – scenic flights and trekking.
Season: April to June and September to November.
Awesome Adventure Treks presents a magnificent journey around Nepal’s Far Eastern Himalaya walking beneath towering world 5th highest Mt. Makalu at 8,463 m / 27, 766 ft high, where you can catch rare, eastern side views of Mt. Everest known as Khangsung Face.
Makalu Base Camp trekking located Far East Nepal Himalayan under conservation of Makalu -Barun National Park with an area of 2,330 sq.kms, located around Sankhuwasabha and Solu Khumbu districts, bordered by Arun River on the east, Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park on the west, the Nepal-China border on the north and Saune Danda (ridge) to the south. Arun and Barun valley has some of the richest and unique species of plants and animals, which are near lost and extinct in rest of the world due to spreading human habitation.
Truly a most fascinating adventure to Makalu Base Camp Trekking on the least visited trails by other main flow of trekkers around undisturbed areas of Arun and Barun valley basin of Makalu and Nepal’s Far North Eastern Himalaya. Starting our wonderful journey taking a scenic flight to land at the warm semi-tropical town at Tumlingtar, where our adventure leads towards high alpine hills passing interesting villages and town of Khandbari-Chichele and Num to reach Tashi-Gaon, the last human settlement on route Makalu base camp and Barun valley.
Walk leads into complete wilderness through pristine woodland of rhododendron-pines-magnolia and fir trees to reach Khoma and towards small and large icy lakes and crossing over the smaller pass to reach beautiful Barun valley and beyond Makalu Base Camp at Sherson. With enjoyable and interesting time for few days within Makalu Base Camp in between towering peaks of Changtse-Barun and Makalu peaks with rare views of the rare eastern sight of Mt. Everest and Lhotse. Return journey leads back downhill with few ups to reach at Num for the drive to Tumlingtar on completing one of the most memorable and remarkable adventure Makalu Base Camp Trekking.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Day 02: In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour at places of interest
Day 03: Fly to Tumlingtar 448 m – 45 mins flight with an overnight stop.
Day 04: Drive to Num 1,490 m – 04 hrs with the afternoon free to explore.
Day 05: Trek to Seduwa 1,540 m- 05 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Tashi Gaon 2,135m – 04 hours.
Day 07: Trek to Kohma Danda 3,556 m – 05 hours
Day 08: Trek to Mumbuk 3,553 m – 06 hours
Day 09: Trek to Nghe (Nehe Kharka 3,760 m – 05 hours
Day 10: Trek to Shersong 4, 572 m – 05 hours.
Day 11: Rest day at Shersong for a day hike to Makalu South Base Camp 4,812 m.
Day 12: Trek to Yangle Kharka 3, 598 m – 06 hours.
Day 13: Trek to Mumbuk – 05 hours.
Day 14: Trek to Kohma Ridge – 05 hours.
Day 15: Trek to Narbu Gaon 1,310 m via Tashi Gaon – 05 hours.
Day 16: Trek to Num via Seduwa – 05 hours.
Day 17: Drive back to Tumlingtar – 04 hrs.
Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 19: In Kathmandu free day with an optional sightseeing tour.
Day 20: International departure for homeward bound.
Your first impression of arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport is an experience in itself. But don’t be worried by the apparent confusion as your airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, you will be at your hotel within 20 minutes or so.
You have time to relax and enjoy the ambience and comfort of the hotel until your evening Group Meeting. This is when we collect your insurance details and discuss how the trip will run for the coming days. After the meeting, we go for our first group dinner. Your tour leader will take you to a traditional Nepali restaurant in Thamel.
(M Hotel or equivalent)
A free day in Kathmandu to relieve you from jetlag on long flights, our morning sightseeing tour starts after breakfast in the hotel, where you will be engrossed with tour around world heritage sites around Kathmandu visiting Old Durbar (palace) Square, and ancient stupa of Swayambhunath, after a tour head back to hotel with preparation for Makalu Base Camp trek next early morning.
(other options on the tour of Hindu Holy Temple of Pashupatinath dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bouddhanath large Buddhist Stupa the area is also known as Little Tibet)
After breakfast, our guide and staff transfer you at Kathmandu domestic airport for 45 minutes sweeping scenic flight to Tumlingtar overlooking range of snow-capped peaks from Langtang all the way to Mt. Everest, Makalu & Mt. Kanchenjunga, then on reaching Tumlingtar, located on a shelf above the Arun River, walk across to this small town area for the overnight stop, with afternoon free for local walk around this interesting town, this area is quite tropical in nature.
From Tumlingtar starting the morning with a scenic interesting drive heading to the mid hills passing many farm villages and the large town of Khandbari, drive continues on the hill ridge rough dirt road leading higher to Chinchela village from here a long descend to Num village slowly turning into a town with the motor reaching this village a few years back, at Num overnight in lodge or in tents with grand views of surrounding landscapes and peaks of Jalajala Himal and Makalu.
Today our first day walk starts with downhill and up to Seduwa village, a steep descend to the bridge over raging Arun River around this place quite tropical, and then with a climb towards farm fields and small villages of Runmura, here with lunch break and then with a gradual climb to reach overnight stop at Seduwa village, a small place with primary school and small health post with views of Num across the ridge and of other adjoining hills of Bhojpur and Jalajala rocky peaks.
After Seduwa village, morning walk on undulating winding trail to Tashigaon a Sherpa village, the last village before Makalu base camp, walk leads through farm areas with nice terraces of millet, a major crops after rice and wheat’s of this area, and then for 3-4 hours of good trek reaching at Tashigaon for lunch and overnight camp with time to visit the local village around, which is quite interesting. The Sherpa of this area is quite different to Khumbu highlanders.
Leaving Tashigaon the last village for a week-long, morning walk leads on gentle path into the thick forest of rhododendron, oaks and tall pines trees passing many cattle herder’s temporary shelters of shades and stone huts after few hours of pleasant walk stopping for lunch on the grassy meadow and summer pasture ground.
Afternoon walks with a steep climb for few hours to reach Kohma ridge top, as the tall trees give away for smaller rhododendron and juniper bushes and small birch trees. This high ridge offers excellent views of Kanchenjunga mountain range and of Mt. Makalu with adjoining peaks, from here in the complete wilderness.
From Kohgma Danda morning walk on a ridge line following a gradual path with few ups and down reaching at icy ponds of Thulo Pokhari (big) with Sano Pokhari(small) after crossing Tutu-la and Shipton la at above 4, 453 meters pass, and then downhill back into forest with views of Khumbakarna Himal range of mountains towards north, overnight camp on a level ground in the middle of tall trees.
Today walks leads to scenic Barun valley famous for rare species of vegetation- plants and herbs including wild-life, starting the morning with down-hill for an hour and crossing a small stream to reach Barun valley, walk with gentle up views of peaks on both side of the valley passing few Sheppard’s shelters with a small Buddhist Gompa (monastery), after a pleasant walk of 5 hours reaching at Nehe Kharka for overnight camp around Barun valley.
From Barun valley walk to Shersong leading at the end valley near Makalu base camp leading on gentle uphill crossing streams with great views of Mt. Makalu and Baruntse peaks, after a nice walk of 5 hours reaching at our destination at Sherson for two nights camps.
Rest and acclimatization day to soak with the views of Mt. Makalu, Baruntse peaks with peak IV, morning an optional hike for excellent views of Mt. Everest with rare East Face known as Kanshung faces with Lhotse.
Retrace the journey back on the Barun valley to Yangle Kharka enclosed within high rocky cliffs with views of cascading waterfalls after a descend reaching the overnight camp at cow herders temporary summer grazing place at Yangle-Kharka.
After a wonderful time at Barun valley, walk leads past the valley with a climb to reach back into thick woodland at Mumbuk for overnight camp.
On the same trail back to Khoma ridge morning walk with a climb for an hour or more through the forest on reaching the hill top ridge leaving the tree lines, and passing the ponds and over Tutu la and Shipton la reaching at Khoma ridge for overnight camp.
Morning walk on downhill path back into forest of tall tree lines to reach villages and farm fields, on reaching at Tashigaon taking a different higher route to Nawa gaon village, through cool shade of woodlands and farm terraces and then reaching a large Sherpa village of Narbugaon on for overnight stop, with afternoon free to explore this nice farm village.
From Narbugaon our last day walk of this wonderful adventure leading downhill with few short up to Seduwa gaon after a rest here continue to descend on a steep path to Arun River, after crossing a bridge a steep climb for few hours to reach at Num village for last overnight around the high hills of Makalu.
After a wonderful time on the high hills and mountains with farm villages, from Num taking an exciting drive on the rough road passing past villages with beautiful views of surrounding green hills and peaks, after few hours of drive reaching Khadbari, a major town and headquarter of Sanka Sambua district of Makalu region. From here an hour downhill back to Tumlingtar in the comfort of a nice lodge.
After a fabulous and gorgeous time around Mt. Makalu as per the morning flight time to Kathmandu, taking a short walk at Tumlingtar airport terminal then board on the small aircraft for scenic sweeping flight to Kathmandu, after a wonderful flight with parallel views of mountain reaching at Kathmandu, then transfer to your hotel with rest of the day free at leisure.
Awesome Adventure Trek reserves today as contingency day, in case of flight delay and cancellation at Tumlingtar, which might happen sometimes due to bad weather conditions.
If all goes well per our itinerary days one can use this spare day and join in our tour at places of interest around World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur, with rest of the day free for individual activities and souvenirs shopping.
Your last day in amazing Nepal, the land full of Himalayan wonders after wonderful experience and fond memories of Makalu Base Camp Trekking around Far North East Himalaya region, our staff transfer you to the airport as per your time for an international flight for your final departure toward homeward bound.
Subject: Thanks for a great trek
Message: We have just completed a 15 day Himalayan trek with Awesome Nepal Treks and it could not have been better! The trek was very well organized, had excellent food and accommodation, there was no problems whatsoever and our guide Dil was a very informative, well-spoken and absolutely entertaining guy. The whole experience was amazing and I would strongly recommend Awesome Nepal Treks to anyone who wants a great, enjoyable, hassle-free trip.
My cousin and I traveled to Nepal in 2011 and completed the Everest Basecamp Trek with our guide Dil Thapa.
Dil absolutely made sure this trek would far exceed my expectations and I am grateful for the time we shared together in Nepal.
There are an endless amount of photos and videos online for us to see the natural beauty of Nepal before arriving there. The greatest compliment I can give Nepal (more specifically, Dil Thapa) is this, the beauty of Nepal is its people first and foremost.
Trip Name: Short Poon Hill Trek
Booked this trek from the comfort at home in the UK. Communication with Dil was brilliant, his response to all my emails were quick and courteous. He tailored the trek around us, as a small group of 4 adults ranging in age from 29 to 69 (who was still recovering from an ACL op last May). His pace was brilliant for our group.
Dil arranged to meet us in our hotel in Kathmandu and talked us through the trek, bringing maps, holdalls and T-Shirts.
The trek was for 3 nights, 4 days staying in good, clean lodges. All was included except our drinks.
We experienced trekking in glorious sunshine up to Poon Hill. There was still snow on the ground and Dil provided the group with crampons, which made walking easier and safer.
Our trek started and ended in Pokhara. Dil and his team collected us from our hotel in Pokhara promptly at the time agreed.
Dil and the porters were brilliant, the porters were more than porters and made our trek even more enjoyable. We felt totally safe and Dil was an excellent guide. The scenery was spectacular.
Would certainly use Awesome Nepal Treks again as Dil arranges trips to Tibet and Bhutan.