Makalu Region

At 8463 meters, Makalu is the world’s fifth-highest peak. It is 19 kilometres southeast of Mount Everest in the Mahalangur Himalayas, on the Nepal-China border. Makalu is a solitary peak with a four-sided pyramid shape.

It is located in the Makalu Barun National Park, Nepal’s eighth national park and the eastern extension of the Sagarmatha National Park, which was established in 1992. The protected region stretches 66 kilometres west to east and 44 kilometres north to south.

The trail traverses the Barun river valley in the Barun National Park, crossing the Shipton pass at 4127 meters before arriving at the Makalu Base Camp at 5000 meters, with spectacular views of Makalu’s south face, as well as Everest and Lhotse.

The Makalu Barun National Park contains a wide range of forest types typical of the Eastern Himalayas, ranging from near-tropical monsoon forest at 400 meters to subalpine conifer stands at 4000 meters. Forest features vary based on seasonal moisture availability, temperature, and snow cover at different elevations and slopes. Subsistence agriculture has considerably impacted forests below 2000 meters, with just a few biologically significant stands remaining.
Tropical, subtropical, lower and higher temperate, and subalpine forests cover five bioclimatic zones. Aromatic plants and delicate wildflowers thrive above 4000 meters, where dwarf rhododendron and juniper thrive. Butterfly, reptile, amphibian, fish, bird, and eagle species abound. There are also several leopards, wolves, red fox, panda species, black bear, musk deer, tahr, goral, and wild boar species.

Even though it is near the Everest zone, the Makalu region is distinct in many aspects.

Sherpa people dwell at higher heights and practice Buddhism. Rais practice and follow an ancient religion that encourages them to live peacefully with nature. Different ethnic groups reside at lower elevations, including Tamang, Magar, Gurung, Newar, Brahmins, and Chhetris. This region has a diverse cultural heritage but is economically depressed and secluded.

– Day 1: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar 360 m by flight (45 mn).

– Day 2: Tumlingtar to Khandbari 1020 m (6 hrs).

– Day 3: Khandbari to Chichila 1840 m (6 hrs).

– Day 4: Chichila to Num 1500 m (5 hrs).

– Day 5: Num to Sedua 1540 m (5 hrs).

– Day 6 : Sedua to Tashigaon 2070 m (4 hrs).

– Day 7 : Tashigaon to Khongma 3560 m (7 hrs).

– Day 8 : Khongma to Mumbuk 3550 m (5 hrs).

– Day 9 : Mumbuk to Yangle Kharka 3600 m (5 hrs).

– Day 10 : Yangle Kharka to Merek 4570 m (7 hrs).

– Day 11 : Merek to Shersong 4660 m (5 hrs).

– Day 12 : Shersong to Makalu Base Camp 5000 m (5 hrs).

– Day 13 : Makalu Base Camp to Yangle Kharka (5 hrs).

– Day 14 : Yangle Kharka to Mumbuk (5 hrs).

– Day 15 : Mumbuk to Khongma (5 hrs).

– Day 16 : Khongma to Tashigaon (5 hrs).

– Day 17 : Tashigaon to Num (5 hrs).

– Day 18 : Num to Chichila (5 hrs).

– Day 19 : Chichila to Mani Bhanjyang (5 hrs).

– Day 20 : Mani Bhanjyang to Tumlingtar (5 hrs).

– Day 21 : Tumlingtar to Kathmandu by flight (45 mn).

This strenuous hike is suitable for anyone with good physical condition and previous trekking experience.

The park is in the Himalayas’ eastern climatic zone, where the monsoon season begins in June and ends in late September, with monsoon clouds arriving in April.

It’s a hiking trip in the form of camping.