Makalu National Park Trekking

Duration: 30 days | Grade:

After a day of exploring Kathmandu, we depart by bus towards Hille in eastern Nepal . It's a long journey – taking the best part of two days – and you may at times find it tedious. However, it is also a good opportunity to see the terai (plains) of Nepal and experience an aspect of the country quite different from the mountains through which you will be trekking. We will make an overnight stop in Dharan before continuing to Hille – the starting point of our trek.

In Hille (1850m) we hire additional porters to carry all and the cook may well purchase additional fresh fruit and vegetables here. On the following day we will commence our trek northwards to the Makalu . and Barun region and ultimately to Makalu . BC. Our route takes us north along the banks of the Arun River , then northeast across three passes and numerous river valleys. This allows plenty of time for acclimatization, an important factor for the final week of the trek. The first few days are spent walking up the Arun River valley. This is one of eastern Nepal 's major rivers, originating in Tibet not far from Everest and flowing south to join the Sun Khosi. This is a beautiful and unspoilt part of Nepal – the river is wide at this point, its blue-grey waters flowing slowly between white sandy banks, mainly composed of glistening fragments of mica. There are many small settlements along its banks and here you will have your first opportunity to meet the Nepalese of the villages. The trails in these first few days are easy – there are few hills and the short days allow long lunch breaks for lazing in the sun and swimming in the rivers. In the early and late parts of the season (October/November and March/April) this area will be quite hot during the day and temperatures may reach up to 35 degrees C)

Above the Arun river is Tumlingtar airstrip, an extensive plateau with many small settlements scattered around. From Tumlingtar, we head eastwards and make our ascent. The trail soon will turn to ridge route between Arun river and Sabha Khola. The trail climbs to Khandbari (1040m) where our trekking permit will be checked. We keep climbing till we reach the Tamang village of Bhotebash.

Beyond Bhotebash, the cultivated field will soon disappear and the fine scenery of Chamlang, Makalu and Jaljale Himal will appear. We start descending to the village of Mure at 1980m through rhododendron forest and the people here are Sherpas and Rais. After Mure, we make a long descent to Num at 1490m on a rocky eroded trail. From Num, the trail again descends through corn fields and jungle to Arun river at 660m before making a long steep climb through along a rocky trail to Seduwa at 1490m. We pass terraced fields, meadows and arrive at the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon where we have a rest day. Beyond Tashi Gaon, our hard days begin. We gain an altitude of 1400m from Tashi Gaon to Kauma at 3470m. From Kuama we climb steeply through rhododendron forest to ridge tops and we come to the long Mani Wall with prayer flags on the top.

The views of Makalu and Kanchanjungha can be seen from here. We also cross Shipton La pass and descend to Mumbuk – a forest camp. We descend through steep gullies and arrive at the Barun valley. The trail here is mostly ill defined, rocky and with sloppy mud which leads up to the Glacial valley. We cross the north side of Barun Khola and arrive at Nhe Kharka. The trees are birch, scrub rhododendron and the valley is wider, offering great mountain views in all directions. Above Nhe Kharka, we follow the north bank of the Barun river. We leave the rhododendron forest and arrive at alpine level passing moraine created by the Barun glacier. The altitude gain is almost 1500m on this day as we do not have an alternative camp other than Sherson at 4615m. At Sherson the huge face of Makalu pops up before us. From Sherson, we take the trek to the Makalu Base Camp for incredible panoramic views of the South face of Makalu, Baruntse, Everest and Lhotse.

Internationally recognised for its rich biological diversity and cultural heritage, Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area (MBNPCA) was formally established in 1991 as Nepal 's eighth national park. Covering 2 330 sq km the park is a vital component of the greater Mount Everest Ecosystem which includes Nepal's 1 148 sq km Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park to the west and the adjoining 35 000 sq km Qomolangma Nature Preserve in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north. Unlike other national parks in Nepal , there are no trekkers lodges nor souvenir shops within Makalu-Barun National Park . There is one small tea house at Langmale (near the Base Camp) run by a third-generation native of the upper Barun Valley . In an effort to control and consolidate the impact of camping, the pitching of tents is only allowed in designated campsites.

The Upper Arun and Barun valley's are among the the richest for birds in Nepal . Those in the Barun valley, a tributary of the Arun are of special interest as they are virtually untouched by man. Birdwatchers have rarely visited the region because it is not easily accessible.
From Makalu BC we retrace our steps back through the Barun valley to Tashi Gaon and finally on to the warm region to Tumlingtar and our flight back to Kathmandu.

Itinerary - Outline

Day 01 Arrive Kathmandu 1330m
Day 02 In Kathmandu
Day 03 Kathmandu to Dharan by bus
Day 04 Dharan to Hille by bus 1850m
Day 05 Mangmaya Khola 200m
Day 06 Surti Bari 300m
Day 07 Tumlingtar 937m
Day 08 Khandbari 1040m
Day 09 Botehash 1740m
Day 10 Mure 1980m
Day 11 Num 1490m
Day 12 Seduwa 1460m
Day 13 Tashi Gaon 2070m
Day 14 Rest Day
Day 15 Kauma 3470m
Day 16 Mumbuk 3570m
Day 17 Nehe Kharka 3000m
Day 18 Sherson 4615m
Day 19 Makalu BC 5000m
Day 20 Excursion to Baruntse Glacier
Day 21 Nhe Kharka
Day 22 Mumbuk
Day 23 Navagaon
Day 24 Num
Day 25 Chichira
Day 26 Manebhhanjyang
Day 27 Tumlingtar
Day 28 Fly to Kathmandu
Day 29 In Kathmandu
Day 30 Depart Kathmandu



Itinerary Rating: A spectacular unspoilt and challenging trek if you have the time go for it

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