Makalu Base Camp Trek 22 Days

Trip Facts

  • Duration 22 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Destination Nepal
  • Transportation Private Vehicle and Domestic Flight
  • Activity Cultural City Tour, Trekking and Hiking
  • Best Season March - May and Sept- Dec
  • Group Size Mini 2, Max 16 People
  • Trip Start/End Kathmandu
  • Max Altitude 4,870m/15,978ft

Highlights

  • Summiting the base camp of the world’s fifth highest mountain, Mt. Makalu, at 4,870m
  • Trekking in the coveted Makalu Barun National Park with landscapes resembling but even more dramatic than that of Yosemite Valley.
  • Crossing the Shipton La ( pass) at 4,257m, once trekked by legendary Eric Shipton and Edmund Hillary
  • Trekking the unspoiled territory of  snow leopard and red panda
  • Camping in verdant Kharkas ( meadows or summer pastures)
  • Scenic mountain flight to and from Kathmandu and Tumlingtar
  • Sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

 Makalu Base Camp Trek Overview

This trip in the great outback of Makalu is a high alpine odyssey that begins from the lowest valley in the world, & then rises up to the highest elevation at the base of Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world at (8,481m). This trek occurs in the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area, an area of exceptional nature and recognized throughout the world for the diversity of its flora & fauna. Being an area with very little accessibility & not much known to most trekking circuits, a countable few trek groups have visited this distinctive region.

Makalu is geographically situated 22 km east of Everest and approx. 80 km west of Mt. Kanchenjunga was closed to the outer world till after the 2nd world war or until 1950 when the famous explorer of the wild, Eric Shipton, visited & crossed what today is known as the Shipton La at {4220m} to get to the base of Makalu. Several years later, in 1955, the French conquered the mountain via its North West ridge.

The Adventure Club has intricately designed this itinerary to give a wonderful trek in the true wild for both first-time adventure seekers heading to Nepal and also those who have hit the trails on several trips. The outing takes off from Tumlingtar at a base altitude of just 400m which then peaks later at 5,500m after a near two weeks. From an eagle’s viewpoint above Makalu Base Camp, there are some outstanding views of some of the world's highest peaks that including Everest at (8,850m), Lhotse at (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Chamlang (7,319m) and Baruntse at (7,220m).

While hiking the trails, we come across an interesting host of communities from diverse cultural traditions, these include the Rais, Limbus, Newars & Gurungs who are nearer to the flatlands & as we go to higher elevations, we meet the Bhotias, Tamangs & Sherpas who make up the hill communities. Most of these local folks live in clusters spread far & wide & survive mainly on farming. Although culturally rich, these inhabitants are basically poor & immigrate to the bigger towns for extra work to support their families. The park in the area is home to some of the most beautiful ecosystems in the world & is a wealth of plants & animal life found anywhere else.

If you are a lover of flora & fauna, then your cameras will go on overdrive with the vast array of local plants & wildlife. As you get into the Arun Valley, the vast plant species that grow in abundance include the hibiscus, poinsettia & frangipani that grow wild in this area. It’s a virtual treat to watch in the spring as almost every household has marigolds blooming all over the place; this flower is special to both Hindus & Buddhists as it is used widely in sacred rituals throughout the country.

The fauna found around the Makalu region amounts to different species. They include the red panda, musk deer, the clouded leopard, wild boar, marmot, langur monkey & over 400 bird species that are found cackling throughout the course of your trip. You will find a lot of interesting company on your journey but don’t expect the animals to strike up a pose for your camera {definitely not the YETI!}, & one thing is for sure, you are never alone, wolf tracks are always visible at the break of dawn which is proof that hungry wolves are always on the prowl at nights, especially near the base camp areas.

The Makalu region is a literal gift of divine nature gifted by God as this region is so blessed with Mother Nature in the most diverse forms ever imagined. Perhaps, it’s even more special because so few trekkers visit this region because of its extreme remoteness & lack of teahouses. Reasonable trekking experience is required to do this trek due to some of the risky routes that have to be trodden, but this shouldn’t be an obstacle, even for the first-time trekker. At the ADVENTURE CLUB, our itineraries are shaped to meet any eventualities or unpredictable circumstances due to our extensive experience in this region.

Itinerary

+ Expand All- Collapse All

Welcome to Nepal. A representative from the Adventure Club Trek will receive you upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. After going through your custom formalities (visa and so on), you will be driven to your respective hotel on Adventure Club Trek’s private vehicle. After you take a rest for some time at the hotel suite, you will be called for an orientation session with your trekking guide over a welcome dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsWelcome Dinner
  • Max. Altitude1,350m/4,429ft

After breakfast, our city guide will take you to the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Swayambhunath stupa, the famous Buddhist monkey temple is located on the hill from where you can get a picture of Kathmandu valley from a bird’s view. Pashupathinath temple, one of the most important pilgrimages for Hindus, is located in the eastern part of the city. Likewise, Buddhanath is the largest spherical stupas in Asia. You will also visit the Kathmandu Durbar Squire, a centuries-old royal palace, now turned into national museums, temples, and other buildings, with the finest architecture, fine cuts, and wood carvings. In the afternoon, we get our equipment checked by our Trekking leader, get introduced to fellow participants, and discuss our trip  Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfasrt.
  • Max. Altitude1,350m/4,429ft

We take a 40-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, a city in eastern Nepal and the starting point of our adventure. We drive 3-4 hours to Chichiri, which is a small, beautiful Gurung settlement. Overnight in Chichila.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude1,980m/6,496ft

After a warm and filling breakfast, we head towards Num, a village situated on the flat ridgeline with amazing mountain views on both sides. We pass through colorful rhododendron, oak, and hemlock trees in the mountain forest that leads us to the top of the ridge. We climb downhill for two hours to reach Num. It is a small village with less than 30 houses and a primary school. We can see our trekking trail traced in front of us. We set up a campsite in Num for the night. Overnight in Num.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude1,560m/5,118ft

We start with a downhill trek through forests and terraced fields to come to the Barun River, a tributary of the Arun River. Crossing the river brings us to a steep ascent. The lower reaches of Makalu Barun Valley are heavily forested, often providing shade in the heat. Once we walk out of the forest to a settlement, we register our permits. We have to climb up to get to Seduwa, a small village in Nepal’s eastern hills with a health post and a primary school. We get to the top of the village to camp for the night. Overnight in Seduwa.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude1,500m/4,922ft

We climb up a ridge surrounded by Kasuwa Khola to the east and Ipsuwa Khola to the west. Then, it is a pleasant walk through quiet hillside villages and paddy fields for the first 3-4 hours. For the next hour, we make a gradual uphill climb through rice and millet fields to Tashi Gaon. Tashi Gaon welcomes us with a stunning Himalayan Panorama. Overnight in Tashi Gaon.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude2,100m/6,890ft

This will be a bit of a tough day as we have to walk on a steep trail at a higher elevation. We will ascend through forests to a stream and then onto a ridge. From here the trail gets even steeper and passes a Kharka (grazing land) and finally follows a series of rough stone stairs and small lakes ascending to the top of the ridge. From here it’s a short way down to Khongma Danda. Overnight in Khongma Danda.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Today is set aside for rest and acclimatization. Getting your body used to the higher altitudes before ascending to Shipton La ( pass) the next day is important to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness. We can explore the surrounding areas the whole day. Overnight in tents at Khongma Danda.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,500m/11,484ft

It takes us 6-7 hours to summit the Shipton La ( pass). We first climb up to a ridge at 3,840m with a stone chorten adorned with Buddhist prayer flags. It is an excellent vantage point with views of Mt. Makalu. Next in our way is the Ghungru La at 4050m. We descend to a small lake to climb up a shallow gully that opens up to Shipton La. The pass takes its name from Eric Shipton who along with Edmund Hillary took this route to Dharan after the 1952 Everest reconnaissance. We descend from the pass to two lakes situated at 4020m. Then, we climb through large boulders to another pass, Keke La ( 4,150m). Dobate is a meadow on the other side of the pass. The route onwards goes through a valley of rhododendron forests. The valley is carpeted with brilliant wild rhododendrons in spring. Overnight in Dobate.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,170m/13,682ft

We trek through the dense fir, birch, and rhododendron forest which leads us to the Barun River and the upper sections of the valley. The first 2 hours of the trek require hopping a lot of boulders and crossing many streams. It is recommended you take slow but steady steps while keeping close to your guide. After traversing through alpine meadows and crossing a wooden bridge we finally arrive at the Yangri Kharka situated at the foot of Makalu Barun Valley. Overnight in tents at Yangri Kharka.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,557m/11,671ft

We start the day with a pleasant hike from Yangri Kharka to Nghe Kharka, another alpine pasture, at 3,750m. The landscapes now start to resemble that of Yosemite Valley, but we are at a much higher altitude in Makalu Barun Valley. We follow the Barun Valley bounded by the clearly ‘S-shaped Barun Khola. The dramatic landscape with cliff walls rising nearly 2,000m above the river takes us for a climb alongside a huge waterfall. We then turn waterward to Jhak Kharka ( 4,210m). Another climb takes us to Langmale Kharka. Overnight in tents at Yak Kharka.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,410m/14,469ft

Today is the day we make it to the Base Camp. From Langmale Kharka we make our way up to Shershong and eventually to Makalu Base Camp. The trail is flat with icy glaciers and snow-clad mountains accompanying us. Mount Makalu comes into view as we approach Shershong. As we make our way to the camp, we get to soak in the majestic Himalayan panorama surrounding us. Overnight at Makalu Base Camp.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,870m/15,978ft

Wake up to the sunrise view over some of the highest mountains in the world. Today, we will explore more of the Makalu Base Camp area. For those who want even more of an adventure, you have the option to climb the ridge northeast of Shersong. Uphill climb up grassy slopes takes us to the top of the ridge ( 5,250m) where views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar, South Col. Makalu, Kangshung face as well asl both the north and south-east ridges of Mt. Everest. Overnight in tents at Makalu.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,870m/15,978ft

We descend down from the base camp and take our last glimpse of Makalu before turning the corner and heading back. On our way down, we pass through Shershong, Langmale Kharka, and Merek and descend down the valley finally stopping at Yangri Kharka. Overnight at Yangri Kharka.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,557m/11,671ft

Retracing our steps through verdant forests, rock falls summer pastures, and deep Himalayan valleys back to Dobate. We descend the trail alongside the river banks of Barun Khola to our campsite. Overnight in tents at Dobate.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude4,170m/13,682ft

We begin the trek with a steep climb from Dobate to Mumbuk (Nambuk) and through a forest of firs and rhododendrons. We then cross the Keke La, Tutu La (Shipton’s Pass), and Kauma La en route. Next, we descend to Khongma Danda again. Overnight in Khongma Danda.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude3,500m/11,484ft

The trek continues with frequent long and steep descent cutting through the hillsides. The trail takes us through thick forests and finally makes it to the indigenous Sherpa village of Tashigaon. Overnight in Tashigaon.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude2,100m/6,890ft

Trekking through the trail of lush forests and conquering many ascents and descents we come across a few Sherpa Villages before arriving at Num. Overnight at Num.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude1,500m/4,922ft

We leave Seduwa and trek through lush forests towards Num. The trail goes up and down and passes through dense forests and Sherpa villages as we move downwards. Overnight at Num.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude1,560m/5,118ft

Again we retrace our footsteps to Chichira from where we can savor the glorious vista of Mount Makalu for the last time. The final return leg of the trek will see us overnight at Tumlingtar, ready for an early departure to Kathmandu the following day. Overnight at Tumlingtar.

  • AccommodationGuesthouse/ Teahouse
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Max. Altitude285m/935ft

Today, we fly back to Kathmandu after our long trek in the mountains. We can rest and relax throughout the day at our hotel or get in touch with our loved ones. In the evening we celebrate our successful trekking to the Makalu base camp and back with a farewell dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast, and Farewell Dinner
  • Max. Altitude1,350m/4,429ft

Our Makalu Base Camp Trek 22 Days ends here. A representative from the Adventure Club Trek will accompany you and see you off at Tribhuvan International airport a few hours before the scheduled flight to your home.

Note: If you still have a few days after the trekking schedule, you might be interested to experience other adventurous activities like jungle safari, Rafting, Bungee jumping, and paragliding. You may contact the Adventure Club Trek for the arrangement.

  • MealsBreakfast.

Note: Your safety is of the utmost concern whilst you are traveling with Adventure Club Trek. We will make every effort possible to follow the original itinerary but we reserve the right to change that itinerary if a segment of it becomes a safety issue. Certain mountain regions are remote, natural disasters can happen, weather conditions can decline and there can be illness or an injury. To avoid dangerous situations we may occasionally have to make changes to the itinerary to ensure everyone’s safety. That having been said, Adventure Club Trek will strive to provide you with the best possible trekking experience and to keep your safety our number one priority. We thank you for your understanding.

Cost Details

Price Includes

  • Arrival and departure transfer by private tourist vehicle
  • Standard twin-sharing hotel accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast.
  • Best available twin sharing Teahouse or lodge for accommodation during the trek. 
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
  • Government licensed, English speaking guides trained in wilderness first aid
  • Round trip flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and Tumlingtar to Kathmandu including departure taxes
  • All ground transportation in a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
  • Welcome and farewell dinner.
  • All necessary paperwork and permits (National park permit, TIMS )
  • Assistant trekking guides walk with the group to support as necessary 
  • Porters to carry your luggage during the trek (1 porter for 2 trekkers)
  • Staff costs include their salary, food, accommodation, domestic airfare, and medicine.
  • Insurance covering all staff and porters in base camp Kalapathar hike.
  • Down jacket and sleeping bag ( to be returned after trip completion) 
  • Complimentary Adventure Club Trek T-shirt, duffel bag, and trekking map
  • Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
  • Travel and rescue arrangement
  • All government and local taxes.

Price Excludes

  • Nepal visa (15 Days – 30 USD, 30 Days – 50 USD, and 90 Days – 125 USD)
  • Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
  • International air fares/flights (fares and flights can be arranged upon request).
  • Personal expenses (alcoholic drinks, bottled water, cold drinks).
  • Personal travel insurance and medical bills.
  • Personal trekking equipment.
  • Tips for guides, porters, and drivers (tipping is expected, but it is not mandatory).

Useful Info

Meals

All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — will be provided during the trek, and breakfast will only be provided in Kathmandu. We host welcome and farewell dinners for our guests. During the trek, we have breakfast and dinner at tea-houses or lodges where we spend nights while there will be lunch at tea-houses on the way. You have the option to choose from Nepali, continental, Tibetan, and Indian cuisines. As we take care of our guests, we ensure that you are getting healthy food. We prioritize locally produced organic food and also provide you with seasonable fruits.

Note: If you are a vegetarian, let us know in advance so that we could make proper arrangements for food as per your wish during the trek

Accommodation

You will be accommodated in a three-star standard hotel in Kathmandu and a guesthouse/teahouse during the trek. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional. Adventure Club Trek will arrange rooms with attached washrooms; however, teahouses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also, note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower altitudes but, it might be complicated to find them at higher altitudes.

Drinking-Water

Adventure Club provides all the meals on the trek but doesn't provide water. The best option is to treat the local water either with chlorine/iodine tablets or use a steripen. The tea houses will give you good quality free water and, you can also get along the trail but, you will need to treat it. If you are using the tablets make sure they dissolve completely (about 30 mins). On most treks, you can buy mineral water along the trail. A liter of mineral water at lower elevation tea houses costs around USD 1 but at higher elevations can cost up to $4 so the cost can add up.

Acclimatization And High-Altitude Sickness

The acclimatization planned during the trip helps trekkers adapt to the environment with less oxygen. Our body needs time to adjust to the higher altitudes. Rushing to the higher elevation without acclimatization may result in acute mountain sickness (AMS) which could be fatal. The trekkers may suffer from AMS above 2,400m/7,875ft as the amount of oxygen becomes less and less with the increase in elevation.

We can categorize AMS into three categories with its symptoms. The trekker suffering from normal AMS feels giddy, gets headache, Nausea, and is out of breath, and is suggested not to worry as it disappears after the body gets used to less amount of oxygen. Likewise, trekkers suffering from mild AMS show symptoms of dizziness, muscular pain, insomnia, headache, vomit, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Mild AMS can be treated with anti-headache medicines.

A person suffering from serious AMS shows heightened symptoms including shortness of breath even while taking rest. The trekker with serious symptoms can barely walk and fluids may build up in the lungs. The trekker having serious AMS has to be taken to the lower altitude immediately.

Advanced cases of AMS

If AMS is not treated in time, it can be life-threatening and lead to edema, a condition in which fluid is accumulated in the tissues of the body. Following are the two serious altitude sicknesses caused at high altitudes.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

In HACE, the brain gets swollen which can lead to coma and even death. Its symptoms are paralysis on one side of the body, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, bowel dysfunction, loss of coordination, and confusion. Descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible to prevent the worsening of the condition.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

Fluid is accumulated in the lungs which also increases the capillary pressure. Its symptoms include severe shortness of breath at rest, dry cough that later leads to producing pink frothy sputum, and fatigue. Important Note: Severe cases of AMS are pretty rare. All our guides at the Adventure Club Trek, are aware of the symptoms of AMS and can handle it with care. We prioritize acclimatization, talk about the use of Diamox beforehand and counsel all our trekkers on the risk and preventive factors before and during the trip. Your safety is our main concern.

First-Aid Kit

Our guides and porters are equipped with a basic first-aid kit during regular treks. For expeditions that take on the isolated and off the beaten trekking paths, a comprehensive first-aid kit is compulsory, the same goes for climbing expeditions as well.

  • A bandage in case of sprains.
  • Plasters/ Band-aids and antiseptic ointments for simple cuts
  • Iodine or water filter (optional) instead of buying bottled mineral water
  • Moleskin/Second skin in case of blisters.
  • Aspirin/Paracetamol -painkiller.
  • Oral rehydration salts-Nava Jeevan or Jeevan Jal (orange-flavored ORS)
  • The broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin).
  • Anti-diarrhea medication (antibiotic).
  • Diarrheal stopper (Imodium - optional).
  • Diamox 250/500mg (for altitude sickness).
  • Gel hand cleaner/sanitizer.

Note: We can add medical supplies as per the special needs of the trekkers to the first-aid kit given above.

Equipment And Packing List

We recommend that you bring the items to the list below. If your trek is longer or shorter than that, appropriate adjustments can be made, reflect the specific requirements, season, and length of the trip. The items marked with an asterisk (*) will be provided by Adventure Club Trek at no additional cost. You are welcome to use your own such articles if you already have them and prefer your own. Many of the trekking items can be bought cheaply in the Thamel neighborhood of Kathmandu; quality will vary, with the items imported from China often being of higher quality. There are also several high-end shops in Kathmandu which carry well-known brands. Since your pack will be carried by our porters, please remember the weight limitation is 15kg (33 lbs since there is nothing there but some prayer flags. Also, please note that you did not send me any list of gear.

* The Adventure Club Trek will lend each trekker a set of down Jackets, sleeping bags, and duffle bags.

* Our main guide, trained in wilderness first aid, will carry a comprehensive medical kit.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND ITEMS

  • Valid passport, 2 extra passport size photos, airline tickets.
  • Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepali visa at Kathmandu airport, paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, and snacks, and purchasing your own drinks and gifts.
  • Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc

 HEAD

  • Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions
  • Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
  • Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Prescription sunglasses (if required)

UPPER BODY

  • Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
  • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
  • Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
  • Down vest and/or jacket *
  • Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

LOWER BODY

  •  Non-cotton underwear briefs
  • 1 pair of Hiking shorts
  • 1 pair of hiking trousers
  • 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
  • 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
  • 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

FEET

  • 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
  • 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
  • 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
  • 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
  • Cotton socks (optional)
  • Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version

HANDS

  • 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
  • 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
  • 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

TOILETRIES

  • 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
  • Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
  • Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
  • Deodorants
  • Nail clippers
  • Face and body moisturizer
  • Female hygiene products
  • Small mirror
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Wet wipes (baby wipes)
  • Tissue /toilet roll
  • Anti-bacterial handwash

SLEEPING

  • 1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*
  • Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • Rucksack and Travel Bags
  • 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
  • 1 large duffel bag *
  • A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
  • Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
  • 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

MEDICAL

  • Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
  • Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
  • Anti-diarrhea pills
  • Anti-headache pills
  • Cough and/or cold medicine
  • Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylpolyamine
  • Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants.
  • Water purification tablets or the water filter
  •  Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
  • Extras/Luxuries
  • Reading book
  • Trail map/guide book
  • Journal and pen
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
  • Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)

Best Time to Travel

Autumn (Sept -Nov) and Spring (March-May) are the best seasons for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The weather is sunny and warm with outstanding views. Trekking in Summer or Monsoon (June to Aug) will be affected by rain but a summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist.

Visa And Entry Procedures

Everyone needs a visa to enter Nepal except Indian nationals. Citizens of the SAARC nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan do not require visa for a period of 30 days. Fortunately, getting a Nepal visa is an easy process. Tourist visas are issued on arrival at the international airport and official overland entry points. However, travelers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia are not issued visa on arrival. After you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will find electronic kiosks that will assist your visa processing. Taking the completed form and paying the visa fee, you need to stay in the long immigration queue for your visa on arrival.

Visitors can now apply for online visa within15 days of their arrival date in Nepal. For this, you will need your Nepal hotel address and a digital passport-sized photo that needs to be uploaded to the online application. After submitting the form online, you need to print out the confirmation page which has to be furnished at the immigration section in Kathmandu airport along with your passport and the required visa fee. You can apply for your online Nepal visa here.

Tourists can also apply for a Nepali visa at the local Nepali Embassy or Consulate located in their respective countries. Or, they can even mail their visa application to the visa office near their location, but well ahead of time to allow sufficient processing time. Nepal visa information for all categories of travelers and their correspondence cost can be very handy, so for more information and contact details of the Nepali Embassies and Consulate around the world, you may CLICK HERE.

Whichever way you enter Nepal, you will be given a 15/30/90 day visa as per your requirement. The general Nepal tourist visa fee on arrival for multiple entries is:

15 days – US$30, 30 days – US$50, and 90days – US$125

Tourist visas can be extended for a maximum of 150 days in a year and these extensions are granted only at the department of immigration offices at Pokhara and Kathmandu. For more information on Nepal visa, visit our visa information page.

Our Trekking Guides/Leaders 

Here at Adventure Club, our staff is like family. We only use locals to support their communities and we train our staff rigorously to be the best they can be – for you! 

  •  Full first aid training
  • Guide Training (trekking)
  • English and other common languages (as requested) 
  • Village and land Conservation 
  • Mountaineering (for specialty expedition or climbing treks)

All our guides are carefully trained for leadership as good leadership is vital for your trek to be enjoyable, safe, and successful. Most of our guides grew up in Sherpa country or other mountainous parts of Nepal. Their pride in their region shows itself in the way they lead treks and interface with you. 

Porters Care

On any team, courtesy and respect are fundamental for an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Our porters are an essential, integral part of each trekking team, and as such, they are well-treated and well-paid. At the conclusion of your trek, we believe you will find that they have fully earned your gratitude and respect. We do expect all trekkers to keep the weight of their baggage under 22kgs/40lbs. Adventure Club Trek maintains a full commitment to the rights of our porters, providing them with appropriate clothing, gear, and lodging. In case of serious accident or sickness, they receive the same care as anyone else employed on the trekking team, even including evacuation by helicopter at our expense if appropriate. We fully support the IPPG (International Porter Protection Group), which strives to maintain and improve our porter's working conditions.

Travel Insurance

To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialist travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers helicopter evacuation, trip cancellation, injury, death, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment, and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking and climbing. If you are injured and unable to travel, you can ask for a rescue helicopter from a remote area only if you have definite proof you can pay for it. Adventure Club Trek has an agreement in Kathmandu that guarantees payment for helicopter evacuations. They pay a cash deposit to the helicopter operator and collect the money from you once you have been rescued. Be sure your policy specifically covers mountaineering or alpinism or you may have a difficult time settling a claim.

Electricity, WIFI, and  Battery  Recharge

During the trek, electricity is available at all the teahouses where you will spend the night. You can recharge your phones, laptop, or iPads from micro-hydropower and solar panels by paying a nominal charge. Regarding Wi-Fi, there are no free hotspots along the trekking trail, so we do not encourage carrying your laptop. Some teahouses do offer paid Wi-Fi services on an hourly basis but don’t expect high-speed connectivity on the remote trails.

Communication On Trek 

On Makalu Base Camp Trek in Nepal, the internet service will be available at lodges with some extra service charge. You can also contact your family and friends from the guesthouses, but as we reach high altitudes, the communication will be through the phone for safety purposes. We communicate with all our valuable clients through the team leader at least once a day to make sure you are fine and enjoying the trip. The Adventure Club Trek office in Kathmandu will constantly touch for help you may need during the trek. Depending on the network you use, there could be a poor signal to network before the high altitude. Upon your request, we can provide you with a separate local sim card for a better network. Many places have WIFI service available at an extra cost.

Group Size and Team Composition 

We always try to form a small group of like-minded people to give them a wonderful and perceptive travel experience. It provides opportunities to interact and share with each other in a fun-filled environment when out in the wilderness. Generally, our travel group comprises a maximum of 16 members. We need at least two participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, the number of group members do not apply. We always strive to form a team ensuring that the members are comfortable with one another.

Tipping

Tipping is not mandatory in Nepal as most services include a service charge. However, if you want to express your gratitude, you are free to offer a tip to drivers, and hotel staff among others. People usually welcome such generosity. When it comes to tipping your porters or trekking leaders, use your discretion as per the quality of the services. Tip money does not form a part of our employees’ wages. However, you can use tipping as a way of showing appreciation for excellent service at the end of the trip.

Similar Trips

Ask a Question

Sign up for our newsletter

Drop Us a Message