Makalu Base Camp Trek

How Difficult Is the Makalu Base Camp Trek?

Well, it isn’t easy. The Makalu Base Camp trek is among the most challenging treks in Nepal, and it is more than 250 km in distance. Compared to other base camp treks like Everest and Annapurna, this particular trek needs a lot of preparation and a muscular physique. However, there’s no need for climbing gear and mountaineering skills. Our guide will teach any climbing skills required for the dangerous part before the trek.

The elevation of the Makalu trek is also 4800 meters, and the chances of altitude sickness at such a height are severe. You need to add acclimatization days to your Itinerary and walk very slowly. Other than altitude and distance, the hardest part of the Makalu Base Camp trek is its remoteness. Once you reach the higher altitude, you barely see any villages and meet people.

Trip Grade: Fitness level, Medical, and health

The Makalu Base Camp trek is a challenging adventure that demands good physical fitness and endurance. Trekkers can expect difficulty walking moderately for around six to eight hours daily, often on rugged terrain. The altitude can rise to 5000 meters, posing challenges for some individuals.

The trekkers should be prepared for more strenuous activity and have a good endurance level. Trekkers must be in good health and physical condition before starting this journey. Those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease are advised against attempting this trek without consulting a doctor first.

Altitude Sickness in Makalu Trek

Altitude sickness is a big worry when trekking to Makalu Base Camp trek. Before going to higher places, ensure you’re used to the altitude. It’s wise to climb slowly and take breaks to get used to the height. If you start feeling sick, like a headache or dizziness, it’s crucial to go down to a lower place and see a doctor. The highest elevation during the trek is 4800 meters so make sure to acclimatize properly and drink enough water to avoid altitude sickness.

Trekking Experience for Makalu Circuit Trek

Having some climbing experience can be helpful when climbing the Makalu Base Camp trek. The Makalu Circuit Trek is a challenging trek, and having some hiking experience and basic climbing skills can make it easier. It’s good to be comfortable walking for long hours each day and be prepared for rugged terrain.

If you’ve climbed other mountains before or done challenging hikes, you’ll feel more confident on this trek. However, even if you’re new to climbing, as long as you’re in good physical shape and ready to take on the challenge, you can still enjoy the adventure of reaching the Makalu Base Camp trek. Take it slow, listen to your guide, and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Emergency and evacuation at Makalu Base Camp Trek

Helicopter rescue is the primary means of evacuation. Helicopter rescue can be costly on favourable weather conditions. In an emergency, contact local authorities or your trekking agency promptly. Your trekking agency will arrange an evacuation helicopter, but you are responsible for the costs. The trekking agency does not provide travel insurance. You must purchase your policy from your home country. Expect to pay around $250 – $400 for comprehensive travel insurance.

Kit and equipment for Makalu Trek

When getting ready for the Makalu Base Camp Trek, it’s crucial to pack the right gear since you’ll be in a remote area with limited supply access. Here’s a simple list of things to bring:

Clothing:

• Base Layers (synthetic base layers (2 sets) for warmth and moisture-wicking)
• Fleece jackets
• Down jackets for varying temperatures
• Waterproof and breathable shell jacket and pants
• Trekking Pants
• Hiking Shorts
• Warm Hat
• Gloves
• Socks
• Headscarf/Buff
• Sunglasses (Polarized sunglasses with UV protection)
• Sun Hat

Footwear:

• Hiking Boots (Waterproof, sturdy, and well-broken-in boots, with ankle support)
• Hiking Shoes

Backpack:

• Trekking Backpack (Durable, with a comfortable fit, 60-70L capacity)
• Daypack
• Waterproof Backpack Liner

Sleeping Gear:

• Sleeping Bag (Rated for -20°C/-4°F or colder, down or synthetic)
• Sleeping Pad

Other Gear:

• Water Bottles (2-3L capacity, with purification tablets)
• Trekking Poles
• First Aid Kit
• Toiletries
• Toilet Paper
• Portable Hand Sanitizer
• Personal Documents (Passport, visa, insurance information, emergency contact details)
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Waterproof Bags

Special training

Special training for the Makalu trek should focus on building physical fitness and endurance. To improve your stamina, you can start with regular aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, or cycling. Strength training exercises for your legs, core, and upper body will help you cope with the demands of the Makalu Circuit Trek.

It’s important to gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to prepare your body for the long trekking days. Practicing hiking with a backpack is also beneficial, as it will help you get used to carrying a load during the Makalu Barun National Park trek.

Best Time for Makalu Base Camp Trek

The Makalu Base Camp Trek can be enjoyed at different times of the year, depending on your preference and your situation. Here’s a more detailed look at the two best times to trek to Makalu Base Camp trek:

Spring (March to May):

Pros:

• Clear skies and warm weather.
• Stunning rhododendron forests in bloom.
• Sunny and mild days, making trekking comfortable.
• Ideal conditions for completing the trek with ease.

Cons:

• It can be crowded with other trekkers, and you may not get teahouses if the advance booking is not made.
• Potential for late snowfalls.

Autumn (September to November):

Pros:

• Clear skies and dry weather after monsoon season.
• Moderate temperatures with cool nights, aiding acclimatization.
• Uninterrupted views of surrounding peaks, perfect for photography.

Cons:

• Early snowfall is possible in higher altitudes.
• Temperatures can drop significantly at night.

Weather Information of Makalu Barun Trek

Spring (March-May):

• Temperature: Mild, with daytime highs around 15-20 degrees Celsius and nighttime lows dropping to near freezing (around 0 degrees Celsius).
• Precipitation: Moderate rainfall, especially in April. Occasional snowfall can occur at higher altitudes.

Summer (June – August):

• Temperature: Warm with daytime highs around 20-25 degrees Celsius and nighttime lows around 10-15 degrees Celsius.
• Precipitation: Heavy monsoon rains with increased cloud cover and reduced visibility.

Autumn (September – November):

• Temperature: Mild, with daytime highs around 15-20 degrees Celsius and nighttime lows dropping to near freezing (around 0 degrees Celsius).
• Precipitation: Less rainfall than spring, occasional snow flurries at higher altitudes.

Winter (December – February):

• Temperature: Cold with daytime highs around 0-5 degrees Celsius and nighttime lows dropping well below freezing (-10 degrees Celsius or lower).
• Precipitation: Heavy snowfall, especially in January and February, with blizzard conditions possible.

Makalu base camp trek permit

Two required permits:

• Makalu Barun Conservation Area Permit: Essential for accessing the base camp.
• Makalu Rural Municipality Permit: Required for entry into the area.

Permit Costs:

• Nepalese citizens: NPR 100 per person.
• SAARC citizens: NPR 1500 per person.
• Other nationalities: NPR 3000 per person.
• Makalu Rural Municipality Permit: NPR 2000 per person.

Food during the Makalu Base Camp Trek

Due to the high altitudes of the Makalu Base Camp Trek, it’s essential to fuel your body with enough nutrition and carbohydrates to support your walking. Here’s a rundown of the typical food options you can expect along the way:

Breakfast:

• Pancakes, oatmeal, muesli.
• Eggs (omelettes, poached, boiled)
• Tibetan bread, buckwheat bread, chapatis.
• Honey, jam, apples.

Lunch:

• Dal Bhat (rice and lentil soup).
• Soups, spaghetti, dumplings, pizza, spring rolls.
• Sandwiches, macaroni, tendu (noodle soup), spaghetti noodles, thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), pasta, and pizza with various toppings.

Dinner:

• Dal bhat and tarkari (vegetable curry).
• Tibetan bread, soups, Sherpa stew.
• Sandwiches, dumplings, macaroni, tenduk, noodles, thukpa, pasta, vegetable curry, and salad.

Accommodation during the Makalu Base Camp Trek

Accommodation during the trek is typically provided in local teahouses or lodges. These are basic but comfortable places to rest and recharge. You’ll usually find twin- or triple-bedded rooms with shared bathroom facilities. The teahouses and lodges offer basic amenities like hot showers (for an extra fee), electricity from solar panels, and sometimes Wi-Fi (though it can be unreliable). They also serve basic meals, snacks, and drinks for purchase.

It’s important to note that facilities can vary along the trail, and you should be prepared for a more experience, especially at higher altitudes. Nights can be cold, so bring warm clothing. Camping is an option if you’re looking for a more immersive experience. This allows you to get closer to nature but requires more preparation as you’ll need to bring your gear and food.

Electricity and battery recharge, water during the Makalu Base Camp Trek

You’ll find electricity during your trek at the teahouses where you stay overnight. They use micro-hydropower and solar panels to generate electricity, and you can recharge your devices like phones, laptops, or iPads there for a small fee. However, there’s no free Wi-Fi available along the trekking trail, so it’s not recommended that you bring your laptop.

When trekking to Makalu Base Camp, you’ll stay in teahouses overnight. These places have electricity thanks to micro-hydropower and solar panels. But remember, you might have to pay a little fee to use the charging facilities.

As for Wi-Fi, you won’t find any free hotspots along the trekking path. So, it’s better not to bring your laptop, as there’s no free internet access. Some teahouses might have Wi-Fi, but you must pay for it.

With Himalayan Masters

Booking:

• Easily book your trek via the Himalayan Masters website.
• Contact the team through email or phone for inquiries and bookings.
• Enjoy convenient airport pickup upon arrival in Kathmandu.
• Friendly staff will guide you to your accommodation in Kathmandu.

Support Team:

• Knowledgeable about the region and its culture, providing valuable insights.
• Porters Carry your luggage, allowing you to focus on the trek.
• Dedicated to ensure your safety and comfort throughout your journey.

Makalu Trek Starting and Ending Points:

• Trek starting point: Typically, Kathmandu, where you meet your guide and Num where you start your trek.
• Ending point: Usually the same as the starting point, with a return transfer to Kathmandu.

A typical day on the Makalu Base Camp Trek

Every morning during the trek, our guide or porter will bring you tea or coffee around 6:30 a.m. After freshening up, you’ll have time to pack your bag before breakfast. Breakfast is usually served around 7 a.m. Before starting the trek, take 5 minutes to stretch and warm up.

Lunchtime is generally around 12 – 1 p.m. Lunch and a cup of tea or coffee are served quickly from the menu. After lunch, there’s usually another 2-3 hours of walking before reaching our camp or lodge. You can rest before dinner, and our guide and porter will bring tea to your room. Then after having your dinner a guide will explain the brief hike of the next day.

Trekking Costs for Makalu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu Base Camp Trek cost is divided and breakdown into following points:

Permits:

Permits are a significant expense for trekking in the Makalu region, which is a restricted area. Expect to pay a substantial amount, often exceeding $100 per person, for the Restricted Area Special Permit and other permits specific to the Makalu Barun Conservation Area, typically ranging from $20 to $30 per person.

Guides:

A licensed guide is mandatory for trekking in the Makalu region. Guide fees are generally charged daily, ranging from $25 to $30 per day, and the cost will depend on the guide’s experience and qualifications.

Porters:

Hiring porters is optional but highly recommended to help carry your luggage. Porter fees are also typically calculated on a daily basis and vary depending on the distance and difficulty of the trek, typically costing between $20 and $25 per day.

Accommodation:

Accommodation options range from basic teahouses to camping. Teahouse costs vary depending on the location and amenities, ranging from $6 to $10 per night.

Food:

Food costs can be higher in remote areas, so it’s important to factor in both meals and snacks. Expect to spend $15 to $25 per day on meals and $5 to $10 per day on snacks and drinks.

Gear:

Essential gear like sleeping bags, down jackets, and trekking boots can be rented or purchased. Renting can be cost-effective, especially for items you may only need for the trek, typically costing $2 to $5 per day.

Insurance:

Comprehensive travel insurance is crucial for high-altitude trekking, as it can cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and other unforeseen situations. Expect to spend $250 to $400 for comprehensive travel insurance.

Transportation:

Transportation costs vary depending on the trek itinerary. Flights to the trek starting point might be required, and local transport may be needed to reach remote trekking areas. Flights typically cost between $200 and $400 for roundtrip travel, and local transportation can range from $20 to $50 for various trips.

Himalayan Masters offers a comprehensive Makalu Base Camp trek cost package, including permits, guides, porters, food, accommodation, gear rental, insurance, and transportation. This package provides a suitable and cost-effective way to experience the trek without managing individual expenses, typically costing around $2800 per person.

Insurance for Makalu Base Camp Trek

Travel insurance is essential for the remote Makalu Base Camp trek, covering medical expenses, including emergency helicopter evacuation, which may be necessary due to limited medical facilities. You must purchase your travel insurance from your home country, as trekking agencies in Nepal do not provide it. Expect to pay around $250 to $400 for comprehensive coverage.

Your insurance should cover the full cost of a helicopter evacuation if needed. Ensure your policy covers trip cancellations, lost or stolen gear, and adventure sports activities. Choose a policy offering 24/7 assistance for any medical advice or emergency support. Always carry a copy of your insurance policy and contact information during the trek.

Additional Expenses

Several other expenses to consider when planning a trip to Makalu Base Camp include gear rental or purchase, essential for the challenging terrain and high altitude. You’ll also need to budget for food and accommodation along the trekking route and any permits or fees for entering the national park. It’s also wise to budget for souvenirs or additional activities you might want to do along the way.

ATMs in Makalu Circuit Trek

Withdraw cash in Kathmandu before starting your Makalu trek, as ATMs are unavailable along the route. While there is an ATM in Tumlingtar, it is not directly on the Makalu Base Camp trail. Carry enough cash to cover expenses, as some lodgings may accept credit cards, but it’s best to have cash as a backup. Inform your bank of your travel plans to ensure your cards work abroad.