Makalu Base Camp Trek – 23 Days

Trip overview

Overview: Makalu Base Camp 23-days trek 

The Makalu Base Camp Trek route is via the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area. This Makalu Barun area is located in the eastern part of Nepal. The main focal point of this trek is Makalu Barun National Park, Solukhumbhu, and Sankhuwasabha districts. The Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s most pristine and adventurous trekking experiences, ideal for trekkers seeking solitude and raw natural beauty. Located in the eastern Himalayas, this trek leads to the base of Mount Makalu (8,485m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world, through the remote Makalu Barun National Park.

Makalu Barun National park

The Makalu Barun National Park was established in 1992. The Makalu is a formerly restricted trekking area; it extends over five major ecological zones where the lush, tropical Arun Valley, dense forests of rhododendron and fir, and alpine meadows can be found that lead to the mighty Barun glacier. Mount Makalu (8463 m), the world’s fifth-highest peak, Chamlang Himal, and Barun Valley are the major jewels of this trekking area.

Makalu trekking

The Makalu trekking region and the Everest trekking region are close to each other. Makalu Base Camp Trekking is challenging and outstanding, but the trek up to Makalu Base Camp is one of the most remote and unfrequented trekking areas in Nepal.

Atmosphere and Vegetation

Having a wide range of altitudinal and climatic variations, the Makalu Barun area offers a remarkable and diverse habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna. The Makalu-Barun National Park is also home to a rich variety of wildlife animals. The highlights of this rich natural paradise include beautiful mountains, pristine forests, a wide variety of plants and wild animals, and the simple and warm-hearted local people with rich and varied customs.

About the location

The altitude climbs from the Arun Valley at only 435 meters above sea level to Makalu at 8463 m, just 40 km away from the valley. The best time to schedule Makalu trekking is between September and November and also March and May, when the passes are less likely to be covered in snow. The Makalu Trek is another popular trekking destination in Nepal.

settlement of the peoples Makalu–Barun Area

The Makalu Barun area is nestled in the lower reaches of the Barun and Arun valleys, where there are communities of Rai, Sherpa, and Shingsawa (Bhotia) farmers. Even economically poor and isolated, they retain a rich cultural heritage. They hold the key to the preservation of the unique biological and cultural treasures of the Makalu Barun area. The Makalu-Barun area is little known to most tourists due to its relative inaccessibility. But those few hundred trekkers and mountaineers who visit each year come away with an unforgettable experience.

Flora in the Makalu Region:

Due to its dramatic elevation range (from 500m to over 8,000m), the Makalu region hosts several distinct vegetation zones:

Subtropical Zone (up to 1,000m): Sal trees, Schima and Castanopsis species, bananas, ferns, and bamboo groves. Temperate Forests (1,000m–3,000m): Oaks, Maples, Rhododendrons (over 25 species in the region), magnolias and birch

Subalpine and Alpine Zone (3,000 m–4,000 m): Junipers, dwarf rhododendrons, and alpine meadows filled with blue poppies and edelweiss. Nival Zone (Above 4,500m): Sparse vegetation: mosses, lichens, and hardy alpine grasses

Fauna in the Makalu Region: The park supports some of the rarest and most endangered species in the Himalayas: Mammals: red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and musk deer. Himalayan tahr. Grief and sorrow. Assamese macaques and langurs in lower elevations Birds (Over 400 species recorded): Himalayan monal (Danphe—Nepal’s national bird) Blood pheasant, Satyr tragopan, Himalayan griffon, sunbirds, cuckoos, and various warblers. Reptiles & Amphibians: Lesser-known species due to the remote nature of the terrain Found mostly in the lower, warmer altitudes. Butterflies & Insects: Colorful butterflies and endemic insect species enrich the ecosystem during spring and summer

About the services from company

Makalu Region trekking can be organized only as a camping trek. The Himalayan Realms Treks can arrange for you all the equipment. Our staff includes a guide, cook, Sherpa, and sufficient porters to carry all your trekking gear. Even if you have never camped before, there is no need to worry that you won’t enjoy the experience. The tents we provide are roomy, the sleeping pads/mattresses are comfortable, and international-style food of a high standard is freshly prepared and served in the camp. On all of our camping treks, the Himalayan Realms trek and Expedition Nepal can manage a bathroom tent as well as a dining tent with tables and camp stools, providing a comfortable atmosphere to eat and chat with fellow trekkers during each evening.

Other popular trekking routes include

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Langtang Valley Trek

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Conclusion of the Makalu Base Camp Trek

The Makalu Base Camp Trek offers a remote and awe-inspiring adventure into the heart of the Himalayas. Ideal for experienced trekkers seeking solitude and raw natural beauty, this journey provides spectacular views of Mount Makalu (8,464m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world. Passing through Makalu Barun National Park, the trail takes you across diverse landscapes—from lush rhododendron forests to rugged high-altitude terrain. Culturally rich and biologically diverse, the trek rewards with both spiritual peace and physical challenge, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who venture off the beaten path.