The spectacular trek to Makalu Base Camp has long been one of Nepal’s best kept trekking secrets. Closed to the outside world until the 1950s, when Eric Shipton first trekked into the region, it has remained relatively inaccessible and little-known except to a handful of keen trekkers; camping en route. We are delighted to now be able to offer the trail to the foot of the world’s fifth highest peak as a tea house trek, and although accommodation is simpler than in more established trekking areas, the tea houses offer a welcome place to stay along the way.
The trail to the foot of the world’s fifth highest peak, takes you through the pristine wilderness of Makalu Barun National Park, recognised for its outstanding natural beauty and great diversity of flora and fauna. It also has great variety and contrast of scenery with every day bringing a rich selection of scenic rewards as you climb from 700m to over 5,000m.
The trekking is challenging but immensely rewarding. On a single day alone you cross four high passes, including the Shipton La (Eric Shipton’s original expedition route) three of which are over 4,000m – a truly stunning day’s trekking. And, if you do this trek in the spring when there may be lingering snow, crossing the passes is even more exciting. The final approach to Base Camp is undoubtedly one of the best and most scenically spectacular walk-ins anywhere in the world and, when you finally reach Base Camp, Mount Makalu utterly dominates with its majestic, monumental presence. It makes you realise how daunting it would be to climb this 8,416m beast. From a viewpoint above the base camp, you can enjoy an epic panorama of some of the Himalaya’s highest peaks including Everest, 8,848m, Lhotse, 8,516m, Chamlang, 7,319m, and Baruntse, 7,129m.
Although this is an out and back trek, the vistas are superb in both directions, and you have the key advantage that if your views were obscured by cloud on your way out, you have a second chance to see them on your return. In fact, this trek has all the ingredients to make a truly memorable and thrilling journey; high passes, soaring 8,000m peaks, incredible scenery, a rewarding objective and splendid isolation.