Makalu Region Trek

Adventure of breaking the isolation

With the fifth highest mountain in the world, Mount Makalu (8485 meters), this region is the part of the Mahalangur Himalayas which is in the north eastern part of Nepal and very near on the southeast of Mount Everest. Bordering Nepal and Tibet, Makalu is a four sided pyramid shaped mountain and stands together with other two prominent peaks Kangchungtse (also called Makalu II – 7678 meters) and Chomo Lonzo (7804 meters).

Mount Makalu region is an isolated, yet a very wonderful trekking destination protected by Makalu Barun National Park. This national park is well known for about 3000 flower species, 440 birds’ species and 75 mammals including Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Yak and Himalayan Thar. Especially popular for an adventurous ecological trekking, Makalu trekking trail extends from about the elevation of 850 meters to 5000 meters. This variation in altitude and climate is reflected on a large variety of valleys, dense forests, deep gorges, very high waterfalls, plants, yak grazing grasslands, glaciers, wild lives and local people’s cultures. During Makalu base camp trekking, while the base camp is itself an amazing hub of natural beauty,  trekkers can view Mount Everest (8,848 meters), Mount Kanchenjunga (8586 meters), Mount Lhotse (8,516 meters), Mount Makalu (8,463 meters), Chamlang (7,319 meters) and Baruntse (7,220m), to name a few.

As an isolated trekking area, also known for its virgin wilderness, Makalu region extends from Sagarmatha National Park to Tibet and Arun River valley and the trekking trail follows Arun, Koshi and Barun valley. Moreover, there are also three high mountain passes - Sherpani Col (6135m), West Col (6143m) and Amphu Laptsa (5850m) for those who are more experienced adventure trekkers and like to face some challenges in their adventure.

Spending some time with the local Buddhist people and visiting the monasteries is worth remembering cultural activities. Because of the isolation of this region from mass tourism, there are very few teahouses, and therefore, the trekking adopts both tea house and camping modes.