The trek to Makalu Base Camp through the Arun and Barun rivers valleys is one of the great wilderness experiences that Nepal can offer. This area is largely uninhabited but there are plenty of picturesque campsites along the route.
The trek begins in Tumlingtar and gradually climbs through scenic villages above the Arun River. This river can only be crossed via a spectacular suspension bridge, which leads us to Tashi Gaon, the last Sherpa village on the trail. From here we climb through cloud-forest jungle festooned with orchids to the Barun La (Shipton Pass) before commencing our exposed descent across landslides to the Barun Valley floor.

Makalu Base Camp is now only a day away, and to our left rises the Lower Barun Glacier and the spectacular peak of Chamlang. The goal of our trek lies at the foot of the extensive Barun Glacier. Makalu dominates the skyline in front us, with countless other peaks forming a majestic panorama around our camp.

We then strike deep into the heart of the mountains. We first approach the Sherpani Col (6110m) and then camp on the Baruntse Massif. The following day sees us crossing the West Col (6140m) before settling into another camp and preparing ourselves for the final and most technical pass, the Amphu Lapcha (5850m). This last pass skirts around Ama Dablam and brings us into the upper Chukung Valley near to Island Peak. It is then an easy walk down through the famous Sagamartha National Park to a flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.

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Day Itinerary

1. Preparation day in Kathmandu
2. Fly Kathmandu to Tumlingtar (may be possible to walk to Khandbari depends on time).
3. Tumlingtar to Khandbari 6 hrs 1040m
4. Khandbari to Chichila 7 hours 1830m
5. Chichila to Num 7 hours 1500m
6. Num to Seduwa Gaun 7 hrs 1460
7. Seduwa Gaun to Tashi Goan 6 hrs 2200m
8. Tashi Gaun to Dashi Goan 6hrs 2900m
9. Dashi Gaun to Khongma Danda 7hrs 3500m
10. Khongma Danda to Mumbuk 6hrs 3570m (Shipton La 4127m and Tutu La 4075m)
11. Mumbuk to Yangla kharka 6hrs 3620m
12. Yangla kharka to Jek kharka 6hrs 4120m
13. Jek kharka to Makalu Base Camp 7hrs 5000m
14. Makalu Base Camp rest day
15. Makalu Base Camp to Swiss Base Camp 6hrs 5435m
16. Swiss Base Camp Rest
17. Swiss Base Camp to Sherpani Col camp 8hrs 6110m
18. Sherpani Col Base camp to Barunche Base camp via West Col 8hrs 6140m
19. Barunche Base Camp to Amphu Lapcha base camp 6hrs 5450m
20. Amphu Lapcha base camp to Chhukung via Amphu Lapcha 8hrs 5850

21. Chhukung to Dengboche 5hrs 4380m 22. Dengboche to Tengboche 4hrs 3860m 23. Tengboche to Namche 4hrs 3440m 24. Namche to Phakding 4hrs 2420m 25. Phakding to Lukla 2hrs 2840m 26. Fly Lukla to Kathmandu 27. Kathmandu free day 28. Spare Itinerary day in case flights are delayed