Can I trek Makalu Base Camp solo?

Yes, you can trek to Makalu Base Camp without a guide. You don't have to carry food, tents, and camping gear as there are tea houses along the route. If you go solo, you don't have to worry much about food and lodging. You can find the way and novice facility easily.

What is the cost of the Makalu Base Camp Trek?

The cost for the whole trek may vary according to your expenditure. Usually, it may cost a minimum of over $1550, excluding the travel insurance charge. Food and accommodation cost more in the remote Himalayan belt. These expenses increase the budget for the trek.

How long is Makalu Base Camp Trek?

The total distance of Makalu Base Camp Trek is approximately 220km. It will take 19 days to complete the whole trek distance.

Is the Makalu Base Camp difficult?

The trek's difficulty depends mostly on weather, food and lodging facility, and geography. Makalu Base Camp trek isn't as arduous as it used to be. For good weather, you can go on a trek in seasons like spring and autumn. With teahouses, it's not that hard to find a food and lodging facility. As you have to ascend to a higher altitude, you might face altitude sickness. You can prevent altitude sickness by taking some precautions.

Makalu Base Camp Trek, Spring/Autumn 19 Days Itinerary

Makalu, the fifth highest peak in the world, is climbers' favourite mountain. The topography, natural aesthetic, and exquisite glimpses of Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu make Makalu Base Camp trek the best trekking destination in Nepal. However, the unreachable and remoteness of this landscape make it the least hiked route in Nepal.

Makalu Base Camp trek is best for peaceful hikers as only a few trekkers plan this trek in Spring and Autumn. On top, the three weeks long trekking on the Makalu Base Camp trek route takes you through Makalu Barun National Park. Makalu Barun National Park is full of the serene landscape, forests, and last remains of alpine meadows. Thanks to its unspotted places by commercialization and haphazard roadways constructions.

Natural richness Makalu Base Camp Trek

Makalu Barun National Park, the 7th largest national park in Nepal, has only two human settlements inside the premises. The ethnic groups you find throughout this trek are Rai, Bhutias, and Sherpas. During Spring, the farmers often take their Yak herding for grazing and milking.

It is home to more than 3,000 flower species and 400 species of birds, of which the majority are rare bird species. The endangered animals like snow leopard, red panda, Musk Deer, and Himalayan Thar live peacefully inside this national park.

You'll see spectacular glimpses of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Chham Long as you trek further in Barun Valley. The most common viewing of Everest is when you hike the Everest Base Camp trek. But the unseen face of Everest from Kala Patthar is conspicuously visible from the Makalu base camp trek.

The serene hike through the meadows and lush forests inside the national park is rewarding. Without a second thought, the Makalu base camp trek route inside Makalu Barun National Park is a pivot of wildfires, mountains, serenity, and high-altitude trek adventure.

Meals and Accommodation in Makalu Base Camp Trek

People trek up to the Makalu Base Camp, and it's very challenging as it has a very off-beat trail route.

Accommodation in the Manaslu Base Camp trek route is very basic. The facility in this trek isn't as it is another region trekking in Nepal.

Previously, people used to go camping in groups at night and walk all day long. They used to carry tents, camping gear, and food. They used to hire porters to carry accommodation goods.

But, things are different nowadays. You can find lodges, teahouses, and hotels in the stopping location of the route. And the services they provide may differ. It may not suit your taste, and it's what makes this trek a bit challenging.

Food in Manaslu Base Camp trek is also very basic. You can have typical Nepali food that teahouses offer. The food is tasty, for sure. But, you won't have urban food items available during the trek. It would help if you carried the snacks to eat between the breaks you take in the day. There aren't many facilities for shops and hotels all along the trail.

Nowadays, you have a normal lodging and food facility during the trek due to teahouses. But still, you should take essential items like a water container and a sleeping bag. And, you shouldn't forget the snacks.

Travel Insurance for Makalu Trek

Makalu Base Camp is at an elevation of around 4900m. And Makalu Advance Base Camp is even at the higher altitude of 5650m.

Due to its challenging trail route, this trek is already troublesome for the trekkers. Trekkers should prepare for any unpleasant experience that they might face.
It is of utmost necessity for trekkers to have travel insurance on this kind of complicated trail.

Travel insurance covers medical charges, even any illness you suffer on the trek. Altitude sickness is expected as you ascend to high elevation in this route. If anything serious happens, you won't have to worry much if you have travel insurance. Even when you need helicopter evacuations in emergencies, you'll get one, and the insurance will compensate for the cost.

It also has to make up for the emergency repatriation or evacuation sometimes. Even if you have stolen or lost baggage, it is helpful for you.

While purchasing this insurance from a different company, you should check the fine print. You should ensure that everything is covered so you can travel without stress.

Altitude Sickness in Makalu Base Camp Trek

At the altitude of 4900m, Makalu Base Camp is in the lap of Mount Makalu (8,485m). If you don't know, Mount Makalu is the fifth highest peak in the world. You will experience altitude sickness once you are over 2500m above sea level. Be careful about it as it is not as simple as it sounds.

Its symptoms are very common, like Headache, Shortness in breathing, feeling exhausted, dizziness, drowsiness, etc. It is fatal enough to bring death to your door, so you must pay proper attention to your health while trekking.

Some tips on how you can take to prevent altitude sickness are:

a) You should drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.
b) You must not have caffeine and alcohol on the trekking journey.
c) It is necessary to process acclimatisation properly.

Other than these, you ensure you have enough first aid knowledge. You should also carry the first aid kit and good medicines for general things that might happen along the way.